-->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Yes

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Yes

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

No

Dark or Light Style

Dark

About Me

My photo
This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

Blog Archive

Powered by Blogger.

July 6, 2009

lake sebu: tasiman vistas


Sepaka Stream
cool stream in Sitio Sepaka

I was finally able to get to Brgy. Tasiman the last time I went to Lake Sebu. Its a remote barangay perched on the mountains on the northern side of the lake. Tasiman offers a unique view of the lake side town below but few tourists ever venture there, probably for security reasons (the fact that its remote and its in Mindanao is enough to scare most, although I personally think its one of the peaceful places I've been to). Most would be contented in staying at the resorts and visiting the nearby 7 Falls or Lake Seloton.

We followed the snaking road going Tasiman after a hearty lunch in a T'boli home. The road is rough and the stones are loose. Good thing we were on a pickup truck. I could image how bad the road could get during the rainy season while you are riding on a motorcycle (the most common form of transportation there, locally called habal-habal).

Our first stop is Sitio Sepaka, known (well at least locally) for its cool streams. From an obscure fork there is a shaded foot trail leading to the side of a hill.

Hidden Path
shaded foot trail

The trail opens into a small clearing carpeted with carabao grass. A perfect quiet spot for a picnic. From there you can explore the small criss-crossing streams. The water is cold even at midday.

Sepaka Wide Stream
Sepaka picnic spot

A couple of photos and one cool dip later we were heading to the highest point in Tasiman. A friend knows a T'boli local named Mafil and we headed to his house on top of a hill. He wasn't there at that time but the folks there, hospitable T'bolis that they are, let us in without so much of a complain.

Related post: Finally meeting Ma Fil (Mafil)


Green Valley

view from Mafil's house

Mafil's house offers an amazing 360-degree view of the valley below. While the rest were having their siesta (the cool mountain breeze was enough to put most of my companions into a comfortable snooze), a photo buddy and I went around to see what's there to see.

Tasiman View of Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu as seen from Tasiman

From a vantage point on the side of the hill I could make out Lake Sebu below. The lake, which is already about 1000 meters above sea, looks like a small pond from there.

Fire Tree in Bloom
a fire tree in full bloom

Nearby fire trees are in full bloom. One particular tree had its top densely covered with bright orange-red flowers. The flowers seem to pop out from the green backdrop of the mountain side.

I sat on a rock for a while, savouring the fresh air and the fantastic mountain view. Soon the lure of a quick siesta was overwhelming and I decided there is no reason to resist.

other things I did that day:


how to get to tasiman

  • You can hire a motorcycle to take you to Tasiman (and to Sepaka). Transportation back to town is scarce and most folks there just walk to town so its best that you tell your driver to wait for you.
  • If you want to stay at Mafil's house (overnight), look for him in Punta Isla resort. His sister Mayang (0918-767-1063) also offers homestay accommodation.
QuickEdit
Lantaw
30 Comments
Share This Post :

You Might Also Like

30 comments:

escape said...

bai, if i start taking photos as good as these, i think i will change my career.

amazing shots!

Ayel said...

Wow. Lake Sebu never looked this good. Lols. Galing tlaga ni sir. :D

Gaelyn said...

Another beautiful place. Love that view.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

Beautiful skies and gurgling streams. What more can we ask for?

Photo Cache said...

Top notch photography. Ang gleng gleng. BTW, sarap magtampisaw jan ah.

Lantaw said...

bili ka na DSLR Dom :)

Thanks Ayel! Puntahan ko rin ito if you have the chance to visit Lake Sebu again

Thanks Gaelyn!

You are right Jen, its a perfect place :)

Photo Cache, sinabi mo! lamig ng tubig, perfect on a hot day :)

SandyCarlson said...

That is a paradise. Thanks for these.

Sylvia K said...

I know that you have the most fantastic photos of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. They take my breath away! Thanks for sharing! They're a beautiful spot in my day!

Carver said...

These are fantastic shots. So much beauty! Interesting post too.

Marites said...

wow! great shots! each time i get here, i get awed:) I love Marfil's view frm his house. really great.

Inday said...

Your pictures are beautiful. I love the Mafil House shot.

My World.

Jenn said...

Wow! Love the view from Mafil's place. Never saw Lake Sebu this enchanting actually. Great shots as usual.!!

Jane Hards Photography said...

This looks so humid. Love the long exposure on the water images, so silky.

2sweetnsaxy said...

Beautiful photos! What amazing views and scenery.

Shey said...

WOWOW! Breathtaking! Ang ganda, ganda ng captures mo. I'm transported to a paradise through your photos. Salamat! :)

erin said...

gorgeous captures...that first one is special as is the next to the last one too :)
enjoyed the post very much.

Oman said...

the view from mafil's house is just so breath-taking man, sarap gumising sa umaga pag ganyan makikita mo. parang ang sariwa ng hangin at gustong lumanas dito sa pc ko hehehe. great job.

Lantaw said...

SandyCarlson, You're welcome! Glad you like the photos!

Sylvia K, Thank you! I'm happy these photos brightened up your day :)

Carver, Thanks!

Marites, Adto na didto :)

Lantaw said...

Bonnie Bonsai, Its one of my faves too!

Jenn, Thanks! Visit Tasiman if you happen to be in Lake Sebu

Babooshka, Not really, the air is cool. THanks!

2sweetnsaxy, Thanks! said...

Lantaw said...

Shey, Salamat! Libre travel dito sa blog ko hehe

erin, Thanks! I had a lot of fun shooting the first one :)

Oman, Salamat bro! Sarap dyan mag kape hehe

Arija said...

It is all so bautiful with Firetrees and shady trails, streams and lovely views, like paradise...

Janelle said...

wow. breathtaking pictures! nami gid :)

fortuitous faery said...

ohmygoodness...that lush green valley is pure provincial paradise! they should make postcards like that! seriously! :)

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

Thank you for sharing the info regarding homestay. If I include this as part of a sidetrip from lake Sebu, how many days do you think is good enough to cover the two places?

Lantaw said...

Arija, Thanks! its paradise indeed!

Janelle, Kadto na didto! :)

fortuitous faery, maybe someday they'll print postcards from Lake Sebu :) thanks!

Nomadic Pinoy, you can do so much with 3 days there. I did sunrise shoot in Lake Seloton, visited 1st and 2nd falls, then went to Tasiman - all in just 1 day trip :)

J.C. said...

wow, love those slow speed effect on the water! Great shot!

Lantaw said...

Thanks J.C., I used an ND8 and CPL for that :)

Jenn said...

Will indeed go back... sana next year or nov 1 weekend. :-)

Orly Punzalan said...

Hi, i think your picture of the fire tree is not actually a fire tree, it's an african tulip. :)

Lantaw said...

You right Orly! Thanks for that. :) But somehow these trees are called "fire trees" here. Its maybe because of its flowers

Post a Comment

[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)