A Must-See, Must-Visit Natural Spring Pools in the Philippines – Timoga Cold Spring Pool, Iligan City

If you are in the Philippines or planning to visit soon most especially in Mindanao or Iligan City for that matter, you shouldn’t miss the must-see, must-visit natural spring pool at Timoga Cold Spring Pools (Preferably Mimar’s Springway Pools). I have been there, sadly, only twice within twenty-two years, but know what? Those memories still linger vividly till now because I consider that place one of the most unforgettable I have visited during a travel and vacation in my beloved country, the Philippines.

My love for clean, clear, natural rushing waters certainly has something to do with those memories. That’s why, for those who have this similar passion with mine I am sharing, and perhaps help inform you where to find that place as mentioned above. If you are not yet familiar with Iligan City the easiest way to get to this “must-see, must-visit” pools is certainly to ask the locals there or unless you have local acquaintance/s or relatives to guide and take you to the place. Let my photos of the spring pools complement my description below:

The man-made pools are fed by the flow of water coming from the cold spring somewhere up the stream.

I prefer to take my dips up the streams than at the man-made pools below (not seen in this photo).

My nieces, nephew and I taking refuge on a rock midway in the violent rush towards the natural pool behind us.

A safer haven someplace along the streams.

Testing the violent rush. Not too dangerous after all. You need to have a firm hold and footing, though.

I just couldn't seem to get enough of the cool, soothing charge of waters. I Considered it water back-massage.

The Philippine Mangroves - Pilar, Siargao, Surigao del Norte

During our stay at one of the Homestays at Pilar, Siargao (Surigao del Norte) Philippines the backyard seaside cottage hut was an unforgettable hangout place for us visitors. Every day, I would marvel at the exquisite view offered by the chuckling waves of the sea nearby and the view of serene mangroves across at a stone’s throw away. While endlessly immersed at such a beauty of the island I couldn’t help myself with the mysteries of what lies among the shrub greeneries. Fortunately for me, the resident of the house who I quickly became friends with offered me to go canoeing with him there to explore the area and find answers to my curious mind.

I was quick to put on my hooded sweatshirt and water socks given to me by my cousin. The next few minutes were to be one of the wonderful moments of my island stay.

The Homestay backyard cottage hut at seaside we used to hang out on lazy afternoons pre-sunset.

The mangroves as viewed from the nipa hut cottage.

Approaching the mangroves on a canoe.

The homestay resident, Otik, on the paddles to skillfully maneuver the canoe as we got inside the maze of shrubs.

The eerily serene but beautiful mangroves as we paddled further among the thicket.

Me holding fast to the canoe's hull to keep the balance. I was a little bit tense of the unknown creatures that must be lurking somewhere.

Where We Stayed at Pilar Siargao Island - Homestay Accomodation

During our one and only visit at Pilar Siargao, Surigao del Norte with a cousin joining the Gamefishing Tournament years ago we were accommodated at one of the said "Homestays" in the municipality intended for the event. The Homestays are the municipal government's arrangement with worthy homeowners to allow for paid stays for the visitors. There were no hotels or establishments in that place for accomodation. So, the local government there came up with the brilliant idea to address the needs of the moment. It was also a means of income generation for homeowners. I was explained by one of the municipal insiders that Homestay owners underwent seminars and fulfilled certain license requirements for them to be eligible to serve visitors.

When we arrived at the Pilar, we were directed to the municipal hall where lunch were served and Homestay assignment was arranged. We were then led to our temporary home for the length of our stay with meals and basic necessities included in the package. At that time, the packaged stay was around Php1800 per day. Note that everything that comes to the island have been transported by motorized bangka and would curtail additional burden and costs to residents there. So, the price was understandable. Let's take a look at we got from the Homestay arrangement:

The newly-renovated house that qualified as one of the Homestays.

The house view inside the concrete fence.

The living room with furnishings made from indigenous materials from the island.

At the other corner of the living room.

Our air-conditioned room accommodation fit for three visitors.

The best area in the homestay was the small hut terrace facing the sea and mangroves at the backyard.

My cousin, fellow visitors and I would love to hang-out in this place with scenic views. I'd spend some idle time sitting here with a beer on hand.

The views of sea, mangrove plantations and distant greenery elevations are best early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Many thanks to these folks who served as our cook, housekeeper and landlady. I couldn't forget the culmination servings that included Lechon de leche (roasted piglet). Too bad, I was too engrossed with the island cuisines that I forgot to take the pics.

Nature's Swimming Pool : Magpopongko Rocky Beach, Siargao

During my brief 4-day stay at Siargao sometime years ago I heard from the local guide that along the beaches of Pilar, Siargao is a not-so-well-known “Nature’s Swimming Pool”. It was reportedly discovered by beach-frolicking kids by accident. Well, that was the shortest story I ever heard of in my life. Either the narrator didn’t bother to continue or I simply didn’t have further interest to hear more. The mere mention of it was enough to arouse my curiosity.

It only took me seconds to decide to go check the place. Luckily, one local was kind enough to to take me for the rough 15-20 minute motor bike ride.

There was a natural tunnel passage under the rock as a shortcut. The locals constructed a makeshift wooden stairway for the short climb.

After a few short walk and climbs the shortcut would reveal the doorway to the Natural Swimming pool.

Testing the cool, crystal clear sea-water of the pool.

The water was too tempting to hold back swimming for another minute.

Loving the waters. I just couldn't get enough of this place.

The only downside of this natural pool is the absence of hand rails.

Taking a balance and calculated steps on the natural rocky floor. At the background is the huge sitting rock to which the place derived its name in Visayan dialect.

You don't just get to see one big rock, but a few more big rocks.

Well, the island is surrounded by rock islets really. So, you wouldn't be surprised to see them at all. You could only marvel at them, though.

It took me a risky climb up the other big rocks to get a good shot with this view. Here's the true beauty to behold of the Nature's Swimming pool.

I just felt too in-loved with the soothing waters. Taking just one more dip before I left nature to its own business.

Sportfishing/Gamefishing in Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Philippines

Facing the Pacific Ocean in one of the islands of the Philippines, Siargao, is known to many international tourists as a surfing haven. I have known it a long a time ago. It was only some time a few years back that I found out it was also a haven for sportfishing/gamefishing in the Philippines known to tourists internationally. Thanks to a cousin, Mr. Clay Pestano, who came all the way from California (USA) and brought me there as his sidekick.

The Siargao International Annual Sportfishing/Gamefishing Competition is a tournament held for years now. It is held in Pilar, one of the municipalities of Siargao. Siargao is an island which is part of Surigao, a Southeastern province in Philippines.

I had the chance to witness the competition back then, although, I wasn't part of the actual fishing in action. I was able to capture some photos of the event. Being there for the first time was a memorable stay for me. Nevertheless, these few pictures below should say more than I can write:

As soon as we settled down in one of the homestays in Pilar we wasted no time to explore the fishing grounds the day before the tournament. I was able to take a selfie to capture the magnificent rock islets at the background.

Clay rented a bangka beforehand to explore the seas as his way of preparation for the sportfishing competition the following day.

The awe-inspiring rocky island beaches we passed-by during the prep tour.

The Gamefishing tournament allowed only bangka as the means of transportation during the actual fishing. Contestants rented these bangka with an operator at hand. It's one income generating means for the locals during the event.

The tournament makeshift stage and port as starting and drop point for the catches.

One of the sportfishing's entry catches during the first day of competition.

The final gamefishing tournament entries awaiting the judges' nod.

Clay's 1st Runner-up Gamefishing Bill Fish category.

Oblivious and nonchalant of what's going on upstage children happily indulged with the crystal- clear water temptation below the structure.

One last photo with the Mayor of Pilar, Siargao.