An island getaway in Northern Cebu (2/2)

continuation...

Nearer the mainland is Daanbantayan Island, a raised coral reef connected by a bridge over the narrow Daijogan Canal. The town proper boasts of a century-old church and still maintains a small fishing fleet. There are also numerous caves and beaches in the area. The municipality holds a Haddaya Festival every Easter Sunday and ends with a streetdancing (reenacting the heroism of Datu Daya and the celebration of victory, life and good harvest) on the 7th day after Easter. Haladaya means "Halad kang Datu Daya," the leader of the first Malayan settlers in Daanbantayan.

Further north is the approximately one-square-mile island of Malapascua, also known as Logan. Locals and tourists claim that it has "sugar-fine white sand beaches like Boracay 10 years ago, sans the commercial atmosphere." Scuba divers head to the white sand shores of Malapascua, known for its thresher sharks. The island has 20 diving sites ranging from a few meters-deep shoals to coral garden of great depths.

Taking the trip to the north is both an adventure and an educational tour as well. The Northern Island Escapade, the 2nd of the Suroy Suroy Sugbu weekend tours will enable tourists to get a look-see of some of these places that are outside the tourism trail.

The 1st weekend tour, Discover Camotes starts today May 14 until Sunday, May 15 while the 3rd and final destination, the Southern Heritage Trail will take place on May 28-29.