Island province unreels a 400-kilometer beach
CATANDUANES stretches out 400 kilometers of unspoiled beaches and niches—an ideal refuge from the bedlam of Manila this coming summer season.
Both local and foreign tourists are drawn to the festivals, food, white sand beaches, cheap hotel rates, affordable goods and products, and now, the surfing spots of Catanduanes island province.
The most important event on the island is celebrated every October, the Catanduangan Festival also known as “the festival of festivals.” It is the celebration of the foundation anniversary of Catanduanes and its independence from Albay province.
Carmel Garcia, local tourism promotion officer, said that the Catandungan Festival has the ambience of fun and pageantry as a celebration of life and lights.
The festival showcases the island province 11 towns’ rich history, arts and culture, trade and industry, and tourism through a variety of special events, beauty pageant, sports, exhibitions, tournaments and recreation activities.
Tourist draw cards
The 11 festivals include Kinis of Panganiban; Umasilhag of Gigmoto, Sibagat of Viga; Sibuboy of Bato; Manokmanok of Bagamanoc; Buroniyogan of San Andres, Dinahit of Pandan, Buruniyogan Festival, Badas Festival of Baras, Sugbo Festival of Caramoran and Sarimagyo of Virac— each one providing a better understanding of life.
Catanduanes offers “majestic” waves at Puraran Beach. For the athletic, the island offers zip lining, wall climbing, kayaking and other sports activities at the Twinrock resort.
The island’s Bagamanoc legend fascinates local and foreign visitors: an enchanted being named Kurakog, believed by elders as the island’s protector and provider, fell in love with mortal Kalarab.
Nature does not look kindly on a love affair between gods and mortals, thus both enchanted beings and ordinary townsfolk tried to separate the lovers, who tried holding on to their affair but it was Kalarab who bore the brunt of the attempts to separate them—she died heartbroken.
A grieving Kurakog hurled a curse of poor harvest and poor fish catch throughout the year for the people. Then he took his own life and left a symbol of his own love for Kalarab, the magnificent Ilihan.
The Ilihan Point Fertility Island, locally known as “Boto ni Kurakog,” (male sex organ of Kurakog) is a phallus shaped rock formation located at the bay of Bagamanoc and is now known as fertility island.
Local and foreign tourists, who want children, offer prayers at the island.
To this day, the people of Bagamanoc still offer food to appease Kurakog for rich harvest through the Bagamanoc Festival.
After a day of adrenaline surge of activities, tourists can seek solace and offer solemn prayers at the Bato Church—the oldest church in the province.