It’s January once again! A time of festivities and colorful festivals! But this isn’t Sinulog in Cebu, nor Dinagyang in Iloilo, not even Ati-atihan in Aklan, but this is HINUGYAW FESTIVAL, a festival as equally colorful and vibrant!
Hinugyaw festival is a week long celebration of the Foundation Anniversary of Koronadal City, the center of the Province of South Cotabato (my home province). Hinugyaw is a colorful merry-making depicting the evolution of the distinct cultures of B’laans, Maguindanao, and Christians into a singular wave of rhythm as a tribute to the creator, and in celebration of the spirit that Koronadal is known for dynamic and persistent in its bound for sustainable development. (from Koronadal Hinugyaw Festival Website)
The festival icon is the cogon grass. Etymologically speaking, Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B’laan words “kolon” and “nadal” meaning, a plain of cogon grass. Koronadal has been the home of speedy and sustainable development which sprouted naturally like cogon grass.
Now on the 13th year, Hinugyaw Festival is set on January 4-10, 2013. The week long celebration will once again showcase the fusion of diverse cultures present in the City of Koronadal. Major events includes the Drumline Competition, the search for Lakambini ng Koronadal 2013 and the much anticipated Piyesta Korona (Korona Festival) – a mix of street dancing, mardi gras and float competitions. Check out below the list of major events and schedule of activities for the upcoming Hinugyaw Festival 2013.
See this year’s schedule of activities:
Hinugyaw Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities
January 4, 2013 Peter B. Miguel Cup – Basketball
7 am, Freedom Park
Unveiling & Wreath Laying of Historical Marker for 17 Martyrs
8:30 am, Koronadal Central Elementary School – 1
Veteran’s Exhibit
3 pm, City Hall Ground
Kasadyahan sa Dalan & Nightly Bands
7 pm, City Hall Grounds
January 5 Koronadal Marathon/ Fun Run
4 am, Assembly Area: City Hall Grounds
The year 2012 had just passed by successfully. Can I expect you to give and BE more?
More travel packed, more adventurous, more road trips, plane rides, food trips and all there is.
We just turned ONE YEAR OLD yesterday, all thanks for proving the Mayan-End-of-the-World forecasters wrong.
So without further adieu, as much as I want to reminisce the good ole memories of 2012 and look backward, I’d love it more to move forward and look on the year ahead of us. So here I’ll unravel the 2013 Travel Calendar of AdventuRoj.
These are just the fixed, scheduled dates as of time of writing, changes are always welcomed. I intended to leave out as many weekend free as possible to give way for unplanned trips, as they say “A Good Traveler Has No Fixed Plans.”
So lo and behold, my 2013 Travel Plan! Let me know if our paths might cross!
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*Just click on the navigational arrows above to switch between months…
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So there it is! Kita-kits! Just shoot me an email or visit me at Facebook if you want to coordinate, travel with, or invite me. *wink
The start of the year marks the first anniversary of this Blog. I could still remember that one quiet and fateful day of January 1st, 2012 when my first blog post was published and Adventuroj.com went live.
And born on that day – a new fantastic journey to a place that I had only imagined before, a journey towards the realization of my dream to travel around the world, starting of course in my beloved homeland, the Philippines quest for the #80 provinces.
2012: A Year of Colorful Memories
How AdventuRoj Started?
Fueling my Dream to Travel
Looking Onward to 2013
I had long wanted to travel. I want to be a location independent freelancer traveling the world with a backpack to carry my stuff, a camera to capture thy precious moments, a laptop to fund my travel (yes I’ve been an Odesk Freelancer for almost 2 years now), an adventurous feet willing to venture into anything, and an open heart to absorb all the world has to offer and in return, give back to it by sharing the travel experiences I’ve had. And that’s why I’ve decided to put up a travel blog.
Why I Blog?
Serving as an ‘Eye’ for Others
There’s just too much beauty in the world to see, that I just can’t afford to experience it on my own and let it pass by without sharing what I saw to other people.
I SOMEWHAT admire those individuals who have the luxury of time and money to travel the world with ease and comfort, for they could go wherever they want, BUT I PITY more the fact that they go around exploring WITHOUT sharing what they see. What selfishness there is!
To travel is to share. I like to believe it that way. Probably the most that we could do when we travel is to advocate the beauty we’ve experienced, not just for the sake of having bragging rights to our friends, nor of being able to upload Facebook photos to let everyone know how lucky you are.
I also knew that there’s a lot of souls out there, who like me, also share that same desire to travel the world but cannot because they are restricted usually by their career or family responsibilities. At least through my blog I could let them see through my eyes the experience of going into places where they wanted to.
Lastly, I want to blog to let everyone know that YOU DON’T NEED TO BE RICH TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL.That’s why here in my blog I also wrote of budget travel tips and tricks for everyone. And if you’re thinking that traveling cheaply is ain’t fun, YOU’RE WRONG! Actually it is a whole lot more fun – for when you travel cheap it follows that you get to interact with the locals more, sleep with them in terminals, eat with them in local carenderias, talk to them, ask for directions when lost, learn how to live like them, ride with them in public transportation vehicles instead of availing tour packages, and even sleep with them rather than staying in luxurious hotels.
Why AdventuRoj?
Now you may ask why AdventuRoj?
Simply because of my love for ADVENTURE.. plus my branding, none other than my name ROJ, from Rojae (which I loved so much for its uniqueness, mysteriousness, and ambiguity. (Haha. Why? Do you know of any other person who goes by the name ROJAE? If yes, lemme know!).
Therefore, ADVENTURE + ROJAE = ADVENTUROJ (pronounced as ‘Adventure+roj’ or somewhat like that. I hate it when people don’t know how to read my domain properly, usually the ‘Ad-ven-to-roj’ pronunciation they tell me. Strict ano? haha!
Journeying Down Memory Lane
In honor of my one year blog anniversary I thought I would like to share with you the feats and notable memories we’ve had in the past year. I hope you all enjoy!
My Year Ender Video Special
If you haven’t watched my video nor read my blog post of my year ender special of all the travels I’ve had for 2012, here’s a recap. It is actually my first time to create a year ender, and I’m really excited for this brand new year 2013’s year ender!
I started blogging for travel and self sake, not for glory nor fame nor riches (yes, I don’t earn a single penny out of my blog contrary to what others believed. I fund my own travels, no sponsors whatsoever, I wish! *wink).
I have never claimed to be a good writer, but I know it has helped for me to have a place to get my thoughts and feelings out. I love this little blog world. I thought this could be my personal scrapbook / diary / album of travel memories so when I get old I have something to look back to, something that can never be robbed from me nor destroyed.
But there was a time in July 2012, when my home province, South Cotabato hosted a Blog Writing Competition.
Through my father’s and friends’ encouragement I joined. I also wanted to blog and tell the world about the lovely beauty of my province, contrary to the usual mindset of other people upon the place ‘Cotabato’ as being a place of war and terrorism.
I also want to let them know that SOUTH COTABATO IS DIFFERENT FROM COTABATO.
So I submitted my entry, a product of venturing out and experiencing the T’nalak Festival first handedly…
The year didn’t end there for AdventuRoj. Come the month of November 2012 when I got an email from one of the administrators of the group Filipino Bloggers Worldwide, better known as the FBW, informing me that my blog was one of the nominees for the Top 20 Filipino Travel Bloggers. I just can’t imagine the joy I’ve felt hearing that unexpected news!
Came December, after the votation was done, Adventuroj unexpectedly emerged triumphantly again, coming out as TOP 2 Filipino Travel Blogger. A BIG WOW!!!
Being nominated is a blessing enough, what more belonging to the Top 10! Maraming maraming salamat po!
My Most Precious, Highly Acclaimed Award
However the most rewarding feat that matters most to me is not the awards nor the recognition, but the people whom my blog is intended for – my dear readers, friends, family, fellow travelers, and all the amazing people I met on this journey.
You became a part of my support system. You fuel my desire to travel and to continue blogging. I had to be honest that there had been times when I feel like giving up this dream, lazy enough to post my adventures, to stop writing and just rest my pen, but I cannot.
You ask me why, and the answer is YOU.
I just couldn’t stop knowing that I have my blog readers waiting for updates, or lost individuals seeking answers through my blog.
And so today I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Thank you to all of my readers and to those that have offered their support over the last year. Your friendships mean the world to me.
Thank you also to fellow travelers whom I met along the way, to the PTB (Pinoy Travel Bloggers) group, travelers who had already lived the dream of conquering the #80 Phil Provinces, or are still on their way like me. They had been truly an inspiration.
And to my wonderful travel buddy, Kathy, (na may ma-‘kathy’ ring paa (Itchy feet), who ventured out in the wild with me, and together we’re conquering the world starting from the Philippines, one province at a time! Thank you!
Adventuroj and Travel Buddy, Kathy
Launching of a Brand New Website
As a matter of fact, we’re planning to launch a new website – the travelers in red and blue, contradicting colors, contradicting personalities, age, but complimenting in dreams on travel and adventure. Not your ordinary travel website, for this site will blog more of PHOTOGRAPHY AND POETRY, instead of the usual stories, paragraphs, etc. (But of course, my Adventuroj.com site will take care of that so you don’t get short of budget travel tips and tricks.)
The new blog will probably go live along with our launching of Project #80 Around Pinas, as we plan to go, leave our homes, and live on an on-the-road-around-the-world-nowhere-to-be-found quest to cover the entire country, traveling and working online at the same time.
We’ll probably even meet you on the road!
Wishing you the best adventure to come!
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In this brand new year for AdventuRoj, I’m definitely looking forward to new opportunities, to travel, to give, to share and to love. I really hope that this quarter will be the one that makes all the difference, in the name of travel and adventures. After all, this is a new season, which means new beginnings.
Happy New Year to all and Cheers to More Travels for the Year 2013!
Adventuroj Wishes You All a Prosperous and Travel-ful 2013!
So, I’ve got to be honest: it’s REALLY surreal to be writing this year ender special to you guys. I can’t believe it’s already December, and that 2012 is coming to a close! What a year it’s been!
Looking back at 2012 is a little strange, actually. Strange, because it was such an amazing year, where so many of my dreams came true—so many, in fact, that it still doesn’t feel quite real.
I could still remember that one cold New Year Morning in January 2012 when I’ve pondered to create AdventuRoj.com, thinking it might be good to start the year with a New Blog for a New Year.
Some days, it feels like it happened to someone else, or that it was just the very best dream I ever had in my life, and I’ll wake up one morning and none of it will have happened. But 2012 DID happen. And so many of those dreams came true because of YOU GUYS.
So to give back to all that had happened, I’ve made a special year ender for all of you. So sit back, relax and together let’s reminisce the Adventure we’ve had for 2012!
2012 Adventuroj Year-Ender Video Special
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January 2012: Celebrating New Beginnings
It was my first outdoor far away trip on my birthday month. Drove all the way to Bukidnon and had a blastin’ adventure there!
January 2012
Festive February 2012
Come February, and a lot of travel adventures in line. We’ve come flying all the way to Clark for a weekend of everything that flies. Then went roaming around on Subic. The following weekend, me and my travel buddy had a Palawan get away to celebrate her big day. And the adventure didn’t end there, after that, coming back home to join GenSan’s Colorful Kalilangan Festival.
From the Skies to the Grounds and into the Deep
A Sunny Side of March
After trekking a bit of Luzon, let’s now head south at Zamboanga City this Month of March. Coupled with my closest friends, we’ve challenged ourselves to a Zamboanga City 3D/2N: 1,000 Peso Travel Challenge. Wondering if we did it? Find out! Who says that exploring the Pink Island of Zamboanga, the historic sites, and the colorful musically gyrating fountains can be luxurious?!
March 2012: Marching All the Way at Zamboanga City
A Peaceful Month of April
After a series of outdoor adventures, AdventuRoj went home to spend some quality time with her family. A trip at my grandparent’s homeplace in Maitum, Sarangani Province, and a quick Dinosaurs Alive getaway in GenSan. Apart from that, the month of April had been lined of blogposts focusing on the essence of Holy Week [my Wholly Week Special series of posts], enabling one to reflect in silent peace and harmony.
April 2012: Enjoying Some Quality Time Back Home
An Adventurous May
On the month of May, I was once again back at Clark and in Subic. This time together with my family and friends, we’ve ventured out the life in the wild, heading to the Jungle Zoobic Safari, and a water adventure at the Ocean Adventure park at Subic.
May 2012: Back at Subic to Enjoy the Marine and Jungle Life
A Grandiose & Vibrant June
Come my most awaited month, perhaps my most favorite-estestest! Haha. Featuring Adventuroj’ first out of the country trip this year, off to Hong Kong! Not just that but also the chance to witness my greatest admired singer and song writer, Jason Mraz Live in Concert.
June 2012: A Trip to Hong Kong, feat. Jason Mraz Live
The merriment’s not yet over, this July we’ve had a feast of colors in vibrant costumes paired with joyous beats of the drums in celebrating my home province’s South Cotabato‘s T’Nalak Festival!
Tnalak Festival in South Cotabato: A Parade of Colors
Tonight is the night they say would end it all. And tonight is also the night me and my friends met the UFO.
Not the terrestrial body that you’re thinking. Wanna know what it is? Here goes…
Me and my friends originally planned to visit Manna tonight. It’s one of the brightest place here in Davao filled with colorful lights every Christmas Season. On our way, we decided to have a pit stop to fuel our growling tummies at Ice Giants, Damosa Branch, Damosa, DC.
The Stars at Damosa Walkway
Upon our entrance, we spent a few minutes cam hoarding first. Flashing smiles in various poses with the starry background.
A traveler without observation, is a bird without wings.. — at Damosa Gateway, Davao City
The Ice Giants Experience
We were welcomed by Sleeping Giants as we entered Ice Giants. This I find quite funny. But we didn’t mind, and proceeded inside.
The Sleeping Giants at Ice Giants
Some more picture taking moments…
As the Giany Devours..
Reflections…
Ordered what we want – A Pasta (Tuna Pesto and Creamy Carbonara) and Ice Cream for each of us.
The food arrived and we dig into it sumptuously.
Berry Strawberry at Damosa Davao
Berry Strawberry’s good, stuffed with Cherries, Strawberries, Choco syrup, mallows and choco kisses.
Berry Strawberry at Damosa Davao
Tuna Pesto
The Carbonara tastes good but the Tuna Pesto I find a bit dry.
Creamy Carbonara
Mango Sundae
The UFO (Unidentified Floating Object)
As we were nearing the end of our meal, one of my friends noticed something in her Berry Strawberry Ice Cream.
Take a look at what it is.
The UFO – Unidentified Floating Object
We first spend some moments wondering what it is, me taking photos, them speculating the Unidentified Floating Object (UFO).
Then we finally called the waiter’s attention and asked, “Kuya ano ‘to?”
The UFO – Unidentified Floating Object at a Closer Look
The waiter, obviously startled of what was found in the food and ashamed at the same time, almost stammering answered, “Cellophane (plastic) po ata Maam,” apologetically.
I could see in his face that he don’t know what to do, he even offered to prepare a new Berry Strawberry for my friend. But we refused, we were already bloated enough to take more.
We left the place with a different image of the place in our mind than we used to have. Probably an honest mistake, but I guess something that they should take as a lesson to learn from.
It’s 45minutes before the so called ‘End of the World’ and I’m sitting here on my lappy, working my ass out, while pondering about what I’ve done in my life – mostly my travels (*it’s perhaps one of the innermost drives that fuels me), will the aftermath God find this cause noble? Oh well. Enough with my thoughts.
This is just a sudden blog post, while on the middle of my thoughts, I received this PM via FB from someone asking a rough budget guide to El Nido.
El Nido Map
Question:
Hi, Roj!
Good evening! Actually d kita kilala
Pero magtatanong lang sana ako about sa Palawan trip… if you wont mind. Kasi napansin ko uv been to almost all of the tourist destinations ng Pinas. So, i think ikaw yung pinaka-reliable person na pwedeng makatulong amin. hehehe!
Nasa Saudi ako ngayon at plano namin ng wife ko at mga kaibigan namin na pumunta ng El Nido pag-uwi namin– mga 2nd week of January ’13. Kaso wala kaming makitang murang packages (d namin kaya ang 10k+, hanggang 6k lang kami. hehehe). May alam ka bang mura na package? Or Anong advice mo para malessen ang expenses namin? We badly need your inputs.
Thanks in advance!
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So with his kind words, the travel soul in me awakened. There’s nothing more fulfilling of being a travel blogger than being able to help fellow traveler. So below I’ve come up with a quick how to get there and budget accommodations + etc + etc to El Nido.
How to get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, Palawan?
Bus/Van: Eulen Joy Bus Line or Sweety Bus Line go from Puerto Princesa to El Nido at 5, 7, and 9am (Php 350 ; eight hours travel). Departure from El Nido for Puerto Princesa roughly between 5 and 8:30am.
The Aircon RoRo Bus leaves daily at 6am, and 2pm; the return bus also leaves at 6am and 2pm (6hrs ; Php500)
Fort Valley Vans leave Puerto Princesa for El Nido at 7 and 11am (Php 600 ; six hours). A Saviour Shuttle Company leaves at 7am.
El Nido Affordable Accommodations
Lualhati Cottage. Rizal St. Cel 0919 319 6683 @ SR/DR/Fan/Bath P500. Located at the Southern edge of town heading in the direction of Corong-corong.
Cliffside Cottages. Rizal St, Cel 0919 785 6625. SR/DR/Fan/Bath P600
Ricos’ Beach Cottage . Hama St, Cel 0929 467 1632 @ SR/DR/Fan P600 and P750, SR/DR/ac/bath P1600.
Dara Faye Beach Cottages . Hama St Cel 0919 322 1416. SR/DR/fan/bath P700, cottage/fan/bath P1000.
Marina Garden Beach Cottages. Hama St. Cel 0917 624 7722 @ Cottage / fan/bath P730 and P1000. A more established place with basic, conventional cottages and a new building with good, clean rooms.
El Nido Island Hopping Guide
El Nido Palawan
You can also have a boat take you from El Nido to a beach or nearby island of your choice. A few suggestions might be:
Bocal Island (P600 per boat, up to 4 passengers)
Paradise Beach (P600)
Pasandigan Cove (P700) ; good for snorkelling
Dilumacad (Helicopter Island) P700
Ipil Beach (P600)
Lapus-Lapus Beach (P600)
Inabuyutan Island (P1000)
and Seven Commandos Beach (P700) ; excellent for snorkeling.
El Nido Budget Tour Contacts
A variety of whole day island hopping tours (9am-4pm) P750 and P900 per person, including BBQ Lunch, can be arranged through Judith in the Travel Center of El Nido Boutique and Artcafe, Cel 0920 902 6317. She also organizes kayak tours.
Tuba-tours (Rhoderikc dela Cruz) Hama St next to the Squidos Restaurant, Cel 0927 724 5496, offers island hopping around El Nido.
An Eco Tourism Development Fee of P200 per person to be paid (good for ten days).
So there it is! An instant budget guide to El Nido.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful views of the beach while on the road that one could find is this. I’ve seen numerous similar places, along the road going to Mati, Davao Oriental, along Gensan going to Maasim, Sarangani, and many others but none could compare to this.
Patapat Viaduct: A Winding Scenical Journey
The Patapat Viaduct is an elevated road — over 30 meters above sea level. The Patapat Viaduct is a 1.2 km long and 30m high bridge on stilts along the coast of Pasaleng Bay in the open South China Sea.
Patapat Viaduct
Patapat Viaduct Pagudpud
Winding Patapat Viaduct
Connecting the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to the Cagayan Valley, this is a busy street above the coastal areas of Pagudpud. The fourth longest bridge in the country, this winding concrete beauty is said to be the northernmost roadway part of Ilocos Norte.
I would surely love to drive along this refreshing scenery!
Agua Grande
A few kilometers away you’ll also find Agua Grande, a scenic view of a river that meets the ocean.
Agua Grande
Agua Grande
Souvenir Shops and The Grotto
At the end of North Pagudpud tour lies the souvenir shops and the grotto, with a flowing water nearby.
Pagudpud lies on scenic Bangui Bay, about 60km north of Laoag, and is highly popular with local tourists.
Their favorite destination is the long stretch of beautiful, white, palm-lined sand called Saud Beach, the backdrop for many Philippine Films.
Pagudpud Saud Beach
Sunsets here are one of the picturesque views in the Philippines, as the area is located in the northernmost west part of the country, enabling one a full direct view of the sun.
Cathy’s Home Stay in Pagudpud: An Affordable Accommodation
However some of the resorts on Saud Beach are not exactly suitable for those on budget like us.
Wondering where to stay without emptying your pocket?
Perhaps the most affordable and decent one available is Cathy’s Home Stay.
Cathy’s Home Stay Pagudpud
You could try to surf the internet and I’m sure her place would come highly recommended, Maam Cathy is so accommodating that she doesn’t fail to check on her guests. She also offered a free ‘sundo’ upon our arrival in Pagudpud.
How to Find Cheap Food in Saud, Pagudpud?
Now the hard part, looking for an affordable dinner meal in the area.
After sunset, we walked along the shore of Saud in search of an affordable place to eat since we were on a budget. But find none.
We also asked the locals and they told us that almost all of the restaurants here offer high end dishes. But they said that if we are really on a budget, we could visit the small store nearby for they sell canned goods and cook them for a fee but way much, much cheaper.
And so we choose the cheaper option not knowing that the store is still a kilometer or more away. It is already night time and there are no street lights along the way, since the store is located in the outskirts of the more populous part of the Beach.
But then the trek was still fun. Grappling in the dark, with no flash lights, hearing the sounds of night forest animals, with the picturesque night starry sky above you. Quite an experience.
We were able to eat at the said ‘sari-sari’ store for only 50php each. *with softdrinks, 2 cups of rice, viand, and some chichirya to eat on the return night time trek. hehe
Saud Beach Morning View
The next morning we woke up early, walked by the shore and spend some time capturing wonders that lie before us before we started our day tour around Pagudpud.
If you’re looking for beautiful rock formations on scenic beach views, then Pagudpud is for you.
Here you could find lots and of that. A few of them that are worth visiting to are:
Timmangtang Rock Formation
A bell-shaped rock located along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Timangtang Rock Formation
Timangtang Pagudpud
Timangtang Rock
Not far away from the Timmangtang Rock is the Bantay-abot Cave. They are collectively known as the “Lover’s Rock”. The Timmangtang Rock is the male rock and the Bantay-abot Cave the female. Take a look…
Bantay Abot Cave
Not a cave but a big tunnel lie hole in the ledge of the cliff jotting out into the sea into the way of the Blue Lagoon.
Bantay Abot Cave
Bantay Abot Cave View
Bantay Abot Cave Viewdeck
Bantay Abot Cave Entrance
Adventuroj Bantay Abot Cave
Rocky Bantay Abot Cave
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon Pagudpud is also known as the Boracay of the North, but in my own opinion, you cannot compare the two.
Apparently, Blue Lagoon has longer shoreline than Boracay and when you get to walk from the water, you’ll see cottages and not fancy hotels. I just hope that this beach remain unspoiled.
Another stop of our Pagudpud trike tour is the 25m high, majestic Kabigan Falls (aka Kaibigan Falls).
The Majestic Kabigan Falls
What I like about this journey is the need to trek for 30 minutes through rivers, mountain trails, wooden bridges, before one can arrive into this beauty accompanied by a tour guide.
Kabigan Tour Guide
Pretty much like going through a suffering, that makes the goal even rewarding huh?
Trekking to Kabigan Falls
Bathing is possible in the cool, clear waters of the natural pool.
Admission Fee is P30. And if you ever go hungry or thirsty along the way, need not worry for the area has plentiful of vendors selling buko juices fresh from the coconut and other delicacies.
Along our trekking, I also happen to witness a very traditional way of doing the laundry in the Philippines, the ‘Palo-palo Method’. It’s good to see that locals in this area are still practicing this tradition, something that I only see in old movies nowadays.
The Traditional Palo palo Method of Washing Clothes
The Adventures of AdventuRoj! 