forest

Camiguin Island: Hiking Hibok-Hibok Volcano

Posted on December 15, 2013

Foggy view of Ilihan Crater at Mt. Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano on Camiguin Island  From its coralline isles and boulder beaches, the island rises abruptly to sleeping mountains of fire blanketed in foggy foliage, the last refuge of endemic animals such as the Camiguin forest mouse (Apomys camiguinensis) and Camiguin hanging parrot (Loriculus camiguinensis).  With a total land area of roughly 240 square kilometers, Camiguin is the smallest province in the Philippines after Batanes. Despite its small size, the islandRead More→

Ticao Island, Masbate: Bongsalay Mangrove Forest

Posted on December 7, 2013

Avicennia rumphiana, a mangrove species endemic to Southeast Asia In between Masbate Island and the Bicol Peninsula is Ticao Island, which still belongs to Masbate province. It is best known for the Manta Bowl, the top diving destination to see giant manta rays. A little known fact though is that it’s home to another behemoth of the natural world – the century-old miyapi mangrove tree of the Bongsalay Mangrove Forest Reserve in the southern town of Batuan.After arriving at Brgy LagundiRead More→

Sibalom Natural Park: A Rafflesia Refuge

Posted on February 5, 2011

Mt. Porras – the central feature of Sibalom Natural Park Like a kitchen sponge, Mt. Porras drank up the passing rain as we ascended its flanks to find southern Antique’s famous but uncanny inhabitant. Declared a protected area in 2000, Sibalom Natural Park in Panay Island is a lush watershed that harbors unique species of plants and animals. Despite being rather immobile, our target proved to be highly elusive. Having negotiated rivers and steep forest slopes, we finally found oneRead More→