Father the Explorer: Come Again Camiguin!

San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Mambajao, Camiguin,
is administered by Fr. William Salva.

Come Again! This is how Camiguin would sound like for foreign tourists! I am sure, setting foot on the island and experiencing its natural wonders and the warmth of the people, one would really want to “come again.”

San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Interior

Last week, I revisited Camiguin to interview a seminary applicant. I had good impressions of this pear-shaped province when I first visited it way back 2004. Also known as the Island Born of Fire, off the northern tip of Mindanao, Camiguin hosts seven active volcanoes, that basically shaped the island’s topography because of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Boulders of rocks can be found by the roadside. Hot and cold springs abound! Steep mountains will challenge extreme climbers. Moreover, one of the popular tourist sites, The Ruins, was a victim of one of these fiery volcanoes, Mt. Vulcan. In the late 1800’s, Mt. Vulcan’s massive and fatal eruption inundated the old central town of Catarman, pushing it below the sea---leaving behind the ruins of the church, its bell tower and the cemetery now sunken and marked with a huge cross. Other places of interests are the refreshing Ardent Hot Spring, the breath-taking Katibawasan and Tuwasan falls. One should not also miss to swim and snorkel at the mesmerizing White Island and fascinating Mantigue Island.

The Ruins

Camiguin, being the second smallest island province in population and in land area of 240 square kilometers, one can circumdrive the island in a couple of hours. It would be a perfect short motorbike ride for me to post vocation posters in its five parishes. Thanks to Jepoy and his two friends who helped me accomplish this task only for almost two and a half hours! Thanks as well to the parish priest of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Fr. William Salva who welcomed me in his convent for an overnight stay. Maraming salamat po!

It was a long day for me. The 2.5 hours of land travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Balingoan Port, an hour boat ride from this port to Benoni Port (Camiguin), and 2.5 hours of motorcycle ride around the island made the journey fulfilling. In this recent visit, though I wasn’t able to explore again its places of interests, Camiguin’s landscape and the slow-paced provincial life just naturally brought calmness again to my weary body and spirit. I had a good and calm sleep.

Hey, does Camiguin also sound “calm-again”? Vamonos!

Throwback. The Old Church Ruins, 2008.

Another throwback. Balingoan Port, 2008.

Soda Swimming Pool

Still another throwback. Sto. Nino Cold Springs, 2008.

I bet, facilities have changed over the years.

Present Tense. This small boat sails to Camiguin.
Bigger boats are available depending on the schedule. First trip from
Balingoan Port is at 5:15 AM and the last trip is at 5:30 PM.