BAGDOK

The town of Kapatagan is one of the 21 municipalities in the province of Lanao del Norte. The name "Kapatagan" is derived from the local root word "patag" which means "plain" or "valley" therefore, "Kapatagan" means "plains" or "valleys." Since, its a "patag" place its primary commodity is rice. This town take covers from typhoons through the mountain ranges located in the southern and eastern part of its territory like the Malinas Peak in Brgy. Malinas. Offsetting the presence of mountains are the flat coastal lands and valleys in the eastern part. There are five major rivers that flow through Pangil Bay, the Maranding, Panoloon, Botadon, Kitados and Balili rivers. Two waterfalls are found in Kapatagan, the famous Cathedral Falls located within the boundaries of Brgy. Cathedral and Brgy. Waterfalls and the Sta. Cruz Falls located in Brgy. Sta. Cruz.

How I arrived there? I received an invitation from the local Tourism office with regards to the upcoming climb with the group of mountaineers from Iligan Computer Institute. I am not a mountain climber nor a trekker, but I am an adventure seeker! It was a blessing for me to be invited in such opportunities to explore the neighboring towns of Iligan as Iligan is used to be the capital city of the province of Lanao del Norte - now Tubod.

After a two hour and a half bus travel you will arrived at the newly inaugurated Kapatagan Town Center which I considered the most modern Bus and Jeepney Terminal I've visited in this part of the country. Its comfort rooms are well cleaned and ventilated though it comes with a price because if you use their public toilet you will be charged, but I don't mind paying as much as P5.00 for a clean toilet and a comfortable waiting area. The waiting area is air-conditioned and its actually a wi-fi hot spot. No street vendors scattered along its vicinity and those people whom you would suspect as snatchers who will try grab your personal belongings and charge you some amount for carrying your luggage. I think thats something big cities should achieve like Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

The climb to Malinas Peak was set to explore the hidden treasures of the town. That is the magnificent caves that are scattered in Brgy. Malinas which will be told in my next article. The trek was scheduled at six in the morning to avoid the much heat of the sun, but due to some delays we started the trek at eight which really made the climbers suffer. The pathways are really challenging, I remember one part of the trek when we are made to choose between to options, first crossing the river by walking through the waters which means you will get wet or cross the hanging bridge which has missing floors. The first choice was easier right, but you bet, no one from the group choose that, which means all of us cross the slippery hanging bridge which really took us time to get to the other part of the river.

For me it was hell-like during the trekking part of the climb. The mountain was not so steep, but a prolong climb for three to four hours carrying an approximately 10 to 15 kilos of back pack is something that would make one surrender. I remember, when I was already near the peak where we will erect our tent I was about to pass out it was just good thing when some of the locals who guide us offered to help me carry my backpack. What a relief!

Look at that! Isn't that a site to behold? Definitely, gazing the colorful sky during sunset over the Malindang Mountain Ranges made all pains and sufferings disappear. Everything is paid off! This one is something priceless. I could not exchange this view with something more precious like a piece of chocolate cake. Being at the peak of Malinas made me realize that there is really a Creator who cares about me, who cares about you and who really cares about the world.

In my next post "The Malinas Cave Explorations." Follow me @bagdokondaroad!

Hagonoy Island

I usually hate surprises! But my best friend a birthday celebrant and her family who is now based in Singapore did a very exciting surprise for me. Actually, I have no right to be surprised, because she is the celebrant and I am her stupid best friend who never remember birthdays of friends and even my own birth date. Blame it to religion, but I don't celebrate birthday.

"Leaving the vicinity of La Entrada Beach Resort and Restaurant"

Twenty-four (24) tiny and uniquely formed islets made up Britannia Group of Island, situated in Brgy. Britannia, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. It is the place where my best friend and her family brought me when she went home to celebrate her birthday. I was kinda ashamed of myself when I realized during the travel that its her birthday that's why there is a big treat. In my mind I was like "Uh! How stupid I am to be invited without even realizing it, because I was expecting something to happen or to be announced which is not.

The Britannia Group of Islands

Approaching the vicinity I was totally in awe, because I could see the exciting water and the inviting piece of land scattered and perfectly arranged like they are little munchkins wrapped in white chocolates which are floating in crystal clear water. Right there I knew it for sure that these group of beautiful islets is uniquely found in Agusan only, a place where most tourist do not visit, because of the so called conflict here in Mindanao, but thanks to that though, as most of these spots remains preserved and not yet abused like the sort of Boracay and others.


How I arrived there? From Iligan City I took a bus for an hour and half to Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, then another six to seven hours of bus ride from Agora, Cagayan de Oro City to Butuan City, then to Bayugan I where my best friend live. I spent a night at their residence and was told to prepare for a beach the next morning. Barely had enough sleep cause we spent the night telling stories, because we have a lot to catch up we wake up at exactly 5:00 AM and after a few minutes of preparations we are then inside the van which my friends family hired. After an hour or two, voila! we were greeted with the sea breeze and that familiar sound of waves in the shore. The great ravine going to the destination provided  me a great time clearing my thoughts as memories of our friendship came afresh again. I used to travel with her into their residence during break at school.

While in Brgy. Britannia, we were accommodated at La Entrada Resort and Restaurant. A resort located just at the shore surrounded by green healthy mangroves. My best friend's family booked us a room which was good for the whole group (For room rates please visit the resort website). We stayed for a night and prepare ourselves for the highlight of the trip "island (islet's) hopping."  

The morning comes and we are set ready for the most exciting part of the trip for me - the island hopping! We took a pump boat which I think is big enough to accommodate at least 15 individuals. The weather is so clear and the tiny islands looks awesome and my eyes are glued on each of them. I guess I was too excited to take my eyes away from them, while being busy playing the shutter speed of my point and shoot Nikon camera which didn't failed my expectations.

"It feels like I am already part of their family"

Prominent islands or islets which catches my heart are first the Hagonoy Island, I believe its name is coined from the green medicinal "hagonoy grass" that grows in the island. It shape is uniquely formed from the waves of the sea and the sand is so white which is comparable to those of Boracay and Palawan. Secondly, the island called, Hiyor-Hiyoran - an island where coconut trees are uniquely grown along its white sand beach.

Hiyor-Hiyoran Island

Another is the Island called - Naked Island. Naked, maybe because basically its actually a sand dune, you see nothing in the island but white sands surrounded by crystal clear water, a few stones and dead corals. I find it unique and fascinating because its not really covered with the usual green grasses and mangroves like the other islands. Its a perfect island for sand bathing, but what we did was run around the island. We really cant get enough of it.

"This little young man is not aware that I was actually taking picture of him playing the sand"

Other Islands that we visited are Bonbon Island which has a long stretch of white sand beaches, Boslon Island where we actually took cover for a while when there was a strong wind and rains during our island hopping, the Panlangan Cave Island and the rest of the little islet's which names I can hardly remember.

"The Boslon Island"

The Britannia Group of Islands adventure with the Cahinosayan family was a super fun-filled adventure for me. Unexpected and yet it really rocks my world! Until now, I haven't forget how I screamed for excitement and the promise I made to go back and visit these paradise group of islands in Surigao del Sur. I hope you will join me in my next road adventure!

Posing with the Birthday Gurl! Happy Birthday!

Though, Initao is just an hour or so from Iligan City. People rarely stop by and pay a visit this town. It’s true, a town situated between two competing cities—Iligan and Cagayan de Oro will really groped to have that attention from people who are more fascinated with malls and etc., For me, the town of Initao is not an attention seeker. I just thought that people have noticed the place, but they are too busy to stop and experience what are the best things yet to enjoy in this humble land.

However, for some people the town of Initao is as precious as the other. There are things that are found in Initao that cannot and will not be found in Iligan and in Cagayan de Oro City. I hope that through this writing these things will then become a reason for people to stop and visit Initao.


Midway White Sand Beach

Amazing! that was the only word I have in mind when I discover that Northern Mindanao has a white sand beach! Yes, I was really amazed because all along I thought white sand beaches in Norther Mindanao are only at the island of Camiguin. But, during the Strategic Plan of the Iligan Bloggers Society which is held at Midway White Sand Beach—I realized I was wrong!

Initao National Park

Whenever I am on a bus from Iligan going to Cagayan de Oro City or vice versa, when I was a kid, every time the bus passed by at the forested highway over at Initao I would surely closed my eyes. Wonder why? The reason is that I have heard a lot of stories of “Aswang” that are living Initao and every time I’m on a bus and it passes that forested area, it scares me to death. Pathetic right, but that was long ago. Later did I know that the thick forest along the highway is a protected area. Trees in that forest lived hundred years already and I just discovered that. The entire area is divided into two. If you are from Iligan the left side of the highway is the Initao National Park where you can see the cliff over the troubled water, bat caves and etc. On the right side is the Lasang Secret Adventure where you can climbed a spiral stair and walk from one tree top to another tree top.

Canopy Walk at Lasang Secret Adventure

At P250 you can conquer your fear of heights by challenging yourself to try their Canopy Walk Adventure. Basically, you are required to wear a helmet before allowing you to the canopy walk which involved a short walk towards this spiral stair. While walking a tour guide will introduce you to the kind of species of trees that are found in the said forest. Then, you have to take this spiral stair towards the first station. For people who are not used to being far from the ground I guess this is the time you really have to calm yourself—It’s a swaying spiral stairway so be careful. When you are at the first top station all you have to do is enjoy the view from above. It’s quite refreshing above. Hearing the birds sing and feeling the gentle breezy air while being swayed. Then you will realize the true essence of being free!

When you are at the top you will then walk through this shaky, swaying and hanging interconnected bridges. Basically this bridge is connected from one giant tree to another giant tree. By the way, make sure to make enough distance with your peers while walking on these hanging bridges. I guess five meters is enough? By doing this the bridge will not sway so much and of course the weight will be equally distributed. After moving from one tree to another, you can rest for a while before the guides will dressed you up for the final feature—zipping down that will signal the end of the walk.

Where you can eat while in Initao? 

When hungry while traveling and passing through the highways over at Initao one would really notice this boys wearing a reflector blowing their respected whistle giving the signal to commuter and travelers to park. Then why not stop and have your meal at this eateries along the highway?

Based on my experienced I would highly recommend the Kambingan and Native Chicken Restaurant—Lami ang ilang food compared sa atbang ^^

All the experienced that I had at Initao can be summed up into one statement “It’s awesome to rediscover Initao!”

So if you love travel and adventure—get your travel plan now and write “Initao, Misamis Oriental” ^^