Go by fastcraft, that’s how.

What is usually a 3.5 hour travel by land now takes only an hour and 15 minutes on board MV Danspenta I, which has a capacity of 125 passengers, and a speed of  24 to 25 knots.

DAHILAYAN, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (MindaNews/22 December) – The road to Dahilayan is rough but visitors say its part of their ecotourism experience.

This village, which is near the foot of Mt. Kitanglad, hosts Bukidnon’s new tourist attraction – the 840 meter dual zip lines of the Dahilayan Adventure Park.

Paul Partridge, manager of the Lemlunay Dive Resort, said construction is now ongoing for the first four of the total cottages they will complete by next year.

CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews/30 May) -- Despite seeing the banner announcing the annual Masonic national convention that greeted us as our bus entered Cagayan de Oro City at nightfall, we took our chances, knocked on inns, hotels, and pensionne houses that closed their doors to us, receptionists shaking their heads saying “no vacancy.” Even along Nazareth Street we had no luck. Tonight, Cagayan de Oro City’s lodging houses, inns, and hotels were unbelievably fully booked, all of them were filled with Masons.

Like arriving in Bethlehem, surely there must be some empty stable somewhere that my friend Clee and I were welcome to stay for the night. After a backbreaking almost seven-hour bus ride from Davao City, which took longer than usual because of road renovations, we needed to relax in order to prepare for our trip to Dumaguete the next day. Just one night was all we asked.

A week ago I was privileged to be able to climb the highest mountain in the Philippines, at 9,692 feet above sea level, and get back in one piece. Here is my account of my little adventure with my Dad and his friends Keith Bacongco and Roger Marcelo:

Dr. Besquillo, 77, is a retired dental surgeon. Along with wife Solficia and five children, he wants to see and share their Ilongo-style hospitality, finally turning their property in Gumasa to one of the newest and unique tourism destinations in Sarangani. Welcome to Coco Beach Resort.  

“Tourism is about friends, about public relations,” Dr. Besquillo mused.