Camiguin White Island by Jojie Alcantara

Camiguin: Tiny Hot Spot of Wonder
Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara

The smallest island province in Northern Mindanao is shaped like a pear with its land area measuring only 29,187 hectares. An estimated population of only 75,000 locals ranks it the second smallest province in the Philippines. But this small wonder is filled with a rich historical past, and a territory replete with a pristine ecosystem, shaped from the natural course of volcanic movements.

Camiguin Island White Sand Bar by Jojie Alcantara

This top tourist destination is home to seven volcanoes, and is basically volcanic in origin, making it a veritable hot spot of a location (locals refer to it as the “Island Born of Fire”. Volcanoes that shaped both land and culture of the people are Mount Vulcan, Mount Guinsiliban, Mount Timpoong, Mount Uhay, Mount Tres Marias, Mount Mambajao, and the most active, Mount Hibok-Hibok. A challenging trek to its peak will afford a panoramic view of Mindanao, Siquijor and Bohol.

To us, it didn’t matter whether or not seismic activity would happen as we neared the island. We were determined to explore soon as our eyes caught sight of it from the ferry we boarded on.

Paras Beach Resort © Jojie Alcantara

In 2007, we booked our stay in advance at the Paras Beach Resort (www.parasbeachresort.com) as it was Lenten season, and the island was filled with tourists out to have some quiet R&R with friends and family. The resort was an ideal location because it was only a short trip from Mambajao, its capital town, and just a 3-minute ride by boat across the sea to the famous White Island.

White Island, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

This striking powdery white sand bar is usually first on the list to explore. Shaped like a parenthesis, it is entirely uninhabited, save for vendors with their makeshift roofs and umbrellas who offer to catch fresh seafood and cook your meals for you.

White Island, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Mt. Hibok Hibok, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

In its backdrop rises Mount Hibok-Hibok and Mount Vulcan. Boats float on standby for rides, while parasailing is a frequent adventure for the more daring ones. The place is best for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, but you better lather the best sun protection you can find all over your body. It gets hotter as the sun rises midday.

High tide at White Island, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

At noon when the tide rises, though, most of the white isle is submerged by a couple of feet, so some tourists leave by that time. It didn’t bother us, as we ate on grilled tuna and barbecue with the knee deep waters around us. Low tide came back later in the afternoon, as we waited for a glorious sunset to cloak the island in a muted, reddish glow.

Sunset in Camiguin by Jojie Alcantara

The island tour is an educational experience as well as a feast for the photographer’s eye. Rent a jeepney or van and you can round up Camiguin’s best sites in a day.

Sunken Cemetery by Jojie Alcantara

The Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery located in Bonbon, Catarman was once a community cemetery devastated and sunk by the 1871 volcanic catastrophe (Vulcan Daan) and is now marked and guarded by a large cross.  What makes it an interesting dive site is the sunken gravestones you find underneath.

Sunken Cemetery by Jojie Alcantara

Built in 1623, the old Catarman or Gui-ob church (Cotta Bato) in Bonbon once stood proudly before it was devastated by the 1871 Vulcan Daan earthquake, wiping out a Spanish settlement dating back to 1697. What remained are the moss and vine-covered stone walls, belfry and convent as a lasting memorial to its Spanish era.

Old Cotta Batto, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Old Cotta Batto, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Old Cotta Batto, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Katibawasan Falls, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

The water is icy cold where it touches the rock pool surrounded with lush giant ferns, plants and shiny boulders from granite mountain walls. People come in for picnics and a cool, invigorating swim after a humid day. One has to descend into a stairway of more than 60 steps to reach the falls.

White Island, Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Other highlights of the Camiguin experience are the 14 Station of the Cross (lifesize cement statues depicting the passion, death and resurrection of Christ are scattered across the old volcano slope), the Sto. Nino Cold Springs, Ardent Hot Springs, and other falls that dot the island. Every October, the Lanzones Festival is observed with pride to celebrate the abundance of harvest of this sweet fruit.

Me in White Island, Camiguin © Rhonson Ng

For dive enthusiasts, a visit across the 6-hectare mushroom-shaped Mantigue Island is a must. Merely a 30-minute boat ride away, the isle is endowed with a thick forest bordered by white sands and blue waters. A spectacular drop off showcases an underwater aquarium that will delight divers.

Sunset in Camiguin © Jojie Alcantara

Philippine Airlines flies from Manila to Cagayan de Oro daily for an hour and 20 minutes. A cab from the airport will take you to the bus terminal in the Agora Market. Ride a bus bound for Balingoan town, and a ferry boat travels for an hour to Camiguin. The Benoni Wharf and Guinsiliban are two points of entry to the island. Ferry boats are on hourly schedule, and some visitors opt to take their vehicles across the sea for convenience (but more expensive).

Camiguin accessories by Jojie Alcantara

Don’t leave Camiguin without buying a souvenir item from its long stalls of inexpensive stuff sold and created by the locals themselves. There are trinkets, bracelets and necklaces that are unique and ethnic-inspired perfect for pasalubongs and for personal use. As one sign board puts it, “COME AGAIN SOUVENIRS.” —a brief but exact description for an enchanting island you would like to revisit soon.

(Visit http://www.camiguin.gov.ph for more information)

Jojie in White Island, Camiguin at high tide © Rhonson Ng

Camiguin Island by Jojie Alcantara

White Island and Camiguin from an airplane © Jojie Alcantara

Tridacna Tours in Adecor, Kaputian, Samal by Jojie Alcantara

It was easier to change the title to “Swimming with Tridacna” but I had to be honest, I didn’t take a dip in the waters. Plus, you may be wondering what in tridacna are we talking about.

Tridacna is a genus of large saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the subfamily Tridacninae, the giant clams. Unfortunately, the global conservation status is listed as Vulnerable in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. All species of giant clams are listed in CITES (Convention on Inernational Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna). In the Philippines, it is locally known as “taklobo”.

DNSC Marine Reserve Park by Jojie Alcantara

The Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) in Panabo City was awarded the 2010 CHED (Commission on Higher Education) Best Regional Extension Award for its biodiversity and environment project, “Development Interventions in the Island Garden of Samal”, which revolves around livelihood, cooperatives and harnessing community involvement in marine and environment protection. A program component is a CHED-funded project on the Conservation of the Endangered Giant Clams: A Strategy for Environmental Protection under Save Our Shore (SOS) Program.

Measuring the tridacna by Jojie Alcantara

The University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) is distributing hatchery-produced giant clam juveniles to various parts of the Philippines in efforts to save and enhance the stocks of this endangered species. As a recipient of the UP-MSI Giant Clam Stock Enhancement Program in 2001, DNSC in collaboration with UP MSI has successfully protected 5 species of endangered giant clams and other marine species, making the Marine Reserved Park a home of more than 3,000 giant clams. It is identified as one of the learning and tourist sites in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

DNSC Marine Reserve Park by Jojie Alcantara

The DNSC, LGU-IGaCoS and BLGU-Adecor jointly pool resources for a conservation and livelihood project for Adecor United Fisherfolk Organization (ADuFOr). The project aims to promote the outcome of a marine protected area (MPA) in the conservation of endangered species and enhance the income of local communities through advocacy, tourism and community participation. The farming of giant clams is foreseen as means of promoting biological sustainability and maintaining biodiversity.

Four species of giant clams, Tridacna gigas, T. squamosa, T. derasa and H. hippopus were transplanted in the 14-Hectare Marine Reserve in Barangay Adecor, Kaputian District of Samal Island, one among the program’s successful sites. The site is a marine protected area recovering from illegal and overfishing practices. The DNSC Marine Reserve Park has now become part of the tourism package of Visit Samal Tours.

Tridacna Eco-Tours had a grand launch on February 2013 (after a MOA was signed on Tridacna Tours Project in July 18, 2012, funded by CHED amounting to P1.3 M).

Tridacna Tours Project in Samal © Jojie Alcantara

The tourism entrance fee of Php75 excluding boat fare shall be used to sustain the project and offer income to key players, AdUFOr and Fisherfolk tour guides; as well as development fund to supporting institutions, DNSC, LGU-IGaCoS and BLGU-Adecor. The project demonstrates the benefits from marine protected areas that provide equity for both environmental protection and socio-economic development.

Now thriving at a depth of about 15 to 20 feet, these fascinating creatures have a lot to teach us. Giant clams are restricted to shallow, well-illuminated waters of coral reefs. They require clean, clear water of oceanic salinity. There is an increasing interest in these endangered species among local and international tourists because only a number of them are found in the wild. I have only seen these clams up close in Dinagat Islands and in Palau’s Clam City back in 2006. In Samal, it was fascinating to see rows of them all lined up like a cabbage patch garden underwater.

Jojie with Ian and ABS-CBN MagTV Crew © Jojie Alcantara

Last April, 30 tourists from ASEAN nations toured the Tridacna Sanctuary as part of the tour of participants in the ASEAN Climate Change and Tourism Protocol Development Workshop held in Davao City. Dr. Girley S. Gumanao, Research Director, personally gave an orientation while locals of Adecor provided tour guiding, and LGU-IGaCos provided boats.

I have read that giant clams play an important role in the ecology of the reef. Clam seeding is good for the marine ecosystem, and reseeding activities provide an upsurge in fish density and biodiversity in seeding sites, even before the clams have reached sexual maturity. Interestingly, clams become male mature at the age of 8 years and become female mature by 10. At which time they become hermaphrodites, producing both female eggs and male sperms.

Mass spawning of clams releases millions of eggs and sperm in the waters, triggering a feeding frenzy and providing nourishment to thousands of tiny fish and organisms in a reef area, thereby attracting bigger fishes that seek clam meat. Studies and experiments reveal that putting both live and dead clam shells in the reef also entice fishes. With the shell being organic, fish, algae and other organisms will attach to it and take residence, a more effective reef enhancement technique than materials used for artificial reefs. Small fish, shrimps, snails, nudibranchs, sea slugs and urchins are known to be grazing on the outer shells. This contribution to a healthy reef ecosystem has great implications to our country’s fisheries and food security.

Tridacna Tours Project in Samal © Jojie Alcantara

Be warned, however. In the Republic Act 8550 of the Philippine Fisheries Code, Section 97 states the Fishing or Taking of Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species, that “it shall be unlawful to fish or take rare, threatened or endangered species as listed in the CITES and as determined by the Department. Violation of the provision of this section shall be punished by imprisonment of twelve years to twenty years and/or a fine of one hundred and twenty thousand pesos (P120,000.00) and forfeiture of the catch, and the cancellation of fishing permit.”

Interested parties on the Tridacna Tours may contact Adecor United Fisherfolk Organization (0930-272-3748), City Tourism Office of Samal (0917-311-1521) or Davao del Norte State College (0930-272-3801). Thank you DOT XI for the tour as we jumped off from Punta del Sol Resort to a 10-minute boat ride to the marine park.

By the way, my title says “Tripping with Tridacna”, not tripping over them.

My BFF Ian Garcia with TV Crew © Jojie Alcantara

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SILKAIR TO FLY TO SEMARANG AND MAKASSAR

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will soon fly to two more cities in Indonesia, increasing its Indonesian network to 11 destinations.

Subject to regulatory approvals, SilkAir will offer thrice-weekly flights between Singapore and Semarang, the provincial capital of Central Java, from 29 July 2013, and thrice-weekly flights between Singapore and Makassar, the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, from 1 August 2013. (Details of the flight schedules are shown in the attachment.) The new services will be operated with Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy Class cabins.

Commenting on the launch, SilkAir’s Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said, “SilkAir is excited to add Makassar and Semarang to our extensive network in this part of the region. We are impressed with the growth of air travel to and from Indonesia and we are confident that the two new services will be well received.”

As the largest city of Central Java, Semarang is a commercial centre with an economy primarily anchored on trading, manufacturing and construction. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, Semarang also boasts a unique combination of European influences and rich Asian culture and retains a mix of old-world charm and colourful culture.

Makassar, formerly known as Ujung Pandang, is the largest city in East Indonesia and also the primary port and airline hub of the eastern archipelago. It is home to many of Indonesia’s ethnic groups including the Bugis and offers a multitude of historical gems, natural attractions as well as a variety of sightseeing opportunities within and beyond the city.

SilkAir first began operations to Indonesia in August 1992 and has steadily strengthened its network over the years.

SilkAir currently serves nine Indonesian destinations, namely Balikpapan, Bandung, Lombok, Manado, Medan, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Solo and Surabaya.

For more information on SilkAir, including the destinations and services, please visit silkair.com.

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Read about my experience in flying SilkAir

“Every person passing through this life will unknowingly leave something and take something away. Most of this “something” cannot be seen or heard or numbered or scientifically detected or counted. It’s what we leave in the minds of other people and what they leave in ours. Memory. The census doesn’t count it. Nothing counts without it.” ? Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

In 2006, I went to the “Mystical Island Province of Love” — a long, cheesy moniker for Dinagat Islands in Surigao del Norte but which proves to be correct in many aspects. I will tell you all about its beauty soon.

During my stay, I would witness a different sunset every time, each one stunning than the last. This particular image was taken with a point and shoot Canon Powershot G6 (it was chunky, yes, but it had incredible colors even then), taken straight from the camera, left untouched, and merely resized for my blog. I stumbled upon it today as I went down memory lane through my old files (it has been a habit lately, smiling at old digital memories). This may have been an early indication of my penchant for silhouette shots.

As our author above says it, we all pass through life leaving something unknowingly behind. I hope this photoblog will last for as long as it continues to inspire anyone…even as I may grow old and these gnarly, shaking hands couldn’t even press the darn button anymore (much less squint at my laptop monitor and type).

Yellow boats of hope for Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

Yellow boats of hope for Baganga
Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara for SunStar Davao

I frequent Davao Oriental because we have a house in Mati and a farm in San Ignacio, Manay. But beyond our place, the last time I toured the coastal areas of Baganga, Caraga, Cateel and Boston as the last frontier was before the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo/Bopha. Luckily, our farm and ancestral home by the shore in San Ignacio was spared, with just a few coconut trees down.

I was very proud to showcase the natural, unexploited wonders of the province in my articles and blogs. Nothing could come close to the stunning vista of the falls, hidden lakes, islets and white sand shorelines which will astound every first time visitor.

Carolina Lake, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

But nothing prepared me for my next visit after the storm.

Then and Now : San Victor Island, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

Revisiting Baganga, home to the beautiful mangrove sanctuary, pristine coastlines and lush coconut fields, was difficult as it was one of my favorite places. An altered landscape often seen in the news after the devastation, welcomed me.

Bangon, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

However, when you see past the uprooted trunks, upright coconut trees without leaves and branches, an atmosphere of hope is seen on the faces of the villagers you meet. People are rebuilding their lives, houses, livelihood, and spirit. It was a busy coastal village on the brink of recovering from heavy wounds.

Yellow boats given to families in Kinablangan, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

I was brought along by Ms. Karen Cabonce, Head of Operations for Canon Marketing in Mindanao Region, and we took a long but smooth road trip to Kinablangan, Baganga where the community waits for its turnover of blessings in the form of newly painted yellow boats festively adorned by balloons.

Kinablangan, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation was founded by Dr. Anton Lim, and together with his colleagues and the help of private sectors, they were able to seek support and produce fifty (50) yellow boats for the families of the typhoon victims in Kinablangan. Forty (40) of these boats were provided by Canon Philippines, one of the major stakeholders of the project.

Turnover ceremony, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

The program started with Mhanny Vallejo as host, welcoming the visitors to the lengthy coastline where the ceremony took place. Boats lined up on the shore was given spiritual blessing by Rev. Fr. Roberto M. Ombon of the St. Nino Parish Priest. Inspirational messages were said by Ms. Lorelie V. Allones, President of the Samahan Para sa Kinablangan Inc.; Dr. Anton Lim, and Atty. Marlisa A. Gallo. After the program came lunch and boat contests among families.

Giving hope to children in Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

As we left with kilos of crabs and baby lobsters bought from a fisherman’s house by the shore, we were met with smiles by everyone, particularly the little children playing on the beach. Reaching out to these people in need makes a whole lot of difference, much more if you give them the means to fish for their living.

Bangon, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

When I rode back with the Canon team, what played over and over my mind was this voice of an angel, a 7-year old young girl who sang during the program, accompanied by a guitarist. Her words were lilting with emotion, tugging at our hearts, and I translate the dialect as such: “Oh Pablo! Even if you hurt and destroyed my land, you will never take away our hope and dreams, and we will soon get back on our feet again.” It brought tears to my eyes, but they are of hope.

Bangon, Baganga © Jojie Alcantara

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Panagdait Davao Concert for a Cause

“Panagdait Davao: Ipadayon ang Pagtabang”
By Jojie Alcantara

It is a feat to gather rock bands and performers together for a big charity event.

Even more noble is when government organizations and nongovernment entities set aside differences to launch a project that will benefit families severely affected by December’s record-breaking Super Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

“Panagdait Davao: Ipadayon ang Pagtabang,” is one such ambitious project, a three-day concert held at the Abreeza Mall’s open parking grounds from March 21 to 23 from 5pm to 12pm each evening.

This is a concerted effort by the Amnesty International, the Eastern Mindanao Command, LGUs and NGOs collaborating and uniting to raise funds in building shelters of the typhoon victims in the most affected areas of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley provinces.

Performers from Manila and local-based indie groups have pooled in their talents sans the professional fees to inspire others with this charity concert: Alamid, Carlos Agassi, Cueshe, Clementine, Freestyle, Gracenote, Grin Department, Join the club, Junior Kilat, Lolita Carbon, Joey Ayala, Popong Landero, Ney Dimaculangan, Nyoy Volante, Side A, Sky Junkie, South Border, Tropical Depression, True Faith, Wency Cornejo, Wolfgang, Yano, among others.

Joining in are bands from the 10th and 4th Infantry Divisions, Philippine National Police and an Earth Hour Segment between 8:00 to 9:00 pm on March 23 topbilled by the talented Popong Landero and Greenpeace Volunteers.

The concert aims to raise budget for the rehabilitation of 600 homes which the organizers have started with the AFP since December’s relief operations. So far more than 300 have been built in the affected municipalities by the united sectors. The benefit concert is also made possible with the support of several sponsors and donors.

Mindanao’s pride, Eric Gancio of Yano fame, invites everyone to watch. “I would like to share this event to all. We share a clear sense of common good towards those who have urgent needs. All we need is to be together with the fullest of trust and confidence,” he imparts.

Tickets vary at P1,000, P300, and P100 each.

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Panagdait Davao: Bands Bond for a Cause at Abreeza Mall Parking Area

Palm tree lined highway of Tagum City by Jojie Alcantara

An hour’s ride away from Davao is the fast rising phenomenon of a small urban city packed with exemplary governance and a simple but harmonious lifestyle by the locals.

It has different interesting monikers: Palm City of the Philippines (a line of beautiful palm trees along the highway indicates you are entering the clean city), Music Capital of Mindanao (annual host to local music festivals and an international one), City of Parks (the biggest of which is a 50-hectare EcoPark to be finished by 2014 with cable cars) and the Home of Festivals (now this one’s hardest to beat—they celebrate FIFTEEN festivals in the city’s calendar year). In this city where the government treasures human resources, recognition is given to all sectors in the society including lumad festivals and the Binuhat Festival, which openly supports the gay community. These various festivals brought about a surge of curious domestic and international visitors from all over.

Mangroves in the river cruise by Jojie Alcantara

Recently recognized for excellence in governance (thanks to visionary leader Mayor Rey Uy) and the only city in Davao region to have won the award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and President Noynoy Aquino, Tagum is strategically located at the northern part of southern Mindanao where it lies in an intersection of three major road network structures: the Phil-Japan Friendship Highway, the Davao-Mati, Davao-Agusan road and Davao-Bukidnon road that connects Tagum to other major destinations in Mindanao.

Wild monkeys inside the Hijo Plantation Estate by Jojie Alcantara

One of the top attractions in this bustling city is the River Cruise that stretches to 8.9 kilometers on a half day tour. A scenic and calming view of thousands of newly planted young trees dot the river alongside gnarled, centennial mangroves. Along the route are fish cages that hold particular fish species and endemic soft-shelled crabs for the fisherfolks livelihood. Migratory birds can be seen alighting and flying away from the area. At the end point of Nabintad River is a delicious eat-all-you-can seafood feast for the guests. This Mangrove Development and Rehabilitation Program is a pride of Tagumenos, who have planted an estimated 82,500 seedlings for the past five years in its efforts to preserve and create a sanctuary of immense importance.

Tagum City at night by Jojie Alcantara

With unequaled biodiversity, this mangrove ecosystem encouraged and developed through the leadership of Mayor Rey Uy establishes Tagum to be another valuable future wetland reserve and ecotourism attraction within a city.

Banana Beach in Tagum by Jojie Alcantara

The popular Banana Beach is the only beach found inside the banana plantation of the vast Hijo Estate which is also home to the posh and private Lanikai Resort. A day’s tour offers you family activities from kayaking, swimming to horseback riding. The plantation tour historically educates you on being the first banana plantation in the country to have exported fruits in Japan years ago.

Birds inside the Hijo Plantation Estate by Jojie Alcantara

The forest tour will open your world to wild pigs, birds and monkeys freely roaming in the woods, while a high canopy walk will challenge your fear of heights as old giant trees surround you, still existing within the well-maintained private sanctuary.

Tagum’s Iconic New City Hall soon to be finished | Jojie Alcantara

There is so much to like, see and experience in Tagum beyond their festivities. There are the tempting barbecue stalls and night market at the plaza, the delicious pastries and addictive food in charming Yuyu Café and Dessert Shop (the babyback ribs to die for), the overwhelming exotic smell and fruits at the Durian Park, and the just recently lighted the country’s tallest artificial Christmas tree at 108.60 feet.

La Filipina Public Cemetery by Jojie Alcantara

Don’t forget to drop by the La Filipina Public Cemetery and be amazed at the well-organized burial of bones transferred from the old cemetery, in alphabetical order yet! But the most anticipated structure is the rising of the futuristic Iconic City Hall of Tagum which took years and millions of pesos to finish. Government employees eagerly look forward to working inside an establishment that looks more like a stylish mall than any regular building you will see in the country.

Visit their official website for more interesting information, http://www.tagumcity.gov.ph.

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Boom in Tagum by Jojie Alcantara, Manila Bulletin (click for link) 

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Great Wall of China | Jojie Alcantara

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is very touristy and congested from the Badaling route in Beijing.  It may be a little difficult to recognize from the serene pictures you see on the net and books. For a photographer, it becomes a feat trying to find a spot to capture its “zen-like” ruins, without being pushed or diverted by a shuffling crowd. Not recommended for those suffering from vertigo and fear of heights. Then again, you will encounter a whole family gently holding on to a grandmother who looks to be a hundred, nimbly stepping on very steep stone pavements, while a throng of tourists are hyperventilating and waiting behind them.

(Thanks, Wiki!) The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces.

Badaling is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 50 miles (80 km) northwest of urban Beijing city in Yanqing County, which is within the Beijing municipality. The portion of the wall running through the site was built in 1505 during the Ming Dynasty, along with a military outpost reflecting the location’s strategic importance.  The highest point of Badaling is Beibalou, approximately 1,015 metres (3,330 ft) above sea level. The portion of the wall at Badaling has undergone heavy restoration, and in 1957 it was the first section of the wall to open to tourists.  Now visited annually by millions, the immediate area has seen significant development, including hotels, restaurants, and a cable car.

Tagum Lighting of Christmas Tree Ceremony by Jojie Alcantara

Tagum Lighting of Christmas Tree Ceremony
© Jojie Alcantara 2012

The iconic Giant Holiday Tree was lighted on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 in the City of Tagum, Davao del Norte, to officially start the festive season of Christmas, and coinciding with Tagum’s 3rd Food Festival, one of the 14 monthly celebrations cooked up by the city with the most festivals.

The newly decorated tree towers at 110.50 feet (33.68 meters) with the following features; lighting accessories – rice bulbs (886 sets -100 bulbs/set), flexy lights red (300 meters), flexy lights green (250 meters), flexy lights yellow (250 meters), flexy lights blue (200 meters) and raindrops cool white (266 pcs).  Its decorative abstract frame consists of: doves – symbolizing Peace (14 pcs),  angels – symbol of Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men (10 pcs), lanterns and butterflies – symbolizing ethnicity (71 pcs), green palm tree flexy lights with Capiz shell (3 pcs), an Apex lantern representing the comet when Jesus was born and an abstract frame of a manger at the City Library roof top.

Situated at the Freedom Park, back of the old City Hall, Rizal Street, the ceremony consisted of an opening program, musical performances by the Tagum City Youth Orchestra, and blessings. It was graced by officials and an estimate crowd of 5,000 people.

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Featured in LA Times and Chicago Tribune
Langkawi Malaysia by Jojie Alcantara for Getty Images

My aerial image featured in both LA Times and Chicago Tribune for Getty Images. Caption above are not mine. 

Langkawi is a not so hidden paradise which comprises of 99 islands surrounded by pristine waters and lush rainforest. The mysterious islands are steeped in fascinating legends and folklores. It has been cited as a UNESCO Geopark (geological park) in recognition of its amazing and significant geological formations and untouched paradise. The park covers mountainous peaks, sandstone formations, limestone caves, mystical lakes, waterfalls as well as fascinating flora and fauna dwelling in its environmental wonder. Recently, National Geographic has listed it as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world.

More of Langkawi in my article “Langkawi and its 99 Magical Islands”

Langkawi, Malaysia by Jojie Alcantara for Getty Images

Langkawi by Jojie Alcantara via Getty Images