Camiguin is located in the northern part of Mindanao and was formerly a part of Misamis Oriental. The name of the island came from the Spanish word, Kamagong, a tree abundant in the area where the Manobos lived.
The Spaniards, named the island, Camiguing, from the native languange of Manobos, Kinamigin. According to the locals, Camiguin was created because of volcanoes. They say much of the island was made of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Mt. Hibok-Hikok, a very popular hiking trail to mountaineers, can be found in Camiguin, along with six other volcanoes.
The Spaniards, named the island, Camiguing, from the native languange of Manobos, Kinamigin. According to the locals, Camiguin was created because of volcanoes. They say much of the island was made of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Mt. Hibok-Hikok, a very popular hiking trail to mountaineers, can be found in Camiguin, along with six other volcanoes.
The province is the second smallest island in the Philippines. A day tour of the island is possible.
JUNE 28, 2015 - DAY 5
After our visit to White Sand Island, a 15-minute boat ride from Mambajao, we headed to our next stop in Camiguin Island. The Walkway to the Old Volcano leads up to the peak of Mt. Vulcan. It is a holy place with a 14 Stations of the Cross to the top.
Aside from the Old Volcano Ruins, we visited the Gui-ob Church Ruins. It is located in Bonbon and was the result of an earthquake in the 1800s. Adobe mixed with coral stones remains the church. Located in the area is the Century Old Tree which towers meters high and adjacent the tree is the Bonbon Parola.
Aside from abundant volcanoes and diving spots, a series of waterfalls also cascade in the island. Going to these falls, an abundant bamboos rises from the ground.
The first falls we visited was the Tuasan Falls. One will have go through a very scenic hike passing before being refreshed under the thunderous falls. The 25-meter falls looked sublime with the rock formations as it cascades from the top.
The Katibawasan Falls is a 250-feet majestic beauty rushing to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. It is the tallest falls in Camiguin with its ice-cold waters which provide an ideal summer splash to the visitors.
The Sto. Rosario Church in Sagay was an interesting heritage site in the island. It is also called the Green Church with its use of organic and indigenous materials. Green fern grows on the arch and sides of the church’s facade. Coral stones and bare cement was used for the walls. A noticeable interior design of the church made it unique from other churches. Hanging from the ceiling were fans made from branches and twigs. The altar was made of indigenous lumber and wood decorated with corals. Although reinforcements and use of steel trusses can be seen, this is just to give support and maintain the stability of the church.
The Sto. Nino Cold Spring holds a variety of pools. It has a 2 meters deep of cold spring water sprouting from the sandy bottom. The area has a restaurant, native cottages, picnic huts, cookout facilities and restrooms for visitors.
We met Team Juan Big Fight in the area. Both teams tried the dessert for only 10php per piece. It was already passed lunch time so we decided to eat here as well. Outside the Spring are cottages and kitchens with karaokes. Deeper in the area are small bahay kubo or nipa huts where the locals and employees of the establishment lived. We rested in one of the cook’s place, helped along with the cooking and had conversations with them.
The Sunken Cemetery, marked with a huge cross (or the Cross Marker), was once an area in this old town. A huge cross marker has been installed by the provincial government to mark the community cemetery that sunk during an volcanic eruption, same eruption which triggered the collapse of the Gui-ob Church. According to the locals, gravestones were visible during low tide years ago. Nowadays, it is an interesting diving site. We got a chance to snorkel and see corals and fishes of different kinds. Near the Cross Marker were crosses that are now inhabited by algae and fishes.
Since we’re checking a lot of things from our bucket list, we tried rice planting. It was definitely an experience worth remembering.
It was time to try our bravery and put ourselves to the test. Mischa and Cheloi tried the double zipline while I tried the paddle boat.
<Aside from hopping from one tourist stop to the next, we didn’t forget to buy souvenirs and make our own bracelets and keychains. Aside from these, we visited the J&A Fishpen Resort, Ardent Hot Spring, Soda Water Pool, the Phivolcs Center along the side of Mt. Hibok-Hibok which gives a good vantage point of the island, and the Tres Marias Mountains. We landed the best tour with all-in accommodations, airport transfers, entrances to selected places, and tour! Next stop on our Ph leg is Cagayan De Oro!
Here's a video compilation by Mischa de Guzman
FOOTNOTES:
Credits to Mischa De Guzman & Cheloi Marasigan, Ate Nicky & Kuya Godfrey, Cebu Pacific Air & Primetime Creatives | Mambajao, Camiguin | June 2015
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