Uniquely CAMIGUIN

Located off the coast of Northern Mindanao about ten kilometers from Cagayan De Oro is the tiny island paradise of Camiguin. For the second time, I was able to recall countless facts I have learned during my first visit in this tiny pear-shaped island which locals also called "An Island Born Of Fire".

Here you can find Mt. Hibok Hibok and six other volcanoes which make the island known to have the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any place on earth. Camiguin is so small that one day is enough to see all the scenic spots all over the island. The soil is so fertile that anything you plant here will grow abundantly. Both hot and cold springs can be found in the island. The White Island is mysteriously located offshore ten-minutes away from the main island by boat, amazingly the only beach in the island with fine white sand.


Other must-see attractions are Katibawasan Falls, Old Catarman Ruins, Sunken Cemetery, Walkway To Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross. On top of everything, never miss the experience of being with fun-loving, deeply religious, friendly, hospitable and very hardworking Camiguingnons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Must-See Lanzones Festival

Camiguin, a small island on the northern tip of Mindanao, boasts the beauty of not just its natural wonders but of its friendliness of its people. Peaceful, almost spiritual, the island is the host to one of the most important festivals in the country - the Lanzones Festival - where people are dressed in lanzones leaves, stomping and dancing in the street as a tribute to this humble fruit which is one of the island's major source of income.

Why do I want to experience and join the festival?

It has been a long promise to myself to go back after being there almost eight years ago. And one of the reasons is the Lanzones Festival. That time, I was very eager to see and experience one of the liveliest and most welcoming festivals in the Philippines, but unfortumately I was three days late. Nonetheless, the people of Camiguin never stop welcoming people even after the festival. The warmest and friendliest smile greeted me as they offer the best of what their island has to offer.

The island, the people, the natural wonders, the Lanzones festival plus more - enough reasons to visit Camiguin again, and again, and again.


Experience MassKara Festival, Hermosa Festival and Lanzones Festival this October. Airphil Express flies daily to BACOLOD, ZAMBOANGA and CAGAYAN DE ORO from Cebu and Manila. Visit www.airphilexpress.com to book!

Get Charmed With CAMIGUIN ISLAND

Not so long time ago, digital cameras were considered prized commodity so I used to have a very reliable Canon still camera which I take along with my trips. I decided to scan and save soft copies of memorable photos taken from my travels some few years back.

The first of the series is my picture collection from Camiguin Island. An island on the northern tip of Mindanao. To get there, from Cagayan De Oro City, take the bus to Balingaoan Port. Then take a ferry to either Benoni or Mambajao Port, both are towns of Camiguin. A tricycle is enough for you to see  the entire island for one day.

 

Map of Camiguin Island

View of the island from the ferry

Mambajao Cathedral

Mt. Hibok-hibok

Old Catarman Ruins

Sunken Cemetery

Katibawasan Falls

From different parts of the island