My trip to Lourdes Bay Resort in Binuangan was unintentional. It was because I had to escape the monotonous lifestyle at home. The boring four corners of my room, the repetitive DVD to watch, the boring backdrop of the house, the disappointing news every day, and the suffocating mandate to wear a face mask, a face shield and a body barrier permitted me to take a chance to have a road trip to somewhere. As I did not know where to go, I took my motorcycle and drove on the road going to nowhere. And yet, my foot pushed the break to stop. I looked at the scenery, searched around, and noticed that something was familiar. Here, I stopped at Lourdes Bay Resort in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental.
My view about the status quo in the Philippines compelled me to follow stern Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines and policies. I knew the growing confirmed cases of people who showed positive results of COVID-19 tests. However, I could not stay at home for six months. My friends and neighbors died because of staying at home and depression as if they were prisoners of their houses. My friends and I always felt fear of listening to the news concerning the actions of the national and local governments to discharge guidelines and rulebooks to keep our distance and even to let us stay at home. Yes, we observed such policies. However, we could not stay forever. Escaping to the places we loved most like Binuangan Lourdes Bay Resort in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental could be the best action to make.
As well, my friend, Gregg Cepe, was there. I did not have my photos of the place, but my friend had. Misamis Oriental Journal readers could see how exciting the place could be. We could tell based on our experiences that the place truly fascinated us. We could not ask for more because Lourdes Bay Resort has had a lot to offer.
Provincial Governor Bambi Emano’s action plans against COVID-19 pandemic received credit and recognition from the Assistant Regional Director of Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region X. Based on the report posted on Facebook from Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office, Assistant Regional Director Neil Aldrin Omega expressed his appreciation and thanks to Governor Bambi Emano because of his management strategies to fight against the COVID-19 crisis within the province.
As well, Misamis Oriental Provincial Information Office articulated his gratitude during his attendance in the monthly assembly with the Municipal Population Officers at the Provincial Population Office on August 25, 2020. Governor Bambi Emano, as mentioned by Assistant Regional Director Neil Aldrin Omega, deserved appreciation and attention as he succeeded in implementing stern actions, measures, and protocols to fight against COVID-19, as well as to ensure safety among citizens. Assistant Regional Director Neil Aldrin Omega, additionally, accentuated that the Provincial Governor did successfully manage the crisis in the province well.
Indeed, this recognition of the high-ranking official in the region suggested that Governor Bambi Emano together with the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) succeeded in their actions to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenge of the growing cases of COVID-19, the provincial government grew inspired to exert effort to guarantee protection and safety among citizens of Misamis Oriental against the deadly coronavirus.
The Philippines has been popular for its extraordinary and stunning adventure, beach, and farm resorts. It has been home for the most alluring beaches, cold springs, lagoons, lakes, streams, and waterfalls in the country. Local and foreign tourists even voted the Philippines for its picture-perfect home for the nomadic and peripatetic hearts. In Misamis Oriental, for example, holidaymakers and vacationers choose those sites that give them a sense of adventure and a time for relaxation. They know they can find more places to explore and spend quality time with family members and friends. How about the small town of Salay this time?
Location of Daygon Falls
Daygon Falls positioned at Barangay Tinagaan, Salay, Misamis Oriental, has become the fourth-class municipality of the province of Misamis Oriental. Tourists can find it along the shoreline of Macajalar Bay on the popular Island of Mindanao. They can witness the green and uncontaminated environment in which its people live a friendly and simple life.
Means of Transportation
Local and foreign tourists from Cagayan de Oro need to take two and a half hours to reach Salay by buses or cars due to the heavy traffic. The distance from Cagayan de Oro to Salay takes approximately 62 kilometers. Local and foreign tourists do not need to worry about their transportation problems since various transport vehicles, such as Bachelor Express, Pabama Buses, Bagong Lipunan, Bachelor Express, and RTMI buses are always available. Some tourists prefer for-hire vans, multi-cabs, and jeepneys for their convenience; whereas, others choose those buses. Well, Salay has 18 barangays. It allows tourists to take pedicab tricycles, motorized tricycles, and single motorcycle known locally as “habal-habal.” If we get there, we do not need to worry since all signages are in English and Filipino languages.
How Do We Get There
From Butuan City or Cagayan de Oro City, we can take buses to Salay. We can negotiate vans for hire to drive us to Salay, Misamis Oriental. If we choose to take the buses, we need to drop off at the bus-stop corner. Then, we have to find a tricycle. This tricycle as a means of transportation will take us to the motorcycle terminal. The term “motorcycle” in the region refers to the localized term “habal-habal.” Upon arrival at the motorcycle terminal, we can negotiate the “habal-habal”drivers to transport us and cross between Barangay Looc and Barangay Tinagaan. We tell the drivers to drop off at the Barangay Tinagaan Chapel.
Well, if we use private vehicles, we need to follow the national highway from Butuan City or Cagayan de Oro City. When we reach Salay, we turn at the junction of Barangay Looc going to Barangay Tinagaan. Then, we drive straight away until we reach Barangay Hall. This time, this Barangay Hall becomes our starting point to trek down to the falls.
Dagulos Cold Spring in Kimaya, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental has been attracting us and other local tourists for years. Because of its alluring scenery, it mesmerizes us with its magnificent view. Local and foreign tourists alike have been visiting the place to and fro, for they cannot refuse to ignore the can’t-miss and even instagrammable tourist destination. The pastoral view of this cold spring has always been a home for everyone. Of course, it gives us fun and excitement as this cold spring provides us with refreshment. As we plunge ourselves into the cool and refreshing crystal clear water, we surely cannot ask for more as we get more satisfied with it. We only see ourselves quench our thirst to dive into and swim in the basin of natural cold spring that we dare not to forget.
Dagulos Cold Spring may be unknown to some people. As of this time, only a few vloggers mention and visit the place. Perhaps, the COVID-19 pandemic does not allow them to visit the area due to some travel restrictions and temporary business closures. Nonetheless, others can make reservations for hangouts and relaxations. Well, this cold spring has been here all along. It only demands attention among local and foreign tourists alike. For instance, when we go along the rocky road to the place, we grow surprised to see and notice some root crops nearby. In the distance, we, as well, see some massive vegetation that keeps us close to nature. The lush-green coconut trees and the mountain trees give us a sense of home as we go along the cold spring. Regardless of the time of hiking and the short walk, Dagulos Cold Spring enthralls us because of its natural landscape.
Additionally, this cold spring in Kimaya has become popular among local tourists because of its glory and splendor. Some vacationers wish to visit the place to unwind; others want to go there to explore nature and unveil the hidden jewel of the region. Because of COVID-19 pandemic, local tourists, of course, want to end their agony of waiting to return all things to the normal state and hope to relax somewhere. Seeing Dagulos Cold Spring appears to be a picture-perfect destination to stopover. The crystal-clear water, the green vegetation, and the possible activities to do can be a home-sweet-home adventure. This escapade can surely ease tension and remove strain.
Moreover, we have to bring our food and snacks. We have to bring our swimming gear, communication devices, and the like as well. As we can do whatever we want, we definitely refrain ourselves from littering. We do not throw our trash everywhere. As we dive into the crystal clear of the cold spring that nature gives us, we have to take good care of it, at least.
Oh, are we excited now? Are we going to ask Misamis Oriental Journal to give us the map to Dagulos Cold Spring? Well, Dagulos Cold Spring is in Kimaya, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. However, it seems wise to visit the Tourism Office in Jasaan for the location. This office gives us the right directions plus the tour guides where we want to go. Misamis Oriental Journal only gives us the road map, not the specific map, for the readers to see it where to stop and where to leave the area back home.
P.S. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dagulos Cold Spring may change its operating hours or its business conditions and terms. Please read the thread of comments below where the management provides us with the contact number. Visit Jasaan Tourism Office to get more details today. Our Dear Friends and Readers, happy visiting!
Making our lives even more meaningful lies in our hands. It means that happiness depends on our decisions on how we perceive things. We just have to decide whether or not we choose to be happy. Despite the hassle and strain these past few days, we must find time to smile. Since we all have the luxury of life to see great moments and things, we must see it through our selves and through our character, positive thinking, and vibe. And yes, we know that life has always been challenging and problematic. We have struggle just a little bit and hold on to life. However, it does not mean that we have to surrender without trying to resolve those issues. We have to do something valuable. By resolving those problems, we can simply ignore those varying economic, health, political, religious, and social fiasco by finding means and ways to be happy. We find means and ways to channel our stress. Perhaps, Dahilayan Forest Park Resort allows us forget those depressing conditions of all the things around us. Through Dahilayan Forest Park Resort, we can spend moments to take a glimpse to witness one of the famous tourist destinations in the region and the country, as well. As such, creating good memories at Dahilayan Forest Park Resort has been the best decision to make and to enjoy the collection of pleasurable events for all guests – family members and individual guests.
Surely, Dahilayan Adventure Park offers a lot. It allows guests and visitors to experience the engrossing scenery, to catch the picture-perfect view of the stunning clouds and the sun, to talk about life and the future in the swing, to sit on the meadow that let us feel the warmth of nature, and to feel the spark of friendship and love. Dahilayan Adventure Park does not only serve daring and exploratory treats, but it does also give visitors time to create and re-create cavernous memories. Some people can confirm this one if they try to explore the miracles of Dahilayan Adventure Park; however, others cannot say a word. Sir Jan Teddie Añasco Alforo and his special someone, as well as his friends, have some stories to tell. They may be off the radar to tell their narratives, but we surely knew that they had such great memories in the park.
Moreover, some of the readers of Misamis Oriental Journal want pieces of information of the place directly. They want to know the address where they can go to start their adventure. Well, Dahilayan Forest Park Resort is located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Guests and visitors can check Dahilayan Forest Park at the foot of Mount Kitanglad with an estimated height of 4,700-feet above sea level. Guest and travelers alike love to spend a night or two at the cool and comforting hotel rooms. These gorgeous hotels, ornamented in earth characters and contentedly lit, allow these guests and visitors to feel the soothing ambiances. As well, they can get some heartfelt and welcoming hotels to stay at reasonably priced rates. With all the rooms having the private toilet and bathrooms, guests and visitors can enjoy their stay at Dahilayan Forest Park Resort.
Food at Dahilayan Forest Park Resort
Dahilayan Adventure Park or Forest Park Resort serves delicious and nutritious food for guests and visitors. The food has always been tasty. We can surely love the taste of the food at Dahilayan Forest Park Resort. After the excitement and fun doing some of those activities, we can surely enjoy the deliciously cooked, instagrammable food display, and carefully prepared food.
From this angle, we can see the buttery bacon and the fresh leaf of lettuce with a bread bun on top. Isn’t this food too watery to put it into our mouths where the buttery bacon will slide down from our hungry-mouth to the side of our lips? Well, we may find it satisfying to listen to the crunchy and fresh lettuce the moment we nibble at the cheesy butter in it. It tastes yummy, right?
Well, this one tastes fresh and healthy. We can eat these vegetables without complaining because those ones give us good health. The slice of cucumbers and tomatoes and the freshly cut lettuce and other green leafy vegetables give us a bowl of goodness and health.
Activities and Facilities
Dahilayan Forest Park Resort gives us numerous activities to enjoy and love. Numerous exciting actions are available if we want to consider doing all of them.
Well, for travelers outside Misamis Oriental, we can ask assistance from Magnum Radyo with its Carpool Services located at Lim Ketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro. I presume that everyone in the area of Cagayan de Oro knows where the Magnum Radyo is. When we get there, we book our trip right away. If we want an early-morning adventure, we need to go to the Magnum Radyo Ticketing Office for its Carpool Service at Lim Ketkai Mall probably at 5 AM so that we can travel at 6 AM and arrive at our destination between 7 AM and 8 AM.
The province of Bukidnon has been labeled as the high-ground paradise in the core of Mindanao. As a landlocked domain in the Philippines with its abundance of flora, Bukidnon has become the place where people get food crops and other harvests in the Northern Mindanao region. Malaybalay, as the capital city of Bukidnon, flourishes and grows because of its agricultural GDP source. As an interior and noncoastal region, it borders with Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte. However, Bukidnon as the center of Mindanao has become the rice bowl, fruit, and vegetable basket in Region X. Despite that amazing description, Bukidnon has amazing waterfalls to attract more tourists.
Laligan Falls
Local tourists can witness the beauty of nature and the grandeur of Bukidnon once they will visit Barangay Laligan, Valencia City. They can see and even experience another concealed charm of Bukidnon, the four-series cascading waters of Laligan Falls. Many tourists do not know exactly where it is and if it exists, but Laligan Falls stands right there waiting for local trekkers to explore.
Alalum Falls
Alalum falls gives a towering 148-foot high cascading water near the main road. Bordered by lush undergrowth with a viewing top deck, Alalum Falls in Kisolon, Sumilao in Bukidnon attracts us with wonder. It positions itself along the main highway in-between Impasug-ong and Sumilao municipalities. The story tells that Alalum falls as the soaring waterfall was once an iconic holidaymaker destination of Bukidnon Province.
Balisbisan Falls
Balisbisan falls is located at Sitio Kibangan Road, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Its water source does not come from the river. The water comes from the files of rocks in which it flows from them. As mentioned, the water, which sprouts from the rocks, forms like curtains.
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is in Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. It has three major falls namely; Gantungan Falls, Natigbasan Falls, and Dila Falls plus a swimming pool. Local tourists can reach the site less than an hour of hiking. As well, the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon developed the place and made Cedar Falls a reforestation project. Cedar Falls becomes an eco-park. This reforestation project has a land area of around 1,703 hectares that give us a cold spring, unsoiled river, tempting cold spinning pool, natural woodlands, progressing mountains, and Cedar waterfalls.
The status quo that people face has altered our ways of life. It has controlled us to express our thoughts, made all of us stay at home, and turned our lives into a boring state. Of course, we have paid attention to the very subtle details of the given policies and rules from the local and national governments. However, we have been close enough to surrender. We have become tired of waiting to end this crisis. We have lost everything as we have not fully adapted to the so-called new normal. We have become crazy in a way that we do not know what to do. We just buy pots and plant plants. Others tend to resort to playing mobile legends; whereas, some turn into Netflix. And yet, we have known that some of our friends had to find ways to survive. We drive tricycles like Eric Fructuoso, sell Siomai like Ate Gay, and retail fruit gummies like me. And then, we have become tired of doing this over and over again that we have lost our chances to unwind. Since this pandemic comes near its end, I hope so, we should consider finding ways to unwind. Perhaps, we can go camping beside the hills, swimming in the pool, trekking into the hilly forest. If we do some of these adventure activities, perhaps, we can eliminate the trails of stress and the remnants of frustration that the present condition showers on us. How about going to Katubhan and Mat-I Falls?
Location of Katubhan falls and Mat-i falls
Katubhan falls and Mat-i falls, which are the twin falls, are located at Barangay Mat-i, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. From Claveria, we spend around 30-45 minutes of trekking on a steep trail in the area within the stunning landscape. Trekkers and vacationers can experience a great adventure and an awesome experience. These twin waterfalls become the gorgeous possessions of Claveria municipality. Explorers and holidaymakers describe this twin falls as a congruently challenging in terms of both tracks with their imposing panoramic views given by nature.
How Do We Get There
We only take one hour and thirty minutes to go to Claveria if we are from Cagayan de Oro City. Here is what we do.
We need to communicate with the Claveria Tourism Office first.
Next, we have to hire our local guides. As recommended by Sir Jhong, we can choose either Ar-Ar Abrogar with his mobile phone dial 09755496786 or Kokong Bear Andam with his mobile phone dial 09059610895. We only pay ₱00 for the tour guide fee for 10 trekkers.
From Agora Terminal, Cagayan de Oro, we take an air-conditioned van bound to Claveria for only ₱00. We expect 1 hour and 30 minutes to arrive at the destination.
Then, we meet our local guides in Claveria. Once we do, we take bao-bao, dulog, tuktok, tri-cab, or whatever you call it, going to Barangay Mat-i. Each trekker will pay ₱00 per person. We spend 30 minutes in Mat-i Town.
Moreover, we have to be ready and prepare for our knees because we have to hike downhill so steep that we need to take a pause. This descending trek to the falls seems perfect for those adventurous persons.
As well, we cross the river as we head toward the falls. As we cross and trek the river, we make sure we have waterproof bags to keep our belongings dry since we expect the river to be knee-deep level.
Since we food corner shops are unavailable, we have to bring our food and water.
As responsible trekkers and citizens, we bring our trash bags to keep those food wrappers and others as we maintain the area to be clean. We do not need to leave our trash in the site to preserve sanitation around the waterfalls and anywhere in the vicinity.
So, if we are ready, we set the timetable and make things possible. We would like to thank the following people: AboutCagayandeOro.Com, Sir Jhong, and the Pack of Wolves, as well as the Claveria Tourism Office and Tour Guides.
Unwinding ourselves from everyday pandemonium helps us resolve some issues of our wellbeing. When we say health, we consider emotional, mental, and physical issues. We only want to relax just a little bit to end our common and everyday fiasco at home, in school, at work, and in the community. Our friends are correct when they invite us to wind down just a little bit and take their time to be happy. However, we often refuse to take our time because we feel like being edgy and overwrought due to the current predicament in the world. On the contrary, we all have the options to make. We can do all things within our grasp. We are in control. We just don’t mind all forms and shapes of stress that exist around us. We have to take a break. In other words, we have to pause for a moment from what we are doing. We, now, imagine how we can reduce the stressful situations that we are getting into the day-to-day mayhem. When our friends invite us to go somewhere else, somewhere exciting, we need to grab such opportunities and pack our bags. We have to unwind. When our friends ask us to go with them to Sipaka Heights, that’s the time when we say we better get going.
Sipaka Heights is in Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. It has been the tourist destination in the area where we surely feel the atmosphere and the tempting paradise. It has an amusing turquoise-blue beach seen from the top of the mountain. It has gorgeous spots to allow us to gesture for picturesque and scenic snapshots. It offers us good vibes if we allow ourselves to feel the wonder of nature. Well, we may ask, “Have you been to Sipaka Heights?” If not, then we will take you to Sipaka Heights. For now, we only need to imagine the scenery as we walk together through the gorgeous backdrop and the magnificence of Talisayan town. So, we set our plans. We have to spend our time with family members and friends. We have to remember that we don’t exist here in the world to work hard, pay bills, and die. We are passengers who always travel and make the most of our lives. Look around us. What is happening? Is it worth waiting for miracles that everything gets normal and government officials give us a good life? No, it’s not. We have had enough for all these gibberish political dramas and lies. So, we firmly take our chances to enjoy ourselves from the miracles of nature. We have to live and re-live every moment that we have. We don’t exactly know when we stop breathing. At least, we enjoy traveling around the places where we love most. Indeed, we need to go to Sipaka Heights.
What’s more, Sipaka Heights has all that we need. We can absolutely feel the blowy atmosphere plus the wind-swept environment. We can, also, smell the great scent of the ocean wind. We can, furthermore, feel the warm embrace of the sun while spending everything all night long at Sipaka Heights. Known as the diving spot in Talisayan, Sipaka Heights puts a landmark of the site. Lovely as it is, we can enjoy the view of Camiguin since Sipaka Heights allows us to glance the Camiguin Island. Also, we can have a remarkable experience if we plan ahead of time. In doing so, we have to contact the local tourism office in Talisayan. We can ask if we can hire a local tour guide to help us reach the destination safely.
Oh, before we forget, Sipaka Heights is a hill. This mountain extends to the sea. As seen on the photos provided by Explore Misamis Oriental PH, we will feel awed and get surprised by the outstanding view of the shorelines and the foothills nearby. Did we mention that we are from Cagayan de Oro? Yes, we did. From Cagayan de Oro, we take two (2) hours to travel to the widely held holidaymaker or traveler destination in the province. We don’t need to worry about the stress of going there. The soothing scenery rewards us to witness the beauty of nature, allows us to go for a boat tour, and then swim in the astounding white beaches around the area.