QUEZON: Long Weekend Getaway in Cagbalete Island

     Rain was pouring very hard when we left the Metro bound to Mauban. We went to JAC Liner-Kamuning to board a bus en route to Lucena. Fortunately, there was a bus going directly to Mauban so we hopped in. By the way, what is so interesting in the said town? 

     Lies in the heart of Lamon Bay is an island not known to everyone. Cagbalete Island (in some maps you may find it as Cabalete) under the jurisdiction of Mauban town in Quezon is gaining popularity due to its secluded charm to backpackers like me. So I convinced my co-teachers to come with me to have an overnight stay on the island.

     Upon the reaching the town, one must take a tricycle ride to what they call the sea wall where motorized bancas are docked. You may opt to buy some goods in the market before boarding as there are only limited goods in the island. One must go back to the mainland just to buy some goods when scarcity happens. Fare from Sabang Port to Cagbalete Island is PhP 40 where the boat, in my opinion, is almost overloaded. Aside from the other passengers, you will also be in the company of live chickens and the like.  Through public boat, that won't bring you to the other side of the island hence you have to walk a few kilometers through a not so thick grassland. However, there is a private boat that will bring you directly to the resort, Villa Cleofas in our case. That would cost you about PhP 100 per passenger. Mind you, the boat goes to Cagbalete twice a day, 10am and 4pm. So be sure to be at the port ahead of time so you won't miss the trip or worse, you'll wait just to get on board.

     Agoho trees, like the ones in Anawangin, can also be found in some parts of the island. White sand? Well, you may be thinking of the sands of Boracay but true enough that the atmosphere here is quite different as if you own the island.

     The sand ripples off the shores of the island. One should not miss this awesome sand formation as it stretches along the island shores. Needless to say, it happens during low tide but you could already see the sand ripples through the clear water of the sea.

     It happens during low tide when folks walk towards a small island with pygmy trees, Bonsai Island as they call it. Its a mere one kilometer walk from the shore. Dead sea corals abound Bonsai Island so it is but proper to wear slippers or any appropriate footwear to avoid any bruise. Please take extra pre-cautions as there is a sea snake that lives in one of the trees according to some visitors who already witnessed the presence of such.

     There are some fishermen that would cater you seafood delights. In fact, we were able to buy some squids and we sauteed it, or should I say over sauteed it for lunch. It was rubbery when overcooked so we overcooked it again to see if that will return to its palatable form but in the end we munched on those 'rubber'. 

     Batunan is  the meat of a sea cucumber, that's what the old lady told me who's convincing me to try some.

     

     This Hermit Crab is for sale, though miniatures of this can be found along the shores going to the mangrove area. The old lady whom I bought a curtain made of sea shells offered it to me for free but I decided not to. I took pity besides, what am I going to do with a crab? :)

     It's a feast for the eye for me to see a reptile like this turtle outside an aquarium or a man-made pond and saddened for a fact that this one is being sold for a couple of hundred pesos, just to make a living.

And these big red ants are definitely not for sale :)

     
     Nostalgic it is for me to see a water pump at the back of the cottage we rented. Back in my childhood days, we used to pump water out of this. No faucets, just pump it dude!




   
     As mentioned we had our stay at Villa Cleofas Resort where accommodating staff can be met. You may reach them through these digits:

      Ed - 0919220500 and Tonet - 09178395852

     Or visit their website where you could find a cottage that is just right for you and your group.

 http://www.cagbalete.com/

RIZAL: Chasing Waterfalls

 Tanay boasts its wonders of waters, the falls of Daranak and Batlag. If it wasn't for my eldest sister's invitation, I would not have seen the waterfalls of Tanay. 

An entrance fee of PhP20 gives you an experience to see Daranak Falls. Sad it is for me that I wasn't able to take a plunge as I didn't bring any changing clothes with me that time. 

Within the vicinity of where Daranak Falls is is another waterfall known as Batlag Falls. However, a separate fee is being collected, Php50 in fact. Please be mindful that they are vigilant to customers bringing SLR cameras. Just contest that you are an amateur photographer and they will let you pass. Having said that, they charge different fees if you will use the place as a shot location. 

ILOILO: Jaro District, Iloilo City

On my second day in the island of Panay, I insisted to at least step on the nearby province of Iloilo, which is adjacent to Capiz. My attempt of visiting Miag-ao failed due to time constraint. Nevertheless, I decided to stay in Jaro instead. First on the list: The Jaro Cathedral, also known as the Shrine of Our lady of Candles. The church is originally under the patronage of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. 

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In front of the church is a stair that leads to an enclosed image of Our lady of Candles. Many devotees come here and forget not to offer a prayer for their personal intentions

ight across the cathedral is its belfry. Unusual it is for me to see a church with its bell tower not adjacent to it. It was my first time to see such architecture in person and at first I wondered if it was another structure not akin to the church.

My visit to Iloilo won't be complete without tasting Lapaz Batchoy. This made me taste chicken liver without even noticing it. 

CAPIZ: A Visit To My Mother's Hometown

     Upon setting foot on the land where my mother was born, my ever supportive nanay asked his sister where the church of Panay is. Good thing she knows and we decided to go there first after fetching us at the Roxas airport. 

     The church is probably one of oldest churches in the island of Panay and of the Philippines. It is under the patronage of Sta. Monica, mother of St. Agustine of Hippo. 

     The belfry houses the pride of Panay, the largest church bell in Philippines and second in Asia. It is made up of  around 70 sacks of coins which is said to be donated by the townsmen. Going up to the bell is open to the public but don't forget to ask permission from the curators of the church.

     The main altar shows antiquity, signifying its ages of splendor in the island.