MACTAN ISLAND

Mactan Island

lies across the Mactan Channel, opposite Cebu City in the southeast of Manila. It is modern and yet has retained its greenness and features lovely sandy beaches and good diving spots off the neighboring islets. Mactan has a long history with many stories, the most frequently told being about the Battle of Mactan. In 1521, when Portuguese-born explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived onshore he was killed by Mactan Chief Lapu Lapu and his men.

Visitors can visit both the Magellan and Lapu Lapu shrines while visiting the island. Mactan is also important as home of Mactan – Cebu International Airport, the country’s second busiest airport as well as the country’s largest export processing zone. Mactan is also well known for producing guitars and other musical instruments.

OLANGO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Olango Island 

is approximately located five kilometers east of Mactan Island in Cebu. It lies between the Bohol Strait to the south and the Camotes Sea to the north. To the east is the Olango Channel while to the west is the Hilutungan Channel. The island has seven barangays, one of which is Sta. Rosa (erroneously used to refer to the whole of Olango Island), where the island’s wharf and parish church is located. Olango Island hosts seven Lapu-Lapu city ba-rangays, namely, Baring, Caw-oy, Sabang, Santa Rosa, Talima, Tingo and Tunga-san.

Olango Island is very accessible for those who want to explore this beautiful place of pure nature. If you are from Cebu City, you can ride a jeepney for Lapulapu City. The jeepney terminal can be found near the old White Gold Department Store, in the reclamation area. Upon arrival in Lapulapu City, go for the tricycle bound for Dapdap or Angasil. Disembark at the Mar Y Cielo Beach Resort. Take a pumpboat for Santa Rosa (in Olango Island). From the Santa Rosa Wharf, the sanctuary can be reached by tricycle or foot.

The whole island including its neighboring islets has a total land area of 10.3 km² (1,030 hectares). The reef flat-lagoon surrounding the island of Olango is considered one of the most extensive reef areas in the Central Visayas. It has 4,482 hectares of extensive sandy beach, rocky shoreline, inshore flats, sea grass beds, coral reefs, mangrove forest, mudflats, and salt marsh grass surround Olango and its satellite islets.

Olango Island is considered a nature and animal-friendly place. In fact, the island has a 920-hectare secluded wetland called the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. It supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country from September to November traveling the East Asian Migratory Flyway. By late February until May, these birds return to their breeding grounds in the reverse Northward Migration. There are total of 77 species of migratory birds use this flyway, and Olango Island supports 62% of this number.

NONOC CAVE

                                                                                                                         NONOC CAVE

It is amazing that there is one natural beauty in our town of Borbon that is all over the world wide web and printed in some tourist brochures somewhere that might attract more tourists to come to our town, yet, I am not sure if many Borbonanons even know about it. So, at the TAGA-BORBON Online Community Discussion Board in Friendster, I asked my fellow TAGA-BORBON members if they know the place and if so, can they describe it in more detail.

Luckily, some of our TAGA-BORBON members and officers were adventurous enough and took the time to visit the mysterious Nonoc Cave in Cadaruhan last week of July 2008. Led by Babes who happens to be vacationing at home at that time and Alma, our Local Execom President, the group including Joshua, Harry and many more, climbed up the hills of Cadaruhan and conquered Nonoc cave inspite of the blistering sun and fear of the unknown.

PESCADOR ISLAND CEBU PHILIPPINES

Pescador Island 

You cannot see any white sand or any beautiful views at the top of pescador but if you will go diving underground pescador you will discover underground paradise. A very unique spot where you can see different type of creatures (coral reef, different type of fish, turtles etc.).Pescador Island is rated as one of the top dive sites off the west coat of Cebu Island. Pescador Island itself is a small island about a 20 minute boat ride due west from Moalboal. It has a plateau which surrounds the island varying in width from a few metres to around 20 metres. On the northeast side of the reef plateau there are several large rocks and coral heads which break the surface. Here the reef plateau slopes down to around 8 - 10 metres where it then drops away vertically into the abyss. The entire circumference of Pescador is essentially a wall dive with overhangs and small caverns and holes in the reef wall where you can enter and exit carefully. The upper plateau has lovely acropora and stony hard corals which provide a colourful backdrop in the shallows. As you descend towards and beyond 30m there are prolific soft corals which require less light to thrive. Stonefish and white frogfish frequent the reef wall and the top 15 metres is quite literally teeming with life. Turtles are a common site swimming and feeding on the reef. Currents can be strong on Pescador so dives are normally "one way" with boat drops and pick-ups carried out at different spots on top of the reef plateau.

 Pescador Island's southwest side is much the same in topography as the northeast side. The vertical wall drop off from around 10 metres is impressive. During our diving here we saw several turtles on the upper reef wall. At one point we found a large opening in the reef wall which allowed us to swim in and underneath a large overhanging cavern, ascending a few metres before exiting carefully from a different area. Here there was magnificent pink and blue soft coral. A friendly remora (pilot fish) joined us on the latter part of our dive and spent at least 20 minutes in varying positions attempting to attach itself to my buddy's cylinder, legs and other unmentionable regions.

Pescador Island is a small island paradise but not your typical paradise under the sun and surrounded by relaxing greeneries and cool breeze, rather, it is a paradise of sorts underwater. Considered as the “best diving spot in Cebu”, almost all kinds of marine beings are visible in high quality.

The island is located few kilometers away from the west coast of mainland and under the jurisdiction of Moalboal, Cebu. 4 kilometers from Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, a travel to Pescador Island consumed 10 minutes to 20 minutes only by bancas.

Camotes Island Cebu Philippines

CAMOTES ISLAND


is situated in Central Visayas, in the Philippines. It is a part of the province of Cebu in Region VII. Camotes Islands is located east of Cebu and west of Leyte . Camotes Island is made up of three main sub-islands and divided into four municipalities. This four capital towns are Pilar, Poro, San Francisco and Tudela. Camotes Island's photography is hilly. The highest point of the island is 386 meters above sea level. It's climate is characterized by distinct dry season. The island is approximately 562 kilometers south east of Manila, 62 kilometers north east of Cebu and 25 kilometers west of Ormoc. Camotes Island has a total size of 20,964 hectares.

Camotes as a whole enjoys tropical weather the whole year round. We only have 2 seasons. The dry and the rainy season. The dry season is from March to June while the rainy season is from July to February. The nippy air of "Amihan" or the north easterly wind blows from September to March. From June to August, the south westerly wind or the "Habagat" turns up.

Angry waves... the "Habagat" wind strikes in.
The "Habagat" wind normally goes through an eight days cycle, which means, eight days of storm and rain. After 8 wet days, the weather abruptly changes to sunny and dry, consecutively. During this season, Camotes Island is frequently visited by typhoons and low depression, wherein it floods the whole island, and blows the native houses' rooftops away.

KAWASAN FALLS

            Kawasan Falls

is a popular get-away destination in the southern part of Cebu to locals and foreigners alike. With its lush tropical trees and plants everywhere, peaceful flow of the river as it gracefully rushes to the distant sea, the sound of the waterfalls on the background, friends and loved ones enjoying the cool and deep fresh water, everything around just seems so relaxed, simple and very serene. 

Just 130 kilometers southwest of Cebu City and about three hours bus ride, the Kawasan Falls is located inside the mountains of Barangay Matutinao, Badian. From the entrance you will have to trek uphill for about thirty minutes, depending on your pace, to get to the first waterfall. Along the way, souvenir shops selling accessories such as beaded necklace, bracelets, and Kawasan print t-shirts are available for sale if you want to bring home souviners with you. 

Kawasan has three waterfalls. The first one is mainly the largest of the three, and is usually the most crowded. An uphill climb for fifteen minutes will take you to the second falls, and another, to the third. You may bring in food, or buy from the resort's restaurants. Cottages and tables are also available for rent, as well as rooms for overnight stay. You may rent a raft to take you around the "pool" or for a refreshing "shower massage" under the falling water. Life vests are also available for a very affordable price.

The pathway may be very dark once the sun sets so its best to have a flashlight at hand. One should be extra careful in going down the slope especially those descending from the second or third falls to avoid mishaps or accidents. 

TINGKO BEACH RESORT

                           Tingko Beach   


is a popular getaway located in Daan Lungsod, Alcoy in Cebu, Philippines. It is in a small but deep lagoon across 

a coral island called Mabad-on Reef that completely submerge during high tide and expose during low tide. Only a very narrow channel from the mainland separates it. Tingko Beach is an extensive stretch of curved shoreline with very white sand and clear water fringed with coconut palm grooves and limestone cliffs. A few feet from the shore, the sea floor gradually plunges down to a depth of several feet below the surface.

                         The beach can be crowded during weekends where locals and city folks, and occasionally, foreigners, flock to enjoy the beautiful sand, sea and sun. Due to its unique location, being an arcing shoreline on a lagoon, the sand in the southernmost end of the beach would shift northward sometime between late September and early December, thereby emptying the sand completely out exposing the rocky bed of the shore. The sand would return quickly starting in late December.

                        A row of beautiful white houses owned by German Nationals who fell in love with the people and the place adds beauty to the beach. The beach also has cottage or should we say simple mini townhouse with a balcony to appreciate the beauty of the beach, a room to relax overnight, and shower/comfort room facilities abundant with water that are available for rent at a very affordable price. A mini store with videoke to sing your hearts out adds flavor to the scene. Camping is also possible on the beach where you can bring along tents for more fun and enjoyment.

SUMILON ISLAND

Sumilon Island

Beauty and tranquility – these are just two things you could experience in the almost untouched paradise of Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort. Surrounded by crystal blue waters that glitter and powdery white shores that shine under the smiling sun, the virgin Sumilon Island is yet another proof that Cebu is gifted by nature. True to its name – Sumilon means “take refuge” or “take shade” derived from a Visayan word “sumilong” – the island is also blessed with caves where native fishermen would rest in a long day’s fishing.

Sumilon Island Bluewater Island Resort offers its guests spacious rooms for utmost comfort. Each has a veranda that lets your eyes indulge in the magnificence of the view – the seemingly endless horizon, the dazzling sea, or the sight of mainland Cebu. And there is no perfect island vacation without the fresh sea foods satisfying your taste buds. Fortunately, the resort is no less than prepared to spoil you with sumptuous cuisine.ure, just by being in Sumilon would not bore you at all. Nevertheless, the island is a lot to experience and explore. Be it through a simple picnic by the shore, a serene afternoon tea by the veranda, an exciting island hopping, a scenic boat tour, or a breath taking scuba diving.

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort is located at the southeastern tip of Cebu. Getting there is a tour in itself as you would have to pass the towns Carcar, Argao, Dalaguete, Boljoon, and Oslob; all of which have a rich heritage on their own. That’s what you can call, making the most of Cebu.

Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island

The name Malapascua means 'Bad Christmas' in Cebuano. Legend has it that it was so named because the Spanish first landed here one stormy Christmas Day in the 1500's. There is some debate about the name because although 'mal' definitely means 'bad,' 'pasco' means Christmas in the local language of Cebuano but 'pascua' in Spanish means Easter. So perhaps it was a stormy Easter after all. Today, Malapascua remains a beautiful, sleepy island, as yet unspoiled by tourism, with white sandy beaches, lush green palm trees and surrounded by clear blue waters.

There are no cars on the island and most buildings are only one floor high. The locals are friendly and like to say hello and chat. They may even invite you to their homes for dinner, or at least to sit down, join them singing songs and playing guitar, and toast each other with a rum and coke. Malapascua Island also called "Logon" is located 8 kilometers northeast of Cebu and 25 kilometers west of Leyte. It’s a beautiful island with magnificent, white beaches. This island is often compared to Boracay and still unspoiled by mass tourism. It's a paradise where time stands still, leaving you breathless as soon as you step onto this "Pacific

Island Dream". The exceptional long white beach is stretching out around the south-east coast of the island facing Cebu, Leyte and Biliran with its volcanic landscape. The other side of the island has a more panoramic rocky coastline and is an attractive alternative for the ever popular white beach. We stay in under Swiss management the Cocobana Beach Resort which is directly located on the beautiful, white beach. Here you have the possibility to follow a diving course (price is not included). In the resort you can rent dive and snorkel equipment and it's also possible to book a dive course.

You can experience a test dive. After the briefing you can make your first dive in shallow water. A new world opens before your eyes. You see a world with thousands of colorful tropical fishes and untouched coral reefs. Remark: People above 45 years of age need a doctor’s test confirming that their physical state is not a concern for diving. Malapascua Island has a big variety of landscape. All over the islands are sand roads that bring you over the hills to idyllic fishing- villages, deserted bays, mountains, forest with coconut trees, but most of all to serene, white beaches. These beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Philippines. 

With the help of our local guide we take a walk around the island. You can stroll over the sandy pads and experience how friendly the local population is and how they live. We make a visit to the light tower and enjoy the view over the Visaya Sea and the island.We take a walk over the many sand roads on the island. Relaxing on one of the white beaches or playing some beach volleyball without any cars on the island life is really relaxing which makes a is real holiday. We enjoy the beautiful sunsets with there breathtaking colors. After dinner we take a night walk over the beach and have some drinks in the local nightlife.

BANTAYAN ISLAND

Bantayan Island

Bantayan island, the shining tropical paradise in Asia is commonly known as an island paradise in Philippines. Tourists as far as Europe fall in love with its fine white sand and crystal clear blue waters. Many of these foreigners even settled down on the island to spend the rest of their lives. They build single-cottage beach houses along the shore but as time went by, construct a couple of new cottages instead to accommodate the growing number of tourists who seeks safe haven on the splendid island paradise. Two of the main attraction of the island is its crystal-clear waters and it's long stretch of powdery white sand. The stunning sunset will really spice those romantic walks on the beach. One of the reasons the island is famous is its peacefulness, the way a resort should be. Unsaturated beauty and a combination of sweet smiling natives made the island as it is now.

When you get to cool, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, pleasant town folk and delicious sea foods ... you're in the island of Bantayan. Coming to Bantayan is like coming out of a time machine. It's like entering the time and place when life was simple and quiet.

The island, which is composed of three municipalities, specifically Bantayan, Madridejos & Santa Fe is also generally known as the “Egg Basket” in the neighboring regions because it has been generating over one and a half million eggs a day to supply the growing demand of eggs for mainland Cebu, Negros, Panay and even Leyte.

In Bantayan, there are 405-year-old church the one-and-a-half century house of Anun Escario, the Ogtong Cave and the rest of the ancient unarmed caves the old Spanish kota (fort) in Sta. Fe, the beautiful island in the district and the sunset at the pier.

The people in Bantayan island is mostly Christian, aside from the fact that it has the oldest church in the Visayas and Mindanao, it is also named as the Lenten capital of the Visayas. Many people from Cebu and as far as Manila go to Bantayan not only for a swim and relaxation but also to witness the holy week procession and to observe the most solemn practice of faith. Because of this, almost all resorts double their rates at this time of year.

During holy week, on Maunday Thursday and Good Friday, both locals and visitors get together by the thousands at the town center of Bantayan to be part of the Lenten procession of religious symbols and images symbolizing the Passion of Christ. Such religiosity only reflects the Bantayanon's unquestioned faith in Christ therefore making the island one of the safest place in the country.

But there is also the human aspect. You see kids with even tan running around the beach lines, naked, simple-hearted and friendly. Bantayan Island has a remarkable dialect, mixture of Ilonggo, Waray and Cebuano but one that is Greek to both Cebuanos and Ilonggos. And its tone changes from town to town. The people in every town just have their own of expressing it.

Like its dialect, each of the three towns has its own character. Bantayan considered as the town proper of the island has 25 barangays and the basic infrastructure. The town is known for its mouth-watering dried fish and squid. Aside from fishing, the people are also into rock phosphate and limestone mining.

If the other two towns are busy with their income projects, Sta. Fe is busier during the Lenten Season with hundreds of people who gather to its white sandy beaches. Reservations to Bantayan's beach resorts for the Lenten Season should be done six months to one year earlier. As early as February this year, the resorts have already been fully booked.

With regards to the food in Bantayan, a combination of cuisine is served on the island with a taste of restaurants serving Filipino, Thai, and Japanese to European menus. A massive selection of sea foods fresh from the day's catch is very well dished up since most of the people of the island are fishermen that cast their nets on the abundant Visayan seas. One can even visit the wet market to see fishermen unpack their precious catch from the sea. Fresh live fish from groupers to blue marlin's are just two of the many surprises. Shrimps, crabs and lobsters are displayed in large quantity in the market. After a full meal one can choose a selection of fresh fruit shakes with choices from mango to choco banana.