The Fascinating Curtain-like Asik Asik Falls of Alamada, North Cotabato

The island of Mindanao is incredibly blessed with natural attractions and resources like pristine beaches, virgin forests, bountiful fruits and majestic waterfalls. Mindanao generally misjudged by some as the most dangerous place in the Philippines especially when they heard the Province of Cotabato but no one can hinder for a traveler like me to explore of what this beautiful Province has to offer. One of the most visited site and now famous in Cotabato is the Asik Asik falls and if you happen to read a lot of articles about the best chasing waterfalls in the Philippines, Asik Asik is always on top of the lists.

How to get there:

Asik Asik Falls is located in Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. The Province can be access by taking a flight from Manila directly to Cotabato, General Santos City or Davao City and take a van bound to Midsayap before taking a "habal-habal" or Motorbike to Asik Asik Falls.

1. Travel time from Davao to Midsayap would take  4 hours and another 2 hours motorbike ride from Midsayap to Upper Dado while more than 500 steps or about 25 minutes walk from drop off point to the waterfalls.

2. Gaisano Van Terminal's first trip to Midsayap ordinarily leaves at 7:00 and since we are taking the Asik Asik only for a day tour,we took the Kidapawan bound at 4:30 in the morning before taking another Van to Midsayap.


Tip: Make sure that you are good on how to negotiate with the Motorbike owners, they're usually asking from 1,000.00-1,500.00/RT but we asked it for 700.00.

Getting to Asik Asik Falls from Midsayap is quite challenging  because of rocky uphill and downhill roads but we didn't mind any of it since we're too excited to see the waterfalls.

Asik Asik drop off and registration area

 stairs  down to the waterfalls

greenly hills and trees 

After the exhausting trip we were rewarded by a fascinating curtain-like waterfalls and it is extremely amazing since there were no stream running above the hill. This cascades is exceptionally stunning because of its greenly leaves hanging from the wall with flowing waters crashing to the river.

We were so luckily when we get there because there were only few people visited the rediscovered waterfalls.

w/ Karen

The breathtaking Asik Asik Falls stand 200 meters wide. 

Don't leave the Province without trying their local cuisine that is made of sticky brown rice and native  chicken wrapped in Banana leaf called Pastel for only 10.00


There's a lot of places to visit in this huge Province but our time was atrociously insufficient to take a trip in all those sites. It was a fun-filled day trip despite the four hours and a bouncy two hours motorbike ride heading to the falls.

Expenses:

Gaisano Mall Terminal to Kidapawan      150.00
Kidapawan to Midsayap                           100.00
Midsayap to Asik Asik Falls                    800.00 for 2(he actually asked an additional of 300.00)
Asik Asik Falls Entrance Fee                    30.00
Midsayap to Davao                                  248.00


Thank you for reading!

BUROT BEACH, BATANGAS

Planning for a holiday trip and don't have enough fund to splurge in Boracay nor Palawan? Don't push yourself too much as these places will costs you thousands pesos for your 2 or 3 days trip instead try searching for a place nearby the Metro.  You don't either need to stay in a luxurious hotels or dine in an expensive restaurant just to inform your Instagram and Facebook followers that you can afford all those things. A Summer vacations doesn't require of how classy and lavish your trip would be but the important thing is that you are having fun with it. If you are looking for a striking white sand beach and on a friendly budget trip like less than a thousand then Burot Beach is right for you. Burot Beach is privately owned by the SM Group of Companies located in Calatagan Batangas but this is open publicly for now. This beach becomes a popular destination for weekend travellers since it is accessible from its neighbouring towns and cities. 

How to get there:

If you're setting up for a day tour, I suggest take the 4AM van at the Back of Kabayan Hotel, fare is hundred eighty (P180.00) for one way  but they need to fill all the vacant seats before leaving the terminal  to Calatagan. From there, take tricycle to Burot beach for a fare of 200.00(group of 4). You may also take a bus at the back of Sogo Hotel in Pasay Rotonda bound to Lian before taking a jeepney to Calatagan.

It was 8:00 in the morning when we arrived but it was already jam-packed with campers all over the place. And since it was a first come first serve basis in finding a spot, we stayed at the end point of the beach.

There were only few huts and picnic tables available for lease ranging from 450.00 and up. Also, an entrance fee of 65.00 for the day tour is being asked while 130.00 for those who are staying overnight.

Rio, Wilma and Emie's jump shot 

Burot Beach offers magnificent blue waters, fine to golden sand and peaceful spot for those who wants to clear their minds from a very exhausting work week.

Just in case you want something extra fun activity, there are lots of rental boats available with in the vicinity for P100.00 for the Island hopping, that, if you are in a group of 6-8 person but you can also hire for a fee of P650.00 and considered as "special charter". The fee includes the Naked White Sandbar, Starfish and coral Island as they calls it. You'd surely love soaking in these areas for it has crystal blue and cool waters. But I didn't really enjoyed our so called Island hopping hence the boatman took us just a few meters away from the main beach of Burot and I was expecting more from it.

Naked Island

Nevertheless, the trip was filled with fun and excitement.

Starfish Island

Coral Island facing the Main beach of Burot

Also, there are two separate wash rooms available for free but expect a massive queue especially on the weekends. 

Expenses:

Manila to Lian (bus)        152.00

Lian to Calatagan (jeep)   38.00

Bus Terminal to Burot      50.00 (200.00 group of 4)

Environment Fee              20.00

Entrance Fee                   65.00

Boat Rental                    162.50(650.00 group of 4)

Food Contribution        225.00

Calatagan to Manila    180.00 (Van)

Total Expenses            892.50

Suggested Itinerary

04:00     ETD Pasay –Calatagan

08:45     ETA Calatagan Market (buy food)

09:30     ETD Burot Beach

09:50     ETA Burot Beach

10:00     Smimming / Picture taking

12:00     Lunch

01:00     Island hopping (optional)

03:00     Back to Burot Beach

03:15     Wash up

03:40     ETD Burot Beach to Calatagan

04:00     ETD Calatagan-Manila

07:00     ETA Manila

Thanks for reading!