We woke up the next day from the chirping of the birds. It was all you could hear and the lapping of the waves at the shore. Had we slept at Typhoon Beach Camp, Tatay Ruben told us that we would be woken by a pair of White-Breasted Sea Eagle that’s nesting near the camp. It is territorial in nature thus it has claimed a stake for the whole island. Its fledgling, once they can already live on their own, leave the nest to look for their own territory. We saw one of the pair that morning, hovering over the trees, probably looking for food for its chick.

Just before we left Third Lagoon, we were lucky to see a Moray Eel took refuge under the roots of the mangroves.  It was probably as big as my forearm. Unfortunately, all we could do was shriek in excitement. By the time we remembered to take a picture, the eel was already out of sight.

It was still low tide so we were able to use a different route, a much shorter one and where we will no longer pass by the bat cave. Thank heavens for that. On this side is where the remains of a limestone mine can still be found.  Before Danjugan Island was acquired by the PRRCFI, the island belonged to a family. Some unscrupulous people from the mainland have free access to the island and abuse its resources.

Bamboo Bridge

A short trek from Typhoon Beach Camp brought us to a Bamboo Bridge at the East side of Danjugan Island. The spot is good for snorkeling since you don’t have to venture far in order to see the corals and the thriving ecosystem it supports.

Small fishes jump off the water in synchrony, much to our delight. The kids in us just couldn’t help but feel happy at this little gesture from nature.

Kayak to the First Lagoon

Our practice in kayaking the previous afternoon was put to use when we ventured out from Typhoon Beach pass Manta Island to the First Lagoon. The water was still calm, allowing amateurs like us to have enough confidence to paddle out to open sea. The presence of Tatay Ruben also made us feel safer.

The First Lagoon opens to the sea through a narrow channel.  From Typhoon Beach, we paddled to the right side of the island to the First Lagoon. The rocks were formed in such a way that you could not easily see the opening of the lagoon. But when you have a glimpse of the lagoon, the scene will surely take your breath away.  The blue-green water of the First Lagoon was surrounded by lush green vegetation.  I had to remind myself that I am still in the Philippines and not some Amazon jungle. From above a tree, the eagle was flapping its wings. We must have disturbed its training schedule with its fledgling.

Compared to the water at the Third Lagoon, First Lagoon’s was much deeper with only a small shallow portion. Inexperienced swimmers should take precaution when swimming here.  The water is turbid so snorkeling here may not be very rewarding. We also saw a couple of jellyfish bobbing nearby.  After covering much of the First Lagoon with our kayak, we went back to Typhoon Beach, tired but satisfied of our feat.

We spent the rest of the morning at Turtle Beach, just enjoying the sun on our backs and the water lapping on our feet. We had the beach to ourselves. The thought of leaving the island soon filled us with melancholy.  We had to drag ourselves to Typhoon Beach to prepare for lunch and to pack our bags. But then we can always go back and bring other friends. People should see how beautiful and naturally pristine Danjugan is. Negrenses are very fortunate to have this paradise right at their doorstep.

Lunch was under the Talisay tree where we had a good view of the beach. Our fish was bought from the mainland. As a protected area, fishing is prohibited in some areas within the territory of Danjugan Island Marine Reserve.

From our vantage point, we can see the eagle feeding its chick. When it will be old enough, it will also have to leave the island. Unlike us, it will no longer have the chance to return. Nature has made it that way. Lucky were this pair of eagles that they found a home here in Danjugan. Unlike others, they are protected and are free to lay their eggs to ensure the continuity of their specie.

At last, it’s time to go. We thanked the staff who were so kind and helpful in providing our needs, for enduring our noise, and for being patient on our naivete towards nature. To the people behind PRRFCI, you have our respect and gratitude. We love nature but seeing the efforts you have exerted in saving Danjugan, you have made environment advocates out of us.

Those who are interested in visiting Danjugan Island, you may contact the following:

• Imelda Tinsay of Next Stop Negros Tours
  Contact Nos.: +63 917-5122071, +63 (34) 4355377
  Email:  nextstopnegrostours@gmail.com

• Ramie Babac Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc
  Contact nos.: +63 (34) 432 1260
  E-mail: prrcfi@yahoo.com.ph

Some things to remember:

• Danjugan Island is not a resort. Tourists are allowed on the island in order to educate and advocate the conservation and protection of our natural resources.
• Don’t forget to bring aqua shoes, they come in handy for trekking and beach-combing. Though there are snorkeling gears that you may use, inclusive of your fee, it’s still better to bring your own.
• Overnight fee is P2,500 inclusive of food (3 main meals and 3 snacks) and accommodation, guide, unlimited use of snorkeling gears and kayak. Day tour is P1,500 inclusive of meals (lunch and 2 snacks), guide, use of kayak and snorkeling gear.
• Lastly, be a responsible eco-tourist. Remember and abide by the motto “Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.”
• P.S. Please read Danjugan Island: Paradise at Your Doorstep – Part 1
  

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This article was originally posted at ExperienceNegros.com, a  blog promoting Negros Occidental as a major investment and tourist destination in the Philippines. Visit the site for more pictures. Danjugan Island: Paradise at Your Doorstep – Part 2

The bus ride from Bacolod City was four hours but nobody complained. The three of us have been waiting for this chance to visit Danjugan Island for quite some time now and the Araw ng Kagitingan Holiday gave us the right opportunity.

Imelda of Next Stop Negros Tours told us to ask the Ceres konduktor to drop us at Quadro de King at Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan and look for Bing-Bing Guanzon. I was a little embarrassed when I asked for Ms. Bing-Bing only to be greeted by a man. Bing-Bing contacted the staff at Danjugan Island and was told the motorized bangka is on its way.

A short tricycle ride took us to the shore where we are to wait for the bangka that will take us to Danjugan Island.  From where we stood, we could clearly see the lush green tropical forest of Danjugan Island sandwiched between the cloudless sky and the calm sea.

The ride was short, around 20 minutes. As we approached Typhoon Beach, a most welcoming sight greeted us. A fish jump off the water as if telling us it’s looking forward to our arrival. Well fish, we’re glad we made it to your island. Danjugan, at last.

Getting To Know Danjugan

Tatay Ruben took the task of orienting us about the island and our itinerary. He’s probably in his late fifties but his toothless infectious smile makes you forget his age. His energy and passion for marine resources protection is very contagious. When asked where his family was, he replied, “Inday, nawili ko sg obra nalipat ko mangasawa.” (I was so engrossed with my job I forgot to get married).  He has been a Bantay Dagat of EB Magalona town for several years before moving to Danjugan two years ago.

Imelda, knowing I would be interested to learn more about Danjugan, has left instructions for Tatay Ruben to lend me some reference materials. I browse through a paper by Coral Cay Conservation and was amazed at the natural wealth of the Danjugan Island Marine Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary.

Danjugan Island lies in the Sulu Sea, 3km west of Negros Island. The island is just 1.5km long and 0.5km at its widest point but in terms of biodiversity, it is such a gem. Unlike most islands in the Philippines, Danjugan still retains most of its original tropical forest cover which is teeming with wildlife. The diversity of Danjugan Island’s coral reefs can be compared to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. When Coral Cay volunteers surveyed 40 hectares of the island’s coral reef in 1996, they identified 190 species and 73 genera of corals. On the other hand, the Great Barrier Reef stretching some 2,600km is known to have 80 genera of corals.

The Lagoons

From Typhoon Beach, the bangka took us to the east side of the island where Science Camp is located. It is also where Third Lagoon or Moray Lagoon is. It was so named because of the Moray Eels that take refuge there. The lagoon opens to the sea during high tide and it is surrounded by mangroves, offering a safe haven for the eels from natural predators and humans.

A wood and bamboo structure on concrete stilts serves as dining cabana. A full stomach, the symphony of the birds and the gentle breeze from the sea, proved lethal to a tired body. We dozed off for a few minutes and woke up just in time for snacks. After our badly needed caffeine fix, we’re ready to trek to the watch tower.  It took us perhaps 30 minutes to reach the tower, through a canopy of tropical forest.  Good thing we thought of buying aqua shoes. It served as our trekking shoes as well. The sole is thick enough to protect your feet from pointed rocks and its soft canvass is very comfortable for walking.

We passed by the Sixth Lagoon, its eerie stillness disturbed only by the occasional drop of leaves.  A thing of curiosity was a flushless composting toilet near the lagoon. When you do your thing, it goes right into a septic tank. Do I hear eww? My thoughts exactly. But I was told by a friend who once tried using it that you won’t smell decomposing matter. Oh well, probably next time, when I can muster enough courage.

The watch tower is located at the highest point of the island, some 80 meters above sea level. From there you can see the Agutayan Island between Danjugan and the mainland which, I previously thought was part of Danjugan. Have your pictures taken at the watch tower with the scenic seascape as your background.  Just a warning though, instruct Tatay Ruben how to use your camera, otherwise he’ll have your head missing from the picture. Much as we adore the old man, he is probably the worst photographer on the island!

To the Bat Cave

Our next stop was the bat cave located near the Third Lagoon which you will pass by if you are to trek to Typhoon Beach.  The trail can become steep and rocky with occasional root outcrops and fallen tree trunks, so be prepared to get your hands dirty.

You know you’re near the cave once you smell the stench of guano. The Insect Bats are quite small and not too scary but the smell of their droppings can be overpowering. There are probably thousands of them inside the cave but you can only see a fraction of them hanging on the wall near the entrance. I peered over the cave opening and there’s actually a pool beneath.

We followed the trail until we pass by the Second Lagoon. The water looked very still and inviting that we told Tatay Ruben it must be nice to swim here. He said as long as we are ready to share our swim with a Barracuda then perhaps we should consider it. To Typhoon Beach then, we don’t want to be at the lower part of the food chain with the Barracuda on top of us. Adjacent to the Second Lagoon is the Turtle Beach. It was so named because it is a nesting ground of Hawksbill and Green Turtles.  They often go here during rainy season to lay their eggs beneath the sand.

It was already late afternoon when we reached Typhoon Beach after about half hour of trekking from Third Lagoon. Tatay Ruben then asked me to follow him to the kitchen. At the back of the kitchen was a pair of Tabon Scrubfowls, regular visitors to the camp, according to him. I noticed a hole near the kitchen so I asked Tatay Ruben about it. It’s a well. They’re hoping to reach fresh water at 80 feet deep.

Mad About Mud

We still had some time to inspect the Mud House being constructed at the camp. As the name suggests, its main construction material is mud. Its walls are made from mud, its columns and beams from bamboo, and roof from cogon.  Used bottles and plates are used for aesthetic purposes. Some of the workers are from Talisay City, the same workers who made a similar structure at Natures Village Resort.

We practiced kayaking in preparation for our activity the next day.  Finally, we were able to do what we’ve wanted to do the whole day, swim. Worried that it will be dark soon,  Tatay Ruben told us to continue our swim at the beach in front of the Third Lagoon. We were lucky to catch the Sunset which turned the sky to hues of red and orange.

Tired but still full of energy, we ate dinner with gusto. Nang Daday, the cook, must have thought we ate like sacadas (sugarcane workers). We were the only guests at Science Camp so the staff left us to have our privacy. We can hear occasional splashing of water below the dining cabana. It was probably the eel, disturbed by our boisterous laughter. The wine, the air of wilderness, or just the time away from the noise of the city, made us relax and enjoy girl-bonding. It was almost midnight by the time we bid good night to the staff.

Fresh water for bathing is available although we made extra effort to conserve the use of water since these are still brought in from the mainland. No need to worry, there’s regular toilet for those of us who are not yet prepared to embrace eco-living all the way.

Our sleeping cabana has basic items, a set of bedding with mosquito nets for each of us. There are no walls on the sides, just canvas which you can unroll. We chose not to unroll the front wall canvas to let the fresh air in. Electricity is powered by solar energy just enough for the lights and cellphone charging so there’s no air conditioning unit. It’s an eco-cabana in its truest sense.

A night owl by habit, I lay awake until dawn thinking of the day’s activity and already looking forward for the next day. I’m not sure what time I slept but I remember my last thoughts were of the movie Blue Lagoon.

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This article was originally posted at ExperienceNegros.com, a  blog promoting Negros Occidental. as a major investment and tourist destination in the Philippines. Visit the site for more pictures. Danjugan Island: Paradise at Your Doorstep – Part 1. Continue reading Danjugan Island: Paradise at Your Doorstep – Part 2

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.  ~G.K. Chesterton

It has been my practice for almost five years now to go somewhere I’ve never been to. That way, I’ll be able to know more about the Philippines and share my experiences in this blog.

This summer, I chose the province of Antique. It’s quite near my home province of Iloilo but I have never been to any of its tourist destinations.

My travel buddy Maia who’s based in Antique prepared the itinerary for us. We originally plan to visit Tibiao for the Bugtong Bato Falls and Kayaking at Tibiao River, Pandan for the Malumpati Cold Spring, and Culasi for Mararison Island. We made it to the first two but Mararison has to wait for another time.

If you plan to go to Bugtong Bato Falls, you might as well try kayaking at Tibiao River since both are located in Brgy. Tuno. It will only take you a 15-minute ride in the Skylab (motorcycle) from the highway via Brgy. Importante.

We’re fortunate that it rained the night before so Tibiao River has strong rapids. During summer, the water tend to be shallow thus whitewater kayaking or rafting is not very challenging.

We rented kayaks at Kayak Inn for P100 per hour. Both of us are newbies in kayaking so we had some tutorials from the Kayak Inn staff. It’s really not that hard since we paddled where the current is not so strong. You see, I have this little problem. I don’t know how to swim.

Nonetheless, with sheer guts (and the kayak tutor nearby), I was able to paddle a few meters. It ‘s a nice feeling to be able to ride with the rapids, taking control of the paddle and steering the kayak to where you want to go.

If you think about it, it’s like taking control of your life. You’ll meet big rocks along the way but you have the control to avoid it. If you capsize, then my friend, you either swim or you drown. So much of my life’s lessons.

If you are in a group, you can rent a raft at Kayak Inn and start upriver where the current is stronger and more challenging. You can also stay overnight as long as you have reserved beforehand so the staff can prepare for you. Accommodation is rustic and there are no bars or restaurants nearby. The place is really for the adventurous soul who wants to commune with nature.

Tibiao River rapids is both for the beginner and the seasoned sportsman. In fact, it was the venue of the International Kayaking Competition in 1997. If you’re into extreme sports, the rainy season brings in more challenging rapids.

And of course I couldn’t pass up the chance to have my jump shot at the Brgy. Tuno hanging bridge.

If you’re interested to discover Tibiao’s tourist destinations and tour packages, you can coordinate with Richie Germia, Tibiao Tourism Officer at cellphone number (0916) 946-2984.

Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort is located in Sitio Malumpati, Brgy. Guia, Pandan, Antique. You can access this resort through Brgy. Sto. Rosario and Brgy. Candari.

The water comes from the Malumpati Cold Spring Headwater located about 35 minutes walk from the resort. A man-made pool was created from the river by constructing a concrete embankment so the water is kept at a certain level and allows it to overflow during heavy rains. It was a Sunday when we visited so the resort was full of people enjoying the long weekend with their families and friends.

To the delight of the onlookers, local teenagers climbed up a tree leaning over the pool and jumped, as if they’ve done it all their lives.

When I saw the same teenagers back-dived on the bridge used to cross to the other side, I asked them to pose and dive for me so I can record it in my camera. They couldn’t refuse when I told them I’m going to post their pictures and video in the Internet.

Local folks believed the Malumpati Cold Spring has healing properties. Healing or not, dipping in the cold water has a relaxing effect on the body. People who go there came as far as neighboring province of Iloilo and nearby Aklan.

The water from the Malumpati Cold Spring feeds the Bugang River, considered as the Cleanest In-land Body of Water in the Philippines. If you happen to visit Antique, don’t leave without visiting Malumpati Cold Spring. It’s a natural treasure that should be kept in its unspoiled state.

How to get there:

Pandan, Antique can be reached via Aklan and Iloilo. Ceres bus line has regular schedules to-and-fro Pandan. Buses from Metro Manila going San Jose, Antique via the Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO) also pass by Pandan. From Pandan town proper, you can rent a tricycle going to Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort.

Rates

Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort is still cheap considering its popularity. Persoally, I’m willing to pay a little more if that means the facilities and surroundings are maintained very well.

Entrance: P10
Cottage: P25
Jeepney: P30
Truck: P30
Tricycle: P15
Motorcycle: P5

]]> http://www.promdiliving.com/discover-antique-malumpati-cold-spring/feed/ 9 http://www.promdiliving.com/in-touch-with-my-barriotic-roots/ http://www.promdiliving.com/in-touch-with-my-barriotic-roots/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:49:45 +0000 PromdiBlogger http://www.promdiliving.com/?p=827

We at the office are so fond of making fun of everything. Those who don’t know us would probably be offended with our conversations. We also love to talk in English, the Janina San Miguel kind. We know some people raised their eyebrows upon hearing us talk. We don’t mind, we do it for fun. Besides, that person has probably not heard of Janina San Miguel so we forgive their innocence.

One of our favorite term is barriotic. We just love to use the slang. In our dictionary, barriotic is an adjective we use to refer to anything that is characteristic of the barrio, in short promdi. If you think we’re mean, don’t worry, we also use the word on ourselves.

These last few weeks I seldom update my blog for one or all of these reasons – I was too busy with work-related activities, I was busy with my raket, and I was somewhere else in Western Visayas aside from Negros Occidental.

Yes, I visited some remote, barriotic, promdi – whatever you call it – places in Western Visayas. And how I love those places! The Philippine countryside is really beautiful. You see, we have mountains, beaches, falls, a rich culture and the warmest people. Aren’t we Ilonggos malambing?

So, to give you a glimpse of our beautiful region, visit this blog in the next few days because I will be featuring several interesting destinations and festivals in Western Visayas. Here’s a little teaser.

Rock climbing without harness, kaya nyo?