The Blue Lagoon and 100 steps of Maguindanao

It's been a 12 hour ordinary bus ride from Manila to Legaspi, followed by a van ride to Donsol, and then I need to wake up at 6am tomorrow, but just before I closed my eyes to sleep, I remembered about these places i was brought to in Cotabato. I don't want these places to end up in my memory, just like the other places I have been too; Especially that these are the places I'd like to be sharing about, to ease up the notoriously portrayal of these cities and/or province.

I was in Maguindanao last month for the Bakwit feeding session and just on our way back to Cotabato City from the Datu Saudi Evacuation centers, I asked my peers if they have been to the blue lagoon in Maguindanao. I was told that we can drop by as it is just very near the highway.

In fact, it was a short 2minute walk from the Datu Odin Sinsuat highway. 

This lagoon don't come close to the blue-ness in Hinatuan River but, still amazing how it could reflect blue when the surrounding is a barren brown hard soil.

It seems the lagoon is a water source for the locals, having spotted kids fetching water from the body.

Then, they asked me if I have heard of the 100 steps. I said, I haven't. I asked what it was all about, and I was told it is just spring water like the blue lagoon. It's close by, just about 4kms away from Blue Lagoon, so i did not bother complain.

I was not expecting it to be any better, but with their eagerness to show me, well... after all there's not really so much to do with the rest of my afternoon, so I said let's see.

This lagoon is also just right next to the highway except that there is 100 steps descent before reaching it. From the start of the staircase, there won't seem to be anything interesting at all; But as you come close, you suddenly wonder what is that sparkling clear blue thing you see down there... and next to molds and ricefields.

It's been a 12 hour ordinary bus ride from Manila to Legaspi, followed by a van ride to Donsol, and then I need to wake up at 6am tomorrow, but just before I closed my eyes to sleep, I remembered about these places i was brought to in Cotabato. I don't want these places to end up in my memory, just like the other places I have been too; Especially that these are the places I'd like to be sharing about, to ease up the notoriously portrayal of these cities and/or province.

I was in Maguindanao last month for the Bakwit feeding session and just on our way back to Cotabato City from the Datu Saudi Evacuation centers, I asked my peers if they have been to the blue lagoon in Maguindanao. I was told that we can drop by as it is just very near the highway.

In fact, it was a short 2minute walk from the Datu Odin Sinsuat highway. 

This lagoon don't come close to the blue-ness in Hinatuan River but, still amazing how it could reflect blue when the surrounding is a barren brown hard soil.

It seems the lagoon is a water source for the locals, having spotted kids fetching water from the body.

Then, they asked me if I have heard of the 100 steps. I said, I haven't. I asked what it was all about, and I was told it is just spring water like the blue lagoon. It's close by, just about 4kms away from Blue Lagoon, so i did not bother complain.

I was not expecting it to be any better, but with their eagerness to show me, well... after all there's not really so much to do with the rest of my afternoon, so I said let's see.

This lagoon is also just right next to the highway except that there is 100 steps descent before reaching it. From the start of the staircase, there won't seem to be anything interesting at all; But as you come close, you suddenly wonder what is that sparkling clear blue thing you see down there... and next to molds and ricefields.

Read More »

Pikit Coffee: My best Philippine Coffee So far

Just as much as the frustration of international travellers to Philippines, it is a regret that 'real' coffee is not a standard as it is in other countries; Rarely do you find people looking for real and organic coffee. The 3-in-1 instants have been an acquired taste, and to a regret, even some smaller restaurants sell only this acid junk.

To get real coffee, then, the solution is rather to settle on espresso coffee of famous brands where you pay rather for the store space, design, and for the length of time that customers tend to stay. Or, it would have been too gourmet that you could not even tell it is coffee at all.

While the Philippines was a big coffee producer longggg long time back, at the moment, only a few spots actually grow coffee: Benguet/Mountain Province, Batangas, Sulu, and what I’d like to tag as my favorite, Cotabato.

Batangas coffee is the perfect wake up coffee with its strong bitterness over thin solution. Benguet/Mountain Province coffee tend to be lax in flavor, but is great enough for those times where you'd just like to sip through something hot and bitter. It does not seem to affect (or at least much of) your adrenaline too.   For a while, the SULU (Kahwa) coffee has been my favorite until I got to visit a local in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao who served me their native coffee.

Compared to the Sulu coffee, this coffee is served with some thickness, and further, hence, with more flavor. The bitterness tends to be a bland vietnamese chocolatey coffee.

Want to try this coffee? Go to the LimbonisStore to purchase this coffee.

Just as much as the frustration of international travellers to Philippines, it is a regret that 'real' coffee is not a standard as it is in other countries; Rarely do you find people looking for real and organic coffee. The 3-in-1 instants have been an acquired taste, and to a regret, even some smaller restaurants sell only this acid junk.

To get real coffee, then, the solution is rather to settle on espresso coffee of famous brands where you pay rather for the store space, design, and for the length of time that customers tend to stay. Or, it would have been too gourmet that you could not even tell it is coffee at all.

While the Philippines was a big coffee producer longggg long time back, at the moment, only a few spots actually grow coffee: Benguet/Mountain Province, Batangas, Sulu, and what I’d like to tag as my favorite, Cotabato.

Batangas coffee is the perfect wake up coffee with its strong bitterness over thin solution. Benguet/Mountain Province coffee tend to be lax in flavor, but is great enough for those times where you'd just like to sip through something hot and bitter. It does not seem to affect (or at least much of) your adrenaline too.   For a while, the SULU (Kahwa) coffee has been my favorite until I got to visit a local in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao who served me their native coffee.

Compared to the Sulu coffee, this coffee is served with some thickness, and further, hence, with more flavor. The bitterness tends to be a bland vietnamese chocolatey coffee.

Want to try this coffee? Go to the LimbonisStore to purchase this coffee.

Read More »

That NGO and the Maguindanao Feeding Sessions

Coming from the renovation work in Sulu, I head next to Cotabato City where I will be met by the head of the NGO partner I will be working on this project - the same person I met back in Manila and told me the story of the bakwits.

Upon meeting, I was told to do an occular inspection first for the following day for me to know what to expect when we do the actual feeding. And since she can't personally be there, she will be sending me some of her colleagues to assist me.

The following day, we went to the remaining evacuation centers in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao. Apparently, by this time, the bakwits (evacuees) in Mamasapon have been cleared to get back home.

The odd thing is the evacuation centers are right next to the highway, and probably just 200meters away from the clash sites; just that close. A lot of the evacuees are afraid to go home as some of them are picked up by the armed forces and are accused of being part of the "Freedom" fighters. The trauma is another. Likewise, some of the people who setup a temporary shelter in the sites are not exactly affected by the recent clash, but they do so to get some rations from the various organizations who come to donate.

So, the night of the same day, I went on to do the grocery work, while the staff of the NGO partner volunteered to head early to the wet market for the meat.

When we met the following day, I was surprised to be told that the chicken price was P280 a kilo. I asked some of my friends from the area, and has never gone high as that price. The staff made some good money for herself apparently, and it pains me how many more people, or how many more meals we could have served to the evacuees for that money.

I kept my cool though; after all, I am using them as a resource.

Then we head on to the sites; we fueled up along the way and they were asking to fill the tank. We just filled up the other car we used the other day and used less than a fourth of the fuel, and here we are again, but again, I kept my cool.
Then, it was time to pay. I could see on the display that the tank filled at P700 something, but these staff were asking P1500. I asked why P1500 when the display is showing only P700, and clueless to what to explain, they said, it is for later.

I did not have any problem if the money goes back into the NGO as again, somehow I will have to pay for them, but I am not even sure if that is what is happening, or if their head even knows I am paying for my own consumptions. And, i am putting in the benefit of the doubt considering how I have known and been introduced to the head of the NGO.

So, instead of pushing for more feeding sessions, I decided to cut it off; anyway, most of the evacuees are home. Besides, SULU is more margnizalized than Maguindanao and I will me making much more worth of the help I have in hand in that area, than in Maguindanao.

We brought in cakes and chocolates too, and some kids, it is their first time to ever taste a cake :-(.

So, no more NGO to work with if I can do things myself anyway.

Coming from the renovation work in Sulu, I head next to Cotabato City where I will be met by the head of the NGO partner I will be working on this project - the same person I met back in Manila and told me the story of the bakwits.

Upon meeting, I was told to do an occular inspection first for the following day for me to know what to expect when we do the actual feeding. And since she can't personally be there, she will be sending me some of her colleagues to assist me.

The following day, we went to the remaining evacuation centers in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao. Apparently, by this time, the bakwits (evacuees) in Mamasapon have been cleared to get back home.

The odd thing is the evacuation centers are right next to the highway, and probably just 200meters away from the clash sites; just that close. A lot of the evacuees are afraid to go home as some of them are picked up by the armed forces and are accused of being part of the "Freedom" fighters. The trauma is another. Likewise, some of the people who setup a temporary shelter in the sites are not exactly affected by the recent clash, but they do so to get some rations from the various organizations who come to donate.

So, the night of the same day, I went on to do the grocery work, while the staff of the NGO partner volunteered to head early to the wet market for the meat.

When we met the following day, I was surprised to be told that the chicken price was P280 a kilo. I asked some of my friends from the area, and has never gone high as that price. The staff made some good money for herself apparently, and it pains me how many more people, or how many more meals we could have served to the evacuees for that money.

I kept my cool though; after all, I am using them as a resource.

Then we head on to the sites; we fueled up along the way and they were asking to fill the tank. We just filled up the other car we used the other day and used less than a fourth of the fuel, and here we are again, but again, I kept my cool.
Then, it was time to pay. I could see on the display that the tank filled at P700 something, but these staff were asking P1500. I asked why P1500 when the display is showing only P700, and clueless to what to explain, they said, it is for later.

I did not have any problem if the money goes back into the NGO as again, somehow I will have to pay for them, but I am not even sure if that is what is happening, or if their head even knows I am paying for my own consumptions. And, i am putting in the benefit of the doubt considering how I have known and been introduced to the head of the NGO.

So, instead of pushing for more feeding sessions, I decided to cut it off; anyway, most of the evacuees are home. Besides, SULU is more margnizalized than Maguindanao and I will me making much more worth of the help I have in hand in that area, than in Maguindanao.

We brought in cakes and chocolates too, and some kids, it is their first time to ever taste a cake :-(.

So, no more NGO to work with if I can do things myself anyway.

Read More »

Where I stayed in Cotabato city

After my exhausting but refreshing trip to Asik Asik falls to Alamada, North Cotabato, I travelled back to cotabato city where I spent the night before travelling the next day to Pagadian city. 

(And a bomb exploded in the city just as soon as I stepped down from the bus).

I had a look on the internet and found some pension houses for around the P250 figure. 

I went to El Manuel but they dont have the fan/economy rooms anymore. The least expensive they have is the 650 room.

I had a look at Citiplaza, Hotel Filipino, and theirs is 300/night for the fan room, just like the rest.

After the searching, I thought Hotel Filipino is the most decent (though other cities like pagadian, etc would have a lot better options for that price) of all those with fan rooms. CR is shared though just like the rest.

On the night of my return flight to Manila, i went to the same hotel. This time, i thought I'd like to be on an airconditioned room with own bathroom as a reward for such a great trip. I paid for the single aircon room (P450). When i got to the room, aircon took a while to cool such a big empty room; wasn't smelling good too. But it's too late though as I paid. Besides, for that rate, I dont think there's anywhere else that's better. If you can spend a little bit more though, you might want to go for El Manuel or Diamond hotel as the locals have recommended.

City Plaza though looked more like a motel. It was dark in the reception, and there were a number of girls in the entrance whom I suspect are good time ladies.


Travelling Philippines? Follow @CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation below PHP400 (US$9) for easier searches.

After my exhausting but refreshing trip to Asik Asik falls to Alamada, North Cotabato, I travelled back to cotabato city where I spent the night before travelling the next day to Pagadian city. 

(And a bomb exploded in the city just as soon as I stepped down from the bus).

I had a look on the internet and found some pension houses for around the P250 figure. 

I went to El Manuel but they dont have the fan/economy rooms anymore. The least expensive they have is the 650 room.

I had a look at Citiplaza, Hotel Filipino, and theirs is 300/night for the fan room, just like the rest.

After the searching, I thought Hotel Filipino is the most decent (though other cities like pagadian, etc would have a lot better options for that price) of all those with fan rooms. CR is shared though just like the rest.

On the night of my return flight to Manila, i went to the same hotel. This time, i thought I'd like to be on an airconditioned room with own bathroom as a reward for such a great trip. I paid for the single aircon room (P450). When i got to the room, aircon took a while to cool such a big empty room; wasn't smelling good too. But it's too late though as I paid. Besides, for that rate, I dont think there's anywhere else that's better. If you can spend a little bit more though, you might want to go for El Manuel or Diamond hotel as the locals have recommended.

City Plaza though looked more like a motel. It was dark in the reception, and there were a number of girls in the entrance whom I suspect are good time ladies.


Travelling Philippines? Follow @CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation below PHP400 (US$9) for easier searches.

Read More »

How to commute to and from cotabato airport

Inasmuch as you'd like to take a cab, I don't think there are taxi services from the airport.

First things first, Cotabato City is within the boundaries of the province of Maguindanao, not within North or South Cotabato; Tagalog is widely spoken  so there's no need to worry about not being understood.


The cotabato airport is in the town of awang, along sinsuat avenue in Maguindanao.

From the airport, there will be tricycle (fare is P7/passenger) to sinsuat ave. From Sinsuat, take "town" bound multicabs for P15.

From town, to the airport, take "Awang" bound multicabs (Fare is P15). Ask to be dropped off in 'crossing'. In crossing, take trike bound to the airport for P7/passenger. Tricycles leave by the time there are 5 passengers.

This trip is part of my 13 day Southern Mindanao Trip. I posted a few details of my schedule and expenses here

Inasmuch as you'd like to take a cab, I don't think there are taxi services from the airport.

First things first, Cotabato City is within the boundaries of the province of Maguindanao, not within North or South Cotabato; Tagalog is widely spoken  so there's no need to worry about not being understood.


The cotabato airport is in the town of awang, along sinsuat avenue in Maguindanao.

From the airport, there will be tricycle (fare is P7/passenger) to sinsuat ave. From Sinsuat, take "town" bound multicabs for P15.

From town, to the airport, take "Awang" bound multicabs (Fare is P15). Ask to be dropped off in 'crossing'. In crossing, take trike bound to the airport for P7/passenger. Tricycles leave by the time there are 5 passengers.

This trip is part of my 13 day Southern Mindanao Trip. I posted a few details of my schedule and expenses here

Read More »

Color it Pink: Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

Coming from Koronadal, and a quick stop at the Capitol bldg in Sultan Kudarat, I took a jeep from the 'roundball' near the capitol and en route to Cotabato city.

I've asked the dispatcher to drop me off closest to the Pink Mosque. 

By this time, I don't think i even know where exactly it is. I just ask the passengers next to me at the jeep topload.

We have entered the town of Datu Saudi ampatuan and I was told we are nearing the mosque.i was dropped next to the municipal hall, which is also next to an army checkpoint. There wasn't as many people around but only on a small sari sari store next to the hall. 

I've asked where I can find the pink mosque and was told to turn right on the corner next to the hall. I said thanks and left.

As soon as i turned around, several raging army trucks passed. I walked back. Apparently, the lady whom i asked didn't turn away her eyes off me. She, smiling,  asked if it were my first time in this place; I answered yes, and replied, (in Filipino), "be used to it. It's normal here."

The army trucks are out of sight, and I proceeded to walking towards the diversion to the mosque. As expected, all eyes on my footsteps while I smile at everyone back.

Apparently, it's not only the mosque that's pink. Even the municipal hall was pink. It seems they've painted all government structures in pink (perhaps to lighten up the general idea about maguindanao, and datu saudi most especially).

Municipal Hall near Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

Just a few steps away from this roundball, It was already the pink mosque. I walked in, had a few words with the workers, and asked if I can take pictures; They gladly said yes, and told me I can even come inside ( which I was happy about because rarely do non-muslims get the chance to get inside mosques).

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

I walked to the center of the mosque and looked in 360 degrees of murals..

One worker approached me and asked if If I were a muslim or christian. Inasmuch as I'd like to deny (for security), there's no way they'd believe me anyway. When I answered christian, the worker looked me from head to toe and (from how I could feel, would want to spit on me). He also told me not to wander much around and be sure not to get past the mosque. I could feel he didn't appreciate an outsider, or that he's just worried about me getting into an incident. Nevertheless, Out of courtesy, I did not bother take pictures inside, and walked away instead.

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

I stopped by this sari sari store close by, pretended like I wanted to have some cold drink, though the truth is, i'd just like to have a small chat with the locals. Again, at first, they'd keep asking where I am from, if im with any defense agency, and the likes. Whats funny was, my battery bank's cable was hanging out of my bag, and they'd thought it was some kind of detonator or something. I pulled it out of my bag, and showed them how it works, just to get them comfortable.

Then, I told them about the incident inside and they told me some (muslim) locals are really like that. They also gave me the same advise, not walk around past the mosque. A few pictures with them, and since it's past4pm, A little while later, I bid goodbye and took the jeep to cotabato (on topload again :-).

From Datu Saudi, I head next to Asik Asik Falls, in Alamada, North Cotabato


Note:
When I was in the store having some words with the local, i was referring to the town as datu saudi ampatuan (as specified in the literature, and maps). I was told to refer to it instead as Datu Saudi. Not sure if it were to shorten it, or also just because of the dilemma of the people 



As of 2015, this mosque has already completed construction :-).

This trip is part of my 13 day Southern Mindanao Trip. I posted a few details of my schedule and expenses here

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

Coming from Koronadal, and a quick stop at the Capitol bldg in Sultan Kudarat, I took a jeep from the 'roundball' near the capitol and en route to Cotabato city.

I've asked the dispatcher to drop me off closest to the Pink Mosque. 

By this time, I don't think i even know where exactly it is. I just ask the passengers next to me at the jeep topload.

We have entered the town of Datu Saudi ampatuan and I was told we are nearing the mosque.i was dropped next to the municipal hall, which is also next to an army checkpoint. There wasn't as many people around but only on a small sari sari store next to the hall. 

I've asked where I can find the pink mosque and was told to turn right on the corner next to the hall. I said thanks and left.

As soon as i turned around, several raging army trucks passed. I walked back. Apparently, the lady whom i asked didn't turn away her eyes off me. She, smiling,  asked if it were my first time in this place; I answered yes, and replied, (in Filipino), "be used to it. It's normal here."

The army trucks are out of sight, and I proceeded to walking towards the diversion to the mosque. As expected, all eyes on my footsteps while I smile at everyone back.

Apparently, it's not only the mosque that's pink. Even the municipal hall was pink. It seems they've painted all government structures in pink (perhaps to lighten up the general idea about maguindanao, and datu saudi most especially).

Municipal Hall near Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

Just a few steps away from this roundball, It was already the pink mosque. I walked in, had a few words with the workers, and asked if I can take pictures; They gladly said yes, and told me I can even come inside ( which I was happy about because rarely do non-muslims get the chance to get inside mosques).

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

I walked to the center of the mosque and looked in 360 degrees of murals..

One worker approached me and asked if If I were a muslim or christian. Inasmuch as I'd like to deny (for security), there's no way they'd believe me anyway. When I answered christian, the worker looked me from head to toe and (from how I could feel, would want to spit on me). He also told me not to wander much around and be sure not to get past the mosque. I could feel he didn't appreciate an outsider, or that he's just worried about me getting into an incident. Nevertheless, Out of courtesy, I did not bother take pictures inside, and walked away instead.

Datu Masjid Dimaukom Mosque in Datu Saudi, Maguindanao

I stopped by this sari sari store close by, pretended like I wanted to have some cold drink, though the truth is, i'd just like to have a small chat with the locals. Again, at first, they'd keep asking where I am from, if im with any defense agency, and the likes. Whats funny was, my battery bank's cable was hanging out of my bag, and they'd thought it was some kind of detonator or something. I pulled it out of my bag, and showed them how it works, just to get them comfortable.

Then, I told them about the incident inside and they told me some (muslim) locals are really like that. They also gave me the same advise, not walk around past the mosque. A few pictures with them, and since it's past4pm, A little while later, I bid goodbye and took the jeep to cotabato (on topload again :-).

From Datu Saudi, I head next to Asik Asik Falls, in Alamada, North Cotabato


Note:
When I was in the store having some words with the local, i was referring to the town as datu saudi ampatuan (as specified in the literature, and maps). I was told to refer to it instead as Datu Saudi. Not sure if it were to shorten it, or also just because of the dilemma of the people 



As of 2015, this mosque has already completed construction :-).

This trip is part of my 13 day Southern Mindanao Trip. I posted a few details of my schedule and expenses here

Read More »

P13,273: What I spent in Mindanao for 13 days

I left manila with a 10L backpack stuffed with 4 pairs of clothes, a towel, battery bank, portable speaker, underwater iphone case, toiletries, atm and student id (very imporant :-) ). I have been enjoying spontaniety a lot, so not even an itinerary with me (except that I knew the provinces I wanted to go to and Asik Asik at the top priority). More than that, I just asked around, and researched on my 3G while in the airport, jeeps, bus, trikes, etc. (Did I mention I brought my Mcdonalds Happy Meal minion with me? :-) )

Below is what I spent in 13 days and where I got myself to:

Day 1: Gumasa Beach (with 3 others)
Taxi 250/4=62.50
Jeep to Gumasa fr Lagao: 50 (topload)
Habal back to Glan from Beach: 20
Food: 30
Van to Gensan: 70 (student fare)
Trike to Tyongson: 8
Dunkin Donuts: 180
Room: 700/4=175
Total: P720

Day 2: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Breakfast: 57
Trike from Kadulasan St, Gensan to Bus Terminal: 16
Bus from Gensan to Denmark Van Terminal in Marbel: 75
Van from Marbel to Lake Sebu: 55
Skylab: 200 (Half day service: 150+tip)
Lunch: 105
Entrance (7falls): 20
T'boli Costume Rental: 50
Dinner: 90
Alcohol: 144
Lodge: 60
Total: P875

Day 3: Lake Sebu + Marbel City (had to stay in the city as I have an online exam in grad school)
Habal: 100 (from Lodge to National Artist and back to terminal)
Cassava+Cofi: 16
Van from Lake Sebu to Marbel: 55
Lunch: 35
Trike: 8
Internet: 27
Trike: 8
Eduards Lodge: 230 (single fan room common toilet)
Dinner: 75
Cofi+bread:35
Internet: 35
Trike: 8
Total: P642

Day 4: Sultan Kudarat Capitol, Pink Mosque Datu Saudi Maguindanao
Breakfast: 65
Trike to yellow bus: 8
Bus Fare: 45+15 (From Marbel you have to Pay up to Tacurong; And in Tacurong, they issue another ticket for P15)
Trike: 20 (The bus missed dropping me in the capitol so had to take a trike back, and then return to roundball, a.k.a. roundabout where I took the jeep to Datu Saudi Maguindanao).
Jeep to Datu Saudi: 40
Softdrink: 10
Jeep from Datu Saudi to Cotabato City: 50
Lunch: 60
Van from Cotabato City to Midsayap: 60
Skylab to kitacubong, alamada: 70 (missed the last trip; was supposed to sleep in the outpost but was lucky to catch a habal service on his way home willing to take any amount; jeep fare from midsayap to alamada was P50 so gave P20 extra)
Dinner (3burgers, 1 zesto)=73 (Didn't eat all burgers; 2 i handed over to the barangay tanods with me in the hall; just makng clear im not a bburger monster)
Internet=16
Total: P532

Day 5: Asik Asik Falls
Marlboro: 60
Coffee+Pandecoco: 16
Coffee+bread: 15
Habal: 550 (alamada-asik-Linungan)
Misc food at asik: 101 (me & habal driver)
Entrance: 35
Food at Libungan Term: 98 (me & habal driver)
Bus to Cotabato City: 50
Hotel Filipino in Cotabato City: 300
Cigarette: 45
Dinner at jollibee: 123 (missing Jollibee by now)
Prepaid Load: 50
Total: P1438

Day 6: Pagadian City
Fare from Cotabato City to Pagadian: 300
Dodol: 20
Suman: 10
Lansones: 25
Habal to town center from Integrated Bus Terminal: 30
Fan room at roxan hotel: 300
Coffee at roxan: 15
Sikad to Gaisano: 10
Nailcutter: 20
Sikad Gaisano to City hall: 10
Bbq: 10
Meal at Kamayan: 140
Latte at Bo's: 95
Misc hygiene: 26
Total: 1006

Day 7: Overnight in Panikian Island, Pitogo
breakfast: 40
Bread+coffee+load: 50
Fare to pitogo: 100
Misc food: 650
Total: P840

Day 8: Leave Panikian, sidetrip to Lakewood, and travel to Zamboanga
Boat: 1000
Fare: 100
Meal: 65
Bus to tubon: 25
Habal to resort: 40
Entrance: 50
Banana split at Lakewood: 45
Marlboro: 30
Habal back to Tubon terminal: 100
Food at terminal: 52
Fare tubon-zamboanga city (student fare): 265
Coffee+bread: 20
Habal: 60
Lodge: 150
Total: P2002

Day 9: Malamawi Beach, Lamitan Basilan, transit to Jolo, Sulu
Jeep from Lodge to Port: 8
Brekkie: 64
Terminal Fee: 10
Student Fare from Zamboanga to Basilan: 125
Load: 22
Tawid from Isabela City to Malamawi Island: 5
Habal: 100 (Special fare for single passenger; 2 passengers will be P50 each for back and forth ride).
Merienda: 30
Fare back to Zamboanga from Basilan: 125
Terminal fee in Isabela City: 4
Meal: 64
Fare to Jolo: 400 (used the same terminal fee ticket; instead of spending for lodge in Zamboanga, you might want to head to Jolo instead; it's a comfortable sleep with the ocean breeze in the ferry's upper deck).
Total: P957

Day 10: Quezon (Patikul) & Maugu Beach (Jolo), Capitol, Sports Complex, Pangasinan Island in Panglima Municipality, Badjao Stilts
Trike (Special): 300
Coffee: 12
Meal (Ginataan and some rice delicacy): 21
Yosi: 56
Meal : 228 (4 cuts fried chicken; 4 cuts chicken caldereta; mee goreng; 2 serves rice, and a softdrink for me and trike driver in BlueXXXX restaurant in Jolo Market)
Coffee: 18
Boat from fishport to Pangasinan Island: 350
Hotdog: 15
Bike from Stilts to Port: 15
Coffee: 22
Trike from Port to Sports Complex:30
Trike: 30
Lansones: 10
Misc food: 68
Ferry: 400
Total: 910

Day 11: Sta Cruz Island, Zamboanga, transit back to Pagadian
Meal: 26
Load: 50
Sta cruz Island: 288 (shared among 8; I joined a group of 7 in this trip; inclusive of a lot of crabs and tour of mangroves, cemetery, etc)
Cig+coffee: 55
Meal: 75
Fare: 8
Malong (pasalubongg): 200
Bus from Zamboanga to Pagadian: 295
Mealstop (banana bread 2 bbq hotdogs): 28
Water: 20
Trike from Pagadian Integrated Terminal to Town Center: 30
Roxan hotel: 300
Total: P1375

Day 12: Transit back to Cotabato City from Pagadian
Cigarette: 16
Misc: 54
Food: 55
Van to cotabato: 350
Meal stop: 30
Room at Hotel Filipino: 450
Meal: 225
Cig: 40
Fares: 76
Total: P1296








Day 13: Travel back to Manila
Jollibee: 65
Malongs (pasalubong): 425
Internet: 18
Fare: 15
Trike: 7
Load+coffee: 65
Terminal Fee: 85
Total: P680

Total Spending: P13,273. 


I was initially intending to spend only 7 thousand pesos for this trip; But, when I was in Asik asik falls and contemplating on the time I am comprimising versus budget, I thought my time was more valuable.. Also, especially in Pitogo, I thought it was but fair that I give back to the people who shared time for me. Besides, my average spend is P1000/day on my trips so my overall spending is just right for this solo (mostly) trip.

I managed to take a picture of the fares from Pagadian To Zamboanga

I left manila with a 10L backpack stuffed with 4 pairs of clothes, a towel, battery bank, portable speaker, underwater iphone case, toiletries, atm and student id (very imporant :-) ). I have been enjoying spontaniety a lot, so not even an itinerary with me (except that I knew the provinces I wanted to go to and Asik Asik at the top priority). More than that, I just asked around, and researched on my 3G while in the airport, jeeps, bus, trikes, etc. (Did I mention I brought my Mcdonalds Happy Meal minion with me? :-) )

Below is what I spent in 13 days and where I got myself to:

Day 1: Gumasa Beach (with 3 others)
Taxi 250/4=62.50
Jeep to Gumasa fr Lagao: 50 (topload)
Habal back to Glan from Beach: 20
Food: 30
Van to Gensan: 70 (student fare)
Trike to Tyongson: 8
Dunkin Donuts: 180
Room: 700/4=175
Total: P720

Day 2: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Breakfast: 57
Trike from Kadulasan St, Gensan to Bus Terminal: 16
Bus from Gensan to Denmark Van Terminal in Marbel: 75
Van from Marbel to Lake Sebu: 55
Skylab: 200 (Half day service: 150+tip)
Lunch: 105
Entrance (7falls): 20
T'boli Costume Rental: 50
Dinner: 90
Alcohol: 144
Lodge: 60
Total: P875

Day 3: Lake Sebu + Marbel City (had to stay in the city as I have an online exam in grad school)
Habal: 100 (from Lodge to National Artist and back to terminal)
Cassava+Cofi: 16
Van from Lake Sebu to Marbel: 55
Lunch: 35
Trike: 8
Internet: 27
Trike: 8
Eduards Lodge: 230 (single fan room common toilet)
Dinner: 75
Cofi+bread:35
Internet: 35
Trike: 8
Total: P642

Day 4: Sultan Kudarat Capitol, Pink Mosque Datu Saudi Maguindanao
Breakfast: 65
Trike to yellow bus: 8
Bus Fare: 45+15 (From Marbel you have to Pay up to Tacurong; And in Tacurong, they issue another ticket for P15)
Trike: 20 (The bus missed dropping me in the capitol so had to take a trike back, and then return to roundball, a.k.a. roundabout where I took the jeep to Datu Saudi Maguindanao).
Jeep to Datu Saudi: 40
Softdrink: 10
Jeep from Datu Saudi to Cotabato City: 50
Lunch: 60
Van from Cotabato City to Midsayap: 60
Skylab to kitacubong, alamada: 70 (missed the last trip; was supposed to sleep in the outpost but was lucky to catch a habal service on his way home willing to take any amount; jeep fare from midsayap to alamada was P50 so gave P20 extra)
Dinner (3burgers, 1 zesto)=73 (Didn't eat all burgers; 2 i handed over to the barangay tanods with me in the hall; just makng clear im not a bburger monster)
Internet=16
Total: P532

Day 5: Asik Asik Falls
Marlboro: 60
Coffee+Pandecoco: 16
Coffee+bread: 15
Habal: 550 (alamada-asik-Linungan)
Misc food at asik: 101 (me & habal driver)
Entrance: 35
Food at Libungan Term: 98 (me & habal driver)
Bus to Cotabato City: 50
Hotel Filipino in Cotabato City: 300
Cigarette: 45
Dinner at jollibee: 123 (missing Jollibee by now)
Prepaid Load: 50
Total: P1438

Day 6: Pagadian City
Fare from Cotabato City to Pagadian: 300
Dodol: 20
Suman: 10
Lansones: 25
Habal to town center from Integrated Bus Terminal: 30
Fan room at roxan hotel: 300
Coffee at roxan: 15
Sikad to Gaisano: 10
Nailcutter: 20
Sikad Gaisano to City hall: 10
Bbq: 10
Meal at Kamayan: 140
Latte at Bo's: 95
Misc hygiene: 26
Total: 1006

Day 7: Overnight in Panikian Island, Pitogo
breakfast: 40
Bread+coffee+load: 50
Fare to pitogo: 100
Misc food: 650
Total: P840

Day 8: Leave Panikian, sidetrip to Lakewood, and travel to Zamboanga
Boat: 1000
Fare: 100
Meal: 65
Bus to tubon: 25
Habal to resort: 40
Entrance: 50
Banana split at Lakewood: 45
Marlboro: 30
Habal back to Tubon terminal: 100
Food at terminal: 52
Fare tubon-zamboanga city (student fare): 265
Coffee+bread: 20
Habal: 60
Lodge: 150
Total: P2002

Day 9: Malamawi Beach, Lamitan Basilan, transit to Jolo, Sulu
Jeep from Lodge to Port: 8
Brekkie: 64
Terminal Fee: 10
Student Fare from Zamboanga to Basilan: 125
Load: 22
Tawid from Isabela City to Malamawi Island: 5
Habal: 100 (Special fare for single passenger; 2 passengers will be P50 each for back and forth ride).
Merienda: 30
Fare back to Zamboanga from Basilan: 125
Terminal fee in Isabela City: 4
Meal: 64
Fare to Jolo: 400 (used the same terminal fee ticket; instead of spending for lodge in Zamboanga, you might want to head to Jolo instead; it's a comfortable sleep with the ocean breeze in the ferry's upper deck).
Total: P957

Day 10: Quezon (Patikul) & Maugu Beach (Jolo), Capitol, Sports Complex, Pangasinan Island in Panglima Municipality, Badjao Stilts
Trike (Special): 300
Coffee: 12
Meal (Ginataan and some rice delicacy): 21
Yosi: 56
Meal : 228 (4 cuts fried chicken; 4 cuts chicken caldereta; mee goreng; 2 serves rice, and a softdrink for me and trike driver in BlueXXXX restaurant in Jolo Market)
Coffee: 18
Boat from fishport to Pangasinan Island: 350
Hotdog: 15
Bike from Stilts to Port: 15
Coffee: 22
Trike from Port to Sports Complex:30
Trike: 30
Lansones: 10
Misc food: 68
Ferry: 400
Total: 910

Day 11: Sta Cruz Island, Zamboanga, transit back to Pagadian
Meal: 26
Load: 50
Sta cruz Island: 288 (shared among 8; I joined a group of 7 in this trip; inclusive of a lot of crabs and tour of mangroves, cemetery, etc)
Cig+coffee: 55
Meal: 75
Fare: 8
Malong (pasalubongg): 200
Bus from Zamboanga to Pagadian: 295
Mealstop (banana bread 2 bbq hotdogs): 28
Water: 20
Trike from Pagadian Integrated Terminal to Town Center: 30
Roxan hotel: 300
Total: P1375

Day 12: Transit back to Cotabato City from Pagadian
Cigarette: 16
Misc: 54
Food: 55
Van to cotabato: 350
Meal stop: 30
Room at Hotel Filipino: 450
Meal: 225
Cig: 40
Fares: 76
Total: P1296








Day 13: Travel back to Manila
Jollibee: 65
Malongs (pasalubong): 425
Internet: 18
Fare: 15
Trike: 7
Load+coffee: 65
Terminal Fee: 85
Total: P680

Total Spending: P13,273. 


I was initially intending to spend only 7 thousand pesos for this trip; But, when I was in Asik asik falls and contemplating on the time I am comprimising versus budget, I thought my time was more valuable.. Also, especially in Pitogo, I thought it was but fair that I give back to the people who shared time for me. Besides, my average spend is P1000/day on my trips so my overall spending is just right for this solo (mostly) trip.

I managed to take a picture of the fares from Pagadian To Zamboanga

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