Bato de Luna, La Union – Travel Guide to the Pebble Beach of the North

About Bato de Luna

Bato de Luna, also known as Pebble Beach, is a unique coastal destination located in the town of Luna, La Union. Unlike the usual sandy beaches, Bato de Luna features smooth, multicolored pebbles along its shoreline, shaped naturally by the tides over the years. On the other hand, the Bato de Luna Art Gallery or Bahay na Bato started a rest house in 2000. The owner commissioned Mr. Kim to create an art gallery that showcases artistically carved stones, wood carvings, and other materials. Every image is colorful yet unique, making it perfect for Instagram.

Grapes Picking in La Union

You can't complete your La Union itinerary without visiting and tasting their locally produced grapes. Some of the farms opened their gates (for free, some are not) and started offering "grape picking" for tourists. Vineyards are surrounded by greens while the breeze is cool and fresh, so you will really enjoy your day here. Anyways, aside from the remarkable experience and gorgeous photos, of course, with grapes in the background, farm operators sell wines not just from grapes but also from locally harvested fruits such as Guyabano and Bignay.

Ma-cho Temple

It is one of the biggest Taoist temples outside China. With an elevation of 70 meters above sea level, the Ma-cho Temple is located on the hill downtown with a perfect view of the West Philippine Sea. Its attractions include the Majestic Five-Door Gate, the Bamboo Garden, the Liang Thing Pagoda, 2 circular pools or ponds, the golden emblem of a dragon, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower. What's good about this stunning temple is that they are open to non-worshippers visitors.

Talikud Island, a stunning paradise in Davao

Talikud Island is located on Samal, Davao del Norte. This is a paradise in the Davao region that bears fine white sand beaches and is surrounded by emerald and crystal clear water. On the other hand, the underwater has a sanctuary of colorful flora and fauna. The shoreline is landscaped with trees and quaint cottages. The ambiance was made perfect because of the cool wind blowing. We didn't do anything for a couple of hours, just staring at its beauty and golden sunset. This paradise was our post-climb destination after the tiring hike on Mount Apo.

SLT Homestay, Lake Sebu

School of Living Tradition (SLT) also offers homestay for travellers in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. I always wanted a unique experience, so I stayed here, just 5 minutes from the terminal. Its structure is based on the cultural wooden houses in the area; has a spacious interior, made of local and handcrafted products and musical instruments. Anything inside the house is unique. Maybe it's the reason why it was chosen as the place where Catriona Gray had her video shoot for Miss Universe.

Lang Dulay, a Filipino weaver from Lake Sebu

Photo: Sebulan Dulay weaving.

A special visit to the house of Lang Dulay in Lake Sebu was epic. She's a former National Living Treasure Awardee for the T'nalak Weaving which the designs were based on her dream, so she was called the "Dreamweaver." By the way, T'nalak is a traditional hand-woven fabric made from refined abaca fiber. This type of fabric got attention worldwide because it is done through a manual process but the finished product has amazing and unique patterns. The picture above is Sebulan Dulay, the successor, with portraits of Lang Dulay.

T'boli Museum in Lake Sebu – Cultural Heritage of South Cotabato

T'boli Museum traditional bamboo and cogon house in Lake Sebu

About the T'boli Museum

The T'boli Museum is a traditional house-turned-museum in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato that showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the T'boli people — one of Mindanao's most vibrant indigenous groups. The structure itself is an authentic Gono Bong (traditional T'boli house) made of bamboo and cogon, preserving centuries-old architecture and identity.

Lotus Farm in Lake Sebu – Sunrise, Canoe & T’boli Culture

About the Lotus Farm

The **Lotus Farm** (aka Lotus Garden) in **Lake Sebu** is a breathtaking spot where thousands of pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) bloom on the lake’s calm waters at dawn. Paddling a traditional T’boli **owong** canoe while wearing authentic T’boli attire connects you to both nature and Indigenous culture.

Ozamiz Cathedral

The Ozamiz Cathedral houses the city's most significant relic and patroness - the Our Lady of Misamis, also known as the Virgin sa Cotta, The Blessed Virgin of Cotta, and Birhen sa Cotta. Initially, the statue of the patroness was set up outside the walls of Fort sa Cotta, but Fray Jorge Carcabilla moved it to this church. 1975, the statue was stolen and returned on December 8, 2017. Also, Ozamiz Cathedral is the home of the second largest bamboo organ in the Philippines, after the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ.

Ozamiz City Hall

Photo: Selfie at Ozamiz City Hall.

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Read: Day 7 – Backpacking in Misamis Occidental

Read: 9 Days solo backpacking in Mindanao

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