Apo Reef Adventure

I saw this view from the plane on our flight back from Busuanga to Manila on December 28, 2012. I was fascinated by the vast expanse of light aquamarine-colored seascape and the white-painted lighthouse on a small solitary island. Later, I learned that it's the famous Apo Reef and I suddenly wished to visit the place someday.

My wish came true the following year. I got to convince Bobby and our kids to spend my birthday and wedding anniversary in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, the takeoff point to Apo Reef.

A day after Christmas we were off to Batangas City port, took the 2.5-hour RORO trip to Abra de Ilog, and another 2.5-hour travel by van to Sablayan. After some discussions with the staff of the Ecotourism Office of the LGU, we agreed to stay in a beach resort and joined the two German
nationals the following day for the Apo Reef adventure.

True enough, the sea was rough. The moment we boarded the boat, we were already welcomed by big waves. My backpack which contained the digicam, cellphone, and other stuff was soaked in seawater. It was rough sailing but seeing the underwater beauty of the Apo Reef Natural Park when we snorkeled was all worth it. It's the largest contiguous reef in the country and the second largest in the world next to the Great Barrier Reef. What an awesome creation!

We saw the aerial view of Apo Island from the top of the lighthouse, explored the mangrove forest, and traversed the lagoon aboard a bamboo and styrofoam raft guided by a rope tied from end to end.

I'm truly grateful for the safe reef adventure with my family. I was reminded once again that sailing in life may be rough but with Christ in my vessel, I will be still and know He is God.

Silver Bells

"You're not exactly what I prayed for. Apparently, you're the answer."

It's been 25 years since I vowed before God and His people that I will be with my lifetime partner in sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, 'til death do we part.

Being together as husband and wife for this long is indeed a milestone. We're two perfectly imperfect persons determined to grow old with each other and live a legacy for our children.

Despite the many trials and tests in marriages (ours is not exempted), may we never get weary of each other and be sidetracked by the distractions that make us lose sight of God's plan for us as a couple.

"... but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Sibadan Fish Cage

From Tinuy-an Falls, we traveled for about half an hour to Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. There are several resorts close to the estuary but you have to take a boat to reach the resort of your choice. We stayed overnight at Sibadan Fish Cage because it's one of the recommended resorts by the LGU.

The fish cage is about 100 meters from the coast and the cottages are like stilt houses below which are cages that house various fish species. The main cage where we swam had two black-finned baby sharks, a stingless stingray, and lots of blue and yellow-finned talakitok. The other cages contained lobsters, crabs, and other species. There used to be sea turtles but the resort owner is no longer allowed by the DENR to keep them in captivity.

We were told that we could catch and cook what we wanted for a fee. We just ordered what's already available to go with what remained of our baon. Breakfast was special because we had newly harvested clams cooked adobo style. Yummy!

Tinuy-an Falls

It's a semestral break. Yes! Ate was able to join us on our trip back to Mindanao after several years. No more conflict in class and later, work schedules.

It was our first time landing via the newly opened Laguindingan Airport of Cagayan de Oro City. After a quick brunch with Bobby's brother-in-law, we're off to Gingoog City.

Early morning the following day, our group boarded two rented vans going to Surigao del Sur. Our first stop was the famous Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City. The falls is one of the widest in the country and is dubbed the "Niagara Falls of the Philippines".  Well, I've been to Niagara Falls (New York side in 2003) and the size of Tinuy-an Falls may not even be close to 10 percent of Niagara Falls but the Lady of the Mist boat ride there where we wore raincoats so we would not get wet is nothing compared to the experience of getting close to the falls aboard a bamboo raft and being massaged by the falling water. Only in the Philippines!

Km 0

When Lina asked me to visit a former co-worker who is now retired and recovering from an illness, I agreed at once to join her. For convenience, we just met up in a restaurant along Roxas Boulevard. We had a long chat over lunch as if we parted ways for a long time. Then, it's bye time.

After lunch, Lina and I walked to Rizal Park. When was the last I went to this park? I could no longer recall when.  We looked for the Km 0 mark and took pictures even with the fast-moving traffic on the road nearby. It's from this point where distances to any other points in the country are referenced. Quite special, isn't it?

Then we proceeded to the terrain map. It's like having a tour around the Philippines. There's a bridge that will bring you close to all the islands of the archipelago. Amazing! The tour was cut short when it started to rain. Lina and I ran as fast as we could to the bus stop and caught the aircon bus bound for Trece Martires City. What a trip!