Astonishing wonder's of Juag Lagoon: Matnog's Hidden Treasure

On the second day of my Tikling stint, I and my travel buddies woke up early to catch the sunshine in Tikling Island. One thing to note though is that the front side of Tikling island is not a good spot for sunshine photo opp since the sun shines on the eastern part of the island and it is situated on the hind part of the said paradise.Hence, we contented ourselves sight seeing and playing hide and seek with some of the islands permanent residents: the little crabs that roam around the beach's shores.

We had our breakfast at 5:30 AM, and afterwards I decided to mooch around and took a last glance at my piece of paradise. Later on I decided to take a last dip, and swim to my hearts content as my way of saying goodbye to the island. As I played in its crystal clear waters I realized that swimming is best done in the morning in the island of Tikling. As I lay afloat its waters, I heard the rev of an approaching boat. True to his word, kuya Alex arrived on time, good thing Arturo had dismantled our tents and were ready for our next adventure: Island hopping in Juag Fish sanctuary and Subic beach.

After nearly 20 minutes of traversing the Pacific ocean, our boatmen manuevred us to a cove that consist of several fish cages. It was then when we just arrived to our first stop: Juag Fish Sanctuary.The lagoon looks like an ordinary site of fish cages, with very spartan shelter in its center which serves as the owners recieving area. Next to it is an isolated cage that can be reached via bamboo raft, that serves as the viewing area. A couple of minutes after we docked, a group of students from Bicol University arrived too.

Never get excited to swim once in Juag Lagoon, Since its a fish sanctuary, anyone who applied sunblock is not allowed to swim in the area. The waters is good for swimming,
this time one can enjoy swimming with the school of fish that is under kuya Alex care. Too bad we don't have an underwater camera to capture the moment. I feel so lucky and blessed that I had the opportunity swimming with the school of fishes, you know the feeling that you are swimming freely with this little creatures, without any sign of fear from them, I had much of good time and could't thank the people like Kuya Alex for having the heart and compassion for this creatures!! When asked if they are for sale, he replied quickly, his friends are not for sale. It was then that I realized that Matnog is so blessed with people like Kuya Alex.

The lagoon also serves as a temporary shelter for endured sea animals like dolphin, sea turtles etc. I took my last dip in the lagoon, thinking that people who doesnt have too much of money has so much to give to maintain a balance in marine ecosystem. As I continously swam I wished I could raise funds to make the fish sanctuary in Juag a role model not just in Sorsogon but in the entire Philippines, but this time as a tourist, I would buy tokens from Juag to help the family earn a decent living, I would pay the fair (which is literally fair enough) and give extra to show my appreciation on these people's unending care and compassion to the little marine creatures, as a tourist I would spread the word to promote eco tourism in the area,that in turn helps people promote and solicit environmental awareness not just from tourists but from the locals themselves.

I concluded my Juag adventure by taking a photo opp with my beloved seekyu (short for sea cucumber)Yes, the sea cucumber's soft texture reminds me of how soft and big are Juag's people's heart for this marine creatures. Looking at this unique creature, I told myself Juag Lagoon is uniquely beautiful and its splendid nature is simply incomparable.

Proprietor /Banca Operator : Alex Geneblazo
Contact number :09183045437

Tikling Island and its Pinkish White Sand: Matnog's Hidden Paradise in Baranggay Calintaan

My first 3 days in Ligao City had been spent visiting my relatives and friends and planning my trip to Caramoan Island. I had been asking some of the locals while aboard RSL bus if the island is indeed closed for tourist because of the Survivor Philippines Shoot. Some said yes and some said they had been to the island just recently and there are just some part of the island that is closed to public.

As much as I would love to visit the place I always had second thoughts as I don't want to spend my day travelling and being told in the end that Matukad Island is closed to public. Hence I opted to visit my new found love in Sorsogon; Tikling Island.

It was an uneventful 6 hour travel from Ligao City to Matnog Sorsogon. This time I was with my brother Arturo Jr, and his long time fiance Tintin. I am glad I was able to share my passion in travelling to this family members. I promised them that they wont regret this travel ever. We left Nasisi Ligao City at exactly 5:30 AM via tricycle to Tuburan, catched a Saint Jude bus bound to Legaspi, alighted in Daraga, took a jeep to Baranggay Banag and from there took a bus bound to Sorsogon City. We arrived in Sorsogon city at exactly 8 AM, we had 30 minutes before the jeepney leaves Sorsogon, so we decided to shop for our food. Luckily there is a Savemore Shop that opens that early so we were able to shop for our provisions. The jeep bound to Matnog left Sorsogon City at exactly 8:30 AM. The rev of the vehicle signaled another trip via long and winding road to Matnog Sorsogon. Good thing though that the road to this part of Luzon is well concreted as opposed to that in Quezon province.

Our boatman was already waiting for us as we arrived Matnog port.A very charming lady guided us to a small karenderia were we will eat our lunch and our last meal with rice for the day. We indulged ourselves to a sumptuous meal before leaving Matnog. Afterwards Grace guided us to the port were Kuya Alex and his crew are waiting.I was stunned with the family's hospitality that they opened they're home for us so we can rest from a tiring trip before finally boarding the boat bound to Tikling.But our group was too excited to reach our destination that we hadnt wasted much time. After giving our boatman Php500 for gas, we immediately left Matnog port.

While it is true that the waves in the Pacific ocean are horrible, I was well prepared of an encounter with huge waves having braved the waves in my Calaguas Adventure but this part of May, the sea is generally gentle and it seems like were being lulled by calm waves to sleep before finally reaching our destination. It was the smoothest trip I've been to and I almost cant believe I'll be reaching paradise without much of an effort. It was indeed a lucky trip.

The group originally planned in staying at Subic Beach in Matnog, but having fallen in love at first sight of Tikling island made changes to the original plan. As the group alighted the boat, plans had suddenly changed and I then immediately looked for our host/ caretaker Kuya Anday and family who had been so kind to us during the rest of our stay in the island. After a short while we then asked kuya Alex to fetch us the next morning for our island hopping adventure in Juag fish Sanctuary and Subic beach. I reckon I might love to stay for the night in Subic Beach that I decided to do the island hopping the next day to make sure I would spend my night in Tikling island, and I was not wrong, Tikling island is simply magical.

As starters I asked if we can buy buko from our host but they politely declined to my disappointment yet they give it to us for free. The generous people of the island resonates the generosity and abundance of the place. Though the signage in the beachfront clearly indicates that the island is owned privately and one could be easily warned, its peoples hospitality is contrary to what the signage has to say. True indeed, you can not judge the box until you see whats within.

We pitched in our tents under the tree house in the beachfront, and immediately went on a siesta. It was 2:00PM and we had ample time to explore the island in the afternoon. This time I enjoyed a laid back afternoon while listening to videoke songs from passing ferry boats to and fro Samar and Sorsogon. Every single minute of the long journey to this place had been compensated. I closed my eyes with a smile thinking that every paradise in Bicol Region are situated on both gateways. On the Northern Gateway lies Calaguas, on the Southern Gateway Lies Tikling Island.I was brought to sleep by the chirps of some wild birds, and the summer breeze that blew beneath my cradle.

I enjoyed swimming in its turquoise green waters too. Though one needs to be very careful as its water becomes deep even in a short distance from the shoreline. While swimming in the waters of Tikling I remembered that the lake in MountPinatubo becomes unfathomable at a short distance too. Strong current could happen too at the southern part of the beach thus swimming in the area 15 meters south of the no trespassing signage is not allowed.

At day break I decided to go sight seeing. I originally planned to trek the whole island since its low tide but doing it solo is not a good idea, I then decided to go back after clicking my shutter on some panoramic views. I could say that Tikling island is simply amazing, just the way it is.Its pinkish white sand distinct to the place, its birdlike formation from afar, its lush vegetation, and the mangrove areas at the back of the island could be the reason why its people could catch their food without going too far from the beachfront.

We ended the day with the bar session and our easy open canned goods. At 8:00 PM everyone fall asleep in their tents. We had so much to do the next morning. I closed my eyes with much apprehensions and excitement for the next day's island hopping experience.

It was a blissful experience just being with Tikling Island, and enjoying God's given wonders without spending a fortune. Tikling island is indeed a hidden Paradise and its memories will remain in my heart forever. We left Tikling Island with a smile and a promise that we will be back someday to this hidden gem in Matnog Sorsogon.

Caretakers : Anday Geneblazo et al

Banca Operator : Alex Geneblazo
Contact Number : 09183045437

KAWA KAWA HILL : A HILL WITHOUT A HILLTOP AT THE HEART OF THE SUNFLOWER CITY OF LIGAO

Too many stories had been told about this lakwatsero's adventures, but none of them from my hometown. Hence this Lakbay Bicol trip was catapulted, my way of saying adieu and seek temporary solitude from the fast paced work environment, where I could seek comfort of my own home far down south. Hence my first stop, Kawa Kawa Kawa Hill.

Kawa Kawa Hill is slowly rising to fame due to its unique stature. Indeed a hill without a hilltop.Situated in the heart of Ligao City, who would have thought that this hill would be frequented by tourist from all walks of life?

Its distinct characteristics draws attention to all visitors. Like every beautiful wonders of nature, it requires an extra mile of trekking and determination before reaching its top. As most beautiful destinations are, every rewarding experience requires an ounce of perseverance. Before getting to its top, one has to endure nearly an hour of trekking sans your sweat glands fully activated. I was totally wet when I reached its top but my affliction got compensated with total awe as soon as I got there.What looks like an ordinary hill turned into a unique beauty.

The journey to the top starts with the station of the cross life size figures, and the lush vegetation to and from the top. I saw several families and group of excursionist clicking their shutters at every panoramic view in the park.

Aerial view of Ligao City can be seen atop the hill without the hilltop, as well as a stunning view of Mounts Mayon and Masaraga nearby. True indeed, what could have been a hilltop is a six hectare crater that resembles like that of a cauldron where the hill got its name " Kawa Kawa" This unique characteristic of the hill could have been the inspiration of the Local Government of Ligao Through the then city mayor now Albay 3rd district's Congressman, Dr. Fernando Gonzales to transform an ordinary hill into a famous park.

The park has concreted chairs and tables under the shade of its trees ideal for family outings and picnics. whereas, other recreational facilities are available such as volleyball net, and scouting facilities. It also boast a collection of Philippine eagle and some wild cat.

In line with Ligao City's endeavor of Making Ligao City a Sunflower City in the making, part of its land is planted with sunflower while the rest is planted with dinorado rice, pineapple and vegetables to promote agriculture.

Kawa Kawa hill's glory is at its best during dawn and day break. The cottages in the park is a good site for couples on a date, while the vast ampitheatre sized crater is best for jogging and even for some who just wants to mooch around.Tables and chairs are available for big family picnic goers. The Park is open from 4AM and closes 8PM.

As of yet the park can be visited without fees being imposed.