Stories of Places, People and Photography in the Philippines and Beyond
Nature’s resilience shines at Lake Mapanuepe, a serene haven nestled amidst the remnants of Mt Pinatubo’s tumultuous eruption in 1991. Despite its tragic past, this emerging camping destination in San Marcelino, Zambales, offers a tranquil retreat for nature enthusiasts seeking solace amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Let me tell you about my unforgettable road trip adventure to conquer all Seven Lakes of San Pablo in Laguna! We started our journey at PITX in Pasay City, a bunch of travel buddies united by our love for exploring. With Señor Byahero, Joseph, Manilakad JP and Pure, Nomadic Experiences Marky, SJ the heritage guide, and Johan our navigator/treasurer, we piled into our Isuzu SUV, ready to hit the road.
Going on a picturesque 5 km journey along a winding mountain road led us to the enchanting Tenogtog Waterfalls, tucked in barangay Mapawoy, within the charming municipality of Mayoyao, in the scenic province of Ifugao. Our guide for the Mayoyao rice terraces trek, Leandro Elahe, enlightened us that “Tenogtog” in the local dialect means “chopped,” harking back to a time when early Mayoyao hunters would gather at this very spot to prepare and distribute their game among comrades.
Aside from the majestic Mayoyao Rice Terraces, Mayoyao municipality also boasts some enchanting waterfalls steeped in local legends. One of them is the A’pfaw Mahencha Falls in Barangay Chumang. One morning, I, along with my media companions, Tourism Promotions Board, and Shroff Travel, set off on a 5–6km ride up to an overlooking Khohang Garden and Viewpoint for a picnic breakfast. The garden serves as a gateway to the falls concealed within the lush forest of Mayoyao.
The Ifugao Province is blessed with a culturally rich landscape, boasting five clusters of rice terraces inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1995 as Living Cultural Landscapes. These include the Batad and Baangaan Terraces in Banaue, the Mayoyao Rice Terraces, the Hungduan Rice Terraces, and the Nagacadan Rice Terraces in Kiangan. Among these, the Mayoyao Rice Terraces stand out for their exceptional preservation, owing to their remote location, resulting in minimal tourist activity and thus, reduced environmental impact. My long-awaited journey to Mayoyao was made possible thanks to the Tourism Promotions Board, as we joined their Community-Based Tourism workshops in Mayoyao.
The fertile lands surrounding Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, owe their richness to the volcanic activity that has shaped the region over the years. Farmers and entrepreneurs in the vicinity of the volcano have harnessed the benefits of this nutrient-rich environment, cultivating a diverse range of crops such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. The emergence of farms catering to tourists like Humbled by Nature, Balutakay Coffee Farms, Lao Integrated Farms, and The Berries Farm Cabin signals Davao del Sur’s rise as a promising destination for farm tourism in the country.
Nestled at the foothills of the mighty Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, the Bagobo ethnic group thrives. During our journey to Davao del Sur, we had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the culture of the Bagobo-Tagabawa, also known as the “People of the South.” This subgroup, residing in villages like Tibolo and Bansalan, provided us with a glimpse into their rich heritage, with a special focus on the Bagobo-Tagabawa Cultural Village and the legacy of Salinta Monon.
