REGION 13

CARAGA
REGION
SURIGAO DEL NORTE
(SURFING CAPITAL OF THE PHIL.)
• Surigao del Norte is a province in the
Philippines located in the Caraga
region of Mindanao. Its capital is
Surigao City. The province comprises
two major islands—Siargao and Bucas
Grande—in the Philippine Sea, plus a
small area at the northeastern tip of
Mindanao.
SURIGAO DEL NORTE
SURIGAO CITY
(CITY OF ISLAND ADVENTURES)
• Surigao City, officially the City of
Surigao, is a 3rd class city and capital
of the province of Surigao del Norte,
Philippines. According to the 2015
census, it has a population of 154,137
people.
SURIGAO CITY
HISTORY
HISTORY
• Francisco de Castro (1538)
• The area of Surigao del Norte was once part of an ancient district
referred to as "Caraga" during the Spanish colonial period 
• Surigao City - “Caraga,” from the name of its inhabitants – the
“Caragas” of the Visayan stock – warlike, brave and ferocious.
• Surigao became a town and by 1751
• June 19,1960, through Republic Act 2786 that Surigao  was
 divided  into two provinces:  Surigao  del  Norte  and Surigao del
Sur.
DIALECT
• Surigaonon
• Waray
• Samar-Leyte
• Tagalog
• English
HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR- 10 hrs
BY CAR- 25 hrs

Destination: Surigao Del Norte

Location: Philippine Christian University
CULTURE
• PEOPLE- peace, loving and gentle. Adapt
the humor of Visayan. Non temperamental.
• TRAIT- Malay  stock  with  a sprinkling of
Chinese, Japanese and Arab blood.  Glints
of  European  and American culture could
also be identified in the  Surigaonon  culture.
• RELIGION- Roman Catholic, Spain's lasting
legacy. The rest of the population are
Aglipayans, Protestants and other religions.
 TOURIST
ATTRACTION
MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK
FORMATION
BASUL ISLAND
LAKE MAINIT
LUMONDO
WATERFALLS
AND ECO
PARK
GUYAM, DAKU AND NAKED
ISLETS
FESTIVALS
STO. NIÑO DE BAD-ASAY
FIESTA
TILAW FOOD
FESTIVAL 
RESTAURANTS
Bugsay Seafood Restaurant
EJ'S GARDEN BY
THE BAY
SHAKA CAFE
FOOD AND DELICACIES
 Sayongsong. This famous Surigao delicacy is a “kakanin”
wrapped in banana leaves with the color and consistency of a
“puto” or rice cake. It’s made up of glutinous rice, brown sugar,
calamansi juice, roasted peanut, and coconut milk. Sayongsong
comes out wrapped in banana leaves. Some people say it tastes
like “puto” but with coconut milk. This can be easily found in
public markets, food stalls, and “pasalubong” shops. 
POOT-POOT GINAMOS
• This delicacy is unfamiliar to tourists and even Filipinos coming
from Manila. Poot poot ginamos is a unique and tasty treat
from Surigao. This flavorful delicacy is made of small fishes
locally known as poot poot. This type of fish can only be found
in Philippine shores. This fish specialty comes with fermented
fish sauce which is very cheap, making it even more popular to
tourists! One jar of poot poot ginamos costs less than a
hundred pesos. This is a must-try for every Surigao visitor. 
KINILAW
• Kinilaw is a common dish for many provinces. What sets apart
Surigao’s kinilaw among others is its exotic flavor. Travellers all
over the world and within the country visit Surigao for its
delicious kinilaw. This local delicacy is made of raw fish and it
does not involve any form of cooking. To prepare this native
cuisine, the people of Surigao debone and wash the raw fishes
and combine it with a number of condiments. The perfect mix
of ginger, vinegar, onions, chilli peppers, and salt makes this
delicacy a haven for your taste buds. Some even use
“hinatuan,” a type of wild onion to add more spice to this
mouth-watering cuisine. 
GIGAQUIT RHUM
• This local treat is a great “pasalubong” for your friends who
love to drink. Gigaquit Rhum is one of the most popular native
beverages in Surigao. It even ranks number four in the top five
delicacies of the city. This rare and flavorful beverage is
fermented at a Sasa tree which is found in Surigao. This is
quite similar to the “tuba” but it’s tastier. Gigaquit Rhum is a
popular export product because of its good quality and
affordable price. 
 DRIED PIJANGA
• Also known as “white goby,” this first class dried fish comes
from Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte. Lake Mainit is the
country’s fourth largest lake and the province’s most significant
body of water filled with freshwater fauna such as carp, tilapia,
catfish, and the famous pijanga. This delicacy has a special
story because it’s produced from the efforts of the rural
agrarian reform community of Surigao. Tourists and locals
bring this home frequently because of its unique taste. 
ACCOMMODATION
• Hotel Tavern Surigao
Located in Surigao, Hotel Tavern Surigao offers a terrace. Among
the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk
and room service, along with free WiFi.
SIARGAO ISLAND VILLAS
• Set in General Luna, a few steps from General Luna
Beach, Siargao Island Villas offers accommodation with a
restaurant, free private parking, a garden and a private
beach area. Close to Center and beach front was amazing
PARKWAY HOTEL SURIGAO 
• Situated within a 5-minute walk from Park Way Shopping
Centre, Park Way Hotel Surigao features an in-house
restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. The
staff are always so friendly and helpful.
KEYUN'S INN
• Featuring a restaurant, bar, garden and free WiFi, Keyun's Inn
is located in General Luna, 600 metres from General Luna
Beach and 200 metres from Cloud 9 Surfing Area.
KAIMANA RESORT
SIARGAO
• Kaimana Resort Siargao has a restaurant, bar, a shared
lounge and garden in Surigao. Boasting family rooms, this
property also provides guests with a terrace.
INTEREST ACTIVITIES
• SURFING
• ISLAND HOPPING
• BOAT RIDING
• EXPLORE AND TAKE PHOTOS
• PICNIC WITH FAMILY
SURIGAO DEL SUR
(NATURE PRIDE OF CARAGA)
• Surigao del Sur (Surigaonon: Probinsya nan
Surigao del Sur; Cebuano: Habagatang Surigao)
is a province in the Philippines located in the
Caraga region in Mindanao.
TANDAG CITY
• Tandag, officially the City of Tandag, and often referred to
as Tandag City, is a 5th income class city and capital of
the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to
the 2015 census, it has a population of 56,364 people.
HISTORY
• Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th Philippine
province on June 29, 1960 by virtue of R. A. No. 2786 and
was formally separated from its mother province, Surigao
del Norte, on September 18, 1960. At the time of its
inception, it was classified as a 4th class province with an
annual income of over P300,000.00.
DIALECT
• Cebuano

There are a few languages spoken in the

province of Surigao del Sur,
including Surigaonon, Cebuano, and
Kamayo. The Kamayo language is also
known as Kinamayo, used by the
majority of people inhabiting the mid-
eastern part of Mindanao.
HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR- 10 hrs
BY CAR- 25 hrs

Destination: Surigao Del Sur

Location: Philippine Christian University
CULTURE
• AFTER four years in its absence as one of the major festivities
in the province of Surigao del Sur, a local organization in the
historic town of Cantilan resurrected and rediscovered a
traditional cultural celebration known to its inhabitants as
Sirong Festival, depicting the people’s resilience amid diversity
and conflict.
TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS
ENCHANTED RIVER
BRITANIA ISLANDS
TINUY-AN FALLS
CAGWAIT WHITE
BEACH
HAGONOY ISLAND
FESTIVALS
• Kaliguan Festival (June 21-25)
• A yearly festival in honor of the patron saint St. John the
baptist. Kaliguan means to take a bath or to get wet. The
highlight of this festival is the Perlas ng Kaliguan beauty
pageant and the beach dancing (instead of street dancing).
 This is celebrated in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur every June 21-
25.
PAHINUNGOD FESTIVAL (JULY 15)
• This is a yearly festivity in honor of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel. Pahinungod is a Bisaya/Cebuana term which
means dedication. The highlight of this festival is the
Mardi gras along the streets of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.
Celebrated every 15th of July
LANUZA INTERNATIONAL SURFING
FESTIVAL (4TH WEEK OF NOVEMBER)
• Lanuza International surfing festival is an invitational
international surfing competition with top surfers from all
over the Philippines and outside the country. It happens
every last week of November.
RESTAURANTS
Ocean View Park Restaurant
WHITE BLUE RESORT
PALAYOK REPUBLIK
ICEBERGS
RESTAURANT
SEA TIGER COVE
ACCOMMODATION
GLC Suites
VILLA MARIA LUISA
HOTEL
ENCHANTED RIVER ROCK
ISLAND RESORT
AVISHA SUITES
OASIS REST HOUSE
INTEREST ACTIVITIES
• SURFING
• ISLAND HOPPING
• SIGHTSEEING
• BIRD WATCHING
• SNORKELING
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
-LAND OF THE ANTIQUATED FINDS
• is part of Caraga Region in the island of 
Mindanao, Philippines. The province of
Agusan del Norte has many beautiful
beaches in Cabadbaran City and the
towns of Carmen, Buenavista, and
Nasipit. It also has Mount Hilong-Hilong in
Cabadbaran, one of the tallest in Agusan
del Norte.
HOW TO GET THERE?

By air- 3 hours and 38 mins.

By bus- 2 days and 2 hrs.
By car ferry- 34 hours and 58 mins.
By bus and ferry- 38 hours and 38 mins.
BUTUAN
• Butuan (pronounced /ˌbuːtuˈʔɑːn/),
officially the City of Butuan
(Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Butuan;
Butuanon: Dakbayan hong Butuan),
or simply known as Butuan City, is a
1st class highly urbanized city and
regional center of the Caraga
Region, Philippines. According to
the 2015 census, it has a population
of 337,063 people.
HISTORY
• The place where the first Christian mass in the
Philippines was celebrated, Agusan was first
referred to by its Malay settlers as “agasan”, a
word in the dialect meaning “where water
flows”. This alluded to the presence of a
mighty river that traversed the whole area. With
the coming of the Spanish conquistadores, the
area where flowed a mighty river came to be
known as “Agusan” to the civilized world.
CULTURE
• Butuanon is an Austronesian regional language
 spoken in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur,
with some native speakers in Misamis Oriental and 
Surigao del Norte. It is a part of the Bisayan
language family and is closely related to other 
Philippine languages. As of 2007, Butuanon is
believed to be spoken by fewer than 500 youngsters
in Butuan itself.[3]
• Butuanon is very closely related to the Tausug
 language of distant Sulu and the Surigaonon
language of neighboring provinces Surigao del Sur
 and Surigao del Norte.
TOURIST ATTRACTION
1. Balangay Shrine Museum
It is a small open-air museum which houses one out of the nine
balangays, an old wooden boat, discovered on 1970’s by the local
treasure hunters. The balangay is said to be more than 300 years old
which measures 15 meters long and 3 meters wide. Other displays
inside the museum includes wooden coffins, human skulls, hunting
tools, pots, ceramics and other items.
2. Bolihon Beach
 Is one of the most popular tourist spots in Agusan del Norte on its
coast facing the Butuan Bay. It is a long stretch of white sand mixed
with coral beach decorated with trees arrayed with cottages. The
gradually sloping seabed with crystal clear waters is good for
swimming. One of the most visited spot on the beach is the Bolihon
Point Cliff which is actually a rock formation that forms a plain surface.
It is the site where most visitors go for cliff jumping while others just
admire the beautiful horizon with the sound of the splashing waves as
it meets the rock formations.
3. Vinapor Blue Water Resort
On the northern part of Agusan del Norte, near the borders of
Misamis Oriental, is a blissful resort perched on a rocky shore
facing the Butuan Bay, the Vinapor Blue Water Resort. This is an
ideal site for barkada outing or weekend getaway for families. The
resort has wide pools, an awesome man-made pool on a cave,
cottages perched on the stone cliffs, concrete pathways to
explore the area, and even interesting sculptures of Jurrasic
Animals. The area is surrounded with trees covered by bermuda
grass while the waters on the shores are crystal clear perfect for
swimming, snorkeling and cliff diving.
4.Tagnote Falls
Tagnote Falls is one of the known tourist spots in Agusan del
Norte favored by the locals. The 20-foot high waterfall cascades
on a rock cliff down the 10 square meters wide basin which is
about 3-foot deep. The wide and refreshing basin or plunge pool
can accommodate about 20 people bathing at a time. The lush
trees around the falls serves as shades for the visitors while the
flat boulders serves as picnic or resting grounds.
5. Mount Carmel View Deck and Park
Formerly known as Marcos Park, is one of the best sightseeing
destinations in the province of Agusan del Norte. It is a park
located at the one of the highest peaks in the province with an
elevation of 810 meters above sea level. The top offers
fascinating views of rolling mountains covered with greens, the
vast sea and shorelines of Agusan del Norte and Caraga Region,
hence it is called as the “Show Window of Caraga“.
FESTIVALS
Lisagan Festival
October 22-31 | Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. A religious
celebration showcasing Mamanwa dances and healing rituals.
Sumayajaw Festival
Jabonganons living in other places will really come home to Jabonga
to witness the Sumayajaw Festival. It is a festival celebrated annually
in Jabonga every 15th of August, the fall of the Feast of Our Lady of
Assumption. This is a thanksgiving offering through songs, dances
and “Luwa” (lyrical poem) for the bounties showered by the Heavenly
Father through the intercession of Our Lady of Assumption – the
Patroness of Jabonga.
RESTAURANT
BARON’S

Located in J.C. Aquino Avenue Butuan City

 Pitstop Café

Located in Libertad Butuan City, Mindanao

 Margie's Kitchen

Located in Jose C. Aquino Ave., Butuan Mindanao

ACCOMMODATIONS
Oazis Butuan
Grand Palace
Hotel Watergate Butuan City
Almont Inland Resort
Go Hotels Butuan
DELICACIES
Nilusak (or nilupak) is cassava (or "balanghoy" in Butuanon, the local
dialect) that is mashed ("nilusak") with sugar and margarine, sprinkled
with grated mature coconut, and rolled into ping-pong sized balls. The
yellow color of the cassava, speckled with the white coconut, makes
nilusak balls, for lack of a better term, cute--just the way I think all small
pastries should look. This "balanghoy" is sweeter than its suman and
puto counterparts, and because it is "nilusak" with margarine, it is
naturally softer and creamier.
Nilambiran is our version of the ubiquitous suman. It is made of two
kinds of glutinous rice, the purplish red and the white, cooked
separately with coconut milk, sugar and salt, and delicately intertwined
("nilambiran"), then wrapped in banana leaves. The result is a delightful
brown-and-white-striped suman. You eat this as is, without any sweet
condiment. The salt does the job of accentuating the sweetness that
seems to be deliberately withdrawn to leave you wanting more. I am
always deceived by the brown sticky rice, half-expecting hints of
chocolate in every bite, but I never get disappointed upon detecting a
certain fragrance, not found in other sumans, that is almost like
chocolate. Butuanons love to pair nilambiran with native hot chocolate,
which we serve extra thick and dark, and also not overly sweet.
 SPECIAL INTEREST
Mountain Climbing -The mountain is 2,012 meter above sea level.
Straddling over the eastern portion of Cabadbaran and RTR is Agusan del
Norte and Caraga’s highest peak. Seven major waterfalls, an ancient rock
art, a carpet of giant white anthuriums, still undetermined number of virgin
caves, nesting site of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, habitat of
the Philippine wildcat, flying squirrel, tarsier , and microscopic flower not
found anywhere else in the Philippines (German botanist circa 1920) are
just some of its main features. 
Scuba Diving – Agusan del Norte has 102 kilometers of marine
coastline that offers 22 dive sites. Diving in Carmen let you
discover magnificent corals, abundant reefs, pelagic fishes,
snappers, sweetlips and trevallies. While in Jabonga and Tubay
sites, you can see crevices, caves, alleys, overhangs and walls
with depths from 45 ft. to over 200.
Canoeing –A canoe trip to Lake Mainit proved more exciting than
expected. Situated 80 ft. above sea level with a mean depth of
128 meter, the lake is a confluence of 28 rivers. It is a natural
habitat to some endangered Philippine flora and fauna. Visit the
place and discover some migratory birds from Russia and Japan,
native flowers Pagosi and Tabukali and more.
Scuba Diving -Diving in Carmen is an excellent 80 ft. of visibility with
15 diving sites. Reef life rich with soft and hard corals plus abundant
reef and pelagic fishes. Profile ranges from sloping walls to cliffs with
depths from 40 ft. to over a hundred, with generally sandy floors.
Known diving sites in Carmen such as Poblacion Dive Site, Tagcatong
Dive Site 1, Tagcatong Dive Site 2, Cahayagan Dive Site, San Agustin
Dive Site, Gosson Dive Site 1, Gosson Dive Site 2, Gosoon Dive Site
3, Vinapor Dive Site 1, Vinapor Dive Site 2, Vinapor Dive Site 3,
Vinapor Dive Site 4 Jabonga Reef and Looc Point Dive Site, Jabonga.
Snorkling-Skin Diving -Gosoon Fish Sanctuary,Carmen. This fish
sanctuary is located at Barangay Gosoon, Carmen, Agusan del
Norte. It is 100 meters away from the main road. It was established
in the year 2000 with a total land area of 10 hectares. Eight hundred
(800) seedlings of mangrove were planted along the seacoast. But
because of unavoidable circumstances only very few are alive.
AGUSAN DEL SUR
-TREASURES OF OLD
• Agusan derives its name from the Agusan
word agasan, meaning "where the water
flows", referring to the Agusan River that splits
the land and meanders south to north in a
250-kilometre (160 mi) rush to Butuan Bay. It
is third largest river in the country and served
as highway for the Spanish colonizers in
gaining access to inner northeastern
Mindanao.
HOW TO GET THERE?

By air- 4 hours and 59 mins.

By bus- 2 days and 4 hours
By car ferry, taxi- 36 hours and 19 mins.
PROSPERIDAD
• Prosperidad, officially
the Municipality of Prosperidad, (
Cebuano: Lungsod sa Prosperidad; 
Tagalog: Bayan ng Prosperidad), is a
1st class municipality and capital of
the province of Agusan del Sur, 
Philippines. According to the 2015
census, it has a population of 82,631
people.
HISTORY
• The Agusan Valley was settled by a variety
of cultural communities like the Manobos,
Mamanwas and Higaonons. Archeological
excavations in the lower Agusan valley
plains have uncovered evidence of strong
relationships between the region and the
Southeast Asian states. A golden image of
Javan-Indian design unearthed in the 1920s
and molten jars uncovered in Prosperidad
are indications that the region had
commercial and cultural ties with the coast.
CULTURE
• Agusans pre-Hispanic cultural history is traced back to the
great influence of the Majapahit Empire through the discovery
of an 8-inch (200 mm) tall image of a woman in pure gold at
Maasam, Esperanza in 1917 and molten jars unearthed at
Bah-bah, Prosperidad. The aborigines of Agusan del Sur are
the ancestors of the present day Mamanwas, who were driven
to the hinterlands by waves of Malay immigrants. These
immigrants, in turn, sought the protection of the interior jungles
because of the forays and the constant raids of "moro" pirates.
The "moros" being seafaring people confined themselves to
the coastal areas, where they started their settlements.
• Cebuano is the most common language spoken in Agusan del
Sur.
TOURIST ATTRACTION
AGUSAN MARSH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

  The sanctuary was home to the 20.24 feet (6.17 meter) 

saltwater crocodile Lolong, the world's largest captive crocodile.[3][4]
 PATPATANGAN COLD SPRING

This swim paradise haves two 3 pools. One with hot water, when
you go in you know what an oyster feels when kooked. The water
is around 40 degrees i guess. The coldpool beside is when you
come from the hotpool freezing cold the first moment.
 BAYUG HAMOGAWAY FALLS

Bayug (Hamogaway) Falls in Brgy Hamogaway, which is a major tourist

attraction, and the Pinagalaan Falls, which is the biggest and
tallest falls in the city.
 SACRED HEART OF JESUS PARISH

The devotion to the Sacred Heart (also known as the Most Sacred

Heart of Jesus, Sacratissimum Cor Iesu in Latin) is one of the most
widely practiced and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the
heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of "God's boundless and
passionate love for mankind"
 THE GIANT TOOG TREE

This particular Toog tree stands 318 feet with a diameter of 7

meters at its base. From a distance the tree looks like a
towering giant amidst a crowd.
FESTIVALS
NALIGAYAN FESTIVAL

Naliyagan Festival is Agusan del Sur’s province-wide festivity

which coincidentally starts on June 12 which is the Philippine
Independence Day and culminates on the Foundation
Anniversary on June 17
 KAHIMUAN FESTIVAL

The Kahimunan Festival is known to be the biggest in the Caraga

region. It is a thanksgiving celebration to its patron, the Santo
Niño, and was founded in 1987 by Rev. Fr. Juanito Belino, the first
head priest of Libertad parish.
RESTAURANTS
VILLA LA SELVA

Pisaan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

 CAFÉ CHRISTINA VICTORIA

Barobo Rd, Barangay 4, San Francisco, 8501 Agusan del Sur

HILLSVIEW RESTAURANT

Trento, Agusan del Sur

DELICACIES
ADOBONG SAHANG

Sahang is a is a sea snail which is abundant in the bodies of

water of Surigao. It is then cooked adobo style with bell pepper.
 SAYONGSONG

This famous Surigao delicacy is

a kakanin wrapped in banana leaves with the color and
consistency of a puto or rice cake.
ACCOMMODATION

LA CASA DE SAN FRANCISCO

ASIA NOVO BOUTIQUE – SAN FRANCISCO
HGC TOURIST INN
MINIMALIST VILLA
SPECIAL INTEREST
PUTING BUHANGIN CAVE – Sightseeing
ONGOP CAVE- Treasure Hunting
MOUNT MAGDIWATA- Hiking
GIBONG RIVER- Boating
AGUSAN CAPITOL COMPLEX- Biking
 DINAGAT ISLAND
-MYSTICAL ISLAND PROVINCE OF LOVE
 (Cebuano: Mga Pulo sa Dinagat; Surigaonon: Mga
Puyo nan Dinagat) are a group of islands constituting
a province in the Caraga region in the Philippines,
located on the south side of Leyte Gulf. The island of 
Leyte is to its west, across Surigao Strait, and 
Mindanao is to its south. Its main island, Dinagat, is
about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from north to south.
Declared a province in 2006, the Dinagat Islands
comprise the second newest province of the
Philippines, with Davao Occidental (2013) being the
newest.
HOW TO GET THERE?

By bus, ferry 2 days and 1 hour

By air, ferry- 10 hours and 38 mins.
By car ferry, ferry- 32 hours and 14 mins.
SAN JOSE
Officially the Municipality of San Jose, is a 4th
class municipality and capital of the province of 
Dinagat Islands, Philippines. According to the
2015 census, it has a population of 27,487
people. San Jose is the seat of the 
Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
 (PBMA).
HISTORY
The province is known as one of the archipelago's holiest sites in
the Pre-Christian native religion. It is here where the God of
Hurricanes was persuaded to relent his attacks on the islands by
Da, the God of Peace. The province in pre-colonial times was
much influenced by the Rajahnate of Butuan which was nestled in
present-day Agusan del Norte. It was also used as the entry point
of the Rahajnate of Ternate, present-day Moluccas of Indonesia,
to attack the Rajahnate of Butuan, Rajahnate of Cebu, the
indigenous settlements in the Anda Peninsula of Bohol, and the
Kingdom of Dapitan (located 'between Panglao and Bohol), which
later moved in northern Zamboanga after the Kingdom of Dapitan
was destroyed.
CULTURE
Cebuano -The Dinagat Islands is
predominantly a Cebuano-speaking province.
However, towns facing the Surigao del Norte
are Surigaonon-speaking, particularly the
municipalities of Dinagat and Cagdianao due
to their proximity to the province of Surigao del
Norte.
TOURIST ATTRACTION
 1.Islander Castle
Islander’s Castle, also known as White Castle, is an iconic
landmark in the provincial capital of Dinagat Islands. It is a very
noticeable Disney-like castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking the
entire town of San Jose which also offers fascinating views of the
hills, islands and the sea. This castle serves as a residence of a
very known and prominent people in Dinagat, Ecleo Family.
2. Pangabangan Beach And Tidal Pool
Is one of the paradise islands in Dinagat covered with lush
greens. It has a beautiful white sand beach fringed with coconut
trees, huge limestone rocks scattered on the shore and clear
waters suitable for swimming. The most astounding feature of this
island is the wide tidal pool or blue lagoon that every good
swimmer would be excited to swim and snorkel around. The tidal
pool is being enclosed by island’s towering rock cliffs covered
with trees.
3. Lake Bababu
The largest of four marine lakes in Basilisa town – is also a
unique body of water. Although composed mostly of seawater, it
has a 20-foot top layer of rainwater. These two layers of water do
not mix because the lake is protected from the wind by towering
chalk-white limestone walls draped in riotous foliage. The name of
the lake area was derived from the Cebuano words baba sa
buwaya or crocodile’s mouth, referring to the shape of Babas
Cove, the inlet that funnels to a small white-sand beach where the
lake trail begins.
4. Duyos Beach
Duyos Beach is one of the known tourist spots in Dinagat Islands
perfect for camping and barkada outings. The beachfront features
a vast expanse of white sand decorated by coconut trees lined up
with several cottages. The most prominent attraction of the beach
is its enticing sandbar surrounded by turquoise waters perfect for
swimming. Moreover, the beach offers a beautiful view of the
nearby islands and islets.
5. Bitaog Beach
The powdery white sand of Bitaog Beach offers more than just its
beautiful shore line. The blue colored water is perfect for
snorkeling and other water activities. Aside from the white sand
beach, there are also a lot of large rock formations and limestone
peaks to see.
FESTIVAL
Bugkusan sa Isla, rekindles the rich history, arts and
culture of the islands. The annual feast also celebrates
tourism, trade, commerce and indusry and showcases
the beauty and talent of the inhabitants.
In this municipality, Banwag Festival is celebrated. This
festival marks the commencement of the annual Philippine
Benevolent Missionaries Association Conference, a
religious gathering of the association’s members from all
walks of life. Members who attend the conference get to
celebrate the festival by gathering in the cultural centre of
the island and lighting a candle in the middle of the night.
This symbolic lighting is in support of the peace and unity
of the island municipality’s dwellers.
 RESTAURANT
Mabuhay Dina Gat Restaurant
We had most of our meals at the Mabuhay Dina Gat
Restaurant since it’s located at the back of Bahay
Turista, our comfortable accommodation in the island.
Denor Restaurant
Located near the port, the spacious Denor offers an
extensive menu – from burgers to bulalo. Our easy favorite
here is their sizzling gambas, which was packed with heat.
Maradjaw Resto Bar
DELICACIES
Sayongsong - glutinous rice blended with coco milk, sugar
and milk and wrapped in cone-shaped banana leaf; "has gel-
or sapin-sapin-like texture;" sayongsong means cone
ACCOMMODATION
Come and Lodge at Sofia's Bed- Main Branch
Pescadores St., 2nd Floor NVA Bldg., San Jose, 8427
Dinagat Islands
Native Garden Apartelle
Mt. Bagarabon Beach Hotel
SPECIAL INTEREST
• Island hopping
• Bird watching
• Snorkling
• Fishing
• Boating