This is a part of our 10-day family trip to Manila, Cebu City Dinagat Islands and Surigao City dated November 16 - 25, 2024.
Our family's trip to Dinagat Island province completes my tour to 82 provinces of the Philippines. This was formerly a part of Surigao del Norte, until Republic Act No. 9355 was enacted on October 2, 2006 that created Dinagat sa a province.
The clear turquoise blue waters of Blue Lagoon
November 20, 2024
Traveling to Dinagat was such a long journey. Being a resident from Albay, we took an overnight bus from Guinobatan, Albay to Manila and stayed in Manila for four days for a vacation. Then, we had a flight from Manila to Cebu City (Mactan International Airport), it was just a short stop, just enough for us to tour around Cebu City for three hours and then we had another flight from Cebu to Surigao City and from Surigao City, we boarded a boat heading to Dinagat Island. Actually, there is also an option to have a direct flight from Manila to Surigao City, but I opted it via Cebu City, so that my family can have a tour in Cebu City.
Just arrived at Surigao Airport
We left at Mactan International Airport at 11:00 A.M. boarding Cebu Pacific Flight No. DG6897 and arrived in Surigao Airport at 11:55 A.M. of November 20, 2024. It is part of our November 20-23, 2024 Dinagat Island trip. It was my second time to be in Surigao City, but it was first time for my family to land here.
The boat going to San Jose Port of Dinagat Island
From the airport to the port where we will board a boat for Dinagat Island costs P150 for the tricycle fare (whole trip), they call it as "bao-bao". In going to Dinagat Island, one has to take a San Jose trip. We left Surigao port at 1:30 P.M. and arrived in San Jose at 2:40 P.M.
On our way to our Dinagat accommodation
While in Dinagat Island, we checked in at Amasra Homestay, not complete with amenities but clean and comfortable. Tricycle fare from San Jose Pier to Amasra Homestay (whole trip) was P100. There was even confusion since my online booking for accommodation was for a bigger room, but what was given to us was smaller room.
Since we were tired of our two successive flights during the day, 3-hour tour in Cebu City and boat trip from Surigao City to San Jose, Dinagat Islands, we rested in our comfortable beds. While I looked for nearby restaurant for our dinner. Amasra has no available dinner that we can order. It only serve breakfast for guests.
November 21, 2024 - Island Hopping
The island hopping packaged tour was provided by Jmalls costing P6,450 for us three adults but there are other joiners of the tour. This package included a seafood lunch while we were in our third destination at Jelmar's Resort.
Dinagat Island marker near at the port
1. The Boat Provision
Boarding the boat with my son
Our co-trip joiners boarding at the boat
2. Hagakhak Rock Formation
While at Hagakhak Rock Formation
This is a million years sculpture carved by the strong winds and the sea. It is a relatively unknown but beautiful geological feature located off the coast of Basilisa of Dinagat Islands. This specific attraction is west of larger Hagakhak Island with practically no beach sand to swim, but has a multi-layered massive sedimentary rocks. Its name comes from the word "hakhak" which notches carved into the body of a coconut tree, reflected on its rugged and textured cliffs.
My adventurous son
At the edge of the cliff
My eldest sister enjoying her moment
The massive Hagakhak rock formations
3. Miracle Pool Cave
Excited to dip at the pool
Dipping at the deep miracle pool
I could hardly float since I am carrying my son
Sweet couple moment
Ate Rose obviously scared to stay afloat alone
Being relaxed alone
4. Jelmar's Islet Resort
Jelmar's Resort is a floating beach resort located in Barangay Magsaysay, Libjo municipality, Dinagat Island Province. It has such an iconic bamboo stilt bridges leading to its main resort. You may contact it for booking at Jelmar's Islet Resort.
Upon arrival at the resort
Our island packaged tour has an inclusion of a seafoods lunch, not really a buffet but more than enough to fill our food-wanting stomachs specially that we have been craving for seafoods.
Accessible beach from all of its corners
Crystal-clear waters with shallow waters
My wife enjoying the crystal clear beach waters
The cottages where guests can dine and leave their stuff
Aside from day tour guests cottages, the resort also accepts bookings for overnight and multiple-day bookings for families and groups.
My baby lifeguard
The neighboring islets captured from the resort
It was partly raining when we were having a swim at the resort
5. Blue Lagoon (A.O. Beach Resort)
After the lagoon, our boat headed home at arrived at the port at 5:12 P.M. We had dinner at the town proper from a typical restaurant.
Upon arrival at the port, we proceed to the market where there were few restaurants for our dinner. Our accommodation does not offer dinner meals.
November 22, 2024
1. Lake Bababu
Lake Bababu is located in Barangay Melgar, municipality of Basilisa in the province of Dinagat Islands. It is a unique marine lake with an underwater cave system that connects it to the sea, causing freshwater to remain on the upper layer while saltwater exists below. The top layer is a freshwater that does not mix with a saltwater layer from the ocean floor. It is connected to the sea via a 650-meter underwater cave tunnel. The lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush greenery, creating a crater-like appearance. The Philippine government has declared Lake Bababu a tourist destination for its unique features and natural beauty.
From the beach where it served as a jump-off point, we were given first an orientation of what to expect and what to do while at the lake. It took us around 45 minutes to trek mostly assault and it the trail was so steep. It was like a major hike and it was so muddy sliding and being out of balance cannot be avoided.
Testing the water where it was too dark to see its lake bed
Our guide told us that the lake was really enchanting and it will claim lives if "the others" living there likes to do so. I heard that its deepest point was nine meters but I don't if it is since you really cannot see the lake bed.
Wooden raft was used to cross to the other end of the lake
The circumference of the lake is approximately 200 meters. It is a tectonic lake with a diameter of about 200 meters. While some sources mention an average depth of 14 meters for the cave, the actaul lake's overall depth is not stated.
Trying to relax at the wooden raft
My wife really wanted to afloat in the water but advised not to
So lush are the lake banks
Going back to the raft launching area
Look at this!
Trekking back to the jump-off point was indeed a challenge since not all trails are equipped with ropes to hold on since the trail is slippery and steep. Worst, the trails are mostly assault.
Back to the jump-off point
It was quite rewarding to be back at the jump-off point since there was a beach where we can wash-up all the muds that we've got on the muddy trails.
My wife wanted to stay longer in the beach
Ate Rose and my son stayed longer in the beach while we were at the lake
We left the beach at 11:45 A.M. and all of us went to our respective accommodations to be ready for another tour which is just a town tour. At exactly 2:00 P.M., we had our exclusive town tour without other joiners.
2. Provincial Capitol of Dinagat
The Provincial Capitol of Dinagat is shaped like an Imperial Japanese Navy ship. It is an obvious homage to the UN surface combatants that had plied the seas around the island in October of 1944 and took part in the Battle of Surigao Strait.
The "bow" rooftop of the building if it is ship
At the building's rooftop
The road heading to Ecleo's Castle
3. The White Castle of Ecleo's Family
Peeping at the gates of Ecleo's Castle
The castle is called Islander's Castle, a residence of Governor Glenda Ecleo of Dinagat Islands. Although not open to the public, the home can be viewed from the gates. The building also known as the "White Castle", was erected by Glenda Ecleo, widow of Ruben Ecleo in 2007, reportedly cost P350 million (approximately US$ 8 million) to build, and has been noted as overlooking a vista of shanties and unfinished roads.
The castle captured from the gate
4. The Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA)
PBMA, or the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, is a non-sectarian, non-profit charitable and religious fraternal organization founded in the Philippines in 1965 by Ruben Edera Ecleo, Sr. The organization has a headquarters (as shown above) in the Dinagat Isalnds and teachers a syncretic belief system incorporating elements of various world religions, emphasizing spiritual and material well-being for its members.
The PBMA Headquarters as viewed from atop the hill by my son
From the White Castle is a short drive going the the PBMA Headquarters. We were top of a higher elevation overlooking the majestic and breathtaking view of the southside of the Leyte Gulf.
Another overlooking view of PBMA Headquarters
The road which connects from the headquarters to the gulf's view deck
Ate Rose and my wife were not allowed inside the headquarters since they wore short pants
The caretakers inside the headquarters are very strict in terms of imposing the dress code. They do not allow women to enter the headquarters if wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts. Thus, I was the only one allowed inside to have a tour. I learned that the people working there are volunteers. They are already very old and they were working there to serve the Ecleos or the religion that they believe they have, out of loyalty and belief that the elder Ecleo (Ruben Edera Ecleo, Sr) is there "Divine Master" one that they want to offer themselves to serve him and his family in their lifetime
The PBMA Headquarters as Holy Land for its believers
Called the "Divine Master" by his followers, Ecleo saw PBMA's membership grow as he supposedly healed more people and transferred to them his healing powers.
After the death of Ruben Ecleo Sr, Anacleto Velez continued the healing activities of the former as documented on May 5, 2013. He said that he continued to do healing activities which according to him he hears the voice of Ruben Ecleo Sr. to continue his work.
PBMA's Logo
Touring inside the sacred grounds of the worship area
At the back of the headquarters
5. Where to dine
November 22, 2024 was such a tiresome day for with all those activities starting with a trekking to Lake Bababu and visiting other tourist destinations of the place. Thus, we treated ourselves with sumptuous dinner at Twindales.
November 23, 2024
Breakfast at Boss Fons
At 10:00 A.M. , we checked out from our accommodation heading to San Jose Port Terminal going to Surigao City. We were already at the port at 10:35 A.M. However, it was only at 11:15 A.M. that we boarded our boat.
My wife boarding to the boat for Surigao City
Port of Lipata in Surigao City
The primary port in Surigao City that serves as a gateway to San Jose in Dinagat Islands is the Port of Lipata, also known as the Surigao Port Ferry Terminal. From this terminal, you can catch a ferry to the Port of San Jose in Dinagat Islands, which is about a one-hour to one-and-a-half-hour journey. This port is just opposite Surigao City Public Market where you can eat in some restaurants and buy fruits and fresh fish.
You may also watch our next trip to Surigao City where we stayed for overnight to enjoy their cheaper tune and blue marlin.
