0 BITUON BEACH RESORT OF MASBATE

This is one of the nicest beach resorts not just in the province but in the Bicol region. Though more beaches arising in the province, this is one of the pioneer resorts serving our foreign and local tourists alike. Masbate has some of the best kept secrets white sand beaches and clear blue water. 

When I set foot again in Masbate after so many years, I have decided to pay visit to this resort. Since going to my town will take 2 – 3 hours ride, I’ve decided to stay in the City for few hours and asked my cousin to take me here which is about few kilometers away.

Truly is a Star of Masbate, “Bituon” is a Visayan term which means “Star”, located in Bagacay, Mobo, Masbate and about 13 kilometers away from Masbate City. It is positioned in 90 hectares filled with coconut trees, and bamboos, and 1 kilometers beach line, seating in front of the beach sand, you have the view of nearby islands like Ticao and Burias, including neighboring provinces of Samar and Bicol region.

See also: Masbate your Ordinary Guide.

This resort is your next beach destination if you want to dismiss all the stress in the metro city.  The lush green beach land and the crystal clear water will be your friends while on vacation. Majestic mountains around the area will also provide a refreshing experience that is also open for some outdoor adventure.

This resort has more hotel rooms to offer. The Garden Villa room cost about Php 1,800 per night and Standard are Php 1,000. Garden Villa and Standard room are all equipped with Air Condition, clean relaxing bed, restroom, and TV with cable. However Garden Villa is perfect for family, it has refrigerator and sink.

They also accept guests on day tour, you can rent cottages. If you are on small group, you can rent Open Nipa for only Php 100 and for huge group you can get the Open Concrete for Php 200. These cottages are all equipped with power outlet and barbecue grill.

As far as the activities, there are a lot of things to do while on beach vacation. They have the bowling center with 6 bowling lanes, basketball and tennis court, and 3 billiard tables, perfect to play with your kids and friends. You can also request for some horseback riding and ATV. And for beach activities, experience to swim in turquoise-color seawater, you can also request the breath taking scuba diving, and experience whaleshark adventure – “Butanding”, just like in Donsol.

So please come and discover why this beach is perfect to relax and see if this pleases your dream beach vacation. Experience the hidden paradise where you can find the greatest adventure of your life.

Getting here is very easy, starting from Masbate City, you can ride tricycle or ride public jeepney, it will only take about 20 minutes trip. 

For reservation, please contact Ms. Divina Salvacion, see contact information below.

Mobile:

+63 917 6288996

+63 915 3048288

+63 915 3058888

Landline:

056 333 2197

Email:

bituonbeachmasbate@facebook.com

bituonbeachmasbate@yahoo.com.ph

bituonbeachmasbate@gmail.com

Website:

www.bituonbeach.com

2 How We Celebrate Barrio Fiesta!

The Philippines is one of the countries in the South East Asian region that celebrates the most number of festivals. Festival is normally refers to a religious holiday, and the word festival in the Philippines being one of the Spanish colonies is fiesta. It is the most common term to denote a religious feast to honor a patron saint. Fiesta is already part of the lives of Filipino and the endowment of Philippine culture.

The Banderitas, a colorful trimming used for Fiesta Banners 

As a Christian nation, we have different patron saints. Each will surely have an honoring date to celebrate. And that fiesta should push through whether in good or bad times. If you could only check the Department of Tourism's calendar of events you can say that we have it every month, and a couple of these festivities each month anywhere in the Philippines.

However with all these fiestas, expectations like street dancing with colorful costumes and sparkling dances, vivacious music and the gigantic props. This will only happen to some big cities in the country like in Sinulog, Ati-Atihan, Pintados, Masskara, and the mother of all fiesta - Aliwan Fiesta in Metro Manila. Ours is different, we’re living in a small Barrio so we don’t embrace the kind of activities. Instead, a simple celebration that each family has to prepare food and will have something to offer whenever visitors comes in. And when the night comes, Sayawan sa Plaza would be the next program.

What is that you cooking Kuyas? :)

Let's cook in a Big Kawa, two is better than one.

And this is one of the reasons why I love coming back home. Aside from haven’t seeing my parents for quite some time, I missed the place especially the people. When you get there you can’t seem to escape the moment of reminiscing, the places to which have been part of your life, and the people to which you can’t seem to recall their names but you fully remember their faces. Everything changed! I think the only thing in this world that will not change is change.

Our fiesta held annually of the 24th and 25th of May. It is a two-day celebration to give thanks to our patron saint – Nuestra Señora dela Salvacion. However I was surprised that the local officials considered the 23rd as “Balik-Barangay” night. This is for the homegrown people who decided to join the feast that have gone for time. Like me, I spent my years here in Manila so I am considered as the balik-barangay..somewhat like balik-bayan for OFW’s.

This is Puso, a rice wrapped in a palm leaves which resembles to a diamond shape.

When my parents learned that I’ll be coming home this fiesta, they have prepared so much. And ya’ll know when you say fiesta – it’s all about slap-up meal. I don’t think I will need to explain more how the preparation was, just let the pictures tell it all. However I told my parents that I missed so much the seafood. Well I think I don't need to mention it from them, they know that when someone comes back home they're tend to look for fresh seafood. As expected, they have prepared Crabs, Tuna, and Ginamos just for me, all fresh! They just love me so much. Hahaha. Maybe because they haven't see me for more than four years; we only talked over the phone and internet does not exist there.

I would say that they are prepared for my homecoming so I was thinking what to bring from them. Early days, one should bring cans of biscuits and chocolates if you’re coming from Manila but since I would only have 3 days, just a quick visit and purely backpacking. I only brought summer cool shirts for my father and brothers, very light to bring and I saved so much space, at the same time perfect wear for scorching summer heat. On the other hand I want the young adult in line with clothing trends in the City so I dressed with pocket shorts and stylish sneakers.

I know you want me, I know you want mehhh.

I'm ready for yah, are you ready for me too?

This would be the normal view when you go around the barrio, look up and if you see smokes hovering the skies, there is only thing that is happening, fiesta lechon has just started. And take note everyone is invited whoever you are. This is what I missed about our fiesta, I never felt like this here in Metropolis. In fact I've been here for more than a decade and sometimes I won’t even know that fiesta is currently happening. Hehehe hilarious.

They're busy!

I dunno what is this, but these taste good.

Hey cuz, I know your cute, but your daughter is cutie-patootie just like the red head in front of you. :)

One of the highlights during fiesta is the parade of the beauty queens; yes we have those – starting from the Baby Queen to Lady Queen and to Mother Queen. The parade is led by the band and bugle followed by different organization and the Barangay officials.

One of the Lady Queens. 

And of course our dearest Mother Queens, they can't just accept that they're already mothers. :)

The outside view of our humble Chapel.

Inside the Chapel. Hope to raise more funds.

After all the celebration and activities, thou shall not forget that the main reason why fiesta is to honor the patron saint. I was surprised that the church was packed of people thanking our patron saint for a fruitful year that passed and looking forward for a productive one. I should have come every year for the annual fiesta celebration. Thank you Barangay Salvacion for letting me experience again all the happiness. Still Happy Fiesta!

2 PLACE WHERE I LEARNED ABAKADA

While most of the students started their school year – everything turns new. New year, new room, new colleague or could be new school. Some were hoping to extend their summer vacation, while some were enthusiastic to start the classes, especially the kids who just started experience schooling.

Grade 1 building, I know I helped building that Mission and Vision Marker.

I started my High School here in Manila so when I went back home, it is on my itinerary to visit the place where I started to learned my ABC’s. Although they say, high school would have the best memories maybe because where crushes and love started. But all of these wisdom started when we were kids  in elementary. We learned to read and write, to sing and probably dance with nursery rhymes. We also learned to think and counting our hand and foot fingers to solve simple mathematics.

I remember I had a deal with my Mother; every time I get a perfect score will have a corresponding amount. So I was really enthusiastic with my quizzes and examinations.

The Stage, I think I was Grade 4 when they built it.

I walked around the place who taught almost everything with what I have right now. I saw myself, a little me, studying and playing carelessly. I remember the place how it looked like about 13 years ago; the mango tree that I planted is now the source of income for school by selling its fruits. I remember the yellow big stone where we used to play and hide our school materials. I remember where I sat during classes. I remember standing at the flag pole to lead the Panatang Makabayan in front of my fellow students before dismissed. Too much remembrance of things past, a much-too-long-list.

Our Home Economics Building, Principal's Office, and Grade 1 Room

Another reason why I went home is because of the first ever homecoming, no particular batch year, started from the first batch up to the present. There were officers elected to lead the alumni association, and I was elected to lead the information dissemination. One of our missions is to prepare for the jubilee year on 2016. I would say the grandest. Goals include relationship with current and future alumni, to coordinate and promote programs that instill good will and pride of our school, to ensure the quality of future alumni and to assist financial support of the institution.

The first ever Alumni Homecoming Parade with Band and Bugle.

The Flag Pole!

I owe a lot of things from elementary; I can't be who I am now working in a corporate world without learning simple alphabet and counting the numbers. I owe my teachers who tirelessly taught us to read fluently the Filipino and English. I thank them for their love, passion, and dedication to their pupils. I can't enter high school and college without learning all these things. Whenever I achieved outstanding success and become leaders in my professional fields. I know my Salvacion Elementary School is part of it. Thank you SES!

4 YOUR ORDINARY GUIDE TO MASBATE

The Philippines is one of the richest countries of some of the world’s greatest biodiversity. It is composed of over seven thousand islands which bequeath abundant of natural resources. Each and every island has unique culture and rich in art, music, and literature. Besides English and Filipino, the country has nineteen recognized regional languages. If you fold the Philippine map into half, Marinduque is proud and upright its pride as the geographic center of the Philippines. Yet Masbate considered as the heart of the isles.

ABOUT MASBATE

The province of Masbate has three major islands – Masbate, Ticao and Burias. It is surrounded by clear and blue water and also stunning white sand beaches. It is indeed a true tropical bliss bordered with some farms and rolling mountains that makes the province epitome for cattle raising. That's why it is known for its cattle industry and The Rodeo Capital of the Philippines. If you get to ramble around the main island, the southern part has grazing lands owned by some of the Portuguese nationals whom born and raised in the country. Sometimes Masbate considered as part of the Visayan region but it is situated in Southernmost of Bicol Region. This, maybe because the convergence of different dialects due to its vicinity, the mixes consist of Bicolano, Waray, Ilonggo, and Cebuano.
 

Masbate is easy to find in the Philippine map, it is a boomerang shaped right at the center of the Philippine islands. Harmonious and peaceful, the natural beauty stayed untouched which makes this province perfect for some scuba diving trips. White sand beaches will also give you an ultimate summer experience if you're in for some beach bumming, truly breath taking and worth visiting.

Besides cattle industry, mining is another thriving commerce; the province is also leading in precious minerals like Gold and Silver. Municipality of Aroroy located at the northern part of the city proper is a foreground of mining trade in and out of the country.

HOW TO GET HERE

The province is very accessible, either by Air or by Land.

Buses have daily trips in Pasay and Cubao Terminal going to Dalahican in Lucena, Quezon. The trip will take 3 - 4 hours. Then you can take RORO vessel via Montenegro Lines straight to Masbate port, they have daily trips Lucena-Masbate and vice versa.

Another option is via Southroad, or sometimes they call it Bicol Express. Bus terminal in Pasay and Cubao have daily trips straight to Pilar, Sorsogon. The trip will take you 12 hours. Then you can ride at the Pilar wharf either pumpboats, fastcraft, or RORO vessels – all straight to Masbate port. RORO Buses have direct trips all the way to Masbate, these buses will be loaded by RORO vessels. For inquiries on RORO Buses, you can call these numbers - 0917-597-1186 / 0922-889-7013 / 0908-920-2568.

By Air, PALExpress have daily trips to Masbate Airport; it only takes about an hour. This is the only flight to and from the city, although previous years Cebu Pacific and Zest Air considered Manila-Cebu-Masbate route but didn’t last. As of this writing, only PALExpress on operational for daily morning trips vice-versa.

THINGS TO DO & WHERE TO GO
There are a lot of things to do in this province. I’ve been to Bituon Beach located in Mobo, Masbate. It’s just few kilometers - about 20 minutes away from the city proper. It is indeed a “star” in Masbate, engulfed by a long stretch of white sand and crystal clear water, surrounded by majestic mountains, and a perfect place for your ultimate and greatest life adventure.

Another place that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Masbate is the Buntod Marine Sanctuary. It is visible from the city proper. It’s just 15 to 20 minutes away by boat. This sanctuary is being monitored by the Samahang Mangingisda ng Puro-Sinalikway Inc., through the help of the local government. Salute to the city and local government for protecting this marine sanctuary and  open for visiting tourists.

You can get here via Rendezvous Hotel and Retaurant. There are boats waiting for you. You can also contact Jojo, head of the Samahan at 09074542004 for the details of boat rentals.

Catandayagan Falls is the newest and promising place to visit in the province. It is located in Ticao Island, just right across Masbate mainland. You can check this site, our fellow travel blogger for your guide how to get to this place and expenses.

You can also consider these places when visiting the province of MasBeauty:

• Pawa Mangrove Nature Park - the biggest area of natural mangrove park .

• Underwater Cave - entrance is through undersea, just like the hidden lagoon of Palawan, and it will only take few seconds to get into the cave. It has caskets which believed to 500 years old.

• Porta Vega - located in Dimasalang, it has powdery white sand and crystal clear water.

• Palani Beach - located in Balud, like Porta Vega it has the wide stretch of powdery white sand.

FESTIVALS:

• Rodeo Masbateño - it is celebrated every month of April. This makes the province as the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines and the only known rodeo show in Asia. The contingents to compete into different events for cowboys and their calves are coming from different municipalities, and even other provinces. Talents from Visayas and Minadanao region are vying to win and hail as the Rodeo Champions.

• Lapay Bantigue – this festival held every 30^th of September in celebration to the city anniversary. It started in 2002 after Masbate converted as the only and capital city of the province. Lapay Bantigue is about to give thanks to St. Philomena, the saint of fishermen. And to note, I know how the steps of this dance.

• Pagdayao Festival – this festival celebrated every 13^th of June to give honour and thank to Saint Anthony de Padua – the city patron saint.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Tricycle – This is the main transportation around the city, you can ride this for short distance destinations.

• Public and Private Van - They now have UVExpress that travels all the way to Esperanza, the southernmost town of Masbate. Esperanza is just few miles away from Cebu province. This is the gateway of small pumpboats to reach the Visayas group of Islands.

• Public Utility Jeeps – This is another popular choice of transportation. They can bring you anywhere in the province on any different destinations.

• Public Buses – Bus now travels from Northern to Southern part of the islands. This is for longer distance destination.

FOOD
Looking for food is not a huge problem, there are plenty of food businesses open serving 24 hours around the city proper. The taste is most likely similar to the Bicolandia cooking, thus, being part of the region. It's usually involves in some chili peppers and coconut milk, notable cuisine are "laing" and "bicol express". So when you get to ramble around the province for some food cravings, make sure to bring some water due to its notorious spicy flavors.

However if your choice is on typical and familiar food, the City now have Gaisano Mall. It has common fast food chains that you can find in Metro Manila.

ACCOMMODATION
There is enough number of accommodations you can find in the City. You can start searching from hotel/restaurant/resorts nearby the beach front. 7AR Golden Beach Resort and Restaurant is one of the luxury resorts that offers stunning view, great food. But if you are on affordable hotels, inn and lodging houses, Sampaguita Tourist Inn is one of the cheapest that you can find, here most of the people coming from remote municipalities stay.

You can also check other options:

• Balay Valencia

• GV Hotel

• Racher's Hotel

• MG Hotel

• St. Anthony Hotel and Restaurant

• Rendezvous Hotel

SIGNPOST

Masbate founded on March 10, 1917 with three Districts. There are 20 municipalities with a total of population of (as of 2010) 834, 650. Masbate City is the capital city of the province and part of the Region 5 - Bicol Region.

For more information about the province, you can visit this site.

4 CHASING THE SUNRISE IN MASBATE

Sunrise and Sunsets is one of the best viewpoints in photograph. Especially for beginners like me, shoots will surely turn so flawless; all the colors are painted in the sky, divided the vivid pigments of the heaven and the seas. I won’t deny that I have posted loads of photos about sunrise and sunsets but I’m sure this is the first time I wrote about it. And this is what I like.

When I finally have my own SLR camera, the thought and time has just come. All the thoughts will surely be around. I wanna take pile of photos no matter what and how bad it is.  And another reason why I jolt to have my own camera it’s because I always get desirous to get “swave” and “havey” shots. It is also a perfect timing for my back home vacation after so many years, should take photos from maiden nature. Also, will be traveling four of the SEA Nations this year.

Now I got the chance again to set foot in my province, I made sure the longing should be on hand. I woke up very early in the morning so I can take beautiful sunrise photos. And speaking of early in the morning, well that’s my body clock since most of the people there are early risers. I enthusiastically went straight to front beach and set my camera. I am no professional. So I just set it up to “dawn” auto-setting scene and not manual then put up on continuous shots.

I’m sure this is not the first and last that I gonna post about sunrise and sunsets. Masbate is just one of the thousands of panoramic photographs in the country. The Philippines has heaps of islands to choose and should provide pleasing gift of nature. Right now I’m still in the process of learning basic photography and time will come, I’m going to make it perfect on my own pleasures. And will surely back to the loving nature to snaps more on it.