Cebu Tops

City lights start to become bright at around 6pm, which is the perfect time to go to Cebu Tops. Lovers, friends and family gather in the ‘viewing deck’ mostly an hour before night time to see the sunset and the turning on of the city lights. Tables, chairs and small cubicles for dining (and dating) can be used inside Cebu Tops.

An entrance fee of P100 per person is collected if you go inside the viewing deck. Drivers may opt to stay in the parking area without any fee. There’s also a bell believed to bring good luck and charm to the one who bangs it.

Cebu Tops is about 30 minutes from JY Square Mall in Lahug. The best option is to use your own vehicle. Just be sure to condition it so it can manage to climb the steep slopes. Hiring a taxi may be expensive at around P500-P800 (two-way) but still a good option. Another is hiring a motorcycle-for-hire but safety is a bit compromised and if you stay late you might not find another motorcycle-for-hire in this secluded place.

The MTC Academy and MT-STAT Staff

A two hour trip from the Center of Cebu, Barili is a third class municipality in the Province of Cebu in the Philippines. It’s population is only around 60000 and is  located 61 kilometers southwest of the main City. Barili produces good rice, corn, bananas and coconuts. The word Barili came from the name of a local grass called balili and the municipality was founded in the 1632.

Palalong, Barili Rest Area

One cool part of the municipality is Palalong. The best place for a stopover. The group stayed at the place for more than an hour because of its amazing spot. The view of the Island of Cebu is very vivid. You can really feel the fresh air and the very clean environment. A lot of houses are in the bay area and fishing is one of the livelihood here.

Cebu Island View

Palalong has its own restaurant that offers fresh foods which includes, fresh fish, chicken, fried rice, bicol express and a lot more. So the waiting time for the food to be served is longer compared to fastfoods. You’ll not lose your patience because of the very nice place.

Barili, Cebu, View from Top

The group had pictures almost everywhere in the area of Palalong. We enjoyed a lot and loved the tidy place. After 20 minutes, the food was ready and the group ate the delicious food. Budgetwise, it is perfect. I would gladly say that I’ve been to Palalong in Barili, Cebu and would recommend it to my Families and Friends.

Outside Palalong Stopover

Malapascua Island Escapade

Malapascua Island During the Day

The name Malapascua actually means “Unfortunate Christmas” but nothing’s unfortunate upon visiting the island and experiencing the beauty of the wide white sand beaches. The island was known as the Bounty Beach and later become popular for its beautiful coral gardens and first class dive spots such as the Monad Shoal which is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can be found on a regular basis.

Wide White Sand Beach

The Island of Malapascua is suitable for everybody. There are a couple of resorts where you could stay for the night or you can go on camping. These resorts also have certain amenities like bar, restaurants, and other water sports. Locals are very friendly and would like to have a chat with tourist. They may sometimes invite you to their respective homes for dinner or at least sit down and have a chat with them about the island. Some would invite you with a toast of rum and coke.

Campouts while on Malapascua Island

While on the island, you could enjoy the beautiful beaches. A lot of foreigners visit the island from time to time because it’s not yet crowded and one could have a delightful vacation. It’s a perfect place for a summer outing or a weekend getaway. Have fun and enjoy snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing and go on island hopping. You can even just go  sightseeing on the crystal clear blue waters of the sea.

Malapascua’s Crystal Clear Ocean

Some regarded the island as the new Boracay because of its vast white sand beach and the adventure you could experience while on the island. Malapascua is also one of the best diving destinations. You can take 4 – 5 hours travel from Cebu City to Maya where you could take a 30 – 40 minute travel by boat to the island.

Malapascua Scenery During Sunrise

Visit Malapascua Island now and engulf yourself with fun and excitement on the vast crystal clear waters of the island.

When we went to Iligan City, Philippines last January 2009, the first thing in my mind was to go to Tinago Falls. Many have said that it would be an  unforgettable experience if you check out the place. And indeed, they were telling the truth. Huh! I feel exhausted but very happy. Why?

Welcome to Tinago Falls

Man-made Staircases to the Falls

When we arrived at Tinago Falls, we thought right there and then we would be able to see the majestic falls but we were wrong. You would be able to get the chance to see the falls after you step down man-made staircases along the rocky and forest-like mountain area. Cool! Isn’t it? Nah… It was like more than 500 steps down before you reach the falls area. Going down was cool and exciting. We were chatting with my girl and her sister and it was a lot of fun.

Tinago Falls

When we arrived at the area, the place was fantastic and the falls was indeed majestic. It’s good that the local government was able to protect the area. There were like rain showers that fall upon us and there are a couple of people visiting the area too. A bit exhausted already, we stayed for a while and took pictures of the falls and its surroundings. Then we started climbing back to the top.

Exhausted was really the word. The excitement and enthusiasm to go back to the top was lost. We’re already tired and our feet were aching. Until, thank God we were able to reach the top area. You know what’s cool? It’s when we get the chance to explore and encounter Tinago Falls.

]]> http://www.pacific-cebu.com/tinago-falls-in-iligan-city-philippines/feed/ 0 http://www.pacific-cebu.com/princesa-bulakna-siquijor-philippines/ http://www.pacific-cebu.com/princesa-bulakna-siquijor-philippines/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:50:03 +0000 admin http://www.pacific-cebu.com/?p=78 Work can be very stressful at times especially when the deadlines get in your back. And when the project’s done, whew! what a relief. Then that’s when going to a different island comes in your mind for a weekend getaway after the stressful weekdays.

After weeks of spending lots of time with my work, I found the time to chill, relax and enjoy. I went to Siquijor for an adventure. Princesa Bulakna Beach Resort is the name of the place. They tagged it as “The Last Resort”

Overview of the Last Resort

I was invited by a friend whom I only knew over the internet. She was having problems updating their website, so she asked me if I could help. And I did what she wanted me to do.

She invited me to visit their place and gave me a discount  and brought my girl with me. The place was really good, tidy and organized. The flowers and trees were very healthy and the pool and their white beach area were awesome. You could really tell the difference between urban and rural areas. It’s really great to go on a trip to provinces nearby like Siquijor once in a while. I must add that their rooms are clean. The nice thing about Princesa Bulakna is that they offer good customer service. All their staffs are well trained and there’s no need for you to ask them the second time because they are proactive in giving you what you need. Two thumbs up for Princesa Bulakna Resort.

A View of Princesa Bulakna’s Pool

After 2 days, we went back to our hometown Cebu, Philippines fullfilled with good memories at the resort!

The beautiful dive sites are located from 10 to 40 minutes away from the beach by speedboat or “bangka” inside the Puerto Princesa Bay. The closest dive sites are White Beach and Red Cliff, both located inside Puerto Princesa Bay. These are preferred sites for open water training dives as they offer slopes and walls that begin 20 (7m) feet from the surface. Colorful reef fish are common and various coral colonies can be observed in one dive. Turtles and rays are usually sighted amongst soft corals and sandy portions of the site. Manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and other megafauna have been sighted in these waters. But because these animals are wild and free-swimming, we cannot promise you an encounter or set a schedule of their appearance.

Overview of Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Wondering Around Palawan

Suffice it to say – you may be diving with one of nature’s most fantastic marine creations in Puerto Princesa! So what are you waiting for, travel now to Puerto Princesa and enjoy the wonderful life underwater.

Hilotongan Island from a Distant

Hilotongan Island

Try island hopping with friends and family and experience the beauty of Hilotongan yourself.