Camiguin, the paradise island
In Camiguín it is not enough to go to the most touristic places that appear in the tourist guides or maps; no, that's not enough. The heart of the island is also felt in its sea bottom, in its water sanctuaries full of underwater flora and fauna. Corals and fish that paint the seabed in colors and shapes, with the help of the transparent waters. And, of course, the heart of the island also beats in its culture , among its people, through their gracious gestures, their beliefs and their daily ways of life. These reflect a legacy of mestizaje, of silenced traditions, of beliefs that given the masks coming from its colonial past (the Catholic religion and English as a language, mainly) go unnoticed, but that they are still alive, vigorous, beating to the rhythm of the heart of the Island , the Kasin-Kasin of Camiguin.
But coming to Camiguin also implies an act of responsibility on the part of the traveler : the one of preserve it at all costs. A fine line separates the promotion and preservation of a biodiversity center like this one. Today we know that we do not have many left on planet earth. Eco/cultural, responsible and inclusive tourism is a must on our island. Simply because we cannot afford to lose it.
Andres Narros in Binanawan
THE JUNGLE AND THE SEA
Unlike its neighboring islands, Camiguin south of the region Visayan and north of the mindanao island , appears as a small islet of volcanoes, mountains and jungle , a characteristic that impacts both when one flies over the island and when walking through its forests and volcanoes. The truth is that Camiguín is the result of volcanic activities that occurred approximately one million years ago. The mountainous volcanic structure that characterizes it today only happened around 340,000 years ago. So, in geological terms, the island was born yesterday , is a baby full of life. The volcanoes and mountains shelter exuberant forests of bamboo, acacias, mahogany, mangoes, nares, palm trees and all kinds of ferns.
The Philippine archipelago ranks 18th in the world in terms of biodiversity and Camiguin is one of the biodiversity centers important in the country, an island that should be a priority when we talk about preservation. In terms of fauna, for example, there are three birds, two mammals and an amphibian that only inhabit this island. A particularly illustrative fact about this magnificent biodiversity: on the island there are 81 different types of butterflies (Alibanbang in the local language), 18 of them, endemic.
In the background, White Island, the great tongue of sand
GET TO THE HEART OF CAMIGUÍN
There are many possibilities to access the heart of the island. One is to climb the Hibok-Hibok volcano crater from the west of the island. It takes four hours to climb to reach its top, about 1,300 meters above sea level. So a good physical condition is necessary. Another possibility is to do a trek to the binanawang falls On the slopes of Timpong (in the south of the island, in the municipality of Sagay) a wonderful center of worship of nature awaits you during and at the end of the journey. Walk the Tuapsan River from the village of Mainit, in the Municipality of Catarman, is another good option. There you will find plenty of waterfalls and natural pools surrounded by virgin jungle. The natural pools above the kitabawasan falls on the pandan village or the natural park located in the Itum village (both in the municipality of Mambajao), will also give you the chance to feel the pulse of the island with less physical effort. Important, for all these activities it is necessary to have a local guide. Don't you dare do it alone, you'll get lost!
sunset in the jungle
UNDER THE SEA
To appreciate the seabed, a mask, a snorkel tube and good fins is enough. I recommend you do it in Sunket Cemetery , the Old Port of Catarman , the Cantaan village and the mantigue island . But if you want to make it much more exciting, you have the opportunity to practice freediving in Mambajao (you can learn with Kurma and, in a few days, dive 15 or 20 meters). White Island , a tongue of white sand to the west of the island of Camiguín, is an incredible place from which to appreciate how the afternoon sun showers the green mountains of the island with light. The view of the island from White Island is something very special.
View of the island from White Island
CULTURE
In Camiguín there is no such invisible wall of separation (so frequent, on the other hand) between the world of tourism and the world of the local. It's easy, very easy interact with the people of the island . As long as there is interest and sensitivity.
As in so many other places in the world, the history of the island, its past, remains silent, undocumented. Therefore, in Camiguin, the museum is its villages, the minds of its people, their way of being and thinking . And to access them you have to flow without fear in the world of the local. The Camiguinos express their culture through their daily practices, in the way they help and protect in the reciprocity that unites them, in the extreme pampering and care they display to never offend the sensitivity of the other, in the way they offer you, when you pass by their homes, to sit down with them to eat or drink. They also express it in the way that fish together and share the catch , in the way they sing at local karaoke bars sharing a drink, or in the way they say goodbye to their loved ones and relate to death. All these practices come from a distant past in which the value of a shared identity , between the self and the other, was the cultural source of everything.
The camiguinos and their special relationship with death
Unfortunately, the camiguino does not give the value that its natural and cultural environment has. Many of them have not left their own municipality throughout their lives, much less from the island. The possibility of appreciating their surroundings through the knowledge of others is almost non-existent. Perhaps for this reason, progress in a local key implies a good dose of kilos of asphalt, cement constructions and large shopping or tourist centers. This is the danger that lurks today on the island : the way progress is perceived . To deal with it, Camiguín needs a subtle and intelligent eco-tourism management that allows both to increase the arrival of tourists and to strengthen the preservation of its resources (natural and cultural).
Kilahah is a small local organization whose mission is precisely that. Aware of what Camiguín means on Planet Earth , Kilaha develops creative actions, full of meaning (in symbolic terms) to increase the sensitivity of the people of the island about this natural and cultural legacy. Kilaha means in the old local language “learn”, “understand”, “know”. In Kilaha they try to develop new ways to promote and preserve the island by doing, for example, star sky observation sessions in schools in order to promote knowledge about nature and the importance of not polluting the sky; making short films with school children about local proverbs; documenting through cultural studies the historical past of the island; promoting the traditional art of weaving, called Pinikas...
The people of Camiguin
ACCOMMODATION
**Nypa Style Resort**. It is a very special place. Away from the tourist hustle and bustle of the seafront, at Nypa Style Resort you can breathe a lot of calm, accommodation with local materials and design and excellent service. The feeling of being surrounded by nature is very intense.
Somewhere Else . On the sea line, with style and a lot of comfort.
karma . It also has cottages on the seafront.
Cabins on the seafront in Camiguin
GASTRONOMY
Dare to explore the local cuisine in the calendars ( local restaurants). For three euros you can taste the flavors of the island. rich , in the Barangay of Yumbing, on the main road, is a good option. The restaurant at Ardent Hots Springs is another. A final option is Lagoon Bistro Restaurant located in Benoni, in Mahinog, in the south east of the island. It is worth escaping and trying it!!!
If you fancy a more global cuisine….
warrior , offers you Asian street food. Everything they do is great and the restaurant is very nice.
Kurma restaurant, perhaps the best place for vegetarians and people who like creative and healthy cuisine.
And if you miss Spanish cuisine, then go to Café Península, good paellas and a better atmosphere.
Away from the bustling tourism but close to the sea
ADVENTURE TIME
karma . A different way to interact and explore the island: from yoga classes, freediving courses to adventures in the mountains or tours and cultural immersion activities in the island's villages.
** Hibok Venture .** Managed by two Spaniards, this center offers you an alternative way of getting to know the island. From sleeping in the crater of the volcano under the blanket of the stars to having a romantic dinner floating on a bench in the sea of the island. Write to [email protected] and they will inform you.
Camiguin Aviation . This is a unique experience to get to know the island. From above, from the sky, you will enjoy the beauty of the mountains, forests and sea of the island.
** Johny's Dive and Soul Divers .** For diving lovers.
Yoga, diving, trekking...