July 2014 – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

Somewhere in Davao: Sana’s Kabawan Tapa and Bulalo

Published on July 25, 2014August 28, 2018 by iamjosemanuel2 Comments

Ask me where to enjoy a very filling and affordable Bulalo in Davao… Sana’s Kabawan will always come first in my mind. Sure jud ko!

Tucked in the modest side of downtown Davao, Sana’s Carinderia has been serving locals for around three decades already. Though it may not be the most popular food destination today, foodies must have found something special on this humble eatery, that kept the business going for many years. One of Sana’s loyal diner is our current president PDDR. Saya, diba?

Me with Ian Ray Garcia and Sana Valles at Sana’s.

Specialties :

Sana’s Special Bulalo ( stewed beef shanks and marrow in bone). Without any dapig dapig, this dish is one of the best tasting meat soup I know here in Davao. Meat is of good quality , tender and cooked just right; and that fatty marrow we love is perfectly tucked in. A big bowl of this is fairly priced at P 165.00 , good for 2.

Kalabaw (Ox) Meat Tapa . Shredded and very tasteful . A serving of this costs 80.00 per platito. You can also order frozen packs of this for take away.

Stewed Ox Brain for the adventurous ! around 100.00 per serving.

Other Dishes that are also worthy to try : Kalabaw Hinalang. Chicken Adobo. Paksiw Tuna. Sana’s generally serve Filipino dishes.

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Price Range : Affordable and worth every peso. Dishes are priced at P 40 to P 100 per serve. Bulalo soup is at P 165, good for sharing.

Taste : 10/10 . The Shedded Tapa is something I can eat everyday ! Really Tasty. And their bulalo is one of the best tasting there is in Davao.

Place : Just an ordinary eatery. Don’t expect anything fancy. It’s a Carinderia anyways. Cleanliness,however, has always been observed. Utensils are sterilised.

Best time to go: The place is usually packed during lunch break. As tourists, breakfast or early lunch is a good idea.

Service : 10/10 ( Nice staff. Owner came to have a short chat. )

Opens at 7 AM until late lunch. Mondays to Saturdays, except holidays.=)

Location :

Sana's Kabawan along J. Luna Street , corner Quezon Blvd. Near Luz Kinilaw. Piapi Area. just ask the locals of you cant find it. — Sana’s Kabawan along J. Luna Street , corner Quezon Blvd. Near Luz Kinilaw. Piapi Area. just ask the locals for help.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanas-Carinderia-Original-Kabawan/154205758120070?ref=br_rs

Banana Beach Resort : Tagum City’s Piece of Paradise

Published on July 20, 2014March 29, 2017 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to join Davao Blogger Society’s visit to Hijo Estates in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, where Banana Beach Resort is located. I’ve heard nice things about this exclusive resort tucked in a quiet corner of Tagum City. My expectations were not failed.

The resort used to be a part of a 2000+ hectares of banana and coconut plantation, until recently, the family owners saw the land’s potential for Tourism.

What’s unique about this resort community is how well the designers preserved the existing plantation landscape as it is. It was architecture that adapted to the existing contours of the land, and not the other way around, which is very admirable. The resort is actually just a small patch of development situated at the beachfront, surrounded by the existing hectares green filtering all the city noise away. As part of their amenities,the resort reserved hectares of untouched land, for guests to enjoy leisurely canopy walks up the lush forest.

Calm , quiet, exclusive ! Thats how I see Banana Beach Resort in mind.

Actual Shots shared from http://www.bananabeachdavao.com . Credits to the Owner

The Infiniti Pool — The Infinity Pool http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

the Canopy Walk up the forest grounds . http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

Sample Dish. Deep Fried Catfish http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

A Local Chicken Delicacy http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

The Accommodations

Air Conditioned Casita http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

Cabin-style, air conditioned accommodations for overnight stay.

No. of Units	No. of Persons	Weekday Rate	Weekend Rate
6	2-4	PhP 5,000	PhP 6,000

*Additional guest(s) is charged PhP 700/person.

Al Fresco Casita http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/

Native-inspired, non-air conditioned accommodations for day use or overnight stay.

	No. of Persons	Weekday Rate	Weekend Rate
Al Fresco		PhP 1,800	PhP 2,500
Single (2)	2-4	PhP 2,800	PhP 3,500
Family (7)	4-6	PhP 3,800	PhP 4,500

*Inclusive of breakfast for two and unlimited use of infinity pool.

*Additional guest(s) is charged PhP550/person

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Consumable Pass === Standard Rate Php 750/head

Valid for one(1) whole day.

Unlimited use of infinity pool.

Fully consumable on food and drinks, activities, equipment & other facilities.

_____00_____

Getting To Tagum is just an hour to an hour half ride from Davao City via private car. Vehicle arrangements can also be made through Hijo Estate office at Damosa Complex, Davao City.

For Inquiries ,

+63 917 633 7019
+63 999 885 0031
+63 999 885 0032
+63 82 282 3662
+63 82 282 3757

Banana Beach Resort
Hijo Plantation
Brgy. Madaum, Tagum City
Davao del Norte

Tricks on Getting Up Early

Published on July 18, 2014July 19, 2014 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Getting up early in the morning can be quite a challenge , especially if you are not used to it since dawn of time. Count me in for that matter . But just moments ago, I came across this Article on tricking your senses to get up early in the morning, and I actually find every recommendation quite logical and possibly effective.

Getting up early is probably the best push to do better, and be more productive for the rest of the day.

Hope this inspires everyone, as it did to me =)

Image Source : http://www.iam-architect.com/ Credits to the owner

Mindanao Towns and Shores: Bucas Grande Islands and Sohoton Cove National Park

Published on July 2, 2014March 10, 2015 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Christmas holidays just passed by us a few days ago , and I hope everybody enjoyed some rest and is now fully charged to start the year right and fresh !

To start up my 2014, I have promised myself to begin uploading posts dedicated to the places I have visited within our home country, the Philippines. For the moment, this installment of posts will be focusing on the beauty of the Philippines’ off beaten towns and islands; And theres no better way to explore this subject than to start with the provinces within Mindanao, with its beaches and shores that have not been abused much by tourist footprints.

The first installment will be dedicated to a place where I found the most enchanting seascape by far , which is in Bucas Grande Islands and Sohoton Cove National Park. This nature reserve is composed of scattered limestone islets and maze like clear lagoons located at the southern part of Siargao , near Surigao del Norte. The nearest town to this nature reserve is Socorro, which is around 45 minutes away by boat.

Three most note worthy things to do in the Sohoton Cove National Park:

1. Entering Sohoton Cove is an adventure in itself . To see the cove , the boat must enter through the only passage , which is a cave, that is only accessible during low tide. The Cave opening is wide enough that a small pump boat can fit. Given that, your group must also leave the cove before high tide.

Photo Credits : Mr. Ian Garcia of M Magazine.

The moment you pass through the cave is like entering a ancient world like in times of the dinosaurs. Sohoton cove is a maze like chain of clear blue lagoons walled by groups of islets and rock formations . The islets are covered in lush green and there are patches of pitcher plants. Within the cove, there are a number of caves to explore and perhaps do some diving. =)

2. Also within the far end of the Nature reserve is an area where thousands of stingless jelly fish dominate the water. It is said that the jelly fish had been castaway to this remote lagoon for hundreds of years. Having no predators to disturb them , they have evolved to lose their stings and venom. But, of course , safety should always be a priority, that is why it is better not to touch them if you want to be sure. =)

3. Cheap Seafood in the town of Socorro.

The trip we had was pre-arrranged from Davao City, thanks to our friend Ian Garcia who managed to tap his connections in Socorro.

To get to the National Park, probably the most convenient way is to fly/drive to Surigao City , and there will be loads of agencies offering chartered tours to the islands for less than 2,500.00 pesos (60 USD) per head.

Alternatively , you can just go directly to the port , as there are boats sailing daily to Socorro , which is around 2 hours travel time. From Socorro, your group may charter a small boat to tour the Islands for around 200.00 pesos ( 4 USD) per head ..

Photo Credits : Mr. Ian Garcia of M Magazine.

Mindanao Towns and Shores : Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Published on July 1, 2014September 22, 2014 by iamjosemanuel1 Comment

Bislig is a pretty little city east of Surigao del Sur , which is around 220 Km. from Davao City. Among the industries that the city can boast is fresh seafood. Though bislig is relatively small in size , the city has been sited on recent years as a travel destination for two note worthy creations of mother nature , which I was fortunate to visit a year ago.

The Hinatuan River

Photo Credits : Mr. Ian Garcia of M Magazine

Hinatuan River , 20 km. from Bislig, was once a mysterious edge of the town that locals believe to be enchanted. But on recent years, the river has fast became a tourist spot , that people flock to this place to experience its clear blue water and mysterious depth , still undocumented till this day. The river water is so clear that the fishes visibly swim around.

During my visit, I was not able to appreciate the river that much because it was a public holiday and trucks of locals were congesting much of the area. Some even brought karaoke , that greatly took over the solemnity of the place.

Nonetheless, I still recommend this spot as noteworthy , and perhaps a visit on an early weekday morning would be better, as the water shall most likely be calm and undisturbed. The beauty of this place is undeniable.

Tinuy-an Falls

This stunning body of water is known as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. It is a three levelled waterfall around 100 meters wide , with the tallest level around the height of a 6 storey building . This falls is not much discussed on Philippine history books since it is located at a remote province. All the more that it made the place interesting. It is also known to locals that during rainy season, a rainbow usually appears on the fall’s atmosphere almost every morning.

Travelling to Bislig is no sweat, as Davao – Surigao Bus lines have routes to this province for around 350 pesos (8 USD) , 3-4 hours travel. Chartered Vans are available for day tours at round 5000 pesos ++ ( 1200 USD) per day , which sits 18 heads max.

Vans going to Mangagoy (Bislig City) are also available at Gaisano Mall, P300 + ( 8 USD)

Entrance Fees :

Enchanted River – P30- adult, P5- kids 4ft below.

Tinuy-An Falls – P50 – adult, FREE – children aging 7 and below.

Scheduling :

Enchanted River – open – 6 a.m., close -5 p.m.
Tinuy-an Falls – open whole day.

Facilities :

Enchanted River – there are tables and cottages available for rent within the area. ( P 50 – P 100 ) .

Tinuy-an Falls- cottages for rent (P300-P1000)

Accommodations :

Visit http://www.bislig.gov.ph for complete listing and contact numbers .

Photo Credits : Mr. Ian Garcia of M Magazine