Masbate’s enchanting islands

Not much is known about Masbate, except that it is dubbed as the “Rodeo Capital of the Philippines.” Other than that, it’s the same old Spanish and American colonial stories written about it in every travel book. But cruising the waters of the province reveals a story dying to be told... It is blessed with the most talented and courageous Filipinos, an abundant livestock, and the most scenic panorama of islands I’ve seen. The name “Masbate” was derived from “mas bati,” which means “whipped or beaten more,” referring to how the sea often hammers the islands with big waves. Besides typhoons, it is also affected by ‘habagat’ and ‘amihan.’ This means that at least some parts of the province are “whipped” or “beaten” by waves. The story goes on to say, however, that the waves also bring countless blessings and so “mas bati” can also mean “more blessed.”

Masbate lies exactly at the center of the Philippine archipelago, looking like an arrowhead with its tip pointing towards the north and enclosing the Asian Gulf which extends up to the Visayan Sea. The province is composed of three main islands, namely: Masbate (capital of the province); Ticao and Burias. Several islets could be found encircling its territory especially on the north of the Visayas and southwest of the Bicol Peninsula. It is also surrounded by the rich fishing grounds of the Asid Gulf, Sibuyan Sea, Masbate Pass, Ticao Pass, Visayan Sea, and Samar Sea.

Masbate’s pristine topography is filled with limestone hills, sea cliffs, springs, waterfalls, underground and underwater caves.

It has several enchanting islands with glittering white sand and coconut tree-rimmed beaches, well-polished pebbles, crystal clear water, and rich marine life, which are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The Bituon Beach Resort in Mobo, particularly, also has facilities for conferences, seminars, and training.

Our island cruise continued on to Bongsanglay Mangrove Park where the main attraction is the biggest and oldest tree in the country. This old Piapi tree towers at about 90 feet and has a diameter (trunk) of about 1,000 cm.

Two large caves in Masbate, the Batongan Cave in Mandaon and the Kalanay Cave in Aroroy, are known worldwide as ancient burial caves. These are also believed to have been inhabited by the Kalanay people who came from Indochina between 400 and 100 BC. These early inhabitants practiced jar burials, and artifacts were excavated and yielded human bones.

Likewise, 10th century porcelain jars were excavated in the 1930’s from the ruins of cave-like dwellings along some of its coastal towns.

Ancestral houses are everywhere in the island. Lighthouses built during the Spanish and American colonial era also dot its coastline. A dilapidated stone church, which was built on Burias Island in 1569, is a mute legacy of Fray Alfonso Jimenez, who led the Spaniards in colonizing and Christianizing Masbate.

On our way back to Masbate City, our group passed by the majestic Catandayagan Falls located in the town of San Jacinto. The cascading falls from atop a mountain flowing directly to the blue seawaters could be seen by boat along Ticao Island.

Bicol Tourism Director Nini Ravanilla said that they are offering a three-day/ three-night tour package to Masbate. This tour package consists, for the first day, a cattle farm visit where the visitor will be taught how to lasso a cattle plus a sumptuous roasted beef for lunch. The afternoon will be for a milkfish and shrimp fishing rodeo at ponds near Masbate City with a seafood buffet dinner at Bituon Beach Resort. The second day will be for island hopping to the Gato snake isle, Seabirds sanctuary in Borobancaso, and Bongsanglay Marine Sanctuary Reserve. On the third day, the tour will be capped by a half-day swim at Bituon Beach and an afternoon shopping for local souvenirs.

For accommodations, the island province has two class "A" resorts, the DoT-accredited Bituon Beach Resort in Mobo and Altamar Resort in San Jacinto, Ticao as well as the Rendezvous Resort and Lounge and the MG Hotel, both in Masbate City.

It was a surprise to me that there is more to Masbate than its humid weather and vast grazing lands teeming with cattle. Masbate is one of the country’s undiscovered treasures. It is best if you go here, see and experience everything for yourself, take a boat, and be enchanted.

[ Catandayagan Falls Wiki | Underwater Cave Wiki ]