Maragusan

Monday, 9 June, 2008

Last weekend Uncle Richard and I went to Maragusan, a town north of Davao in Compostella Valley. It took us about 4 hours bus ride to get there and for the last 2 hours the street was very dusty and rocky. We drove up and down the hills, everything was green, sometimes some lonesome cottages along the road. The ride alone already offered a breathtaking landscape plus the driver made some breathtaking turns too. 

I just thought for myself "If my filipino friends will ever visit me in Germany they will just laugh at me when I tell them that the "Saarschleife" is a main tourist attraction in my province." Maragusan is surrounded by hills, nature and

 plantages. Therefore you can find many springs, waterfalls and the biggest flower Rafflesia there. 

After our arrival we went first to cold springs...

...and later on to hot springs where we went swimming. 

Posted by Lilli at 2:59 AM

Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan – Kadayawan Festival 2010

Some of Mindanao’s best dance troupes competed for the highly-coveted grand prize of Kadayawan Festival’s Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan which was held last Saturday, August 21.
Twenty-two (22) contingents, a lot of them being out-of-town contingents, contended for the first prize of P300,000.
Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, a street dancing competition, was one of the main highlights of the 25th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival. It showcased the different colors, cultures and traditional dances of the different tribes of Davao and Mindanao as they paraded along the city’s major thoroughfares on a sunny Saturday.
This year’s competition only had one category. Participating Mindanao-based contingents showcased the festivals of their localities, while participating Davao City-based contingents interpreted the Kadayawan Festival and Mindanao folklores, myths or legends.
For that, I won’t hold you any longer. Here are some photos that I took during the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan of the Kadayawan Festival 2010:

5th runner up – P30,000 – Tribu Mapawa, Maragusan, Compostela Valley

SUN, SKY & MOUNTAINS

Hardly a day had passed since the end of our mid year retreat that the students were off again. This time to Davao Del Norte and Compostella Valley for our much awaited community vacation. The students had given the community committee a very challenging task by requesting for a vacation that encompassed the elements of Sun, Sand and Sea as well as Scenic Views and Cool Mountain Air. I don’t think that mother nature in all her beauty and grandeur would be able to meet the demands of the students in one location at least here on earth. However the community committee did not let this seemingly impossible requirement from getting in the way of planning a fantastic vacation for the community.

In addition, the Philippines as an island chain formed by seismic and volcanic activity does offer though not in one location but in relatively close proximity the elements requested by the demanding students. Thus the plan would be to drop by a beach resort on the first day in Davao Del Norte close by to Tagum City before heading off to Haven’s Peak Resort in picturesque Compostella Valley.

First stop was Sun, Sand and Sea at Manaklay Beach Resort Some of the students spent the morning swimming and playing beach volley ball whilst others were content to just soak in the refreshing sea breeze and laid back atmosphere of the beach resort. After a packed lunch of pasta, chicken and water melon, the students were on the road again heading further east up into the mountains of Compostella Valley.

After a 5 hour drive through some challenging country roads, we finally reached Maragusan. Home of Haven’s Peak our mountain resort and home for the next 2 days. Passing through the town proper, our convoy of three vehicles were soon reach the base of the resort but due to a slight down pour earlier, the dirt road leading up to the resort itself became an impediment for our vehicles and thus one by one, the students and formators chipped in to push the vehicles through and up to the resort‘s entrance and carpark only to find that the final challenge lay in walking the 203 steps up to the resort itself. What a trek. The rest of the evening saw the students in various parts of the resort enjoying the cool and refreshing mountain air.

The next day was a jam packed, activity filled day from morning to evening as the students went river trekking, swimming at two different waterfalls and cold spring. The day was nicely capped by a relaxing dip in a hot spring. Well relaxing at first until some of the students decided to human trampoline the others one by one. All too soon on the next day, the vacation came to an end. It was a tremendous effort done by the community committee. Kudos to the guys who went out of their way to ensure a great vacation for their fellow students.

Posted by SAT-MI Student Blog at 4:35 AM
 Thursday, November 4, 2010 

PYALITAN FALLS: Still On My Mind

The mists of the Pyalitan Falls of Maragusan, Compostela Valley that sprinkled all over my face were still fresh. The vivid picture of myself worshiping this beauty still strikes me. It was just a picture perfect of myself so close to one of my most favorite God's creation, the Waterfalls. So, once and for all, I'm posting these pictures of myself being with gorgeous creation of nature that until now i still can't get over with.


This blogger worshiping this beauty...


Standing behind this beauty while enjoying the gentle caress of its mists...


Lounging at the foot of the 200 Feet Pyalitan Falls...


This is simply BEAUTIFUL! GORGEOUS! BREATHTAKING!

Waterfalls Trekking at Maragusan, Compostela Valley

If Greater Manila Area (GMA) has Baguio City as its Summer Capital, Davao Region has the Maragusan, Compostela Valley. And it was my travel stop last weekend, June 7 and 8, 2008.

After the long delay of my office Summer Outing, finally we settled on making it worth the long wait – and that is spending it at the Summer Capital of Davao Region – Maragusan, Compostela Valley.

The whole trip was arranged brilliantly by the Haven’s Peak Highland Resort’s Gen. Manager Jose Louie “PJ” Ibanez. He was our guardian angel for the whole trip while the Resort became our instant home. The best place to feel warmth and comfort.

After billeting and siesta, the real adventure began. Being the Summer Capital of Davao Region, Maragusan boasts to be the home of magnificent waterfalls and really cool cold spring. And the highlight of our itinerary was trekking and hopping to these beautiful waterfalls.
First stop was Marangig Falls, with about 13 series of falls.

Second stop was the Tagbibinta Falls, with about 9 series of falls.

After the trekking and waterfalls hopping, we made a quick side trip to Aguakan Cold Spring where I was amazed to see the colorful big Japanese Koi. Beautiful! It was already past 7 PM when we returned to the Haven’s Peak. Dinner was ready and we feasted on a special Chicken Inato, just perfect for our real ravenous tummy. After dinner, my staffs and I spent the whole night drinking, singing and dancing like we own the whole resort. We were off to bed only until Mr. Red Horse kicked us off to drunkenness. LOL!

The next day, I woke up 8am. The cool mountain breeze kissed my cheeks while foggy panoramic view of Maragusan wowed my sleepy eyes. Spectacular! It was 8 am yet the town was covered by fogs. Cool and soothing weather!
After breakfast, it was another waterfalls hopping stop! This time was the Pyalitan Falls, with about 9 series of falls. The last one about 125 feet.
Breathtaking view of Pyalitan Falls:

Trekking back and forth to Pyalitan Falls there took us about one hour. But the breathtaking view of it took all our tiredness and exhaustion away. I was really awed.

In general, the trip and adventure to Maragusan was something that my staffs and I will always remember. Something full of thrill and full of excitement. Thus, if one needs a place for both adventure and relaxation, experience Maragusan. There's a lot more to discover.

Chilling & Relaxing at Haven's Peak Highland Resort at Maragusan, Compostela Valley

Amidst the green lushes and rainforest of Compostella Valley, there lies a Mountain Resort nestled at the top of a hill overlooking the foggy town of Maragusan. This little beauty is called Haven's Peak Highland Resort.

Haven’s Peak Highland Resort is located within the heart of Maragusan. It nestled atop Tarago Hills with its 208 beautifully landscaped steps leading to its tidy lobby. Atop the hill provides a picture-perfect and picturesque view of green foggy mountains appearing like a painting and like backdrop of a stage.

The landscape is beautiful. The ambiance is soothing. The climate that surrounds the place is simply relaxing, cool and peaceful. Indeed, spectacular.

Their Tribal Huts and Dorms are just perfect place to stay. Neat and clean. Lantaw Barbeque & Seafood Grill House, Terraza Adela Bar & Coffee Shop offers a great place to dine and unwind. The ambience is just superb.

The food served are real delectable. I remember my the rural breakfast I had. Twas something I really enjoyed so much. It was scrambled egg, pako (fern) salad, steamed young eggplants and okra along with mouth watering ginisang ginamos.

The staffs was real cordial, warm and friendly giving me assurance that my stay will be worthwhile which indeed it was.

The hospitable owner Ms. Edith Julian welcomed me with a huge hug and its General Manager, PJ Ibanez was generous enough to show me and my company the beauty of Maragusan.

Having been to different resorts of different places, staying at Haven’s Peak Highland Resort was one of the best. It’s just so amazing that the amidst the mountainous place, there lies a little resort that offers the comfort and serenity that Voyagers like this blogger ideally long to stay with.

Readers, explore Maragusan at stay at Haven’s Peak Highland Resort. You’ll be awed by the wonders and beauty of Maragusan and Haven’s Peak Highland Resort will take care of your stay. Check their website at http://havenspeak.com

As you sit on the hillside, or lie prone under the trees of the forest, or sprawl wet-legged by a mountain stream, the great door, that does not look like a door, opens.

Quote by Stephen Graham, The Gentle Art of Tramping Location: Tagbibinta Falls, Barangay...

Marangig Falls

Location: Barangay New Albay, Municipality of Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province, Philippines 

Tagbibinta Falls

Location: Coronobe, Municipality of Maragusan, Compostela Valley province Details: 5 Kilometers from town proper. 700 feet high