Trexplore
Trexplore is a first rate tourist based guide service located in Catbologan, Samar. Joni Bonifcio formed the company in 2000 after spending years caving and mountain biking in the Philippines as a hobby.
Joni studied medicine at the Cebu Doctors College but decided to follow his heart and develop the fledgling tourist business in Samar instead of following a career as a doctor.
He has a mellow style and uses local transport to and from the cave sites. Some treks require long walks in to get to the base camps but local porters can be organized to help with the gear.
Usually it is very hot above the surface but it cools down once you enter the caves especially the ones designated as “wet caves”.
He is also an avid mountain bike rider and has traveled extensively in the Philippines.
He joined the Italians on some of their exploratory ventures into the unknown and is still discovering more and more cave systems every year on his own. His passion for nature, travel, and discovery can not be denied.
If you want to get off the beaten path and see some virgin cave systems you will not regret having Joni be your guide.
Joni Bonifacio cel: 09192943865
The office for the Trexplore adventure company is upstairs of the Abesamis Store Allen Ave in Catbalogan Samar. The downstairs is a magazine shop.
trexplore @ yahoo.com
www.bonifaciojoni.blogspot.com
Update July 5 2010
Joni has expanded his business and Trexplore now has a tourist information center downstairs.
They are planning a cave diving expedition in the Calbiga Cave this coming August.
It will be a major operation with at least 30 porters carrying in the tanks and other gear.
More than likely these divers will discover chambers that have never before been seen by the human eye.
Trexplore Tourist Center
Trexplore
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Dear DP & Joni,
Hi! I had a great time in Catbalogan. I was there for 10 days and I did called your cellphone DP. The person who picked up the call told me u were away working. I also found Joni’s office while I was riding my fiance’s motorbike. It was night time. Life is really simple in Catbalogan. Most people don’t speak English but I found they are really FRIENDLY.
I will return again soon and this time I hope I get to meet u DP and Joni. I’m sorry I didn’t contact u again after that coz I was tied up with my fiance exploring on our own the town and having fun with her family and friends. Catbalogan visit was a really great experience for a city guy like me. I love it….
Hi Joe,
Sorry that I missed you. Sounds like you had a great time and enjoyed the town for a while!
Catbalogan is a very special place to me but I have finally completed my move to Ormoc yesterday. I took 4 round trips of 450 kilometers loaded with everything from propane stove and tank, scuba gear, television, and everything else on my habble-habble motorcycle. It was a trip – believe me.
Joni was out exploring some new caves near Calbiga with some spelunkers from Italy. They were out for a month or so. This was most likely the first time anyone has done an extensive exploration of that system and both the Italian papers and the Philippine newspapers covered it.
Take care and maybe we will meet up next time you are here!
cheers
dp
Joni of Trexplore, and I (rick – aka – dutchpickle) were neighbors in Catbalogan.
I have here a student wanting to know more about caves in Palapag, have you any photo of the Cabariwan Cave in Palapag. If so, i will letgo Catbalogan. If not, may i know when are you going to explore the Cabariwan Cave.
jessica.mccraig@yahoo.com
Hi jessica,
Please send Joni a text
Joni Bonifacio cel: 09192943865
ingats
dp