April 14, 2018

San Pablo Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte


SAN PABLO ISLAND, HINUNANGAN, SOUTHERN LEYTE 📌

Just 15 minutes off the coast of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, this island is part of a twin set of islands, with the other equally beautiful, #SanPedroIsland (guide here: https://tinyurl.com/pongdaku). This little escape offers a white sand or coral beach experience, turquoise and crystal clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity for scuba diving, among other things. 

 HOW TO GET THERE 🚩

From Tacloban City 

🚐From Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for southbound vans or buses traveling to St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. Ensure that it is passing through the town of Silago, because some St. Bernard-bound PUVs traverses Sogod town, which is a long way around. Ask to be dropped off at Brgy. Canipaan, Hinunganan, Southern Leyte, at the jump-off point to San Pablo and San Pedro Islands. Travel time from Tacloban takes around 2 hours.

From Canipaan Jump-off Point 

The pump boat ride to San Pablo Island takes around 10-15 minutes from the shores of Canipaan. You can rent a whole boat service which is a round-trip, price ranges from Php1,000.00-1,500.00 depending on your haggling skills. You can also take a one-way trip at only Php20.00-30.00, but this works like any other public transport, meaning you'll have to wait until it gets full to leave.

I also have a "suki" that you may contact; Angelo Zoilo (+639058242330), "sukis" come in handy because you can contact them before you plan your trip.


WHAT TO DO THERE 🚩
  • GO SWIMMING, the greenish blue hue of the crystal clear waters in the island will surely entice you to jump off the boat immediately! 💦
  • RELAX & ENJOY THE VIEW, take a selfie or a groufie, and appreciate God's wonderful creations. 📷
  • SEAFOOD, whether you brought your own or just bought the freshest of fish from the islanders, beach will always be equals seafood! 🐟
  • SCUBA DIVING, San Pablo Island's reef is so rich you'd be amazed, you can see crabs, colorful fish like clownfish, starfish, corals, and even small sharks! 🐠🦀
  • SKIM BOARDING, at the pacific side, a good ratio of fine white sand and medium sized waves await the skim boarder in you. 🌊
  • GO CAMPING, no island adventure is ever so complete without spending a night there, pitch a tent and explore the island! 🌞




OTHER MUST VISIT SITES AT THE PACIFIC SIDE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE
  • Whale Skeleton Display (at Silago, So. Leyte) 
  • Tubod Rocky River (at Brgy. Tubod, Silago, So. Leyte) 
  • Silago Rainforest (at Silago, So. Leyte) 🐗🌳
  • Tal-ay Ridge (at Hinunangan, So. Leyte) 
  • Calag-itan Fish Sanctuary (at Hinunangan, So. Leyte) 🐚
  • 📍Mainit Hot Spring (at Anahawan, So. Leyte) 
  • 📍Cabalian Lake & Volcano (at San Juan, So. Leyte)  
  • 📍An-an White Beach & Rock Formations (at Hinundayan, So. Leyte) 
  • 📍Hindag-an Falls (at St. Bernard, So. Leyte) 
  • 📍Molopolo Beach (at Liloan, So. Leyte) 
  • Tagbak Marine Park (at Liloan, So. Leyte) 








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December 8, 2017

Travel Guide: Hanginan, Maasin City, Philippines


A friendly community 400 meters above sea-level, this quaint Barangay offers breathtaking views of Maasin City & the Bohol Sea, great Bibingka (rice cupcakes baked in tin can ovens), & of course, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Eastern Visayas; will give you a wonderfully soulful experience as you enter the shrine of St. Francis Xavier, whose image is sought by many as it is told & witnessed to have healing effects when touched, & he is said to intercede our most sincere prayers to the Lord Almighty.

HOW TO GET THERE 

From Tacloban City 

From Tacloban City Bus Terminal, board a bus/van bound for Maasin City, Southern Leyte, disembark at their bus terminal; travel time takes around 3.5 hrs, fare at Php220.00.

From Maasin City 
There are two ways to climb Hanginan, for adventurous travelers, you can hike it up, down from the foothill at Brgy. Isagani (Option A), or you can ride/drive a concrete paved road up from Brgy. Sorosoro (Option B).

Option A (via Brgy. Isagani)
  • From the terminal, board any motorcab-for-hire and ask to be dropped off at Brgy. Isagani, Maasin City, at the foothill of Hanginan, fare's at Php15.00. 
  • Hike up Hanginan will take around 45 minutes, on a steep 3-kilometer trail, which is worth it considering the calories you burn, & the spectacular views that is Maasin City from 400 meters up. 

Option B (via Brgy. Sorosoro)

  • From the terminal, look for green colored motorcabs (their route is Brgy. Sorosoro, Maasin City), & ask to be dropped off at their local Habal-habal (single motorcycle taxis) terminal, fare is Php11.00.
  • From Brgy. Sorosoro, the Habal-habal ride will only take you around 5-10 mins. to reach the stairway up to the Shrine, fare is Php60.00, or Php120.00 back and fort, & the driver will wait, & then bring you back down Brgy. Sorosoro after. 
  • There is still a small climb up the stairs worth a few drops of sweat before you reach the Chapel, it'll take around 10-15 minutes.


WHAT TO DO THERE
  • Say your prayers, light a few candles, and never miss a chance to touch St. Francis Xavier's image at the Chapel. 
  • ENJOY THE VIEW, take a selfie or a groufie, and appreciate God's wonderful creations. 
  • Try their BIBINGKA, get them while they're hot, at only Php5.00 each (Php60.00 a dozen + freebie). 
  • Take home a few souvenirs, a printed shirt, or just a few keychains, it's up to you. 


OTHER MUST VISIT SITES AT MAASIN CITY AND NEARBY TOWNS
  • Monte Cueva 
  • Mama Mary Shrine 
  • Maasin City Zoo and Forest Park 
  • Cagnituan Falls
  • Tangkaan Beach (at Padre Burgos, So. Leyte) 
  • Limasawa Island 
  • Canigao Island (at Matalom, Leyte) 






Wanna know a little more about Hanginan, check out my blog post!

March 22, 2016

Travel Guide: San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, So. Leyte


San Pedro Island is one of the twin set of islands off the coast of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. Although not as famous as the other white-sand islands in Leyte like Kalanggaman and Canigao, San Pedro Island also has its fair share of a beautiful white pebble beach, crystal clear waters, rich marine life, and picturesque views of sunrise and sunsets.

How to Get There
 Aeroplane from Manila or Cebu
There are passenger flights from Manila to Tacloban, or Cebu to Tacloban, every day. If you're from Manila, the flight takes at least an hour and fifteen minutes. If you're from Cebu, it takes about forty five (45) minutes. After touchdown, head for the Tacloban City Bus Terminal. You can rent a taxi or a transfer service from the airport.

Tacloban City
At the Tacloban City Bus Terminal, look for southbound vans or buses that are traveling to St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. Make sure that the PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) traverses through Silago municipality, because some PUVs bound for St. Bernard, go the other route via Sogod. Travel time to the town of Hinunangan spans from two (2) hours to two (2) and a half. You'll have to tell the driver to be dropped off at Brgy. Canipaan, this is the jump-off point to either San Pedro or San Pablo islands.

The pump boat ride to San Pedro or San Pablo Islands ranges from 15-25 minutes. You can either rent the whole boat for a two (2) way service or you can take a one (1) way ride to the island, but you’ll have to wait until the boat gets to max capacity before it leaves, and that’ll take a while.

You can rent any boat service to the island, but I highly suggest you look for Angelo Zoilo (+63-905-824-2330), not only is their service fast and friendly, but you can also ask for a discount, on account you make them your “suki”, (Filipino for person/s you prefer to do transactions with, frequently).

Cebu City via Ormoc City
Assuming that you’re going to Leyte through boat, you’ll have to board either a fast-craft or a ferry liner via Cebu City Port. Large ferry ships take about seven (7) hours to get to Ormoc City, Leyte, but just three (3) hours when you take a trip using fast-crafts. The Bus Terminal of Ormoc City is just beside the City Port, you can directly board a bus named Ms. Canipaan bound for Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, which takes around four (4) hours to travel.
Vista Beach Resort
What to Bring
San Pedro Island, or politically known as Barangay San Pedro, Hinunangan, has a sustainable community of less than five hundred (500) people. Because of the influx of tourists, visitors, and for the consumption of the locals, the island has small convenience stores (Sari-sari stores in Filipino), that sell items for immediate needs such as canned goods, liquor and beer, preserved food, rice, soap, shampoo, some other toiletries, and spices if you want to cook food yourself.

Although there are Sari-sari stores in the island, you have to remember that these are only limited, so it’s better to bring the things that you need and buy them from the mainland, and it is relatively cheaper this way too! They also have cottages that you can rent that have its own Abuhan, where you can cook food using charcoal or firewood. Down below is the list of things I’ll advise you to bring.

Food and Beverages
Do remember that you have to bring food that can easily be prepared and cooked in the island. This includes marinated meat for barbecue, seafood, etc. This also means you’ll either have to grill or stew your food. You can also buy fresh fish from the local fishermen. If you’ll be cooking food in the island, bring your own cooking utensils such as casseroles, knives, etc. Bring charcoal and a lighter as well. The usual utensils for eating must also be present; plates, spoons and forks, glasses, etc. Also bring at least two (2) liters of potable water per person, per day. To keep your drinks cold, and your food from getting bad immediately, I suggest you bring a cooler and fill it with lots of ice.

Clothing and Toiletries
The amount of clothes you should bring depends on how frequent you’ll have to change.  I suggest you bring at least three (3) sets of fresh clothes, per day. One for bathing at the pristine and cool beach, one  fresh set after taking a dip, and another in reserve. I also suggest you double the amount of underwear, just to be sure. Girls, don’t forget to bring your own napkins or tampons, just in case they don’t sell it in the island. If you plan to stay at a resort, you can use their toilet and shower for free. We went to Vista Beach Resort, where they have concrete cottages and rooms for rent. They also sell toiletries such as soap, etc., in case you weren’t able to bring any. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a first aid kit, sunscreen, and mosquito cream.

Camping Equipment
Like all other nature excursions, you have to at least bring tent/s. This is to keep your food, clothing, and other items inside safe, assuming you leave camp and explore the island. I also suggest bringing picnic mats, and for those who don’t like to stay inside the tent, bring a sleeping bag. You can also bring rechargeable lights and portable powerbanks for use at night. Some resorts on the island offer rooms for overnight stays. The island has limited electricity which is turned on at 6:00 PM and then turned off at 9:00 PM, you can have your electronic gadgets charged at the resort or you can rent electric outlets from the residents’ homes. Also keep in mind that these resorts offer basic accommodations only.

Sports Gear
San Pedro Island offer medium sized waves good for skim boarding or surfing, on the Pacific side. They also have good underwater biodiversity if you want to go scuba diving or snorkeling. If you want to catch fresh fish, you can bring your fishing equipment. All these water sports activities can be done, but you’ll have to bring them all yourself as there aren't any on the island.


Budget and Expenses
The most important part of the trip’s planning; BUDGETING! Tabulated below is list of the expenses you will individually make. This estimate is supposing that you’re traveling from Tacloban or Ormoc City, you’re with a group of ten (10) people, and you’re staying overnight.
 Specifics
Breakdown / Explanation
Your Cost
Group Cost
Bus or Van
Php 140.00 for a one (1) way ride
P 280.00
P 2,800.00
Boat Ride
Php 1,500.00 for a two (2) way rented service, travels any time you please; or
P 150.00
P 1,500.00

a one (1) way trip per person, but you’ll have to wait until the boat is on full cap.
P 20.00
-
Cottage
Cottage with seating capacity of 10-15 people, with use of makeshift kitchen
P 250.00
P 250.00
Food
Php 450.00 per meal for 10 people (Fish: 1 Kilo, Meat: 1 Kilo, Rice: 1 Kilo); includes lunch & dinner for the 1st day, and breakfast & lunch for the 2nd 
P 180.00
P 1,800.00
Miscellaneous
Includes other necessary items, for personal use, etc.
P 140.00
P 1,400.00
Entrance & Camping Fee
They’re trusting you to leave zero footprint, so don’t litter, don’t vandalize, and don’t harm local flora or fauna
FREE
FREE
     TOTAL
P 1,000.00
P 7,750.00

Notes and Reminders
  • San Pedro Island community offers the visit to the island for free.
  • You can set up camp almost anywhere on the island, but please don't litter.
  • They have clean water safe for drinking and/or bathing, but it is only limited.
  • Some locals operate Sari-sari stores that sell preserved food, toiletries, and liquor.
  • Although they have resorts, they're only basic, so don't expect too much.
  • They have limited electricity turned on at 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 
  • Don't start a fire over the white sand or pebbles because it'll get discolored, you can cover it with some soil that you can get from further inland.
  • Some rare birds and wildlife can be seen on the island, they're not doing anything to you, except amaze you, so please don't do anything to them.
  • Bring a large garbage bag so you can collect the trash of the whole group and dispose of it properly after you get back to the mainland.
  • Don't forget to take pictures!

There you have it! Your travel guide and tips to spending a day or two at the beautiful island of San Pedro, in the town of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte! 

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