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May 23-25, 2013
3 Days in Cortes, Surigao del Sur
Location: Municipality of Cortes, Province of Surigao del Sur (northeastern seaboard of Mindanao)
Backtracking to Cortes
I've already by-passed Cortes on the way to Lanuza. However, from the billboards I saw along the highway about the tourist attractions in Cortes and the after the conversation I've had with the former mayor of Lanuza who expressed optimism about the new mayor of Cortes being an advocate of conservation (vs. mining), I deemed it best to backtrack and find out for myself what Cortes is all about.
 Cortes, Surigao del Sur
 Laswitan
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 Bakwitan Cave
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 Buybuyan Beach
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 Capandan Sanctuary
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 Light House
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 Uba Marine Sanctuary guard house
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 Sihagan Beach
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Campiri Rocks
Nowhere Place
Interestingly, of all the people in Lanuza I've talked to, none have ever gone to Cortes despite Cortes being the next municipality. The reason I always hear is that Cortes is too isolated being an additional dirt road trip from the highway junction. From the map, Cortes occupies that triangular land mass sticking out to the easter seaboard with its apex facing the vast Pacific Ocean.
Roof Over my Head
I haven't been to Cortes, knew no one and didn't even know where I'd sleep for the night. When I finally got there, the first thing I was told was that there is no lodging in Cortes. I was like, "Huuuuaaaat? Where will I sleep?" I asked who could help me, and the name I kept getting was "Vincent" at the municipal office. Of course I seeked him out. He is currently the strategist and planner for the mayor-elect, William Angos. Through his kindness, I got to stay at his parents' house near Laswitan, a few kilometers even further out from the highway, closer to the Paciic Ocean. Even though I practically invited myself as a house guest, Vincent's parents, both former barangay captains, treated me like family. I would call them Nanay and Tatay.
Archie
An LGU staff, Archie, was my good Samaritan in driving me to Vincent's parents' house and then took me around Laswitan and other points of interest - Sihagan Beach, Buybuyan Beach, light house, undeveloped spring, etc. He says that Cortes boasts of several caves and waterfalls that were recently discovered when they were scouting the scope of the municipal area to develop an evacuation plan in case of a tsunami - Cortes faces the open Pacific Ocean with no island barrier in between. However, there is no written record of the last tsunami that ever hit Cortes...if ever.
Mayor Elect Willaim Angos
With everyone I talked to in Cortes (and even outside Cortes), there is increased optimism about the election of William Angos, a young, accomplished lawyer and daring adverturer, who has ambitious plans for Cortes' tourism along the lines of conservation. I like that. Moreover, he is involved in various outdoor activities - scuba diving, mountain climbing, cycling, etc. It's not everyday someone as promising as him becomes mayor to a lucky town. I wanted to meet him and discuss with him how I can assist in his tourism program, but he wasn't around. Fortunately, his assistant, Vincent Duenas was there to echo the mayor's vision for Cortes.
Marino "Mar" Tabugon
Another person who was instrumental for my excellent Cortes adventure is the chairman of the Barangay Uba Fisherfolks Asso (BUFA), Marino Tabugon, or Mar for short. He took me on a rocky tour of Campiri Rocks, took me to 2 marine sanctuaries to scuba dive and was also with me to Bakwitan Cave. Mar and I talked a lot about the possibilities that lay ahead for Cortes' tourism. Of the places he took me to, the rocky trek on Campiri Rocks left an indelible impression on me - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean....whoa!
Vincent Duenas
Even though we didn't talk much, Vincent was behind the scene in ensuring I see the best of what Cortes has to offer to the traveller. In our brief conversation, he discussed the program already lined up by the mayor in generating revenues for the municipality through creative and practical ways that would protect the interest of the stakeholders - the fishermen, the college graduates who can't find a job, etc. The more I listened, the more I liked it. Indeed, optimism is in the air.
Ending Thoughts
Given all the things I've done in Cortes - a spectator to Laswitan, walking along Sihagan and Buybuyan Beaches, treking along Campiri Rocks, scuba diving on 2 marine sanctuaries, exploring Bakwitan Cave...all this while inviting myself to be a house guest, wow...that was pretty intense. The coming blogs will be about these activities.
What I find urgently lacking in Cortes are 2 things: internet and lodging. Cortes can be a multi-day adventure, but without lodging, people may go to Lanuza or Tandag instead where they'll have a place to stay. Once out of Cortes, the traveler can be lured into other attractions offered by other places.
I can't thank the following people enough - Vincent Duenas, Nanay, Tatay, Mar Tabugon, Archie, the scuba diving crew, Tuburan Barangay Captain Vicente Malingin, and a whole host of others whose names I can't remember. HUGE thank you to everyone! Without your assistance and kindness, I probably would have taken the first bus out of Cortes.
--- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to objectively cover the features of your city or municipality or barangay for this website (fiesta, waterfall, mountain trail, lake, river, cave, food, islands, beach, etc.), email me.
- bring lotsa cash. There is no bank here. Others had to go to the next big city (no joking matter) just to replenish on cash
- there is no internet here
- from Tandag - take any northbound bus or jeep heading to Surigao City and ask to be dropped off at Cortes, 1 hour. If you take a jeep that specifically says "Cortes", take it. It will take you all the way to Cortes proper and to some of its barangays (and not just at the junction). If you take a bus, ask to be dropped off at Cortes, 1 hour. Then take a habal-habal for Cortes proper, 15 mins, P20.
- from Surigao City - take any southbound bus for Tandag and ask to be dropped off at the Cortes junction, 4 hours. Then take a habal-habal for Cortes proper, 15 mins, P20.
- Lubcon Falls - from Tandag, take jeep for Cantillan or Cortes and ask the driver to drop you off at Lubcon Falls, P25, 30 mins, 15 kms
- Laswitan - strong waves crashing against the rocks and spilling over to fill up a rock pool (while you're dipping in it)
- Campiri Rocks - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean
- Bakwitan Cave - a refuge by the towns folk during the Japanese occupation and during the typhoon of 2004
- Buybuyan Beach - small beach, almost like a personal beach, fine white sand (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
- Sihagan Beach - fine white sand for long walks on a beach (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
- Burgos Togonan Falls
- Uba Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
- Capandan Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
- Balibadon Marine Sanctuary
- Mabahin Marine Sanctuary
- Tigao Marine Sanctuary
- Poblacion Marine Sanctuary
- Kamalig - this is the only lodging in Cortes, P600/head. Best to make arrangements with Cortes LGU before coming over
- for more information on anything and everything about Cortes, you can get in touch with Vincent Duenas of the Cortes LGU: 0907.444.6551 or email divecortes@yahoo.com.ph
(along the Surigao coastline from Surigao City to Surigao del Sur)
- Rite of Passage on Cantrasa Shoal Jul 12, 2013
- Karma Yoga in Surigao City July 5, 2013
- The Wooden Footbridge and Waterfall of Cantiasay, Surigao City July 1, 2013
- Outdoor Adventure Tour in Nonoc Island, Surigao City Jul 1-2, 2013
- The Deadly Bitaugan Whirlpool of Surigao City Jun 26, 2013
- Beaching it at Pebble Beach and Looc Beach, Surigao City Jun 22-24, 2013
- Exploring Silop Cave of Surigao City Jun 22, 2013
- Free-Diving the Coral Reef of Birok Islet, Surigao City June 12, 2013
- Boat Ride through the Floating Village of Day-asan June 12, 2013
- Island Hopping Adventures in Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte July 23-25, 2013
- Exploring Siargao's Cloud 9 July 18-20, 2013
- Judging Del Carmen's Beauty Pagent and Street Dancing July 15-16, 2013
- Diving the Reef of Cagtinae, Surigao del Norte Jul 7, 2013
- Ayoke Island May 27, 2013
- Casarica Island May 27, 2013
- General Island May 27, 2013
- Sua Cold Spring - in Brgy Esperanza. From main highway, get off at Madrid terminal and take motorcycle ride for the spring. If coming from Lanuza, get off at crossing of Cangcaban then take habal-habal for the spring
- Hubason River May 18, 2013
- Lanuza Marine Park and Sanctuary May 17, 2013 - coral reef, snorkeling, cafe. Also a short walk to Magkawas Falls.
- Magkawas Falls in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 16, 2013
- Silop Spring May 16, 2013
- Campamento Cave May 16, 2013
- Herrera Ancestral Home
- Lubcon Falls - from Tandag, take jeep for Cantilan or Cortes and ask the driver to drop you off at Lubcon Falls, P25, 30 mins, 15 kms
- Burgos Togonan Falls
- Laswitan - strong waves crashing against the rocks and spilling over to fill up a rock pool (while you're dipping in it)
- Campiri Rocks - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean
- Bakwitan Cave - a refuge by the towns folk during the Japanese occupation and during the typhoon of 2004
- Buybuyan Beach - small beach, almost like a personal beach, fine white sand (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
- Sihagan Beach - fine white sand for long walks on a beach (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
- Uba Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
- Capandan Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
- Balibadon Marine Sanctuary
- Mabahin Marine Sanctuary
- Tigao Marine Sanctuary
- Poblacion Marine Sanctuary
- Exploring Dayao Cave of Tandag, Surigao del Sur May 12, 2013
- Brgy. Bongtud - Twin Linungao Island, Mancagangi Island & MPA (Marine Protected Area - fish sanctuary)
- white sand beaches
- Britania Islets May 6-8, 2013 - small islets dotting the bay. Island tour, beach, mangrove forest.
- Enchanted River May 6, 2013
- Sibadan Fish Cage May 5, 2013
- Tinuy-an Falls
May 23-25, 2013
»» next Traveling story: Visiting Laswitan of Surigao del Sur
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