Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol
Tawi-Tawi is a province in the southern tip of the Philippines and is a part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its capital is the municipality of Bongao with an area of 1,087 square kilometers. It is such a very peaceful place where Christians and Muslims blends well together.
Arriving Sanga-Sanga Airport at 2:40 P.M. of Bongao
This trip started with a Cebu Pacific flight from Zamboanga City. Yes, I was alone in this trip. Prior to my trip, I had asked a referral from tour provider, Dr. Ericson Ranchez in which I was referred to stay at the homestay of Nursida Diamson Jaluddin. Their house is just a few meters away from the airport.
Nursida Jaluddin's Homestay (second floor)
My accommodation was very comfortable equipped with an electric fan at P500 per day including complimentary breakfast which is a complete meal: rice, coffee or milk, or a choice of fish or egg/hotdog, dessert (usually kakanin) with fruit.
Day 1 - December 25, 2023
After exchanging pleasantries with Madame Nursida and fixed my luggages in my accommodation, I requested with Nursida to provide me a transport and guide for a stroll till early evening, where she gave my permanent guide for the whole duration of my stay who is Bensal Abdulmonab - a very friendly and a very smart Muslim.
Bongao Municipal Hall at the capital center
The capital center or downtown where business establishments are housed is approximately 10-15 kilometers depending upon the direct routing. Evidently, it is a bustling municipality. It has a number of banks with ATM machines and grocery stores. There are no supermarkets and malls there yet.
Tawi-tawi Provincial Capitol
From the town proper, we drove uphill to Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol and on top of it is overlooking the lowlands in a very majestic display. Joggers and bikers alike abounds at the capitol grounds. Approaching the capitol is a line of food stalls with concrete chairs to relax on.
The town's lowlands as viewed from the capitol's platform view deck (capitol's foreground)
Strollers, tourists, joggers and bikers flocked to the provincial capitol early in the morning and late in the afternoon. There are not many tourists in Tawi-Tawi and I can barely see a foreign national during my visit. But for me, visiting the place is in itself an achievement since not all can afford to visit here.
There is no direct flight coming from Manila to Tawi-tawi and vice versa. The option is to take a flight from Manila to Zamboanga City and another flight from Zamboanga City to Bongao of Tawi-Tawi. Another option from Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi is thru ferry (roro type) in Aleson Shipping Lines with weekly trips for a travel duration of 17 hours with a fare of P1,500.
Taking a picture with the provincial seal/logo
My tour guide/driver, Bensal Abdulmonab stayed at the Capitol grounds until 5:25 P.M. That was such a refreshing afternoon for me coupled with a perfect weather.
The Masjid Raayat Mosque
From the provincial capitol, we drove back to my accommodation and we have to pass thru the majestic Masjid Raayat Mosque, which is also called Tawi-Tawi Central Mosque.
Bud Bongao Peak at the background
As we drove away from Masjid Raayat Mosque, Bud Bongao Peak was appearing in total splendor at our back and becoming smaller as we continue to drive away to an opposite direction.
The Sanga-Sanga beach coast
In my first visit in June 2002, Sanga-Sanga beach coast has still stretch of white sand on its shore line, but this time, it is already deep and swimming is at one's risk.
Capturing Bud Bongao Peak at the backdrop
It was already dark when I arrived at my accommodation at around 6:30 P.M. just timely for my sumptuous dinner. Before I left for stroll, I requested from Nursida that I will be served with seafoods for my dinner charged to my personal account and I had it served for my dinner
Day 2 - December 26, 2023: Island Hopping
Tawi-Tawi is composed of 307 islands and islets, which is divided into 11 municipalities. Sitangkai is the biggest municipality and the Southern municipality of the Philippines. Tawi-Tawi is the main island where Panglima Sugala municipality is located, the former capital of Tawi-Tawi. Bongao island is a smaller island where Bongao municipality, the capital town of the the province is located.
The start of our Panampan-Simunul-Sangay Siapo Island hopping
So tired of my previous days trips, I woke late at 8:10 A.M. of December 26. Our island hopping was delayed, because one guest named Bernard from Manila wanted to join me in the island hopping, so that the packaged amount of P7,000 can be lessened by half. We left Bongao at 10:00 A.M.
1. Panampangan Island
Approaching Panampangan Island
This is island is a breathtaking "hidden gem" in the Tawi-Tawi islands, which is famous for its over 3-kilometer-long, unique sandbar that is the longest in the country. It features powdery white sand and turquoise waters and entirely nestles in the Celebes Sea.
It was too hot in the island
It took us one hour and 40 minutes from Bongao Port to Panampangan Island, where we reached the island at 11:40 A.M. The clear turquoise waters was very inviting to swim.
Bridge Beach in Panampangan
This bridge beach looks more scenic during high tide. And divers can go diving at the tip of the bridge during high tide.
The rates in island hopping is regulated by the local government unit. Though, Nursida gave the rate of the 3-island hopping to P7,000 only. Normally, for Panampangan Island only, its rate is already P8,000. It so happened that Nursida has another guest who just came from Manila and so, divide amount of P7,000 reducing it to P3,500 for each of us.
Wading down at the bridge beach
Panampangan Island and its long sand bar
Walking on the longest sandbar of the Philippines
Literally such a very, very long stretch of sandbar
Walking along the long stretch white sand beach of Panampangan Island
Panampangan island has a marine post where they man the island for the safety of the tourists that visit the island. When we arrived there, I counted them as 28 marines in full uniform gear. They are very accommodating and sincerely friendly to visitors.
2. Simunul Island
Traveling from Panampangan Island to Simunul Island takes 55 minutes. where we reached there at 2:50 P.M. Simunul is an island municipality of Tawi-Tawi. It is known as the birthplace of Island in the Philippines. Its most famous landmark is the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque, the oldest mosque in the Philippines, built in 1380. The island offers a glimpse into local culture and natural landscapes, with communities often uniting through their desire to serve and improve healthcare, as seen in the work of YWAM Ships PH.
Touring around the mosque
Entry in the mosque is allowed for a donation of P100 or more. You can also give a donation of P100 or more for the use of Muslim abaya and there will be a guide to explain everything as you roam around the sacred place of the mosque. Entry to the mosque is scheduled during non-worship hours.
The lobby leading to the main door of the mosque
The mosque's interior
While inside the mosque
While inside the mosque
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| Leaving the mosque |
From the mosque, where we left at 4:11 P.M., we had an 11-minute habal-habal ride to Papa Bull's Park, still in Simunul Island municipality.
Papa Bull's Park is a free-entrance local attraction in Simunul known for housing a large crocodile named Papa Dave, who is considered the largest in the Philippines and has not shown signs of illness or injury.
The park where Papa Dave lives
Papa Dave can freely roamed around the municipal hall grounds and to the swampy area connected to the park. Thinking of it freely roaming around this area scares me a lot.
Papa Dave is just below the foot bridge
This is how it looks at a distance where Papa Dave is under the foot bridge
The municipal hall is just adjacent to the man-made pool for Papa Dave
Yes, Papa Dave crawls freely in this area whenever he likes
What if Papa Dave will chase me in this municipal hall grounds. I am just wondering if Papa Dave has also eaten children he caught in this grounds.
Leaving Simunul Island at 4:50 P.M.
We left Simunul Island at 4:51 P.M. heading to the next island destination which is Sangay Siapo. It is a very small island with no available information as to its area. But it is really stunning in beauty and scenery.
3. Sangay Siapo Island
Sangay Siapo Island at a distance
Upon landing on its wharf at 5:14 P.M., I personally witnessed its pristine white-sand beach coast with crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is dotted with overwater bungalows and a long boardwalk. Features which somehow earned it the title of being "the Little Maldives of the South" due to its stunning tropical beauty. We paid P100 for the entrance fee per person.
The charming overwater bungalows connected with long boardwalk
The other side of overwater bungalows
Ocular inspection of the overwater bungalows
The powdery white sand beach coast
Walking thru the long boardwalk
Witnessing the magical sunset on the side
Such a refreshing sunset walk
Literally powdery white sand beach
The small patch of coconut trees growing in the island
As we leave Sangay Siapo Island the magical sunset was chasing us
Left Sangay Siapo Island at 5:50 P.M. and was at the Sanga-Sanga Wharf at 6:25 P.M.
Day 3 - December 27, 2023
For Day 3, I decided to have a climb in Bud Bongao which I have done already in my first visit in June 2002. But this time, I will see to it that I have a lot of pictures and videos. What is new in this second trip to Tawi-Tawi was my tour to Panglima Sugala municipality and other new tourist spots.
1. Bud Bongao Climb (342 MASL)
Bud Bongao jump-off point
As early as 7:04 A.M., I was already at the registration site which is at the jump-off point of the mountain with Bensal Abdulmonab as my guide again.
Well-maintained trail equipped with shades in between intervals
Bud Bongao has 3,608 steps towards its Tambisan Peak at 342 MASL. It has cobble stone trail and in between intervals, LGU utility staff clean the area to make it tidy and comfortable for the climbers and pilgrims. For the Muslims, this mountain is sacred. It was inaugurated as Bongao Peak Eco-Tourism Park in 2017.
The trails are "So clean, so good!" like the mantra of Sogo Hotel
As the trails are so manageable, I can see a lot of aged people as well as small kids dotting and strutting along the cobbled stone trail.
A little of assault but not too much
This one is a real assault
Such an easy trail just like a mall walk
The first view deck
Entering the thickly forested area of the mountain
Still at the thickly-forested area
The second viewdeck
The view from the second viewdeck
The communication tower adjacent to the summit
Reaching the summit at 8:17 A.M.
I started the trek at 7:06 and reached the summit with an elevation of 342 MASL at 8:17 A.M. which means that I consumed 1 hour and 11 minutes including rests and taking pictures with my guide, Bensal.
While at the summit
The view from the summit
Outside the summit viewdeck's flatform
Descending from the summit
Such a sharp descent thru cobbled stone stairs
Passing thru a Muslim worship area
A tradition where a ribbon/paper tied represent problem or illness
The climbers and pilgrims at this part of the mountain can tie the coded colored ribbons or paper which represents their problems and illness.
Adapting to their tradition
Passing thru this giant tree
Reaching the third viewdeck at 8:56 A.M.
While at the third view deck flatform
Performing a Muslim dance at the third view deck
Still outside the third deck flatform
Bud Bongao is monkey's habitat
Descending Bud Bongao
2. Panglima Sugala Municipality
My guide and I left Bud Bongao jump-off point at 10:15 A.M. and headed to Panglima Sugala arriving there at 12:02 Noon. It was a long drive but the roads are in good condition.
While at the Municipal Fish Port of Panglima Sugala
Touring around the place
Taking our lunch
Panglima Sugala Grand Mosque
Municipal Hall
The Catholic Church
At the border of Panglima Sugala exiting at 1:20 P.M.
3. Arsafria Farm
Arrived at Arsafria Farm at 1:26 P.M. This is a 10-hectare farm in Interior Lapid-Lapid, Tawi-Tawi which is 25 kilometers from the town of Bongao. It is a unique estate that combines recreational activities, religious devotion and agricultural practices in a peaceful retreat and farm setting. It offers a unique, refreshing experience for visitors looking for a nature-filled and spiritually recharging attraction. There was an entrance fee of P100 in the farm.
Masjid Qudwatun Hasanah Mosque
The refreshing pool in the farm
Almost done with the hanging bridge crossing challenge
ARSAFRIA Farm is the acronym of the 8 children of the founders, Radzma Jamiri and Jul-Ajid Jamiri. The names of the 8 children are: Al-Radjid, Rashid, Sitti Rahma, Al-Amin, Fauzia, Ro-Janna, Ishmael and Abdullah.
"I Love Tawi-Tawi" marker at Arsafria Farm
This farm resort began its construction on July 2019 and opened its door to welcome guests on November 2021. The concept and design had arisen from the founders visions to create a place of recreation and relaxation not forgetting to glorify and thank the Creator.
The watchpost in the farm
Biking in the farm
Indeed a tropical resort farm
I left Arsafria Farm at 2:20 P.M.
4. Hja. Uppay Malik Robber Tree Farm
The rubber trees in this farm has been planted in 2008. This forest park resembles that of a scenery seen in a Korean "tele-novela" which features a forest of tall lanky rubber trees, filled with brown falling leaves spread across the park's ground. There was no entrance fee upon here but guests are encourage to donate which I did at P50.
The entry to the rubber forest park
The towering rubber trees
5. Balobok Rock Shelter
It is a cove facing the Sulu Sea at Sanga-Sanga of Tawi-Tawi. It is a prehistoric habitation site from 6810-3190 Before Common Era or BCE (8760 -5140 years ago), as evidenced by a shell midden that yielded a considerable amount of animal remains in all three of its cultural layers.
This archaeological wonders was accidentally discovered in 1963 by Mr. Assiong Bangali of Tubig Basag Primary School while fishing near the shore. He saw the rock shelter as he took refuge during a suddent downpour. In 1966, Mr. Eric Casino of the #NationalMuseumPh reported the existence of the rockshelter when he visited it during his fieldwork in Cagayan de Sulu Island. His report described the rockshelter as an archaeological site with shell and stone adzes, flaked tools, earthenware sherds, and shell remains. Later that year a team of archaeologists led by Mr. Casino conducted an initial excavation of the site. This was succeeded with a partial excavation in 1969 by American anthropologist Alexander Sphoehr, and a re-excavation in 1992 and 2007 by the #NationalMuseumPH.
Touching unto the beach ground
6. Balobok Cave
This cave is just a few meters from the Balobok Rock Shelter. Though for there is only one registration fee to be paid in this site.
7. Grassland
I arrived at the Grassland at 4:25 P.M. and gave a donation of P50 at the main entrance. It is one of the newest attractions which features a mini-park equipped with tree chairs and huts for picnic. It is right next to the beach.
8. Mindanao State University (Tawi-Tawi Campus)
Mindanao State University - Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) includes now the College of Law. It also has the colleges of Fisheries, Education, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Arts and Sciences, and Institute of ICT. It is located in Boheh Sallang, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. It was founded in 1964.
The Main Gate
The Academic Building
