• Marc7 Travels
  • Marc7 Travels Blog Entries
  • Viajerong Pinoy
  • Explore Manila!
  • Contact
  marc7 travels



#GOT81: Howling with the Winds of Catanduanes

3/17/2018

1 Comment

 
Our plane touched down at 6.40am. I arrived 4 hours ahead of the group that I was suppose to join for this trip. As I stepped out of airport passenger terminal, the RORO that the group boarded just pulled out of Tabaco Port for their 4 hour sea trip to the province that is often referred to as the “Land of the Howling Winds”.
Picture
For a land that is always battered by heavy winds and rain, it is also a place where the promise of a better tomorrow is best viewed.
Catanduanes is an island province off the coast of the Bicol Peninsula facing the Pacific Ocean. Its location lies along the path of typhoons coming from the Pacific during the rainy season. It is for this reason that Catanduanes is more popularly referred to as the “Land of the Howling Winds” because it is one of the first to be battered by these often destructive typhoons.​
Picture
A soft landing in the land of the howling winds.
Catanduanes is the most progressive province in the Bicol Region with its economy rooted in agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Its provincial capital, Virac, is the center for commerce, education, and governance. It also serves as the main gateway to the province.
Picture
A typical day in Virac, the capital of Catanduanes.
There are a lot of interesting destinations to head off to when you find yourself in Virac. In fact, do not be surprised if local drivers will offer you package tours around the area. On this blog, I will be sharing with you the usual tourist route that most travelers take in search for Catanduanes’ howling winds.
 
Virac Cathedral
 
At the heart Virac is an imposing structure that dominates the skyline of the town. The Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion is the center of faith of the province.
​​
Picture
The grand interior of the Virac Cathedral.
You will be amazed at the grand interior of the church with its high ceiling and broad navel. The stained-glass windows are a marvel to see as the morning sun rays seep through these windows.​
Picture
The Virac Cathedral is undergoing a facelift.
Picture
The beautiful retablo of the Our Lady of Immaculate Concepcion.
Picture
The belfry dominates the skyline of Virac.
Adjacent to the the church is its belfry. The church is undergoing a facelift at the time of our visit so there is not much to see on its facade except for the huge church doors leading inside the church.
 
Twin Rocks Resort
 

One of the popular spots that I often come across on Instagram and travel blogs is Virac’s Twin Rocks. Since I had about 3 hours of lead time from the group, I decided to hop on a trike and head off to this famous Catanduanes landmark.
​
Picture
The iconic twin rocks of Virac.
Situated 20 minutes away from the town proper, the road to the resort offers amazing views of Catanduanes’ rice fields and hills. The morning breeze and the views was a good way to start our adventure.​
Picture
The iconic land formation is located within the resort of the same name.
Picture
The area is home of many rock formations.
The famous Twin Rocks is sits within the premises of a resort of the same name. For an entrance fee of Php50 per head, you have access to resort’s facilities and you are free to roam around the area. The resort has a pool, restaurant, picnic tables, and rooms for those intending to stay overnight at the resort.
Picture
The resort is a great place to relax and chill out.
The main attraction of the resort is its cream-colored sand cove where you can view the twin rock formations along its coast. The rock formation can be reached by foot during low tide as the waters are calm within the cove. The rugged rock formation jutting out of its waters create a dramatic seascape.
Picture
The resort offers a lot of activities to relax your mind and to get your adrenaline pumping.
For those who want a taste of adventure, one can try out the zipline or zipbike facility of the resort for an additional fee. Or you may opt to walk towards the outpost where you can try jumping from a platform into the cool waters of the cove.
Picture
To jump or not to jump… that is the question.
Unfortunately, I was not ready for this kind of adventure so I simply enjoyed chilling out by the beach while enjoying the view and the peaceful ambiance of the resort.
 
PAGASA Weather Station (Bato)
 
At 11am, the whole Bernation Catanduanes group met at the Virac Port and we boarded a van and headed off to our first stop - the PAGASA Weather Station. Typhoons are nothing new to Catanduanes. It is one of the places that receives the first blow of typhoons coming from the Pacific. It is no wonder that the country’s weather agency built a station that monitors these weather disturbances.
​​
Picture
The PAGASA Weather Station is one of the well-equipped stations in the country.
Situated atop one of the hills of Bato, the Catanduanes PAGASA Weather Station is one of the most advanced in the country. It was inaugurated in May 2012 and is one of the projects in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Picture
The weather station’s location offers an amazing view of Catanduanes’ seascape.
Picture
Picture
The real beauty of the weather station is not only on its advance equipments but on the amazing views of Catanduanes’ landscape and seascape. The summer skies matched perfectly with the provinces landscape.
 
Bato Church (Bato)
 
Standing majestically by the riverside, Bato Church, also known as the St. John the Baptist Church, is the one of the oldest in the province of Catanduanes. The church was completed in 1830 to replace the original wooden church.
​​
Picture
The beautiful Bato Church against a beautiful and rugged landscape.
The church was built from coral stones and its age is evident in its simple facade. Plants have started to sprout on some crevices of the church. The belfry sits on the second level of the facade. It is topped by a cuppola with a cross. The wings of the church bears the image of a female saint. The staircase leading to the doors adds drama to its beauty.
Picture
The beauty of the interior of Bato Church is something that is worth admiring.
The interior is a mix of the old and the new. The walls of the navel shows its age with parts of the wall covered with moss. The church’s inticately designed retablo stand out for its modern look and feel.
Picture
Standing in awe in front of Bato Church.
It is easy to fall in love with Bato Church. Its age and its history is a real beauty that stands out in the rustic and rugged Catanduanes landscape.
 
Sakahon Beach / Mamonglo Island (Bato)
 
Tucked on on the southern end of Bato is an unspoiled beach spot that glows with its golden sugar-like sand. The stretch of the beach is still in its raw state which made it very appealing. Mamonglo Island juts out of its waters, not far from the shore, and it resembles the shape of a turtle from afar. The beach is the jump off point of the Bote Lighthouse.
​​
Picture
The pristine beach of Sakahon.
There are no beach huts or establishments along the shoreline of Sakahon. The closest is about 300 meters away that is run by one of the locals.
Picture
The boats wait along the shoreline.
Picture
A view of Sakahon beach from the trail.
Sakahon Beach is a real beauty that is waiting to be discovered and I hope that when that time comes, the community is ready and equipped with a sustainable tourism program.
 
Bote Lighthouse / Nakangangang Buwaya
 
45 minutes of huffing and puffing on a steep uphill trail will bring you to the Bote Lighthouse. This modern lighthouse is perched atop a hill and surrounded by vegetation. But do not worry because you will be rewarded with an amazing 360-degree view of Catanduanes’ own version of rolling hills and the waters of the Pacific. The vantage point will also give you an amazing view of Nakangangang Buwaya - a strip of land on the eastern side of Bato that resembles the shape of a crocodile.
​​
Picture
The Bote Lighthouse can be reached after a 45-minute hike from Sakahon Beach.
A view of the Nakangangang Buwaya from the lighthouse.
A different view of Mamonglo Island from the lighthouse.
A view of the western side of the Bote Lighthouse.
The real challenge is getting to the top because of its rocky trail and the steep ascent that would literally leave you breathless. But then again, the amazing view from the top of the lighthouse makes the trek worth taking.
 
Maribina Falls (Bato)
 
Maribina Falls is one of the popular tourist spots in Catanduanes. One can explore and appreciate its natural beauty without having to go through tedious treks as vehicles can easily drive up right to its doorstep.
​
Picture
Admiring a fall from the bottom.
Conveniently located within the boundaries of Marinhawa and Binanhawan, Maribina Falls was named by combining the names of these villages. The attraction was developed as a picnic spot, complete with picnic huts, and is now being managed by the local government. Its facilities and accessibility make it a favorite weekend spot among the locals of Catanduanes. So you can expect the crowd to get pretty crowded during the weekend.
Picture
Maribina Falls is a beauty with its numerous downstream cascades.
Picture
The entrance of the Maribina Falls Park.
Picture
Maribina Falls from the top of its main cascade.
One will be amazed with the beauty of the falls as you watch mountain waters gushing down a 6-meter high rock face. The water cascades down a deep basin at its foot where one can easily enjoy a relaxing swim. The water then continues downstream in a series of mini-falls and small catch basins.
Picture
The upstream cascades of Maribina Falls.
There are many vantage points to choose from where you can get a good view of the falls. I opted to explore upstream where I got to view its beauty from the top of its main cascade.

Puraran Beach
 
With the howling winds from the Pacific, Catanduanes is one of the many spots on the eastern side of the Philippines where you can enjoy surfing. The winds from the eastern seaboard of the Philippines create powerful waves that could teach a newbie to surf and can challenge the experienced surfer.
​​
Picture
The rustic and secluded Puraran Beach.
At the heart of this surfing activity is Puraran Beach. Tucked in a secluded part of Baras, the beach exudes an appealing rustic feel. Its cream-colored sand and off-shore rock formation complete the vibe Puraran Beach. There are only a few establishments in the area and they are located a hundred meters away from the beach. This gives its guests a long and wide beachfront to explore and enjoy.
Picture
The homey wooden houses of Pacific Surfer’s Paradise.
You can try riding the waves of Puraran.
Or enjoy the sand and waters of the beach.
Or enjoy a great lobster meal by the beach.
Don’t expect a lot of activities by the beach. You can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or beach bumming along the stretch of its coast. Occasionally, you can probably enjoy a game or two of beach volleyball with other guests and locals. Or you can try to be a little more adventurous by learning how to surf and enjoy riding its waves. There are a couple of small restaurants in the area and, if you are lucky like us, you can grab a meal of freshly cooked lobster that were caught straight out of the waters of Catanduanes.​​
Picture
Puraran Beach is one spot that I would like to head back to in Catanduanes.
It is the best place to spend a night before heading off to a pre-dawn trip to Binurong Point.
 
Binurong Point
 
Of course, a trip to Catanduanes is not complete without checking out the prime tourist icon of the province - Binurong Point.
​
Picture
The relaxing feel of watching the sunrise in Binurong Point.
Located on the eastern coast of Catanduanes facing the Pacific Ocean, Binurong Point is one of the best places to catch the sunrise. The trip to Binurong Point starts out with a very early morning trip through the winding roads of Baras to its jump-off point. You would then have to register and get a guide for a 30 to 40 minute uphill trek to the viewing deck. You get to enjoy the beautiful star-filled sky and lush greeneries through the trek.
Picture
Different sunrise views at Binurong Point.
As we broke out onto the viewing point of Binurong, we already saw the first rays of the sun breaking out on the skyline. Binurong Point is a wide expanse of rolling hills and cliffs along the edge of Catanduanes’ eastern shoreline and there are many spots to choose from to sit down and watch the sunrise. We took our spot on one of its cliffside and watched a glorious morning being born. Watching the sunrise in Binurong Point was majestic. I was eagerly trying to catch photos of the morning sun breaking onto the sky from the Pacific but I stopped at one point just to enjoy its beauty.
Picture
The sun gave Binurong Point a different personality.
Picture
The rolling hills and cliffs of Binurong Point.
Picture
The best way to enjoy Binurong Point is to sit down and enjoy the view.
As the sun takes its usual course, it reveals the amazing landscape and seascape of Binurong Point. It is a combination of verdant green rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and crashing waves. The morning sun gave the whole scene a golden glow that made photos and selfies look better. You can explore the place and find your own spot in Binurong Point for that perfect shot.

Post Travel Notes:

Catanduanes is one of the many Philippine destinations that is slowly coming out of the shadows to reveal its very own proposition in tourism. Its rustic and rugged vibe make it appealing to travelers who are searching for something different. The province is popular among surfers, no doubt, but it has more to offer than just riding the Pacific waves. Its other natural and historical attractions have started to catch the attention of local travelers which is a good start.
Picture
Catanduanes goes beyond its howling winds on my next blog.
The winds may howl over Catanduanes but its beauty howls stronger. Even if typhoons smash into its landscape, the very same coastline promises a majestic view of the sun rising on the horizon. Nature has a funny sense of humor - the very land that it smashes with its destructive force is the same land where the promise of a new day is best viewed.​​
Getting there:  Virac is accessible by plane and by RORO. One can fly direct from Manila via Cebu Pacific with flights to Virac 3x a week. Alternatively, one can also take a plane to Legazpi City then take a one hour land travel to Tabaco Port where one can take the ferry to Virac or San Andres in Catanduanes. Major bus lines also ply the route of Manila - Tabaco Port or even Virac.
 
Our Catanduanes trip was organized by the FB travel organizer, Bernation, who mapped out our itinerary, transportation arrangements, and accomodations. Kudos to its head, Bernard, for a very smooth and organized trip. Highly recommended! Follow Bernation on Facebook to get more information on their upcoming trips.

Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment
ian | going place link
2/7/2019 10:18:03 pm

Beautiful exposure of Catanduanes... I hope its tourism boomed in the future yet remained affordable to budget visitors like me!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Home
    @viajerongpinoy
    #EXPLORemanila

    Marc del Rosario

    I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    July 2010
    January 2010
    August 2009

    RSS Feed