Tutubi just loves unplanned trips even just changing his usual route driving around town. It's at hidden corners and not the usual streets where he's "discovered" hidden gems of places, restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries and food trip places, one of which is this bakery selling toasted siopao from Naga City, Camarines Sur somewhere near UP Teachers Village in Quezon City.

This is a long-pending post. Tutubi was only reminded only when Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho featured this "delicacy"...err...bicol specialty on her GMA magazine show.

still hot toasted siopao showing pork asado filling

How to make toasted siopao? Toasted Siopao recipe is straightforward:

Toasted siopao, unlike regular siopao that comes in bola-bola or asado variants, is made from wheat flour thus the bread-like texture. Asado pork filling, sourced from Bicol, is stuffed then the dough with filling is baked until toasted and brown-colored.

Price is PhP8/piece

Where to buy toasted siopao in Manila:

TatyStar Bakery:

#45 Anonas Extension, Brgy Sikatuna, Quezon City
Telephone Number: +63.2.386.9604

Door 1 Dahlia Ave., West Fairview, Quezon City
Telephone Number: +63.2.466.0750

#61 CK Bldg. Visayas Ave., Brgy Vasra, Quezon City
Telephone Number: +63.2.466.1325

Remarks: No delivery and not yet ready for franchising.

3N Bakery
Alabang fronting Star Mall, 1780 Muntinlupa City
Telephone Number: 0917 809 2659
Store hours: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

with branches in Pilar, Las Pinas, R. Tirona, J. Elizalde,
Presidents avenue in BF Homes Paranaque

Labels: Bicol Cuisine, Bicol Region, Camarines Sur, Frugal Food Find, Naga City

Are you sure you've been to Bicol? Sure, you've seen the really beautiful Mayon Volcano in Albay, swam with the butanding in Donsol, Sorsogon, stayed at CamSur, visited Caramoan and other now usual part of Bicol tour itinerary but probably you've missed other lesser known Bicol culinary treasures due to pre-occupation with Bicol "sightseeing tours." Besides the pili nut, have you sampled authentic Bicol Express? This sweat gland-inducing dish seems to be getting spicier as you head south. The equally great pinangat of Camalig, Albay, the less-known hinugom, kuyog, binut-ong, kinagang of Sorsogon plus other Bicol specialties like the sinantolan (different from Laguna and Quezon versions of the ginataang santol dish), the kinunot and other bicol dishes with primary ingredients of coconut milk and chili. This one may be too ubiquitous for you and probably served right under your nose when you got there. The pancit bato was introduced to Tutubi by a close friend from Daet during his first visit to Camarines Norte about 10 years ago. Pancit bato costs just PhP5 per serving then and yet it's so filling it can put to shame Chowking's similar serving costing 12 times as much. pancit bato servd to Tutubi by friends in Paracale In a visit to Paracale, Camarines Norte, he was again re-acquainted with the frugal food find in Bicol, again at P5 per serving but less in serving size after 10 years. Why was it called pansit/pancit bato? It's not made of stone/rocks nor stone used to cook/make them. The noodles were actually made in the town of Bato, Camarines Sur and made from rice cassava (kamoteng kahoy) Tutubi has a future post on regional variants of pancit in the Philippines, a collection of stories and pictures for his "pancit tour of the Philippines" :P

Labels: Bicol Cuisine, Bicol Region, Camarines Sur, Filipino Food

An unexpected Calaguas Island redux, and reluctantly too!

Tutubi was able to visit again his favorite backpacker beach during his trip to Paracale, Camarines Norte. Due to his friends insistence to have lunch on Maculabo Island by hiring a boat at Paracale port


These are what Tutubi saw on Tinaga Island the second time around:

the big boat that ferried Tutubi to calaguas island for the 2nd time (PhP3,500.00 rate)



Tutubi's companion didn't really intend to swim but quickly dove into the water when he saw the awesome beach that Tutubi avers was really very good



sand so fine and not hot to the feet

the owner of the large part of Mahabang Buhangin is experimentin in growing bermuda grass on the island plus the use of solar power to charge car battery


Changes to Calaguas Island:

there's a confirmed mobile phone signal from Smart at a certain location on the beach marked by bamboo "totem" poles. You can bring solar power chargers to charge your cellphones due to the presence of cellphone signal on Calaguas Island

You can find battery charger using solar energy owned by the Patents holder of much of Mahabang Buhangin Beach Resort

Beach property is for sale, a few hectares of this paradise is for sale by a whopping PhP3.5M, no title yet but a Patent owned by Lolo whom Tutubi personally met.

Drinking water is still fetched from a fresh water well (from where Sadako climbed up)

How to get to Calaguas Island:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP60.00 fare) or rent a boat to Calaguas Island (PhP3,500.00 boat rental rate).

You may get in touch directly with the owner of Mahabang Buhangin Beach resort for the latest "accommodations/room rates," camping/pitching of tents, water, electricity or simply boat rentals and contact numbers.

Related Posts:
Maculabo Island
Calaguas Island
Apuao Grande Island

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

An attempt to visit Paracale's Pulang Daga Beach, named after the red colored sand beach (daga means soil in Bicolano), did not materialized due to Tutubi's friend's insistence to have lunch in an island that's so near the "gold rush" town of Paracale.

It turned out it's on the list of Tutubi's islands he wanted to visit: Maculabo Island, just to verify claims of some people (and bloggers) that it's like this famous island teeming with tourists down south.

The trip to Maculabo Island is just a mere thirty minutes from the Paracale Port via motorized banca, an hour more, you'll find yourself in the mesmerizing Mahabang Buhangin of Tinaga Island, Calaguas Islands. Both Tinaga Island and Maculabo islands are part of the Calaguas Group of Islands though Tinaga Island is politically part of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
.
Pictures of Maculabo Island, the white sand beach of Centro (or Sentro) as the locals call the place.





The white sand beach boasts white sand alright but it's not as white nor as fine as the sand of Mahabang Buhangin, (erroneously called Calaguas Island).

Centro of Maculabo is inhabited with a small barangay (village) where Tutubi's friend bought freshly-caught fish (talakitok and tanigue).

Maculabo Island
GPS Coordinates/Waypoints: N14 24 04.5 E122 49 04.0

Related Posts:

Calaguas Island
Apuao grande Island Resort

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

In the "gold rush" town of Paracale that sits on gold (whose gold was alleged to be by an ex-president), stands the old stone Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), which is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

the Drive-by photo of Paracale Church's facade:

the facade of Paracale Church, made of adobe blocks and facing towards the sea, as always, i.e. east guarding the town from marauders and slave traders of yore (picture taken around 5pm)

Tutubi merely took a drive-by picture of the old church and was not able to enter to see, document how the altar and read about the history of the catholic edifice and probably old retablo (tableau) but had to leave in a haste so as not get caought at night passing by the zigzag road between Atimonan and Pagbilao, Quezon on the way to Manila

Paracale is a gateway port to Maculabo Island and the Calaguas Group of Islands, home to Mahabang Buhangin, about 1.5 hours away from Paracale port.

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Paracale Church
GPS Coordinate: N14 16 46.1 E122 47 14.6

How to get to Paracale, Camarines Norte

Commute to Paracale, there's a Superlines terminal near Paracale Church that has trips to the capital town of Daet, Camarines Norte. You can get to Paracale from Manila by boarding a bus of Superlines, Amihan Lines or Daet Express that pass by the northern towns of Sta. Elena, Capalonga, Labo and Jose Panganiban (fare: PhP500.00 approximately) but request the conductor to drop you off at a junction called Bato Balani in Jose Panganiban town. At Bato Balani, ride a tricycle to Paracale (fare: PhP20.00)

There's an ATM owned by Rural Bank of Paracale that dispenses gold, not cold cash (as it's April 1 :)

If you want some sort of Visita Iglesia Camarines Norte you can also try Saint Peter's Parish Church (Vinzons Church), Parish of St. John, the Evangelist (Labo Church), (Capalonga Church, not really old but it's home to the venerated Black Nazarene).

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Churches, Visita Iglesia

A trip to the "gold rush" town of Paracale, camarines Norte is incomplete without a visit to a gold mine with rails and mine tunnel full of gold ore

Tutubi asked a friend how to get to an abandoned mine on the hills of Paracale but, due to the usual lack of time, with a trip on a habal-habal up the mountains, and the danger of encounter with the "pogi," he deferred the gold mine tour. (this is different from the Mining in Surigao del Norte)

He, however, was able to witness actual gold mining activities on the hill at the mouth of the river of Paracale with houses on stilts precariously perched on the hillside with sand bags and noticeable gold panning activity.





the good and bad of mining, not so evident here but this small town has lots of moneyed small time miners needing "recreation" and also still using dangerous mining practice utilizing mercury (asoge/asogue in Filipino/Tagalog). You can find mercury being sold in a tiangge here. You can also find pure gold being sold here, around PhP2000.00/gram...that's 24 karat gold at very low price straight from the miners themselves.

what did Tutubi actually explore in Paracale, Camarines Norte?

later...

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte

Tutubi's been monitoring latest news about Mt. Bulusan, considered the Philippines' fourth most active volcano, whose restiveness is showing signs of impending eruption. He has visited Sorsogon some time ago including the serene and green Lake Bulusan at the foot of Bulusan volcano.

Last week, Mt. Bulusan reportedly spewed a column of ash about 600 meters into the air that showered several towns around the volcano and registered numerous earthquakes in the last 24 hours that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology described as "very minor." Still, preparations are being made for evacuations of families living inside the danger zone for any hazardous explosion the coming days. It last erupted in October 2007.

Photo of Mt. Bulusan taken on board a speeding Toyota Innova with tinted windows (you won't see actual pictures of volcanic eruption of Mt. Bulusan here)

the serene and green Bulusan Lake, on the background is one of the craters of the now restive Mt. Bulusan

Volcanic eruptions, like earthquakes are acts of nature that gave birth to many of the Philippines' bodies of water like Taal Lake and Laguna de Bay, even all the islands of the Philippines except Palawan, as claimed by newer research (that directly contradicted the earlier and less accepted "land bridges" theory), and explained the reasons the high concentration of endemic species of wildlife in these tropical islands.

Related Posts on Sorsogon:

Sorsogon Food Trip
Lake Bulusan
How to Get to Donsol
Church of Barcelona Sorsogon

Labels: Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Volcanoes

Call it Disaster Tourism, the latest craze in Philippine Tourism, as the brewing explosion of Mayon Volcano is now attracting foreign tourists who wanted to see an exploding volcano up close and personal.

Update: Mayon Volcano "exploded" on May 7, 2013 as a result of rain water getting in contact with hot magma/lava inside the volcano setting off some sort of a pressure cooker explosion.

Latest Mayon Volcano Explosion Videos on YouTube:





Being the adventurous and curious type, Tutubi also wanted to see for himself the majestic Mayon Volcano exploding but doesn't have the time and resources to go there as well as personal reasons holding him back.

For those who are in Legazpi City, the best view of Mayon Volcano might be on Lignon Hill near Legazpi Airport.

Philippine Military is there to secure the lava flow paths to ensure a zero-casualty explosion but there are always the pasaway types who ignore safety warnings and endanger the lives of others who come to their rescue.

Updated: May 2013

Labels: Albay, Bicol Region, Volcanoes

The hotel nearest to Legazpi Airport is practically walking distance from the Legazpi Airport and located within the airport site itself with the restaurant also serving great food at an affordable price while just outside the hotel is an unobstructed view of Mayon Volcano and Lignon Hill. Tutubi and his "sidekick" checked in at the hotel and here's his experience.

It was raining when Tutubi checked in at Legaspi Airport Hotel, got booked a junior suite for the two of them and rested for a while. It so happened that a celebration was being held at the airport bar where the videoke machine was at full blast that Tutubi can't concentrate on what he's doing, even sleep.

The junior suite has three beds that translates to just P333.33/person/night (about $7), quite affordable actually, suitable for budget travelers

He complained to the front desk person and requested to be transferred to another room but was informed there was no vacancy for a similar room. An upgraded room was offered but for an additional price but Tutubi haggled that it wasn't his fault and that he can't wait for 11pm for the party to stop and for him to rest. The hotel staff acquiesced to his request and transferred them to the executive room at no extra charge (thus he got free use of the big washroom with bath tub)


Legazpi Airport Hotel's executive room, upgraded from junior suite at no extra cost
the sala set and TV with Angelina Jolie on screen :P


Legazpi Airport Restaurant:

Recommend longganiza Guinobatan with rice and egg for P75 plus Bicol specialties of Laing and Bicol Express (it's not on the menu but ask for them and they shall be given unto you)

Legaspi Airport Hotel Review:

This is a highly-recommended hotel in Legazpi City from a price/convenience and service advantage. Walking distance from Legazpi Airport terminal exit making it the nearest hotel to Legazpi Airport. The staff were nice and courteous, clean rooms, nice food and cheap too. The hotel location is perfect for those booked for an early morning flight to Manila or those who came from Donsol Whale Sharks interaction down south.

Legazpi Airport Hotel
Address: Airport Site, Legazpi City
Contact Numbers: +63.52.481.0232; +63.52.820.0504

Legazpi Airport Hotel Room rates:

aircon room: PhP700.00
aircon room: (double) PhP800.00
Junior Suite PhP900.00
family room PhP1,000.00
executive room PhP1,200.00

extra bed PhP150.00
Extra Person: PhP100.00

Notes:

Please call the published telephone numbers for reservations, bookings, inquiries and other requests. No official website as of posting time. There's wifi Internet available but inquire at the ffront desk on how to access.
The nearest pension house to Legaspi Airport is Vista Al Mayon Pension House which is a tricycle ride away. The other hotel that Tutubi stayed at couple of years ago was at Legazpi Tourist Inn but it's near the city center.

Labels: Accommodations, Albay, Bicol Region, Hotels and Resorts, Legazpi City

The questions most asked by Tutubi to locals of various places he's visited try to uncover a place's native delicacies and specialties, where to find them and how to make them.

This time, he has yet to ask the question to his hosts in Gubat, Sorsogon and yet his question have been answered when they served him two of Gubat's delicacies that turned his ordinary lunch into a Gubat food trip.

First, besides usual dishes known to Tutubi, was a serving a fried small fish, locally called kuyog or cuyog, probably some sort of anchovy, whose taste reminds Tutubi of bangayngay of his childhood in Paete, Laguna. One of his hosts cautioned though that catching the kuyog fish, still small fries, is illegal but people are so fond of the fish they continue to catch them. Fermented kuyog fish is usually paired with cooked pili fruits as side dishes/appetizers/dips.

crispy fried kuyog.cuyog fish

Tutubi's host narrated how the side dish of cooked pili fruit and cuyog is made from boiled ripe pili fruit. The dark skin of the boiled pili fruit is peeled off and the dipped in fermented cuyog sauce, similar to bagoong, accentuated with a dash of calamansi juice. The pungent flavor of the pili combined with the sour and salty kuyog sauce is heavenly to the locals (peninsular Bicolanos and even those from Catanduanes) but is an acquired taste for others. It's very popularly paired with angol fish in coconut milk.

Next was a serving of brown cake made of rice called Hinagum (or hinagom). The rice dessert is also popular in nearby Samar Island, home of the Warays, where the Bicol Peninsula is separated by San Bernandino Strait. Hinagom recipe is simple, it's made from freshly harvested rice that's pounded, roasted in a pan, then pounded again in a mortar mixed with coconut meat and sugar before wrapping in leaves. It tastes quite similar to espasol of Laguna.

home-made hinagom served to Tutubi by his gracious hosts

Other Gubat delicacies that can be tried there for a Gubat food trip is binut-ong, a simple recipe of glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk and anise seeds, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled over low fire for about an hour and a half.

The timitim, is some sort of cassava cake made from grated cassava, coconut milk, sugar, vanilla, and pili nuts. The video below, a clip fro m ABS-CBN travel show "Trip na Trip" where they demonstrated how to make the various Gubat, Sorsogon delicacies (shot at Veramaris Resort).



Kinagang, a unique Gubat delicacy made of crayfish. How to make kinagang: remove the shell of the crayfish, mash the meat and mix with strips of coconut meat and leaves of herba buena (a mint variety). Wrap the mixture in higikhik leaves (it's one of the secret of the delicacy or else it will taste differently) then steam.

Too bad, Tutubi wasn't able to taste timitim, binut-ong and kinagang but he hopes to be back in Gubat, Sorsogon someday for this

The worst part about Tutubi's stay in Gubat, Sorsogon was that there's really no restaurant where you can sample their gastronomic treats and culinary treasures except from the home of a Gubatnon. People of Gubat, like most other Filipinos, should really showcase their own native delicacies and unique cuisine as well as develop various tourist attractions to improve tourism in their town.

Most people still think Gubat, is a forest, as the name in Filipino means, but Gubat is actually a progressive town in Sorsogon, now with an ATM of her own by Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC), and a lovely Rizal beach that can be developed as a surfing, skimboarding, kitesurfing/kiteboarding, and windsurfing beach if the locals and government officials get their acts together.

Combine culinary treasures with natural attractions and pride of place and you'll have a tourism success story!

Related Posts:

Rizal Beach Resort
Veramaris Resort, Gubat, Sorsogon

Labels: Bicol Cuisine, Bicol Region, Delicacies, Filipino Food, Sorsogon

Tutubi's trip to Gubat, Sorsogon turned out unexpectedly fun-filled with yet again another unplanned trip to Lake Bulusan high up the mountains that enabled him see with his own eyes the green water of the lake formed out of a giant caldera with the still active Bulusan Volcano in the background.

Bulusan Lake turned out to be very accesible from the town of Bulusan, Sorosogon via a relatively well-paved winding road that took about 30 minutes to navigate from the Bulusan town proper.



Tutubi spent just a few minutes on the lakeshore after taking a few pictures of the lake itself and people frolicking, swimming and rafting on balsa made of bamboo (no kayaks or other water-sports here).




There is a marked trail that invites adventurers, mountain bikers and curious tourists to trek around the lake with a circumference of about five kilometers where you'll encounter old growth forest, tall, possibly centuries-old trees, giant ferns, orchids, wildflowers and other endemic flora and fauna that'll surely delight biologists.

Due to the usual lack of time, Tutubi wasn't able to walk around the lake and instead hopped back to their transport and return to Gubat via Irosin town.

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Note: another lake that Tutubi wants to visit someday is Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, home of the endemic sinarapan (Scientific Name: Mistichthys luzonensis) which is the world's smallest commercial fish

How to get there:

Bulusan Lake can be reached by trekking up the winding road, mountain bike, motorbike or just hire a tricycle in Bulusan town proper to take you there (fare is around PhP150.00 negotiable)

Labels: Bicol Region, Lakes, Sorsogon

First, the Frech were captivated by Caramoan who shot the hugely popular Koh Lanta; then came the Bulgarians with their own version of Survivor; and now the desert-dwelling Israelis came to these shores and even named their own season Survivor Philippines.

herewith is the video teaser of Israel's Survivor Philippines

Teaser Video Survivor Philippines Israel (in Hebrew but with English subtitles)

Filipinos won't be able to see the Survivor series here but you'll be able to watch the Survivor Philippines Online streaming or torrents downloads :P

Related post:
"French Survivor" Koh Lanta Caramoan

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Sur, Survivor

From Barcelona Church, Tutubi traveled southwards to Bulusan towards the lake when caught sight of Mt. Bulusan inside the van.

Mt. Bulusan is one of the twenty two active volcanoes in the Philippines according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS)

Photo of Mt. Bulusan taken inside a cruising van on the road to Bulusan town proper

Mt. Bulusan recently was monitored with volcanic activity in October 2007 almost at the same time when the more famous and most active Mayon volcano was also acting up.

If you want to trek up Mt. Bulusan, you can also start at Lake Bulusan and visit various hot springs and crater lakes of the volcano.

Related Posts:
Mayon volcano
Taal Volcano
Mt. Pinatubo

Labels: Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Volcanoes

Just across Barcelona Church facing the Pacific Ocean and Gubat Bay stands the stone ruins of a Spanish fort and a lighthouse that guides fishermen at night to shore of the tranquil town of Barcelona, Sorsogon.

old stone ruins of the fort, one of two sets of fortifications facing the sea

the north ruins facing the sea

the southern ruins and the lighthouse

There's not much information aboout the history of the fort but it may be tied with the church of Barcelona's history (even if during the Spanish times, churches were built with two purposes in mind: places of worship and refuge/fortress against invaders/pirates that's why they're always facing the sea)

Barcelona was named after Barcelona, Spain said to have similar topography as the Spanish city.

From a brief photo-op, Tutubi went on to visit Mount Bulusan and a trek around the green waters of Bulusan Lake

Related Posts on Sorsogon:

Barcelona Church
Donsol Whale Shark Tours

Just click on the Sorsogon Label below for more posts on Sorsogon ;P

Labels: Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Spanish Forts

One of only two "true" resorts on Rizal beach, Gubat Bay in Sorsogon is the beach resort named after the beach itself: Rizal Beach Resort

Tutubi was able to take these photos of the gate and of the beach front while he stayed at the nearby Veramaris Resort.

Photos of Rizal Beach Resort:

the entrance of Rizal Beach Resort near Veramaris Resort
the coconu tree-lined beach front with fine gray sanda child playing on Rizal beach. Notice the waves on the beach good for newbie surfing, skimboarding, even boardsailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing due to the presence of strong winds

Tutubi can't give you a review of Rizal Beach Resort for he didn't stay there. You may call their published contact number for room rates, daytours/entrance fees and other inquiries.

Rizal Beach Resort
Gubat Sorsogon
Tel. No.: +63.56.311.1829; +63.56.311.1830
Official Website: http://www.rizalbeachresort.com

Related Posts:
Veramaris Resort.
Donsol Whale Sharks Interaction Guide
Donsol Video
Surfing Beaches of the Philippines

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Hotels and Resorts, Sorsogon

The airport at the foot of Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City servicing not just the province of Albay but the entire Bicol Region. It's in this airport where tourists wishing to commune with butanding (whale sharks) of Donsol, Sorsogon pass by to get to the tourist town.

a Cebu Pacific aircraft unloading passengers at Legaspi Airport. On the background's the almost perfect cone of Mayon Volcano and part of Lignon Hill

Legazpi Airport Information:

Flights to Legazpi from Manila are offered by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and ZestAir(formerly Asian Spirit) with airline offices inside the airport compound. (guess which airline offers the cheapest flights to Legazpi?)

Legaspi Airport Terminal Fee:PhP30.00



From Legazpi Airport to your destination:

There are no taxis in Legazpi, only tricycles that can be hired for PhP50.00/trip to vans and bus terminals where you can ride vans and buses to the Albay towns of Bacacay, Nabua, Tiwi; Sorsogon City, Pilar, Donsol in Sorsogon; Naga City (Camarines Sur) and also back to Manila.

There are vans for hire available though the Legazpi Tourism officers at the airport. Tutubi was quoted a van to Donsol for PhP1500.00 good for 10 people (one way) and willing to wait in Donsol back to Legazpi. (Van to Donsol fare is currently PhP60.00/head plus the two tricycle rides: one from the airport and another to a Donsol resort ). The same V-Hire also quoted PhP2,200.00 for a six hour Legazpi City Tour covering 16 tourist spots in Albay.

Contact Numbers:

PROVINCIAL TOURISM & CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex,
Capt. F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City, 4500 Albay, Philippines
Tel. No.: +63.52.820.6314; +63.52.820.6316
Fax: +63.52.820.6315
e-mail: albaytourism@gmail.com

Related Post:
Donsol Whale Sharks

Labels: Airports, Albay, Bicol Region, Volcanoes

There are only a few places Tutubi would really love to return to. One of them is Donsol, Sorsogon that he visited in Holy Week 2003 (Good Friday) in an unplanned, spur-of-the-moment trip.

He had no snorkels, mask, fins then, even a waterproof camera.

Now that he has all of them, he didn't find the time to return there when he visited Sorsogon again due to lack of time. He just asked around for updated information and fares to Donsol for your information.

How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon:


For an online map of Donsol, please click here


How to commute to Donsol, Sorsogon:

Bus to Donsol, Sorsogon are available serviced by Philtranco and some bus companies in Araneta Center Bus Terminal and several bus lines (ordinary) on EDSA, Pasay.

Flights to Donsol, Sorsogon:

There currently are no flights to Donsol, not even flights to Sorsogon City Airport, the nearest airport to the "whale shark capital of the world." Fly in to Legazpi City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or ZestAir.

In Legazpi Airport, board a tricycle (as there no taxis in Legaspi City) and ask the driver to take you to the bus terminal (or the van terminal) where vans and buses to Donsol are waiting (tricycle fare: PhP50.00).

Legazpi Airport to Bus terminal: PhP50.00 travel time about 10 minutes
Van to Donsol Fare: PhP60.00 travel time is 1.5 hours

If you're a bunch of clueless tourists, there are vans for rent at Legazpi Airport to take you to Donsol (the vans can seat 10 people, less if you have lots of excess baggage). Van rental rates to Donsol are PhP1,500.00 one-way then another PhP1,500.00 going back (the driver said he'll wait for you in Donsol after your whale shark interaction tour). The same driver also quoted PhP2200 for a tour of Legazpi's 16 tourist spots for 6 hours. (Tutubi inquired this from Legazpi City Tourism officers at the airport as well as the van driver accredited by Legaspi Tourism)

Coming from Samar or Leyte (Tacloban or Ormoc), the Ro-ro buses that pass by Bicol via ports of Allen in Samar and Matnog port in Sorsogon are the cheaper way of going to Donsol from the Visayas. Just drop off in Putiao, Pilar then ride a jeepney to Donsol.

Driving Directions to Donsol, Sorsogon:

For those with cars, follow this route that the same directions to Bicol: SLEX batangas exit, Maharlika Highway, Sto. Tomas (a few kilometers from Rose and Grace and Jollibee, there's a fork on the road. Choose left going to Alaminos, the other road leads to Sto. Tomas town proper), Alaminos, San Pablo (Laguna), Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Lucena, Pagbilao (this is Maharlika Highway or Pan-Philippine Highway) onwards to the Bicol provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay's Legazpi City, Daraga then Sorsogon province. On reaching the town of Pilar in Sorsogon, turn right on a road in an area known as Putiao. The road will lead to Pilar town proper and Donsol. Travel time from Legazpi city to Donsol is about 1 - 1.5 hours.

Notes:

Donsol Celebrates the Butanding Festival in April. this is the cheapest way to get there, unless you want to be part of a donsol package tour for convenience

Related Posts:

Legazpi Airport
Donsol Whale Sharks
Donsol Beach Resorts

Labels: Bicol Region, Donsol, Sorsogon

Last week Tutubi saw a teaser on TV about an adventure attraction in Cebu that he intends do in his upcoming trip to Cebu (for the nth time). But due to his channel surfing ways, he forgot about it almost missed the entire episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho's Summer Special.

The first segment featured some destinations tagged as alternative summer destinations to Bora, or groomed to be the next big thing as Bora-- very fine white sand beach, resorts and accommodations for every budget and an island of party animals.


If you weren't able to watch the KMJS April 4 episode, here's the summary of suggested destinations plus Tutubi's reviews and comments of the places mentioned-- because he's been to all of them-- and why he disagrees with the suggestion that the places won't be and can't be the next Bora
1. Anawangin Cove

A boat ride ride away from Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales (Also the gateway to Capones Lighthouse) is really picture-perfect place with a cove of fine white sand beach complimented with a backdrop of pine trees (actually agoho trees (Casuarina equisetifolia)), common to Zambales beaches) making the place a fusion of Bora and Baguio combined. It's a backpacker place, much like Bora decades ago, a favorite of trekkers who trek to the place and camp out.

Perfect, but, beware of a lurking danger in Anawangin with the presence of untertows/undercurrents making the beach not suitable for children and family vacations besides the place lacking facilities for such. Tutubi suggest staying at a Pundaquit beach resort (the best one seems to be
Punta de Uian though pricey), just hire a boat to get there and don't forget your life vests!

2. Pueblo Por La Playa

An exclusive members-only resort development in Pagbilao, Quezon was also visited by Tutubi recently when he saw the resort with people frolicking and riding the jet ski from Silangang Nayon Park & Restaurant. After he left Silangang Nayon, he proceeded to visit the place before going back to Lucena City.

Pueblo Por La Playa sign on the main entrance gate

Tutubi's Note: Pueblo Por La Playa has nice multi-colored houses and family-friendly facilities but the beach, again the beach, doesn't compare with Bora's if you're going to tag it as the next one. Tutubi wanted to explore the nearby Pagbilao Grande Island's beaches said to be very good but it will take time. To be able to enter the place, there's a membership fee of PhP300,000.00, plus the annual dues of course, making the place out of reach of ordinary mortals in the Philippines. Tutubi also loves to visit other places rather than to spend vacations regularly in just one place.

3. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

A beach resort on a long stretch of fine white sand beach in Nasugbu, Batangas. It shares the beach with the exclusive Terrazas de Punta Fuego, beach resort partnered with Club Punta Fuego (they're different but within a few minutes driving distance from each other). The beach front can only accommodate a few more resorts and so the infestation of beach resorts there won't happen unlike in Bora's four kilometer long stretch.

Munting Muhangin beach with "munting" visitors

4. Calaguas Group of Islands

An island group part of Vinzons town of Camarines Norte in Bicol Region. It's about 3 hours by boat from Vinzon's port, Mercedes or even Bagasbas Beach in Daet and about an hour away from Apuao Grande Island. (Note the header, as of posting time, of this blog was taken on Calaguas Island in May 2008)

The super fine sand of Calaguas Island's Mahabang Buhangin beach doesn't feel hot on your feet

Feedback: The pristine long stretch of super fine white sand beach also perfect for swimming on Calaguas Island's Mahabang Buhangin has what it takes to make Boracay a run for its money. The sand is so fine, as fine as those in Bora, if not finer. It doesn't also feel hot on your feet probably due to its unique chemical composition similar to Boracay's white sand. It doesn't have the notorious green moss that litter Boracay's shoreline on summer mornings.

Calaguas Island as the next Boracay? Tutubi doesn't think so. It's too far from civilization making it fit for adventurous backpackers, the same mold of backpackers who leaked photos of Boracay to the world decades ago that started its ascension to its current place in Philippine tourism, when backpackers were displaced by the usual tourists and turned the paradise into a party-place if not of sex, drugs and booze. Calaguas Island is also not a place for all seasons, Tutubi doesn't recommend going there during the typhoon season lest you get stranded by big waves. He wants to return to the island again someday to find it like it was before: a communion with nature, sand, sun, stars at night, without the trappings of modern civilization for there's no electricity on the island.

Conclusion:

Boracay is Boracay, it has a different persona than the places mentioned, and there's absolutely no other place that can rival it at this time for being the place to be seen (even during Holy Week), but that doesn't mean there are no better alternatives to it. It only depends on your own taste and preferences.

Jessica Soho's episode researchers fell short of Bora's salacious charms if KMJS is really serious about the places, including two resorts, in tagging them as "The Next Bora."

Notes:

Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
Schedule: Saturday, 9pm at GMA

About Melvic Brinas, the guy from Daet Tourism officer as contact person for Calaguas Group of Islands, all he can say about him for you readers are these two words: Caveat Emptor!

Please visit the links on this page for the contact numbers, reviews, driving directions and other details

Labels: Bicol Region, Boracay, Calabarzon, Camarines Norte, Central Luzon, Quezon, Southern Tagalog, Zambales

After a hearty lunch of laing, a Bicol specialty of taro leaves in coconut milk and chili, and grilled yellow fin tuna in Apuao Grande Island, Tutubi and his group "sailed" on for more than two hours to reach their desired destination that fueled the whole tour of Camarines Norte: the virgin beach of Calaguas Island.



The journey was long even made worse by the not so placid water of the Philippine Sea with sightings of small islands with rolling hills and small patches of white sand beaches visible from afar, but the distance and time was immaterial to the ultimate quest was at hand.



There are many islands belonging to Calaguas group of islands but the main island has the longest white sand beach of them all that locals call Mahabang Buhangin (literally long sand, translate loosely as Long Beach).



Upon setting foot on Mahabang Buhangin, the fine white sand of the beach is truly something to behold. The sand is as fine, if not finer than the powdery white sand of Boracay, and also not hot to the feet despite the heat of the summer sun, must be due to the rare chemical composition of the sand also present on Boracay Island.



first sight of Mahabang Buhangin on the "undiscovered" island



Trudging slowly over wet sand towards the "resort," birds of various species flew away on sensing the presence the group while butterflies fluttered in every direction indicating a still intact ecosystem unharmed by the few inhabitants of Calaguas, mostly living on the other side of the island in Vinzon's barangay Banocboc. At dusk, the sound of male kuliglig (cicada), calling the female species for mating, add very rural setting to the place to be enhanced further at night when alitaptap (fireflies) light up nearby trees for a spectacular display of nature's beauty.



There are no resorts on Calaguas, accommodations are either native huts or tents pitched on the beach and some camp sites. There's toilet and bathroom (with tiled floors and walls) inside the bahay kubo but you need to fetch water or hire a local to fetch for you for a minimal fee. There's fresh water supplied by a deep well while drinking water used by the locals from the saluno (aqueduct) (it's is advised though to bring your own drinking water if you can't stand natural mineral water). About a kilometer trek through the thick forest leads to a village where you can buy basic supplies in case you need something.



the bahay kubo (native hut) is the only "high-end resort" on the island



walking on the pristine beach, lonely planet style (does this picture look familiar?)



footprints on the sand...sand that does not feel hot to the feet



After a sumptuous dinner around a bonfire, Tutubi and his friends chose not to sleep inside the bahay kubo, and instead slept on the beach, using blankets, with the sound of lapping waves, croaking frogs, chirping birds, gentle ocean wind and under the canopy of stars with the mythical hunter Orion and the Pleiades keeping watch.


cheap place to stay on the beach!



Nature, adventure, birds, butterflies, seclusion, serenity, cerulean skies, amazing landscapes, rolling hills, turquoise waters, cool fine white sand without the maddening crowd and hint of civilization all rolled into one: Calaguas Island!



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Other activities in Calaguas Group of Islands:



Island-hopping, SCUBA-diving and snorkeling at Banocboc coral reef, trekking/mountain climbing, Butterfly watching, bird watching. The recommended Calaguas itinerary is just an overnight stay on the island unless you really prefer to live like that on a remote island.



Other places to see in Vinzons, Camarines Norte: Wenceslao Vinzons Shrine and Vinzons Church


Trivia: Vinzons town was first called Tacboan, later renamed Indan. It was changed to Vinzons after Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, a former governor of Camarines and guerilla leader executed by the Japanese in World War II. Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman is named after him.

Note: there's no electricity. Smart mobile phone signal can be received at a marked point on the beach :(

How to get to Calaguas Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP100.00 fare) or rent a boat to the island (PhP3,000.00 boat rental rate).

the nearest jump-off point to Calaguas Island is via the gold mine town of Paracale, where you can even drop by the rural white beach of Maculabo Island

Daily Boat schedule to Calaguas:

Paracale Port to Brgy. Mangcawayan: 1pm (be there early, Fare: PhP100.00)
Brgy. Mangcawayan to Paracale: 7am (fare: PhP100.00
One trip only, travel time is between 2 to 3 hours

Fees, Fares, Rates:

Beach Entrance Fee: Php 100/head (per day)
Cottage Rental: PhP300.00
Baranggay fee: PhP20.00

Calaguas Island can also be reach by a boat ride, about two hours, from Daet's Bagasbas Beach

Calaguas Island package tours are offered by tour operators and local travel agencies. there's no such thing as calaguas itinerary since all you do in the island is swim and do island hopping
There are hotels on Calaguas Island, resorts are not yet there too.

NOTE (updated May 2013):

Tutubi went back to Calaguas Island Mahabang Buhangin in 2012 and saw development being made there, a part of the white beach was bought, reportedly by Shangri-la resort (but unconfirmed). Foreign plants like a green grass was being planted right on the beach that will someday wreck havoc on Calaguas Island eco-system, being an exotic plant species to the island.

many recent blog posts on calaguas Island reports garbage left by backpackers and usual tourists alike, development of the area (which will someday make the beach exclusive to the future Calaguas Island Resort) and off-limits to the public.

Should Tutubi publish a requiem to Calaguas Island now?

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

On the second day of Tutubi's Camarines Norte Tour the took him and his friends to Daet, Mampurog River and Bagasbas Beach, the group then hied off to the town of Mercedes' fish port, called pandawan by the locals to board a rented boat and go island hopping.



There were several islands with visible white sand beaches and interesting rock formations along the way but the group's mainly headed to an abandoned resort on Apuao Grande Island with sandbar, mangrove forests, nine-hole golf course and the adjacent Apuao Pequeña Island.

one of the tropical huts on the resort island you can rent for P2500/night good for 15 persons.

the virgin beach of Apuao Pequeña Island

Similar to Anawangin's beach lined with agoho (an evergreen species of trees that look like pine trees), Apuao Grande Island, one of several islands belonging to the so called Mercedes group of islands, has beaches without the dangerous undercurrent of Anawangin.



the Bantay Dagat boat, with markings BFAR-BDP-2806, that ferried other tourists to the island.

mangrove forest in between the two Apuao islands
Tutubi's companions frolicking on the sandbar

Apuao Grande Island Resort used to be operated by Swagman Hotel chain. It's funny that when Tutubi was inquiring for booking accommodations on the island regarding the resort, the booking officer reserved a room for Tutubi at Swagman Hotel in Malate! The misunderstanding was cleared when Tutubi again inquired about Calaguas Island

For your appreciation, herewith is a satellite image of Mercedes group of islands from wikimapia.org:



Other islands belonging to Mercedes Group of Islands: Canton Island, Quinapagihan Island, Caringo Island, Canimog Island, and Malasugui Island.


Other Places to see in Mercedes:

Colasi Falls - about 70 meters in height and can be reached by hiking/trekking. located in barangay Colasi.
Canta Cave, Caringo Island Resort on Caringo Island

How to get there:

Commute: from Daet, board a jeepney bound for Mercedes. Ask around for the fish port (pantalan or pandawan) then hire a boat to take you there for about 45 minutes.

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands