Monday, July 18, 2016

Schedule of Ferries from Kalianget, Sumenep

Travelling in an area such as Sumenep makes it tricky for Information. 

At one point when I was in Banyuwangi, I've read about once a week, not sure of the day of the week, trip from Jangkar, Situbondo to Kalianget, but apparently, upon reaching Kalianget, there's more.

Anyway, below are the trips an tariffs for boats in Kalianget.

There are schedules for Kangean, Jangkar, Raas, etc









Travelling in an area such as Sumenep makes it tricky for Information. 

At one point when I was in Banyuwangi, I've read about once a week, not sure of the day of the week, trip from Jangkar, Situbondo to Kalianget, but apparently, upon reaching Kalianget, there's more.

Anyway, below are the trips an tariffs for boats in Kalianget.

There are schedules for Kangean, Jangkar, Raas, etc









Read More »

Friday, July 15, 2016

Pulau Gili Ganteng in Sumenep, Madura



We're awaiting the weekend for a trip to Gili Labak as it is the only chance we wont have to charter a boat through sharing with hopefully other travellers. For this day, we thought of checking out Pantai Simbilan in Gili Ganteng.

Gili Ganteng is 1 hour by boat from Tanjung port in Sumenep, Madura. There is no transport in Gili Ganteng, hence, it is advised to drive by a motorbike, which you can bring to the island for 4,000 rupiahs on top of the passenger fare (10,000 rupiah as of posting); Besides, right from Sumenep itself, it is necessary to have your own motorbike since there is no public transportation even in this town. you can charter an ojek, but with about 20kms away from city center, you better off look for a rental motorbike.


ferry in Tanjung, Sumenep to Gili Ganteng


boat in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

road in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia


The roads in Gili ganteng are mapped on google maps. Hence, it will be best to have your google maps ready before arriving. There is also Telkomsel signal in the area. 

There are 2 Tanjung ports that both have boats to the island. Fare is also the same. The boats apparently are only until a little after lunch. Afterwhich, you may have to charter the boat for the price of 10 passengers (100,000 rupiah). 

There is not much at all choice for places to eat around the island except for Roda 3 or push carts that sell noodles, fried rice, etc. There are stores though to buy your drinks, and other camping needs in case you think about camping.



pantai kahuripan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

pantai kahuripan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia


pantai simbilan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

pantai simbilan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia



The places of interest will be pantai Simbilan and Kahuripan islands. The beaches on the eastern side of the island are great for views, but may probably not exactly right for swimming as the water is too shallow even up to perhaps 1 km away from the island. 


beach on the eastern side of Gili Genteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia








We're awaiting the weekend for a trip to Gili Labak as it is the only chance we wont have to charter a boat through sharing with hopefully other travellers. For this day, we thought of checking out Pantai Simbilan in Gili Ganteng.

Gili Ganteng is 1 hour by boat from Tanjung port in Sumenep, Madura. There is no transport in Gili Ganteng, hence, it is advised to drive by a motorbike, which you can bring to the island for 4,000 rupiahs on top of the passenger fare (10,000 rupiah as of posting); Besides, right from Sumenep itself, it is necessary to have your own motorbike since there is no public transportation even in this town. you can charter an ojek, but with about 20kms away from city center, you better off look for a rental motorbike.


ferry in Tanjung, Sumenep to Gili Ganteng


boat in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

road in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia


The roads in Gili ganteng are mapped on google maps. Hence, it will be best to have your google maps ready before arriving. There is also Telkomsel signal in the area. 

There are 2 Tanjung ports that both have boats to the island. Fare is also the same. The boats apparently are only until a little after lunch. Afterwhich, you may have to charter the boat for the price of 10 passengers (100,000 rupiah). 

There is not much at all choice for places to eat around the island except for Roda 3 or push carts that sell noodles, fried rice, etc. There are stores though to buy your drinks, and other camping needs in case you think about camping.



pantai kahuripan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

pantai kahuripan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia


pantai simbilan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia

pantai simbilan in gili ganteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia



The places of interest will be pantai Simbilan and Kahuripan islands. The beaches on the eastern side of the island are great for views, but may probably not exactly right for swimming as the water is too shallow even up to perhaps 1 km away from the island. 


beach on the eastern side of Gili Genteng, sumenep, madura, indonesia






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Sunday, July 3, 2016

School Supply distribution in Island Brgy Sila, San Vicente, Northern Samar

kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


We have 500 bags ready for distribution to schools in Patikul, Sulu and I've come home from my study in Indonesia just for this distribution. We don't have clear chance of being able to deliver on time, and the bags are also awaiting delivery. Our provision is in fact for more than 500 students, but we don't want to purchase anymore, just yet, while we are still unclear of the logistics part.

Meantime, i remembered about my last visit in Brgy Sila, San Vicente, Samar, the island captain has informed me that they have only less than 100 students in the brgy, and the situation is a little similar to that of Sulu. Some teachers have to share the task of several grade levels under 1 instruction and 1 room.

I thought, since we had excess provisions, we might as well give to this marginalized area as well. I have called the village captain, and great timing indeed, he said it will be their island fiesta.

It was already vacation season, approaching election, and as expected, buses are fully booked. We had to take chances on extra trips from bus companies in Cubao Terminal. Luckily, we got a bus to Legazpi city, from where we transferred to a van going to Bulan, and from there a boat going to Brgy Sila. It was a travel forever for my friends, especially to 2 who have come all the way from Baguio City.


brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


kids in the elementary school of brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

kids of the elementary school in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


It was quite easy distributing to this island. The captain had good contacts with the teachers who in turn knew their head counts by heart. In fact, during the distribution, they also had the list available so called each student one by one. 

After the distribution, we took the extra time to take the friends around the beautiful islands of Brgy Sila, and after, were served with local seafood.

In the evening, we were called to attend the barangay celebration, and was pulled to the dancing as well. :-)



pink beach in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


abundant seafood in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

sayawan in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar



boat back to Bulan Port from Brgy Sila, San Vicente

sleeping in the Naga bus station awaiting the morning for the bus forward

For those who'd be interested in conducting an outreach program for the kids, please pm for the list of the students and contact numbers of the school staff. 

For information on how to go to pink beach or brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar, please visit this link

To see other interesting places in San Vicente, Samar, see this one.

kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


We have 500 bags ready for distribution to schools in Patikul, Sulu and I've come home from my study in Indonesia just for this distribution. We don't have clear chance of being able to deliver on time, and the bags are also awaiting delivery. Our provision is in fact for more than 500 students, but we don't want to purchase anymore, just yet, while we are still unclear of the logistics part.

Meantime, i remembered about my last visit in Brgy Sila, San Vicente, Samar, the island captain has informed me that they have only less than 100 students in the brgy, and the situation is a little similar to that of Sulu. Some teachers have to share the task of several grade levels under 1 instruction and 1 room.

I thought, since we had excess provisions, we might as well give to this marginalized area as well. I have called the village captain, and great timing indeed, he said it will be their island fiesta.

It was already vacation season, approaching election, and as expected, buses are fully booked. We had to take chances on extra trips from bus companies in Cubao Terminal. Luckily, we got a bus to Legazpi city, from where we transferred to a van going to Bulan, and from there a boat going to Brgy Sila. It was a travel forever for my friends, especially to 2 who have come all the way from Baguio City.


brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


kids in the elementary school of brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

kids of the elementary school in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


It was quite easy distributing to this island. The captain had good contacts with the teachers who in turn knew their head counts by heart. In fact, during the distribution, they also had the list available so called each student one by one. 

After the distribution, we took the extra time to take the friends around the beautiful islands of Brgy Sila, and after, were served with local seafood.

In the evening, we were called to attend the barangay celebration, and was pulled to the dancing as well. :-)



pink beach in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar


abundant seafood in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar

sayawan in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar



boat back to Bulan Port from Brgy Sila, San Vicente

sleeping in the Naga bus station awaiting the morning for the bus forward

For those who'd be interested in conducting an outreach program for the kids, please pm for the list of the students and contact numbers of the school staff. 

For information on how to go to pink beach or brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar, please visit this link

To see other interesting places in San Vicente, Samar, see this one.

Read More »

Saturday, July 2, 2016

SULOngSULU Year 2 Distribution




Last year, with a call for help from a youth group in Sulu, we started the #SULOngSULU project. This is a citizen action drive in aiding the needs of our students in the Sulu area. Thus far, this circle of a few travelling friends have attended to a renovation of a primary school, distribution of school supplies, and sending a few more lab materials for a chemistrylaboratory.

This year around, I am travelling around Indonesia, but I did not want my proximity to deter me from contributing to the progress of my country. Before leaving, I had a word with these friends and asked if we can go ahead with little things like this, and I am glad they were feeling the kind of fullfilment I get when I see something done.

Apart from these friends, social networks has helped bring our advocacy to other people. There was Wina Asuncion who set up a benefit concert , Mara Balayan who did a Hand Lettering workshop, Maria Isabel Bernal of GivingIzReceiving who sold T-shirts to fund a planned Alternative classroom for theBadjaos, and also accounting firm SGV (through Mr Christian Lauron) who shared in time for the company's anniversary.


Overall, these activities and solicitations came up with P65,147 cash, and around estimated P28,000 worth of school supplies.




We were able to furnish 500 bags with 1 box of crayons, 4 pencils/ballspens, 1 sharpener, 1 eraser, 1 ruler, 2 pad papers, 3 notebooks. Some supplies were in excess so some bags got 5 notebooks, 3 pads, and scissors.

Other materials such as envelopes, art papers, bodpapers, tapes, ledgers, yellow pads, lesson plans were provided for the teachers.

Around 428 students in 6 primary schools received bags. 82 bags on the other hand went to Brgy Sila Elementary School, in San Vicente Northern Samar.

The 500 bags were packed complete initially, and because of logistics concern with the AFP Civil Relations Group keeping us in the limbo of whether we will be able to deliver or not, we thought about holding any further purchasing of additional bags and school supplies for more students as we may end up overstocked with goods, not to mention we have almost filled up our friends apartment with donations.

Meanwhile, we had excess funds, so we thought about sharing it to other areas who may need it, and is easier to deliver. There has been excess funds beyond the planned distribution target, so we thought about giving them out to others in need.

The planned distribution was to be 3rd week April, but PAF C130 flights to SULU have been held specifically for election related matters, apart from that the kidnapping issues in Sulu at the time made the flights too busy to accommodate any civilian related matters.

We were almost getting frustrated waiting for every announcement of flight, and thinking of moving it again through Cebu Pacific Cargo services as the first time, but the cost is not practical as it will triple the cost of the items.In the end, if we move with this option, it will seem as if we bought the items at the same price as they would have been sold in Sulu, and making all the fundraising efforts useless, as we have ended up making business for the transport companies instead and sweating it all out for nothing.

But with the help of 51st SAF in Tawi Tawi, we were able to connect to 50th SAF in Sulu who took care of the logistics; they have sponsored the shipping of the goods with 2GO, and even hand carrying some on the commercial flights of their personnel. They also took charge of the moving from Zamboanga henceforward up to distribution.




While we aimed for 1000 kids and we may come up with 1000 bags, the security situation causing trouble with logistics make it not practical to proceed with school supplies. Incidentally, from the recent distribution of excess school supplies in Tawi Tawi, we have been told that the children of Malassa Elementary School don't have seats. Students come to class and squat. Hence, the excess funds will be used to build seats for the school. Currently, we are awaiting for an estimate cost of the materials from 51st PNP SAF Group in Tawi Tawi.



Meanwhile, the funds from the T-shirt sales of GivingIzReceiving will proceed with building the Alternative Classroom for the Badjaos. At the moment, we are awaiting correspondence from the village chief about seeking and finding interested Badjaos to work on the renovation of the structure, after shipping and provision of materials.

Pls see here for an excel file of the received donations, tally of expenses, and data on school supply recipients.





Last year, with a call for help from a youth group in Sulu, we started the #SULOngSULU project. This is a citizen action drive in aiding the needs of our students in the Sulu area. Thus far, this circle of a few travelling friends have attended to a renovation of a primary school, distribution of school supplies, and sending a few more lab materials for a chemistrylaboratory.

This year around, I am travelling around Indonesia, but I did not want my proximity to deter me from contributing to the progress of my country. Before leaving, I had a word with these friends and asked if we can go ahead with little things like this, and I am glad they were feeling the kind of fullfilment I get when I see something done.

Apart from these friends, social networks has helped bring our advocacy to other people. There was Wina Asuncion who set up a benefit concert , Mara Balayan who did a Hand Lettering workshop, Maria Isabel Bernal of GivingIzReceiving who sold T-shirts to fund a planned Alternative classroom for theBadjaos, and also accounting firm SGV (through Mr Christian Lauron) who shared in time for the company's anniversary.


Overall, these activities and solicitations came up with P65,147 cash, and around estimated P28,000 worth of school supplies.




We were able to furnish 500 bags with 1 box of crayons, 4 pencils/ballspens, 1 sharpener, 1 eraser, 1 ruler, 2 pad papers, 3 notebooks. Some supplies were in excess so some bags got 5 notebooks, 3 pads, and scissors.

Other materials such as envelopes, art papers, bodpapers, tapes, ledgers, yellow pads, lesson plans were provided for the teachers.

Around 428 students in 6 primary schools received bags. 82 bags on the other hand went to Brgy Sila Elementary School, in San Vicente Northern Samar.

The 500 bags were packed complete initially, and because of logistics concern with the AFP Civil Relations Group keeping us in the limbo of whether we will be able to deliver or not, we thought about holding any further purchasing of additional bags and school supplies for more students as we may end up overstocked with goods, not to mention we have almost filled up our friends apartment with donations.

Meanwhile, we had excess funds, so we thought about sharing it to other areas who may need it, and is easier to deliver. There has been excess funds beyond the planned distribution target, so we thought about giving them out to others in need.

The planned distribution was to be 3rd week April, but PAF C130 flights to SULU have been held specifically for election related matters, apart from that the kidnapping issues in Sulu at the time made the flights too busy to accommodate any civilian related matters.

We were almost getting frustrated waiting for every announcement of flight, and thinking of moving it again through Cebu Pacific Cargo services as the first time, but the cost is not practical as it will triple the cost of the items.In the end, if we move with this option, it will seem as if we bought the items at the same price as they would have been sold in Sulu, and making all the fundraising efforts useless, as we have ended up making business for the transport companies instead and sweating it all out for nothing.

But with the help of 51st SAF in Tawi Tawi, we were able to connect to 50th SAF in Sulu who took care of the logistics; they have sponsored the shipping of the goods with 2GO, and even hand carrying some on the commercial flights of their personnel. They also took charge of the moving from Zamboanga henceforward up to distribution.




While we aimed for 1000 kids and we may come up with 1000 bags, the security situation causing trouble with logistics make it not practical to proceed with school supplies. Incidentally, from the recent distribution of excess school supplies in Tawi Tawi, we have been told that the children of Malassa Elementary School don't have seats. Students come to class and squat. Hence, the excess funds will be used to build seats for the school. Currently, we are awaiting for an estimate cost of the materials from 51st PNP SAF Group in Tawi Tawi.



Meanwhile, the funds from the T-shirt sales of GivingIzReceiving will proceed with building the Alternative Classroom for the Badjaos. At the moment, we are awaiting correspondence from the village chief about seeking and finding interested Badjaos to work on the renovation of the structure, after shipping and provision of materials.

Pls see here for an excel file of the received donations, tally of expenses, and data on school supply recipients.


Read More »

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