Palawan: The Country's Last Frontier

The Philippines, touted to be the “Pearl of the Orient Seas,” has more than 7,000 islands.  More than a thousand of these can be found in Palawan, situated in the southwest part of the country. “Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines,” writes Conrado M. Lancion, Jr. in his book, Fast Facts About Philippine Provinces.  “Stretching 650 kilometers from tip to tip, it is composed of 1,780 islands and islets.” Its three major island groups are Calamian in the north, Dumaran-Cuyo in the northeast, and Balabac-Bugsok in the south.  The main island is 425 kilometers long.  It...

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The Threats And Treats of Camiguin

The name “Camiguin” is derived from the native word kamagong, a tree of the Ebony family that thrives near Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte. The original inhabitants of Camiguin were Manobos, who migrated from Surigao. The old native language in Camiguin is called “Kinamiguin,” which is similar to the dialect spoken in Surigao.   “Camiguin is an island of prime treats and primal threats.”  That was what the brochure said of island-province, which is approximately 90 kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro City.  In a way, that was I discovered during my recent visit to the island that was once part of Misamis Oriental. For one,...

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Wildlife Encounter And Thrill Adventers in Davao

Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio Davao has always been known for its fruits: the controversial durian, the seedless pomelo and the exotic mangosteen. But over the years, it has gained popularity as one of the country’s top destinations for its environment-friendly attractions like Philippine Eagle Center and the Malagos Orchid Farm. Philippine eagles and orchids are understandable; they are part of Davao’s unique locale.  But what about Philippine crocodiles?  Sure, they are found only in the country but today, they are on the verge of extinction.  In one of the episodes of National Geographic’s “Dangerous Encounters,”...

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Discovering The Placid Lake Sebu

Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio Additional Photos by James Michael N. Montaño “Lake Sebu is a beautiful inland sea on the island of Mindanao and is nested into the southern highlands at an altitude of almost 300 meters (984 feet). Lake Sebu is surrounded by rolling hills and forested mountains and is home to the T’boli, a highland tribe famous for their colorful costumes, intricate beadwork, woven work and brass ornaments.” That was the impression of an American who visited the place some years back. But that’s going ahead of the story. Located in South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is often dubbed the “summer capital of Southern Philippines”...

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Philippine Eagle Center: Home To World's Noblest Flier

“For me, the highlight of my Davao trip was a visit to the Philippine Eagle Center,” wrote a Cebuano journalist after he returned home.  “The drive, although a bit far, was worth it after seeing the majestic creature.” Visitors, both foreigners and locals, who come to Davao City for the first time, are almost always attracted to the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan.  Some 30 kilometers northwest and about an hour’s ride from downtown Davao, the center is the transient home of the Philippine eagle. Here, visitors can see more than a dozen eagles, some of which were rescued after they were trapped or shot. Thirty-two birds...

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