When people hear the word “Mindanao”, all they could think of is terrorism. But when someone asks me how I describe Mindanao, my answer is always “paradise”. #BreakTheStigma
🇵🇭MALAMAWI ISLAND ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈🛳🚌 How to get to Malamawi Island, Basilan:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Zamboanga City (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
⏺ Hail a tricycle to Zamboanga Port.
⏺ Ride a fastcraft (travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour) or RORO ferry (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours) to reach Isabela City Port.
⏺ Take the public boat bound for Malamawi Island (travel time: 5 – 10 minutes).
⏺ Charter a motorcycle to White Beach (travel time: 15 – 30 minutes).
My friends and I just landed at Zamboanga International Airport from Tawi-Tawi and I asked one of my travel buddies if he wanted to join me on this quick trip to Basilan. He had been to Basilan before but he was not able to visit Malamawi Island that time so he agreed to go with me. The rest of my friends originally planned to check out Merloquet Falls in Zamboanga that morning so it’s just going to be the two of us bound for Basilan.It seemed as if we were on The Amazing Race as we hurriedly made our way to the seaport. We were not able to catch the fastcraft so we had no choice but to take the slow ferry instead.Boy was I so excited when the ferry revved its engine as we made our way to Basilan. It’ll be a trip of a lifetime to get to a place considered by many as the most dangerous province in the Philippines. I took a deep breath and whispered, “This is it.”I sent a text message to my siblings about my whereabouts but I didn’t inform my parents. I know nothing is going to happen but I just didn’t want them to worry. Besides, I didn’t want to ruin the mood and get scolded on that exciting day.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
6:00 AM ETD for Isabela City Port
7:00 AM ETA Isabela City / breakfast
8:00 AM ETA Malamawi Island
8:30 AM ETA White Beach / swimming / free time
12:00 PM Lunch
3:00 PM Head back to Isabela City Port
4:00 PM ETD for Zamboanga Port
5:00 PM ETA Zamboanga Port
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 1, 500 – Php 2,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the transfer rates via motorcycle.
The RORO ferry slowly moved through the waters of Basilan Strait. I couldn’t keep myself calm. My heart kept beating fast and I felt so restless. I was feeling nervous and exhilarated at the same time. But I still tried my best to comfort myself with the fact that my friend who was my company for that journey had been to the province of Basilan the year before.I started interviewing some passengers about the armed conflict situation in the province. One is an old man while the other one is a college student in Zamboanga City. Terrorism in Basilan was old news. Both of them could attest to that. It’s really safe in Basilan. According to them, the TV channels just sometimes exaggerate stories about the province. There may be isolated cases of terrorism but Basilan is actually relatively safer than Metro Manila. I was finally at ease after talking to them.I could feel my heart pumping against my chest as the ferry was about to dock in Isabela City. I exhaled loudly. Finally. Who would have thought I would set foot in Basilan? We hired a boat which brought us to the wharf of Malamawi Island. We then transferred to two motorcycles that took us to the white beach.The place was virtually empty when we arrived. Even if we would only be staying for a couple of minutes, my friend and I really enjoyed taking photos by the shoreline. Sadly, we couldn’t afford to allot ample time to swim.My photos in this blog post would prove how awesome this beach is. Saying that it is beautiful is an understatement.
📜✏ Tips/Reminders:
📌There are available cottages that you can rent in White Beach.
📌If you are travelling with a group, you can hire a private boat that can take you directly to White Beach.
📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
☎ Contacts:
📌Malamawi White Beach Resort: Jackie (09175435118)
📌Motorcycle that can take you to White Beach: Al Allah (09368982461)
📌Boat: Gapar (09758000332)
After our pictorial, we walked towards the reception area and asked the staff of the beach resort if it’s safe in Malamawi. They smiled and confidently answered that it’s definitely safe and tourists have nothing to worry about.We were already on our way back to Zamboanga before 3:00 PM aboard the fast craft. The sea was rough this time but it wasn’t much of a big deal considering I grew up in the island of Mindoro. Besides, I was feeling ecstatic at the moment because what transpired in this trip of mine seemed so surreal.This is undoubtedly one of my most unforgettable trips. By the time we were eating at Paseo del Mar, I still couldn’t believe that I have visited the province feared by many. Yet I was sure of one thing: the beauty of this paradise will eventually destroy the bad image effectuated by sensationalized news of the media. Let us all break the stigma.
***For other destinations in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), you may visit this link.
