Tour on Philippine Provinces: 2. Surigao del Sur -- The Beaches and the Inland Waters

Cagwait White Beach

      

     It is a U-shaped beach with powdery white sand a a wind swept sea with crystal clear water named by the famous pilot Charles Lindberg as the Waikiki Beach of the Philippines. This is the site of the annual Kaliguan Festival. It is a 40-minute ride from the capital city of Tandag.


Tinuy-an Falls

      Located in Barangay Borboanan in Bislig City. It is known to tbe the little Niagara falls. It signifies the multi-lyared river bed of stones skillfully crafted by the Unseen Hands. Tinuy-an is the widest waterfall in the entire Mindanao. It is a 3-tiered waterfall in the middle of a thick forest. It is like a 4-storey building with the expanse of a cathedral and a pool in the bottom, the size of a football field.

Turtle Island

     It is located in the municipality of Barobo. It is an 8 hectare beach where multicolored reefs abound. It has white sand, blue waters teeming with marine life. Viewed from a distance, the shape and formation of this island is like a huge turtle floating in the Pacific Ocean. It is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is accessible by pump boat for about 30 minutes.



Enchanted River

       Located in Talisay, Hinatuan it is an awesome deep river inside a thick forest with very cool, placid blue waters which allows the viewing of beautiful fishes underneath. This river inspired the composition of the sonf Enchanted River by a local composer.

Britania Group of Islands

     Located in the municipality of San Agustin. It is composed of more than a dozen, beautiful islets with splendid vegetation and white beaches. The intact coral formation offers a beautiful snorkeling and scuba diving sports activities.

Sources:
http://filipinas-beauty.blogspot.com/2013/02/britania-group-of-islands-surigao-del.html
http://www.nomadicphotographs.com/2012/06/enchanted-river.html
http://7107islandstours.com/7107/the-marvels-of-barobo/
http://www.philippinebeaches.net/2011/09/tinuy-an-falls-bislig-surigao-del-sur/
http://entravel.blogspot.com/2013/04/cagwait-white-beach.html
http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=SurigaodelSur&Page=1&pid=1168

Tour on Philippine Provinces: 2. Surigao del Sur -- Introduction

Surigao del Sur as seen in the Philippine map in Northern Luzon

INFORMATION
      

     Surigao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the south eastern part of the Philippines, in the island of Mindanao. Surigao del Sur is under the CARAGA region.

    Tandag City is the capital of Surigao del Sur. There are two tales from which believed the name Surigao came from. The first is by the name of Saligao, a native who lived near the mouth of the river. Later, inhabitants pronounced Saligao as Surigao. The second tale tells the Visayan fisherman in midst of storms and huge waves of Surigao Strait sought refuge in Mamanua's huts. The Mamanua thought that these fishermen wanted to take over their houses by force. "Agaw" is the term for occupying or getting by force. Later, immigrants give "agaw" a prefix, Suri, thus Suriagaw or Surigao. Founded on June 16, 1960, it borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte to the west, Philippine Sea to the east and Davao Oriental. to the south. Ifugao covers 5,230.2 sq. km of land which ranks it as the 22nd out of 80 provinces in terms of land area. Surigao del Sur is 448 km from Manila, the Philippines' capital.

    Surigao del Sur's topography varies. There are places which are hilly, mountainous or coastal. The Diwata Mountain Range passes the south-western part of the province. About 16% of the province are mountainous and 45% of the province are hilly. Only two of the province are non-coastal towns, San Miguel and Tagbina.

    Surigaonon and Tandaganon are the main dialects in the province, but Cebuano, Tagalog and English are also spoken.

     Ifugao is subdivided into 2 cities and 17 municipalities:

 Cities:         
          1. Tandag City- the capital
          2. Bislig City
          
Municipalities.
          1. Barobo
          2. Bayabas
          3. Cagwait
          4. Cantilan
          5. Carmen
          6. Carrascal
          7. Cortes
          8. Hinatuan
          9. Lanuza
         10. Lianga
         11. Lingig
         12. Madrid
         13. Marihatag
         14. San Agustin
         15. San Miguel
         16. Tagbina
         17. Tago

PHOTOS

Ifugao's satellite image

                                       Mamanwa tribe dancers, a native ethnic group in Surigao del Sur

                                          Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, the "Niagara Falls" of the Philippines

                                    Enchanted River in Hinatuan, holds a beauty in its surrounding myths


Visit the official website of Surigao del Sur: 

http://www.surigaodelsur.gov.ph/



Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surigao_del_Sur
http://www.surigaodelsur.gov.ph
http://maps.google.com/
http://www.mostphotos.com/1420299/mamanwa-tribe-dancers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinuy-an_Falls
http://www.ironwulf.net/2011/11/08/surigao-del-sur-a-side-trip-to-hinatuan-enchanted-river-and-the-sibadan-fish-cages/

Tour on Philippine Provinces: 1. Ifugao -- The Ifugao Waters

O'phaw Maheneha Falls

     It is also known as the “Leap of Mahencha” and it features a series of three waterfalls, a site to behold. Local folklore says a beautiful woman named Mahencha had to leap/jump 13 to 15 feet into the water to retrieve her native amber necklace, which fell while she was taking a bath. Each of the maiden’s leaps is represented by a waterfall and a natural pool. It is 6 kilometers from Mayoyao proper or a 5 minute drive and 40 minutes hike.

Ducligan River

     A breath taking view of the river that snakes through deep gorges found at the banks of Ducligan River, its hot water emanates from the base of the rice terraces of Ducligan. The local folks enjoy their hot and cold baths in these hot springs and in the river.


Magat Dam

       Built in the 1970’s, it was reputedly the biggest dam then in Asia. It is located about 25 kilometers from Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista. It is conducive for boating.

Tappiyah Water Falls

     This is a beautiful cascading waterfall with enormous natural swimming pool. It is 500 meters away from Batad Rice Terraces and around 30 minutes hike from Batad Village. A visit to Batad would be incomplete without taking a dip in this beautiful waterfall.



Guihob Natural Pool

      A crystal clear natural swimming pool that is perfect for a cool and refreshing swim, waterslide and ideal for picnic venues. It is 30 minute drive from Poblacion, Banaue.

Sources:
http://www.ifugaoprovince.com.ph/

Tour on Philippine Provinces: 1. Ifugao -- The Rice Terraces

Bakung "Spider Web" Rice Terraces

      

     This spider web-like rice terraces cluster especially when viewed at an aerial point is located about a kilometer away from Poblacion, Hungduan, a town in northwest Ifugao.



Mayoyao Rice Terraces

      These rice terraces provide a breathtaking panoramic view of the villages and hamlets of Mayoyao. The dikes of the terraces are tiered  with flat stones making it unique and distinct from other terraces in the province. It is located 44 km away from Poblacion, Banaue. 

Banggaan Rice Terraces

     The beauty of these rice terraces along the mountain ranges of Banggaan is best seen when viewed along the road going to Mayoyao. This rice terraces cluster and village represent the native Ifugao lifestyle. It is a 40 minute drive from Poblacion, Banaue and a 20 minute hike downhill to the village. 



Batad Rice Terraces

      This stunning amphitheater  of rice terraces is located in Barangay Batad, Banaue. It can be reached by an hour ride from Poblacion, Banaue and one hour hike through mountain trails.



Banaue Rice Terraces

     One of the top tourist destinations in the country and dubbed as the “8th Wonder of the World” and now listed as a World Heritage Site with a distinct name of its own as the “Living Cultural Landscape” by the UNESCO. The rice terraces starts from the base of the mountain ranges and reaches up to several thousand feet high. Made 2000 years ago, these terraces manifested the engineering feet and ingenuity of the Ifugao. It is also interesting to note that these terraces were made not out of forced labor but for existence purposes. The panoramic view is best appreciated at the view deck located at Barangay Viewpoint, Banaue, Ifugao, which is a 15 minute drive from Poblacion, Banaue.

Sources:
http://www.ifugaoprovince.com.ph/

Tour on Philippine Provinces: 1. Ifugao -- Introduction

     

Ifugao as seen in the Philippine map in Northern Luzon

INFORMATION
      

     Ifugao is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the very mountainous areas of Cordillera. Ifugao is in the Cordillera Administrative Region. 

    Lagawe is the capital of Ifugao. Ifugao's name came from the word, i-pugo, i means people/from and pugo means hill thus meaning people of the hill. Founded on June 18, 1966, it borders Mountain Province to the north, Benguet to the west, Isabela to the east and Nueva Vizcaya to the south. Ifugao covers 2,628.2 sq. km which ranks it as the 53rd out of 80 in terms of land area. Ifugao is 332 km from Manila, the Philippines' capital.

    Ifugao's topography is very mountainous. The Cordillera Mountains passes the province.  Cordillera is known as one of the most mountainous areas in the Philippines. Valleys, plains and also river systems also characterizes the province. 

    Ifugao's history is very rich. 2000 years ago, the Ifugaos (the people inhabiting the province of Ifugao), created the two main tourist attractions in the province and even in the Philippines. The Ifugaos created the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras with their bare hands and not with any machinery. Ifugao's main dialect is the Ifugao dialect, followed by the English, Ilokano and Tagalog.

     Ifugao is subdivided into 11 municipalities:

          1. Aguinaldo
          2. Alfonso Lista
          3. Asipulo
          4. Banaue
          5. Hingyon
          6. Hungduan
          7. Kiangan
          8. Lagawe - the capital
          9. Lamut
          10. Mayoyao
          11. Tinoc

PHOTOS

                                                                    Ifugao's satellite image

                                                                   The elders of the Ifugao tribe

                                                         The traditional home of the Ifugao people 

                                                     Banaue Rice Terraces, a famous spot in Ifugao


Visit the official website of Ifugao province: 

http://www.ifugaoprovince.com.ph/



Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ifugao
http://www.ifugaoprovince.com.ph/
http://maps.google.com/
http://www.destination360.com/asia/philippines/banaue-rice-terraces 

http://www.asiaphotostock.com/ItemCatShop.asp?id=14&scid=96&iid=3681 http://jdsmanila.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/the-filipino-house-an-endangered-architectural-specie/

The Philippines

      The Philippines is an archipelago country located in South-east Asia and in western Pacific Ocean. Across the West Philippine Sea, it has China in its northwest, north across the Luzon Strait likes Taiwan. On its west, across West Philippine Sea sits Vietnam. Sulu Sea separates Philippines from the island of Borneo. Indonesia lies in its immediate south across Celebes Sea.

     Philippines is endowed with all kinds of tourist spots and attractions. In every province, there will be an amazing adventure you would like to experience. The Philippines has all: white beaches, black beaches and even pink beaches. Different flora and fauna inhabits the Philippines.

     Filipinos are the inhabitants of the Philippines. Filipinos are widely known worldwide because of their hospitality when it comes to visitors. Philippines can provide you great accommodation and 100% hospitality from the Filipinos.

     Philippines has many beautiful places waiting to be discovered and improved.