From Cotta Bato, we made a short drive to the Sunken Cemetery, site of the community cemetery which sank during the 1871 eruption. After paying a PhP2 entrance fee, we proceeded down the hill to secluded, brown-sand Sabang Beach. About 200 m. offshore is the huge concrete white cross which was built from 1997 to 1999 to replace another installed further offshore in 1982.
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| Cross at Sunken Cemetery |
Connecting the cross with the shore is a nylon rope from which is tethered a boat for crossing. We paid PhP10 each for the two-way trip. According to the boatman, years ago, gravestones were still visible during low tide. Now they can no longer be seen. Every year, on May 1, a fluvial procession is held there. The islanders row out to offer flowers and floating candles to the dead.
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| View from Sunken Cemetery |
From our vantage poin at its terracet, we had a panoramic view of Mts. Vulcan Daan and Tres Marias. Scattered along Mt. Vulcan Daan’s northwestern slope is a winding trail with life-size, white-washed cement figures of the 14 Stations of the Cross depicting the passion death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The last station is a sepulcher carved out of volcanic rock. During Holy Week, a Panaad is held for religious retreat and penitence. It features a 2-day, 64-km. trek around the island, from Brgy. Benoni to the Stations of the Cross. The sun was just setting when we returned to shore and a well-deserved rest back at the resort.
Sunken Cemetery: Brgy. Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin