ITINENARY

WELCOME!

WELCOME!

CHOOSE MASBATE!

BAT-ONGAN CAVE

Located 1.5 kilometers inland in the town of Mandaon, near Masbate City. It is said that the caves were used as burial grounds in the old days. Within the area, a hike will lead visitors to an underground waterfalls. We were so tired we skipped the waterfalls and just saw another falls from up the hill. Our knees were trembling after traversing two hills we couldn’t muster the strength to go down the falls.

FAZENDA DE ESPERANCA

Fazenda is a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol dependents in the town of Milagros, run by the religious.. The community of Fazenda Masbate has established different working sectors: Dairy, Rice, Bakery, Vegetable Garden, T-Shirt Printing etc. Through this, the community is earning the money for the daily operations.

RANCH LIFE

I had the privilege of a preview of a tourism package that is to be a major draw of Masbate, RANCH LIFE. We were guests in the ranch of the president od Rodeo Masbateno, Inc, an amiable gentleman everyone calls Judge Sese.

LASALA BEACH

Lasala Beach was used as “command post” when Secretary Robredo’s plane crashed and President Noy Aquino took cahrge of the failed rescue operations. A small picnic hut has been called “Little Malacanang” by the locals since it is from this small hut where the President met with his cabinet who were with him.

BALUD LIGHTHOUSE

P150 fare on a van to Calumpang in the town of Balud. Approximately 2 hours, with the last 45 minutes on bumpy, rather dusty road. Good thing the van is air-conditioned. Transfered to a boat to the island of Jintotolo, landing on the BarabgayCantil shores. A short hike up, or an easy “habal-habal” (back-ride on a motorbike) to this other centuries-old lighthouse.

AROROY LIGHTHOUSE

Took a 1 1/2 hour ride on a van from the Masbate Transport Terminal. Van fare was P80. From Aroroy, took a boat to Punta Bugui, at P50 per person. This centuries-old lighthouse is a short walk up the hill.

CATANDAYAGAN FALLS

The only waterfalls I have seen that empties its waters straight into the sea. Accessible by boat, the falls is actually part of the nearby Ticao Island, in the town of San Jacinto.

BUNTOD REEF

Buntod is a marine sanctuary that is most likely the most popular destination. It is accessed from right at the city, at the wharf of Rendezvous Hotel. On our frist trip to Buntod, we went to still another destination, a cove about 30 minutes away.

PRICING INFORMATION

HOW TO GET THERE

RELIGION

About 91% of the population are members of the Catholic Church (Statistics by Diocese Hierarchy, 2014). Devotional practices such as the rosary, novenas to saints, and other religious manifestations as processions, the Misa de Gallo and Holy Week traditional activities are still very much part of the way of life of most parishioners. The Diocese of Masbate was created on March 23, 1968, separating it from the Diocese of Sorsogon. It comprises then, and now, the civil province of Masbate with its 121 islands including the two larger ones Burias and Ticao. It is now a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Caceres. Its titular patron is St. Anthony of Padua.

There are a total 22 parishes in the Diocese of Masbate, ministered to by 43 priests and 11 religious sisters. It has 1 minor seminary, 4 pastoral centers, 3 elementary schools, 6 high schools, 1 college and 7 kindergarten schools. And among its faith communities are 20 BEC's 46 neo-catechumenal communities, 11 mandated organizations and 3 charismatic groups. Other denominations include the Aglipayan Church, the Members Church of God International, popularly called Ang Dating Daan, Jesus Miracle Crusade, Iglesiani Cristo (Church of Christ) which also functions many religious and social events in the province, as well as Baptist, Methodist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist and other Christians. Non Christians are also present which is commonly represented by Moslems.

LANGUAGE

The people speak predominantly Masbateño (or Minasbate, the language unique to the province related to Visayan languages) and to lesser degree, Bicolano. Other Visayan languages are also spoken, with 33% of the population speaking Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, mainly in the towns of Balud, Mandaon and the southwestern part of Milagros, while the remaining 9% speak Cebuano, especially in the towns of Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz and Placer. In northeastern Burias Island, they speak Bicolano similarly as the people of Camarines Sur and Albay, due to the island’s proximity to the Bicol Region mainland. The people generally speak fluent English and Filipino, though is seldom used everyday.

GEOGRAPHY

The province lies roughly at the center of the Philippine archipelago, between latitudes 11°43’ north and 123°09’ east and 124°5’ east. It is bounded on the north by Burias and Ticao Pass, east by San Bernardino Strait, south by the Visayan Sea, and west by the Sibuyan Sea. Relative to mainland Bicol, the province faces the southwestern coasts of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon areas. Masbate covers a total area of 4,151.78 square kilometres (1,603.01 sq mi). [4]  

The general surface configuration of the province ranges from slightly undulating to rolling and from hilly to mountainous. In each island, the rugged topography is concentrated in the northeastern portion and gradually recedes to blunt hills and rolling areas in the south, southeast, and southwest.

HISTORY

Ruins of cave-like dwellings, possibly built by Indians that accompanied the traders, were discovered along the coasts of Aroroy, Palanas and Masbate. Masbate was then visited by the Chinese merchants, who established small settlements during the Srivijaya and Majapahit periods. Porcelain jars dating back to the 10th century were excavated at Kalanay Cave in Aroroy town in the 1930s.Historical accounts showed that Christianization of the Bicol Region actually began in Masbate in 1569. When Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman anchored in Masbate in 1569, he found settlements spread along the coastlines with its people engaged in flourishing trade with China.Father Alonso Jimenez was the first missionary to the islands of Masbate, Burias, Leyte and Samar.He then went to Ibalon in Camarines Province, where he resided for many years. He made several religious incursions in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon, but he was considered as the apostle to the island of Masbate.In December 1600, Dutch Commander Admiral Oliver van Noorth sought refuge at San Jacinto Harbor after his fleet lost to a Spanish Armada in Manila. He was later engaged in a fierce clash with Limahong's fleet at Canlibas-Matabao passage.At the height of Galleon Trade, Mobo town contributed first class lumber for the construction of galleons, making it the center of trade in the province. It then became the capital of the islands in the early part of the Spanish occupation.In 1864, Masbate was declared a separate province from Albay. Guiom was made the provincial capital while Ticao became a commandancia-politicio-militar. But shortly before the declaration of Philippine Independence, the town of Masbate was declared as the capital of the province.The Americans came to Masbate in 1900 to extend their pacification campaign. In December 1908, Masbate was annexed to the province of Sorsogon. A bill declaring Masbate as independent province was approved on February 1, 1922.As early as 1906, Masbate lawmakers made proposal to the United States Congress to grant the Philippines independence.At the height of World War II, the first Japanese elements arrived in Masbate the dawn of January 7, 1942 from Legazpi. They landed in several places without facing opposition - the province was too stunned to mount any resistance.The Japanese occupation reduced Masbate to economic shambles. Economic activities were limited to fishing and buy-and-sell, among others. Food production came to a halt. Camote, pakol, banana blossoms, pith, and obscure fruits like barobo were used as food substitutes. Barter transaction prevailed. For lack of nutrition, many people succumbed to beriberi, dysentery and malaria. Lice and tick infestations were rampant.Dr. Mateo S. Pecson, governor of the province, refused to cooperate with the Japanese and evacuated the provincial government to Guiom, a command post used by the guerrillas. Pecson was arrested by the Japanese and incarcerated in Cavite where he managed to escape. He later joined the guerrilla movement in Central Luzon.In 1944, Provincial Board Member Jose L. Almario conspired with the Japanese to govern the province. During the Liberation, he was arrested by the guerrilla forces and was charged with collaboration. He was saved from execution by a letter from General MacArthur.Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, the lone Representative of Masbate, fought against a congressional bill forcing Filipinos into the service of the Japanese Empire, resulting to his detention in Fort Santiago in Manila.When the province was liberated by joint Filipino and American soldiers on April 3, 1945, Pecson was sent to Masbate by President Osmeña to organize the civil government. He took the reins of government on May 11, 1945.

Festivals in Masbate

Try and plan your visit to coincide with one of Masbate’s captivating festivities. Rodeo Filipino(every April) is second to none and features young cowboys proving their prowess riding wild steers and wrestling with fearsome bulls. It has a real ‘wild west’ atmosphere complete with open air barbecue feasting and lots of lively traditional music. Even more of an eye opener is the annualCorn Festival at San Ramon. This is a wild celebration best remembered for dance displays on glowing embers and fearless visitors are encouraged to take part.

Scuba diving in Masbate

Masbate’s number one attraction is its sublime coral reefs and there is plenty of underwater action for all levels. The waters of the Ticao Pass are a world class dive destination with frolicking whale sharks and vast schools of manta rays a common sight. There are few dive schools on the islands themselves. The best of the bunch is at Ticao Island Resort (Sitio Tacdugan, San Jacinto, Ticao Island, tel: +63 2 893 8173, mobile: +63 917 506 3554, fax: +63 2 893 8173, email: info@ticao-island-resort.com, website: www.ticao-island-resort.com) who can organize a full range of courses from beginners’ PADI open water to certified rescue diving.

Beaches in MasbateMasbate is blessed with perfect sandy beachesWherever you go in Masbate, you will never be far from a glorious white sandy beach or near deserted tropical offshore island. The entire coastline is fringed by picture perfect beaches such as Talisay Bay where you can get horizontal among swaying palms or indulge in some watersports. Veagan Island offers a similar idyllic escape. Even more spectacular and just as tranquil is the delightfully named Haya-Hay Beach which translates simply as ‘relax.’ Here you can stretch out in complete seclusion or take a mask and snorkel and glide over pristine coral reefs.

 

Masbate thoroughly deserves its reputation as an idyllic beach getaway and travellers can really experience a back-to-basics tropical island lifestyle here. It is becoming ever more popular for adventurous island hoppers but still exudes plenty of traditional charm and its tourist infrastructure blends in seamlessly with the enticing scenery. Masbate is also a firm favourite with seasoned scuba divers

. It possesses pristine reefs teeming with exotic marine life and snorkelling is accessible just offshore.

Attending one of Masbate’s lively village festivities is a must. The famous corn festival and the Rodeo Filipino are riotous and unique happenings that will definitely leave a lasting impression.
Getting involved in these traditional celebrations is a experience that will last a lifetime.

The three islands that make up Masbate province are ripe for adventurous day trips and have a biodiversity that many Philippines islands can only dream of. In addition to dreamy white sand beaches, there are steamy mangrove swamps, rugged mountains covered in dense forest, waterfalls and ancient underground caves. 

Immersing yourself in a little local culture is pretty easy and there are several traditional villages within easy reach of Masbate City. Ethnic ‘barangays’ such as Bantigue are open and welcoming to visiting tourists yet still remain true to ancient customs and tradition.

Masbate, officially the Province of Masbate (Masbateño: Probinsya san Masbate; Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Masbate; Cebuano: Lalawigan sa Masbate; Waray: Probinsya han Masbate; Central Bikol: Probinsya kan Masbate) is an island province in the Philippines located near the middle of the nation's archipelago. Its capital is Masbate City and consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias. Masbate is at the crossroads of two island groups: Luzon and Visayas. Being administratively assigned to the Bicol Region, it is politically part of the Luzon island group. However, from a biogeographic and sociolinguistic perspective, Masbate has a stronger affiliation with Visayas.