Corangon Island (Tiwi, Albay)

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Kurangon Island

Corangon Island

From the brown sand beach at Brgy. Baybay in Tiwi, our media group boarded 2 motorized outrigger boats to the tiny coral island of Corangon (from the local word meaning “coral”).  Babes, Boyet, Leony, Star, Oliver, Ms. Norma Caayao (our Tiwi lady guide and photographer) and I boarded one boat while Rommel, Nestor and Mr. Andrew Zuniga (DOT Region 5) boarded the other.

Brown sand beach at Brgy. Baybay

Brown sand beach at Brgy. Baybay

As it was low tide, the islet was somehow visible from the shore. Our less than a kilometer boat ride to Corangon took just 15 mins. and we made landfall by 11 AM. Rommel and Nestor, not wanting to get their camera equipment and feet wet, just photographed the island from the relative safety of their boat.

Making landfall on the island

Making landfall on the island

This unassuming, half-hectare islet lacks features that typically make a seascape picturesque as it is devoid of any vegetation or rock formations, being mainly composed of crushed corals and beige-colored sand. The swirling and pounding action of waves and sea currents have caused the coral rubble to surface above the sea line and evolve into this island.

The author with postcard-pretty Mt. Mayon in the background

The author with postcard-pretty Mt. Mayon in the background

However, Corangon is not as boring as it seems as it is probably the only islet in Albay province where the stratovolcanic Magayon trio, the province’s three most beautiful mountains — the 2,463 m. high Mt. Mayon, the 1,450 m. high Mt. Malinao and the 1,328 m. high Mt. Marasaga — are fully visible. Its quiet charm reminded me of White Island in Camiguin where the postcard-pretty, 1,332 m. high Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the 580 m, high Mt. Vulcan Daan, both also stratovolcanoes, can be seen.

Cloud-sheathed Mt. Malinao

Cloud-sheathed Mt. Malinao

Corangon Island  is also a haven for tourists who want to see a different, picture-perfect view of the famous and stunning Mayon Volcano – from the sea.  The island is also accessible from Malinao via a 30-minute boat ride. Fishermen also offer chartered rides to the islet at an affordable price.  A dive site, Corangon Island is one of the top 5 dive sites in the Bicol Region.

Our media group with Mt. Masaraga and Mt. Malinao in the background

Our media group with Mt. Masaraga and Mt. Malinao in the background

Corangon Island, home to different marine species and beautiful corals, is a declared municipal marine sanctuary (the 4.4 sq. km. Corangon Shoal Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve) and, as such, anyone who wants to visit it needs to first ask permission from the Municipality’s Agriculture Office (MAO).

Shadow over Kurangon

Shadow over Corangon

The office administrator will ask about the purpose of the visit, then ask visitors to log in. A good idea would be to bring a letter of request, addressed to Ms. Leonila V. Coralde, the head of the MAO, indicating the purpose of your trip.

The crushed coral of Kurangon Island

The crushed coral of Corangon Island

Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO): 4513 Tiwi, Albay.  Tel (052) 435-0432.

Mayor’s Office: Municipal Hall, Poblacion, 4513 Tiwi, Albay.  Tel.: (052) 435-4866.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Tabaco City, Albay)

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First built by Franciscan Fr. Pedro de Alcareso in 1616, the present structure, built by secular clergy, was completed in a period of 16 years (1864-1879).  The stately Baroque-style church was declared as a National Landmark on August 1, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260 and amended by Presidential Decree No. 1505 on June 11, 1978.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The church was also one of the only two declared sites in Bicol Region that were categorized by the National Museum of the Philippines as a National Cultural Treasure of the country. Its marker was unveiled on June 22, 2012.

4-storey bell tower

4-storey bell tower

Column pinnacle

Column pinnacle

The church, built with dark volcanic soil and stones found in the area, has an unusual floor plan with inexplicable compartments and walls with stones bearing mason marks, rarely seen in the Philippines.  The beautiful bell tower, embedded with Rococo designs, has rocaille elements and a beautiful and unique tower clock.

The cathedral interior

The cathedral interior

City Mayor’s Office: Poblacion, Tabaco City 4511, Albay. Tel.: (052) 487-5200

How to Get There: Tabaco City is located 558 kms. from Manila and 21 kms. (a 45-minute drive) northeast of Legaspi City.

Bicol Adventure ATV (Daraga, Albay)

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From the Cagsawa Ruins, we again boarded our van for the short drive to the Bicol Adventure ATV compound where we were to experience the thrill of riding an all-terrain vehicle towards the Lava Wall of Mt. Mayon, the world’s most perfect coned volcano.  I have seen the beauty of the Mayon Volcano only from the fringes of Legaspi City and Tabaco City and towns of Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo but, today, we were to appreciate its beauty up close via this more thrilling option.

Bicol Adventure ATV compound

Bicol Adventure ATV compound

The units available for our use are 150cc, 500cc (CFMoto Terralander 500) and 625 side by side variants. Virtually no prior experience on riding four wheeled ATVs is required. Everything is on the right handle – press a ledge to accelerate and retract another to brake.  The engine doesn’t turn off, even at full stop. However, we were all given a short briefing on the safety rules that have to be heeded:

Single passenger ATVs

Single passenger ATVs

  • A safe distance of at least 2 m. from each other’s vehicle must be maintained.
  • Never go crazy on the speed even with the off-road vehicle’s maneuverability’s capability to hit marks of up to 82kmph.
  • Never panic when tackling a steep uphill or downhill slope maneuver to avoid the ATV from toppling over yourselves or tilting sideways unnecessarily.
ATVs being readied

ATVs being readied

Then, we donned our helmets and were allowed a 5-10-min. practice ride on a mock trail along a rocky river track to allow first timers to get used to the ignition, throttle, brakes and direction.

The mock trail

The mock trail

The ATV was easy to maneuver as the tires were of a wide cross-section and it was designed for woods patrol and off-road exploration. It’s pretty stable too, unless you hit on a big rock.

The author trying out the ATV on a mock trail

The author trying out the ATV on a mock trail

Still, in the end, we all decided to let our guides drive our ATVs as we weren’t familiar with the trail and, with the sun now low in the sky, we were hoping to catch the sunset.

The author with his ATV guide and driver

The author with his ATV guide and driver

Together with our drivers, Lito and Euden and Star and Oliver rode in pairs while Ida, Leony and Nestor (who drove most of the way) where in a bigger ATV.  Boyet and I rode at the back of our respective drivers.

All geared up and ready to go ....

All geared up and ready to go ….

There are countless paths and trails that Mayon Volcano offers and the trail pathfinders of Bicol Adventure ATV are continuously looking for new sites to develop. One of the trails they developed is the challenging Green Lava Wall Trail.

Our ATV ride begins ......

Our ATV ride begins ……

The trail is a 7 km. (14 km. total trail) long river, sand and rock adventure challenge.  It would take us around 2.5-3 hours to and from the 1968 lava wall located 2,500-3,000 ft. above sea level in Brgy. Miisi, Daraga. We all rode on ATVs that are powerful enough to manage this trail. We left by 5 PM.

The Green Lava Trail

The Green Lava Wall Trail

Our ATV ride wasn’t short of excitement as we travelled a landscape dotted with big lava rocks ejected by the explosion of Mayon Volcano more than 100 years ago. From the bleak gray, the scenery turned green as we entered and drove through a forest.

Bicol Adventure ATV (29)

The trees that surrounded us were a welcome relief from the heat and the breeze was cooler. The forest trail, however, produced more dust. The last part of the trail was the uphill climb to the Green Lava Wall along a much narrower and bumpier road with plenty of sharp curves.

The gully created by Mayon's lava flow

The gully created by Mayon’s lava flow

By 5:45 PM, we reached the end of the trail, the now vegetated bed of lava that Mayon Volcano spewed during its 1968 eruption. When we alighted and saw ourselves, we all looked like we came out of a coal mine.  The now cloud-free summit of Mayon Volcano can be clearly seen, something Euden (a first-time visitor to Albay who was leaving for Manila the next day) had failed to see during the past two days.

The media group with the now cloud-free Mt. Mayon in the background

The media group with the now cloud-free Mt. Mayon in the background

From this vantage point, we had an exhilarating view of Albay Gulf, Misibis Bay, Legazpi City, the 3rd district of Albay in the west and, in the distance, the peak of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon.  While enjoying the very cool wind, we also saw the dramatic sunset we were hoping for.  What more can you ask for?

The dramatic sunset

The dramatic sunset

The return drive, even if it was now downhill, was no less shorter as we had maneuver carefully down the trail.  Besides, darkness now set in and, with headlights on, we had to be on the lookout for large rocks.  It was almost 7 PM when we arrived at our starting point and, with great relief, we wash away the dust, mud and grime from our skin and hair – all proof of our great adventure.

The return drive begins - cautiously .....

The return drive begins – cautiously …..

The Bicol Adventure ATV was a truly unforgettable experience, enjoying the thrill of the ATV ride, with all its bumps and curves and, upon arrival at the Lava Wall, enjoying a quiet moment as we viewed the perfect cone of Mayon and dramatic sunset and felt the cool breeze touching our skin.

A vehicle to a great adventure ......

A vehicle to a great adventure ……

Bicol Adventure ATV: Belfry – Cagsawa Church Ruins, Daraga, 4500 Albay.  Mobile number: (0917) 571-4357 (Globe) and (0922) 868-2589 (Sun). E-mail: taikee@bicoladventureatv.com.  Website: www.bicoladventureatv.com.

Rates:

Green Lava Wall Trail–PhP1,500 (2.5hours)
Cagsawa Trail–PhP599 (45mins.)
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave–PhP2,000 (3.5hours)
Cagsawa to Lava Front–PhP1,850 (3hours)
Trial Ride–PhP110 (15mins.)

Sumlang Lake (Camalig, Albay)

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After our visit to the Natural Carpet Industries Factory, Brgy. Sumlang Chairman Felipe Noe M. Mapa, Jr. invited us to visit scenic and tourist-friendly Sumlang Lake, Camalig’s newest tourist attraction. To get there, Euden, Lito, Star, Oliver, Ida, Babes, and I rode on an SUV while Nestor, Rommel, George and Alex road on a red pickup as we negotiated the short distance, along a narrow dirt road, to get to the lake.

Sumlang Lake with the partly cloud-shrouded Mt. Mayon in the background

Sumlang Lake with the partly cloud-shrouded Mt. Mayon in the background

Upon arrival, we all sat on bamboo benches under shady coconut trees overlooking the lake, partaking of a merienda of  pinangat sandwiches, langka (jackfruit) and fresh buco.  While dining, we all enjoyed the majestic view of the partly cloud-shrouded perfect cone of Mt. Mayon and observed children flying their kites along the lakeshore.

Boarding our nicely furnished bamboo rafts

Boarding our nicely furnished bamboo rafts

Later, Felipe invited us to go cruising on the lake on board bamboo rafts. Accompanied by boatmen using long poles to move the raft, Mr. Jockey Serrano (of the Albay Provincial Tourism Cultural Affairs Office), Boyet, Ida, Babes, Lito and I boarded the bigger raft while Rommel rode solo on the smaller raft, seated on a woven wicker canopy chair.  The others decided to stay behind.

The smaller bamboo raft with Rommel on board

The smaller bamboo raft with Rommel on board

Crusing the lake on a bamboo raft (photo: Rommel Natanauan)

Cruising the lake on a bamboo raft (photo: Rommel Natanauan)

The raft ride on the placid lake was an experience by itself. On the raft, Jockey, Babes, Lito and I were comfortably seated on rattan armchairs and sofas with soft, white cushions and woven wicker canopies to partly shield us from the heat of the sun. Ida and Boyet tried out the day bed with rattan roofed canopy. A driftwood center table completed the rustic furnishings which are all products of Bicolano creativity and ingenuity.

The pensive Ida enjoying the rustic scenery

The pensive Ida enjoying the rustic scenery

Thus comfortably seated, we enjoyed the rural scenery of coconut, banana and fruit tree plantations; rice fields; water lilies; swimming ducks; grazing cows and occasional, roosting cattle egrets; all with postcard-pretty Mayon Volcano as a backdrop.  The lake is also an ideal spot for fishing as carp, tilapia and dalag (mudfish) abound. 

Lotus flowers

Lotus flowers

Sumlang Lake: Brgy. Sumlag, Camalig, 4502, Albay

Mayor’s Office: Municipal Hall, Poblacion, Camalig, 4502, Albay. Tel.: (052) 484-1965.

Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Camalig Tourism  and Pasalubong Center, Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay.  Mobile number: (0927) 621-3315.  E-mail: camalig_tourism@yahoo.com.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO): Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex, Capt. F. Aquende Drive, 4500 Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 481-0250 and (052) 742-0242. E-mail: albaytourism@yahoo.com and albaytourism@gmail.com.

Natural Carpet Industries (Camalig, Albay)

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Another cottage industry that Albay is famous for is their abaca handicraft and furniture manufacturing. Abaca (100% biodegradable and eco-friendly) and abaca-based products have been a consistent dollar earner for the Philippines, one of only two abaca producers in the world (the other is Ecuador).  At the top of the list of manufacturers is Natural Carpet Industries (NCI) in Camalig.  NCI is one of the big abaca processors that supply high‐end abaca products.

Felipe Noe M. Mapa, Jr.

Felipe Noe M. Mapa, Jr.

We dropped by NCI’s 7,300 sq. m. production area to observe the abaca product manufacturing process.  On arrival, we were welcomed by the 36 year old Camalig-born owner Mr. Felipe Noe Morin Napa Jr., Sumlang’s barangay captain and one of a pool of entrepreneurs and artists adept in creating innovative styles and designs that are in sync with global trends.

Rolls of carpets

Rolls of carpets

Abaca baskets

Abaca baskets

A stack of finished rattan chairs

A stack of finished rattan chairs

In 1995, Napa started his small handicraft business as Napa’s Handicraft, mortgaging almost all of the Napa family’s properties to set it up.  Manufacturing abaca rugs, rattan furniture and fixtures, it has survived tough competition from other handicraft producers, both here and abroad, paying its workers per piece of any hand-woven product they created.

Carpet weavers

Adding finishing touches to an abaca carpet

Now, NCI is debt-free, boasting of a complement of 120 skilled and experienced weavers and craftsmen.  They create world-class products largely to fill the demand of the export market, particularly in Australia, Canada, Middle East, Europe and China.  NCI has boosted Albay’s abaca industry and created more jobs in the province.  In 2014, Felipe received the Outstanding Albayano Award for Decorative Arts.

Basket maker at work

Basket maker at work

One of their major products is natural, eco-friendly abaca carpets which are available in so many styles and colors. Other products include abaca placemats, ottoman, carpets, sofa, beds, jelly lamps, blinds, baskets, mirror frames and, if you want, a coffin made from abaca. Like other manufacturers, they continue to produce diverse and unique products that have undergone meticulous research and conceptualization in order to ensure each product’s functionality and intricate designs.

Natural Carpet Industries (35)

Abaca strands being woven into a carpet

The manufacturing process begins with the fiber first being extracted from the trunk of the abaca (Musa textilis) plant. These are stripped by hand, dried, classified according to size, color and texture, and then segregated and stored in bales. Before weaving, each individual fiber is sorted out to ensure the consistency of the rug’s strength and superiority. The selected strands are then delicately and very carefully handwoven. From the cutting of a plant up to the start of weaving process takes about a month and a half. A 3 x 7-foot carpet takes one person a week to weave while bigger pieces can take about a month, using many different patterns.

Removing excess strands off a carpet

Removing excess strands off a carpet

Natural abaca fibers are twisted and woven by hand. I observed a woman demonstrating how to weave an exquisite, boldly textured 14” x 19” placemat. She first collected the pinuron (strands of abaca fiber) using the spinning wheel and then takes two separately collected pinurons and  alternately inserts the threads into the wooden handloom.

A handloom for weaving abaca

A handloom for weaving abaca

She then steps on the left break, inserts the first pinuron to the left side of the thread, then pounds it. Next, she steps on the right break, inserts the second pinuron to the right side of the thread, pounds it.

Newly painted baskets are placed under the sun to dry

Newly painted baskets are placed under the sun to dry

Natural Carpet Industries (NCI): Napa Bldg., Zone 5, Brgy. Sumlang, Camalig, 4502, Albay. Tel: (02) 738-9963.  Mobile number: (0917) 570-1830 and (0932) 811-1704. E-mail: napa_felipenoejr@yahoo.com.

Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Camalig Tourism  and Pasalubong Center, Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay.  Mobile number: (0927) 621-3315.  E-mail: camalig_tourism@yahoo.com.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO): Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex, Capt. F. Aquende Drive, 4500 Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 481-0250 and (052) 742-0242. E-mail: albaytourism@yahoo.com and albaytourism@gmail.com.

The Ancestral Houses of Camalig (Albay)

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Gonzales Ancestral House

Gonzales Ancestral House

After lunch at Rayben’s Place Restobar & Grill, we decided to burn some calories by doing a walking tour of some of Camalig’s Spanish and American-era ancestral houses.  All were within walking distance from the municipal hall.

Camalig Municipal Hall

Camalig Municipal Hall

Most of these bahay na bato (stone houses) typically have persiana (sliding wooden louver storm windows); ventanillas (openings with wooden balusters called barandillas) below the windows; and bandejado (decorative panels).

Capiz shell sliding windows (Melba Moyo House)

Capiz shell sliding windows (Melba Moyo House)

Media agua (awning), supported by wooden or ornate iron braces, wraps around over windows which use concha (checkerboard capiz shell panels) for its espejo (wrap around transom).

Persiana louvers (Gonzales Ancestral House)

Persiana louvers (Gonzales Ancestral House)

Eave calado and persiana louvers (Don Sixto Nuyda House)

Eave calado and persiana louvers (Don Sixto Nuyda House)

Their interiors have high ceilings; calado (wooden fretwork) on the upper walls; antique furniture and wide wooden floor planks.

Don Sixto Nuyda House - interior

Don Sixto Nuyda House – interior

The Nolasco House, built in the early 19th century, was owned by Diego Nolasco, a former town mayor.  The house was once used as the town’s temporary municipal hall.  Ruins of the old house, believed to be the municipal hall and judicial building, can be seen at the rear of the existing structure.

Nolasco Ancestral House

Nolasco Ancestral House

The Jaime Moyo Ancestral House, originally owned by Heron Moyo (brother of Teodoro Moyo whose descendants own the Melba Moyo House), is presently owned by Heron’s son, Jaime.  During World War II, it was once occupied by Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita.

Jaime Moyo House

Jaime Moyo House

The Gonzales Ancestral House, presently owned by Ms. Ninibeth Gonzales, was built in 1920 and is one of the best-preserved ancestral houses in the town.  Its media agua is supported by ornate iron braces.

Ventanilla with barandillas (Gonzales Ancestral House))

Ventanilla with barandillas (Gonzales Ancestral House))

Ornate iron braces (Gonzales Ancestral House)

Ornate iron braces (Gonzales Ancestral House)

The Anson Ancestral House was originally owned by Toribia Iglesia Moya, sister of former capitan municipal (1877-1878) Doroteo Iglesia Moya and mother of Anacleto Moya Solano, last capitan municipal (1897-1900) and first presidente municipal (1901-1902) during the American era.

Anson's Ancestral House

Anson Ancestral House

It was later bought by the Ansons and transferred to the Valencianos in 1920 and returned to the Ansons in 1980.  It is distinguished by its outdoor main staircase leading to the living room and azotea.  During the Spanish era, it was used as quarters for the guardia civil.

Stairrway leading to living room

Outdoor stairway leading to living room (Anson Ancestral House)

The Melba Moyo House, built in 1932, was first owned by Barbara Nieves Moyo who late bequeathed it to her son Teodoro Moyo.  After Teodoro’s death, the house was manage by his wife Melba Grageda Moyo.  During World War II, high-ranking Japanese officials lived here.

Melba Moyo House

Melba Moyo House

One house we did get to enter, with the permission of the owner, was the Don Sixto Nuyda House, built in Geometric style of architecture in the 19th century by the previously mentioned capitan municipal Doroteo Iglesia Moya.

Don Sixto Nuyda House

Don Sixto Nuyda House

The Nuydas are affiliated with the Moyas through nephew Marcos Obligacion who took a Nuyda wife. Justino Napay Nuyda, a Bicolano zarzuela (a lyric-dramatic entertainment genre of Spanish origin) writer and the first Albay Second District congressman (1935-1941), once resided here.

Diamond-patterned concha windows (Don Sixto Nuyda House)

Diamond-patterned concha windows (Don Sixto Nuyda House)

We entered the house  via a uniquely designed stone porch that corresponds to the gillian of traditional Filipino pile houses.  Inside is an exemplary showcase of diamond-patterned concha.  It was damaged during the 2006 typhoon Reming which left 66 people dead in Albay.  The ground floor has been boarded up.

Don Sixto Nuyda House - Interior

Don Sixto Nuyda House – Interior

Mayor’s Office: Municipal Hall, Poblacion, Camalig, 4502, Albay. Tel.: (052) 484-1965

Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Camalig Tourism  and Pasalubong Center, Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay.  Mobile number: (0927) 621-3315.  E-mail: camalig_tourism@yahoo.com.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO): Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex, Capt. F. Aquende Drive, 4500 Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 481-0250 and (052) 742-0242. E-mail: albaytourism@yahoo.com and albaytourism@gmail.com.

Hoyop-Hoyopan Caves (Camalig, Albay)

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Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave (photo Rommel Natanauan)

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave (photo Rommel Natanauan)

After our short stopover at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Tabaco City proper, we proceeded on our way, via a 28.3-km./28-min. drive along the Ligao –Tabaco Rd., to Camalig and a further 8 kms. (a 20-min.) drive south to Hoyop-Hoyopan Caves where we were to do some amateur spelunking. The cave is privately owned and maintained by the Soriano, Nieva and Nuylan families.  Here, we were met by Mr. Garner N. Abril, our local cave guide who was well versed in the cave’s history and its trail.

One of the cave entrances

One of the cave entrances

This natural, 3-level, tunnel-like limestone cave, one of the most popular and easily accessible caves in Albay, covers an approximate area of 31.4 sq. m. of land. Located 16 kms. from the Cagsawa Ruins, the cave’s name is derived from the Bicol word meaning “eternal whispering breeze” or “blow-blow” because of the sound of wind whistling through the main entrance.  Upon entering, we instantly felt a blow of cold air.

Mr. Garner N. Abril, our local cave guide

Mr. Garner N. Abril, our local cave guide

Our tour, done in a group, went through the subterranean path and eventually ended at the other part of the mountain.  We traversed a staircase that provided easy access to the other levels of the cave.   Strategically placed light bulb along pathways allowed us to fully appreciate the rock formations inside the cave.

Cave stalactites

Cave stalactites

In 1972, 2,000-year old bones in burial jars, beadwork and potsherds, dating from 200 B.C. to 900 A.D. and attributed to Calanay complex, were excavated here.  The artifacts are now housed at the National Museum in Manila, while some are displayed at nearby Camalig Church. The late Franciscan Fr. Cantius Kobak, OFM, an archaeologist, classified the cave as old as 3000 B.C to 4000 B.C.

Media team posing beside a cave pool

Media team posing beside a cave pool

During the Japanese occupation in World War II, Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave served as a guerilla and refugee camp of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) and as a hospital and orphanage. According to stories from the townsfolk, it took three years before the enemies discovered the camp.  During the Martial law era, when curfew was strictly imposed, this cave served as a safe haven for party goers and, when a destructive typhoon strikes in the area, as a refuge and shelter.

The Dance Hall

The Dance Hall

The cave has wonderful formations of stalagmites and stalactites and numerous entrances and exits varying from two to 10 m. in diameter. Many of the different stalactite formations resemble a chicken drumstick,a statue of the Blessed Virgin, a hanging snake, a hand formation, a sexy lady with long hair, a hanging man, a statue of Moses and a crocodile tail.  In order to reach the different chambers, these narrow passageways tested our skill in squeezing, scrambling, crawling, and kneeling to get through to a mini-pond (some sections of the cave have puddles of water) and the “dance hall” (a wide open-space with a round concrete platform installed in the middle ).   One of the cave’s openings is a grand window, through which travelers can enjoy a splendid view of Mayon Volcano.

Mano po

Mano po

After we exited the cave, we bought some crystals, mounted on key chains, pendants or necklaces, and some native products (hats, etc.) available for sale at a stall.  I bought a crystal  necklace and key chain as well as one in its raw form (prices, depending on the size of the crystal stone, ranges from PhP50- 500).

Jollibee Chicken Joy Drumstick

Jollibee Chicken Joy drumstick?

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave: Brgy. Cotmon, Camalig, Albay. Admission: PhP200 for two to three persons, while the parking fee is P25 is also charged. A local tour guide, , can be hired for PhP100 to PhP200 (inclusive of 1 lamp). An additional PhP300 is charged if you want to turn on the lights inside the cave. Public transportation to the cave is also available.

Mayor’s Office: Municipal Hall, Poblacion, Camalig, 4502, Albay. Tel.: (052) 484-1965

Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Camalig Tourism  and Pasalubong Center, Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay.  Mobile number: (0927) 621-3315.  E-mail: camalig_tourism@yahoo.com.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO): Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex, Capt. F. Aquende Drive, 4500 Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 481-0250 and (052) 742-0242. E-mail: albaytourism@yahoo.com and albaytourism@gmail.com.

Church of St. John the Baptist (Camalig, Albay)

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First built, with wood and nipa, by Franciscan friars from 1579 to 1580, the second church, together with the “escuela Catolica,” was built with stone in 1605.  This church was destroyed during the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano and was rebuilt with solid blocks of volcanic stones from Mayon Volcano, in 1837, by Fr. Francisco Latoba  and Fr. Manuel Brihuega.

Church of St. John the Baptist

Church of St. John the Baptist

In 1845, Fr. Miguel Barcela built the church façade, the escuela Catolica and the bell tower.  The church was finished in 1848. On November 1987, the church was damaged by super typhoon Sisang, (international name: Nina) losing its roof, ceiling and beams, but was subsequently repaired.

The church facade

The church facade

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The church’s first level has a semicircular arched main entrance flanked by superpositioned columns and niches with statues of St. Clare of Assisi and St. Peter the Baptist (San Pedro Bautista).  The second level has rectangular windows of equal sizes. The triangular pediment, above it, has a centrally located niche with a statue of St. John the Baptist, above which is a small oculus.  It is flanked by superpositioned columns and separated from the second level by an entablature.

Plaque installed by the National Historical Commission

Plaque installed by the National Historical Commission

The 4-storey, hexagonal bell tower, on the church’s left, has massive bells and a fine view of Mayon Volcano.  During World War II, it served as a lookout for American troops searching for Japanese stragglers hiding in hillside caves.

The 4-storey, hexagonal bell tower

The 4-storey, hexagonal bell tower

Inside the church is a ceiling painted with some images, chandeliers and burial niches, including a memorial stone honoring a resident who died at the age of 115 years (1797 to 1912).  Its adjacent convent houses a small museum which displays some of the 2,000-year old bones, beadwork, potsherds and other artifacts found from Calabidong Cave.

The church interior

The church interior

Mayor’s Office: Municipal Hall, Poblacion, Camalig, 4502, Albay. Tel.: (052) 484-1965

Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Camalig Tourism  and Pasalubong Center, Brgy. 2, Camalig, Albay.  Mobile number: (0927) 621-3315.  E-mail: camalig_tourism@yahoo.com.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO): Albay Tourism Bldg., Albay Astrodome Complex, Capt. F. Aquende Drive, 4500 Legaspi City, Albay.  Tel: (052) 481-0250 and (052) 742-0242. E-mail: albaytourism@yahoo.com and albaytourism@gmail.com.

How to Get There: Camalig is located 539 kms. from Manila and 14 kms. northwest of Legaspi City.

Church of St. Francis Xavier (Nasugbu, Batangas)

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Nasugbu’s Church of St. Francis Xavier is a relatively new edifice as much of its construction happened only during the 1990’s.  The Nasugbu parish, once under the jurisdiction of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Balayan, underwent a sad and dark turn of events in the past.  Its first chapel, as well as a convent for the parish priest, was built in Brgy. Looc.

Church of St. Francis Xavier

Church of St. Francis Xavier

Later, the town transferred to its present location. In 1852, a church was dedicated to the Nuestra Seňora Virgen de le Escalera and St. Francis Xavier. In 1896, after the people of Nasugbu rose against the Spanish colonial regime, Spanish troops locked up almost 500 men, women and children inside the church and then set the church on fire.

The 4-storey bell tower

The 4-storey bell tower

Another simple, wooden parish church was built on its present site. Eventually, the town’s growing population necessitated the construction of the much larger, present church which was started in the early 1990’s. During the Centennial Celebration of the Archdiocese of Lipa, the church was declared as a Pilgrimage Church.

Antique bell

Antique bell

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

The church has a Romanesque-style façade with a portico over the driveway supported by fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, on top of which is an entablature and a triangular pediment. The façade’s second level, also topped by a triangular pediment, has a large, centrally located rose window flanked by two smaller circular windows.

In front of the main entrance is the church’s antique bell, forged in Spain and bearing the king’s royal seal. 

The church's interior

The church’s interior

The interior has a magnificent barrel vaulted ceiling painted in the trompe-l’œil style. The main altar, above which is a dome, features expensive hardwood carvings.  It has an antique, larger-than-life restored crucifix. The Immaculate Conception is enthroned on the Gospel side while that of St. Joseph, the patron of Batangas, is placed on the Epistle side. Underneath an antique carving of the Most Blessed Holy Trinity is an image of St. Francis Xavier surmounting the top arch.  The central focus of the magnificent altar is the Tabernacle of the Most Holy Sacrament. Beneath the altar of the church is an ossuarium.

Choir loft

Choir loft

The octagonal, 4-storey bell tower, on the church’s right, is topped by a cupola.  It can be reached by 200 steps in 3 spiral stairways and two wooden ladders. On November 21, 2006, a whole set of 18 carillon bells (the biggest weighed 320 kilos while the smallest weighed 55 kilos) from Paccard-Fonderie de Cloches of Annecy in France, costing PhP4.4 million, were installed at the tower.

Main altar

Main altar

The carillon plays in two musical scales of 18 bells, three are swinging big bells (moving to and fro and making sounds in each movement) and 15 are fixed (do not move and are struck by clappers outside), each producing a distinct tone set by its manufacturer in France. Thus, 18 bells mean 18 notes.

Trompe l'oeil ceiling

Trompe l’oeil ceiling

Church of St. Francis Xavier: J.P. Laurel St., Nasugbu, Batangas. Tel: (043) 931 – 5186.

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp (Nasugbu, Batangas)

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Munting Buhangin Beach

Munting Buhangin Beach

From the very crowded Interlink Beach, we again continued on our quest to find a suitable beach resort for overnight camping.  Canyon Cove was out of the question (PhP800/pax just for a day tour) so we moved on. Then I saw the sign for Munting Buhangin Beach Camp and, remembering my past overnight stay there, decided to check it out.

Munting Buhangin in the evening

Munting Buhangin in the evening

Just past the members only Terrazas de Punta Fuego, we turned left into the gate of the resort and inquired about the rates from the security guards.   From here, it’s a 1-km. and very steep downhill drive.  As it was the peak season, we had to park our car some distance from the resort.  We decided to leave the heavy camping gear inside the car and walk the rest of the way down.  Then we had to go down a very long flight of stairs, with some 100 steps, to get to the reception area.

The long flight of stairs

The long flight of stairs

Reception and information area

Reception and information area

Our total bill for our overnight camping, which we promptly paid, came up to PhP3,400 which included entrance fees, camping fee and breakfast the next day for the 5 of us.  I regretted not bringing our gear with us. Oh well.

Melissa and Almira inside our Coleman tent

Melissa and daughter Almira inside the Coleman tent

Jandy and Albert

My son Jandy and Albert

Anyway, my son Jandy and Melissa’s children Almira and Albert volunteered to return with all our stuff, making the arduous climb up the stairs and the steep driveway to get to the car and then return, this time heavily laden, with all the heavy camping gear, backpacks and provisions.  Thank God for children.

Kainan sa Beach Camp

Kainan sa Beach Camp

The convenience store

The convenience store

The 24-hectare Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is backpacker and camper-friendly and just perfect as I brought along my 5-pax Coleman tent.  This we pitched under a shady tree and beside a convenient long table with benches, all monobloc.  Kainan sa Beach Camp, its restaurant, as well as the information and reception area (with its all-important convenience store where we bought our bottled water, ice cream and snacks) and a common grilling area were nearby.

Airconditioned concrete cottages

Airconditioned concrete cottages

Airconditioned bamboo cottages

Airconditioned bamboo cottages

A treehouse

A treehouse

The resort also has a variety of accommodation choices, from airconditioned cottages, 2 and 4-pax family rooms, the always popular 10-pax treehouses to tents for rent.  They also have conference rooms for seminars and team building activities. Their comfort rooms and shower areas, quite a long walk away, were not well-maintained, with sand all over the floor.

Comfort room and shower area

Comfort room and shower area

We didn’t sleep much inside our tents as our noisy neighbors were up all night and into the wee hours of the morning.  With no sea breeze, it was also uncomfortably hot that night.  Our packed breakfast the next day, ordered the night before, wasn’t much – scrambled egg and a cup of steamed rice with a choice of either tocino, beef tapa or longanisa.

Bamboo and nipa picnic huts

Bamboo and nipa picnic huts

Monobloc picnic table and benches

Monobloc picnic table and benches

A plus for the resort is their clean and wide beach front, on a captivating cove, which has clear and shallow water (not so during the rainy season though) with fine, light brown sand (no shells or sharp rocks) and not much waves, just right for giving lessons to a city dweller like Melissa on how to float. In spite of it being Holy Week and summer, the beach wasn’t overflowing with bodies.  They also offer beach volleyball, tug-of-war, high rope, watersports (kayaking, banana boats, jetskis, aqua glide, speedboats, etc.).

Beach volleyball action

Beach volleyball action

Melissa (third from right) joining the tug-of-war

Melissa (third from right) joining the tug-of-war

The High Rope

The High Rope

There is nothing super special about this resort.  However, if you’re just a backpacker, camper or simply a typical traveler just looking for some relaxation, a nice beach and a family picnic (you can bring your own food) under some shady trees while watching a beautiful sunset, then this is a good choice.

Dusk at Munting Buhangin

Dusk at Munting Buhangin

The author with Almira

The author with Almira

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp: Brgy. Natiunan, Nasugbu, Batangas.  Metro Manila booking office: 7/F Makati Executive Center. 114 L.P. Leviste cor. V.A. Rufino Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati City.  Tel: 818-1975, 818-4798, 812-5448 and 818-2083 local 122. Fax: (632) 892-3649.  Mobile number: (0922) 887-4131.  E-mail: muntingbuhangin@gmail.com and muntingbuhangin@yahoo.com. Website: www.muntingbuhangin.ph.