Maria Christina Falls, Iligan City

It's late 4pm and i just arrived in the city of Majestic waterfalls. The target is to visit all three waterfalls, but that's quite impossible at this hour.

It's a sunday. I thought about taking it to the lodging house to rest and do the waterfalling whole day next day. However, according to what I've read, the hydro plant releases the water dam during weekends. So.. There, i decided to catch it up while it's sunday.

From the bridge, i walked towards the NPC facility, til I reached the Natire Park marker. Paid the fees (including P10 x 5 for the shuttle since I am travelling alone).

I was at the shuttle an probably about 500meters more from the falls. The moment i saw the water, i just said wow. The volume was just enormous.

How to go to Maria Christina Falls

From Cagayan de Oro city; Cagayan de Oro has 2 bus terminals: The Agora terminal for eastside travels (butuan, surigao, davao, etc) and the Bulua terminal for westbound routes (iligan, dipolog, etc). From Bulua terminal, take a bus to Iligan. Aircon  Fare with Rural Bus is P75, and P85 for the more comfortable Super Five bus company. 

Fr Tambo integrated Bus Terminal, take jeep to city/'ciudad'. Ask to be dropped in the jeepneys for Buru-un. In the Buru-un jeep, pay P12 to 'Agos'. And ask to be dropped in Maria Christina Falls or the bridge in the picture.

Nature Park is open til 4pm only.

It's late 4pm and i just arrived in the city of Majestic waterfalls. The target is to visit all three waterfalls, but that's quite impossible at this hour.

It's a sunday. I thought about taking it to the lodging house to rest and do the waterfalling whole day next day. However, according to what I've read, the hydro plant releases the water dam during weekends. So.. There, i decided to catch it up while it's sunday.

From the bridge, i walked towards the NPC facility, til I reached the Natire Park marker. Paid the fees (including P10 x 5 for the shuttle since I am travelling alone).

I was at the shuttle an probably about 500meters more from the falls. The moment i saw the water, i just said wow. The volume was just enormous.

How to go to Maria Christina Falls

From Cagayan de Oro city; Cagayan de Oro has 2 bus terminals: The Agora terminal for eastside travels (butuan, surigao, davao, etc) and the Bulua terminal for westbound routes (iligan, dipolog, etc). From Bulua terminal, take a bus to Iligan. Aircon  Fare with Rural Bus is P75, and P85 for the more comfortable Super Five bus company. 

Fr Tambo integrated Bus Terminal, take jeep to city/'ciudad'. Ask to be dropped in the jeepneys for Buru-un. In the Buru-un jeep, pay P12 to 'Agos'. And ask to be dropped in Maria Christina Falls or the bridge in the picture.

Nature Park is open til 4pm only.

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Where I stayed in Pagadian City

When looking for accomodation during travels, i normally use the keywords INN or Pension house or lodging house or fan room on google; And when im presented with a list, i scroll past those that has the word hotel.

Upon arriving in Pagadian city, I looked for this backpacker lodge that I have found on the internet. Yet, the habal habal driver in the terminal did not know where it is. Instead, I asked to be dropped at the city center and possibly where I can find an accomodation for 200 pesos, which he did.

Meantime, before coming in to the transient house, I thought about getting my soap and shampoo first next to Roxan Hotel.

Since I was already close by, I chanced on checking their rates. They have a single room for P300. The facilities look clean and decent, and I thought it was OK spending 100 extra.

The room were clean, and mattress and pillow very smooth and comfortable. I ended up using the same hotel on my trip back to cotabato in this 13day southern mindanao trip. 

They also allow late check out of until 4pm for those coming in like midnight.

They also have affordable meals in the hotel, though I did not really try any.

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



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

When looking for accomodation during travels, i normally use the keywords INN or Pension house or lodging house or fan room on google; And when im presented with a list, i scroll past those that has the word hotel.

Upon arriving in Pagadian city, I looked for this backpacker lodge that I have found on the internet. Yet, the habal habal driver in the terminal did not know where it is. Instead, I asked to be dropped at the city center and possibly where I can find an accomodation for 200 pesos, which he did.

Meantime, before coming in to the transient house, I thought about getting my soap and shampoo first next to Roxan Hotel.

Since I was already close by, I chanced on checking their rates. They have a single room for P300. The facilities look clean and decent, and I thought it was OK spending 100 extra.

The room were clean, and mattress and pillow very smooth and comfortable. I ended up using the same hotel on my trip back to cotabato in this 13day southern mindanao trip. 

They also allow late check out of until 4pm for those coming in like midnight.

They also have affordable meals in the hotel, though I did not really try any.

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



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

Read More »

Where I ate in Butuan City

It is my second visit to this city, and no matter how I search, I can't seem to find any appetizing destination.

Meantime, I am starving since my almost missed flight, it's 3pm and have not had anything, not even coffee.

So.. My first stop in this 12day northern mindanao league, i dropped by Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora.

Many locals from my first visit in Butuan have mentioned this resto as a must for dining, so thought about trying it.

Their best sellers are the grilled chicken, but I thought about asking for a sweet and sour lapu lapu instead for P170.

Not the best sweet and sour, but probably one of the best they got here ;-)

It is my second visit to this city, and no matter how I search, I can't seem to find any appetizing destination.

Meantime, I am starving since my almost missed flight, it's 3pm and have not had anything, not even coffee.

So.. My first stop in this 12day northern mindanao league, i dropped by Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora.

Many locals from my first visit in Butuan have mentioned this resto as a must for dining, so thought about trying it.

Their best sellers are the grilled chicken, but I thought about asking for a sweet and sour lapu lapu instead for P170.

Not the best sweet and sour, but probably one of the best they got here ;-)

Read More »

From Batangas to Daranak Falls

Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal

It hasn’t been 10 minutes yet since I told myself to take some rest for this holiday when I received a txt message from a friend whom I have invited the night before. I was actually going to claim back what I said (about taking some rest instead), and with that SMS, I pulled my backpack, stuffed it with a few clothes and my snorkeling gears.



I am heading to Binukbok Viewpoint in Batangas. I walked out of the house, and took a cab. I am picking up my friend in Makati and heading straight to the bus station in Buendia.

Starving! So before taking the bus, I thought about doing a quick take out from Jollibee; But, even before my order is served, I got a call from the resort saying that the typhoon is impending and the waves are turning rough. Resort owner said they can’t allow us to do the snorkeling.

I pulled back from this plan, and I told my friend that we’ll go beach bum in Calatagan, Batangas instead. Good thing he does not care wherever I bring him to. Then again, there was no calatagan, nor nasugbu, nor tagaytay bound bus in the Area. We were asked to take a jeep to coastal mall where we’d get these buses.

I changed my mind again. I thought we can just go surf in Real, Quezon. So, instead of taking the jeep, we took the LRT to get to Legarda. It was past 9am when we got to the Raymond Bus station.

We sat and slept. Both haven’t had any sleep yet.

I was awoken at 11:30am at the assumption that we had taken a stopover; To my surprise, the bus hasn’t moved. It was almost noontime when we left.

Along the way, I was thinking of whether we should still push for the surf in Real. I thought it might be quite late by the time we arrive. So, there, I had to disscuss the alternative of Hiking Mt Romelo instead where we can also ssee buruwisan and lanzones falls.


Again, my behaved friend agreed. We went back to sleep.

It was almost 3pm and the view from outside still looks very much city like. We were just in Antipolo city. At this pace, by the time we get to the jump off point for Mt Romelo, it would have been nighttime and our snorkeling gears wont get us anywhere. Again, we had to reroute. I told Erwin, let’s head to Daranak Falls instead. We got off in Tanay, Rizal.

Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

1 serving of Buttered Shrimps in Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

1 serving of Ginataang Manok in Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

We’re craving for food. Our first stop was to a restaurant. After the restaurant, we finally got somewhere.. Daranak Falls!

Rock Balancing in Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal

Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

Rock balancing in Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

an attempt to do my own rock balancing in Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

How to get there:

1.       From Manila, take the Infanta bound buses from Raymond Bus Terminal in Legarda or you can also wait around Ortigas (Robinson’s Galleria). Most of the time though, the bus would have been full before reaching Ortigas so you risk standing in the bus, which might not be a very good idea considering the mountain terrain. Get off in Tanay Town Proper and from there, take a trike to Daranak falls. Average charge is P100-P150 per trike that can fit up to 4.

From the falls, the standard (local rate) charge to get to the town center is P20/head though tricycle driver would normally ask for P150.

Entrance to the falls is P20. Batlag falls is next to Daranak and is a notorious P100 additional.

Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal

It hasn’t been 10 minutes yet since I told myself to take some rest for this holiday when I received a txt message from a friend whom I have invited the night before. I was actually going to claim back what I said (about taking some rest instead), and with that SMS, I pulled my backpack, stuffed it with a few clothes and my snorkeling gears.



I am heading to Binukbok Viewpoint in Batangas. I walked out of the house, and took a cab. I am picking up my friend in Makati and heading straight to the bus station in Buendia.

Starving! So before taking the bus, I thought about doing a quick take out from Jollibee; But, even before my order is served, I got a call from the resort saying that the typhoon is impending and the waves are turning rough. Resort owner said they can’t allow us to do the snorkeling.

I pulled back from this plan, and I told my friend that we’ll go beach bum in Calatagan, Batangas instead. Good thing he does not care wherever I bring him to. Then again, there was no calatagan, nor nasugbu, nor tagaytay bound bus in the Area. We were asked to take a jeep to coastal mall where we’d get these buses.

I changed my mind again. I thought we can just go surf in Real, Quezon. So, instead of taking the jeep, we took the LRT to get to Legarda. It was past 9am when we got to the Raymond Bus station.

We sat and slept. Both haven’t had any sleep yet.

I was awoken at 11:30am at the assumption that we had taken a stopover; To my surprise, the bus hasn’t moved. It was almost noontime when we left.

Along the way, I was thinking of whether we should still push for the surf in Real. I thought it might be quite late by the time we arrive. So, there, I had to disscuss the alternative of Hiking Mt Romelo instead where we can also ssee buruwisan and lanzones falls.


Again, my behaved friend agreed. We went back to sleep.

It was almost 3pm and the view from outside still looks very much city like. We were just in Antipolo city. At this pace, by the time we get to the jump off point for Mt Romelo, it would have been nighttime and our snorkeling gears wont get us anywhere. Again, we had to reroute. I told Erwin, let’s head to Daranak Falls instead. We got off in Tanay, Rizal.

Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

1 serving of Buttered Shrimps in Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

1 serving of Ginataang Manok in Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay Rizal

We’re craving for food. Our first stop was to a restaurant. After the restaurant, we finally got somewhere.. Daranak Falls!

Rock Balancing in Daranak Falls, Tanay, Rizal

Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

Rock balancing in Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

an attempt to do my own rock balancing in Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal

How to get there:

1.       From Manila, take the Infanta bound buses from Raymond Bus Terminal in Legarda or you can also wait around Ortigas (Robinson’s Galleria). Most of the time though, the bus would have been full before reaching Ortigas so you risk standing in the bus, which might not be a very good idea considering the mountain terrain. Get off in Tanay Town Proper and from there, take a trike to Daranak falls. Average charge is P100-P150 per trike that can fit up to 4.

From the falls, the standard (local rate) charge to get to the town center is P20/head though tricycle driver would normally ask for P150.

Entrance to the falls is P20. Batlag falls is next to Daranak and is a notorious P100 additional.

Read More »

Overnight in Zamboanga: aftermath

It was supposed to be a trip to Tawi-Tawi.

 I have booked the ticket more than a year ago, along with 3 others, but a month before the trip, a war between the Moro Liberalist and government has fired up leaving the city in distress and affected residents camping out at evacuation centers in the boulevard, and convention centers.

A week before the trip, the flights to zamboanga have been resumed. Two days before the trip, i have called the tawi tawi tourism to get some info about my itinerary, and was told that the tawi tawi trips from zamboanga are on hold. It was not a good news. I wasn't getting any notice from cebu pacific as their notices normally come a day before. So, there it is, I went to work on friday bringing my bag of clothes not knowing where to go. There's also a strong typhoon around luzon, plying, at the interim, the bicol region and will be cruising the rest of the luzon area for the weekend. 

I was thinking of just bumming on a closed cottage next to the beach anywhere close, but the winds make it too risky for land travel (plus the expected flooding along the way to my possible destination).

The Zam-MLa flight has been rescheduled so I have the option of choosing the date I want. I decided to fly to zamboanga instead (rather than ranting on my boredom out of the rain).

The flight was at 5:45am; no cancellations nor delays. Yet, that has been the wobbliest flight i've flown. The fasten seatbelt sign has been lit for the longest time I've seen. Upon reaching the airport, the plane had to make several attempts at landing. First two were failed; the rain has impaired the visibility of the runway.

It was after more than an hour later than our scheduled arrival that we touched down zamboanga.

I am starving and I immediately took a jeep to town where I plan to have breakfast at this chinese owned carinderia near the BPI bldg in Pilar.

I passed by the municipality. It was decorated, and praise songs playing loudly. The Philippine flag waving to its sovereignty..

Zamboanga City Municipal Hall

Zamboanga City Municipal Hall

It was almost 10am and it's still closed; not sure if it were because of the fiesta, or because of the security situation in town. None of those people around could tell.

Meantime, TSOKOLATE is the only stall open that i can grab anything to eat so I walked in and had my breakfast.

TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

Food in TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

After the breakfast, i walked towards Fort Pilar. People paying visits to the shrine while checkpoints and a thick group of military an policemen look around. I walked inside the fort to see what's inside.

Shrine in Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City

After fort pilar, i asked an army guy for directions towards ground zero. While he showed me which way togo, he said I willnot be allowed to get in, for security purposes.

From the check point though, you could see the schoolbuilding dredged in hits of stray bullets; and i am just on the border of the warzone. I couldn't imagine how it is inside.

entry to Sta Barbara in Zamboanga City; Site of the recent war

Ian Limbonis behind an army truck near Zamboanga Port in Zamboanga City

From my distance though, i could see how wrecked the establishments were... Burnt to ashes. 

I tried to get in, making every excuse and negotiations possible, but i could tell there's no way they'd let me. Some residents (and locals) asked permission too, but were not allowed either.

Wajiit (delicacy made of rice and sugar) and Kahwa (native coffee)

After a visit to Sta Barbara war site, I walked to the boulevard to check out the vintas (and the evacuees).

The center island of the road has also turned into shelter. It rained the night before and I feel bad for these people enduring the cold and wet weather

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Ian Limbonis with some badjao evacuees in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Some badjao evacuees in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

After boulevard, I decided to check in at Atilano's to have anap. The afternoon later, I went out to have an early dinner at Family fried chicken. There was no choice but to get back in the room too as establishments close earlier than usual, just as much as transport.

Food in Tsokolate in Zamboanga City

The next day, i decided to back to manila.

Entry to the airport in Zamboanga City

It was supposed to be a trip to Tawi-Tawi.

 I have booked the ticket more than a year ago, along with 3 others, but a month before the trip, a war between the Moro Liberalist and government has fired up leaving the city in distress and affected residents camping out at evacuation centers in the boulevard, and convention centers.

A week before the trip, the flights to zamboanga have been resumed. Two days before the trip, i have called the tawi tawi tourism to get some info about my itinerary, and was told that the tawi tawi trips from zamboanga are on hold. It was not a good news. I wasn't getting any notice from cebu pacific as their notices normally come a day before. So, there it is, I went to work on friday bringing my bag of clothes not knowing where to go. There's also a strong typhoon around luzon, plying, at the interim, the bicol region and will be cruising the rest of the luzon area for the weekend. 

I was thinking of just bumming on a closed cottage next to the beach anywhere close, but the winds make it too risky for land travel (plus the expected flooding along the way to my possible destination).

The Zam-MLa flight has been rescheduled so I have the option of choosing the date I want. I decided to fly to zamboanga instead (rather than ranting on my boredom out of the rain).

The flight was at 5:45am; no cancellations nor delays. Yet, that has been the wobbliest flight i've flown. The fasten seatbelt sign has been lit for the longest time I've seen. Upon reaching the airport, the plane had to make several attempts at landing. First two were failed; the rain has impaired the visibility of the runway.

It was after more than an hour later than our scheduled arrival that we touched down zamboanga.

I am starving and I immediately took a jeep to town where I plan to have breakfast at this chinese owned carinderia near the BPI bldg in Pilar.

I passed by the municipality. It was decorated, and praise songs playing loudly. The Philippine flag waving to its sovereignty..

Zamboanga City Municipal Hall

Zamboanga City Municipal Hall

It was almost 10am and it's still closed; not sure if it were because of the fiesta, or because of the security situation in town. None of those people around could tell.

Meantime, TSOKOLATE is the only stall open that i can grab anything to eat so I walked in and had my breakfast.

TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

Food in TSOKOLATE in Zamboanga City 

After the breakfast, i walked towards Fort Pilar. People paying visits to the shrine while checkpoints and a thick group of military an policemen look around. I walked inside the fort to see what's inside.

Shrine in Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City

After fort pilar, i asked an army guy for directions towards ground zero. While he showed me which way togo, he said I willnot be allowed to get in, for security purposes.

From the check point though, you could see the schoolbuilding dredged in hits of stray bullets; and i am just on the border of the warzone. I couldn't imagine how it is inside.

entry to Sta Barbara in Zamboanga City; Site of the recent war

Ian Limbonis behind an army truck near Zamboanga Port in Zamboanga City

From my distance though, i could see how wrecked the establishments were... Burnt to ashes. 

I tried to get in, making every excuse and negotiations possible, but i could tell there's no way they'd let me. Some residents (and locals) asked permission too, but were not allowed either.

Wajiit (delicacy made of rice and sugar) and Kahwa (native coffee)

After a visit to Sta Barbara war site, I walked to the boulevard to check out the vintas (and the evacuees).

The center island of the road has also turned into shelter. It rained the night before and I feel bad for these people enduring the cold and wet weather

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Evacuation Center in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Ian Limbonis with some badjao evacuees in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

Some badjao evacuees in the boulevard in Zamboanga City

After boulevard, I decided to check in at Atilano's to have anap. The afternoon later, I went out to have an early dinner at Family fried chicken. There was no choice but to get back in the room too as establishments close earlier than usual, just as much as transport.

Food in Tsokolate in Zamboanga City

The next day, i decided to back to manila.

Entry to the airport in Zamboanga City

Read More »