6 Islands hopping to loop Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao
- Ronald Gariguez
- Jan 8, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 15, 2021
After conquering Aparri, Cagayan in North Luzon and Matnog, Sorsogon in South Luzon, then reaching the new highest elevation in Philippine Highway System at Tinoc, Ifugao. Another milestone was successfully achieved when we looped clockwise from Luzon (Manila) to Visayas and Mindanao comprising 6 Islands hopping, driving a Toyota Wigo G 1.0 MT.
A total of 3,885 km. of travel includes sightseeing the part of Mindanao in Pikit, Midsayap & Cotabato, and then crossing Zamboanga upon leaving Mindanao, a side trip to Boracay and Tagaytay on the way back to Manila.
December 21, 2019: We left Manila at 2:00 a.m. with the fuel tank full and arrived in Calauag, Quezon 7 hours later for the next gas stop loaded 16.04 liters @ ₱49.95/liter. The drive was smooth until we reached the middle of the trip to Tagkawayan, Quezon, the rough road starts until Sipocot, Camarines Sur and takes 2-3 hours of one-way traffic due to road repairs. It’s been a long-time problem since driving with my Moto Club in a two-wheeled vehicle a decade ago.
Second gas stop at Daraga, Albay loaded 15.49 liters @ ₱54.89/liter to ensure that it does not run out of fuel due to traffic caused by road repairs. At 10:00 p.m., we arrived at PORT OF MATNOG in Sorsogon, 6 hours late from ETA. Unfortunately, the long queue of vehicles greeted us, realizing that it is peak season. So, it took us an additional 12 hours to line up and buy our ticket before boarding the Roro vessel, leaving the Island of Luzon at 11:00 a.m. the next day.
December 22, 2019: Following 2 hours of sea travel and took benefit to bath, we arrived at 1:30 p.m. at ALLEN PORT in Leyte. This time we had a wonderful trip to the municipalities of Leyte due to the beautiful sea views and good condition of the roads. Not to mention new works and widened roads. Sadly, traffic jams in Bicol had an impact on our itinerary, so we arrived late at about 6:00 p.m. at San Juanico Bridge. We were not so lucky to enjoy the view while crossing the bridge.
After taking some photos, we had dinner in Tacloban City following our third gas stop loaded 20.86 liters @ ₱48.90/liter. We left Tacloban City about 9:00 p.m. to SAN RICARDO PORT in Southern Leyte and arrived the next day at 1:30 a.m...
December 23, 2019: We took the chance to rest at least 4 hours in our car until we booked our ticket for Surigao City departing at 6:00 a.m. but the Roro vessel took 2 hours before leaving and traveled another 2 hours until we reached PORT OF LIPATA in Surigao City. Departing at 10:00 a.m. at Lipata Port, we gas stop at Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur loaded 21.20 liters @ ₱51.95/liter before we reached the City of Cabadbaran arch in Agusan Del Norte at noon and it took us another 8 hours to get to Davao City. So, we spent our dinner in Davao City and took the opportunity to shop at the public market to relax a bit and spend some time, then loading another 10.02 liters @ ₱49.90/liter of gasoline to full as there was still a curfew on the way to Maguindanao. Leaving at 11:00 p.m., we finally reached our destination in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao around 1:00 a.m. the next day with a total of 1,588 kilometers registered on the odometer reading then take the occasion to chat and eat with our relatives throughout the rest of the day and share our travel experience.
December 25, 2019: We are expected to go and meet our other relatives in Pikit passed through M’lang. We stopped for gas at Kabacan loaded 15.75 liters @ ₱51.25/liter, traveling 2 hours to the province of Cotabato. When we arrived, they prepared us with some unique dishes that we wouldn’t normally eat in Manila. After some happy conversations and eating, we came back to Datu Paglas and spent the rest of the day.
December 26, 2019:
Incidentally, “Kanduli” is celebrated today. It was also like a reunion to meet and greet other relatives from other tribes whom we did not know personally. After eating, we decided to head to Punta Isla which covers Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, covering the roads of Tacurong City, where we stopped for gas loading 18.57 liters @ ₱51.18/liter, Tantangan, Koronadal City & Surallah. We reached the pleasant arch of Lake Sebu around 5:30 p.m. After taking some photos, we arrived at 6:00 p.m. at Punta Isla Lake Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Unfortunately, because we arrived late, we couldn’t enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Sebu. And so, we just poured our frustration and turned it into a fun dinner party, capturing pictures while taking all we can eat. Leaving Lake Sebu with a stomach full and gaining extra weight, our Wigo still managed to carry us through the zigzag road on our way home. An hour later, we decided to stop at KCC Mall of Marbel in Koronadal City to buy some souvenir clothes and finally get home to Datu Paglas at 10 p.m.
December 27, 2019: Family Day Outing at Amaya Beach Resort. It has been a tradition that every time family members come together, they make sure it happens, especially those who come from as far away as we do. First thing in the morning, we visit the rice fields before paying tribute to our Mother’s grave and say a few thankful prayers for guidance and safe travel. With a group of 3 vehicles, we left Datu Paglas and arrived at Sultan Kudarat-Buluan boundary arch, province of Maguindanao at 2:00 p.m. Traveling at Isulan-Shariff Aguak Road, we stopped by and take photos at the site of Maguindanao Massacre, The Ampatuan Residence & Masjid Dimaukom also known as The Pink Mosque in between 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. Then, we visited our Brother’s Grave at Dalican and fetched our other relatives on the way to our destination. We gas stop loaded 20.36 liters @ ₱51.62/liter a few kilometers away before we arrived at Amaya Beach Resort, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The rest was great fun, food trip, parlor games, and videoke session overnight.
December 28, 2019: We left the resort that morning and planned to go and explore The Grand Mosque & Timako Hill in Cotabato City. It was 8:00 a.m. and we still had 30 minutes to observe and take pictures inside the Mosque. Later, we arrived at the site where the Timaco Port is being built. This port is for local and international transportation according to nearby residents. After visiting the port, we ate our lunch at a popular fast-food in Midsayap serving fried chicken and unlimited rice. Then, we headed to Pikit, Cotabato to spend our last night in Mindanao arriving at 6:00 p.m.
Despedida Night. As usual, they prepared us Duck dish, shredded Chicken Pastel, and Grilled Fish. After cooking and saying a little prayer before grace, we ate together and cherished each other with fun and endless stories. Until our other relatives had to go home as the night deepen and bids goodbye. Then we rested at 9:00 p.m. and prepared for another long trip starting tomorrow.
December 29, 2019: Bound to Manila. We left Pikit, Cotabato an hour later arrived 75 kilometers away at Parang, Maguindanao around 6:00 a.m., loaded 15.49 liters @ ₱51.65/liter to full and 1 hour more we arrived at Matanog, Maguindanao.
Based on the map I printed, before we get to Pagadian City, we can turn right and go through Ramon Magsaysay Road until we reach Dipolog City at 110 kilometers away. But all of a sudden, we decided to go through Zamboanga, because we had never been there and took the opportunity to explore. So, for safety just to ensure we wouldn’t run out of fuel, we gas stop at Pagadian City, loaded 8.13 liters @ ₱51.64/liter to full.
After 90 minutes, we passed the “Malibang Tunnel” the only road tunnel in Mindanao located at Picong Town formerly Sultan Gumander in Lanao Del Sur that connects the cities of Cotabato & Pagadian. We entered the boundary of Sibugay, Zamboanga at 11:00 a.m., then after 2 hours we crossed the Ipil roundabout and leave the boundary of Sibugay at 1:30 p.m.
We are on our way to Dapitan City approaching 4:00 p.m., a huge Chicken Statue greeted us, which means we reached Manukan, Zamboanga Del Norte. Then, 30 minutes more, we arrived at the boundary arch of Dipolog City and finally reached Dapitan City at 6:00 p.m. So, we spent our dinner in the city proper and visited Rizal Park and Shrine Dapitan. Then we paid our last gas stop for the record in Mindanao province loaded 21.2 liters @ ₱51.87/liter ready for the next journey in the Visayas. Boarding at 9:00 p.m., 2 hours after we booked, we spent the rest of the hours at DAPITAN RORO PORT until we wait for the Roro vessel to depart at 1:00 a.m. the next day.
December 30, 2019: Continuing our journey to the Visayas, it was still dark when the waves of the Roro vessel woke me up because of the strong sea current. We arrived at 8:30 a.m. in the PORT OF DUMAGUETE CITY. We passed through Negros Oriental, Municipality of Tanjay, Bais, and arrived at Mabinay around 11:30 a.m., finally arriving in Bacolod City at 2:30 p.m. Before booking our ferry ticket to Dumangas Port, we gas stopped at city proper loaded 18.39 liters @ ₱54.39/liter to full. We left SIMPLICIO A. PALANCA SEAPORT TERMINAL around 5:00 p.m. and arrived at DUMANGAS PORT in Iloilo at 7:30 p.m. At last, we reached Kalibo, Aklan at 12:30 a.m. the next day and slept at our cousin’s house.
December 31, 2019: From Kalibo, we were on our way to Caticlan when we reached the arch of Malay, Aklan around 9:00 a.m. We headed to CATICLAN PORT to book our ferry ticket to Roxas Port. And since the departure schedule is 4:00 p.m., we have decided to spend the rest of the wait for Boracay. So we all know what else to do in Boracay, but to swim, enjoy the view and relax. We spent at least 4-5 hours staying in Boracay and had to catch up with the scheduled 4:00 p.m. trip. Boarding for 20 minutes before leaving, we traveled 5 hours by sea and reached the PORT OF ROXAS around 9:00 p.m. After arriving, we headed straight to Calapan Port and arrived at 11:30 p.m. Here we encountered a problem due to the holiday season, the port office was closed and there was no travel schedule. We have no choice but to spend the night in our car at a nearby gas station to wait.
January 1, 2020: We decided to continue our trip from Calapan to Puerto Galera, as we were not sure if Calapan Port has scheduled a trip or not. Maybe we could get on the trip from Puerto Galera to Batangas. Along the way at Biga, Calapan we paid our last gas stop of the ride loaded 21.911 liters @ ₱56.80/liter to full. We arrived at Puerto Galera welcome arch at 7:20 a.m. and reached BALATERO PORT at 8:00 a.m. Fortunately, there is only one scheduled departure that will leave at 9:00 a.m. but sadly, it is fully booked. Luckily, some do not arrive by the scheduled departure time, so we got on board. We arrived at 11:30 a.m. in BATANGAS PORT. It was as if I had reached Manila, but we were about 120 kilometers from home. As we were passing the Star Tollway, we suddenly thought of going to Tagaytay City to celebrate our daughter’s birthday via the steep zigzag road from Talisay Batangas. We finally arrived at our final destination at 2:00 p.m. in Tagaytay City before heading home.
CONCLUSION:
I was thrilled with the outcome of this story that happened in real life and my basis was my own experience. I want to thank you for reading this story. I am a traveler, I want to share my travel experience to serve as a guide to you and others. Now, as a sign of a compliment, PLEASE CLICK THE HEART ICON OR LEAVE A COMMENT, for the improvement of this blog site or did I missed some information that needs to be tackled. Your comments will be my inspiration and motivation to continue here where I started. PLEASE LOVE AND SHARE THIS STORY. See you on the next journey...
Comments