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Lushes of verdant vegetation, clean fresh tropical air, a picturesque panorama of nature and contemporary works, a definition of a true Resort Living – these are what VILLA DE MERCEDES is all about.
Perfectly nestled atop the natural east-sloping terrain of Catigan, Toril, Davao City, Villa De Mercedes tops among the best Resort Subdivisions in the City. At 535 feet above sea level, Villa de Mercedes proudly offers a 360-degree quaint panoramic view of the great Davao City, the majestic Mt. Apo, the pristine waters of Davao Gulf, the charming Island Garden City of Samal.
Among the best things about Villa De Mercedes is the CLUBHOUSE where a contemporary coffee shop alongside a manicured view deck welcomes its guests. The stunning luxury of the infinity pool built in a landscape of lined up palm trees and ornamental flora accentuated by real white sand on one area gives an illusion of real tropical beach lounging.
And by night, the humid air embraces one’s soul and the view from the top overlooking the Davao City’s lights is simply remarkable!
So, at Villa De Mercedes, feel not just the charm of Resort Subdivision living but experience a real gate away just within reach!
Beach Life at Babu Santa, Talicud Island, Samal is not all about the great sun, the beautiful sunset, the enticing white sand and crystal clear bluewaters. 
Babu Santa Beach lies within the shoreline adjacent to one of Samal Island's true Wonder - The Coral Garden.
THE CORAL GARDEN OF SAMAL is located in the Island of Talicud. Talicud, as mentioned on my previous post, is the home of my now beloved Babu Santa Beach. With its crystal clear waters, the Coral Garden's various amazing coral formations are visibly seen even from the sailing boat. 
The Coral Garden Garden is the haven for people who love underwater adventures. Here, you'll see awesome coral formations of different shapes, different sizes and of different vibrant colors. On the other hand, these corals become the homes of various tropical fishes and sea creatures visibly playing and swirling around the garden.
What i like most about the Coral Garden of Samal is that it lies so close to the shoreline. And because it lies so close to the shoreline, it gives wonderful opportunity to everyone to enjoy snorkeling and spelunking in the very shallow waters. Drowning becomes not a problem! Not only that, just within reach huge coral formations can be seen even a shallow waters.
BUT of course, scuba diving in the Coral Garden is one of the best experiences one should try while at Island of Talicud. With vast coral reefs and amazing friendly tropical colorful fishes swirling around you while diving, rest assured diving at the Coral garden of Samal is nothing but amazingly unforgetable!
SO, when in Samal never miss the chance to see and experience the Coral Garden of Samal at iyts best!
I have almost toured around the many stunning beaches of the Island Garden City of Samal. I thought I have seen enough. I thought I have sufficiently traveled around the Island that I could claim I have embraced all the charms and lures of Samal Island living. Not until the day I set my foot to the tempting beachwaters of Babu Santa.
Babu Santa lies in the Island of Talicud, an island part of Samal. It is a 45-minutes boat ride away from Sta. Ana Wharf of Davao City. From Sta. Ana Wharf, only the Z-HENRY boat travels daily directly to the place charging a minimal amount Php 50.00 boatfare. It leaves Davao 1:30 PM. On board, serenity and calmness of the Davao Gulf becomes part of the voyage. But, surprisingly there's more to see, more to discover in this little charming place.
From the boat meters away from the Island, my eyes were filled with awe by just seeing its pristine white coastline. And just like virgin beaches, its air was just so enigmatic that I can hear the call of the sea, the sand and the clear turquoise waters.
Setting foot to the beach, nothing but pure admiration consumed me. I have been to different beaches but the Island has enthralled me.
The tranquility of the beach, the pleasant warmth of the summer sun, the dazzling charm of the sand and the enticing lure of the turquoise beachwaters - these are what BABU SANTA BEACH is for me.
TRANQUILITY OF THE BEACH. The isolation of the Island from the Big City gives no room for human congestion, thus, preserving its innate stillness and tranquil atmosphere. The natural serenity gives comfort for burnt out souls and its solemnity provides solace for aching hearts.
THE PLEASANT WARMTH OF THE SUMMER SUN. Summer as it is yet the heat of Sun is as friendly as the humid wind giving a true meaning of Topical Beach Life experience.
THE DAZZLING CHARM OF THE SAND. Roughly refined yet tender to a man's feet, its white sand added splendor and pleasure lazing around the beach.THE ENTICING LURE OF THE TURQUOISE BEACHWATERS. Crystal clear, cool, clean - these are what exactly the beachwater of Babu Santa is. No sea urchins and jelly fishes to fear from. Nothing but a pleasant great swimming. One can stand from soaking under the heat of the sun from sunrise to sunset.
BABU SANTA BEACH offers more than the usual beach experience. Its like beach life in a virginal form. A laid-back beach experience. Electricity serves only 3 pm to 1 am. Huts and Cottages are in its simplest designs yet there's comfort and ease. Tap waters are sold at Php 15.00 per container.
BABU SANTA BEACH is just minutes away from the CORAL GARDEN. 4 kilometer wide of different corals and coral formations. The site is protected by the Goverment, hence becoming Talicud Island's Wonder. Perfect for spelunking and snorkeling. Best for scuba diving.
More to that, when at BABU SANTA BEACH, the best place to stay is the DAYANG BEACH RESORT. The Resort where the word "Dayang" literally mean Princess delights its guest with a true hospitality and laid-back comfort that can only be provided by them.
BABU SANTA BEACH. A beach haven. An exploited beach paradise. And for sure, I'll going back and savor once again "The Charms and Lures of the Beaches of Babu Santa".
WATCH OUT FOR:"DAYANG BEACH RESORT: The Beach Princess of Babu Santa""THE CORAL GARDEN: Samal Island's Wonder"
FROM the Island Garden City of Samal, the CARACOLES FESTIVAL came to the City of Davao last April 25-26, 2009.
CARACOLES or the Sun Down to Sunrise Festival is an annual spectacular event in the Islands of Samal to celebrate the marine wealth and aquatic riches of the Davao Gulf.
Caracoles which literally mean "shell" has annually become popular event in the Islands of Samal and has attracted tourists and spectators in the Davao Region, thus, gaining its title as the Summer Festival of Shells.
Just recently, the main organizers of Caracoles have decided and designed to make this Festival a mobile event giving neighboring cities and municipalities the opportunity to host the festive occasion, thus, giving more people the chance to learn, appreciate and care for the Davao Gulf. But of course, a great opportunity to attract tourism potentials is also expected.
This year, Davao City proudly took part to host Caracoles 2009 signifying that the city is one of the finest places to spend the Sizzling Summer!
The day-long event was held in Sta. Ana Wharf where the whole place was transformed to a festive and colorful venue. Festival props and decors of vivid hues were all over the place giving visitors the festive spirit and jovial mood.
There were floating restaurant were visitors could dine, floating boutiques where guests could shop, and of course, the ever flowing food carts and food stalls lined up to give visitors choices and variety of delicacies to choose from.
AND AT NIGHT, some the festival's highlights were featured and witnessed amazingly!
BAILE DEL AÑO - a rhytmic, metrical and theatrical performances done on stage pedicting marine life preservation and environmental awareness.
ESTRELLA DEL MAR - a parade of various sea creatures' costumes strictly designed using eco-friendly materials staged through appropriate creature's movement.
GLORIA MARIS - a parade of innovative apparels made by local artists with imaginary and artistic designs.
ARTES CUERPOS - a parade of marine-life-themed human body painting artistically created, designed, painted by local artists.
CARACOLES FESTIVAL: Sun Down to Sunrise Party Festival! Another great treat for the Sizzling Heat of Summer 2009!
Going to the beaches on Easter Sunday has traditionally become part of this season. As a matter of fact, Easter Sunday Beach become more popular now than the Easter Egg Hunting. People of all walks of life celebrate this Glorious Sunday with family and friends lounging, swimming and even just walking along the exfoliating sands of the beach.
Together with my Dappled Mini Daschund Dog named DAPHNE along with my Mom and cousins, we headed to the GULF VIEW BEACH of Gulf View Executive Homes in Bago Aplaya, Davao City, 10 minute drive from my house.
GULF VIEW BEACH is the very typical long stretch gray sand beaches of Davao. But unlike other gray sand beaches of the City, GULF VIEW BEACH is yet tidier than those of Toril and Times Beach. Being situated as part of the Gulf View Executive Homes,(Subdivision), the beach also serves a leisure area for residents residing in the village. But of course, non residents are most welcome providing them plenty of Open Cottages, Function Halls and Small Huts for Overnight Stay and other facilities that can somehow provide necessities and necessary comforts to the beach goers.
Evidently, this photo below shows that inspite of the beaches' simplicity, people do come, enjoy and savor the Easter Celebration with their family and friends.
As for me and Daphne, this is just another fun day for a funny photo shoot. So, here we go...
At GULF VIEW BEACH, this typical group of youngters will treat your eyes with their energetic abrobatics performance just for the sake of audience share! Hahaha. It was real fun seeing them enjoying the afternon sun tumbling, dancing and flying at their best.
INDEED, Easter Sunday spent on the Beach, be it in the fabulous white sand beach or the plain gray sand beach, is not just a tradition need to be practiced for its sake but a great time, a very important time to be with family and friends enjoying the so called "Being Together" - just like me, my family and my favorite dog DAPHNE!
My hometown Cateel in the province of Davao Oriental is the home of the highest waterfalls in the country - Aliwagwag Falls.
It is a towering waterfalls considered by hydraulic engineers as the highest in the country. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful falls in Mindanao.
Aliwagwag Falls is a series of 84 falls appearing like Stairway to Heaven with various heights among the steps ranging from 6 to 110 feet.
One step is measured 72 feet and another is 67 feet. Overall Aliwagwag Falls is 1,110 feet of cascading energy and 20 meters in width. All these in the midst of virgin forest.
ALIWAGWAG FALLS
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