Dasoland

Exploring the Sta. Rosario Cave is certainly an adventure. One gets down and dirty right from the start, with the cave entrance being a small hole that requires some cautious crouching to get past. Further into the cave, guano drips and resident bats fly around as the passage narrows and expands every few steps, so one must be ready to climb and crawl through some rather sharp rocks to continue their exploration. Small cuts and scrapes are to be expected. Physically challenging though it may be, the payoff is great: shimmering rock formations, mini-waterfalls, clear pools, and capacious chambers inspire awe and make the demanding trek more than worth it.

Named after the Cupang tree that filled the Mabini landscape in the 80s, the Cacupangan Cave System is a four kilometer stretch filled with breathtaking stalactite and stalagmite formations, delicately carved out by nature over centuries. Getting to the cave entrance means having to walk through a rough road with slightly threatening sharp rocks and slippery mud trails, but once inside the cave, the path strangely becomes less scary as the rocks underfoot become smoother and relatively more stable. Of course, those who go through the cave still have to be careful not to disturb the snakes, scorpions, and bats that call it home. They must also be prepared to get wet, as the water level inside the cave passage can sometimes be as deep as waist-level, depending on the season.

While the town shares this river with other municipalities in the province, most of the river's major branches can be found in Mabini, where it is frequented by locals who take advantage of the riverbanks in the summer to cool down and have picnics. Tourist activities on the river are soon to be launched - a Swim-Bike-Row tour is in the works, as well as a river cruise. In the meantime, those who are looking for love may also want to pay the river a visit: locals jokingly call it "the river of no return" as those who cross the river from the neighboring town always seem to end up marrying residents of Mabini.

For families and younger travelers, Dasoland is a must-see. The massive property offers resort-style amenities, with cabanas, a big pool, a mini-golf fairway, and a playground. More than that, the park also offers attractions that range from educational to exciting: a mini-zoo, butterfly garden, a World War II Museum housing fully-restored military vehicles, an Ifugao village featuring several authentic Ifugao houses, and even heritage houses that recreate colonial-era Filipino homes with authentic century-old furniture. Even a day trip here would be an incredible experience for any one of any age, though with so much to see, visitors will probably want to stay for longer.

Sirom Beach House (Sirom Resort) is the first and only luxury beachfront resort in Dasol's Tambobong Beach. Sirom now has 7 bedrooms, including 2 large suites. It is also the first resort in Tambobong with its own swimming pool.

This typical Filipino house is cozy and clean, with quiet, breezy rooms that let the sunshine stream in in copious amounts, and a fully-equipped kitchen that's free for use.