Braving Basilan | A 2018 Budget Travel Guide and Itinerary

March 21, 2020July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim BASILAN, BLOG, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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In this Basilan Travel Guide, let me take you on a journey of unveiling what lies beyond the stigma. What is in store for those who takes the leap of faith in setting foot at the once infamous province they call, Basilan.

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The island of Basilan in Mindanao for the longest time has gained the notoriety of being one of the most dangerous provinces in the country long ago. Talk of traveling to Basilan and the immediate reply would be to take care and be safe.

These stigmas covers up the unspoiled paradise that has longed to be uncovered for many years now. It has been my cause to prove that a place is and will always transcend what the media paints it to be. We always have to experience some things for ourselves even just once rather than hearing of it a thousand times.

In this Braving Basilan series, let me take you on a journey of unveiling what lies beyond the stigma. What is in store for those who takes the leap of faith in setting foot at the once infamous province they call, Basilan.

Where is Basilan

Table of Contents

The island is the largest and northernmost of the Sulu Archipelago islands. Located just 17 nautical miles from the coast of Zamboanga City. The island is bordered by the Basilan Strait to the north, the Sulu Sea to the northwest and west, and the Moro Gulf to the northeast.

The province also has two island groups namely Pilas Island group (now Hadji Muhtamad Municipality) west of the island, and the Bubuan and Tapiantana Island group (now Tabuan-Lasa Municipality) in the south.

It is composed of eleven (11) municipalities and two (2) cities namely Lamitan City and Isabela City, with the latter being a component city of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region and not the ARMM.

How To Get There

From Manila, take any flights bound for Zamboanga City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have several flights daily from Manila to Zamboanga.

From Zamboanga Airport, one can opt to take the passenger jeepneys and ride the Canelar bound ones and alight at Plaza Pershing (8php). Then just ask the locals where the Zamboanga Port is. (distance from Airport to Seaport is at 3.2kms, and is just a block away from the City Hall Complex)

From Zamboanga Port there are two options:
- If Bulingan Falls only: take the earliest fastcraft bound for Lamitan City in Basilan (150php/pax). Upon arrival, proceed directly to the City Tourism office of Lamitan City and contact them prior to your arrival. This is a must. Contact them through their Facebook Page Abante Lamitan!
- If visiting Malamawi Island first: Take the earliest fastcraft bound for Isabela City in Basilan, trip takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on the sea conditions.

Ferry Schedules are as follows:

Fastcraft Vessels (45mins Trvael Time)
- Rawda Shipping Lines (MV Prince Khalil)
  - Zamboanga-Basilan: 07:00am, 01:00pm
  - Basilan-Zamboanga: 10:00am, 04:00pm
  - Price: 199php (1st class), 160php(2nd class), 120php (Economy)
- Aleson Shipping Lines (MV Seajet)
  - Zamboanga City – Isabela, Basilan: 06:45am, 09:00am, 12:00nn, 04:30pm
  - Isabela, Basilan – Zamboanga City : 06:30am, 10:30am, 03:00pm
- Weesam Express
  - Zamboanga City – Isabela, Basilan: 06:00am, 06:45am, 09:30am, 12:45pm, 03:30pm
  - Isabela, Basilan – Zamboanga City: 07:00am, 08:15am, 10:45am. 02:00pm, 04:45pm
  - Price: 200php (1st class), 160php(2nd class), 120php (Economy)

Ferries (1hr 45minutes Travel Time)

**Schedule**
Ship	Origin	Destination	Time
M/V Stephanie Marie	Isabela	Zamboanga	6:45am, 12:45pm
M/V Stephanie Marie	Zamboanga	Isabela	9:45am, 3:45pm
M/V Ever Sweet	Isabela	Zamboanga	9:30am, 3:30pm
M/V Ever Sweet	Zamboanga	Isabela	6:30am, 12:30pm
M/V Estrella del Mar	Isabela	Zamboanga	10:00am, 4:00pm
M/V Ever Sweet	Zamboanga	Isabela	7:00am, 1:00pm
M/V Princess Nicole	Isabela	Zamboanga	6:50am, 12:50pm
M/V Princess Nicole	Isabela	Zamboanga	9:50am / 3:50pm
M/V Neveen	Zamboanga	Lamitan	3:00 pm
M/V Neveen	Zamboanga	Lamitan	7:00am
M/V Trisha Kerstin	Lamitan	Zamboanga	7:00am
M/V Trisha Kerstin	Zamboanga	Lamitan	3:00 pm

City Centers are very safe, big thanks to the uniformed personnel manning the province. If planning to visit Bulingan Falls and other places out of the city, make sure to contact the tourism offices prior to the trip so they could arrange your transportation and guides.
You may contact the Provincial Tourism Head Ms. Shaheenah at 09177008741

Where To Stay

The Farmland Resort (Lanote)

Anson’s Hotel (Sumagdang)

Hotel Royal Issra (Marketsite)

Casa Rosario (Port Area)

Basilan Hostel (Eastside)

Buwalan Beach Resort (Sumagdang)

ISAWAD Pool Resort (Cabunbata)

Basilan Hotel (Isabela Proper)

Grino House (Menzi)

Sofia Hotel (Port Area)

Malamawi White Beach Resort (Isabela City)

Speak Chavacano

Basilan is composed of three ethnolinguistic groups: primarily by the Muslim population that is at 65% (Yakans and Tausugs). Moreover, the rest is predominantly Christian, mostly Roman Catholic (Chavacanos). Lingua franca is Chavacano, a Spanish creole dialect, understood by more than 80% of the population. Tagalog is still widely used.

Basic Chavacano Words/Phrases

Yes – Si!
No – No!
Good morning! – Buenos Dias!
Good Afternoon! – Buenas Tardes!
How are you? – Quetal ‘tu?
Here – Aqui
There – Alla
I’m hungry! – Con hambre yo!
I’m sick! – Infermo yo!
Help! – Ayuda!
Where can I eat? – Donde yo puede come?
Where is the Hotel? – Donde el Hotel?
Where’s the toilet? – Donde el CR?
Where can I have fun? – Donde yo puede man gimik?
How much is this? – Cuanto ‘ste?
How much is that? – Cuanto ‘se?
Its too expensive, can you give me a discount? – Bien caro, tiene pa rebaje?
When does it (do we) leave? – Cuando ‘quel (kita) larga?
Thank you! – Gracias!
Please – Favor

Travel Tips

Coordinate with the local tourism offices of Basilan first prior to your trip. So taht they can arrange your guide and transportation needs during your visit.

Lamitan City – Their Tourism Office offers a tour complete with guide, escort, and van transportation for 400 pesos per head. You can reach them through their Facebook Page: Lamitan Kong Mahal
Isabela City – You can contact their Tourism Office at 0905-479-2819, or through their Facebook Page: Isabela City Tourism Office
Basilan Provincial Tourism Office – They are the ones we contacted prior to the trip and they offer free tour and service. All you have to do is pay for the fuel of the vehicle. In our case, we paid 500php for the Lamitan to Isabela City afternoon tour. You can contact their Tourism Head, Ms. Shaheenah at 09177008741

Check the situation in Basilan before going, safety is always the priority
Contact the tourism offices which is nearer your target destinations, in our case we went directly at the provincial tourism office
Since tour guides and escorts are free and paid by the LGU’s take into account how many of them will be joining to budget your meals properly
This is a province with high concentration of Muslim communities. Expect Halal food to be almost everywhere
Always show appreciation and bring out your best smile when with the locals

Dress appropriately and avoid drawing attention to your group. Act accordingly and respect the culture and traditions of the locals.
If planning to travel DIY style, make sure to have a local friend with you to tour you around. We highly discourage to travel without a guide or going far from city centers
People are very hospitable here. Everyone smiles and also understands Tagalog and Bisaya, with the majority speaking Arabic and Chavacano
Practice LNT Principles at all times

Things To See in Basilan

BASILAN: Cabunbata Falls

BASILAN: Basilan Provincial Capitol

BASILAN: Mabarakat Mosque

An Eluded Paradise – Malamawi White Beach

The Other Side Of The Spectrum – Bulingan Falls

Other attractions that we have not visited (credits to www.pinoyontheroad.com for the list of attractions):

Isabela City:

Balagtasan Falls in Barangay Balagtasan is the biggest in Basilan
Busay Falls in Barangay Busay
Calabasa Beach in Barangay Latuan
Calvario Peak in Barangay Calvario
Fuego Fuego Beach
Isabela City Hall
Kaun Purnah Mosque located beside a Muslim village of stilt houses
Kumalarang Falls in Barangay Kumalarang
Sumagdang Beach in Barangay Sumagdang
Tabiawan Falls in Barangay Tabiawan

Lamitan City:

Balas Cove iin Barangay Balas
Calugusan Beach in Barangay Calugusan
Datu Kalun’s park and Shrine
Lamitan Museum
Tumakid Beach in Barangay Tumakid

Lantawan:

Atong Atong Beach in Barangay Atong Atong

Maluso:

Guanan Island
Salakot Hill

Sumisip:

Luuk Bair Beach in Barangay Luuk Bait
Mangat Beach in Barangay Mangal

Extend Your Trip

Sta. Cruz Pink Beach – located off the coast of Zamboanga City, is a perfect day trip and marvel at the Pink Sands of Zamboanga.
Merloquet Falls – located in Brgy. Sibulao, Zamboanga Del Sur, two hours away from the city proper, is a famous cascade with flowing waters contrasted by curious layered rocks.

Itinerary and Expenses

Zamboanga City – Basilan
Two (2) Day Adventure 2018

Day 01

0445 Depart for Zamboanga via Cebu Pacific (823php RT MNL-ZAM-MNL Get GO! Promo Fare via Cebu Pacific)
0615 Arrival Zamboanga Airport, take jeep bound for Canelar (7php)
0630 Breakfast at Jollibee, Plaza Pershing
0700 Walking tour, Zamboanga City Hall, Rizal Park, Plaza Pershing, Fort Pilar, Paseo Del Mar
0815 Wait for boat to Sta. Cruz, orientation (1200php per boat including Little Sta. Cruz Island, 25php entrance fee – Paid only 115php for the tour)
0845 Depart for Great Sta. Cruz Island
0900 Sta. Cruz Island, free time
1100 Little Sta. Cruz Island
1130 Depart for Paseo Del Mar Port
1145 Paseo Del Mar, take tricycle to Putik (200php/3 pax – 70php)
1220 Zamboanga City Integrated Bus Terminal, tidy up
1300 Take bus bound for Pagadian (140php, Aircon)
1445 Arrival at Vitali Crossing, take Habal to Brgy. Sibulao (70php/trip)
1530 Arrival at Brgy. Sibulao (5php entrance fee)
1545 Merloquet Falls
1630 Back at Jump off, tidy up
1700 Take habal back to crossing (70php/trip)
1740 Take bus back to Zamboanga City (100php, Regular)
2000 Back at Bus Terminal, take jeep to Zamboanga City Hall (11php)
2020 Paseo Del Mar, Dinner at Twin’s Chicken
2130 Knicker Bocker (85 per serving, Knicker Bocker Glory)
2200 Check in at GC Hotel, Zamboanga City (1320php/3pax – 440php)

Total Day 01: 1023php/pax (Group of 3)

Day 02

0500 Wake up
0545 Zamboanga Port, take Rawda Fastcraft to Isabela City (120php)
0700 Depart for Isabela City
0745 Arrival at Isabela City Port
0800 Boat to Malamawi Island (5php)
0810 Take Habal to Malamawi White Beach Resort (50php/trip)
0830 Malamawi Beach Resort (20php entrance)
1100 Tidy up, take habal back to port (50php/trip)
1130 Back at Isabela Port, take tricycle to Basilan Provincial Capitol (30php)
1145 Courtesy Call to the Provincial Tourism Office
1230 Depart for Lamitan City via Provincial Tourism Service (Gas Fee 500php/3 pax – 167php)
1315 Arrival at Bulingan Falls, Lamitan City
1345 Travel back to Lamitan City
1400 Lamitan City, Lunch
1430 Depart for Menzi, Isabela City
1445 Sengal Viewdeck
1530 Masjid Mabarakat
1545 Cabunbata Falls
1600 Isabela Port, buy ferry tickets to Zamboanga City (Weesam Fastcraft 160php)
1700 Depart for Zamboanga City
1745 Arrival at Zamboanga City
2100 Flight back to Manila

Total Day 02: 607php/pax (Group of 3)

Total Expenses for Zamboanga-Basilan Trip (excluding food and pasalubong): 1630php/pax (Group of 3)

Disclaimer: This is based on the actual trip that we did. All information stated above is up to date as of writing (2018). There are more options to choose from and please feel free to message me for any concerns and suggestions that comes up as you browse this series.

Braving Basilan: This adventure series narrates what transpired during my day trip across the island of Basilan, as I set foot on my 55th province last August 20, 2018. The road not taken and an eluded paradise – this has been once home to a terrorist group and historically also the staging ground for Moro Raids in Zamboanga.

Giving it the notoriety as one the most dangerous provinces in the Philippines in the past. Follow me as I show you the other side of the beautiful province of Basilan!