kentisnowhere

Malamawi Island Basilan: A Trip To Remember

"Is it really safe there? What if we'll get kidnapped? Should we really go?" These were some of the things that were troubling my thoughts before our planned trip to Malamawi Island, Basilan. The ignorance, misconception, and dismissive attitude towards Basilan is the direct result of traditional media sensationalism. Still, we couldn't really deny the fact that the series of uprisings and terrorism weakened Basilan's tourism further.

Getting There

There are a lot of boats from Zamboanga City Port that may take you to Isabela City, Basilan. There are fast crafts and ferries/RORO that are available daily from 6:00 AM to 4:45 PM.

Weesam Express

Fare: Php 170

Travel Time: 45 minutes

Zamboanga to Isabela Daily Schedule (as of May 2018)

6:00 AM (only for Monday & Saturday)
6:45 AM
9:30 AM
12:45 PM
3:30 PM

Isabela to Zamboanga Daily Schedule (as of May 2018)

7:00 AM
8:15 AM
10:45 AM
2:00 PM
4:45 PM

Aleson Shipping Lines Daily Schedule (as of May 2018)

Fare: starts at Php 145

Travel Time: depends on the vessel but definitely slower than most fast crafts

Contact number: 0917 821 8823

Zamboanga to Isabela Daily Schedule (as of May 2018)

6:30 AM
6:45
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
3:45 PM

Isabela to Zamboanga Daily Schedule (as of May 2018)

6:45 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:45 PM
3:30 PM

Basilan is home to diverse ethnic groups including the Badjaos, who live by the coastal areas in the province. Upon reaching Isabela Port, you'll be greeted by communities on stilts.

We only went to Isabela City where Malamawi Island is near. Upon reaching Isabela Port, we went to the other side of the port where motorised outriggers will willingly take you to Malamawi Island. It's just a short 5-minute ride for only Php 10 each.

The residents of Malamawi Island are accustomed to tourists. In fact, transportation from the port to Malamawi White Beach is not an issue. There are a lot of motorcycle drivers who'll take you to the beach for only Php 30 per way, per person.

Malamawi Beach

The beach is secured since there are several military personnel assigned to guard the area. We were shocked when we arrived at the beach. We were expecting a beautiful barren beach. Instead, the beach was full of excited beach-goers, families, and friends! It didn't feel like we were in Basilan. All our doubts and apprehension were erased in an instant. We couldn't even find an empty cottage!

Rates

Entrance Fee: Php 35
Regular Cottage: Php 350
Big Cottage: Php 1,200
Bali Hall (upper): Php 3,000
Bali Hall (lower): Php 3,000

For reservations, please contact them directly at 0945 062 8568

Food

We highly advise bringing your own food since their store has limited supplies.

Overall, the island is generally safe. Just always remember to respect their local culture and you'll be fine.

LOOK: WE ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE PINK SAND BEACH OF STA CRUZ ISLAND ZAMBOANGA

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We Almost Didn't Make it to the Pink Sand Beach of Sta Cruz Island Zamboanga

Mindanao

Sta Cruz Island is located off the coast of Zamboanga City. The island boasts pinkish sand and clear waters. The pinkish hue came from pulverized organ pipe red coral. Hence, the pink sand beach of Sta Cruz made its mark.

We Almost Didn't Make it to the Pink Sand Beach of Sta Cruz Island Zamboanga

The Great Sta Cruz and the Little Sta Cruz Islands are both declared as protected areas. The LGU of Zamboanga is gearing towards preservation, protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the island's ecosystem.

How to Get to the Island?

If you're planning to visit the island with a large group, it's better to call days before your date of visit to secure a reservation. Personally, we called on a Friday hoping to book for the weekend. Unfortunately, they were fully booked and the next available slot was after a week. We were saddened by this information but we looked for other ways to get in. Since we called for a D.I.Y. trip and boats are fully booked, we sought help from travel agencies that are recognised by the tourism office. Sadly, their tours also depend on the slots given by the tourism office. They were also fully booked. We were getting frustrated and blamed the system.

I paused, thought for a moment, and started rationalising. They are limiting the number of tourists in the area since they want to protect it. The priority is the welfare of the whole island not the earnings from tourism. Instantly, I realised how great their cause is. And, I commend the whole LGU for their efforts. It's nice to know that a local government is religiously preserving the island.

Luckily, the tourism office notified us that we can go to Paseo del Mar and sign up as "chance passengers" on the day of our travel. Our dying spirits quickly regained its strength and we were so ready for Sta Cruz Island. It really pays to coordinate with the tourism office.

We arrived in Paseo del Mar around 7 AM. It was packed with excited tourists. Hurriedly, we went straight to the information booth and asked for the wait list. We wrote our names and prayed for a slot.

Around 9 AM, we got a slot and was scheduled to depart in 30 minutes. It was a moment of triumph!

Fees

Boat - Php 1000 ( Good for 10 persons; Roundtrip) In our case, we paid Php 100 each for the boat since we shared the cost with the other smaller groups.
Island Entrance Fee - Php 20
Terminal Fee - Php 5
Cottage Rental Fee - Depends on availability

Small - Php 100 (4-6 pax)
Large - Php 200 (8-12 pax)
Pavilion - Php 500 (20-40 pax)

Things to remember

Bring all your trash/ rubbish. Do not leave anything on the island.
Collection of corals, shells, sand, and other living and non-living components are strictly prohibited.
Vandalism is not allowed.
Pets are not allowed
Strict ban on alcoholic drinks
Fishing is highly prohibited
Loudspeakers, karaoke, etc shall need approval from the office
Overnight stay is not allowed
Washing the dishes are not allowed in the swimming area
Only grill on designated areas
Only licensed vessels shall be permitted to transport guest to/from the island

Please call the Sta Cruz Island in-charge at 0977 708 3194 for bookings and reservations.

If you simply have lots of dough to spare and want to have a hassle-free trip, please coordinate with their tourism office for packaged tours. Below is the tour agency that they have recommended:

Zamboanga Day Tours

Landline: (062) 991-1174

Globe: 0917 722 6410, 0917 392 9474, 0995 699 3274

Smart: 0939 445 6290

Great Sta Cruz Island

It's so amazing to see the crystal clear waters of Sta Cruz Island considering that it's just a few minutes away from the mainland. The sand is not that pink as seen in some heavily edited photos online. Instead, the fine sand is powdery white with a pinkish blush.

Never miss the smaller counterpart -- Little Sta Cruz Island. The sandbar is surrounded with Gatorade-like waters. It is so beautiful that our photos don't do justice at all. Just inform your boatman to take you to the other island. You'll just need to pay Php 200 for a quick 10-minute island exploration.

Where to Eat on the island?

Since you'll just be staying for 4 - 5 hours, it's better to bring your own food and drinks. But if you hate bringing all those stuff, vendors on the island offer a seafood variety. We bought 4-5 pieces fresh squid in medium size and a kilo of cooked rice for Php 700 pesos. It was grilled immediately and served with the traditional soy and vinegar concoction. Also, we purchased a big bag of crabs for Php 500. They also sell a 1.5-liter bottle of soft drinks for Php 95.

Where to stay for the night?

Unfortunately, no one is allowed to stay overnight on the island. It's against the rules of the local government. Everyone should be back to the mainland before 2 PM.

Where to stay in Zamboanga City?

Winzelle Suites

Hamilton Business Inn

Ever O Business Hotel

City Inn Hotel

Grand Orchid Hotel

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Weekend Travel: Quick Trip To Bacolod City

Bacolod

Friday 9 PM - We queued for the 2 AM slot for the direct bus trip to Bacolod City at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. We weren't able to secure a slot for the 11:30 PM departure because it was full when we arrived. The travel time took about 7-8 hours. Bus Fare is Php 550 (includes boat fare)

Bacolod also has an airport which is not far from the city proper.

Weekend Travel: Quick Trip To Bacolod City

It was around 7 AM when we reached San Carlos City port. We had to meet someone in the city but we were just so late. So, we needed to tweak our itinerary immediately. We realised that the bus will pass by the road to Mambukal Mountain Resort. Hence, at around 9:30 AM, we got off at the junction for Mambukal Resort.

Mambukal Resort

How to get there

This famous mountain resort is 35-45 minutes drive from the Bacolod city. It's located in the sleepy town of Murcia. Jeepneys and buses that ply this route are located at Libertad Public Market. The fare is about Php 35 per person.

Mambukal Mountain Resort is known for its hot springs, waterfalls, and great scenery. They also offer a number of activities;

Lagoon kayaking/boating for Php 30 per person per 30 minutes.
Trekking to the 7 Falls
Spa
Zipline

Mambukal is operated by the LGU. Hence, the fees are of affordable rates. The entrance fee is Php 50 each. There is also a minimal charge for those who wish to enjoy their swimming pools.

They also offer overnight accommodation for those who wish to stay for the night. Check out the rates below:

There is no corkage fee at the resort. It's highly advisable to bring your own food and drinks. There is also a dedicated grill area available for guests. But, you can also dine at the available hole in the wall places outside the resort. The resort also operates their own restaurant.

But if you want to stay in Bacolod City, check out the cheapest offers from Agoda!

Campuestohan Highland Resort

We were fairly behind our itinerary. We left Mambukal at around 2 PM. And clearly, the good gods of travel weren't on our side. We unluckily boarded a PUJ that ran on half-clutch for a good 45 minutes! Believe it or not, the driver drove a paved, traffic-free, 6-7km road for more than an hour. It was slower than your current internet plan! The PUJ was in good running condition but he wanted to distance himself from the first few PUJs before him. Thus, explains the stupid act.

Anyway, instead of getting off at Bacolod city to take the hourly shuttle to Campuestohan which is located at Caltex iMart across McDonald's east. We opened our Google maps and looked for an alternate route.

After a short "i-am-not-sure-should-we do-it?" moment, we've decided to get off at an unfamiliar corner in Murcia. The map showed a faint line that connects Murcia to Campuestohan and this convinced us to take the leap.

Unsure of our new route, we started the search for our next ride. We stood there for about 15 minutes whilst trying to hail a tricycle that may take us to Campuestohan. Finally, a tricycle driver offered his services; our knight in a sweat-soaked cotton tee on his rusty but trusty metal horse. He was the only brave soul that accepted our made-up, dubious, and untested route. And, it was priced at Php 600.

The driver was uncertain of his way to the resort. Fortunately, locals were kind enough to help. We arrived at Campuestohan after a bumpy 45-minute ride over a badly rutted road.

The life-like dino, Zipline - induced screams, and the murderous UV rays of the sun greeted us upon arrival. We paid Php 150 to see the colourful tipi huts, hobbit-like houses, roaring dinosaurs, and a sea of curious people. It was actually a summer weekend which explains the high volume of guests.

There are several things to do at Campuestohan.

Take lots of Instagram worthy photos.
Swim in their wave pool; enjoy the foam bath for Php 150 per person
Do outdoor activities such as Sky Bicycle (Php 100), zip line (Php 200), rope course (Php 200), Cable Hamster Wheel (Php 100)
Picnic and camping

If you want to spend the night, please contact Campuestohan directly at http://www.campuestohanhighlandresort.com/

A group of 6 may book their rooms for as low as Php 5,000 per night.

We only stayed for under two hours because it was crippling hot. Plus, we needed to be at our next destination before sunset.

The Ruins

This could be the most iconic landmark of Bacolod to date. You simply don't miss the chance to see the historical ruins of the Lacson mansion. According to Roger, an ex-TV reality show winner and The Ruins official tour guide, this mansion was the prized possession of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy sugar baron of Bacolod.

This tourist attraction is now known as the Taj Mahal of Bacolod or even in the Philippines. It is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM for a minimal fee of Php 100 per person.

We arrived at The Ruins around 6:30 PM. Clearly, we missed the sunset. It would've have been great to take photos with the soft hues of the sun.

How to get there

Since the drop-off area of the Campuestohan shuttle is at a gas station across McDonald's East, we hailed a tricycle and paid Php 150 for a one way trip to The Ruins. Alternatively, you can use Grab, a ride-hailing app, to get to the tourist spot. Also, there are vans that are ready to take you back to the city for Php 50 per person.

Manokan Country

Hands down to the best Manok Inasal (chicken barbecue) that I have ever tasted in my whole existence. Manokan Country is a strip of hole-in-the-wall chicken barbecue stands. This famous food place is located right across SM Bacolod.

There are a lot of BBQ places in Manokan Country. Since we did our research, we had to choose between Nena's and Aida's. These two are the most recommended places to eat in Bacolod. Aida's occupies a bigger space in Manokan Country. Hence, we chose this place so we can be seated immediately.

Unlike Mang Inasal, they don't offer set meals or even unlimited rice. They sell their chickens per piece. Aside from the famous chicken barbecue, you may also order pork barbecue, chorizo, and various chicken innards that will be grilled to perfection. They also offer fresh oysters for Php 50 per serving.

You may be thinking that people are just over exaggerating about how good Bacolod Inasal is. Well, honestly, they're not good, they're super, goddamn, fuck-other-chickens-great! I'll be raving about this inasal for the rest of my life. What sets Bacolod Inasal apart from other BBQ places is their chicken oil. It's that yellow, sometimes orange, condiment that sits on our table. Diners would usually drizzle the chicken oil on their rice. It makes your rice really sinful but extra delectable.

Where to stay in Bacolod City?

This isn't really a problem because the city offers diverse accommodation that ranges from hostels to luxurious hotels. It really depends on your preference. Below are some of the most recommended hotels

Go Hotels Bacolod

Click here for Go Hotel's Agoda Rates

Click here for Go Hotel's Travelbook Rates

White Hotel Bacolod

Click here for White Hotel's Agoda Rates

GT Hotel Bacolod

Click here for GT Hotel's Agoda Rates

Hometown Hotel Bacolod

Click here for Hometown Hotel's Agoda Rates

For other discounted Hotel options, please click below:

Agoda's Recommendation

Side Trip To Lakawon Island

On our second day, we woke up at 7AM and went to Ceres North Terminal (from the city center, ride a PUJ that plies the Bata - Libertad route). Upon arrival at the terminal, look for the bus that will take you to Cadiz City. Inform the driver to drop you off at Martesan Terminal or simply the terminal for Lakawon Island. We paid Php 105 for a 1 1/2 hour airconditioned bus ride.

Take a tricycle ride for Php 120 per trip for 5-6 people. Inform the driver to take you to Brgy Cadiz Viejo port.

Once there, go directly to the registration area. You'll have to input your names on their website. You'll have to choose between sight-seeing (day trip) or overnight stay. Entrance fee to Lakawon Island is Php 320 each. This includes 2-way boat transfers. If you want to rent a cottage, it starts at Php 600.

If you want to enter Tawhai Floating Bar, there's a separate fee of Php 250 each. The bar provides food and drinks at affordable prices. Also, they've skipped on cash transactions. They'll provide you with a reloadable card to purchase drinks and food.

The island looks okay. It's not bad, but not the best either. The sand is really nice and clean, though. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectation considering that we paid Php 550 for the entrance fee. But, the island is still beautiful and relaxing.

We left the island around 3 PM since we needed to be in Cebu before Monday.

Alternative Route from Lakawon Island to Cebu

We waited for a Ceres Bus across Martisan Terminal that'll take us to Escalante City. Inform the bus attendant to drop you off at BDO, before the rotunda, in Escalante City. We paid Php 59 for the bus ticket. Once you arrived, a group of tricycle drivers will swarm the bus once it stops. They'll offer to take you to Escalante port for a fee. Inform the tricycle driver to take you to Barcelona Port. The fare ranges from Php 120 - Php 240 per trip.

We arrived at the port 30 minutes before departure. The slow boat departed at 5PM. we paid Php 130 for the boat fare. We reached Tabuelan, Cebu around 7PM.

5:59 PM
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kentisnowhere

Malamawi Island Basilan: A Trip To Remember

We Almost Didn't Make it to the Pink Sand Beach of Sta Cruz Island Zamboanga

Weekend Travel: Quick Trip To Bacolod City

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