December - January 2010

 

Unspoiled beaches, rodeos, and stunning underwater creatures are proving a star draw for the province

Masbate province, a group of islands between the provinces of Bicol and Samar, is famous for its manta rays, unspoilt beaches, and cattle and horse breeding. Its Rodeo Masbateño festival is held in March and sees local cowboys show off their skills. The three major islands – Masbate, Ticao, and Burias – are largely undeveloped as a tourist destination, but this does not detract from its appeal. Accommodation is rather limited, but we’ve researched a few choices.

Stay
A good beachfront hotel in the city is the Baywalk Garden Hotel. The resort has air-conditioned rooms and hot and cold showers. The 18 rooms are not very fancy but clean and the service is good. Boulevard Extension, Masbate City, Tel: +6356/ 333 6648, +63939/ 430 1429. • The Rendezvous Beach Resort in Punta Nursery is recommended for larger groups as it has four dormitories that can accommodate 20 people in each room. Khokak Beach Resort in Cataingan at the south of Masbate City, owned by the Kho family of Masbate, has first class Italian-styled cabins overlooking a man-made beach. There are 10 two-storey guest houses and there are plans to build a hotel, a golf course, a wedding gazebo, shooting range, and club house. The resort, apart from its own patch of beach, has a forest for trekking, and offers visits to a ranch and an island trip to Sibugay and some small islets near it. In Ticao Island, visitors can check-in at the Ticao Island Resort in Tacdungan. For more details on Ticao Island Resort, contact +6352/ 480 2266 and 820 1483.

Dine
Cool breeze from the bay and the freshest catch from the sea are served side by side in Chill out at the Rendezvous Beach Resort, a favorite among travelers and tourists. For local specialties, grab a table at the nearby Amperez Bar and Grill. Amerez Bar and Grill, Punta Nursery; Tel: +6356/ 333 2331. • Joe’s Pizza in Zurbito Street is a good place to drop by if you’re looking for pizza in Masbate; while Winvels Restaurant and Port Zirteas Café in Mabini serve one of the best brews in town. Port Zirteas Café Tel: +63917/ 838 4979; Joe’s Pizza Tel: +6356/ 333 2166; Winvels Restaurant Tel: +6356/ 333 2532, +6356/ 333 5814. • If you want a different view of Masbate City, try the floating restaurant that cruises Masbate Bay that offers live music.

Dive
Ticao Pass recently became famous for its Manta Bowl, a shallow part of the pass where manta rays gather to feed and get cleaned by wrasses like remora fish from December to May. Mantas are the largest but most harmless rays in the world and are mostly found in tropical waters. They can grow up to nine meters (29.5 feet) wide and weigh around three tons (1,350kg).
The pass also attracts whalesharks, hammerheads, and thresher sharks, thanks to its proximity to Donsol in Sorsogon, a famous whaleshark diving site. Whalesharks visit the island as early as November but diving season starts from February to May. For dives, contact Marti Calleja at +6352/ 480 2266 of Dive Ticao.

SEE
Visit Bugsayon Marine Sanctuary in Brgy. B. Titong, a 50-hectare marine sanctuary, about 30 minutes by motorboat from Masbate City. A likewise nearby sanctuary is the 250-hectare Buntod Reef Sanctuary, a white sandbar in the waters of Brgy. Nursery and Brgy. Tugbo. • Birdwatchers should flock to Pawa Mangrove Ecosystem and Wildlife Park in Brgy. Pawa for bird sightings like the stripe-headed rhabdornises. The Matangtubig Spring in Montreal is also worth visiting as the water allegedly comes from three sources and comes out from a rock. For more information on how to visit these sites, contact the Masbate government office at +6356/ 333 5608.


Swim
Masbate also has numerous beaches in all three islands. In Aroroy alone, tourists can choose between Aroroy Beach, Cambatang Beach, and Cangyat Beach. The beaches are white-sand and good for afternoon strolls.
The fine white beach in San Isidro, Claveria stretches to four kilometers with views of coral reefs from the shore while the Ki-albay River and Beach, also in Claveria, has well-polished pebbles and a sandy bottom. Talisay Beach in Ticao Island and Cadulou Beach are good sights for swimming and sunbathing.
Explore. The Limestone Hills in Kalanay, Aroroy are famous ancient burial sites. The hills are believed to have been inhabited by the Kalanay people, an indigenous tribe in the province of Masbate. Another burial site is the Underwater Cave in Boca Engaño, where there are carved-out human caskets made from solid wood.
Three lighthouses dating back to the Spanish era can also be explored. These are the Colorado Lighthouse and Bugui Point Lighthouse in Aroroy and the Jintolo Lighthouse in Jintolo Island.

Trek
A trek to Catandayagan Falls in Ticao Island is also a must for adventure travelers. The water cascades from 60 feet to a lagoon where numerous species of fish thrive. The falls can be reached by motorboat. Two other falls worth mentioning are Kalanay Falls in Nabingig, a good spot for horseback riding, and Alta Vista Falls in San Fernando, Ticao Island, a unique waterfall that is about 45 feet high.

Island hop
Island hopping tours are also recommended, especially since Masbate is mostly composed of smaller islands. Drop by Sombreno Island in San Pascual, the Cagpating Island in Montreal for a panoramic view of Masbate Island, and Tinalisay Island in Burias for swimming and sunbathing.

The islands in Dimasalang – Veagan, Macaraget Hamorawan and Daguit-Daguit — are spots for scuba diving and windsurfing. The white-sand beaches in Mataba-Tinigban to Napayaun Islands in Aroroy and Puting Island in Claveria are also worth a look.  

For more information on the Manta Ray Conservation Program in Masbate, contact Blue Zoo Heritage Society at +632/ 899 3648.