Bucas Grande Island – Where Is It?

Bucas Grande Island is dubbed as all-in-one tourist destination for reasons that it does not only host a variety of tourist spots, natural attractions and world-class resorts ideal for island getaways but it is the home of people helping people. The 12,445-hectare island covering the lone municipality of Socorro is situated in the northeastern part of the Province of Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines with its town center openly facing the Pacific Ocean having the geographical coordinates of 9° 37′ 17″ North, 125° 58′ 0″ East.

Map of the Province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

For those who are sill unfamiliar with this province in Mindanao Island, Surigao del Norte is composed of 19 municipalities and 1 city scattered in 3 major island groups namely, the mainland, Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island . . .

Map of Bucas Grande Island showing the various natural attractions.

Bucas Grande Island – Why Visit It?

Tourists, local and foreign alike, kept rolling to Bucas Grande Island for 3 compelling reasons:

1. Its Variety of Natural Attractions

Being a native of the place, let me take you to a tour of the various natural attractions in Bucas Grande Island with my Nikon D 7000 DSLR camera and the HD Pro Hero wearable camera that I won in the contest sponsored by my esteemed Canadian travel blogger couple Dave and Debb Corbeil of the The Planet D in tow. Hence, relax, hold your breath and take your most precious time touring with me.

Our first stop is the Sohoton Cove, the most renowned among the tourist spots in Bucas Grande Island frequented by local and foreign tourists alike, which is accessible via a lone entry and exit point dubbed Sohoton Cave passable only during low tide. Nothing beats the thrill and excitement upon entering the 60-meter cave entrance . . .

Once inside, your eyes would surely be captivated by the islets floating like dish gardens arranged along waterways . . .

A portion of the 7 group of islets dotted inside the Sohoton Cove . . .

And the Dagongdong Rock Formation, named after the dagongdong plant thriving on its mid portion more than a century ago with its falling leaves being mobbed by birds while still on air and by fishes as it dropped into the water, would surely not escape your attention . . .

The Dagongdong Rock Formation inside the Sohoton Cove.

Your adrenalin starts to rush up as you enter the Hagukan Cave situated in one of the islets named after the snoring sound it produced while the volume of air escape out of the pinched entrance as the water starts to recede during low tide . . .

Inside the cave, you can stand on a rock platform and savor the luminous surrounding produced by the light from the narrow entrance and the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites inside . . .

Standing on the rock platform while inside the Hagukan Cave . . .

. . . Awfully gazing at the luminescent waters.

But surely, your adrenalin would rise up more at the Magkukuob Cave, so named with the bending position you must have to undergo in entering the cave, as you maneuver up rocky steps utilizing stalactites and stalagmites as handrails towards a spotlight and into the diving board. But lo and behold, the height is so deceitful as it would seem you are gazing at the ocean from the window of the plane, hence, it would take time for the less adventurous ones to recite The Lords Prayer before gaining the composure to jump into the azure waters . . .

You would really want to stay longer inside the Sohoton Cove but the thought that you might be caught with the high tide and, hence, be trapped inside would make you jump overboard the boat and heed the prodding of the tour guide that it is time for you to go out . . .

As you reached the Sohoton Tourist Assistance Center, you need to transfer to a paddle boat that would take you to the Jellyfish Kingdom and get yourself contented on swimming with the smack of Jellyfish . . .

Swimming with the friendly, non-stingy jellyfish.

The Tiktikan Lagoon situated within the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove is surely a must visit site . . .

But the visit to the Bolitas Cave near Tiktikan Lagoon, named after the perfectly spherical ball bearing-like objects scattered on its floor, is the most adventurous one . . .

Crawling my way via a pinched passageway . . .	Marvelling on the ball bearing-like objects on the floor . . .
Posing for posterity on a sitting position as there is no way for you to stand up . . .	Exiting my way via the very narrow entrance and exit point . . .
Taking time to pose at the Crystal Cave near the Bolitas Cave entrance	... And having a souvenir shot with the scparkling Crystal Cave stalagmites.

A trip to the seaside waterfalls found on the western side of Bucas Grande Island dubbed as Magkahuyog Falls and coined from the Surigaonon term huyog which means fall, is an added attraction . . .

The Magkahuyog Falls in Bucas Grande Island

It is high time to go to the Socorro town center . . .

The Socorro Municipal Feeder Port . . .

Take a quick dip or a languorous swim at the warm, crystal clear sea waters of Puyangi White Sand Beach and bathe on the cold spring situated on the seashore . . .

The 1.5 kilometer stretch Puyangi White Sand Beach near the Socorro town center

Capping the Bucas Grande Island tour is a visit to the Kapihan View Park, a vantage point atop the highest peak of the island and where you can savor the 360 degree view of the surrounding islands and islets dotting the Pacific Ocean, the Hinatuan Passage and Surigao Strait, a perfect venue for a sunset, moonlight and star gazing trip.

The Kapihan View Park in Bucas Grande Island . . .

2. Its World-Class Facilities

Bucas Grande is home to magnificent resorts with amenities and services at par with international standards. Club Tara Resort in the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove is famous in this part of the Philippines as much for its inspired sceneries as for its world-class facilities and convenience-oriented, comfort-laden and pleasure-bearing amenities…

The Club Tara Resort

Meanwhile, the Hidden Island Resort found in Barangay Dona Helene adjacent to Barangay Sudlon, where Sohoton Cove is situated, proudly blends among the floating dish garden-like islets dotted on azure seas.. .

The Hidden Island Resort

Nevertheless, if you are a budget traveler like me, you may opt to stay at the Island Vacations Country Inn situated near the Socorro Port. Not only does it have very affordable rooms with first class toilet and bath facilities, but it offers free Wifi wireless internet connection, the only tourist-related facility offering such service in Bucas Grande Island . Moreover, its proprietor also operates the Island Vacations Travel And Tours.

The Island Vacations Country Inn

3. Its People Helping People

The populace of Bucas Grande Island are noted for nurturing the Filipino tradition of bayanihan or helping one another. If you happen to visit the place by July, you can observe each and every able-bodied Socorronhon leaving the privacy of their lives and offer their services for a period of 30 straight days in the construction of houses and collective farming activities with the house and farm owners shouldering only the food and materials costs while the labor is offered free. But what makes the Bayanihan or Tinabangay in Socorro extra ordinary is the fact that it was not born out of mere tradition but as an offshoot of the 1924 Colorum Uprising, the details of which shall be the subject of my future post. All the facets of the month-long Tinabangay activities are being depicted by dancers with colorful costumes participating in the annual Tinabangay Festival held every 22nd day of February in time for the Socorro Day Celebration . . .

Bucas Grande Island – Who Went There?

Despite the bad publicity about Mindanao Island as a bandits’ lair but local and foreign tourists continue to visit Bucas Grande Island for the reason that it is found in the northeastern most tip of Mindanao while the not-so-peaceful places portrayed in the media are situated on the southern most part of the 94,631 square kilometer-island considered as the 19th largest in the world. In fact, the nimble expedition ship MV Clipper Odyssey had docked at Sohoton Bay with its European tourist-passengers savoring the beauty of Sohoton Cove.

Moreover, Sohoton Cove was chosen as a filming location of the episode of  Asian Treasure, the popular GMA 7 teleserye . . .

Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla and other casts on board a boat en route for a take in the shooting of Asian Treasure at Sohoton Cove

And the most recent show business personality visiting Bucas Grande Island was no less than the beauteous Jessa Zaragoza who serenaded his fans with vocal renditions during the June 19, 2011 Socorro Annual Town Fiesta Celebration . . .

Jessa Zaragoza in her best vocal rendition at the stage in the Socorro Town Plaza

Bucas Grande Island – How To Get There?

Bucas Grande Island can be reached through a combination of air, land and sea transportation.

By Air:

Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific Air has direct flights from Manila to Surigao City. There is also a Cebu Pacific Air flight from Cebu to Siargao Island.

By Land:

From Surigao City airport, you may take a multicab ride for the Surigao City center, drop by at the Public Market and walk towards Pier 2 where mororized passenger bancas for Socorro are available. Otherwise, from the airport, you can walk your way to the Integrated Terminal, take a bus or van bound for Tandag or Cantilan and drop at the Hayangabon Port within the jurisdiction of the town of Claver. If you come from places in the Mindanao mainland, you can drop at the junction in Barangay Bad-as, Placer and take a ride to Barangay Hayangabon.

Meanwhile, after landing at the Siargao Airport, you may opt to take passenger vans or tricycles to the Port of Dapa where motorized passenger boat for Socorro are docked.

By Sea:

Fom the Port of Surigao, you can ride the motorized banca bound for Socorro leaving Surigao City at 12:00 noon at 2.5 hours, more or less, travel time with the fare of PhP 200.00. Meanwhile, there are 2 motorized boat trips per day in Hayangabon Port leaving for Socorro at 11:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon. On the other hand, there are also 2 trips available per day from the port of Dapa to Socorro, the first being at 7:30 in the morning and the 2nd at 4:00 in the afternoon. The boat fares from either Hayangabon or Dapa Ports to Socorro is Php 100.00 and travel time for both destinations is 1 hour, more or less. You may also opt to hire special boat trips to the various tourist destinations in Bucas Grande Island straight from the ports of Surigao City, Hayangabon and Dapa.

Bucas Grande Island – Final Thoughts

Tourists, especially the urbanites who want to have a reprieve from the hustles and bustles of city life,
flock to areas possessing a beautiful amalgamation of natural grandeur and man-made majesty. Most of them prefer to visit a variety of attractions but the time and cost involved in doing so hampered their desires.This is due to the fact that, more often than not, a certain kind of attraction is found in one locality while attractions of another type are situated in places far away from the first destination, hence, most of the vacation expenses are eaten by traveling costs. As an offshoot, visitors tend to look for areas that would certainly qualify as all-in-one tourist destination. In this regard, Bucas Grande Island has steadily become a by-word and must-visit area among seekers of best vacation spots in this part of Mindanao Island, Philippines.

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This Bucas Grande Island blog post is my 6th entry to the Blog Carnival of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers with the November theme Mindanao Bliss hosted by Olan Fernandez Emboscado of The Travel Teller.

Puerto Princesa Underground River – What And Where Is It?

Puerto Princesa Underground River, 1 of the 28 finalists of the on-going search for the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World, is undoubtedly one of the natural attractions in Palawan Island, Philippines worthy of a visit not only by island vacations enthusiasts like me but by travel to nature buffs as well. It is a natural wonder featuring an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river, reputedly the longest of its kind in the world, that winds through a spectacular cave, which hosts a variety of species of flora and fauna, before emptying out to the West Philippine Sea  in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan in the West Coast of Palawan, some 81 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City.

Puerto Princesa Underground River – Why I Visited The Palawan Natural Wonder?

Puerto Princesa Underground River had really captured my imagination since my childhood days. I can still vividly remember the time when my Grade III Philippine geography teacher would ask each and everyone of her pupils to name 5 of our favorite Philippine attractions and I could not wait but sprang from my seat after recognition to tell that my favorite list included Puerto Princesa Underground River, Mayon Volcano, Banawe Rice Terraces, Maria Cristina Falls and Pagsanjan Falls. Candidly, my favorite attractions were not only ordinary illusions then, they formed part of my dreams to finish my studies despite being just a product of an indigent family, so I can have a better quality of life and have the means to see the spots myself someday.

Nevertheless, 2 decades had passed since my college graduation, I was deeply swallowed with other priorities that I have had found the chance to see only a single spot in my list courtesy of my visit to my eldest son studying in a prestigious higher educational institution in Iligan City that I was able to savor the beauty and grandeur of Maria Christina Falls.

Failure I might be in seeing personally the other 4 dreamed attractions but I never missed following their progress especially the Puerto Princesa Underground River. I beamed with pride when the natural wonder  was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on December 4, 1999 and being declared as a National Geological Monument in December 2003. Meanwhile, I supported and followed with interest each and every bits of news about its inclusion in 2007  in the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN) global polling campaign in search of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World by an independent, Swiss-based, government-controlled New7Wonders Foundation headed by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber. Moreover, I felt ecstatic when, out of the over 440 participants representing over 220 countries around the world, the Puerto Princesa Underground River had emerged as the lone finalist from the Philippines and among the 28 Official Finalist Candidates selected by a panel of international experts led by no less than Prof. Federico Mayor from a list of 77 contenders via the first round of global voting from 2007 to 2010. Candidly, my heart always pounds faster whenever I surfed the net to monitor the global voting trend which is up until November 11, 2011. Recently, I rejoiced with the international scientific community with the discovery by an Italian research group La Venta of the fossil remains of a sea cow belonging to the species of the Order Sirenia that lived during the post dinasour Eocene Age 20 million years ago, locally termed DUGONG, and scientifically named Trichechus manatus in a limestone rock above the waters of the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

As voting is about to end, I felt duty-found to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River and contribute in my own little way for the garnering of votes for my number 1 favorite Philippine attraction.

Hence, I finally found  time to visit Palawan last September 30, 2011 with Puerto Princesa Underground River as primary destination.  Right after the early morning breakfast, the Toyota Hi-Ace Tourist Van that we boarded headed north of the city traversing through a finely paved highway. We passed by rolling and winding terrains with captivating sceneries of nice limestone formations like this . . . .

A rock formation dubbed AVATAR by the locals found on the right side of the highway leading to Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa City.

After one and half hours of travel, we finally reached Sitio Sabang and dropped at the Information Office . . .

The Puerto Prnincesa Subterranean River National Park Sabang Information Office . . .

The Park Information Map displayed at the roadside of the Information Center

Tourist handling in Puerto Princesa City is exceptionally organized courtesy of the excdellent local governance of Mayor Edward Hagdorn. For one,  permits clearly stipulate the time that a tourist is allowed entry to the Puerto Princesa Underground River.  While waiting for their turn, tourists are advised to stay at the community stage fronting the Information Office before being assisted to board their assigned 6-seater outrigger pump boat . After a 15-minute bumpy boat ride, which seemed just normal for me but already scary for the others, we dropped anchor at a comely beach fronting the Puerto Princesa Underground River Station. After the usual registration procedures, an exceptional feeling of contentment engulfed in me as I affixed my signature on a  piece of paper signifying my  vote for the candidacy of the natural wonder that I was about to conquer for a slot in the global search for the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Following the hand signal of the tour guide, I slogged for a few minutes on a catwalk amidst a thick mangrove forest until I reached this place . . .

The paddle boat station fronting the mouth of the Puerto Princesa Underground River

I then read with interest and took time taking pictures of these 2 signages within the vicinity of the paddle boat station . . .

The Natural World Heritage Site Marker . . .

... And the Rules for Cave Tour

While waiting for my paddle boat assignment, I took time to pose at the platform built for the purpose with the Puerto Princesa Underground River entrance as background. . .

A pose for posterity in front of the Puerto Princesa Underground River entrance . . .

This group of tourists en route to the natural wonder cave entrance deserved a shoot more so that the background showed the river mouth where  the underground river water  flows out to the Saint Paul Bay towards the West Philippine Sea. . .

Picture showing a paddle boat-load of tourists heading to the cave entrance with the Saint Paul Bay on the background . . .

As it was already our turn, I positioned myself in front of the 10-person capacity paddle boat. As the boatman cum tour guide started paddling slowly, my heart beat intensity became erratic due to excessive excitement. I then made a mental conversation with the natural wonder… here is your number one admirer who always wonder how beautiful are you whenever I saw your pictures … get ready, I am going to conquer you. I then took a video shoot to document our entry to the cave . . .

But Alas… a pungent smell of bats’ dung greeted my nose. My eyes were wandering in the dark which made me think twice if my visit was worth the spooky environment that we were heading into. But, thanks to the slapstick jokes of the boatman that my second thoughts were calmed down little by little. A few minutes later, my senses were re-energized as I saw these spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations  I have never seen before that really amazed me most. . .

The entry way . . .	The bellfry dome . . .
A shining chandelier . . .	The cathedral . . .
The religious icons . . .	The suspended lamp . . .
The massive illuminating decors . . .	... and the floor-to-ceiling candle . . .
Radiating lamp shades . . .	... en route to the cave's mouth as exit point.

Puerto Princesa Underground River – Final Thoughts

The Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour took us 45 minutes to complete. And candidly, those were among the most fulfilling moments in my whole life. I entered the cave with mixed feelings of excitement and hesitation, strolled and marvelled the grandeur of creation inside, and came out a totally renewed man with faith in the Great Creator soaring to greater heights. For Filipinos and foreigner-friends reading this piece, the Puerto Princesa Underground River really deserves a slot in the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World, a distinction that will only be materialized with your valuable support. You can vote via the following modes:

1. TEXT VOTING (Domestic Reach)
-Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River by SMS from the Philippines.Each SMS sent counts as one vote for the PP Underground River in the Official New7Wonders of Nature.
-Text PPUR/ send to 2861 (Smart,Globe and Sun subscribers)

1 vote = text PPUR
7 votes= text PPUR7
15 votes= text PPUR15

Cost per SMS sent:
PHP2.00 (Sun)
PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)

2. INTERNET VOTING (Domestic and Global Reach)
LOG IN at www.new7wonders.com and follow the 5 easy steps
Step 1 Choose your 7 candidates (Mandatory, choosing only 1 would stuck your application up)
Step 2 Register
Step 3 Confirm your e-mail link
Step 4 Confirm your vote
Step 5 Voting confirmed

3. VOTE BY TELEPHONE
a. Dial one of these international telephone numbers:
+23 92201055
+1 869 760 5990
+1 649 339 8080
+44 758 900 1290
b. At the end of the message, after the tone, dial PPUR’s four digit code 7723
c. When you hear the thank you message, you are all done – you have voted by telephone.

Time is running out as voting officially ends on November 11, 2011. Let us act now or we will loss the opportunity of placing the Philippines in the global map of natural wonders. Stand Up and be counted, vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Where Is It?

A Jellyfish Lake, the local version of which is called Jellyfish Kingdom, is one of the emerging natural attractions and tourist spots frequented by island vacations lovers situated in a seaside lagoon with crystal clear water within the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Why Visit The Tourist Spot?

As local and foreign tourists are rolling into Bucas Grande Island, my family-owned and operated Island Vacations Travel and Tours had finally started its business with a group of 11 combined guests from Panabo City, Davao del Norte and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in Mindanao Island, Philippines as our maiden clients. During our email correspondence, I advised the group leader to spend one full day in order to savor the beauty of the island. And true to my suggestion, they came in time for the past 4-day respite courtesy of the 2-day holiday in addition to the usual 2-day weekend break. After checking in at the Island Vacations Country Inn, we escorted the group for a 2-hour swim at the Puyangi White Sand Beach. At exactly 4:00 in the afternoon, we proceeded to the Kapihan View Park to catch-up the sunset and engage into sightseeing and stargazing activities. Back into the town center, the group went on a sunrise photography session at the feeder port . After breakfast, we proceeded to the Sohoton area doing island hopping and adventure diving at Sohoton Cove, boating at Tiktikan Lagoon and caving at Crystal Cave. We then proceeded to the Jellyfish Lake of Bucas Grande, dubbed locally as Jellyfish Kingdom, before strolling at the majestic Club Tara Resort. As all, except 2, of the mentioned destinations were already featured in my previous blog posts, I will be discussing in detail the Jellyfish Kingdom trip while the caving adventure will be featured in my future post. From the Sohoton Tourist Assistance Center,we were supposed to ride on small paddle boats with a maximum capacity of 2 persons per boat, excluding the paddler, towards the Jellyfish Kingdom. Nevertheless, the sea current was swift by that time due to the onset of high tide, hence, we opted to ride on a pump boat. On board our rented boat, we maneuvered at the narrow passage leading to the Jellyfish Kingdom . . .

The tour guide expertly maneuvering the frontal section of the pum boat as it entered the narrow passage of the Jelly Fish Kingdom

The area may not be comparable to the famous Jellyfish Lake in Palau as it is not exactly a lake but a lagoon with a constricted entrance. . .

The azure waters of the Jellyfish Kingdom with its surrounding verdant hills. . .

Seen from a distance, the minute lagoon seemed to be just an ordinary scenery but as we moved forward, I had proven to myself that millions of golden jellyfish were really lurking beneath the crystal clear water. I then briefed the group that the underwater creatures surrounding us actually belong to a jellyfish specie who do sting but their stings are too mild to feel, hence, they were often referred to as non-stinging jellyfish.

One of our guests enjoyed staying afloat on the water surrounded by golden jellyfish . . .

To satisfy his excitement, the other male guest hurriedly dived into the water . . .

... and swam with the smack of golden jellyfish.

The other guy was still cautious whether the golden jellyfish was really non-stinging . . .

Touch Me or Touch Me Not might be in the mind of the guy with this hand . . .

With this one trying to be romantic with the nice underwater creature . . .

Planting a kiss on a golden jellyfish . . .

But the other male guest proved to be the most enterprising . . .

As he grabbed a jellyfish as if it's a sphere of gold . . .

Proving to themselves that they ought not to be outdone in any challenge, the female guests also showed their prowess . . .

With this lady trying to play with the nice creature . . .

But the other one really wanted a feel if there's a jellyfish sting or not right in her palm . . .

But this girl had another trip . . .

Wanting the jellyfish to pose with her for a smile in front of my Nikon D7000 camera.

I could really feel the fun deep inside them as I took a group picture of my guests . . .

My guests' final pose for posterity at the Jellyfish Kingdom.

Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Final Thoughts

The Philippine version of the Jellyfish Lake has become a source of pride among the local inhabitants. For one, it is the only known place so far in the Philippines to host such friendly underwater creatures. On the other hand, it is situated within the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove thereby adding to the variety of natural attractions in the area and contributing to its fame as the Philippines all-in-one tourist destination. No wonder, such Bucas Grande version of Jellyfish Lake has really proven itself to be a sound alternative for those who lack resources to visit Palau to experience for themselves befriending the amazing non stinging creatures called golden jellyfish.

Eco Tourism Village – Where Is It?

An Eco-Tourism Village in Cagayan de Oro City, aptly named Gardens of Malasag, has steadily become a favorite destination for creationists, island vacations enthusiasts, spiritual retreats goers and natural attractions lovers wanting to go on nature trail trekking and mountain view sightseeing and enjoy its campsite and other facilities. Reached via a 30-minutes drive from Lumbia Airport (Cagayan de Oro City Airport), it sits on a 7.2 hectare property in the slopes of Sitio Malasag connecting to the 800 hectares reforested area of the  Cugman Watershed in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City in the northern part of Mindanao Island, Philippines.

Eco Tourism Village – Why Visit the Place?

I was not into travel blogging then when I first visited and stayed at the Eco Tourism Village on August 9-13, 2010 as a participant to the 5-day Training on Ecotourism Planning and Development conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in partnership with the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) purposely to capacitate the various Bucas Grande Island stakeholders in the formulation of the Socorro Eco Tourism Development Plan.

Being a nature lover island vacations buff, I really admired and missed the place.  Hence, one year after my first visit, I decided to pay a return trip to the Malasag Gardens. From the city center of Cagayan de Oro, we traveled for 10 minutes along the National Highway, turned right at a junction and went uphill through an asphalted winding road until we reached this portion . . .

The signage showing the way to the Gardens of Malasag and Eco-Tourism Village with the road towards the Cugman Watershed Reforestation Project on the right.

A few more minutes travel and my eyes were once again attracted by this sight . . .

The welcome rotunda leading to the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village

After paying the PhP 30.00 per head entrance fee, we entered the eco tourism village premises and this signage with an imposing logo of the Gardens of Malasag had greeted our eyes. . .

The comely Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village logo prominently displayed at the junction road.

We then proceeded to the parking area within the vicinity of the swimming pool and this view had captured our interest . . .

The turquoise waters of the swimming pool enticing guests of the Gardens of Malasag and Eco-Tourism Village for a quick dip or a languorous swim.

I and my wife then started to savor the alluring sights of the eco tourism village, the first being the camp ground. . .

The Eco Tourism Village Camp Ground with the Pergola and Villas at the background.

Afterward, we trekked on the nature trail uphill towards the central portion of the village until we reached this spot on the road side . . .

A pose with the replica of a Bukidnon-Pulangihon tribal datu on a war dance.

On the opposite side of the road is the Amphitheater. . .

The Gardens of Malasag Amphitheater . . .

Situated just a few meters from the amphitheater are the cozy villas smartly designed to match with the rolling terrain . . .

The villas ready to accommodate guests willing to stay at the eco tourism village . . .

A further walk led us to the tarpauline displays on the road side showing some of the tribes in Mindanao Island whose members are working in various capacities in the Gardens of Malasag . . .

The Umayamnon Tribe . . .	The Tigwahanon Tribe . . .
The Subanon Tribe . . .	The Bukidnon Tribe . . .
The Talaandig Tribe . . .	A worker belonging to the Talaandig Tribe . . .

My wife was lucky to have selected a few Higa-onon and other tribal souvenir items left as the others were purchased in bulk by a group of employees having a seminar at the Gardens of Malasag . . .

The souvenir hut displaying some tribal souvenir items . . .

As we were about to end our nature trail trek, we sat for quite sometime at this spot to savor the enthralling views . . .

A stunning view of Macajalar Bay and its environs.

Eco Tourism Village – Final Thoughts

The Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village was conceptualized in 1991 by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), now the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprize Zone Authority (TIEZA), dreamily inspired by the picturesque gardens of Granada in Spain and Butchart Gardens of Canada. While the amenities built of indigenous materials, as in the case of the tribal houses, were already gone and the  the native huts being replaced by concrete villas smartly designed to have an indigenous look, but the ambiance of a cultural domain of natural wonders are still very much evident. What I missed in my return visit were the tribespeople demonstrating their dancing and musical culture that I had seen and participated before as we came to the place in the morning while the tribal street dancing were done every 4:oo o’clock in the afternoon.

If you want to have a wonderful experience of having a colorful glimpse of the ecology and rich ethno-Filipino heritage of Northern Mindanao while savoring the spectacular view of Macajalar Bay and the bustling city of Cagayan de Oro, a visit to the Gardens of Malasag Eco Tourism Village is an undertaking which you would surely not regret having decided to do so.