BULUAN ISLAND, IPIL ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY: THE EMERGING ECOTOURISM IN ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA, PHILIPPINES

BULUAN ISLAND

What are your “wannabes”? I know that you are high-spirited to try new things. There is something inside of you that always tickle your mind to explore new discoveries in life.

Travelling is culture and everyone loves it. Most of you want to escape a sedentary set of activity that keeps you bored throughout the rest of your life. But hey! Why don’t you plan a travel adventure which makes your life more fun and exciting?

Consider to include in your bucket list, the stunning Buluan Island in Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. This island, which is protected ecotourism, has so much to offer that would invigorate your sense of well-being.

How to get there?

To reach this tourist destination, one has to travel by land and must pass by the town of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Much better if you could coordinate well with the municipal authorities for direct guidance  and assistance.

Ipil, Rotunda

You can already gazed the Buluan Island if you are at the top floor in the provincial capitol building in Ipil. It is estimated to be 7 kilometer away from the Ipil port.

Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga Sibugay

During our walk-through at the Ipil port,  heading to Buluan Island,  we stumbled on the buzz of the villagers because of the Hawksbill sea turtle which was caught unintentionally by some fishermen out there.  Apparently, this kind of specie is endangered and it is unlawful to catch them.

Hawksbill Seaturtle

 

To show that we are abiding to the mandate of our government in protecting the endangered species, we, on their behalf,  freed the stunning sea animal to its natural habitat. 

It took us 10 to 15 minutes to reach to our target destination via pumpboat. While on board, you will definitely be amazed with the scenic beauty of the coastal areas and even the fishing activities of the fisher folks.

Finally, we were able to set our feet on the famous tourist destination of Sibugaynons! Buluan Island. The untouched island with majestic fine white sand and crystalline water.

The government is strongly imposing rules to limit any commercial intervention of the place  in order to preserve the island. There are only  portion of the place  allowed for beach activities to include swimming, beach combing, snorkeling but never fishing.

Did you know that in Buluan island, you can find many parrot fishes? Yes, but to go for fishing is prohibited. There are large areas in Buluan Island which serve as the breeding ground for parrot fish.  Why do you think the government is strict on this? Parrot fish  has a major role why some island beaches have fine white sand. Apparently, those white sand are waste product of parrot fish which feeds on corals under water.

This travel wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Ipil tourism. Thanks a lot. 

 

CASSAVA CAKE RECIPE: NILUTO SA PAYA NG NIYOG (POTO CAMANTING DE ZAMBOANGA)

Native Cassava Cake  also known as Poto Camanting is a Filipino native delicacy made of grated cassava. It is commonly prepared by Mindanaoans as a substitute for rice because cassava is a good source also of carbohydrates.

Poto camanting is not difficult to prepare because the process of food preparation is simple and the needed materials for cooking are available at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBzGikmhUI

                                    Ingredients

      Sweetened Coconut        Muscovado

   

  

                Cheese                                 Grated Cassava Cake

  

             Grated Coconut                             Brown Sugar

                     Coconut Shell                           Clean Can

Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a large container. See to it that the mixture is properly mixed.

Step 2.

Prepare a big clean can to serve as an improvised steamer and also a clean coconut shell. The coconut shell should have a hole and it should properly fit to the size of the opening of the can. 

Step 3

Wet some grated  cassava then use it to coat around the coconut shell that is attached on top of a can.

Step 4

Fill at least three glasses of water into the improvised can steamer then bring it to a boil. When the water is already boiling, put some strips of banana leaves into the coconut shell.

Step 5

Fill the improvised steamer with cassava cake  mixture, cover,  then let cook for ten minutes or until desired  cooking perfection. 

Step 6. When  the desired cooking time is achieved, then it is ready to serve.

enjoy.

You may check the video presentation entitled Poto Camanting Ala Pobre on Facebook and How to Cook Native Casssava on YouTube by Just AnyTink.