Going to Camiguin? Still on the hunt for a good resort for a much-deserved R&R? Let me point you to one that’s picture perfect and luxurious— Nouveau Resort. 

Nouveau Resort is a destination in itself. Here’s 5 reasons why you should stay in this resort when on Camiguin Island. 

It’s picture perfect. In the expansive property, the resort is beautiful by day as it is at night. It’s surrounded with breathtaking views. Fronting the resort is a 400-meter shoreline that welcomes the waves of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the ideal spot to witness the magical glow of the rising sun. Right across is Mantigue Island, one of Camiguin’s gems gleaming under the sun with its white sand. Turn around for more gems- the island’s volcanoes robed in verdant vegetation bidding you to explore its slopes. 

Kiddie pool & splash park (Photo: Nouveau Resort)

The falling leaves at the lobby

Lighting goes beyond illumination

Waves Beachside Grill (Photo: Nouveau Resort)

Picture perfect lounging at Bistro del Sol

Spacious suite

Poolside suite (Photo: Nouveau Resort)

Temperature is rising and the beach beckons. Camiguin Island comes to mind. The Island Born of Fire is embraced with 66 kilometers of gleaming white-sand shoreline, add to that the famed Mantigue and White Islands, which are similar in nature. Take a dip and get that tan. Tempted enough? 

But there is so much more to the pearl-shaped island than its sandy white beaches. The island province, one of the smallest in the Philippines, is packed with more gems every eager traveler would love to discover and experience. Beyond the blue and white of the island's fringes, the verdant interior is as great as a diving spot for historic spots. 

Chase the waterfalls. Camiguin Island has three waterfalls- Tuasan Falls, Binangawan Falls and the highest at 76 meters and said to be the most popular, the Katibawasan Falls. The sites are very accessible via short trek and the trail opens up to a panoramic site of falling waters framed by lush, verdant foliage. Take a dip in the cool waters of the pool. 

Trek the peaks. There are several peaks in the island and Mt. Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano with three craters (Kanangkaan, Itum and Ilihan), is a popular hiking destination. Secure a DENR permit and spare about three to five hours of your time and you’ll make it to the summit. Mt. Hibok-Hibok along with Mt. Timpoong form the two major landmarks within the Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, inscribed as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2015. 

The hot & cold of the island. There are six hot springs in the island: Ardent, Tangob, Bugong, Tagdo, Naasag and Kiyab, and a couple of cold springs, Sto. Niño and Sa-ay. Whatever suits and soothes you, go take that dip. Hot or cold, the springs promote good health. 

Exploring more of the island’s periphery. While the other sites require a bit of time to enjoy, there are sites across Camiguin Island that can be enjoyed with a quick view. Drive around the island and enjoy a quick tour of these sites, some of which will transport you to the past. 

The Gui-ob Church Ruins, the moss covered walls of the church, convent and bell tower are what remain today after the 1871 eruption of Mt. Vulcan. During the same event, the town and its cemetery sunk beneath the sea, and the towering cross was erected in the site in remembrance. 

Guinsiliban Moro Watch Tower is believed to be once part of a larger structure or a “kota” (fort). It was built to detect invading Moros and called it Kuta “Silipanan” or “Siliban” (fort for peeking). 

Make your visit worthwhile and volunteer to plant at the Katunggan Mangrove Park. Mangrove trees pose as a protective shield against extreme weather events, prevent erosion and are important to the ecosystem, too. 

Camiguin's geographic location in the Bohol Sea makes it the gateway of Visayas to Mindanao and vice-versa. Hop on a plane from Manila or Cebu or take the ferry ride from Balingoan Port two hours from Cagayan de Oro and satisfy your craving for rest, recreation and adventure. 

When’s the best time to visit? When temperature soars and the need to dip in cool sea water arises, or If you love festivals and lanzones, visit in October. 

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It’s one short plane ride away to the City of Smiles from Davao—Bacolod City. What comes to mind? Sugarcanes, the Ruins and the food! Talk about chicken inasal, batchoy, cansi, KBL and the array of cakes and kakanins the place has to offer. It will be one (or another) memorable food trip! 

Where to stay? Make Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod your nest for the days you’re in town. Why? Let me list it down for you. 

The cuisine is what drives many to visit and revisit Bacolod City at any time of the year. Good food can always elicit smiles. On a recent R&R trip in the City of Smiles, I asked locals where they enjoyed each Bacolod specialty most. They took me to old-time restaurants still serving heritage recipes, and the trip brought them memories of childhood, high school life, including the more recent times. 

For three days, we scoured the city for local eats and feasted on locals’ popular and well-loved dishes. Here’s what landed on my must-eat list. 

Cansi at Sharyn’s Cansi House. Now run by the 2nd generation family member, the 38-year old restaurant still serves the same recipe that wowed the locals and visitors. A single order can serve two hungry souls and extra rice will be in order.

Batchoy at 21 Restaurant. From a hole-in-the-wall snack house to a fancier restaurant it is today, the 1984-established eatery has been known for its batchoy. You say batchoy and they say 21. Why 21? It’s the address at the corner of 21st and Lacson Streets. 

Fresh lumpia at Yummy Yummy. It’s old school snacking for the former students of La Salle. What makes this delicacy interesting is the addition of crushed chicharon to the ingredients. It adds another layer of texture and the fatty-salty flavor of the chicharon is a wonderful contrast to the sweetened sauce. 

Chicken Inasal at Chicken House

Address: DOLL (Daniel Otilia Ledesma Lacson) Building, 6th Street, Bacolod, 6100

Sans Rival at Felicia’s

Chocolate Mud Pie at Calea

With my local food guides Joy, Tessa & Lyn

If a place has been under Spanish colonization with a goal to convert the locals to Christianity, expect to find a good number of churches in the area. Count Iloilo as one of those areas in the Philippines. Founded in 1566 as a temporary Spanish settlement and formally established as the second colonial outpost in the country in 1572, old churches in Iloilo come aplenty, and each has a story to tell. 

When In Iloilo to visit or revisit, do a Visita Iglesia to the province’s heritage churches as a part of your checklist. Whether devout Catholic or not, the old churches’ are breathtaking and their history quite interesting. 

The 1864-built Jaro Cathedral aka the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles is the seat of the Archdiocese of Jaro and the center of devotion for the miraculous Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. The Marian image, first to be canonized by a Pope in Asia, is raised above the entrance of the cathedral’s facade Except for the Lady of the Candles statue, the church’s interior features an all-male statues of saints. The church was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1976. 

Standing on Jaro Plaza, across the Romanesque Revival-style cathedral, is the Jaro Belfry, one of the few built apart from the church. Restored at the end of 1900s, the belfry was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1984. 

Across the Molo Plaza that features a domed structure in the plaza featuring Greek Goddesses is the 1831-constructed NeoGothic church of Molo. It’s known as the “Feminist Church” with 16 female saints lining the central columns, including Saint Anne, the patron saint of Molo. It was declared as a national landmark in 1992. 

Completed in 1869 during the Spanish colonization, the San Joaquin Church is known for its pediment which features a military scene depicting the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tetouan. The church was marked as a National Historical Site in 1980 and declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001.

Built in 1774 using yellow sandstone and corals, Guimbal Church is referred to as Iloilo’s Yellow Stone Landmark. The belfry, four stories high, served as a watchtower during the Spanish era.

Tigbauan Church 

Before the church was renamed to St. John of Sahagun, an Augustinian saint, it was originally under the advocacy of Our Lady of Grace. 

Through centuries, the 16th century church has survived calamities including World War II, but it was the earthquake of 1948 that heavily damaged the interior. What remained are the facade, bell tower and a section of the convent. In place of the historic interior is what we see today—an impressive coral stone mosaic mural in religious themes. A room by the main entrance enshrines an image of the Sto. Niño. 

Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites roster in 1993 under the “Baroque Churches of the Philippines,” the Miagao Church displays its dominating presence in the highest point of Miagao town. The 18th century Baroque Romanesque church, also known as the Santo Tomás de Villanueva Parish Church, was erected using adobe, egg, coral and limestone as construction materials (thus the ochre shade of the structure). Designed like a fortress as protection to the Moro invaders, the massive stone walls are 1.5 meters thick and are intensified through the use of 4 meter thick setback buttresses.

The town’s native flora, with the coconut tree (depicting the tree of life) where St. Christopher holds on to as the prominent figure, decorates the ornate bas-relief on the pediment of church facade. Below it is the carved image of the town’s patron saint, St. Thomas of Villanueva. 

For a tour of the Heritage Churches, as well as Iloilo’s historic spots and other points of interest, the Iloilo City Tourism Office and Southwest Travel make it convenient for travelers to reach these spots within the city and the countryside. Itinerary, tour guide and transportation will be taken care of. All you have to do is show up at the lobby of the hotel at the appointed time. Hotels, like Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, can arrange the tours for you.