CONVERGENCE NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016

Travel
CAMIGUIN
ISLAND
The Small and Unspoilt Beauty of the Philippines
We've heard plenty about Boracay and Gili but there’s a cooler kid on the block
and it’s – Camiguin.
A pear-shaped volcanic island in the
northern tip of Mindanao, Camiguin
is the smallest province with land area
totalling at 30,000 hectares. Apart from
having five towns, the island also has
seven volcanoes including the still
active Mount Hibok-Hibok. The island
is home to slightly over 80,000 people
making the province the second
smallest in Philippines. Batanes is
the smallest province, in terms of
population, in the country.
Due to the island’s volcanic soil,
various crops are planted all year
round and this includes coconut,
cassava, banana, corn, fruits, coffee
and vegetables. Apart from historical
sites, the island lures tourists through
its natural resources, which include
sulfur deposits, geothermal energy,
agricultural lands and fishing grounds.
Camiguin has its own airport however
there are not many direct flights
within the Philippines to this island.
At present, Cebu Pacific flies directly
from the Cebu Airport directly to the
island. Or one is recommended to take
a flight from the next nearest airport,
Cagayan de Oro and a bus or rented
van to the nearest port. There are
two ports from which you can take a
ferry to Camiguin, either Balingoan or
Macabalan. Balingoan comes highly
recommended by locals and tourists.
From the port, take a ferry to the island
and voila, your holiday shall began!
DAY 1
SUNKEN CEMETERY
Camiguin was primarily formed
through earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions. In the late 1800s, the
eruption of Mount Vulcan submerged
the old town of Catarman – pushing
it below the sea, leaving behind the
ruins of a church and its bell tower. The
Sunken Cemetery, now marked with a
huge cross, was also one of the areas
in this old town.
SUNKEN CEMETERY
Located in Bonbon, Catarman, a huge
cross marker has been installed by the
Provincial government to mark the
community cemetery that sunk during
the volcanic holocaust. Years ago,
gravestones were visible during low tide.
Today, it is an interesting diving site.
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