“The country’s newest province never failed to amaze me!” that’s the exact words I am always saying whenever someone asks me about the “Mystical Province of Love”. Dinagat Province is a mysterious lady; an undiscovered paradise- seclusion keeps its beauty untouched and preserved.
I keep on coming back in the country's newest province not just for the work-related tasks that I am required to do so, but also because of the personal interest and opportunity to discover and explore what the real Dinagat is. Once you've been and lived with the beautiful nature and people of the province, all the hesitations and bad stories associated with will just become “ a simple dot ” and not even a reason for you not to come back.
My monitoring itinerary simply means TRAVEL and community visits. So every time I do my usual daily work itineraries I also consider the easiest and fastest way in going to a certain destination. The normal route going to the province is Surigao Boulevard to San Jose Port but I found another option a month ago after we established our new unit/office in Municipality of Libjo. The town is one of the northernmost municipalities of Dinagat. Almost three hours land travel from Municipality of San Jose and only two to 2 1/2 hours boat ride from Surigao Port. One of our staffs advised me that if I am going to Libjo, in order to save time plus avoid the hassle of rough road from San Jose to Libjo, I should take direct fast-craft trip from Surigao City to Port of Libjo. And gotcha! He’s suggestion not just lead to less tiring travel going to the other side of the province but also to my discovery of the province’s hidden gems.
TRIVIA| Dinagat Province is situated on the southern part of Leyte Gulf. Dinagat Islands had been part of the First District of Surigao del Norte Province until it was declared as the country’s newest province on December 02, 2006 with the approval of Republic Act 9355, the Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite.
TRIVIA| Dinagat Province is situated on the southern part of Leyte Gulf. Dinagat Islands had been part of the First District of Surigao del Norte Province until it was declared as the country’s newest province on December 02, 2006 with the approval of Republic Act 9355, the Charter of the Province of Dinagat Islands, in a plebiscite.
TRAVEL NOTES| The common huge waves welcomed us 30 minutes after we left port of Surigao City. Got the chance to photograph a not so familiar and underrated island with white sand beach (the first photograph) in an area covered by Municipality of Basilisa. Then an hour later I shout OMG as it is like my first time to see groups of beautiful rock formations. My seat mate, a local from Tubajon- municipality next to Libjo, said “yan yung Lake Bababu” (with smile). Marvelous! WORDLESS| Just see the photographs BELOW. I then again click my P and S Camera as soon as I heard the word “Lake Bababu”. Fifteen minutes of clicking and never-ending subjects; my cam’s monitor says “BATTERY EMPTY!”. Okay, no problem as I already took shots of the lake's rock formations. An hour after, I've realized that what I've saw earlier were just “welcome remarks” only of “the main speech”. Another “OMG” as we enter big and small lagoons going to wharf in Plaridel and Magsaysay. Why these beautiful and scenic places in Dinagat were not even featured in travel magazines or in a travel show. Before my P and S cam says “goodbye for now” and shut down, I hurriedly take photographs of towering rock formations with natural bonsais rising from the blue sea; spots of limestone islets they called “kisses islets” as the shape of the small limestone islands is same as the shape of the famous chocolate brand; pristine white sand beaches and lagoons with clear turquoise water.
Just imagine you’re in a fast-craft and what you will see are these nature's beauty at its finest.
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| Rock Formations in Lake Bababu |
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| Still in Lake Bababu |
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| one of the white sand beaches |
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| Closer to one of the "kisses Islets" |
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| One of the small lagoons in Magsaysay |
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| One of the rock formations in Plaridel |
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| Wordless| turquoise! |
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| Plaridel wharf| A glimpse to a beautiful rural community |
Fairly saying, these are not El Nido or Coron of Mindanao, but these beautiful spots in Dinagat will have their own name and soon hit a BIG mark in Philippines' eco-tourism map. That’s for sure!
I will come back soon to Dinagat Province, and I am expecting something new to discover and share while doing this work/travel.
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