Southern Wonders!

For me, Mt. Lanaya is one of the best mountain to climb in South Cebu. A bit difficult than any other mountains in Cebu island. It will take you 3-4 hours to reach the peak depending on the group speed. 

From Cebu City, you take the bus from South Bus Terminal going to Alegria or Bato via Barili. You drop by the town tourism office or go directly to the barangay captain of Brgy. Legaspi of Alegria. The bus fare is around 100+. I forgot the exact fare. The barangay permit is I think 20 pesos. For the first timer, you need to hire a guide for only 500 pesos. Try to negotiate as much as possible. 

Your entry point is Brgy Legaspi while your exit point is in Brgy. lumpan. Going to Brgy Lumpan takes you only 30 to 45 minutes from the peak. From the barangay Lumpan you need to hire a habal-habal to ferry you back to the town of Alegria going back to Cebu.

I recommend that you camp overnight at the peak to appreciate the sunset and the sunrise.

Mt. Lanaya is located in Alegria. The peak can actually be seen from the national highway with its rock formation embracing the coastline, a possible side trip after the climb other than its neighboring waterfalls.

The Myth: Mt. Lanaya is considered by climbers and local residents as the toughest mountain to climb in the province of Cebu

I say that being in Bojo River is more than just appreciating the river but also the whole experience! very much worth it!

When we arrive in Bojo River, it’s a small sign and a short hike towards the river area where the boats are stationed. It’s best to call ahead of time to book for reservation including food if you want to have lunch. Some bloggers express that the tour was expensive. The Boat ride is Php600 pesos .You can opt for a tour with lunch if you call ahead of time. At first we thought it was too expensive but by the end of the tour, we realise that it was worth it.

The people who are handling the tour are the locals. For some the tour might seem pricey but it is for a good cause. Bojo cruise is a community project of rehabilitating the river and mangroves and protecting their environment. It is a community effort apart from the local government. (Meaning no government funding.) The money you pay for the tour helps support the community financially and also they a lot a portion of the money to purchase seeds for replanting the mangroves and the forest.

As you ride on the boat, the boat does not have any cover so you may borrow their straw hats available at the centre. The tour guide is excellent in knowing his mangroves, what they planted, the variety of mangroves and the wild life and how their tribe lives there. As you go along the river, he will explain the whole project and how their efforts are now growing, bringing back life to the river.

At the end of the river, you will come upon the mouth of the river that goes to the sea. Underneath you will see the marine life. It is vibrant and so alive. The coral reef there is a Marine Sanctuary, so diving and snorkelling is forbidden. But seeing it through the glass boat is amazing. Untouched reefs shows how marine life is flourishing. Beautiful colours and one of the most diverse reefs I have ever seen .

We are supposed to go to Sumilon Blue waters that day but most of my family members though wanted to go to Aguinid Falls and since I have never been there and I wanted to join them, my family and I decided to go to Aguinid falls as we have all agreed.

Now there are several things I would advice
1. Dont bother bringing food as it is not allowed on the falls. A separate place near level 0 is a designated eating area. 
2. I enjoyed the place as I am an adventurer at heart, but I discourage bringing young kids because some areas are just too extreme for them
3. Do prepare to get wet, my mother had no plans of swimming so she did not bring extra clothes, as she thought it was just like in Kawasan where you can watch the kids swim in the comfort of the rented cottage, no such thing there. She was left on level 0 while the rest of us went to higher levels
4. Never go on a busy Holy Week as Im sure the place is more enjoyable without the crowds

There were 5 levels of waterfalls that you climb up with a guide. There are foot holes in the rock face so part of the experience actually involves climbing up the falls. The rocks are quite grippy so I felt quite safe. There is also an opportunity to jump off a waterfall. The thing I would suggest is wearing clothes and shoes that can get wet, bringing a waterproof bag and a waterproof camera.

Tumalog falls was unbelievable. I had seen photos and videos prior to going, but they were nothing compared to the actual beauty of the giant falls.

After a steep walk and P20 entrance fee, you walk along a forest path until you finally step up and view the falls. The water is milky blue and the falls are honestly spectacular. We weren’t prepared for how good it actually was.

From the main road of Oslob, the habal-habal would take you to a certain area were outside vehicles are allowed. Going down to the falls, you have an option to walk for 15-20 minutes or rent a habal-habal which will cost you 50 back and forth. The driver will be giving you his number so that when you decided to go back, they will just call the number thru 2 way radio..
If you are the athletic and adventurous type and walking steep hill is not a problem, then a 15 mins walk is just easy for you. For my case, i did the easiest way since my knees are not not that strong .
The Tumalog falls is safe and kid-friendly ,the water is only a chest deep. It feels like you’re in a cold swimming pool with rain and electric fan blowing at the same time .

So if you plan to visit Tumalog falls might as well bring your families,friends or love ones so that you can have a wonderful moment .

​Cebu offers countless activities to tourists visiting the island. While most visitors prefer going to the beaches of Cebu, there are other things to look forward to when you visit the island. Some of the activities you can do in the island include fun fishing and horseback riding. Aside from some resorts in the northern towns of Cebu, there is also another place in Barili where you can enjoy these fun activities.The name of the place is AC Tilapia Fun Fishing.

It is a resort where you can have a little bit of fun while enjoying a serene and relaxing environment. The place offers a lot of activities that the whole family can enjoy. As indicated on its name, one of the main activities you can enjoy at the place is fun fishing. All members of the family can enjoy this exciting yet relaxing activity. There are cottages close to the pond where you can stay while fishing at the resort.

​AC Tilapia Fun Fishing also offers horseback riding activities. The horses are well-trained and can provide a bit of fun to visitors of the resort. If it will be your first time to ride a horse, the staff will provide the necessary assistance so you can enjoy the activity.  AC Tilapia Fun Fishing also has a swimming pool for people looking to take a dip during their stay at the place. The water comes from a mountain spring. 

​The resort also offers accommodations for anyone who wants to stay the night. You will have no problems with food since the resorts also has its own restaurant offering different food items for its guests. They do charge a corkage fee for food brought into the resort.

Getting to AC Tilapia Fun Fishing

You can reach the resort by getting on a bus headed for Barili at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Once you reach the town, you can get on a motorcycle for hire going to resort. AC Tilapia Fun Fishing is located close to the Mantayupan Falls.

AC Tilapia Fun Fishing – image source: Augusto Causin – AC Tilapia FUN Fishing Facebook Page​Barili has come a long way from being a mere stopover for travelers going to the south. It is now one of the destinations of tourist visiting Cebu. AC Tilapia Fun Fishing can be one of your destinations if you ever find yourself in the town. Aside from offering a peaceful place to stay in, the resort also has a number of activities in store for its guests.

Oslob Cebu is one of the top traveller destination on a Southern Cebu itinerary. Oslob Cebu boasts so many scenic spots and activities. One can never go wrong with Oslob Cebu when it comes to being one with the nature.

Whale shark interaction in Brgy. Tan-awan is a must-try in a Southern Cebu itinerary. A 30-minutes interaction with the gentle giants will surely be the longest 30-minutes of your life. Before the actual interaction, a seminar is indeed required for the safety of the travellers and the whale sharks as well.  The seminar only lasted around 5 minutes.

If you’re up for a closer interaction, I suggest you to go for snorkelling with a staggering amount of PHP500/30 minutes. The fee already includes a snorkeling gear (but I suggest you bring your own for hygienic purposes) and a life vest. If you’re kind of scared to have a closer interaction and just want to see the gentle giants from the boat, a fee of PHP300 should still be paid. Some say that the price was a bit expensive considering it only lasts for half an hour.

The boatman brought us as to where the whale sharks are usually swarming. A few moments of waiting then the boatman gave us the go signal. We were instructed to give a 4m distance away from the whale sharks. Locals of Oslob Cebucalls the whale shark, tuki. Moments later, one whale shark came to our side and I was astounded as to how big it is. A really beautiful gentle creature. The whale shark was following a small boat that throws them their food (planktons). I thought there was only one whale shark in the area but to my surprise I saw another gentle giant below me. I think there were 6 whale sharks the time we were there. I saw a particular whale shark which is really massive compared to others. I was speechless. I was amazed.

I’ve never thought in my life that I would swim with the whale sharks that closer. I believe that it is a blessing for everyone in Oslob Cebu (Brgy. Tan-awan) because to be honest they totally deserve it. I remembered when our tricycle driver shared that the boatmen in Tan-awanwere former fishermen. He said that their incomes were doubled because of the booming tourism. I personally felt their genuine hospitality they gave to every visitor. I just hope that they remain responsible and caring with the gentle giants.

Whale shark watching activity closes at midday, so make sure to go there in the morning preferably before 11 AM. Actually the best time is early in the morning since the boatmen also considers the strength of sea current.

A 15-minute drive from Oslob lays the town of Tan-Awan, wherein most of the whale shark watching activities usually take place. You can either go whale-watching or snorkeling with sea creatures.

Lots of people are afraid of getting into the water, probably due to the term “shark” that’s tied to its name. However, once the tourist gets pass the fear phase, they realize how docile whale sharks are, and they end up loving the whole experience.

A small town called Moalboal in the south of Cebu, secretly keeps its beauty tucked beneath – in the ocean. Don’t be fooled by its rocky shoreline, for what you will see and experience underwater will blow your mind!

Moalboal attracts scuba divers, underwater photographers and freedivers for one simple reason – the easy access to excellent coral reef for diving right from the shore.

The big attraction and star here are the huge sardines shoals, gathering right at Panagsama beach, where the main stretch of dive shops, resorts, restaurants and bars are.

You don’t need to travel all the way to South Africa to see the annual sardine run in cold freezing water, because the sardines are here in the warm tropical waters of Moalboal, Philippines! Just come see for yourself!

For those looking for white sandy beaches, head up north about 7km from Panagsama beach to the beautiful White Beach.

You can expect to enjoy the serenity and tranquillity here, and still have access to the reef wall just off White Beach. Most resorts have their own in-house dive centres that can arrange scuba diving for you.

Or just simply swim out with your mask, fins and snorkel to enjoy the corals and marine life.

Scuba diving is definitely the best way to explore the underwater world here in Moalboal. With numerous dive shops dotting the shore, it is recommended that you take a walk and pop in to find a dive center suitable for you. Most of the diving here are wall dives.

Mild current and excellent visibility in the waters of Moalboal make it also an ideal place to take a scuba diving certification course for those who have yet to venture underwater.

Pescador Island is a famous dive site just 15 minutes away by boat and is a popular dive site not to be missed! If you are lucky, you just might spot some thresher sharks hunting the sardines!

For some dive centre options, Cebu Dive Center is situated close to the sardine shoals and have affordable rates for fun dives. Savedra Dive Center is one of the busier operators, while Blue Abyss Dive Center provides an excellent dive resort facility with rooms and restaurant and a great staff.

Getting to Moalboal

The best way to get to Moalboal is to first fly into Cebu city. Cebu is served by a international airport, the Mactan-Cebu International airport. Alternatively, fly into Manila international airport and from there, many domestic airlines connect Manila to Cebu. From Cebu, it is an easy 2.5 hour drive to Panagsama beach, Moalboal.

A private car transfer can be arranged usually with the resorts in Moalboal, or for those looking for a more budget option and don’t mind a slower ride, take the yellow Ceres bus liner from the south bus terminal in Cebu city for just a fraction of the cost (120pesos).

source of photo:google.com

While the peaceful municipality of Alegria, Cebu boasts of some fine beaches, waterfalls, and hot spring attractions, it has been relatively quiet about a major mountaineering destination unbeknownst to many climbers. Towering around 700 masl, Mt. Lanaya stands almost at a stark contrast to the surrounding mountain ranges near it. The mountain is defined by forest-covered, knife-edge slopes facing the west, on to the Tañon Strait. From the national highway, one can already see its peak composed of a rock formation the locals call Kalo-kalo Peak. It also nearly hugs the coastline, which is perfect for beachineering activities at a later portion of a trip. Mt. Lanaya is just a hundred meters away from the main poblacion of Alegria and accessible via a short trail from the main road. In order to get there, climbers have to board a southward bus — usually going to Bato, Samboan — at the South Bus Terminal of Cebu City. You can tell the driver to stop at the entrance to Brgy. Legaspi just after the steel bridge. Spend breakfast in one of their mini-marketplaces around the area, or meet up with the guides. Before going to the foot of the mountain however, climbers must make sure their water supplies are secure, since there are no water sources anywhere on the mountain (save for a distant one in the backdoor trail). A total of 3-5 liters of water are recommended on a hot day.

The municipality of Alegria, Cebu is probably the most unassuming and perhaps counts as one of the most laid-back towns in the province. Little does the average Cebu traveler know that a collection of little-known tourist attractions abound throughout this picturesque, south coastal province. If you are of the mountaineering/climbing persuasion, Mt. Lanaya might be of great interest to you. The mountain is part of the Lanaya-Kangbulagsing mountain range that is periodically dotted by hot springs of volcanic origin. The mountain proper itself is actually quite accessible, as it resides just a few hundred meters south of the main poblacion of Alegria. Mt. Lanaya sits at around 700 meters above sea level (masl), a lofty height for Cebu’s low lying mountains. We presume 700 meters isn’t too much of a challenge for experienced climbers. Yet one of its trails, the Legaspi trail, requires one to be in very good physical and mental condition to actually pass through it.

The Montaneza River threads its way through a narrow ravine. It is a perfect setting for an unforgettable canyon tour. We abseil a set of five different waterfalls, climbing and jumping down the rapids. Once you rappel the first waterfall, there is no return anymore. On of the high lights are the descending of a 30 meter high waterfall with an overhang. On the end of the tour there are natural hot springs , where you can take a bath and relax after after a very exciting adventure. The adrenaline pumping thrill & fun combined with incredible tropical nature is something you will remember for a long time.

Montaneza Falls is approximately 100 meters high with a vey shallow catch basin. It is a 45-minute hike over some big rocks, smaller caves and passing through 3 smaller waterfalls. The trail would have been easier if there are already ladders or ropes to get above the rocks. It can also be accessed by passing through another trail that leads to the top of the falls. Some tourist go here with rapelling equipment and work their way down.

Osmeña Peak is located in the Municipality of Dalaguete in the province of Cebu. The peak is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level making it the highest peak in the island of Cebu. The peak is part of the Mantalungon mountain range, which is unique from other mountain ranges in the Philippines because of its multiple jagged hills grouped together that overlook and stretch as far as the Badian shorelines. The highest of these hills is the Osmeña Peak named in honor of the famous Osmeña clan in Cebu. The visual appearance of the Mantalungon range is almost similar in form to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol but the peaks of the ranges are thinner, sharper-pointed and rocky. Unlike the Chocolate Hills, the peaks of the Mantalungon ranges cluster quite near each other and give the impression of being formed from rocks that have survived through time. Once you reach the Osmeña Peak, you get a 360-degree view of that includes the southwestern coastline of Cebu, and you even see the province of Negros Oriental. However, the peak area is fenced and under private ownership. A lot keeper collects at least 20 pesos from each climber that enters the area and there is a campsite a few meters down the peak. The campsite has a toilet and a bunkhouse available to the public for a fee. Osmeña Peak and the Mantalungon range are accessible to hikers and mountaineers all year round but it is best to climb the peak in the first half of the year since the rainy season is from June to October. The peak and mountain ranges become wet and slippery during the rainy season. op Mantalungon is famous as the summer capital of Cebu because it is 700 to 800 meters above sea level giving it a pleasant climate all year round. The high elevation has made the village an ideal place to grow flowers, vegetables and other high-value crops, which gives Mantalungon the reputation of being the vegetable basket of Cebu. Held every year is the Utanon Festival, a celebration of dance and music as thanksgiving for the good harvest of Mantalungon. Utanon is the Cebuano word for vegetables. Many locals and foreign tourists visit the village during summer because of its cool climate.

The Osmeña Peak is located in Barangay Mantalungon, in the Municipality of Dalaguete, Cebu. Dalaguete is about 85 kilometers from Cebu City and is about 1 ½ hours ride by bus from the city. If you are in Cebu City, take a jeepney or taxicab going to the Carbon Public Market and inquire from people there the location of the bus terminal for the Mantalungon mini-bus. The mini-bus will drop you off at the Mantalungon public market. From there, you can either take a motorcycle for hire that will take you to the foot of the mountain ranges or you directly hike to Osmeña Peak that will take you at least one to two hours. Another alternative is to take a jeepney or taxicab, go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal at the Cebu North Road, Cebu City, and take a bus from the terminal. You should take the buses traveling southward to Oslob or Bato via Dalaguete and get off at the Dalaguete junction. When you reach Dalaguete, you can take a tricycle that will take you to Mantalungon and from there make the hike to Osmeña Peak.