Mt. Kitanglad Bukidnon Philippines

Photo taken from pbase.com by Bobby Timonera

Mt. Kitanglad is known to be the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines and has an approximate height of 2899 meters. It is actually a dormant volcano and it's a famous destination for the Filipino mountain climbers.

I've been there once with my father, brother and family friends. I couldn't really remember much since I was only 11 years old at that time. Even though it took us hours to get to the middle of the mountain but it was a fun experience for me. Hiking up and seeing the beautiful birds and butterflies, hearing some streams and seeing nature at it's best.

We brought our camping tents, cooking utensils, food and other necessary things. If I'm not mistaken we stayed there for a night. My brother and friends even attempted to go up to the peak, so we climbed up but then when we were halfway, we realized that we were not really prepared to go on top since we didn't bring enough food and water. So, we went back to our 'base'.

That was indeed a great experience for an eleven year old girl, sleeping underneath all 'big' stars in a very cold night. When we woke up in the morning, the fog was so thick and I remember drinking the native coffee which was made from corn.

Mt. Kitanglad... I wonder if I could ever go back there again.

My Favorite Places #2 - White Island

The White Island of Camiguin ranks the 2nd of my favorite places. The White Island or Medan Island as known to a few is a very small, isolated island. Its shape can be changed depending on the tide. It's just a white sand bar without trees, huts or anything. It's a plain island surrounded by the sea with the view of Mt Hibok-hibok and the mainland nearby. That's what makes the place simply beautiful.

If you go to during the off-peak season ( like we did), then most probably there'll just a handful of people on the island. Everything will be so quiet and still except the rushing of the waves and the beat of your heart amidst the turquoise sea and the greenness of the mainland you could see from afar. The experience is just awesome!

My Favorite Places #1 - Tinago Falls

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One of the most beautiful waterfalls that I've ever seen is found in Iligan City, Philippines. It's no other than the Tinago Falls, which means Hidden Falls. Yes, it is truly hidden in a deep ravine and one has to descend about 500 steps called the winding staircase to reach the foot of the waterfalls. But, once you get there, you won't regret it even if you're already panting and out of breath from exhaustion. The water cascading the the mountains is just beauty to behold and the deep blue color of the water is just refreshing. Indeed, an ideal place for rest and reflection.

I've been to Tinago Falls 3 times ( if I remember right) and everytime I descend down and hear the sound of the waterfalls, my heart just beats fast anticipating the beauty that will be seen in a few moments time..and then everytime I get the first glimpse of the falls, I never fail to just stop, be amazed and appreciate God's majestic creation. I'm not exaggerating, it's really VERY beautiful!..If only I'm good with words then I'll be able to give justice to the beauty of the falls with my description . But I'm not, so all I could do is describe it in my own way and convince you to go and see for yourself.

When we go back home, I'll surely show this beauty to my HUbby who hasn't been there before.

Culture Shock- Philippines

For those who don't know. I'm a Filipina, married to a Malaysian. Even if we're an Asian couple but there are still a lot of cultural differences between me and my dear husband. So, when my DH stayed in the Philippines for 4 months for a training, he together with our Norwegian classmate experienced some culture shocks. Here are bits and pieces of those 'shocks' they had. Not major culture shocks though, but some are quite amusing. All these are based on their observation, it may be true to all or not. So, no objections from fellow Pinoys please..hhehehe!

1) Filipinos point things or directions using the lips. Ask a Filipino, ( especially those whose hands are full) where the toilet is, and instead of pointing with their point finger, they point with their (puckered) lips matched with a head movement, " The CR ( our term for toilet , a short cut for Comfort Room) is there!" The first time our Norwegian friend saw this, he couldn't believe what he saw and thought the girl, wanted a kiss..hahahah!!

2) Filipinos say YES with our eyebrows. Try this! Move both your eyebrows , up and down, two times. Yes, that it..that's how we say Yes at times. When you ask someone, 'Have you eaten your breakfast yet?'..and then you won't hear a "yes" reply but when you look at the person asked, for sure his/her eyebrows have moved up and down with a little nod on the head. For some non-Filipinos, they would think that we are being flirty with them..

3) Inside the lift, bus or jeepney, Filipinos talk openly, laugh and share jokes in the presence of everyone. There are even times that when a joke is shared between friends inside the jeepney, the other passengers also laugh when the punchline has been said :) In other countries, once they're in the lift or public transport people seldom talk and when they do they whisper and not talk openly as do. So, the lifts/elevators are mostly dead silent even with a lot of people inside.

4) Filipinos cook and eat their fish with its head and tail intact. This was one major shock for our Norwegian friend and the more he got shock when everyone was fighting over who gets to eat the fish head. He said, only cats eat the fish head/tail in their country. But at the end, he also liked eating the fish head.

5) Psssstttttt.........Psssssssssssttttttt... That's how we call each other , our friends and family. In my Hubby's country it's impolite to call anyone like this. So it was a shock for him to hear everyone calling each other with a Psssst!!

That's all that I could think of now..I'll ask more from my Hubby and be updating this later..:)

What about you? Do you have any "culture shock' items that you want to add? Feel free to comment and I'll it up here too. Thanks!

Cagayan de Oro Here We Come!

Photo by Rex Tapungot

I'm just so excited to go back home..It's still several months away but I always tell my Li'l girl, ' We're almost going to the Philippines! '. I'm excited because, of course my family is there and this time we'll be staying for a longer period of time. That means, if we really plan well, we'll be able to visit a lot of places and do a lot of exciting things. Excting? you'll know why..read on.


I'm really 'determined' to show my HUbby the beauty of our beloved city since he hasn't really explored every nook and corner of it since we usually just go there for a short visit.


So, here is my list of things to do and places to visit in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City.


1) First stop..HOME- YEs, there;s no place like home. We live just near the river and it's so refreshing to hear the constant sound of the rushing water and the chirping of the birds in the morning. When ever we're home, it always feel like we're on a holiday since the surrounding is just tranquil and serene. Surely, a great place to rest.




2) White Water Rafting in Cagayan River- It's the same river that connects from the place where they have the white water rafting to our house. I haven't done this yet but would really love to try. This will truly be an awesome adventure, just looking at the pictures will make your adrenaline rush. :)

Photos by Rex Tapungot

3) Canopy Walk at Claveria through a suspended bridge at the middle of the woods that is 120 ft from the ground. I'm sorry but as for now all I could to is to show you the pictures since I couldn't describe it real well yet as I haven't gone to the place.



4) Visit ECO Village in Malasag. This has only been the 'tourist' place during the time when I was staying in my hometown..I'm glad that there are more places to go now like no. 2 and 3. Anyways, the Eco village, is situated on a hill (overlooking the northern protion of Cagayan de Oro) and this exhibits the different tribes and cultures of Misamis Oriental through showing their houses, way of living and etc. As I remember there's also a butterfly garden, an aviary and chalets here.


So, here are the four major things I want my HUbby to experience while in my City. I heard there's an Ostrich farm in Opol too. So, I better take my kids there and let them see. For me, I'm contented to eat my favorite Buko Halo and Chiken inato' at Jo's Chicken Inato', buy the lechon manok ( roasted chicken) at The Barn, buy 2nd hand clothes at Agora Ukay-ukay and Night Cafe' and eat some delicious cakes at Blueberry Cafe'. :)

OK. I better go to sleep now and dream about all these..:)

Travelling the Philippines

I've been tagged my Ate Bernadeth and Janet. Thanks!

Show me how much of the Philippines have you travelled? Add your links here:1) mind bubbles, 2) may, 3) VANITY KIT 4) SOMETHING PURPLE, 5.) A DETOUR, 6) Big Eyed Gal, 7)The Chronic Shopper, 8) Free IT and Blogger's EBook, 9) Ness 10) Mica 11) Bernadeth 12. Bernisaac13. expressions and thoughts 14. our family story 15. Budget Traveller 16. Your Next!

Now I'm curious to know about you Maya, Portia and Tere.

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.



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I was quite disappointed with my grade. I thought I'd get a B, since I considered that I've been around in quite a lot of places due to my work several years ago. But then, I realized that indeed, I haven't travelled Philippines that much, see the white spaces on top and on the left side?

There are still a lot of places I want to go like Palawan, Ilocos, Aklan, Sorsogon and a lot more!