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Mahaba Island: Discovering a miracle to embrace

Traveling beyond the province of Misamis Oriental after the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be an exciting adventure. Spending memorable moments outside Misamis Oriental does not mean that the province does not have awesome beach resorts but that going out of the comfort zone seems venturesome. Well, if we try to cherry-pick Mahaba Island as our place to go, then we can surely get a nice tour to Mahaba Island with our Cuatros Islas adventure in Leyte. Surprisingly, the place Cuatros Islas has been everything. We definitely have some pleasurable and astounding activities. Besides, Mahaba Island can be one of the best tourist beach destinations in the country. We know we are true as we see the white sand beaches. These white sand beaches that comfortably fill between our toes, the translucent with cerulean blue waters with a flamboyant and blossoming underwater ecosystem that catch our eyes, and the craggy beach escapades that give us some sort of excitement, somehow, offer us moments to unwind while eliminating the strain and tension of busy life in the metropolis.

A Nice Plunge into the Cerulean Blue and Turquoise Water in Inopacan, Leyte

How to Get There

If we are anywhere in the country, Philippines or in the world, we need to know the nearest airport known as the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, also known as Tacloban City Airport (Leyte). Well, we can also land on the Mactan Cebu International Airport (Cebu) if we wish to settle there.

By Air

Excitingly, we can check the fastest way to get to the group of islands by booking a flight from our location to Tacloban.

Once we are in Tacloban, we can get on an automobile or van traveling to Inopacan town. Well, the fare from Tacloban main proper to Inopacan is around ₱250. This trip will take us approximately 3 hours. Once we in Inopacan town, we can then rent a boat for island hopping. That is fun, isn’t it? The rental rates for boats depend on the number of members in a group. We can still spend overnight on one of the islands if we want to do it.

An Aerial View of Mahaba Island in Leyte

Entrance Fee and Other Charges

Facilities Price Details
Cottage Rental Fee ₱300 – ₱500 (Open/Closed Cottage, Day Trip); ₱50 (Additional Charge for Overnight Cottage Use)
Camping Fee ₱50 (Tent Pitching) & ₱200 (Tent Rental)
Island Hopping Boat Rates ₱2500 (maximum of 10 PAX); ₱3000 (11-20 PAX); ₱4000 (21-30 PAX); ₱500 (Additional Charge for Overnight Boat Rental)
Environmental Fee ₱10
Others ₱10 (maintenance fee charged by the barangay); ₱50 (maintenance fee charged by the LGU); ₱50 (charge for cooking)

We Can Only Remember This!

What’s more, Mahaba Island offers us that long stretch of sugary white sand, which appears to be soft enough to fit impeccably between our toes. We can testify that the waters of Mahaba Island can be mirror-like. We can definitely see the white sand right it. We can take several photographs of the eye-catching and good-looking beachscape interspersed by the rock formations and the credible coconut trees. As well, we can satisfy with the cool and refreshing waters, get a tan skin, or pass the time taking the whole thing in. From the shore, we can see the coral reef more than a few meters away, which can be a good place to snorkel.

Don’t Forget!

We can, as well, take enough time to relax. However, we have to bring enough cash before leaving for Inopacan. We may not be able to remove once we reach town and start island hopping. If some of us do not want to rent and then pay extra charges, we can bring our own snorkeling gear and camping equipment. We can bring our own ready-to-eat meals and drinks. If we plan to spend the entire day and night on the island, we can purchase some fresh food and have someone cook it for us for a fee. We can just leave no trace behind as we keep our things dry. We just need to have our camera and phone ready, as well as our power banks.

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Lethal Blast in Beirut, to call for global support

The deadly blast in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, tallied at least 137 dead people plus more than 5,000 wounded individuals. Such an explosion caused pervasive losses of the Lebanese economy.

However, the transnational community communicated its empathy and camaraderie regarding the serious, yet tragic incident. Country leaders around the world have been sending international aid to help Lebanon rebuild its destroyed buildings and make medical services available among those who received injuries. These country leaders, then, vowed to help the country to recuperate and make progress.

FRANCE. The office of President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would send six tonnes of health equipment necessary for the hospitals to save lives and wounded individuals. As well, France would, also, send 55 security personnel plus 10 emergency doctors to Beirut to ensure that medical services would materialize. Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France said on Twitter that France would always be on the side of Lebanon and its people. He, furthermore, said that France has been ready to offer assistance whatever the Lebanese authorities needed.

THE UNITED STATES. President Donald Trump expressed that the United States stood ready to provide support to Lebanon. However, he could not refrain to describe that the massive explosion could be a possible attack. Even though no direct evidence to substantiate this allegation, President Trump expressed at a White House briefing that the blast looked like a terrible attack. On the contrary, two US officials, names withheld, cited that it was uncertain where Trump received his information. The officials, also, said that the lethal explosion would back up what the Lebanese representatives openly indicated.

The Horrifying Aftermath of Blast in Beirut, Lebanon

THE UNITED KINGDOM. Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserted that Britain would stand all set to offer any support to help Beirut. As well, British Junior Education Minister Nick Gibb articulated his sentiments to the BBC radio that Britain has been working instantly to deliver financial and technical help to Lebanon.

IRAN. President Hassan Rouhani stood ready to help Lebanon. He mentioned that he would make medical aid available to Lebanon to help treat the wounded. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed his sentiments with thoughts and prayers via Twitter.

SAUDI ARABIA. The foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia vowed to offer full support and solidarity to Lebanon and its people.

TURKEY. Mustafa Ozbek, an Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) helped search for the survivors to dig through the debris and to recover dead bodies. The group did, also, organize a kitchen at a Palestinian expatriate camp in Lebanon to distribute food to those victims and those who needed most. He added that the group assisted with an ambulance to transfer patients to the hospitals. Furthermore, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was all set to deliver humanitarian aid.

The Cataclysm in Beirut to create Fear and Misery in Lebanon Population

Among those countries that helped Lebanon, PALESTINE under the governance of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas; ISRAEL from the Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi; EGYPT under the governance of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi; QATAR; KUWAIT; TUNISIA; RUSSIA; NETHERLANDS; and CYPRUS.

References

    • MEE and agencies. (5 August 2020). Beirut explosion: How the world has responded. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-beirut-explosion-how-world-responded-international-reactions
    • Ramzy, A. & Peltier, E. (5 August 2020). What we know and don’t know about the Beirut explosions. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-what-happened.html
    • BBC News. (7 August 2020). Beirut explosion: Angry residents rage at leaders after the blast. Retrieved August 7, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53673957
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PhilHealth Mafia: The greatest crime of the year

The anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has just resigned. However, he unfolded the conspiracy and scam that existed in the PhilHealth agency. He called the Phil-Health mafia the crime of the year. On Tuesday, Mr. Keith pointed out the recent anomalies within the PhilHealth agency that resulted in the loss of P15-billion in the state insurer’s funds.

Mr. Keith appeared at the Senate committee of the whole investigation concerning PhilHealth scandal. He mentioned that the execution of the provisional repayment mechanism, the procurement of exorbitant information, and the communication technology equipment remained very challenging.

Transactions at the PhilHealth Office

As well, Mr. Keith presumed that the money spent and stolen based on his observation appeared to be more or less than ₱15 billion. Mr. Keith, as well as other officials, tendered his resignation after the controversial meeting. That meeting spiraled into a debate for fervent interactions over PhilHealth’s supposedly high-priced IT system. Mr. Keith revealed that the purported culture of corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation was due to the constant operation of a mafia-like consortium.

Indeed, Mr. Keith shared his views that these PhilHealth scammers have plans to use the money of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to supplant the stolen amount. 

References

Ramos, C. M. (4 August 2020). PhilHealth mafia’ pocketed P15-B worth of funds, says ex-anti-fraud exec. Retrieved August 6, 2020, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1316435/philhealth-mafia-pocketed-p15-b-worth-of-funds-says-ex-anti-fraud-exec

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The Philippines loses its battle against China

On Monday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned that China held possession of the South China Sea. He, as well, accentuated that the United States’ come back to the former naval base in the Southeast Asian country could only hoist a threat of war. In fact, President Duterte discoursed about the maritime dispute in his fifth state of the nation address. This discussion regarding the territorial conflict becomes the center of conflict between China and the United States in the area.

Meanwhile, critics of the Philippine President Duterte continued to remind the president’s decision to handle the territorial dispute. To respond to the criticisms, President Duterte acknowledged that he was incompetent in his territorial claims. He said that China claimed the South China Sea and that the Philippines did, too. However, he emphasized that China has advantages – the fleet strengths, the aircraft carriers, the submarines, the destroyers and frigates, the corvettes, and the coastal patrols, which the Philippines does not have them. In other words, the Philippines cannot make its way to defend itself if China attacks the country. The United States, as well, cannot even beat China’s power.

Source: GlobalFirepower.Com

Moreover, President Duterte knew his stand. He even recognized China’s power. He said that his reason to take a step back on the South China Sea dispute was simple – the Philippines has not had any force to compete with China. “They own the property… so what can we do?” President Duterte added.

Finally, the Philippines loses its fight against China over the South China Sea.

References

Venzon, C. (27 July 2020). Duterte says Beijing is ‘in possession’ of the South China Sea. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/Duterte-says-Beijing-is-in-possession-of-South-China-Sea?utm_source=paid.outbrain.com&utm_campaign=BA%20PH&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=E15-1&dicbo=v1-3ae22d89f1a07dee67fe51fd141c6967-00280e9c9208103b82992e13a5e43683ac-mqytqzrumyydmljxhfsdmljumjsdsllbgi2tsllfgy4gmmzrmztdqyrtmu

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The Chocolate Hills: A country’s wonder to explore

You may be thinking why I feature the Chocolate Hills. Well, even if this beautiful spot is far from Misamis Oriental, I cannot deny the fact we love this place. Some people may not have the chance to glimpse the stunning view of the Chocolate Hills and its geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines. As such, this feature article takes you to the Chocolate Hills and its historical narrative and geologic formation.

Well, the Chocolate Hills has been the celebrated tourist attraction of Bohol and in the Philippines. These hills are even highlighted in the regional flag and seal to signify the lavishness of natural attractions in the province. As the Philippine Tourism Authority submits a list of tourist destinations in the Philippines, it includes the Chocolate Hills because of its wonder. The Chocolate Hills as pointed out becomes the third National Geological Monument, and the country proposes for addition in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In other words, the Chocolate Hills become the third National Geological Monument by the National Committee on Geological Sciences on June 18, 1988, in respect of its unusual features, scientific significance, distinctiveness, and extraordinary picturesque value.

A Small Leaping Primate known as Tarsier Found in Bohol

Additionally, tourists may ask us how many hills in the place. Most likely, there have been at least 1,776 hills in the area in which tourists can enjoy hiking and walking. These hills that spread over an expanse of more than 50 square kilometers can be the best place to sightsee and witness the splendor of the venue. Well, we can see tarsier in Bohol. These tarsiers are from the family of Tarsiidae, any of six or more species of small leaping primates found only on various islands of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Tourists will discover and know that tarsiers are in-between in form between lemurs and monkeys. Surprisingly, these primates measure only about 9–16 centimeters or 3.5–6 inches long. Of course, we do not include the tails in the measurement of about twice that length. These hills called chocolate hills since they become chocolate-brown during the dry season. During the rainy season, green grass covers the hills.

Moreover, rumors of legends spread like wildfire. According to legends, the chocolate hills come into existence due to the two disagreeing titans who tossed boulders, rocks, and sand at each other. Legends continue that these hills become Chocolate Hills. When the fight between these two giants is over, the huge mess of hills becomes the Chocolate Hills.

Jagna Port in Bohol

Finally, if we are from Cagayan de Oro City, we just need to go to Cagayan de Oro Port. We then book a ticket for only ₱700.00 plus or minus and then take a ferry from Cagayan de Oro to Jagna Port. From Jagna, Bohol, we can go directly to Tubigon via Carmen City to the Chocolate Hills. Perhaps, we can take a bus to Carmen at the Tubigon bus terminal. As well, we can find the bus terminal 1 kilometer away from Tubigon Port. Additionally, the road takes 1-2 hours and costs ₱30 – 80 pesos.

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C Resort: A seamless retreat to recapture

One of the most exciting adventures of a lifetime is to travel to places where we exactly know. These places may be close to home or within the vicinity of Misamis Oriental. Yes, we have known C Resort for a very long time, but we have never had ample time to set up our plans and take a few trips back and forth to the venue. Inasmuch as we have time, we go to the places near home. However, if we want to pay attention to the beauty of the environment and the adjacent place, we can go somewhere else. We can go to C Resort. Even if we knew the resort, we have never had an opportunity to take a respite and wind up just a little bit to reminisce good memories down to our memory lanes. We have missed that so far.

A Cerulean Blue Pool Water and Turquoise Beach Water at C Resort

Over the first few months of the global pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 has struct us. It has caused us pain and struggles to stay at home. We have even become bored with something, and wathcing movies from Netflix and vlogging on YouTube will no longer break the monotony. Since we could not go far enough due to travel limits and restrictions, we have forced ourselves keeping our space so remote from the rest of our friends. However, with good permits, we can travel back and forth to places within Misamis Oriental.

Well, some places begin opening their stores and establishments. As the economy dives down, business leaders and owners push their interests and talk to the Department of Trade and industry, as well as other agencies, to permit these business organizations to resume their services and transactions. Dear readers, C Resort will soon inform its customers and guests regarding the resumption of all activities. Soon, we can make memories in the resort as we choose to relax, recapture, and unwind. As guests and visitors, we just need to visit its Facebook Page from time to time.

Become Fascinated by the Enticing View of Blue Waters

By the way, C Resort is in Gimaylan, Libertad, Misamis Oriental. The exclusive and refined look plus its appealingly picture-perfect beach resort stands impressively on its spot with its spectacular natural splendor. As guests and visitors, we cannot refuse to take our trips and set up our plans so that the next morning we wake up we will be in a grandiose accommodation of C Resort.

A Time to Visit C Resort

Please do not forget this. Some of you may ask where it it. Well, C Resort is located at National Highway, Gimaylan, Libertad 9201, Misamis Oriental. the management has its mobile phone dial on 0977 819 2799.

An Update of Cottage and Room Pricing Rates
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Blu Sands Beach Resort: A home to adore

Blu Sands Beach Resort is a place of adventure. Holidaymakers and local tourists alike offer some exciting activities and moments of relaxation as they want to unwind from stress. Blu Sands Beach Resort is located at Tubigon, Initao, 9016 Misamis Oriental. It is a place where tourists can enjoy doing pool activities and finding a new area to roam around. The place appears to be well suited for those who want to stay for days since it has a pleasant hotel.

Well, beachgoers and tourists alike can witness the beauty of the area. The management of Blu Sands Beach Resort introduces new and well-managed facilities. Its clean pool waters can attract much attention to the guests plus the marvelous adventures in the beach waters, too. Additionally, Blu Sands Beach Resort can be a new place for recreation and a short retreat. It invites tourists to come to the place and enjoy other conveniences and services. This newly opened resort captivates the hearts and minds of the guests and vacationers because it is new and relaxing.

Newly Built Cottages and Rooms at Blu Sands Beach Resort

Besides, vising Blu Sands Beach Resort is easy. For all first-timers who do not know Blu Sands Beach Resort, it is located right next to the recognized Midway Beach Resort. In other words, these two beaches compete with guests depending on the guests’ and vacationers’ decisions.

A Pleasant View of Blu Sands Beach Resort

Additionally, we can contact the management if we want to do it. For more inquiries, we call or send them a message at +639055453599 (Globe) or +639258987640 (Sun). Please check out the rates below:

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Hardrock Lux Spring Resort: A place to love

Setting up our plans these days can be a wise decision to make. It is because we have so much time to do it. We are with our family this time due to the pandemic and the stay-at-home policy. Since we have nothing to do at the moment except doing some cooking, gardening, planting vegetables, and the like, we surely have much time planning for our next adventure.

Well, let us try Hardrock Lux Spring Resort. This resort is located at Dumarait, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. From Cagayan de Oro, it only takes more than an hour to commute. We can surely spend our time with our family members and friends in the pool or even attend some activities in the place.

A Cool and Refreshing Pool Water at Hardrock Lux Spring Resort

Additionally, Hardrock Lux Spring Resort has everything to offer – the cool and refreshing swimming pool. This place can be a great venue for a wet picnic, a family get-together, and more. Various events like Ms. Bikini and other beauty pageants happen here and there. In other words, Hardrock Lux Spring Resort in Dumarait can be a party venue for all.

Beauty Contest at Hardrock Lux Spring Resort

Moreover, local tourists and party-goers alike know where it it. Hardcok Lux Spring Resort is at Dumarait, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines. Oh, by the way, we need to know that the spring resort accepts some bookings and party arrangements with a minimum payment of ₱5,000.00 per family with an inclusive two cottages. We cannot wait for more? If we do have questions, we can call and contact the management of Hardrock Lux Spring Resort at its mobile phone dials 09177002697 or 09177182697. Well, we can also send a message on its Facebook Page.

An Exciting Venue for Family Get-Together and Party

So, what are we waiting for? We set our plans now, prepare all necessary fun and exciting activities, and take some moments to enjoy at Hardrock Lux Spring Resort. Our friends are planning, too. How about you?