A description of Butuan is not complete without infusing it with the significance of the Agusan River and its tributaries that provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods. Its serpentine route through the city and two Agusan provinces provided the people with easy means of transportation for trade and commerce encouraged settlement along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming of the “Logging Industry” which earned Butuan the name “Timber City of the South.”

Butuan City sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from its mount. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile Ricelands. Halfway around the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping hills over Mount Mayapay. To the east, the majestic Hilong-Hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from fierce Pacific storms.

It is very difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the name Butuan first emerged. Certainly, the name Agusan came into being upon the creation of the province in 1914. Before this, the entire area had been known as BUTUAN, as can be born out by old historical records.

How to get there:

Butuan is accessible by plane or boat from Manila and Cebu. Land transportation to any point of Mindanao is available.

Air
The Bancasi Airport  is undergoing expansion to accomodate more airbuses. Daily flights from Butuan to Cebu and Manila are being served by Cebu Pacific,   and Philippine Airlines. The Bancasi airport is the 12th busiest airport in the country according to the Air Transportation Office statistics accommodating about  308,000 passengers for 2008 alone. It has various food outlets within the vicinity for pasalubong. During Christmas season, lechon from Butuan are common sight being transported to Manila, for its crispiness and taste.

Sea
Butuan is easily accessible by boat from Manila, Cebu , Bacolod and Bohol via the Nasipit port, 18 kms. from city proper. A trip from Manila takes 26 hours. Fares vary according to accommodations. Lumber products , bananas, and other agricultural products are transported to Manila and Cebu.

Land
Orange colored tricycles are common in Butuan. They go around and even outside the city proper. Jeepneys are used in the main city streets, with corresponding route numbers. Cars for rent are available upon request in most hotels and at the airport, but all are not metered, so remember to agree on the fee before boarding. Green colored taxis are also available in the city.  Buses  ply the routes from Butuan to other cities and provinces of Mindanao.

Contact Information:

OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR
City Hall Compound,
Doongan Road, Butuan City,
Agusan del Norte, 8600
Tel No. (085)342-3074
Fax No. (085)225-5737
Website: http://www.butuan.gov.ph/ITD

The City also recently launched its newest tourist attraction, the Himoga-an River Cruise. The cruise plies along the 13.5 kilometer Himoga-an River starting from Brgy. Fabrica to Brgy. Old Sagay. A 2- hour relaxing trip where one can see Mangrove Forests, avian wildlife and scenic beauty. A floating restaurant with entertainers singing local folk songs is also available. Sagay City also house the only Children’s Museum outside Metro Manila and the first marine museum in the country – the Museo sang Bata sa Negros It has an interesting whale-shaped edifice located at the port area of Brgy. Old Sagay, 5.5 km. from the city proper. The museum has 4 permanent exhibit areas namely Marine Story, Hampanganan, Las Islas Filipinas and Yosi Kadiri. It has varied programs designed to awaken and stimulate the creative and intellectual potential of the Negrense children.

Getting Here

Manila – Bacolod

By Air
One could take Domestic flights from Manila to Bacolod at NAIA (NinoyAquino International Airport) serviced by PAL (Philippine Airlines), Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. Daily Flights available.

By Sea
Going to Bacolod is easy. WG&A SuperFerry and Negros Navigation can take you to Bacolod with regular shipping schedules.

Bacolod – Sagay (By Land)
Sagay is approximately a two-hour drive by private car from Bacolod City. Public utility vehicles such as Bus Lines and VHires regularly flying the northern Negros highway pass by our city in the north

Tourist Attractions

Historical
Eusebio Lopez Elem. Sch. main building
Big House, Lopez Sugar Coop, Paraiso
Balibag Hill, Lopez Jaena
Sagay Water Tank. Poblacion 2
Japanese Burial Marker, Tinago Paraiso

Natural

Himoga-an River Cruise
Sagay Marine Reserve (Carbin Reef)
Cabiao Cave, A. Bonifacio
Talithi Falls, Brgy. Tadlong

Religious

Vito Church
San Vicente Ferrer Statue
Alaph Divine Temple, Col. Divina
Burial Site of Dr. Roberto Mahilum, Founder Alaph Divine Temple, Colonia Divina

Special Interests

Old Steam Engine Train of Lopez Sugar Corp.
ILCO Train in Sagay Public Plaza, Pob. II
Museo sang Bata sa Negros

Contact Informations:

Website: http://www.sagay-city.com.ph/
Email: inquiry@sagay-city.com.ph

The City of Laoag is 488 kms. north of Manila, from where the world Heritage City of Vigan is an hour’s drive south, while the pristine white sand beaches of Pagudpud are an hour’s drive up north. Baguio City, the country’s summer capital, is 6 hours away.

In Laoag, not to be missed are the massive bell tower of Saint William Cathedral, also known as the Sinking Bell Tower, sparklingGem4Iloko Museo and the Tobacco Monopoly Monument.

Close to Laoag City are the must-see tourists sites such as the sand dunes of Suba, now a National Geological Monument; the St. Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, a world Heritage Monument; the Burgos Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in Asia; Bacarra Belfry, Sta. Monica Church of Sarrat; Paoay Lake National Park and Paoay Coral Cliffs, Coral Formations of Currimao, Maira-ira Cove, Kaibigan Falls and Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud; the Kaangriyan Falls of Burgos; the Badoc Island Surf; and Karingking Falls of Solsona.

As the capital of Ilocos Norte, it is the business and trading center of the province boasting of numerous diversified business activities and establishments. Hotels, restaurants, bars, banks and other establishments are located at the central business district. Of particular interest is the Laoag City Commercial Complex, where establishments offers Ilocano products such as INABEL, BAGNET, LONGANISA, SUKANG ILOKO, and many others.

Laoag City is the tourism gateway to the North Luzon Tourism Hub and Growth Quadrangle. It boasts of the Laoag International Airport where there are international flights from Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hongkong, Taiwan, Guangzhou, Shenshen, Macau, Shanghai and Korea. The airport serves as a jump off point for flights to Basco, Batanes alongside with the regular flights to Manila. Truly, radiating endless rays of possibilities, Laoag City is the country’s SUNSHINE CITY.

Tagaytay, 56km (35mi) from Manila and 750m (2,461ft) above sea level, became a city in 1938. Because of its high location, the place is often foggy.

Accommodation

Taal Vista Hotel National Rd, Tel 109
buffet and folk dances on Sundays

Tagaytay Picnic Grove

Located on 13.5 hectares; 14 rooms ranging from 24 to 15 persons; camping facilities; barbecue pits; picnic tables and huts available for rent; native restaurant; Entrance fee; For further information call Philippine Tourism Authority 508977 or 599031 local 300. p. 434
Tagaytay add
Casino Filipino (opened 1991)

Halfway Drive

Restaurant and Inn on a two hectare lot with a view deck for the scenic Taal Volcano and surrounding countryside. Accommodation

Taal Vista Hotel National Rd, Tel 109
dbl 300750; buffet and folk dances on Sundays
Tagaytay Picnic Grove located on 13.5 hectares; 14 rooms ranging from 24 to 15 persons; camping facilities; barbecue pits; picnic tables and huts available for rent; native restaurant; entrance fee

TAAL VOLCANO AND LAKE

From Tagaytay City, Cavite, a spectacular view unfolds on one of the most interesting volcanos in the world, Taal Volcano (in Batangas Province). In the large crater of an volcano, there is a lake, Lake Taal. And in the center of this lake, there is a smaller crater, formed during a more recent eruption, with another lake. The small volcano is cataloged as active since the last eruption was only some twenty years ago. As of JuneJuly 1991 it is being watched closely as there are tremors which indicate that an eruption may occur. The Manila Standard of July 29, 1991 reported that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said tremors continued at Taal and that temperatures in the main crater lake had increased from 29 degrees centigrade to 31. It is possible to make a tour to the small volcano in the lake. One has to take a jeepney from Tagaytay to Talisay. A special ride by jeepney costs about 200 pesos. At Talisay, one may make an arrangement with a boatman. The water is dilute sulfurous acid.

Public transport is often difficult especially the return trip.

I guess, human minds is just really creative and was looking for a new adventure every single seconds in their journey to reality. I actually had a chance already to visit Disney Land back last December 2007 during my vacation in Tokyo, Japan. I was their for a quite sometime and was roaming around Tokyo to see its wonders. As I said it was in our plan already with my Sis and Brod-In-Law that will gonna visit Disney Land by December 2007 and eventually buy our Disney World Tickets by November.

But the saddest part of the plan was the fact that my extension visa was not granted by the Japanese embassy that was around late in October when I knew that it was my pre-departure already and I need to prepare al the things I need before I go home on November 1, 2007. I don’t know what to feel that time. It was a mixed emotion that I can never explain. All knew was I can never visit Disney Land anymore… sigh… And I don’t know if I still have a chance to be back in Tokyo. It was really frustrating. But I don’t have choice but to go home on the allocated time left otherwise, I gonna be jailed in Tokyo for over stay.

Right now, I’m still hoping to visit this place and hopefully one day I’d be able to see those Disney Land wonders! Wish me luck everyone!

It is located on the eastern side of Luzon, beside the Philippine Trench which is the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate is driven under the Philippine Mobile Belt. Where a continental plate or belt of continental fragments meets an oceanic plate, the lighter continental material overrides the oceanic plate, forcing it down into the earth’s mantle. Magma, formed where the rock melts, may be forced through weaknesses in the continental crust caused by the collision of the tectonic plates. One such exit point is Mayon.

Like other volcanoes located around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Mayon has had forty-nine eruptions in recorded history. The first recorded eruption was in 1616, the last major eruption ceased on 1 October 2006, [3] although a devastating lahar followed on 30 November 2006. A further summit eruption occurred on 10 August 2008. [4]
Mayon Volcano on September 23, 1984

The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814. Lava flowed but not as much compared to the 1766 eruption. Instead, the volcano was belching dark ash and eventually bombarding the town with tephra that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town’s church remained above the new surface. Trees were burned; rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 Albay locals perished in what is considered to be the most lethal eruption in Mayon’s history.[1]

Mayon Volcano’s longest uninterrupted eruption occurred on June 23, 1897 which lasted for seven days of raining fire. Lava once again flowed down to civilization. Seven miles eastward, the village of Bacacay was buried 15 m (49 ft) beneath the lava. In Libog, 100 people were declared dead—incinerated by steam and falling debris or hot rocks. Other villages like San Roque, Misericordia and Santo Niño became deathtraps. Ash was carried in black clouds as far as 160 km (100 mi) from the catastrophic event. More than 400 persons were killed.

Balut’s Sangil equivalent is wanowa.Burials of Sangil Sultans, led by Sultan Panurat who were the first settlers of the land, were built by pile of rocks. “Those kalachuche trees are memorials of Sangil royalty,” Takeda Colano revealed in vernacular when we visited the site of his great grandfather, Judah. Takeda is heir to the sultanate of Sangil by affinity, according to the Sangil tarsila or genealogy, as recorded by Dr. Domingo M. Non of Mindanao State University and Shinzo Hayase, in 1999.

Takeda, with his two brothers, Abedin and Pacayan, recalled how their great grandfather challenged Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in the historic Balistic Island to a battle-a Muslim Kris against the Spanish’ pistol!

Marorong, fondly called Balistic Island because of its bullet form, is 70 meters across Balut Island. The rock structure built by the Sangils and B’laans as a fortress against Villalobos’ army, visitors and tourists changeably called the islet “Fort Villalobos”. Fr. Jose Luego, a Jesuit historian, and Gregorio Zaide in his History of the Filipino People noted the landing of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in Marorong in search for the Moluccas Island in 1543.  “…and in dire need for provisions, he sailed to Sarangani…”, Zaide wrote. It is remarkable how the old Sangils and the heirs to the sultanate handed down their past for four generations through the word of mouth!

A Sangil darangen or folktale also tells a duel between two big men, Saramangge and Marama, to win the hand of a Sangil princess. Saramangge was treacherously defeated by Marama. His blood flowed over the bay and a rock formed from his corpse which is now called Sarangani Island and Sarangani Bay in honor of the noble warrior.  In Sangil etymology, Sarangani came from the Sangil’s Sarang-ine, “this is our territory” or “we stop here”. “Balut and Sarangani are brothers,” recounts Professor Virginia Buhisan, an anthropologist. This was recorded by Sarangani Municipality as the legendary origin of the place which was passed by the old folk down to the young generation.

Elias Colano, 105 years old, is the oldest man in Balut and head of elders of the crowned Sultan, Pagal Padasan Colano. Such stories were derived from these twin islands of a municipality belonging to Davao del Sur in Region XI. The same Sarangani Bay shares marine abundance to Sarangani Province of Region XII. These interesting stories of the Muslim’s Sangil tribe and the native B’laans whom they had intermarriages with during the early part of 16th century complete the town’s natural beauty. Thick mangrove forest lusts the port of Barangay Mabila, the town’s poblacion.

You’ll surely enjoy strolling the grounds of a hot spring in Barangay Lipol, now built with concrete structures for adventures and tourists. Its source flows from Bad-lii in the mountains of Kalisusu and Kagongkong, about 2-hour trek from the hot spring. An hour of boat ride and you’ll reach Ulaniban, a three-kilometer of white sand encircling the 16-hectare island belonging to barangay Patuco. An ancient light house was built here by the Americans during the American regime which fronts the bay. Even the tampat or burial sites of Sultan Panurat in Batuganding Point can attract tourists. They are marked by kalachuche trees and rocks piled by their descendants and B’laan natives who were then Islamized.

“Bato Manamil is the place where the fifth Sultanate of Maguindanao Mohammad Jafar Sitti Manamir was born by his mother Putri Ambas,” revealed Sangil Datu Osmeña Salisipan. Our expedition recounts the abundance that Sarangani Bay is endowed with, shared and treasured by the sarangans. In the celebration of our first Sarangani Bay Festival on May 17-20 in Glan, Sarangani Province, tracing down its significant past is a high light.  Beach volleyball, kayaking, skim boarding, an 11-kilometer swim across the bay, and other bay sports will be held in the four-day tilt.

“It’s first time that we celebrate this event,” Nenita Barroso, Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Council (STIPC) Executive Director, disclosed. “We will revisit the bay’s history which became the highway for the first civilization in this part of mainland Mindanao.” (Sarangani Information Office)

Actually, I also consider Thailand as my destination on my upcoming vacation ’cause according to my Sis whose been living there before for a span of three(3) years Thailand has everything to offer and the rate if pretty affordable. I ask her what was the best and affordable hotel in Thailand where I can possibly stay if I’ll have my 3 days vacation there and she recommends me the Tawana Bangkok Hotel and as I check the hotel booking on the specified date I want to be there the rate is pretty amazing! It only cost me around $450 for 3 person, 2 nights and 3 days. Do you think its great or not? I guess, its more than I ask for! I might be considering this package with my Mom and Granny. I really plan this 2 years back and I don’t want to miss this thing. Wish me luck!

But of course, before anything else I still want to have a vacation in my beloved country Philippines. I am planning to go to Boracay Island with my Sis and Bro. I’m actually checking the Paradise Bay Resort for several nights now. For 3 persons it cost me $650 for 3 nights and 4 days. This was the best package I’ve found. I also consider to go to Baguio and likewise I checked the El Cielito Inn Baguio and it cost me $810 still the same span of stay. So, which do you think is best? Its in Boracay right? Besides, ever since I really wanted to visit the said beach. So, wish me luck!

Oh! Just for your information, I used three different sites to find this best deals at Macau, Agoda and Hotelscombined whom I know got the best amazing rates I can asked for! Actually its been a quite some time now I been checking several sites just to compare rates and find the best deals. But after all I ended up at the following sites above. It actually took me sometime to find this sites as I said ’cause there were several sites who offers the same services but the 3 mention above is among of the leading one! So, its in my planner already!

For that, I guess this Car Service NY specially design for New York tours would be the best thing to consider this summer season? Well, summer escapade at New York is isn’t that bad and will definitely give a great and ample time. Why? ‘Cause New York has everything to offer you! This would be the best place to spend time with your family and loved-ones. Through this service you’ll be to see the amazing landmarks and fantastic scenic views that you can only spot in the beautiful place of New York. Aside from that, there’s no such great thing other than traveling abroad for a summer escapade! So, if you guys wants to enjoy, relax and unwind for this upcoming summer time better book now your reservations online on your desired vacation place. Have fun and enjoy everyone!

EL RIO Y MAR ISLAND RESORT was originally established as Maricaban Bay Marina Resort in June 1998, having the widest variety in terms of water sports activities and facilities.

El Rio y Mar is nestled amidst 500-meter stretch of pure-white sand beach. The resort, with its unique flora and fauna, turquoise waters teeming with marine life, is the ideal island getaway. The resort has its own panoramic view, enchanting mangroves and its breathtaking neighboring islands. It is the perfect venue for Romance, unwinding and city-life escapes.

Renovation and Refurbishment has been done in line with the change of concept of the resort capitalizing on leisure, family and honeymoon market. Our company stands with the Filipino sense of Hospitality –we pamper the guests with comforts and luxury, making their stay truly enjoyable and satisfying.

El Rio y Mar Resort with its unique flora and fauna has its romantic ambiance combined with the serenity and beauty of the natural environment. The resort is set amidst 500 meters stretch of pure white-sand beach, distinctive panoramic view with enchanting mangroves and its breath-taking neighboring islands. Guests can also relax in the well-maintained swimming pool with crystal clear waters.

Contact Information:
San Jose, Coron, Palawan
Regent Building, Malunggay Road, FTI Complex,
Taguig City, 1630 Philippines
Phone +632 838 4964 (Direct Line)
+632 838 4656 to 60
Fax +632 838 0595
Email info@elrioymar.com
rooms@elrioymar.com