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The iconic boardwalk of the island loomed ahead of us as we disembarked at the resort's pier. The view of the white sand beach and its turquoise waters was a perfect summer scene. The island's landscape dramatically changed years after it was devasted by a super typhoon that left its residents migrating back to the mainland.  The iconic boardwalk of Lakawon Island is the first to greet you when you arrive in the island. Lakawon Island is a small island resort off the northern coast of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental. The island was once a sleepy fishing village with a beautiful white sand coast where locals would head off to rough it out and chill. But super typhoon Yolanda changed the island's landscape permanently from a local hotspot to one of the most promising beach destinations in this side of the country. Lakawon comes from the Cebuano word "lakaw" which means "to walk" and walking is the operative word on this banana-shaped island. There are no other means of going around but with your feet as you enjoy the beauty of the island. Let me walk you through the things that we enjoyed when we spent the night at Lakawon Island. BoardWALK Lakawon Island's boardwalk is the most iconic spot in the island. It gives you a panoramic view of the island on one end and a dramatic view of the sea and Negros island from the other. It is a photogenic spot so it is not surprising that a lot of guests take a lot of time to get that perfect shot.  Lakawon's boardwalk is probably the most photographed spot on the island. The boardwalk is the most photographed spot above and below its platform. The visual appeal of an endless walkway makes a dramatic backdrop for photos. They even installed a swing to make the views more dramatic. Capturing a flawless picture can be a challenge though as you expect guests to flick and take their time on the boardwalk. Go for a leisure WALK to Westpoint After taking a photo fill of Lakawon's Boardwalk, take a 15-minute walk to Westpoint. The walk, through the paved pathways of the resort, will give you a glimpse of the island's developments. Westpoint is the island's activity center where you can try your hand on windsurfing.
Westpoint's main attraction is its sandbar. Low tide reveals its white sand coast that stretches out to its turquoise waters. We had a great time walking its shoreline, getting our pictures, and enjoying a panoramic view of Panay Island. A small hut was our refuge from the sun. WALK around Tawhai Floating Bar You can enjoy the Lakawon's chill vibe aboard the Tawhai Floating Bar. Considered to be the largest floating bar in Asia, it is a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beach vibe while having a cold drink and an afternoon snack. The deck was designed with foam mattresses and large pillows where guests can lounge around. And if you feel like taking a break from doing nothing, you can jump off the bar into the cool blue waters of the Visayan Sea.  Enjoying the view of Lakawon from the Tawhai Floating Bar. We stayed on the lounge area by edge of the bar where we had a full view of Lakawon Island. The cool sea breeze and the afternoon sun were the perfect combination for a laidback afternoon chill. We enjoyed sitting by the edge of the bar and watching a school of small fish doing their run. The whole experience was both fun and relaxing. WALK and Wade Of course, walking along the white sand shores of Lakawon is a must. Beach bumming is a perfect activity to do when you find yourself in Lakawon Island. Both Asher and I did not mind getting a tan and enjoying a dip in its cool waters. We had a grand time diving and searching for starfish and trying to swim with the small fish.  A Lakawon visit is not complete if you don't get to enjoy its cool waters. If you are staying overnight, take the time to slowdown and just watch the beauty of the sunset. Get mesmerized by the beauty of the skies as it changes color hues. Work your way to beach and capture your silhouette shot with the dramatic sunset skies of the island. I have to say that Lakawon has one of the most visually amazing sunsets that I have seen.
You can also wake up early to catch the sun rising on the other side of the island. Take the time to walk and explore the more rustic side of Lakawon and you'd be amazed with the different facet and charm of the island. SleepWALK Staying overnight at Lakawon Island is not a problem. They have bamboo hut accommodation to airconditioned rooms. We opted to go rustic with the bamboo hut accommodation and Lakawon did not disappoint. The hut was well maintained and the comfort rooms were beyond expectations.  We had a good night's rest in one of the Bamboo cottages of the island. It is safe to go around Lakawon Island even at night. You can walk along the shore and find your spot to gaze at the stars. The island is a perfect spot for stargazing.
And after a day of fun and frolicking under the sun, you can then catch a comfortable night's rest in the tranquil and peaceful vibe of Lakawon Island. POST TRAVEL NOTES The operative word in Lakawon Island is "walk". You explore and discover its beauty by walking around the 13-hectare sandbar. You let your feet enjoy the feel of its white sand shoreline and you let it cool down by wading into its cool waters. It is a place where you either let your feet dangle by the edge to enjoy the beauty of the sea or you raise it to relax and chill while having a cold drink on hand. Lakawon Island is a destination that frees your mind and body from your usual daily grind.  Fooling around with photos! The "pagod" shot. Rising from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, Lakawon Island is another example of how Filipinos stand up after a calamity. The fishing village has now turned into a promising and exciting tourist destination that, not only showcases its natural and man-made attractions, but has also provided locals with economic opportunities. I hope that its ongoing development will spawn a better economy in the area and that it will continue to provide opportunities to its locals every step of the way. Tara... lakaw 'ta! Getting There: Bacolod City is the closest gateway to Lakawon Island. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights to Bacolod-Silay Airport. You can then take a van to Bacolod City and asked to be dropped off at the Bacolod North Bus Terminal where you take a bus bound for Cadiz City and ask the driver to drop you off at the Burgos Public Market. Travel time is approximately 1 hour. You can then take a tricycle at the Burgos Public Market for Lakawon Island. It will take another 45 minutes to the Cadiz Viejo, the jump-off point to Lakawon Island. Travel Notes: Lakawon Island charges an entrance fee of Php350 per head that covers the entrance fee and the boat trips to and from the island. The resort operates through a cash card system and you can reload the card provided at the resort’s office on the island. Tawhai Floating Bar charges an entrance fee of Php285. You can check out the Facebook page of Lakawon Island for their accommodation rates and other details.
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Trips are never complete without having a fill of the flavors of your destination. The sights and the sounds of the place are best complemented by the yummy treats that give you that comforting full tummy. Always remember... mahirap mamasyal ng gutom.  Foodspotting in this region is an adventure in itself. Talagang nakaka-buSOX! Mindanao is not only a destination worth exploring for its beauty and culture. It is a food haven that gives you a taste of its local cuisines and popular dishes, made even better with their own twist. Our travel did not only amaze us with natural and man-made beauty but it also had our palates enjoying a rice meal that has become a personal favorite, a salad with a mango twist, fresh seafood, and an amazing steak treat. Pastil If Cebu has its popular "puso", Mindanao gets its fill on the "pastil" - a complete meal of rice and adobo chicken flakes wrapped in banana leaves. This "rice meal" is a staple in Mindanao and it goes well with inasal or grilled chicken or boiled egg. You can also add soy sauce for that extra flavor.  Pastil is a local dish that has become a personal favorite. I had my first taste of Pastil last year when I took a trip to Mati in Davao and it quickly became a personal favorite. I loved how the salty flavor overwhelms the palate that would make you want more. So when I saw it in one of the stalls of Cotabato City's barbecue stands, I had to satisfy my taste buds. Cotabato City: Reese Resto Tucked along Cotabato City's Quezon Avenue, Reese is an unassuming restaurant that will definitely make you say "wala bang hindi masarap dito?"
Reese is a highly recommended restaurant in Cotabato City and, after a great meal, we totally agree! The Mango Shrimp Salad is a must try. The unique flavor of sweet mango puree and toasted sesame seeds on shrimp and lettuce had me at first bite. I enjoyed our shared meal of baked mussel and baby back ribs. We capped off the meal with a great dessert of ice cream cake. Again, everything here is worth trying.  Their Mango Shrimp Salad is one of the best that I have tasted. I am still working on replicating the recipe. Reese Restaurant really stood out for me during our visit in Cotabato City. It is important to note that the restaurant closes early like most establishments in the city. But it is a great way to cap off a visit in the city of Cotabato. Lake Sebu: Tabaculde Restaurant Locals of Lake Sebu claims that the lake produces the tastiest Tilapia in the region so do not be surprised to see a bustling tilapia aquaculture industry in almost every corner of this town. It is a common sight to see small fishponds of live tilapia in most of its restaurants. We asked our guide, Kuya Ronald, to bring us to where we can try the best tasting tilapia cusine in Lake Sebu. And so he brought us at the Tabaculde Restaurant.  A lakeside view of Lake S'bu.
Void of the usual flair, this makeshift restaurant along the highway claims to have the best crispy tilapia in town. So we ordered their specialty of crispy tilapia and matched it with Tilapia in curry sauce and they did deliver. I guess, a great meal of freshly caught tilapia is the best way to cap our Lake Sebu adventure. General Santos City At this point, let me give General Santos City a thumbs up for being a runaway winner for our foodspotting. This city may not have the usual collection of tourist attractions but it is a goldmine for foodie explorers! The city has a very wide selection of restaurants to choose from at whatever time of the day. You will never go hungry in this city.  General Santos is a food haven. Tiongson Arcade is said to be a great food stop in the city. Fisherman's Wharf Resort After an early morning immersion at the GenSan Fish Port, you can enjoy a quiet brunch of fresh seafood at the Fisherman's Wharf Resort. Located on the southern end of the GenSan Fish Port compound, the resort is an oasis after all the rush at the port. You can enjoy a quiet meal of grilled fresh tuna panga matched with mixed seafood in curry.
You can enjoy a laidback late morning rest and enjoy the cool breeze from Saranggani Bay. If you are feeling the rush, you can hop on and enjoy the inflatable island a few meters from its shore. The resort gives you that calm beach vibe complete with nipa huts and sandy shores. Southern Brew Coffee and art speak of class and that is exactly what Southern Brew is all about. Located along Osmena Avenue, this cute and cozy cafe is a great place to chill and relax after a full day of exploring the city of GenSan. They have local coffee flavors that you get to enjoy while you browse through your photos of the day's action.  Southern Brew is a perfect coffee spot in the city.
What made me fall in love with the place was it also serves as a venue for local artistry with artworks displayed prominently inside the cafe. You get to enjoy a cup of coffee, chill out, and get creativity flowing with the artworks around you. Now, that is perfect! Best part of the whole experience is that you get to support local enterprises. Roland's Steakhouse This unassuming restaurant along Catolico, Sr. Avenue prides itself as a GenSan brand for its steak experience. With a culinary heritage that dates back to the 1960's, Roland became a household name in the city for its burgers and steaks. The heirloom steak recipe easily becane a favorite among locals that it was dubbed as the "Home of the Best Steak in GenSan".  Roland's Steak is now a personal favorite. Yummy! You can still feel the vibe of Roland's humble beginnings when you eat at the restaurant. Its facade, void of the usual fancy, opens up to a simple restaurant with its interior designed to showcase the history. But its best piece to showcase is its steak! It is one of the best that I have tasted. It was oozing with the perfect flavor and tenderness. A definite must-try when you are in GenSan. Fire and Flavor Pizza Another unassuming foodspot in GenSan is the Fire and Flavor Pizza, popular for their flaming pizza... literally a pizza on flame. This watering hole is popular for its pizza and pasta. And yes, the pizza and pasta did not disappoint. For an extra hype, you can request to have your pizza on flame for an extra minimal charge.  Fire and Flavor is popular for its flaming pizza. It is literally on fire. Again, the pizza parlor is an unassuming restaurant with a facade that is void of any fancy that you would think that it is the usual run of the mill restaurant. But you will get to be amazed by its instagrammable interior and amazing food selection. POST TRAVEL NOTES From Cotabato to GenSan, we explored and discovered amazing destinations and enjoyed getting our fill of their own brand of food spots. I enjoyed a satisfying pastil breakfast with locals, admiring art works over coffee, or a heirloom recipe of my favorite meat dish. The region is bursting with a wide selection of food spots for every kind of palate.  Up next is another amazing summer beach adventure! Food and adventure are travel companions. Remember that after an exciting and exhausting exploration is a tummy that needs to be filled. It is also safe to say that tourist attractions share a part of the story of a particular destination. Food completes the experience whether it be a story behind a dish or the stories shared with locals over a meal. Getting There: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air have regular daily flights to General Santos City. You can take a jeep or a cab to SM City General Santos where you can take a van to Glan in Saranggani. Tricycle is the way to go around Glan. Sample Travel Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Cotabato City / Cotabato City Tour (Click here for details of the trip) > The Grand Mosque (Habal-Habal Contact: Mohammad Edsa - 0935 9063067) > People’s Palace > Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral > PC Hill and Tantawan Park > Old Cotabato City Hall > Cotabato City Plaza Day 2: Asik-Asik Falls, Alamada, Cotabato (Click here for details of the trip. Contact person for habal-habal arrangements from Midsayap: Jun Camap – 0919 4558958) Day 3: Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat Road Trip in the morning enroute to Lake Sebu. > White Mosque (Datu Odin Sinsuat) > Margues Blue Lagoon (Datu Odin Sinsuat) > Pink Mosque (Datu Saudi Amapatuan) > Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol (Isulan) Lake Sebu Walking Tour (PM) > Lake S’bu > T’Boli Museum > Lake Sebu Town Center Day 4: Lake Sebu Tour (Click here for details of the trip. Contact person for Lake Sebu Tour: Ronald Maguan – 0997 2482160). Travel to Glan in the afternoon. Day 5: Glan Tour (Click here for details of the trip.) > Lago Beach > Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Church > Glan Municipal Hall > Taban Beach > Gumasa Beach Travel to General Santos City in the afternoon Day 6: General Santos City Tour (Click here for details of the trip.) > General Santos Fish Port > Queen Tuna Park > Pioneer Street > Plaza Heneral Santos > Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage > Tiongson Arcade Day 7: Early morning departure to Manila
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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June 2020
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