Discovering the Jewels of Northern Mindanao

 

A Glimpse of Negros Occidental

Known as the sugar capital of the Philippines, Negros Occidental is a blend of the cosmopolitan and the rustic lifestyle… the modern architecture and the stately Spanish-Era mansions and haciendas.   The people of Negros Occidental are regarded as affectionate, friendly and fun-loving people who enjoys the finer things in life.   Everywhere you go you see vast sugarcane plantations… a marvelous sight to see as the swaying green blades of the sugar canes touch the azure skies.

Negros Occidental occupies the northwestern half of the island of Negros and is made up of many provinces with Bacolod City as the Capital.

Victorias City, Negros Occidental

Church of the Angry Christ, Victorias

the altar of the Church of the Angry Christ…. this church is located inside the Victorias Milling Company compound.

Manapla, Negros Occidental

Chapel of Cartwheels, Manapla

this chapel in a secluded area of Manapla is constructed of old carabao cartwheels and other farm implements

i instantly fell in love with this simple, rustic chapel in Manapla… i was wondering where we were heading when we suddenly turned into a dirt road and passed by fruit orchards… but when we reached a little clearing with this rustic,  lonesome structure under a shady tree… nothing compares to this fine, ingenuous artistry and craftsmanship of  the Negrenese…

Escalante City, Negros Occidental

the sugarcane plantations as one travels the rustic roads of  Escalante

Bonista Beach Resort….. an environmental  friendly resort in a sun-drenched tropical setting where the waters is cool, the air is fresh and traffic noise is almost non-existent… located in rural, unspoiled Escalante…

the beach at Bonista at low tide

a private cove

the resort’s pool area

the rooms at Bonista

a natural mini lake along the  road going to Bonista Beach Resort

Talisay City, Negros Occidental

The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occidental

The Ruins in Talisay City is such a breath-taking place… a grandiose mansion built in the 1900′s by sugar cane baron, Don Mariano Lacson.   The edifice is best viewed during dusk when the rustic mansion turns into glowing gold as the setting  sun’s rays changes the mansion into a magical spectacle.

Bacolod City

Bacolod City Hall

Panaad Park, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City

Silay City, Negros Occidental

The Heritage House at Silay City

Murcia, Negros Occidental

Mambukal Mountain Resort, Murcia

Stepping into the Sunshine @ Moalboal

Along the western coast of Cebu is a long stretch of pristine white sand beach comparable to that of Boracay… Moalboal’s very own Bas Dako… where the powdery white sand meets the lapping waves of the crystal clear sea… rich in marine life… ideal for swimming, snorkeling and even diving… many enjoy various water and beach sports. The only complain I have with Bas Dako is that it gets too crowded during summer weekends… azure sky… warm sunshine… cool, clear sea… Bas Dako… a perfect summer escapade in the west coast…

sunset at Bas Dako

Sidetrip at Manila Ocean Park

I have always wanted to go scuba-diving and explore the underwater paradise… a totally different world yet a truly beautiful and magical place… but the only hindrance for me to experience this life-long dream is that I don’t even know how to swim or float! good thing that an oceanarium or underwater park was constructed in Manila… Ocean Park Manila… a state-of teh art Oceanarium…

The Bahura

the first part of the Oceanarium where numerous tanks display the country’s colorful underwater rainforests…. beautiful, colorful corals and coral reef fishes…

baby sharks at the lower right … shark eggs on the upper portion… an awesome sight

The Laot

or the Fishing Ground… here, huge aquariums display different deep sea fishes in all sizes and colors

Spider Crab

Buhay na Karagatan

or the Living Ocean…. a 25-meter walk along an underwater tunnel… a one of a kind experience for ocean lovers where you get to witness how underwater creatures interact with one another in their natural habitat… a truly awesome experience…. i just could’t get enough of this part of the Oceanarium… i culd stay here the whole day….

fell in love with these sea creatures….

Pating

or Sharks…. a very huge tank from floor to ceiling where numerous predators of the sea are on display… be esmerized as you come face-to-face with these fierce sea creatures… one of the displays in the Oceanarium i find fascinating…. the tank holds black-tipped reef sharks and angel sharks…

Exploring Mactan’s Island Destinations

Mactan has a lot of neighboring islands ideal for island hopping, beach bumming, snorkeling and scuba-diving. The most famous is Olango Island or the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary, where many migratory birds flock during winter season from neighboring countries like Siberia, Northern China and Japan. Based on data gathered from studying these birds in Olango, these birds use Olango as their refueling station as well as their wintering ground. Many foreign as well as local tourists visit Olango to enjoy bird-watching as well as swimming and the island’s bountiful seafood.

Another famous island destination is Pandanon Island. The powdery white sand and the warm turquoise water makes this island the perfect get-away for those who are looking for a perfect day of fun under the sun. This island actually is a sandbar, part of a tiny, inhabited island of Getafe, Bohol…. thus not a part of Mactan, Cebu. But many local and foreign tourists include Pandanon Island as one of their island destinations when they are planning on enjoying an Island-Hopping Tour of Mactan Islands. The one-hectare stretch of white sand is carved by a lagoon ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Other island destinations that are equally famous are Hilutungan Island and Nalusuan Island where one can enjoy luxury accomodations and amenities for daytime or ovenight stays. These two island resorts are Protected Marine Sanctuaries ideal for scuba-diving and snorkeling.

PANDANON ISLAND

Pandanon Island from afar

group picture after a great time at Pandanon Island

CAOHAGAN ISLAND

the bounty of the sea at Caohagan Island