The Philippine Territorial Boundaries

The Philippines' boundaries are set by various local and international laws where our sovereignty as an independent nation can exploit our resources for the benefit of the Filipinos. This article aims to give a comprehensive guide to the country's archipelagic boundaries and exclusive economic zones based on  Philippine laws, historical basis, international laws and agreements.

How the Philippines as an Archipelago Emerged

According to Philippine folklore, the country came out to be made of 7,641 islands (in low tide) due to a conjugal fight between two giants from Ilocos, named Angalo and Angarab. Legends are part of our culture, however, it is best to have our next generation know the scientific reason behind it so they will be more intellectually involved in how our islands came about. One would be surprised that a nearby island may be a distant neighbor millions of years ago.

Camiguin Island Roadtrip - discovering the best of Camiguin for four days.

February 27- March 2, 2013

Camiguin Island is known as the island born of fire in the Philippines; as this island came up as a result of volcanic eruptions of its seven volcanoes. The island is known for its magnificent volcanoes that mountaineers are eager to conquer and with various tourist spots such as waterfalls, cold springs and hot springs. Add to it its diverse flora and fauna whether on land or under the sea. The island is in the middle of Bohol Sea thus dive sites are everywhere, add to it the friendly and honest people around. The following is Schadow1 Expeditions' coverage of Camiguin as we stayed there for 4 days and 3 nights; mapped the island and then later on, enjoyed it!

Paguia Cottages, a budget resort with big hotel-type rooms

February 27, 2013

When staying on a budget in Camiguin, you would be looking for the most affordable yet cozy place to stay; while the places you would like to check out must be accessible. Being at the heart of the town of Agoho where other famous resorts in Camiguin is located and an arms' throw away from the White Island, Paguia Cottages must be the place you are looking for to stay.

Ardent Hot Springs - relaxing dip after an H2 Traverse

March 1, 2013

Camiguin is an island with 7 volcanoes. And as expected, there will be natural hot springs. Ardent Hot Springs is a natural hot spring at the foot of Hibok-Hibok Volcano and is accessible 4.2 kilometers from the main road at Mambajao town, Camiguin's capital. Temperature is ranging from 36-38 degrees Celsius, this one of the most relaxing hot spring you can dip in.

Sto Nino Cold Springs, Camiguin

March 1, 2013

Camiguin is a volcanic island and so there will always be hot springs. But this one is different.. a cold spring! Hot springs are concentrated at the east side of Camiguin while at the opposite side, the west side are filled with cold springs. One of them is Sto Niño Cold Spring that can be found at Sagay Town and is about 2.5 kilometers from the main road.

Ostrich Farm, Camiguin - The only ostrich facility in the Philippines

March 1, 2013

If you talk about seeing ostrich in the Philippines, one would say it is not possible. Well it is. And it only happens to be in the island of Camiguin where ostriches are bred and taken care of. A few kilometers away from Benoni port, head north for 3.3 kilometers and you will reach the Ostrich Farm.

Katibawasan Falls, grandeur with the waterfall flowing from Mt. Campana

March 1, 2013

Right near Camiguin's capital town of Mambajao, a magnificent waterfalls flowing from Mt. Campana attracts local and foreign tourists.
Situated at 265 meters above sea level and flowing all the way up from Campana's peak at 500 MASL. One of the testaments that this island is blessed with natural wonders. This can be used as a picnic area or you may stop by for a swim through its clean and cool water.

Sunken Cemetery, a cemetery turned Coral Reef

February 27, 2013

The Sunken Cemetery or also known as the Pasil Reef in Camiguin is a result of the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vulcan and Mt. Hibok-Hibok that pushed the cemetery below sea level. by 1982, a cross was erected by the Department of Tourism. The site possesses a great scenery which is attractive to photographers and even a movie in the Philippines used this location for filming.

Conquering Hibok-Hibok Volcano 1337 MASL

February 28, 2013

Camiguin is known as the island born of fire as it is an island formed due to volcanic eruptions of its 7 volcanoes. The latest activity of which is from Mt. Hibok-Hibok that erupted 1951 that shaped one of its local attraction, the Sunken Cemetery. Schadow1 Expeditions climbed this volcano to map the Yumbing trail and extend it for a traverse trail to Ardent Hotsprings. A total of 14.7-kilometer traverse hike. The following is the account of climbing this 1337 MASL volcano... the H2 Traverse.

Conquering Mt. Cristobal 1470+ MASL

February 16-17, 2013

Mt. Cristobal is one of the towering mountains of Quezon, bordered by two provinces namely Laguna and Quezon. It is a dormant volcano and is known to be one of the challenging climbs in the Philippines due its forested trails, continuous 9-kilometer assault varying from 60 to 90 degrees inclination. And this climb happened to be the first major climb of Schadow1 Expeditions for its mapping advocacy.

Benham Rise

Benham Rise - 13 million hectare fresh territory of the Philippines

A new 13 million hectare area has been declared and approved by the United Nations to be part of the Philippine Territory. Currently, it is an undersea feature with depth of 40-2,000 meters and is rising. Estimated to be an island in a million years. Currently, it is known as a rich source of basalt.

Hannah Beach Resort Pagudpud

December 27, 2011

Hannah Beach Resort is one of the few posh beach resorts at the northernmost lagoon / beach of the island of Luzon. Situated just right at the shore of the Maira-ira Beach, popularly known as the Blue Lagoon of the north. Experience one of the best resorts available to enjoy the pristine beach of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The Neglected Andres Bonifacio Shrine

January 4, 2013

As we head on before our Mt. Pico De Loro climb, we managed to have a side trek at Mt. Nagpatong at Maragondon, Cavite where the Andres Bonifacio Shrine is located. This site is where the 2 Bonifacio brothers including Andres Bonifacio was executed by the Emilio Aguinaldo administration for the act of "treason" amidst his contribution to the downfall of the Spanish colonization via his KKK which is none-the-less a political move.

Ternate - Nasugbu Tunnel and Roadtrip to Western Batangas

January 5, 2013

We had just finished scaling Mt. Pico De Loro (see here) and the under construction Ternate-Nasugbu Tunnel is just a few kilometers away and is right time to check it out. This tunnel once completed will shorten the travel to Nasugbu, Batangas from Manila to about an hour only as compared to 3-hours via Tagaytay and motorists are eagerly waiting for this to be completed as this is the access point to the beautiful beaches of Nasugbu, Batangas.

Pico De Loro Summit 664+MASL Part 2

January 4-5, 2013

It was the first climb for this year and is part 2 of climbing Pico De Loro coming from a failed attempt to scale the summit last August due to the weather. This mountain is an inevitable climb. Being one of the nearest mountains in Metro Manila that offers 360 degrees of beautiful scenery. Every Filipino mountaineer should climb this mountain.

Authentic Bicolano Cuisine at 1st Colonial Grill

December 29, 2012

It was 3rd day of our leg on our roadtrip to Bicol and we had just been to Donsol, Sorsogon for the Whalesharks and Cagsawa Ruins at Legazpi for our photo ops. Its past lunch time and we were hungry. So where to have lunch at Bicol? Let me see... of course I would like an authentic Bicolano Cuisine! Why not do it at the heart of Legazpi City, at 1st Colonial Grill?

Visiting Cagsawa Ruins

December 29, 2012

The Cagsawa Ruins is what remains of a church that was overrun by lava during the massive eruption of Mayon Volcano at Daraga, Albay way back 1814. No matter how its destructive past may be, what remains of Cagsawa is now a tourist attraction as it provides an exciting scenery of a church belltower with Mayon Volcano at its background.

Lignon Hill and ATV Adventure at Mayon Lava Dome

December 29, 2012

The province of Albay is primarily known for one thing: The Mayon Volcano. And when you are at this province there is no way for you not to go to Mayon because while along the Maharlika Highway, this Volcano, being wide with 2500+MASL height and with its perfect cone, there is no way for you not to check this out.

Swimming with the Whalesharks at Donsol

December 28, 2012

Donsol, Sorsogon is known as the Whaleshark capital of the world. It is a place where these large sea creatures breed and feed. Usually, the whalesharks are migratory, many of them stay at the seas of Donsol throughout the year and there is not a time in a year that most of them will get back to this same sea around March-May. As we have planned for our Bicol Roadtrip for 2012, this itinerary to Donsol has never left my mind and we should really go to this place.