Lake Sebu

A beautiful inland sea on the island of Mindanao, this lake is nested into the southern Tiruray Highlands at an altitude of almost 300m (984ft). The chance to delve into traditional lifestyles and culture, rather than modern attractions, is the highlight in this remote area.

With a bit of luck you’ll be able to take some of this traditional charm home with you: the local tribespeople, the T’boli, live in almost total seclusion and are known for the quality of their brassware and weaving. Their Saturday market is especially colourful.

Lake Sebu is a 2nd class municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 54,142 people in 11,158 households.

Lake Sebu is also the name of a natural lake in the municipality (at coordinates 06° 12.927N (DMS), 124° 42.090E (DMS)) within the Alah Valley region. The Philippine government has recognized it as one of the country’s most important watersheds. Lake Sebu is one of the many bodies of water supplying important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. The villages around the lake have been turned into an independent municipality called Lake Sebu after being a former village of Surallah.

Viriato

On the island of Samar, in the Visayas, Viriato lies along one of the most scenic coastal roads in the country. The road runs past mountains, steep cliffs, distant islands and scenic boat-filled bays. The town also boasts a large waterfall and good hiking opportunities.

Viriato Falls.located in Victoria. Beautiful pools with natural pool located 50 meters from a lovely beach.

Cantabon Cave

Within a few kilometres of Bandila-an Nature Centre is Cantabon Cave, the best known of Siquijor’s caves. The caving here is no picnic, often involving narrow, vertical climbs, waist-deep water, bats, and high humidity. But it’s well worth it.

It’s easy to find a guide in the nearby mountain village of Cantabon - if possible, one who can supply safety helmets and torches (a must). Other great caves in this area include Cang Anhao Cave, Ambaka’g Baki Cave and Dacanay Cave.

Cantabon Cave is not developed, but it is a rather easy horizontal passage, 300m long and most of the time about 10m wide. It is rather easy to visit, only lamps are mandatory. However, a helmet, good shoes and old clothes are always a good idea in wild caves. On the otherhand, pictures on the web show most people go in shorts and sandals.

There is an official cave guide named Ivan Victor Ibay. He looks after the cave, checks that nobody breaks dripstones, collects birds nests or leaver rubbish. The cave is protected by law, and as it is an important source of income for the locals it is protected very seriously.