As part of the media team covering the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines’ (TPB) Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Workshop program, I often find myself in the enviable position of exploring the nearby attractions of the chosen communities. While I am given the luxury of seeing landscapes and cultures with fresh eyes, those behind the #CBT initiative do the painstaking work that makes these visits possible.

Their responsibilities go far beyond logistics. They involve the delicate, often slow, process of engaging communities, earning trust, and working in places where culture, livelihood, and local identity are tightly interwoven.

TPB’s Domestic Tourism Promotions department keeps the program in motion by first identifying a community whose traditions or natural environment deserve both protection and support. What follows are days and weeks of relationship-building: listening to local leaders, coordinating with LGU units, conducting repeated site visits, before the long and meticulous task of facilitating the workshop itself can begin.

The chosen communities are typically located in areas where the surrounding environment needs safeguarding, or where long-standing cultural practices remain alive yet vulnerable, often in need of government assistance, training, and renewed visibility.

One such trip that I recall fondly involves members of the Mandaya ethnic group in the ancestral domain of Sitio Sangab, located in the municipality of Caraga, Davao Oriental. They became a partner community of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB)'s CBT program.

As one of the 11 major ethnic groups in the Davao Region, the Mandaya people hold a cultural identity steeped in an artistry rooted in land and ancestry. Their iconic Dagmay — a handwoven, mud-dyed textile adorned with traditional motifs — is not merely a fabric. It is a visual narrative of their myths, beliefs, and relationship with the natural world. Complemented by intricate embroidery passed down through generations, these crafts form a cultural identity at risk of being overshadowed by modern creations.

For many younger Mandaya, pursuing traditional weaving competes with the draw of more contemporary livelihood options. To preserve the art form, it has become essential not only to teach the youth about its cultural significance but also to show that heritage and economic sustainability can reinforce each other rather than exist in conflict.

The three-day Marketing Enhancement Program, held in Sitio Sangab, sought precisely this balance. Participants were introduced to the language of modern commerce: product development, branding, social media strategy (they were even asked to create a video reel introducing their creations), and even the nuances of collaborating with fashion designers and importers.

They learned how to position their work in markets that increasingly value authenticity and craftsmanship. More importantly, they were taught how to navigate these opportunities without sacrificing the integrity of their traditions.

In an era when many regional art forms across the Philippines face the threat of fading into memory, these workshops serve as timely reminders: communities can thrive while honoring their heritage. The Mandaya weavers of Caraga are not merely preserving a century-old tradition. They are weaving a future where culture, empowerment, and livelihood can coexist — strong threads bound together by their own hands.

When I signed up for this trip, I expected to explore the Caraga region that includes the five provinces of the Sur and Norte parts of Surigao and Agusan, as well as Dinagat Island. Little did I know that in the province of Davao Oriental, there is a municipality also called Caraga that claims its name from the word kalagan, which in native language refers to a "spirited person.”

Having my geographical assumptions about our destination proven wrong has never made me gladder. I began to experience the unparalleled sense of anticipation I always feel whenever I visit a new destination as we set out on a long road trip from Davao City. In this case, to a quaint town where the easternmost tip of the country is also located, as well as a plethora of breathtaking natural landscapes and diverse customs and traditions.

After a relaxed first day highlighted by gorging on local cuisine, we woke up extra early the next morning to witness the day’s earliest sunrise in the country. Facing the Pacific Ocean, a jagged stretch of rocky cliff called Pusan Point is where one can witness the first daybreak in the Philippines.

The Pusan Point marks the easternmost part of the Philippines and where the sun rises at its earliest in the country. During the morning of January 1, 2000, many people gathered here to witness the first sunrise of the millennium. A lighthouse, a sundial, an ampitheater and a cross currently rises amidst the steep cliffs where also the waves of the Pacific Ocean first crashes into the Philippines.

A local tourism official told us that there is currently more than 40 documented waterfalls found in Caraga and more are still being explored. With only five days of exploring Caraga we were fortunate to have visited at least three waterfalls.

The first one, the multi-tiered Kyabatangan Falls, which spills into a 25–30-foot drop to a big and inviting pool, made the bumpy ride going here worthwhile. While the phrase “hidden gem” already make people doubt it every time its mentioned, this waterfall truly exemplifies what it means because of its secluded setting and absorbing appearance like something out of a fairy-tale book.

Located on the same road leading to Kyabatangan Falls, the much taller and more isolated Agosais Falls can be seen plunging its clear waters down the mountainside, encircled by towering trees, appearing more majestic in the embrace of Mother Nature.

We set out on foot the following morning to reach Kapuka Falls, which is almost 160 feet tall. The path was difficult, with hazards such as a slick descent pathway, crawling over stones, and fording a river with a shallow depth but strong current that cuts through the barangay of Lamiawan. Despite my missteps, I finally reached the plunge pool of Kapuka Falls, where I was able to take in the breathtaking scenery and cool off in its Gatorade blue-colored waters.

Since the municipality of Caraga is edged by a long shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean, it shouldn’t come as no surprise to discover several surfing spots in Caraga. The main one is found on the long stretch of San Luis Beach which supplies endless swells for both seasoned and beginner surfers. The powdery gray sands also makes it an ideal beach to bum around and swim as well.

Not far away, there are a few other beaches worth seeing. The Pantad Tide Pool, south of Caraga, conceals a series of natural pools that are visible during low tide. It is preferable to visit around low tide so that you can sink into the natural pool whenever the splashing waves pulls back to the ocean.

Mabiga beach has a couple of quaint resorts, Villa Mabiga and Elah Moana, where one can relax under a tree or in a hammock and engage one of its owners, an irrepressible New Zealander who boasts of amazing scuba diving stories.

Amidst the many wonderful great outdoor attractions in Caraga, the municipality is proud of its local history and culture. For history enthusiasts, one shouldn't miss the San Salvador Del Mundo Parish Church. Built by the Jesuits in 1884 from stones and wood, it is the oldest Catholic church in Mindanao today.

Inside, are a number of items dating back centuries, including the Church's bell, which was cast in 1802, the old Baptismal registry, and the original statue of San Isidro Labrador, the town's patron saint. The Caraga Elementary School is another place of interest, being one of the few remaining intact Gabaldon schools in the Philippines.

To learn more about the culture and traditions of Caraga, better pay a visit to the community of the Mandaya Ethnic Group in Sitio Sangab, their ancestral domain. One of the eleven Indigenous Peoples' communities in the Davao Region, the Mandaya are known as "inhabitants of the upland."

The Mandaya's vibrant Dagmay cloth and elaborate embroidery are symbols of their rich cultural heritage. Led by their young chieftain Maigen Christine Banugan, the community also educates visitors on cultural sensitivity.

After you’ve seen the community, the Mandaya Educational Research on Heritage beside Colegio de Caraga should be next. It is a modest museum that preserves historical relics, musical instruments, and traditional attire.

Having spent many days winding through Caraga's picturesque highways, rugged roads, and hiking trails, I became well-acquainted with the region's breathtaking natural scenery and learned a great deal about the homegrown culture.