Destination Diary: Back in Onse Islas + New Places Discovered

Now I can say that Onse Islas in Panubigan, Zamboanga City doesn’t fail to impress me.

Only an hour’s ride away at a steady pace in C’s Chevrolet Spark, I was curious to see Onse Islas again after a year. Last year we were island hopping and it was the soft opening as the LGU re-opened the group of islands to visitors after having protocols installed in place.

This weekend, we joined my cousin’s group as we discovered new corners that I haven’t been to before, this time with a different route, starting from Sirommon, stopping for a moment in Baung-Baung and ending the tour in Bisaya-Bisaya island. What makes this particular trip interesting is the visit to Playa de Isabelle and the hike atop Baung-Baung island to view Bisaya-Bisaya in a distance.

Another thing to note is that I immensely enjoyed the meal prepared by our guide in Sirommon island consisting of fresh lambay also known as kasag or crabs, and freshly harvested coconut, where we got to drink the juice and scrape off the meat for a hearty finish. Because we were so busy eating with our hands, none of us remembered to take photos of our fresh feast by the shore.

Even if I forgot my rash guard at home due to uncontained excitement and also there were doubts prior to sailing to the islands because of the fear of bad weather, the day kept surprising us with random sprinkles of rain, but nothing to be alarmed about.

There are two new places for me in Onse Islas, the first one is….

Playa de Isabelle

It’s a quick walk to Playa de Isabelle, just be careful not to step on slippery surfaces.

I’m someone who easily falls with bad balancing skills but with some slow pacing and careful footing, we made it to Playa de Isabelle. It’s the other side of Sirommon island and looks like a long-forgotten pier reached its weathering limits.

Took a few photos with C (my most favorite is the one lying on the sand) and I personally didn’t bother crossing the mangroves to reach the weathered port. A few photos and videos here and there and that was enough for me.

And the second place I want to share with you is…

Baung-Baung Hill

It’s on another island, which involves another quick boat ride to sprint onto Baung-Baung. Visitors should get ready for a steep hike, so a lot of breaks are encouraged until the summit is reached. It was no sweat for our guide but it took us a while though. The view is like something I’ve never seen, as it was rewarding enough for that hike.

Luckily I was bringing my Granite Gear backpack and Thermoflask with me. I honestly didn’t mind the weight. We took a few photos and videos, I jokingly told the group to take a jump shot there.

After touching base in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Carl and I decided to stay behind while the others went on to visit the natural infinity pool. Having been there before, we decided to take a quick nap.

Two new experiences for me on a Sunday, spent with C and some fun company, plus all we did is eat and burn off those calories. It’s more memories to be cherished Onse Islas.

Reminders

•    It’s a Muslim community, so visitors are advised to respect people living in the area.

•  The LGU is strictly imposing a no garbage policy, so please be responsible in disposing your trash properly. Do not leave anything behind. 

Other Relevant Links: 

Quick Guide to Onse Islas, Panubigan, Zamboanga City 

Destination Diary: Sta. Cruz Island + Things to Do

Review: Granite Gear Echo Backpack in Verb Petal

Note: All input are based on my personal experiences in Onse Islas (Eleven Islands). Our group made arrangements prior to the island hopping date. This is not a sponsored post. 

*Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy A50.

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Destination Diary: Sta. Cruz Island

Being Zamboangueno, I can’t help feeling a bit proud to say that we live next to one of National Geographic’s 21 Best Beaches in the World.

Of all the beaches in the Philippines as well as the planet, our very own Sta. Cruz Island made it to the shortlist of the Top 21. It landed a sweet spot in the 15^th, not bad for being there with the other gorgeous beaches from England, Seychelles, Cambodia and even North Carolina.

Because of the crushed red corals mixed in with the fine, powder white sand, the beach from afar reflects a pink tint and is widely dramatic come sunset. It’s only one of a handful pink, sand beaches in the country, and for someone living in Zamboanga, I can’t express how lucky we were to be invited to spend the night there summer of this year. I invited Michelle to come along and on such short notice, she agreed.

Overnight Stay in the Village

We’ve always talked about coming over for a while now. I’ve visited before, but my day trips were always limited to the swimming area. Spending the night meant seeing the village and cruising through the lagoon. On a long weekend, we finally met up with our former boss who is enjoying retirement life and then hopped on a short boat ride and headed straight to the village.

One advantage is that our former division chief has a home in the village, which she generously allowed us to stay in. together with her family and friends from work, we occupied their house and had a hearty lunch right in front of the beautiful shores of the island.

After lunch, we went on a visit to the lagoon where we rode on yellow boats and experienced leisurely rowing around, looking at lazy jellyfish, standing on sandbars and spotting blue starfish, bats and sea grapes which I reminiscingly called “small grapes” when I was younger. Locally, they are known as latu.

No starfish were harmed in the capture of this photo

Sandbar in the lagoon on a low tide

Sea grapes from the lagoon are a rich source of iodine

After our lagoon cruise, we went on a stroll to the only village school for a short while amidst the white sand all over the island. The locals were surprised to see a group of “mainlanders” walking about, but we were told that most of the villagers are related, so that makes them one big family in a way.

Michelle's New Career

 

After dinner that night, we were sitting on the shore, looking at the city with its lights. We could hear the sounds from Paseo del Mar and the gentle breeze from the ocean was slightly humid. Some of our companions brought a tent and camped outside right there on the shore, while we occupied the floor of the house’s living room.

View of Zamboanga City from Sta. Cruz's Shores 

While on the island, we got to experience the unplugged life, although there was cellular signal for communication, we got to see that most villagers relied on solar powered lamps and drinking water was a scarcity. With the help of motorboats, almost anything from the city can be delivered to the villagers at any time of the day.

The Swimming Area

The next morning, we headed on to the swimming area after breakfast, which was swarming with tourists and visitors because it was summer. Here’s where we played the board game that I brought, Monopoly Ultimate Baking, where I eventually lost to my friends.

Accessories for sale are somewhat a cottage industry on the island

Swimming Area features the I Love Zamboanga standee

Monopoly Ultimate Banking

After our quick and simple lunch, we paid a quick visit to the sandbar (which only shows up during low tide) and then finally docked back in the boulevard as we concluded our overnight stay.

Clarifications

To answer a few questions, the swimming area is the only portion where tourists are allowed to spend the day and is managed by the City Tourism Office. Only a limited number of visitors is allowed to regulate the ecosystem of the island.

We were invited by the family already living on the island for an overnight stay so arrangements were made months before we departed for the island.

To be honest, I consider myself lucky to have this story to share, because not a lot of visitors get to spend the night on the island unless they were born there or have stayed as a local all their life. But what makes this experience special is that it’s spent with good friends on one of National Geographic’s 21 Best Beaches in the World.  

Destination Diary: Camiguin

For Holy Week 2018, we left Zamboanga early morning and hit the road to Cagayan de Oro to spend the days in Camiguin. Knowing my family, anything that has to do with simple island life is a yes. Luckily we had relatives in Camiguin so we saved on accommodations and had help securing a vehicle for rent to get around the island.

Camiguin is enchanting. There are natural springs all over the island, with raging but beautiful waterfalls, lovely white-sand beaches and yet there are two volcanoes watching over its landscape, showing themselves every once in a while, from the clouds. What interests me is that the island can be circled in just a day with a rented vehicle.

Staying in a bahay kubo owned by our relatives, I for one, am grateful to have experienced island life during a time meant for reflection and gratitude. Here, I learned the word Panaad, which many of the island’s visitors were doing during Holy Week. And I’m reminded that it’s long weekends like these that are meant for slowing down, reflection and to spend time with family. There’s a Filipino tradition that they call bisita Inglesia during Holy Week, but in Camiguin, do old church ruins and sunken cemeteries also count?

Our beautiful bahay kubo in front of the beach and my view from the balcony

How to Get There

There are two options to take the ferries, depending on which port you’re closest to. There are two types of ferries. The fast craft leaves from Opol and heads to Balbagon Port in Camiguin which takes about 4 hours, leaving at 9:00 PM and then arrives in Camiguin shortly after midnight. On the other hand, the ferry from Benoni in Camiguin docks in Balingoan in Misamis Oriental which takes about an hour and a half and vice versa but also takes another hour from Balingoan by van to Cugman where were staying with also our relatives the Hojases in Cagayan de Oro.

One way to get around the island is to rent a multicab for four (?) 

While in Camiguin, we rented a vehicle to get around the island, with the help of our relatives who were from Mambajao. But my cousin who was used to driving around and has been to Camiguin countless times, took the car by RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ferry. We even met other visitors of the island who came from Butuan and used dirt-bikes to explore the island during the Holy Week season.

Zamboangueno meets motorela in Camiguin

Camiguin is perfect for those who want to slow down and experience island life. I loved that experience of going to the market and introducing the motorela to C, it’s one of the popular ways to get around the island. In fact, I saw a foreign girl hire a motorela driver to take her to the popular attractions and she got to enjoy going around the island like a local. 

Arden Hot Springs, Camiguin

Dip Into Ardent Natural Hot Springs

I’ve been thinking about this for as long as I can remember. Along with the Sunken Cemetery, this is highly associated with the island. It’s a natural hot spring and there are huts along the springs for picnics. While we were there, some repainting was going on. I like that it’s great for relaxation and just dipping in hot, natural water that’s just free-flowing. But when it’s time for a shower, boy oh boy does it ever chill…

Sunrise in Naked White Island, Camiguin

Witness Sunrise in The Naked Island

…Is actually a sandbar.

One needs to get up early to beat the heat, it’s not good to let noon reach you here because it’s a sandbar that’s just bare. It’s good to see the greater island of Camiguin from a distance, and as the day goes further, more and more visitors dock to the sandbar. Food and drinks are allowed, and if you forgot your goggles, there’s a tent that can rent you a pair. There’s also first aid available just in case.

Boats are rented for your party to the sandbar, and for souvenirs and food, there are stalls just where the boat rentals are located. We were happy to have fresh Pastel de Camiguin from the bakery itself which started decades ago while watching the sun rise. After which, we headed on to….  

Soda Springs, Camiguin

Dip Into Soda Springs

To the likeness of soda, the water from the springs are caused by the presence of small amounts of sulfur, and standing on the edge of the pool, the source can be seen where bubbles come from. The soda springs have a lot of patrons because accordingly, the waters can do wonders to the skin. Of course, we took advantage, swimming and diving in the cold bubbly water, it felt like swimming in colorless soda. There’s a restaurant beside the pool that offers to cook food for your group and what Pinoy family doesn’t enjoy eating with hands on a picnic, hmm?

Tuasan Falls, Camiguin

Pay A Visit to the Raging Beauty That Is Tuasan Falls

Now this one is undeniably a beauty. It’s already quite accessible because of a road recently constructed for her visitors. She rages, and yet she’s quite a gem up there in the mountains. People are allowed to have picnics in Tuasan Falls but it’s being closely watched and people are not allowed to get close to the falls. Stay safe and always heed to rules and regulations, but anyone can easily admire her from a distance.

Camiguin Bee Farm

Enjoy A Healthy Cup of Coffee In Camiguin Bee Farm

Looking at the coffee selection here, it’s a prime destination for conscious, health-junkies to experience home-grown food being served with pride. We took a break from roaming around the island and stopped by to enjoy ice cream and coffee. It’s a bee farm in the island of Camiguin and it also sells honey and coffee.

I got a taste of the bullet coffee and the dragonfruit ice cream, just to see how different it tastes from the one I had in Ilocos also on vacation some time ago.

Dragonfruit and Mango Ice Cream, Camiguin Bee Farm

Americano and Bullet Coffee, Camiguin Bee Farm

Old Church Ruins, Camiguin

Visit The Old Catarman Church Ruins

Part of Camiguin’s charm is its history. Having a group of people survive on an island at the mercy of two volcanoes is not something to shrug off. Looking at the old Catarman Church Ruins, it makes one wonder what happened. But despite pre-technology, some of the church’s stones are still standing after all these years.

Catarman Old Church Ruins, Camiguin

Boat All The Way to the Cruz Mayor In The Sunken Cemetery

There’s a Filipino horror movie that was filmed about three sisters who play the Ouija board, and eerily, the setting is against the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin. Everybody knows that the giant cross in the middle is the Cruz Mayor and that there are sunken tombs down there. Ever since I was younger I’ve had visions of souls under the water just waiting for innocent visitors to pounce on them, we even made up jokes about it for those visiting Camiguin. It’s just something associated with the island itself, you know?

But the years have turned it into a diving destination because the boatmen there say that there are a lot of corals and fishes which chose to make the cemetery their home together with the already nameless tombs that are sinking deeper and deeper.

Should you wish to visit the Sunken Cemetery, there are boatmen who will take you for only Php 100, and with the number of visitors, they have learned a thing or two of taking fun and memorable photos. Souvenir shops align the entrance to the balcony of the Sunken Cemetery. 

Sunken Cemetery, Camiguin

Mantigue Island, Camiguin

Spend A Day In Mantigue Island

How lucky are we to live in a bahay kubo right in front of the beach which is less than just a kilometer of a boat ride to Mantigue Island? Very lucky indeed.

Mantigue Island left me speechless. It’s one of the paradises in the Philippines that’s clean and well-maintained. Who can ever resist powder, white sand and clear, blue waters plus a view of Camiguin’s volcanoes from a distance?

From a series of visits to waterfalls, beaches and springs, this has got to be the proper dessert to capping off Panaad in Camiguin. 

What better way to admire Camiguin but from the shores of Mantigue Island?

The other side of Mantigue Island

Yeah, it's not difficult to fall in love with Mantigue Island

On the shores of Mantigue Island, Camiguin

Restaurant by the Lagoon

Camiguin is a beautiful and rich island. The best way to punctuate one’s visit is to enjoy a scrumptious meal at the Restaurant by the Lagoon. And what’s to enjoy there? Fresh catch of course, kamay-kamayan style if possible.

Sunset by the Lagooon

In summation, I’m already missing the quiet island life that Camiguin has to offer. It’s leisurely, simple and just what I need to unplug together with my loved ones. We’ve already talked about going back the same time next year purposefully for the Soda Springs and for Panaad once more, and in the beautiful bahay kubo that became our humble home for the duration of our stay in the enchanting island of Camiguin.

Panaad 2018, Camiguin Island, Philippines

Until next time Camiguin.