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In Taguilon, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Dakak is one of the hot spots to chill in. One of the good traits of this 750 meter beach resort is that it’s blessed with the glimmer of pure fine white sand. Aside from the beach, the majestic waterfalls and the natural spring water supplies the resort’s two pools; at the same time, it also provides the private outdoor Jacuzzi where you can unwind in the sauna and whirlpool in an ambiance of heavenly seclusion.

Situated at the tip of Northern Zamboanga, Dakak faces the Sulu Sea in the west. Surrounded by mountains on the east side and by Cebu, Negros and Bohol on the north side, Dakak is geographically blessed because it eludes the typhoon belt. It is, therefore, the ideal all-season target for vacation and adventure.

Carefully designed to help maintain the tropical ambiance of the place, the resort easily blends with the natural environment as it distinguishes native style cottages that are built in Nipa leaves, traditional bamboo, capiz shell window panes and marble tiled bathrooms. Aside from the intricate exteriors, the resort also offers guests with individually controlled air conditioning, mini-bars and television with in-house videos. Plus, services are maximized through intercom phones.

Whether it’s settled in the beach or nestled around the flora and fauna like the wild orchards of coconut, frangipani, mango, banana, and papaya, the whole town follows the natural outlines of this huge 15 hectare resort.

One good place to try is the casual atmosphere of the al fresco Port Orient restaurant. The place is a pleasant day-round setting and with the topical atmosphere, you will have the time of your life indulging in the perfect dining environment. Another mealtime treat that you can give yourself is a delectable Japanese meal at the Sushi Bar in the Verandah. You will also want to try out Dakak’s premiere prawn farm constructed over the water on bamboo stilts, where you’ll discover the freshest seafood.

Definitely Dakak Beach Resort is truly a haven for relaxation, adventure and seafood cuisine. If you want to escape the tedious elements in the modern city, then go to Dakak Beach Resort and have the time of your life.

-by Mark Anthony Daposala-
(Photos taken from wakopaki.blogspot.com and rollymarcial.blogspot.com)

In Cagayan de Oro, Mags Boutique is located at the Limketkai Mall. The fashionable boutique is owned by Ms. Mags Cue, a young entrepreneur.

Mags is one of Cagayan de Oro’s most popular boutiques. Their trendy fashion collection is always a hit among Cagayan’s fashionista crowd. Mags is also big on helping out with the city’s activities and goals. In 2008, for example, the boutique organized a fashion show that had all 15 Miss Kagay-an 2008 candidates modeling Mags’ latest fashion trends on the ramp. Since Mags is known for being fashionable and trendy, the special guest for that fashion show was none other than distinguished actress and product endorser Ms. Angel Aquino.

The fashion show featured the candidates in the latest casual wear from Mags Boutique. Mayor Constantino Jaraula thanked the young owner of Mags, Miss Cue, for sponsoring the event and bringing a large crowd of audiences to Limketkai, where the event was held.

The success of Mags Boutique serves as an inspiration to Kagay-anons who also dream of becoming successful in their business ventures.

Aside from clothes and other fashion items, Mags also sells women’s footwear, bags and accessories. Most of their fashion items are sourced from Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Korea, China and Thailand.

Mags Boutique continues to draw in young fashionistas, their friends and families. It continues to come up with significant projects and events like the Miss Kagay-an fashion show. Pretty soon, Kagay-anons will not only know Mags Boutique for its fashionable and trendy clothes and accessories, but also for its dedication to the people of Cagayan de Oro.

The 4th class municipality of Opol is a popular destination located along the outskirts of Cagayan de Oro. The city’s locals and visitors often flock to Opol, especially during hot days, to spend some time out basking in its line of beaches.

As of 2007, the Philippine census reports that Opol has a total population of 47,187. As the City of Golden Friendship continues to progress, the municipality of Opol is also gradually becoming more and more urbanized. This sudden burst of urbanization is most probably due to the growth of the local population and the rapid expansion of Cagayan de Oro.

As of today, the place is divided into 14 different barangays namely:

• Tingalan
• Taboc
• Poblacion
• Patag
• Nangcaon
• Malanang
• Luyong bonbon
• Limonda
• Igpit
• Cauyonan
• Bonbon
• Barra
• Bagocboc
• Awang

Originally, the entire place of Opol mainly thrived on agriculture and fishing. Although that still remains as the major mode of living for most locals in Opol, several other economic activities have begun to sprout within the province. Such activities include commercial fishing, tourism/hospitality, as well as certain economic activities related to the light industry.

Over the years, Opol was able to produce a few notable economic infrastructures including the fishing port at Luyong bonbon, the San Miguel and Coca Cola bottling plants, as well as the municipal market building situated near the Opol municipal centre.

The Cagayan de Oro-Iligan highway, which passes through the coast of Opol, is a major inter-regional transport route that consists of an important part of the Corridor Special Development Project between Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. This major infrastructure development initiative has taken the attention of several locals and officials of Opol since the project will most probably result in a substantial economic growth for Opol, as well as the rest of Misamis Oriental and its adjoining provinces, including Lanao del Norte, for the coming years.

In terms of tourism, Opol is not one province to miss out. People who are both new and familiar with the province will always enjoy several things about Opol. Some of the best things about Opol, aside from its locals, are the Philippine Ostrich & Crocodile Farm, the Apple Tree Beach Resort (formerly known as the Lauremar Beach Resort), the Opol Aviary and Mini Zoo, the San Pedro Beach Resort, as well as the D. Yasay Beach Resort.

Opol is often visited by tourists for its beaches and one of its most popular tourist resorts is the Apple Tree Beach Resort. The resort got its new name after it was placed under a new management. For those who have yet to visit the place, the resort is located right on the main beach in the heart of Opol.

Another notable beach resort in the province is the San Pedro Beach Resort. It is said to be the first beach resort in Misamis Oriental. And finally, one of Opol’s most visited beach resorts is the D. Yasay Beach Resort. A lot of people often go to the resort to bond with family and friends, as well as to celebrate several important events.

Opol is also home to famous seaside restaurants like Tabing Dagat, Seablings Seafood Restaurant and Panagatan Restaurant.

-by Mara Tismo-
(Photos taken from flickr.com and onlinemindanao.com)

The City of Butuan

Butuan City, or as locals call it, “Dakbayan hong Butuan” or “Lungsod ng Butuan,” is the regional center of the Caraga Region. Situated northeast of Agusan Valley in Mindanao, it stretches across the Agusan River and is bounded to the east by Agusan del Sur, to the northwest by Butuan Bay and to the north, south and west by Agusan del Norte. Based on the census in 2007, it has a total of 298,378 inhabitants.

Apart from being the regional center of the Caraga Region, it has regional offices of various government agencies headquartered within the city limits.

Butuan was formerly Agusan del Norte’s capital until 2000, during the employment of Republic Act 8811, authorizing the transfer of the capital to the city of Cabadbaran. Despite this, Butuan is still the province’s seat of government since majority of the government offices are located there, counting the provincial capitol.

The City of Gingoog

Gingoog City (pronounced as Hingoog due to the Spanish pronunciation of G, which has the H sound), “Dakbayan sa Gingoog” in Cebuano and “Lungsod ng Gingoog” in Filipino, is a third class city located in the Misamis Oriental province. As of 2006, the city was said to have a total number of 111,787 inhabitants, based on the Philippine census.

The city is settled in the Mindanao island, which is the second largest of the archipelago of the landmass of the Philippines. It is located about 74 kilometers west of Butuan City and 122 kilometers east of the City of Golden Friendship (Cagayan de Oro). It is bounded on the south by the municipality of Claveria, Misamis Oriental; on the north by Gingoog Bay; and on the east by the municipality of Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental. Gingoog’s total area of land is estimated at 744 sq. km.

Gingoog is subdivided into as many as 79 barangays, including the following:

•Bakidbakid
•Binakalan
•Mimbalagon
•Maribucao
•Agay-ayan
•Anakan
•Bal-ason
•Pigsaluhan
•Murallon
•Eureka
•San Miguel
•Libertad
•Barangays 1 to 26

Some of the city’s best accommodation establishments are: the Century Pension House, Mountain Air Hotel and Eastland Restaurant, as well as Mansion by the Sea.

Balingasag

Balingasag is considered a 3rd class municipality in Misamis Oriental. As of 2000, the census reported that in the municipality’s 9,618 households, there were 51,782 people.

Like Cagayan de Oro, it also plays a part in Philippine history. The Vega Ancestral House, which is situated in the Poblacion district, is a preserved colonial house that has been visited by Filipino leaders such as former President Sergio Osmeña and General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Balingasag is as well subdivided into 30 barangays, which are:

•Barangays 1 to 6
•Quezon
•Rosario
•Napaliran
•Balagnan
•Baliwagan
•Blanco
•Waterfall
•San Juan
•Calawag
•Dansuli
•Hermano
•San Isidro
•San Francisco
•Linabu
•Mambayaan
•Linggangao
•Samay
•Binitinan
•Kibanban
•Cogon
•Dumarait
•Camuayan
•Mandangoa
•Talusan

-by Rose Anne Quirante-
(Photos taken from img39.yfrog.com, charmainepallugna_com, and