Top 10 Things to do at "House at the Top"

Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you all to the House at theTop.

This is the first ever article written about House at the Top. Why?, because it is a new place to visit, it is not popular as of this writing, and it is situated in a remote area in the province of Misamis Oriental, in Southern Philippines.

Esperanza is one of the 15 barangays of Kinoguitan in the province of Misamis Oriental; where farming and fishing are the leading source of livelihood.

Esperanza is endowed with beautiful sceneries: both lovely sunrise and a nostalgic sunset that calm the mind.. Noted for a beautiful coastline that runs from the mid part of Esperanza to the mid part of the adjacent barangay, Bolisong, House at the Top is the best destination, only that the sand isn't white, rather black.

There is an endless list of activities that House at the Top can offer especially during summer; mostly beach activities that will surely entice the imagination. Sea foods and root crops are abundant to satiate your appetite for something rural.

House at the Top is a simple resort which features tree houses for a small family accommodation. House at the Top lets you experience the best of rural living: fresh foods, cool breeze, a touch of the wildlife, a plunge at the deep, and a sun-kissed shore.

House at the Top is a family business founded in summer of 2013. The concept of offering rural living to both local and international tourists started after I brought a Japanese friend and her wife to visit my family.

The supposed to be simple accommodation for my visitor provided a satisfying and a unique experience which I did not expect to be regarded with great delight by my visiting friends. Amazed by the positive feedback, I started conceptualizing the place and the many fun-filled activities to make House at the Top more appealing to potential visitors next summer.

Note: Summer in the Philippines is March to May.

House at the Top operates on the premise that everyone, rich or poor needs to relax. City people, always long for a quiet and peaceful weekend, with quality bonding moments that strengthen family and maybe work relationships.

As a traveler myself, I have recognized that there is a wide demand for comfortable, yet affordable vacation package that will generally attract people from all walks of life. House at the Top does not and cannot offer the typical island getaway, but with the simplicity of life and a wide array of natural activities that can be done in the place, House at the Top experience will surely match the super-expensive vacation packages that depletes your wallet.

House at the Top lets you experience the best of rural living: fresh foods, cool breeze, a touch of the wildlife, a plunge at the deep, and a sun-kissed shore at a very affordable price.

House at the Top started out as my haven when I got ill in 2012. The peace and the tranquility that it gave me is incomparable. After hosting a few friends in the place, I have seen a good opportunity to establish a family business.

The first marketing attempt I set for House at the Top was Flipkey and Airbnb in Facebook. Flipkey and Airbnb both are sights where anyone can register their own place, even their own house as an place where travelers can stay overnight without incurring any costly charges. The site is for tourists and those who want to earn extra income by offering their place for a night stay.

One family, contacted me for a stay. It was a family with one kid. I was hesitant at first, not sure if they'll enjoy the place. The transaction was closed with details explained about the simplicity of life (rural life) no buildings, no glossy comfort rooms (decent enough though), no fancy beds and no five-star hotel menu, just purely nature and nature alone. (See pictures)

• Island Hopping
• Photography
• Mantianak Zoo Tour
• Boating and Swimming
• Snorkeling
• Fresh Sea Food Restaurant Dining Back of Sipaca Island
• Scuba Diving
• Kite Flying
• Shell Collecting
• Sand Castle Building

The House at the Top is located 10 meters away from the sea-shore, so anytime, morning, afternoon, night time, swimming is for free. Swim, play, collect shell, boat paddling ($1 per 1 hour rent) all you like. There is no end to any activities that have something to do with sea water. This is truly a natural escapade.

• Rate for the accommodation is quite affordable at 25$ per three days-two nights stay.

• Boating Charges - $25 package (one day island hopping)- including the driver.

• Fresh Food Resto dining - depending on the order

• Modes of transportation - Bus, Van, Pumpboat

• Foods to order - Sea foods, root crops, short orders per requests.

• Scuba - depending on the Diver's club - available upon request.

• Zoo Tour - $3 per person

Life goes on with the rural folks even with your presence. You can either have your own way of doing things at House at the Top, or you may blend in with the locals and have them teach you the best of rural fishing - both daytime and night time fishing, collecting shells, paddling boats towards the farthest island etc. It's your call, we can only guarantee your safety as you blend in. People in Esperanza are typically warm people with a great sense of humor. They may not speak the language, but somebody from House at the Top offers translation for free.

It is also guaranteed, that in every activity, House at the Top owner and staff make sure you are experiencing the best.

Reservation is usually made ten or more days before the desired schedule.

Every morning during summer (March-May), this is the early morning scene at House at the Top. It's so quiet with just a "til-ti-laok" (this is our early morning chicken sound) reverberating in the air blended with the soft gushes of the waves as they slowly race to the shore, wishing to kiss the black sand in this wide-stretched Tagok Beach. The Tree house is the one we call House at the Top.

This is a scene that eludes you when you are in the city. The natural sound of the waves alone tells you that you are in the midst of God's creation; soothing the mind and the body, bringing in that inner peace...leading to that tranquility every soul wanted and wished for.