Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visits Siargao

Siargao, a prime Philippine tourism destination, is part of the province of Surigao del Norte. It is one of the islands in the Philippines which faces the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the spots in the country where the sun rises and sets first. I went there recently for an assignment, and I easily fell for its insanely great scenery, awesome waters, and hospitable people. This post will feature my photos and coverage on the visit of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim to Siargao. I will definitely write a different post on Siargao soon! Siargao, I shall return! ;)



Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visited Siargao Island for the 1st Lip-Lipan Festival or the Billfish Festival and the 4th Siargao International Game-Fishing Tournament held last April 28 to May 1. He was welcomed by Congressman Lalo Matugas, Governor Sol Matugas, and the Mayors of Siargao. Secretary Lim arrived at Siargao Airport in Del Carmen with Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XIII Director Leticia Tan, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Tinio Matugas, and his first lady, Tita Carla.



Upon arrival, we immediately went to the opening of the 1st Lip-lipan or Bill Fish Festival, where the people performed dances their dances and cheers, to give thanks for good catch all year 'round. They also opened the 2nd Siargao Island Agri-Aqua Trade Fair and Exhibit, where the Secretary and his wife were able to see Siargao's produce. Their products (vegetables, seafood, etc) are notably really big and fresh.

Secretary Lim was happy to see that there were tourist police around Siargao. He immediately asked me to snap a shot of him with the DOT-PNP's Tourism Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) "graduates." Apparently, they just had their seminar and "graduated" last month in Surigao City.



"Stress Relief." The photo below is taken around 4pm from one of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Home-stay Program houses, which the Secretary visited before going to the opening of the Game-Fishing tournament. Since there are no hotels in Siargao (maybe just a few resorts in General Luna), the Department of Tourism used the Home-stay program to host tourists when they stay in the island.

The program also gives the locals livelihood and exposes them to different kinds of people. For around 1,200 pesos, guests will be able to enjoy a room, with air conditioning, towel, toiletries, and 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I tell you, it's all worth it because usually, they serve you really fresh fish, crabs or lobsters.



He was able to meet, dialogue and consult with the Siargao local government officials, and tourism officials regarding tourism sites and development in the area and the region.

“We would like to promote different kinds of tourism based on natural endowments, our strengths. Sports tourism and adventure tourism is one of those new forms of tourism that we have a particular endowment for, especially in the island of Siargao,” says Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim.



The next day, the Secretary was able to visit General Luna, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, and maybe of Asia, where the famous Cloud 9 and its perfect waves, are voted one of the best by surfers all over the world. Mayor Jaime Rusillon was gracious enough to tour us around Cloud 9. Definitely, the platform built many years ago needs upgrading and needs an upkeep so that more tourists and guests may be able to enjoy and watch surfers hit the waves.

Apparently, Siargao will be hosting the National Surfing Cup on September 17-20, the Billabong Pro-Junior Championship Tour on September 21-28, and the Siargao International Surfing Cup on September 29 to October 03. It will also be the venue of the first ever South East Asian Games surfing tilt. 26th SEAGAMES here we come!



Gerry Degan, and his wife Susan, of Sagana Resort in General Luna, Siargao welcomed Secretary Lim in his resort. Too bad the Secretary wasn't able to try and learn how to surf (because it was low tide). Instead, he was able to try to hold a surfboard, and pose with it. This photo, I like very much! :)


(L-R: Surigao Governor Sol Matugas, Gerry Degan, General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon, Carla Lim, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and Surigao del Norte Congressman Lalo Matugas)

From the resort, he went straight to Del Carmen, met with Mayor JR Matugas Coro, and back to Manila through the Sayak Airport in Siargao.

Siargao still needs a lot of help not only from the government but also from the private sector. Investing in Siargao will definitely go a long way. If only I had that much money, I would put it there! Siargao has a lot to offer, not only does it have the best waves in the region, but also it has one of the best environment for relaxation, sports, and nature-tripping, if you ask me.

Marinduque, Journey to the Heart of the Philippines

I was in Marinduque during the holy week for the Moriones Festival and for work. Back in 2009, I went on a 9-day silent retreat at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. It was a different yet refreshing and peaceful experience. I must admit I am not a fan of all the rituals and all those stuff Filipinos do during the Lenten season, but I am an open person. And so, I went, with an open mind, expecting the best.

Going to Marinduque
Marinduque, around 120 km south of Metro Manila, is reachable through land, sea and air. The cheapest would be for you to take a bus from Manila, or a car, drive all the way to Lucena, Quezon and ride a RORO or fast craft from Dalahican Port. The more expensive way is to ride a ZestAir plane, or a chartered one, from Manila to Marinduque.

We took the Roll On Roll Off (RORO) because all plane tickets were sold out. It took us more than 2 hours on the sea to reach Marinduque. The sea was calm, so we reached our destination smoothly. We saw sea beggars at Dalahican Port, before we left.



Marinduque's Food, Heritage and Culture
Beyond the famous Moriones Festival during Lenten season, Marinduque has more to offer. First of all, Marinduque, in my opinion, has really good food. Marinduque is known for its arrowroot and arrowroot cookies, made from high fiber starch extracted from uraro or arrowroot tubers. Try the arrowroot cookies with pinipig, for the extra texture and flavor.



I also like their dilis, or long-jawed anchovies, and their blue marlin, which melts in your mouth. Their fish were fresh and well cooked. This one was with garlic and served in a sizzling hot plate.




These next two "endemic" food from Marinduque were too good, I forgot how they're called. The first one is a native soup made from coconut, with coconut meat and lots of seafood in it. It's a bit sour and sweet. The next is an endemic Marinduque mangrove species. It's like a small crayfish x shrimp; it has a hard shell, but it's as small as a shrimp. Although the meat you can get from it is quite small or few, it's really yummy and quite sweet.




Marinduque is also a center of heritage and culture, with its beautifully constructed old churches and houses. You can go church hopping in the different towns, or just admire the old houses while you go around the province. Photos below were taken from Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Church), and from Boac (Boac Cathedral).



Marinduque Island beyond Moriones Festival
This is Elephant Island, or more popularly known as Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa. I haven't stepped on the island, but I hope to go there, try it, and write about it in the near future ;) *ahem*



Marinduque also has the Maniwaya White Sand Beach, which is up for tourism development, and the White Beach in Torrijos (photo below). Also in Torrijos, these photos below were taken from the Congressman's rest house.



Sulfuric Hot Spring - Marinduque also has a sulfuric hot spring. The first thing you would notice once you get there is its pungent smell, similar to the smell of a rotten egg. Even though this is the case, people still take a dip because they say the water has medicinal properties.



Marinduque Hot Spring Resort - They also have a natural hot spring pool (without sulfur) if you can't take the smell, and if you just want to relax in hot to warm water.



One of the good finds, and a really good pasalubong or gift, I came across in Marinduque was this shirt designed by a local. I find the design really really good. This is one of the factors which boosts tourism. The design and shirt is by Anto arts & prints, copyrighted. If you want to order, you can contact Ms. Beth Monteagudo at 09279455492, and say that you found out about them here. ;)


Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, wearing Anto arts&prints. I couldn't find the photo right now, but DOT Secretary Lim wore Anto arts&prints on his last day/departure from Marinduque :)

Calamansi Muffin of Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay

Real Coffee & Tea Cafe Boracay is one of the places you SHOULD visit when you are visiting the beautiful island paradise of Boracay in Aklan. It's "where great minds meet," as their tag-line claims. But for me, Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay is where the world famous yummy calamansi muffins are found. Both foreign and local tourists visit them to try out their home-style American all-day breakfast menu and cooking and, of course, their freshly baked muffins, cookies, brownies, and coffee.

It's a cozy bahay kubo stlye cafe located in between Free Willy Dive Shop and Hawaiian BBQ in Boracay's Boat Station 1. Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay was there since 1996. It's owned and managed by an American, Lee Rosaia, who fell in love with the island paradise of Boracay Philippines, and now settled in where she calls her second home. Coming from Station 2, you would see these signs that would indicate you are really near Real Coffee & Tea Cafe.



I instantly fell in love with Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay's Famous Calamansi Muffins, which sell at Php 45 a piece. The texture, consistency and taste is just right for my taste buds.



A good partner of the calamansi muffins is their coffee, or the house special Real Coffee, which is basically the brewed coffee with extra shot/s of espresso.


It's best if you go there early because the place gets crowded during the day and in the afternoons. Well, since you're already there, you should also try out their Omelette. I am not sure what the name of this omelette dish is, but if you can describe it, it's definitely positively worth trying.



If you want to bring home their world famous calamansi muffin to your family and friends as pasalubong or gift, you should pre-order a day before to make sure that it is available. Freshly baked calamansi muffins are the bomb, I tell you! :)



I just can't get enough of Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay's Calamansi Muffin! Tell me if you're going to Boracay real soon, so that I can, maybe, probably, ask if you can bring me home a box or two of the calamansi muffins. :)


Bloggers Stephanie (Fran's Sister), Ryan, Frannywanny, myself, and Melo, enjoying Real Coffee and Tea Cafe Boracay.

1950's Pandesal, Pan de Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant

We were driving along White Plains Avenue to Katipunan, when my family suddenly pointed out this really catchy upside down house with an inverted car on top of the structure. Apparently, this is the gimmick of Pan de Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant (1950's Pandesal) which is set to open early next month (or is it opened already?). The bakery had its original structure on the other side of the road which was near their new location right now. Check it out if you're passing by the area. I'm sure you'll notice it. :)


Taken from the restaurant's website:

Pan de Amerikana restaurant Katipunan, Quezon City branch is a themed restaurant featuring an upside down full size Land Rover 4x4 defender 90 with working lights. The interior boasts of a photo gallery and off roading video presentations and focuses on 4x4 countryside motif. Pan de Amerikana, which is known for its first chess themed restaurant in Marikina, aims to take part in the Department of Tourism mission of developing interesting spots for local and international recognition thereby attracting more investments and revenues through Philippine tourism.