Cape San Agustin, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental
Looking for a place to spend the weekend? Try Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental. This place is amazing with it's majestic mountains, clear and blue seas, fresh and cool air, and whole lot of other things for you to relax and relieve you of stress you might have accumulated throughout the week.
The place is conveniently connected to the rest of the Davao region via a well maintained network of roads. If you are very particular about the road conditions when traveling, the roads leading to Davao Oriental will be the least of your concerns.
When traveling to Governor Generoso, you will pass through a series of coastal roads. You can stop every now and then to spend some time watching the beautiful blue seas with its waves rushing towards the foot of the mountain cliffs.
Some of the roads are built on top or on the sides of the mountains which gives you a fantastic view of distant places, a portion of the Celebes and the Gulf of Davao, and trees and whole lot of them!
One of the most visited sites, is the Cape of St. Augustine. There you will find the "Parola", or lighthouse. There are three lighthouses - 2 built in the distant past and 1 which was recently built. Only one of the three lighthouses is functional.
When in the site, you may take pictures or climb the two Parolas to have a better view of the surrounding waters- gulf of Davao and the Celebes sea. From the top of the lighthouses you will see the waves as it transforms into a white foamy kind of thing as it rushes to the rock formations at the foot of the mountains.
A few meters walk from the site of the lighthouses is the Parola Beach. A very long stretch of pinkish sand surrounded by the blue waters of the seas on one side and the lush vegetation of the mountains on the other. The beach is also home to rock formations, the origin of which I think is volcanic.
As you continue to explore the beach, don't forget to check the "Altar". This, according to historical records, is where the first mass was held when the Spanish arrived in the region. Hundreds of years had already passed since the Spanish came there, so the rock formations might not be how it looked back then but the religious and historical value of the place is unquestionable.
Another interesting site to visit in Governor Genoroso is that of the century old tree. This majestic tree has been witness to so many events in the past and if it itself, could talk, would be a very reliable source of information. The tree is located along the road that leads to the lighthouses. You may stop and take pictures of it on your way back from the visiting the lighthouses.
Important things to remember when traveling to Governor Generoso: 1. When driving your own car/motorcycle, ensure your have enough fuel. Although there are gasoline sold by the locals, it would be safe if you fuel in gasoline stations. Be careful because there are farm animals along some points of the road - cows, chickens, and goats. lol
2. The travel from Davao City to Governor Generoso is 4 to 5 hours so make sure you have snacks and water when you travel. You may stop at local stores to buy stuff or eat in one of the local "Carenderias" along the highway but this will increase your travel time significantly.
3. They don't have atm machines in the area so bring cash. You may spend the night at the site where the lighthouses are. The store located closer to the entrance offers rooms for rent ranging from 250 - 500 pesos per room. I heard from other visitors that they offer cheaper food and accommodation. We even enjoyed discounts from the regular food prices!
4. Entrance fee to get access to the site where the lighthouses are situated is 50 pesos. There is no entrance fee to get to the beach or roam around the vicinity of the cape.
5. Travel safe. Learn. Enjoy.