A 10-DAY TOUR TO THE PROVINCES OF DAVAO, SARANGANI, NORTH COTABATO AND SOUTH COTABATO

Location: Provinces of Davao (Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental & Davao Occidental), Sarangani, North Cotabato and South Cotabato, Philippines

Paras Beach Resort of Sarangani Island in Davao Occidental

Note: The pictures of this trip was only taken from posted pictures in Facebook made to be cover photos while on the trip. The rest cannot be recovered since the camera used was lost while on board the plane going back to Manila.

This is my 8-day tour to the provinces of Davao, South Cotabato and Sarangani where I was based in Davao City. Homitori was my accommodation in Davao City at P220 per night. Its rate may change without prior notice. Thus, it is important to contact them prior to your booking reservation. Male and female accommodations are in separate buildings. Included in what I paid were the breakfast which is served from 6:30 – 10:00 A.M.; common study and dining room; guests lounge to watch TV or entertain visitors, spacious comfort rooms and bathrooms with 20 cubicles; free use of the gym, Wi-Fi, laundry and drying room and locker. There are two double beds in every room with a maximum capacity of four persons. I was lucky that I only have one roommate in my room.

The Homitori:  My Davao City accommodation

Homitori is a 2-star dormitel hotel located at the corners of F. Bangoy Street and Sta. Ana Avenue of Davao City. The rooms are furnished with bunk beds, lockers and tables and chairs.  Males and female guests are accommodated in separate buildings. It is 20-minute walk from Casino Filipino where it comprises 57 rooms.  It is 3 kilometers from the city centre and adjacent to Sta. Ana Shrine.  On the other hand, Zip city is four kilometers away while within the vicinity is the crocodile park.  For reservations, you can call +63 (82) 295-2969 and +63 (82) 295-2971.

The accommodating front desk at Homitori in Davao City

From the international airport to Homitori will cost you around P200 and would give you inconvenience, too, due to heavy traffic.

How to commute to and from to Homitori:

From the airport, you need to walk few meters towards the Diversion Road, since jeepney and other PUVs do not pass by in front of the airport.  Take a jeepney with a signboard of Holy Cross College via Sta. Ana Avenue costing P18.  From the Holy Cross College, take another jeepney with a signboard of Ulas via Magsaysay for P8, or you have the option to simply walk going to Homitori along Sta. Ana Avenue.

From Homitori, walk to few blocks away where jeepney route passes and board a jeepney with the signboard Panacan-Buhangin costing P18 and yes, drop on the corner of the Diversion Road leading to the airport gate.

Divisoria night market in Roxas of Davao City

It was Sunday and so early in the evening, we went to the Divisoria Night Market in Roxas to buy some food most particularly the local delicacies.

The busy street of Divisoria Night Market of Davao City

There are other non-food items available in the night market but we opted to buy and taste their local delicacies and even Paniza's delicious organic ice cream.  Because of the aroma food we smell, we decided to have our dinner here.

Interior of San Pedro Cathedral of Sta. Ana Davao City

After dinner, we proceed to San Pedro Cathedral of Sta. Ana for its last evening mass, where we just walked from the Divisoria Night Market going there.

Davao City Hall

Just across the cathedral is the Davao City Hall.  After the mass, we went back to Homitori and rested to be ready for our second day activities for this 10-day trip.

Tagum Public Market

Our bus dropped us at the Tagum Public Market where we had our breakfast eating  as much as tuna for our viand.  Tuna can be bought here in cheaper price available in all carenderia in the market.

Davao del Norte Provincial Capitol in Tagum City

Tagum City was our first destination on our second day trip which is located in the province of Davao del Norte. The picture above was taken from the capitol of Davao del Norte. The city is known as the “Palm City of the Philippines.” From Davao City, it takes one hour and 45 minutes drive for 77 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26.  We have no planned activity in this destination aside from picture taking of the important landmarks for our planned activities were more in the Compostela Valley.

Davao, officially the Province of Davao, was a province of the Philippines in the island of Mindanao. It was divided into three provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur with the passage of Philippine Republic Act No. 4867 on May 8, 1967. It was one of the largest, most populous and prosperous provinces in the country during its time, being settled by immigrants from the Luzon and Visayas island groups. (Wikipedia)

While in Nabunturan of Compostela Valley Province (new name is Davao de Oro)

From Tagum City, we had another bus going to Nabunturan of Compostela Valley where it took us 45 minutes bus travel or 35.1 kilometers via Daang Maharlika Highway and Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. Nabunturan is the capital town of the province.

Compostela Valley was once a part of Davao del Norte and it became an independent province in 1998 consisting of 11 municipalities and 237 barangays. It is the 78th province of the Philippines. It was later named Davao de Oro on December 9, 2019 after a plebiscite with 97% favoring its change of name to Davao de Oro.

A vast banana plantation in Maragusan in Compostela Valley

In search of water falls, we hired a habal-habal from Nabunturan to Barangay New Albay in the municipality of Maragusan of Compostela Valley where passed through vast banana plantations.

This is how we travel in search for water falls in Maragusan

Actually, from Davao City, where we have based, we boarded a bus going to Nabunturan of Compostela Valley.  But then, from here, we contracted a habal-habal to go Maragusan where we have been told, there are water falls where we can visit with Junjun Ducog as our driver.

On our way to Marangig Water Falls in Davao de Oro

Marangig Water Falls

Brgy. New Albay, Maragusan,  Compostela Valley

Marangig Falls was just one of the two water falls we toured in Barangay New Albay, Maragusan municipality in Compostela Valley province.  This part is the entry point for Mount Candalaga where along its trail features thirteen water falls upstream.   It exits in Tagbibinta water falls which has seven tiers available for viewing.

The trail leading to Marangig Water Falls

From the highway where we trek to the falls was just an easy trail with points crossing a shallow stream.  It was barely 30 minutes from the town proper and 10 minutes to trek from the highway.  

While battling the wet trail along the running stream

The trail is friendly and there is no need for a guide to get to the water falls.  Though you need to remove your shoes because trekking down to the water is unavoidable.

Marangig Water Falls
We were so lucky that by the time we arrived there, it was only the three of us with my travel buddies,  Anamarie Supremo and Teresa Santiago Corpuz who were there.  With very inviting water not so cold, we did have a short dip.  I did not see any cottages around except for one nipa makeshift close to the water falls.

Tagbibinta Water Falls

Brgy. Coronobe, Maragusan, Compostela Valley

This water falls has a series of 7 falls and is located just 5 kilometers from the Poblacion proper.  It measures 700 feet high.  A local told me that this part is the exit point of mountaineers who descend from Mount Candalaga,  the 29th highest mountain of the Philippines with an elevation of 2,402 MASL or 7,880 feet above sea level.

Cottages at the Tagbibinta Resort

Small bridge leading to the water falls

Approaching the water falls

Getting closer to the water falls

Unlike Marangig Falls, this Tagbibinta Falls has a resort fronting the water falls.  It has a gate where you will pay the entrance fee.  There are so many guests around when we arrived there, and I cannot even take solo picture because there were a lot of people who will be seen at the background.  We did not bother to have a dip because it was comparably colder than the first falls we visited.

The water falls basin (Model:  Teresa Santiago Corpuz)

Aguakan Cold Spring Resort of Maragusan

The last destination we visited in the municipality of Maragusan was the Aguakan Cold Spring. Maragusan is 55.3 kilometers from Nabunturan driving south for 70 minutes via Nabunturan-Maragusan Road. After the Aguakan Cold Spring, we supposedly took a bus going to Davao City. Unfortunately, the available bus was only up to Tagum City. It took us two hours waiting for the bus from Tagum City to Davao City.

Welcome marker of Mati City

The following day, we went to Mati, the capital town of Davao Oriental where it is 179 kilometers from Davao City with a bus travel of 3 hours to 25 minutes via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26 AND Surigao - Davao Coastal Road.

Menzi Beach Park and Campsite of Mati City

We had sumptuous lunch at the bus terminal of Mati where we savored tinolang tuna at a cheaper price. From there, we contracted a motorcycle going to Menzi Beach Park and Campsite located in Barangay Dahican of Mati City. The waves were high and raging. Thus, we did not dare to have a swim. We just breathe the fresh air and ordered some food while we were seated in one of the nipa cottages along the beach.

Hagimit Falls in the Island Garden City of Samal

The following day, we spent our day to visit the Island Garden City of Samal. We first visited Hagimit Falls in Penaplate District of the island. This is the nearest destination from Davao City where we had for the 8-day trip.

Uraya Beach Resort - Olivia Sands of Garden Cityof Samal Island

Spending 2 hours in Hagimit Falls, we moved this time to a very inviting beach of the island Garden City of Samal in the name of Uraya Beach Resort - Olivia Sands. This was where we spent the rest of our time. We were back in Homitori at around 6:30 P.M. due to heavy traffic.

While in the municipality of Glan of Sarangani Province

As usual, the next day, we woke up very early because we went to General Santos(Gensan) City. It was a 3-hour bus travel for 147.9 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. Gensan is a part of SOCCSKSARGEN, one of the regions of the country. It is located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City. This city is already a part of South Cotabato.

Isla Jardin del March Beach Resort in Sarangani Province

When we arrived in General Santos City it was already lunch and we dined at a restaurant where seafoods were served. We went first to Lion's Beach Port near Queen Tuna Park for ticket reservation but there was no ticketing personnel there. We decided to go to Puting Bato Wharf where we found a boat what we can reserve for our seats. Upon placing ticket reservation for our supposedly Sarangani and Balut Islands tour in Davao Occidental, Tess and Anamarie backed out for they were quite worried that they will be taking a cargo ship to the islands for 6 hours in a night trip.Besides, the cargo ship does not even have a cat bed to sleep with. In addition, it is stinky and smells like a copra. The ship's captain advised me to be back at 7:00 P.M. However, I still insisted that I will push through even if I am alone for the trip.

Rosal Beach Resort in Sarangani Province

Tess and Anamarie decided to just spend overtime in one of the beach resorts in the Municipality of Glan which is already a part of Sarangani Province. I accompanied them there where we boarded a passenger van which took us 1 hour and 50 minutes travel for 75 kilometers via Sarangani - Davao del Sur Coastal Road. From the bus terminal of Glan, we chartered a tricycle to search for a beach resort. Our driver drove us to Isla Jardin del Mar Beach Resort in Manando, Barangay Gumasa of Glan municipality. The place was good but since it was fully booked we were forced to look for another one and we drove back finally settling at Rosal Beach Resort still a part of Barangay Gumasa. Then I left Tess and Anamarie there after their check-in and I went back to Puting Bato Wharf where I waited for long. Whenever I asked the boat's captain, he would tell me just to wait until it was already 12:00 midnight. Only then, I learned that I was the only passenger. I was worried then because, aside from the captain, there are four crews and all of them speaks Arabic.

The map of Davao provinces (Wikipedia)

As a summary of my Davao provinces tour: Davao del Norte (Tagum); Davao de Oro formerly Compostela Valley (Nabunturan and Maragusan); Davao del Sur (Digos); Davao Oriental (Mati City); and Davao Occidental (Sarangani).

Bobo Beach Resort in Sarangani Island

My destination is Balut and Sarangani Islands. These two islands is a part of Davao Occidental where it has five municipalities, namely: Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita (the provincial capital), Santa Maria and Sarangani. So, it is clear that this Sarangani is not a province but a municipality consisting of the islands of Balut and Sarangani. This municipality has 12 barangays and its capital is the Mabila located in Balut Island.

Map of Davao Occidental (Wikipedia)

I was quite worried while I was on board the cargo ship to my islands destinations. I could hardly sleep but finally at around 4:00 A.M. my consciousness gave in and I fall asleep. I only woke up because the boat was smashed by huge waves. Luckily, the captain allowed me to sleep in his small special cabin. It was already 6:00 A.M. we were still in the middle of high seas. I can't control my body when it rolls because the boat continuously slants because of huge and powerful waves. It was at 7:30 A.M. when we arrived at our destination. Luckily, the boat's captain referred me to his relative to be my tour guide in I stayed in Mabila specifically in Maveas Poblacion 2 checking-in at Five-J Inn. Thus, my guide, drove me with his single motorcycle.

Mangrove Forest in Sarangani Island

Since I was tired, I decided to sleep first in my accommodation and the rest of the day, I was just strolling around the the town of Mabila of Balut Island. Early in the morning of the following day, my tour guide, contracted a boat on a chartered basis for our island hopping. The boatman was with us and the small boy, who is the son of my tour guide. Our first destination was the Bobo Beach Resort in Barangay Laker in the island of Sarangani.

Tuke Maklang Beach Resort of Sarangani Island (Davao Occidental)

After enjoying Bobo Beach Resort and its nearby mangrove forest in Barangay Laker, we headed to Tuke Maklang Beach Resort which is still a part of Sarangani Island. It is developed resort with with the choice of nipa hut cottages and concrete cottages. There was food and souvenir stores.

Paras Beach Resort in Sarangani Island

From Barangay Laker, our boat headed to Barangay Camalig still a part of Sarangani Island of which we stayed in the beautiful beach of Paras Resort. Its beauty is incomparable with many other tropical islands of the Philippines I have been to. We were alone in the place. We decided to stay longer here.

Walking beneath the rich green and shady part of Paras Beach Resort

Paras Beach Resort has nipa cottages and store for basic food necessities but it is less developed compared to Tuke Maklang Beach Resort. We had our lunch here. Freshly cooked tuna fish was very affordable.

Ballistic Islet of Balut Island of Davao Occidental

Our final destination for the day was in Ballistic Islet. It is so close to Balut island that during low tide it can be crossed to Balut Island. It is very close to Mabila Port.

I rested in my accommodation and decided to go out at 7:00 P.M. hoping that I can have my dinner somewhere else because there is a carenderia just opposite Five J Inn and a few others. Unfortunately, they were also closed. Just opposite our inn was a store owned by Spouses Jamad Colano and Saadah Hamid. They were so kind that they even cooked for me a sumptuous dinner for free. I learned that they also accept island hopping services where they gave me their contact number at +639679748928. Next time, I will get their services when I go back to this beautiful place.

Balut Island to Balangonan: The fastest route for 1 hour boat travel (Google)

My tour guide gave me an option in travelling back to General Santos City. With smashing huge waves in the open seas of Sarangani Strait and Sarangani Bay, I wanted then a shorter sea travel. With that, he advised me to charter a boat for P2,000 going to Balangonan Port which was just one hour. This is a part of Jose Abad Santos municipality, the southernmost tip of Davao Occidental.

The 3-hour bus travel from General Santos City to Kidapawan City (Google)

From Balangonan, I boarded a van to General Santos City via Sarangani (Glan) trailing the Davao del Sur Coastal Road for 2 hours and 30 minutes with a distance of 101 kilometers. From General Santos City, I took a bus to Kidapawan City via Digos for 3 hours travel on a stretch of 142 kilometers along Makar Road and Davao – Cotabato Road.

So tired reaching Kidapawan City in North Cotabato at 4:00 P.M.

Almost the whole day I was on travel where I left Balut Island at 5:30 A.M. enjoying the sunrise at Sarangani Strait and arrived in Kidapawan City at 4:00 P.M. I checked in at an inn for an overnight stay. It is nice to be back in Kidapawan after my Mount Apo Climb wayback 2013. Well, Kidapawan is tagged to be the city of fruits. In fact, it celebrates Fruits Festival every year.

While at the welcome arch of Kidapawan City

Practically, I contracted a habal-habal in my city tour including my 45-minute trip to Lake Agco Jacuzzi Antapan Mountain Resort. It was an uphill drive on the foothills of Mount Apo along smooth and well paved road. It is actually a hot spring. Guests have the option to enjoy hot and cold swimming pools.

Inside Lake Agco Jacuzzi Antapan Mountain Resort

There were open cottages and rooms for rent in the resort. The entrance fee is just reasonable. It was not weekend and so there were few guests around. The hot pool smells like an overcooked boiled egg because of its sulfuric substance coming from the underground volcanic activities of the inactive Mount Apo.

Enjoying a hot bath at Lake Agco Jacuzzi Antapan Mountain Resort

I stayed barely 2 hours at the resort because I wanted to have a city tour afterwards. Like any other big cities in the Philippines, Kidapawan has also the famous fast food chains. What was accessible from my accommodation was the Chowking outlet along Quezon Boulevard where I had my dinner because I close at 9:00 P.M. Although, when I toured in Grandmall Kidapawan, I had my lunch on its Chowking outlet.

A themed park in Kidapawan City

It was so relaxing to be in this park. I need to give ample rest for my habal-habal driver who also served as my tour guide and photographer.

Watching a Cassowary bird at a mini-zoo

Among the cages I was amazed with was the Cassowary bird with a scientific name of Casuarius Unappendiculatus. According to the attached description attached to its cage, this bird is a native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and Northeastern Australia. It is the most dangerous bird in the planet. It can run as fast as 50 kilometers per hour. And mind you, it is the second largest and third tallest bird in the world.

A traditional muslim wedding ceremonial altar

Fortunately, when I was at the park, a muslim wedding ceremony had just concluded and I took advantage of taking picture with its traditional wedding ceremonial altar.

North Cotabato Provincial Capitol

Since Kidapawan City is the capital of North Cotabato, its provincial capitol is erected near its area. However, it is far away from the city proper. But still my tour guide has been accompanying me since the morning he drove me to Lake Agco Jacuzzi Antapan Mountain Resort.

Still at the North Cotabato Provincial Capitol

A close encounter of North Cotabato Provincial Capitol

Going back to the city proper to take a bus for Davao City

At exactly 4:30 P.M. I boarded a bus going to Davao City for a travel duration of four hours for a distance of 115 kilometers. This time again, our bus passed through Digos City. It was so traffic that according to the driver the travel time can be lessened to three hours on a light traffic condition.

Relaxing at my best friend's house in Ladislawa Garden Village

From the bus terminal, I took a taxi going to Ladislawa Garden Village, an Alsons Development high-end posh subdivision located in Barangay Buhangin, Bajada, Davao City which combines the comfort of suburban and highly urbanized real estate property development. This mansion is the accommodation given to my best friend who is working as country director of an international NGO operating in Davao City

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

Thanking my best friend for the pictures she took when I was in their house. That evening, I had my sumptuous dinner with my best friend though we slept late because of a very long chat about my 10-day DIY trip.

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

A part of of my accommodation at Ladislawa Garden Village

Ready to sleep in my bedroom

I woke up early in the morning to ready myself for my departure flight. I took a 10-minute taxi trip to Davao International Airport for my 10:00 A.M. flight back to Manila. From there, I was reunited with my two companions, Tess and Anamarie who had their Davao city tours while I was with my separate tours.