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Serene Spots for a Peaceful Escape in Cagayan de Oro

September 6, 2025October 14, 2025cbartazo

The city of Golden Friendship is booming and always blooming, no doubt there is something new for everyone – young and old. This has been my home being based here for work in more than three decades now. In that span of time, the city has evolved, expanded and became the melting pot in northern Mindanao. The suburbs that used to be uninhabited are almost filled with structures and establishments that sprouted in no time. It’s not surprising that the city became congested, traffic jam is now a problem, not only during rush hours but whole day now.

Yet there are still spots where you can enjoy quiet moments, away from the chaotic city maddening crowd. Now living a slow life, I discovered sites that offered relaxed settings for everyone.

Seriva Resort is located in Brgy. Indahag offered an all-in facility for tourists and locals alike – rooms, resto and swimming pool recently. The ridge gave an ample view of the greeneries behind with cool mountain breeze to boot. Most importantly, the resto has great food choices. I love my paella, coupled with bouillabaisse and tuna steak – classic menu to crave for!

Heights for me is always picturesque, I can stay long just watching the horizon where the sky meets the sea. The wide expanse made me so tiny and the whole vista felt so calming and serene. We drove further to western side of the city up in Camhills – home of Gecko Café, overlooking the Macajalar Bay. The café serves light snacks of kakanin, hot tsokolate or coffee, just perfect to unwind and savor the cool environment.

I never knew By the Bay exists, it’s about al fresco dining (dampa style) with unlimited sea breeze which I so love. Visiting at night is best, have seafood dinner with matching harbor lights in a distance. Such simple spot relaxing the night away. But mind you, the dampa is secretly situated at the back of Caltex gas station so watch out when you go there, you might unintentionally pass and miss to turn your vehicle at the spot!. 😊

Yes, just three of amazing spots in the city that captivated my senses! 😊

Sustainable Diving in Camiguin: Clean-Up and Relaxation

June 28, 2025June 29, 2025cbartazo

The quick get-away in Camiguin Island this summer was again another time to relax, recharge and remind myself I need to be on the road again!

While I was planning for an escape to my go-to diveshop, my buddy randomly suggested for a quick dive trip wherever I want! 😊Apparently, my happy smart choice was my favorite island – not so distant, not crowded and not expensive. Being just few weeks after the Holy Week*, it was peaceful and not crowded as I wanted it to be. Too provincial, as my dive buddy described when we had an afternoon walk from the market.

We were happy to be back at Mabini Hotel as our refuge, the staff were friendly and so helpful. And practically, walking distance to important spots in the town – church, market, police station, shops, bank. Our dives arrangement done perfect with Scuba de Oro.

The next morning, we’re up early for the preliminaries – Angel’s early walk, packing up gears, my dailies and a relaxing light breakfast. Our DM picked us up promptly at 8:30am to the dock which was 18 kms away, the cheery weather was all we need to brighten up that Friday!

Marine Sanctuary

We got on the paddle boat that brought us to dive boat anchored about 100 meters away, sunny skies and calm waters was just perfect for the dives! In no time, we sailed for Mantigue after all the necessary stuff were loaded. Just watching the wide blue seas with its gentle breeze was just a good start. Again, it was an exclusive dive for us! 😊

DM Amir joined us in our first dive at the Sanctuary, the waters was just right – on a high tide with very mild current. Our giant stride gave a huge splash on the waters! We descend slowly hoping to find a school of jacks. Alas, my dive computer wasn’t working later I realized it was battery low already and this is one of those situations when I felt lost when I don’t have a dive computer. Then I felt struggling with my buoyancy, figuring out why when I always have 6 pounds weights. I wasn’t listening when Angel suggested he would have extra weight in case my wetsuit would keep me positively buoyant. The whole time our DM was on the lookout for me.

We sighted at least three groups of giant trevallies as we went, not so much in number compared last time but much bigger. The ever gentle turtles crossed our way, three of them wading coyly. I was wondering if these turtles were hatched in the island or are they males felt safe and contented to inhabit the sanctuary. The reef fishes were all over, few drummers showed up. There were triggerfish, anthias, wrasses, fusiliers, anemone fish, sand perch, and more. There were blue stars scattered around and found more culcita which was not a common sight before. Some sponges, sea cucumbers, whips and few androids.

We spent 57 minutes, had my deepest at 22m and my air down to 70 from 200 bars.

Turtle Point

After more than an hour for our surface interval, we prepared for our next dive at the Point – Angel’s favorite. 😊This time, my weight was increased and Angel offered his new dive computer (Garmin Descent 2) which I was grateful! To make our dives count, we brought our net bag as Amir urged, for some trash clean up. And right, all was well – my buoyancy was perfect and my depth, NDL and safety stop were monitored accurately which is very relevant to me. We descend to a sandy slope and went deeper down expecting some surprise!

Well, we encountered six turtles – two were sleeping quietly in their spot, none of them were threatened as we passed by observing them. Angel and I stopped momentarily in white sandy slope observing the garden eels, their territory became wider I observed. Amir led us for the search of the elusive juvenile leaf scorpion fish, it didn’t disappoint us as it appeared perched on a stone coral. It was a rare sight, and I guess I wouldn’t find if I’m alone – one needs keen eyes for this critter. A lone chevron barracuda darted fast few meters away, stunned for a bit what was it! It was surprising, there were lot of critters I observed dwelling at the Point. Bannerfishes, angels, snappers, moorish idol, fusiliers, anthias, pufferfish, yellow damsels and lot more. A moray eel also peeped from its hole observing us, there were blue stars and culcita’s all over. It felt surreal with that large throng of juvenile cardinal fish, so tiny thousands of them wiggling over the colorful corals!

We ascend with a bagful of trash – plastic cutlery, sachets, discarded clothing, plastic caps, sanitary napkin, bottle, cans and more plastics. Well, the sanitary nap was gross, but I didn’t let it go. It was a dive clean-up indeed! We had 62 minutes with 23.1 meters as my deepest and my air down to 80 bars.

Our sumptuous lunch was waiting for us as we got into the boat, the most relaxing part after good dives was while enjoying our meal talking about the sightings and dive trips stories. 😊

Isla Charms

Our last dive in the island was two years ago right in the same spot yet being underwater is always mystery – new encounters, new lessons and whole gamut of bliss beyond the surface. It’s beauty and wonder cannot be equaled. To our delight, our DM allowed us for a quick hop to the island using the paddle boat! 😊 The white beach became wider this time, and there was some kind of sandbar that extends a little farther. What a joy – getting a good view of the main island! The mountains all green capped with white clouds, such a beauty!

We went back to Mambajao with our DM driving for us, such generous soul. We planned for sunset in White Island like we used to in previous years but unfortunately all tourist spots now in Camiguin Island closed at 5pm. Making most of the day, we had a detour to Katibawasan Falls for a quick dip to freshen up, the cold waters was good enough but have to leave immediately before the gates would close. ☹ We capped the day watching the sunset at Chill’s Resto instead!

As I watched leaving the port next morning, had that gnawing feeling of not getting enough. I whispered to myself and promised I’ll be back again soon! Honestly though, I miss those times watching sunset in White island or the night dip in Hot Spring. Those moments when there was no need to rush.

*Tourists and many people would flock during the Holy Week for the annual Panaad, where devotees would walk around the island as pilgrims for the Way of the Cross.

Iloilo’s Gems: Food, Art, and Heritage

December 3, 2024February 20, 2025cbartazo

Promising myself one slow travel before the year end was one of my agenda in the last quarter, it was also a long-planned visit to a friend who wanted a meet up sans official duties. Well, just a year ago I was in the city for few hours as a pass-through to Bacolod City for some official trip. That was more convenient since CEB has daily flights to Iloilo City from Cagayan de Oro. The City of Love is one of my favorite cities, and I was truly looking forward for that last weekend in October for the visit.

Something Old

I love visiting again and again because of Iloilo’s great culinary choices, which are my favorite such as KBL, paella, callos, arroz valenciana and scallops! Where every food is namit gid, right? Such that my first stop when I got downtown from the airport was Ponsyon (by Brealthrough) at La Plazuela, for dinner with my friend.

It was drizzling on that Sunday but first things first. We attended the 8am mass in Molo Church (Church of St. Anne Parish) for a start, for some reason my visit in the city is not complete without coming here. I guess I got attracted with its gothic architecture just like those old churches in Europe! The showers didn’t stop as we wander a bit in Molo Plaza, crossing to the nearby Molo Mansion. Old structures never failed to amaze me. We decided to take our late breakfast in one of those small cafés that lined the mansion compound, while waiting for the rains to stop.

We hailed a jeepney to Villa-Arevalo district to revisit Camiña Balay nga Bato (Avanceña Ancestral House), as usual we were shown around after the short video to the delight of my friend. She is based in Iloilo but she never got to come in the old house which dates back in 1865 when the Philippines was still a Spanish colony. This house is really ancient with rich cultural heritage – the pillars, walls, windows, furniture & fixtures, the grand staircase which was tilted steep for protection. We learned that you need to climb up the stairs sideways holding long skirt to prevent from falling! So, we went up to the kitchen and dining area for our bites, with some lessons on the ilustrado way of sipping the tsokolate! This is the best part of the house tour! We requested for refill enjoying the delicious hot tsokolate, chatted longer at the long table until more guests came over. I guess they had the best tasting hot tsokolate, they had a trade secret in its preparation and the organic tablea are from their own cacao produce.

Our very late lunch cum dinner (past 3pm) was in my old time favorite Healthy Kitchen, they have transferred to another location which is just walking distance from Festive Walk. That same healthy plant-based food I kept coming back in my previous visits in the city – fresh fruit lemonades, vietnamese fresh spring rolls (wrapped in rice paper), quesadilla, arroz a la cubana! 😊

At the airport while waiting for my flight and after buying pinasugbo and bandi for pasalubong, I got hot La Paz batchoy for my late lunch and it was just good as it was. Yes, always namit gid! 😊

Something New

I am a museum junkie so if ever I got the chance, I love to visit even briefly. Indeed, there was lack of time. I was planning to revisit the Museo Iloilo but nil, I was aiming for the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts (IloMOCA) which is something new to me! I need some thing to stir my curiosity of colorful works and I read good reviews on the exhibits. The Festive Walk is a new commercial district by Megaworld in Mandurriao, just a kilometer from SM City which was new to me, though it was not necessary to see the complex I need to be there due to IloMOCA. I guess the place was more flashy during the night but I was there in broad daylight for the exhibits. The museum is housed in Casa de Emperador, a three-floor modern building, far from those ancient structured museums. The first museum in Visayas and Mindanao dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

It was fortunate I caught up with their “Lamang Dagat” exhibit featuring local young artists to promote awareness in marine protection and conservation. I was glad how widespread the marine world protection issues got attention from all walks of life. The young generation awareness could harness more efforts for the movement, after all the future belongs to them! I spent more than three hours for the exhibits, it was a rush indeed and I wish I could spend more time just sitting on those benches but maybe next time. I guess choosing your priorities where to spend more is the game inside museums, one can never get enough time.

Obviously, ILOMOCA was the highlight of this trip. As I was packing for my trip home, I peeked from my hotel window and I saw Guimaras Island just beyond. I guess it was a sign to cruise for the island again, maybe I can get a chance next time when I‘m in the city once more. Who knows? 😊

Disclosures:

Entrance fee at Camina Balay nga Bato is PhP 150.00 inclusive of refillable hot tsokolate!
Entrance fee at ILOMOCA is PhP 150.00 for adults and PhP 120.00 for students.
Molo Mansion has no entrance fee, it housed a Kultura souvenir shop.
Healthy Kitchen Café is located at Abeto St., Mandurriao just walking distance from Festive Walk
Vans going to and from the airport are available to save transportation costs, way to go for backpackers as it’s much cheaper than taking the taxi

A Day Tour to Carles: Budget-Friendly Island Escapades

November 25, 2024November 19, 2025cbartazo

Have you heard of Carles? This town is 147 kilometers away from Iloilo City but fortunately I made it round trip just to visit the islands. It was possible but well, forget about the slow trips I wanted after my retirement! The islands have been elusive to me, though I have visited the town few years back for a DIY Sicogon Island cruise and Mt. Opao trek. The province of Iloilo has still a lot in store for adventure.

At first, I thought I need to stay overnight in the town, it was fortunate I came across a day tour package to the islands and the deal was purely cost saving! It means waking up at 4am for the long trip, it was fine though we arrived at Bancal port before 8am which was just right for the 830am meet up. 😊 The weather was downcast, they said cruises to the islands were cancelled in the past days. Again, it was perfect timing that cruises were back after clearance from PCG on that Saturday!

Sailing in open seas with subdued skies!

We all piled up in our respective boats, I dunno how they arranged the joiners but all were strangers. I chose the second-row seat from the front to protect me from the splashing waves just in case. My seat mates were young couple whom I forgot to ask their names, quiet and pleasant and never rowdy. 😊There was a long wait and the boat finally left past 9am already.

The first stop was in Ojatras Island (Pulupandan), it has white sand beach with clear waters, decorated with unique rock formations. We were given time to explore around and shortly, we left for the next point aiming for Tangke Lagoon. The water was rough as we sailed and docking at the spot was impossible, the waves was turbulent and getting out of the boat with those rock and limestone cliff was just dangerous. The crew asked to skip the lagoon for obvious reasons.

We piled up again on our boat and sailed for Antonia Point, having an overtime before lunch so we can have a long and relaxed dining later as the crew suggested. 😊 This small island has a resort, little store for snacks & essentials, and few residents which I think the owner of the establishments. The long white coast was lined up with coconut trees and there were tables and benches for guests to relax on the beach. It has a good swimming area too with interesting rock formations at end point. I got the chance to mingle and chatted with the crew and asked if there’s scuba diving in the islands given the blue surrounding waters but there was none. I was wondering why, there was no doubt its depths could offer rich and diverse marine environment for enthusiasts.

The boat dropped off instead in Bantigue Sandbar after getting a message from their admin that lunch prep was still on-going, as we were heading to Cabugao Sur for that lunch break. The white sandbar was naked, a stretch of sand long enough for an easy stroll, the waters was clear enough and those waves riveted the shores with flapping sounds. Each on his own but Emman the friendly guide made the joiners comfortable, randomly offering to take photos for anyone who needs assistance.

We finally headed for our lunch to Cabugao Sur but alas, we need to wade waist deep to the shores more than a hundred meters! The sumptuous lunch was waiting, I was more interested of my favorite scallops! 😊 Yes, unlimited scallops – grilled and boiled – so perfect for my cravings. There were crabs, squid, shrimps and more scallops! Then I happened to sit during our meals with three friendly ladies from Davao City who chatted with me, though they were in another boat. I think everyone was purely delighted with the abundant food. 😊

The famous Cabugao Gamay island was our last hop, I guess the icon of the islands located in the southernmost tip. The white beach on both sides, foliage, some rock formations and that hill to climb up and watch 360° view from the top. They said this viewpoint is known as selfie island, because generally all tourists who got there up will get their photos. I agree it’s a must-see spot but sadly, one is only allowed 5-7 minutes to be there to give way for others. In the end, we sailed for Bancal Port almost 4pm glad that the weather favored us with waters calm enough for the cruise. But then, we need to leave before the sunset could display its golden hues.

We had a smooth trip back to Iloilo City and was drop off in my hotel past 8pm, the arrangements went fine and that quickie trip to Carles for the islands was a good deal, I guess. By the way, this is an island-hopping trip so be ready to get wet! 😊

Disclosures:

There was a myth and common belief that tall human beings believed to be giants lived in the place a long, long time ago thus, the name Isla Gigantes!
The Joiners’ day tour costs PhP 1,099.00 per pax inclusive of lunch; round trip aircon van Iloilo City-Bancal Port-Iloilo City costs PhP 700.00 with pick-up and drop off at respective hotel.
Accommodations are available in the islands located in Cabugao Sur and Antonia Point
Be ready with the essentials – swim wear, dry pack for valuables, sunscreen and water for hydration.

San Vicente: Wildlife and Idyllic Islands

October 5, 2024February 21, 2025cbartazo

Palawan is always synonymous to clear waters, white beaches, serene islands and wildlife that are endemic in this last frontier of the country. I had the chance to see few remote and hidden spots while staying for two months in San Vicente.

Our late-night beach patrols allowed me to encounter the Palawan badgers, known in local dialect as “Pantot”. We were walking on the beach in darkness when from the corner of my eye I saw small eye pairs glowing in the dark (like penlights) a little distance from the shores and the foul smell in the air. The badgers only go out at night for food hunt, I guess. They are nocturnal and wandered around the shores, we saw footprints going to the waters, I guess they are having marine critters for food. The smell though was just so unbearable. The Palawan tree squirrels, locally known as “Bising” are also common in the wild, I saw few while on the road, scrambling as we passed by. They look exactly as squirrels but smaller and very timid. There are wild ducks too that I saw swimming not really far from our station for hatchery checks, they come in group fishing for food but too far away to get some photos. 😊And yes, we saw monkeys crossing the road when we drive to another barangay for some data gathering. Those were what I encountered during my brief stay not to mention the Olive Ridley sea turtles that nests along the coastlines of the town.

Photo credits to www.inaturalist.org for North Palawan Badger and Palawan Tree Squirrel

Wild ducks cooling themselves on the waters

We had the chance also to tread its surrounding waters and see secluded islands during team’s day out, hiring two boats from locals. We were up earlier than usual for the food prep, and sailed almost mid-day already. The good thing was the spots were below tourist radar, so there were no people around, it was all to ourselves!

Our first stop was in Bay Island where we had our lunch, we landed on a patch of uninhabited white beach with clear waters, foliage, trees and few rocks – so perfect for idyllic swim. It was a sunny day but the sea breeze was just good as we linger for a long lunch, and swam later. 😊

We sailed next for the picturesque Imurowan Island though that white beach we hop unto was just at the back of the property, it was actually a private island. Its front has on-going works and development for a resort they said and it’s an exclusive site for the owners. It was lovely, just watching the horizons while listening to the waves. Mt. Kapuas the highest point of North Palawan can be seen too. We stayed longer here just taking the serenity of the place.

We sailed once more for our last stop at Buntot ng Pagi, a rock formation submerged in the waters maybe shaped like a stingray tail though I didn’t take a closer look if it really was. There was no beach, but we stop and anchored the boat. All of us got out from our boats and swam in the cold afternoon waters, there was no current. 😊

These were just few of the natural wonders I witnessed in San Vicente and I knew that there were many more hidden from naked eyes. I was wondering for the marine creatures underwater that can be found if we only dive in its depths!

NB.

San Vicente is one of the 23 municipalities of Palawan located in the north, which is 176 kilometers from Puerto Princesa and 124 Kilometers to El Nido.

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