Mt. Puting Bato, Talikod Island, Hagimit Falls and Monfort Bat Cave

Apan sa atong pagkahimamat! Expect the unexpected; I never knew that the largest bat cave in the world was found here in Isla Pilipinas, in the island of Samal. Mana Nestor, a kasaligan habal-habal driver told me to visit Monfort Bat Cave ‘cause daghan daw kwaknit, haha! So I went there on my second day as part of my side trip. Then again I was amazed, a record holder highlights in the Philippines, weew! The cave was 300m long and it has 5 openings, naay dili uhab, naay uhab, ug naay pinaka uhab, haha! And it’s my first time to witness a White Bat, cheers!!

People here are entertaining and the place was nice, you just have to pay a 100php for your entrance then they will give you a short tour and history class, haha! The guide was always talking to me in Tagalog and I always answer her in Bisaya, when she talks to me in English, I take her video, haha! Anyways, the place was so cool, it’s along the shoreline and they have lots of souvenir waiting for you.

This is my jump-off point where I began my exploration in the island of Samal. I knew if there is a well, there is always a way. Instead to start trek in Canibad Beach, I start my journey here, hehe!

Hagimit Falls is not a high elevated falls but it has 4 series of drops. They have lots of open and close cottages (very low price) where you can stay for a night or two. You can cook and grill your foods, pwedi rapud ka maglaba, haha! To avoid hassle just bring your whole kitchen and stay there for a week, hehe!

Anyways, don’t go there when its rain.

Pagkaamanindot na lamang! Photo taken from Talikod Island, they called it Talikod because it’s in the back of Samal Island, but if you look at it in an ordinary map, it’s not at the back, it’s in the bottom of Samal, south part of the island. Perhaps if they will name it to this day, they will call it Tumoy Island or Ubos Island, or Tumoymoy Island, haha!

The island is gamatitoy island, hehe! You can make some tour for only 30mins libot-libot sa isla. And the island is not yet established and there is no known landmarks, only they have elementary and high school classroom. You will notice the only cemented road at the sea port, and the lights will switch on at 1500 until 0100 hours, and they have only one generator. So maybe people here don’t recognize Vice Ganda’s Showtime, haha!

This is one of the Virgin Islands I ever encountered and Dayang Beach Resort was a nice place close to paradise. It's choy and it’s cheaper, people here are accommodating and chicadora, they have lots of drinks and sea foods, ilimnon ug sumsuman, haha! The entrance pay was only 50php and 100php per head for overnight pitch-up -free of tables and chairs, and they have also close cottages to spend the lights off.

So when you visit this Island, drink till you get naked, I mean till you drop, haha! Cheers!!!

Ug sa dihang nikuyanap na! I erase all my old pix from my elementary age up to the age of ages, haha! And these are all brand new. Photo was taken from the Peak of Mt. Puting Bato, the highest peak of Igacos, The Island Garden City of Samal. As I computed to my GPS using WGS 84 Datum -Elevation is 538m ASL. The mountain is not that so high but the trail was so good dili nga akoy nagbuhat sa uban trail, but it’s a mixed trail. You will experience rocky steps, mossy and grassy ground, close and open trail, rough roads, ridge, rolling, and a 95 degrees mossy covered trail. 

Mt. Puting Bato really indeed owned a spectacular 360 degrees exquisite beauty around the island. Plus a numerous highlights if you’re a fan of side tripping and never getting tired. Rest assure, you will enjoy only spending less and affordable to your budget. 

TIPS:​

"Water is more important than food and food is more important than rest."

Samal Island, Philippines

These are detailed photos of my local exploration in Samal Island, Pilipinas. This will lead you to a cheaper way of unexpected extra ordinary get aways. But please don’t try this alone; this will be done by the professional. If you like to climb solo there is an establish trail for you, the 30mins hike and the 2 hours climb, just ask the habal-habal driver upon your arrival, but if you like to try the route I had, perhaps you should contact me so that I can give you an exact IT or maybe will guide you if I have time.

​

ETA Babak Wharf (Lantsa) exactly 0900 then ride a habal-habal to Hagimit Falls, pay the entrance and take a short tour, picture2 and pahayahay, jump-off at 1000. ETA Puting Bato (The Original Landmark) at 1200 hours, picture2 and lunch. Continue assault at 1300 then ETA in Mt. Puting Bato Campsite at 1400 hours -near Payag, sign to their logbook and pay the entrance, take some snacks and photos, chika-chika and pahayahay. Jump-off traverse at 1500, ETA Canibad Beach at 1700, chika-chika with the owner if she can still remember me. I've been here before (year 2005) and found out that Canibad Beach is one of the great spot for Surfing and Skim Boarding (during Habagat season) and known also to their high cliff -atchup sa ambak-ambak.

​

The next day I went to MonFort Bat Cave, the largest bat cave in the world. As per estimated last year by the Guinness World Record, the colony was approximately 2.5 million. Then after that I ride a bus to Kaputian District then take a Bangka across Talikod Island, then hire a habal-habal for a short tour. It takes only 30 minutes libot-libot sa isla, and I spotted a nice bitch, I mean beach, hehe! Take some photos and chika-chika with the manager of Dayang Beach Resort, grab snacks and relax. Then went back to Talikod Pier, catch their last trip (Lantsa) at exactly 1500 hours ETD direct trip to Davao City.

​

On my third day, a mountain run and trail blaze to route perfection at Mt. Puting bato. Take some coordinates and trail markings, and carve my name on the specific spot, hehe! Descend and assault to the nearest caves near peak, the APO Cave and the Sayaw Cave. These two caves are dry caves and close for renovation, hehe! This mountain was so bless, you don’t have to be worry about the fluids, naay duha ka cold spring serves as your water source. The first one near the shoulder -the modified gripo, and the other one near end point of Canibad beach, you will find it in traverse trail, and at the peak -the Park Ranger will provide you. There were two campsites, the larger one and clear view near Payag and route to caves, and the 360 degrees panoramic view at the peak. It's up to you to choose. So this is it, nikuyanap na -a perfect destination for a less expense.

​

​

Note:

Again this will be done by the professional. It was well prepared -physically, emotionally, mentally, anticipatedly, gadgetcally, and erotically, haha! Pacing and fluid discipline rare to full pledge climber or average mountaineer. Be aware. Thanks!!!