I have been travelling a lot for the past 2 year and never been in my wildest dreams to visit Basilan. I saw friends on facebook as well different travel blogs who came here and their feedbacks about the White Beach in Malamawi Island is just so astounding. I am a beach bum and I want to go there by hook or by crook.  If they bravely came and went home safe then why not me?

 

Started my journey at the Zamboanga Port. Presence of heavy and tight security is already visible. Not just police visibility but armies with huge firearms around the port. 

 

Waited for my 12:45pm Weesam Fastcraft trip. Travel time is 45 mins to an hour. Fare is P150. The trip back to Zamboanga City is 4:45pm so one small delay means disaster. Little time but hey I am equiped with multi tasking skills. I still have work online and I need to be back to my pension house in zamboanga city by night. 

They say less visual of your attractive things like jewelries, expensive gadgets, posh bags, vibrant outfits etc around the port means less likely to be a victim. So no welcome or touchdown photos in the Isabela City Port with my gopro cam. No iphone pics. Pero kapag gusto, maraming paraan lols!

Although many advised to get a tour guide for safety purposes, I want to try do it yourself (DIY) there.  Arriving at the port was indeed challenging asking where the tourism office is as police/security are not quite helpful. So I walk around. I began freaking out. Shaking. But I have probably mastered the art of hiding my feelings lols. While walking few steps from the port, one tricycle driver told me he can bring me there. I was hesitant at first but thinking that any small delays would mean misadventure. Quick response and decision is needed. So I took the trike. While inside, I asked the driver that I want to visit the White Beach in Malamawi Island. He told me that going to the tourism office will eat up my time and that I can grab a wooden boat ride immediately to the Island. Then take a Habal-habal ride to the white beach. Approximate travel time he says will be 45 mins. He said he is a christian and he is agood guy and that I need not to worry. Then I felt relief. He seems very helpful and kind to I took his advise. Went back to the port and he referred me his boatman friend to bring me directly to the White Island. 

 

Here is another less costly way to The White Beach:

Motorized boat crossing from Isabela Port to Malamawi Port cost P5 per person but you have to wait to make the boat get full. Or you can make pakyaw the boat for P100 and it will leave right away to the Malamawi port. After, take a Habal-habal for P150 (one way). Total approximate travel time is 45 mins to an hour. 

 

 

 

 

I am on solo travel. Dunno how many times I have travelled solo. Arrival at the Sanga-Sanga Airport was a bit weird because as we land on the runway, I dont see concrete walls at  the sides of the runway. I was thinking that cow or goats can easily cross the runway. Funny isnt it? Only in Tawi-Tawi indeed. Their airport was name after their town municipality of Sanga-Sanga (pronounced as Sang-ga Sang-ga). Tawi-Tawi's capital city is Bongao. Home of the Tausugs and Badjaos. My tour guide Nursida says that Tausugs usually live on wooden houses beside the sea and the Badjao's live on wooded houses on the sea. Tausugs are more educated than the Badjao. 

 

 

 

Gasoline in Tawi-Tawi is the most expensive among the places I have wandered in the Phillipines. It ranges from P45 to P100. Nursida says, the petroleom from the mainland mindanao causes spike in oil prices (travel cost) due to the far location. They prefer buying petroleum from nearby Malaysia to make it cheaper at available gasoline station (SRP P45). No wonder minimun transportation pay cost P30 (tricycle) for a normal regular route. Mode of public transportations here are trikes, habal-habal motor. 

 

 

 

Bud Bongao on the background. Bud means "Mount". Famous landmark in Tawi-Tawi. Going up there cost P500 for the tour guide. 

My tour guide Nursida, used their trike for our tour around the city and her husband as our driver. They used to work in the local tourism office in Tawi-Tawi. Since we are under the new adminisitration of Duterte, all of them in the office were all replaced with new employees under Duterte's mandate from the head officers down to the regular ones. But according to her, she is still happy because tourists are still looking for her as tour guides. She brought me to her humble abode where she ortiented me the different municipalities and towns of Tawi-tawi. What to expect in Tawi-Tawi. She also invited me for a breakfast for free and since she is no longer working in the local tourism office, she brought all her lecture items including the gigantic map of Tawi-tawi to her house which serves as orientation classroom for tourists.

 

Cebu Pacific Air flies to Tawi-Tawi daily via Zamboanga. 

As I was looking for a place to stay in Tawi-Tawi, (especially I am on a tight budget) is indeed an struggle but Nursida was so patient and positive despite of my choices. I choose Al Mari Beach Resort for only P1,000 per night (good for 2). My roon is already airconditioned, very clean and very spacious. And their breakfast menu serves big portions. I ordered corned beef combo for P150 (which includes Corned beef, Dried danggit, egg and rice plus a drink).

There are so many beautiful beaches in Tawi-Tawi, however they are most likely found on islands away from the Mainland Tawi-tawi. Nursida says that, it takes days to tour them and I only have 24 hrs to stay. So to maximize my stay, I tried to walk around the town. Went to boat-making areas in Sanga-Sanga, went to passages and hall ways on the wooden houses along the sea and wandering around town proper. It was generally peaceful and indeed safe. 

 

 

 

In Sanga-Sanga, locals there are doing Boat making and fishing as well as seaweeds farming. 

 

 

 

 

Inside a wooden boat under construction. Like a mini noah's ark. 

Went to the Chinese pier and to my dismay garbages are just floating anywhere. 

I also saw the Mayor's new grandeur house but the ROAD to the town proper is as laidback as the prehistoric era. I dont know how such government officials can afford to build a very beautiful house yet the community roads and passageways are dated back like jurrasic period. Sad but that is the reality. 

 

I met these kids along the bridge and their smile show how grateful they are. Simple life yet happy and it all that matters to them. 

Tawi-tawi is very safe and peaceful. You can do it on your own (DIY) in Tawi-Tawi. Very beautiful province and amazing people. Well recommended place to visit and better add it on your next bucket list.

For tour guide, Please contact: 

 

Nursida -(0909) 142 7989 

Her house is also open for tourist to stay. Simple abode. She gives free breakfast :-) She also does coordination for island hopping.

For accomodation, please contact:

 

Dr. Aldrin Ibbo -Owner

He speaks cebuano and used to live in cebu during his medical school years before. He is currently volunteer doctor in Tawi-tawi Airport Medical Clinic and he is also the medical director of the provincial hospital in Bongao. 

Al Mari Beach Resort- 09177188095