ubbataha Reef

flickr/ppborla

The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is a marine sanctuary protected as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is made up of two atolls, North Atoll and South Atoll, separated by a deep channel of approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide. It has become one of the most popular dive sites in the Philippines because of its coral walls where the shallow coral reef abruptly ends giving way to great depths. The marine park is open to live-aboard diving excursions between the months of April to June when the waves are most calm.

San Agustin Church, Manila

flickr/benjieordonez

Located in Manila, a visit to the San Agustin Church is a must see. Built in 1589, this beautiful church has survived seven earthquakes and two fires over the centuries and now remains as the oldest stone church in the Philippines. At the main entrance, there are exquisite carvings on the wooden doors. Inside the lovely, Mexican-influenced interior is designed in the shape of a Latin cross. The gorgeous ceiling was painted in the 1800s by Italian artists, Giovanni Dibella and Cesare Alberoni.

Mayon Volcano

flickr/Storm Crypt

Rising more than 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level, Mayon Volcano is significant for its perfectly symmetrical cone shape. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities here such as camping, climbing, hiking, bird watching and photography. A picturesque spot in which to admire Mayon Volcano is from the nearby Cagsawa ruins. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814 bombarding the nearby towns with volcanic rocks. The belfry and what is left of the baroque church that was destroyed by the 1814 eruption can still be seen.

Malapascua Island

flickr/grooble

A small island made up of quiet fishing villages, Malapascua Island is popular for its ideal diving spots and for being the only place in the world to see thresher sharks on a regular basis as well as manta rays and hammerheads. The other hidden gems here are the beautiful, sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and colorful coral gardens.

Puerto Galera

flickr/Storm Crypt

Just south of Manila is the charming coastal town of Puerto Galera, well-favored for its gorgeous beaches, excellent diving spots and wide diversity of marine species. The most popular beaches are White Beach and Sabang Beach, which also offer nearby shopping, dining, nightlife and hotel accommodation. Another popular attraction is the natural harbor of Muelle Bay with its rows of shops, restaurants and bars. Visitors can also go snorkeling to see some of Asia’s best coral reefs or dive among old shipwrecks and hundreds of fish species.

Cops freed in NPA ceremony

By Alvin T. Guanzon | Jul. 31, 2014 at 12:01am

KITCHARAO,  Agusan del Norte—About 200 communist rebels in military formation marched into a mountain barangay in this town with four policemen prisoners they turned over to church and provincial officials on Tuesday amid cheers of thousands of residents.

Rebel escort.  NPA rebel leader Ka Jared
(in black uniform with bandolier) escorts
the four policemen as they marched into
a mountain barangay in Kitcharao. ALVIN
GUANZON

New People’s Army (NPA) leader, Ka Jared, shook hands with Gov. Angel Amante-Matba and Iglesia Filipina Independiente Bishop Rhey Timbang and other officials before the start of a rare ceremony in an open barangay hall.
“We are glad the provincial officials led by Gov.  Amante-Matba are here. But Sec. (Manuel) Roxas missed the chance to see the bad roads, lack of rural health clinic, lack of classrooms, lack of livelihood opportunities, lack of potable water, and widespread poverty,” Ka Jared said during the ceremony.

Ka Joaquin (right, top photo) reading
the release order of the National
Democratic Front and the residents
scattered around the open hall. ALVIN
GUANZON

The turn-over ceremony was held at Barangay Hinimbangan but Local Government Secretary Roxas, peace process secretary Ding Deles and Police Director Alan Purisima were at the Kitcharao Elementary School at the Poblacion, about eight kms away. They did not go up the mountain for security reasons, said a security aide.
The four policemen ---P03 Vic Concon, P01 Rey Morales, P01 Joen Zabala and P01 Edito Roquino --- were abducted during an NPA raid on Alegria in Surigao del Norte last July 10. The government accepted calls by the NPA for a five-day truce to facilitate release of the policemen.
Bishop Timbang, who helped negotiate the release of the policemen, said the rebels were sincere in their offer to release their prisoner without conditions and as a gesture of goodwill.
“Our four brothers (policemen) will now go home happy and join their families, who are waiting for them,” Timbang said.
Gov. Amante-Matba thanked the rebels and said she will support their offer to resume the peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the government, which was suspended a few years ago.

Mt. Magdiwata, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

Mt. Magdiwata, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

Nature lovers, adventurers and Mountain enthusiast alike will certainly love Mt. Magdiwata. A lushfull virgin forest, with 14 series of water falls one can enjoy after another, the beautiful and endemic flora & fauna, the natural swimming holes and cold springs and also the biggest Bagrass tree can be found only here. . At almost sunset, Mt. Magdiwata has the semblance of a pregnant woman and during midnight looks like a crocodile eager to catch a prey. Mt. Magdiwata is sacred among the Manobo Tribes due to its legend and belief that the soul of Giant Magdiwata might punish those who cause destruction to its natural resources. The mountain is characterized by prominent ranges and the towering heights of an elevation approximately 592 meters above sea level reflect the pride of the Manobos.

AGUSAN MARSH

        The largest marshland in the Philippines holding up to 15% of the countrys freshwater. This mystical wetland is the home of indigenous Manobo people who live in clusters of wood and bamboo houses built on rafts of floating logs. For bird watchers, the marsh is a must visit destination. Purple herons, storks, sea eagles, wild ducks and other migratory wetland birds from the Southeast Asia Region will be seen during the months of November to January. Exotic flora and fauna and other endangered species like the dinata, a soft-shelled giant turtle, and sailfin lizard also exist in this wildlife sanctuary. 

MASAPYA FALLS

     The main falls looks like a mini Maria Christina Falls, with a stone at the middle that separates the flow of the water.The water cascades and flows freely into a catch basin ten meter below. There is also a bamboo raft which you can ride to get near the waterfalls.

BEGA FALLS

         According to the legend, this falls is known as the refuge for stunning mystical women. It also covers with abundant and bright forest breeze. It also considered as the hidden treasure. Because of its calm surroundings and pristine waters, you will completely feel its essence and beauty to uplift your tired spirit. Bega Falls was a haven of nature and mountain trekkers because of its jungle paradise in a one clad of Mother Nature. Adventurers started walking into the river channel meeting 18 falls, wild fauna and flora, thick forest and wild birds before embracing Bega Falls, the three-tiered falls.

Enhanted River

If you are still trying to figure out where to spend the remaining days of summer, why don’t you hit Surigao del Sur? About 30 minutes from the town of Hinatuan, in barangay Cambatong, there is a river that has become a tourist attraction.

Only discovered in recent years, Hinatuan River has also become known as the Enchanted River. It flows into the Philippine Sea—six hundred meters away is the coastline of Hinatuan Bay—but no one knows where the water comes from. Is it from a spring? Does some of the water come from the sea?

The shallow part of the Enchanted River is a clear aquamarine color.

The river looks Photoshopped; it reminds you of the movie "Blue Lagoon". The waters are so crystal-clear that you can see the riverbed even at the deepest part. A foreign tourist once plunged into the waters thinking he could reach the bottom, but found he couldn't.

Generally, most people swim in the area where the water's shade ranges from aquamarine to blue; where it is a darker blue, it means the water is already very deep.

One of the most magical moments when you visit Enchanted River is what they call "feeding time," usually at around 12 noon. A caretaker from the Enchanted River Management Office would ring the bell as a way of requesting everyone to get out from the water.

Then the "Hymn of Hinatuan" is played, and a spectacular school of fish comes out from nowhere. The fish gather around near the mouth of the river as the caretaker and tourists throw leftover rice, shrimp, bread and other food scraps into the water. As the fish swirl around trying to beat each other to the food, their silvery scales are exposed to the light, gleaming with a radiance that can momentarily blind you if it hits your eyes.

Once the feeding is over, the fish start to vanish—or at least become more inconspicuous. The wife of my friend can attest to that. She was enjoying swimming, but when she put on the goggles her son gave her she immediately came out from the water.