Indulging into one of the many paradise beaches in the Philippines provides a well deserve break from all the haggles in life. May it be for scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, fishing, a walk in the beach or just even as simple as family outing would bring the greatest pleasures in life. Should you be looking for a great escape into a well deserve vacation the mystical world of Pagudpud is one of the many paradise destination one can savor.

Welcome To Pagudpud

Known to many as the surfing capital, Pagudpud is blessed with a world class white sandy beach located in the northern part of the country specifically in the province of Ilocos Norte. The island beach is reputed to have the longest contingous white sand sea shore along with mighty strong waves and winds that is typically bound best for surfing and sailing and comparably to those of Hawaii. Its powdery white sand is a perfect match to that of any of the Philippines pristine beaches especially Boracay and its crystal clear waters are a sure hit for many travelers seeking a well deserve vacation and tranquility.

The Kaibigan Falls is an alternative for those who wishes to go on a mountain journey while enjoying mothers natures best. Nearby Vigan, Laoag and Paoay are a must to see and while in Batac one should never forget to visit the Marcos Museum and Mansion.

Pagudpud Beach

A point of caution though for everyone, is not to swim too far from the shore, because the strong under water current could potentially spell unwelcome disaster. In addition visitors should carry a bit of extra cash for that local shopping and as they say nothing comes cheap nowadays. However, the beauty of the place ensures that every penny spent on the trip is worth it.

A 16 hour drive from the capital, truly, the Philippines largest and arguably most beautiful island promises a dream getaway for all visitors of a magnificent and unforgettable experience in a secluded paradise.

A province in the northeastern corner part of Luzon facing the Pacific Ocean,  Cagayan Province is home and the regional center of the Cagayan Valley Region. Derived from the word “tagay” a kind of plant that abundantly grows in the province it was subsequently named “Catagayan” which means where the plant comes from. ( Don’t mistake the word for its street traditional term “Tagay” which means “Your turn for the shot of drink” in a drinking session.) Cagayan Province is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east, on the southside Which is Isabela Province, on the west is the Cordillera Mountains, and on the north by the Balintang Channel and the Babuyan Group of Islands. About a few kilometers from the northeastern tip of the province is the Palaui Island, and to the west is Fuga Island. The Babuyan Group of Islands, which includes Calayan, Dalupiri, Camiguin, and Babuyan Claro, is about 60 nautical miles north of Luzon mainland.

Cagayan Provincial Capitol

The Province of Cagayan speaks quite a few dialects besides English and Tagalog and literacy is high as modern facilities and ways of teaching are implemented. Some of the dialects that are spoken in this province are Ilocano, Ybanag, Itawit and Malaweg with Ilocano as the most widely used by the general population of the province. The last time I was in Cagayan was when I was in my first year high school. That was a long time ago and a lot of changes has occurred. I went to Tuguegarao City, the capital of Cagayan but mostly stayed in Claveria, since my friend belongs to the Salvatera clan and is the son of Judge Honorio Salvatera. I ate the widely known delicacy of the province known as the Tuguegarao Pancit or the Batil Patung to just try it and experience the great flavor.

Cagayan Cave

The province has bountiful mountainous treks of unspoiled mountains and forests which are well recommended for outdoor activities like trekking, mountain climbing and exploration, camping, among others. These activities are also good sources of livelihood for the rural communities as locals are the best guides. Aside from the beautiful mountains clean rivers and seas make the province ideal for water sports activities like swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, and white river rafting. The lower basin of the Cagayan River is found in Aparri, Cagayan where a fluvial parade attended by more than a hundred fishing boats is being conducted every May 10. Also, the Cagayan River is the longest and widest river in the country. It starts from the Province of Nueva Vizcaya and goes along down to Cagayan.

Cagayan Beach

Since Cagayan faces the Pacific Ocean an extensive shoreline sprawls along the coastal towns of Sanchez Mira, Sta. Praxedes, Claveria, Buguey, Buguey, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, and the Islands of Palaui, Fuga, and Island Municipality of Calayan. Sanchez Mira, Claveria, and Sta. Praxedes have facilities for excursion stays while Fuga Island is being developed as a world class recreation and tourism center. Whale watching at the Calayan Islands are the most sought after and scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing are the most famous in Palaui Island in Sta. Ana. The airstrip at Claveria could be used as a jump-off point to Fuga Island.

There are a lot of recreation and things to do in Cagayan for tourist and locals alike with its famous Sambali Festival celebrated throughout and in commemoration of its founding. Activities in the province are unlimited with its green sorroundings, floras and faunas, caves and historical churches. Also there are lots of nice places to stay such as the Governors Garden Hotel, Hotel Candice, Hotel Roma and Hotel Kimikarlai all in Tuguegarao City.

The Nature Front of Mindanao – Misamis Oriental

Anybody who loves nature will surely love the beauty of Misamis Oriental. The province that used to be a district of Cebu and referred to as “Partido de Misamis” then and until it became one of the district of Mindanao by the 19th century.

Misamis Oriental Cave

Planning a visit to Misamis Oriental ? A sure to have fun with its numerous possibilities that range from gorgeous beaches to watersports, from cave explorations to the settlements of ethnic groups with the wide range of things that a true blue nature lover will take perhaps more than a couple months to fully enjoy all that to offer. Reaching Misamis Oriental, you can start off by visiting the Vega Ancestral Home as well as the Lagbas Ancestral Home. It might be best to start with the smaller less energy draining feats before diving into the more strenuous ones. Then you would rather go straight into the natural pool of sights and sounds, and might want to visit the Agutayan Reef. The said reef is often referred to as the Jasaan. It is a small island that has an impressive spread of coral reef. On the side of the island is a 50ft drop off which can extend to 150 ft.  Along the wall, the diver will surely see a variety of fish such as barracudas, tuna, surgeon fish, and if the diver is lucky, he or she might see a shark or two. (Just be careful)
Another reef to check out is the Constancia Reef. It is actually a shoal which covers around 3 hectares. Its shallowest depth is only at 20 ft, but the whole reef is a treat for divers since he or she is treated with sea fans, sponges, tropical fishes, and the whole lot. Other places to visit include Talisayan Shoal, Sipaka Point, Punta Diwata, and Manongul. If you decide to take a break from all that blue water, then you can try visiting caves for another type of adventure. The caves in Misamis Oriental have captured the hearts of spelunkers, tourists, and anthropologists.

Misamis Oriental Seaside

Misamis Oriental is not to miss any of its festivals. Like most provinces in the Philippines, Misamis Oriental celebrates its own festive days such as the Kagay-an Festival for Cagayan de Oro during August 26, Kaliga Festival for Gingoog City in July 23, and the ever popular Hudayaka Festival.

Misamis Oriental Festival

Truly, Misamis Oriental is the one of the spots in the Philippines where nature lovers and tourists alike can enjoy again and again. A breathtaking marvelous relaxation.

Chocolate Hills

Another amazing island paradise situated in the Central Visayas Region. Known globally as the Island Paradise of Bohol which is also included or acknowledged as one of the Eight Wonders of the World distinguished places. The island boasts vast natural resources and pristine coastlines of crystal clear waters. The world renowned Chocolate Hills, a natural geological formation of small mountain areas spread across the land by which in the summer time looks like inverted “chocolate kisses“, located in Bohol is the signature attraction of the province and is internationally acclaimed as an Eight Wonder of the World.

The Province of Bohol is also a prime tourist destination of the Philippines with a strong agro-industrial economy, proud cultural heritage with a commitment in preserving its natural environment. Its capital of Tagbilaran City, a second class component city, is also one of the most popular and competetive places in the country known also as “The Friendship City“. Aside from being a worldwide top destination, the province is also home to the world’s smallest primate called the “Tarsier“. They are endangered species and are not mostly bound to live long in captivity and their habitat are now protected by the local government with aid from international environmental organizations.

World's Smallest Primate

The Province of Bohol boast of tremendous coastline beaches with wonderful one of a kind accommodations fitted for every traveler that desires to visit the place. Since its also located in the large body of water of the Visayas, its aquatic resources and beauty of its surrounding coastlines are well similar to that of Boracay. Accommodations vary from luxurious to affordable stays. My favorite one is the Bohol Tropics Resort with featured amenities, elegant and spacious suites that overlooks Tagbilaran Bay. The province of Bohol could be reached in a few hours by plane landing at Tagbilaran Airport or by sea, also from luxury ferries to affordable passenger liners.

Festivals are celebrated in the province, in towns or in barangays and varies on their respective dates all year round. But one of the most popular fiesta is the Sandugo Festival in commemoration with of the historical friendship between Datu Sikatuna and Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565. It is a month long festivity celebrated during the Month of May. The Sandugo Festival also literally means ” One Blood”, in which the friendship between the Spanish General and the local datu had a blood compact. Another popular fiesta is the Ubi Festival in the capital city wherein yam farmers showcases their products during the month of January. Other feast are celebrated in small towns and at their designated schedules in honor of patron saints.

Bohol Tropics Resort

The Philippines is an archipelago of enticing islands. Not only does it teem with attractions to keep coming back to, it boasts a myriad other reasons why local and foreign tourists would think alike. Because the country is known the world over for its beautiful seascapes, how could the people let go of the best in experience ? And there’s more to it than just plain beach combing; that is, if you’re thinking of a more exciting experience. Invitations to an isolated, far-flung island are seldom to come by. So when one was verbally given me by my newspaper-publisher boyfriend Roel Catoto, how could a manic tripper like me turn it down ?

Surigao Del Norte

Although I’m no fond of surfing or swimming, I’m basically one to revel at the sight of sea and the sound of waves. Call me a weirdo, but while everybody would keep their fingers crossed, I’d rather thank the universe for the joy of riding a boat that is being rocked by swell, and the once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity of looking over the waves that basically remind how electrifying the current of Mother Nature’s blessings for mankind is. Roughly ten hours after I boarded at the Port of Cebu, I found myself setting foot on the City of Surigao, excited to embark another two hours en route to Siargao. My runaway imagination did not shortchange my first impression upon arrival at Dapa Port: not to mention being the surfing capital of the Philippines, it is a Shangri-la of sorts, especially where virgin islands and beach hideaways are concerned.

Siargao Island

Siargao is one of the lovely islands of Surigao del Norte, a province situated on the northeastern tip of Mindanao. A 36-nautical-mile away from the capital City of Surigao, its eatern coast overlooks the famous Philippine Deep and the Pacific Ocean, where strong winds and currents are coming from, intensified by the Mindanao’s current running westward through the Siargao Strait. In the course of every surfing competition where people from different countries come over to participate and enjoy the waves, this laid back island would turn into every tripper’s rendezvous, specifically the town of General Luna, home to one of the world’s top surfing waves, popularly called Cloud 9. Surfers and the aficionados alike do not only participate in or witness the competition, they also get to revel at some of Siargao’s unlimited offshore and underwater perks such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing, spelunking, and sightseeing. Swimmers may cross the 27-mile long, white sugar-free sand strip of General Luna. While some would like to ogle the starfishes, the sea urchins, the mollusks, the crabs, not to mention the schools of fish through their diving masks in placid shallow waters of some islets, others could find their way to the Zaragoza Rock Formation in Sibale Island, where there is a one-hectare beach park of dagger-shaped structures standing erect at 20 feet and arising from waist-deep crystal clear waters. Island hopping is not to be missed once you’re in Siargao. Different modes of transport are available for rent: motor launches or the bancas, catamarans, and kayaks. The regulars who don’t feel like leaving the place have their own sailboats built there. Of course, there are yachts here and there.

Suhuton Cave

Those who take pleasure exploring the caves and tunnels will not go out of place because Siargao is surrounded with islands that have several of them. The Suhuton Cave in Bucas Grande is submerged in water most of the time, while the Silop Cave in the mainland is cathedral-like caverns glowing with luminescent spires of stalactites and stalagmites. With three tunnels leading to a cavernous tunnel three kilometers long, the Buenavista Cave in Hikdop Island also has a knee-deep pool inside and a palatial chamber replete with a “king’s throne.” Off the Island of Dinagat there’s the Suy-ang Cave. Its high Gothic interior makes it a must-see for cave explorers. But for those who want to see a labyrinth of caves interconnected by tunnels and halls, they had better go to the mainland caves of Mapawa because this island teems with the like. It’s quite hard for a nature lover like me to resist the beckoning spots of the springs, the lagoons, the coves, the waterfalls, the mangrove forests, the whirlpools. The list of this island’s places of interest does not end here, for there’s more in Siargao than all of the above. As it seemed I was not allowed to leave the place without having been satiated with its splendor, I vowed to the tidal waves, to the powdery white beaches, and to the hospitable people of Siargao that I would be back one day — come what may.

Surigao Aquatic Resource

Experience Surigao and Experience The Philippine Islands.

Article contributed by: ARIEL ALLOSADA ALLERA