Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid

During my recent sojourn in Moro land, particularly in Cotabato City, I had the chance of visiting the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, which according to MindaNews is the grandest in the Philippines.

MindaNews added that "the grandeur of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid (Muslim center of worship), which reportedly costs $48 million, dominates the landscape where the Mosque was built and backdropped by the Moro Gulf.

The news organization revealed that the construction of the Mosque was "Partly funded by Brunei and designed by the renowned Philippine architectural firm Palafox Associates, the mosque in Kalanganan Dos, some eight kilometers from the main road, is being constructed by the Manila-based New Kanlaon Construction, Inc." 

For those who are visiting the heart of Moro Land, this is a must-see place. Located just a few minutes from Cotabato City proper, the route going to the place is well paved.

Sunrise

Sunrise at the beach of Brgy. Sogod, Bacanay, Albay. 

Malolos-Meycauyan o Meycauyan-Plaridel?

Nagawi kamakailan sa Bulacan at napitikan ko ng ilang beses ang mga jeepney na bumibiyahe mula Mercauyan patungong Malolos at Plaridel. Narito ang ilang sa photos. Ang nasa itaas ay pa-Maalolos mula sa Meycauyan.

Sa bandang guiguinto kuha ang larawang ito na bumabaybay sa McArthur Highway. 

Pinitikan ko ng ilang shots ang mga jeepney habang nakaangkas sa tricycle.

Biyaheng Meycauyan ang jeep na ito.

Lomo effect para jeep na nakikipagkarera sa kotse.

Makulay kahit medyo luma ang mga jeep sa Bulacan.

Old picture effect sa jeep na umoberteyk sa kapwa jeep.

Ano nga?

Ano kaya ang tinitingnan nila? Taken at Legazpi Airport during a recent visit in the Bicol Region.

Lake Sebu Seven Falls

The seven falls of Lake Sebu will take your breath away, literally. Proud, majestic and lively, you'll need to hike to see this wondrous sites. Every energy you put into hiking will be awarded by great sights and sounds from nature. A must-visit especially for those in the Southern Philippines. To reach the place, you'll have to travel at least two hours from Gen. Santos City. There are buses which can take you from Gen. Santos City to Marbel in South Cotabato, from there you can take another bus going to Surallah, a fast developing town in South Cotabato. 

From Surallah, you can hop in on a van or a motorized bike to reach the place. Make sure that you leave Gen. Santos early in the morning because transportation is erratic. But I promise you that trip will be worth your time and money.

And by the way, Surallah is a no-smoking municipality so ask for the smoking areas if you need a shot of your poison. It will cost you if you smoke in public areas.

This is the trail from the first falls to the second falls. There are more than 900 steps going down from the first falls to the second one.

Jeepney Kikay

Walang pakialam sa mundo na niretoke ni ate ang kanyang make-up sa loob ng jeep habang binubutingting naman ng dalawa pang pasahero ang kanilang cellphones.

Ayos na, baka naman sumobra kapal ng lipstick.

Oks, natapos din ang retoke sa makeup.

Ang turista, bow!!!

Tourists pose for posterity in this photo taken inside the Cagsawa ruins in Albay, Bicol Region.

Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao

Blazing sunset at Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao. Blessed with rich soil and flourishing waters, there is no way for the place not to be able to provide for its people. But local government officials must focus on sustaining its development projects in order to ensure the future of their constituents.

The King of Fruits is one of the produce which can be found in Sultan Mastura.

Nagbabaga

Blazing sunset...

Texting

Ingat sa snatcher, sayang ang cellphone

Lake Sebu

If you are looking for a place to interact with nature, Lake Sebu is definitely a must. Here you can go boating, swimming and fishing. The place is still in its infancy in terms of tourism, so visit it now before the place is "eaten" by commercialization. One can also interact with local tribes people called T'Boli, one of the few tribes in the Philippines which are able to keep their customs intact against "modernization".

Anyone can check in at the Lake Sebu Multi-Purpose lodge and restaurant for accomodation, although there are several resorts in the area. But the place provides magnificent and breath-taking views. The place  is not a three-star hotel but if your looking for a bed and breakfast accommodation, then the lodge is good enough.