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!

Back to NY

It was my fifth time visiting the Big Apple, the "city that never sleeps", but this time was special because I was accompanying Cyd on his first visit to the USA. We had to leave soon after the final examination week so he could maximize his summer vacation (here in PH, springtime there).

For sure, Cyd was so excited to see the place. Gaining weight during this stay was top on his list. What to eat, what to do, where to go to. My sister who lives there was equally excited to have him there, much more with my nephew and niece. Here comes Kuya Cyd!

Easter Cantata

For the first time, our church choir held a cantata on Good Friday. The worship service normally focuses on the last seven words of Jesus but we all agreed and practiced early to have it. The initial plan was to perform it like a play but time ran so fast and we could only sing the parts following the original arrangement and wearing our costumes.

"How Great Thou Art" narrates through songs the life of Jesus from His triumphant entry to Jerusalem (Let Heaven Ring, Hosanna!) to His resurrection (Christ the Lord is Risen Today). It was a big challenge for me because I was assigned to sing the Mary part (When They Pierced Your Side). It's not my forte to sing solo, especially to a big audience but it will always be a privilege to sing for God's glory.

Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee...