Camiguin Island : Once dreaded volcano has turned into majestic tower of serenity and beauty

Camiguin Island was once regarded as a symbol of horror because of the intermittent eruption of Mt. Hibok–Hibok.

But today, the once dreaded volcano that hit world headlines nearly three decades ago has become a majestic tower of serenity and beauty. Camiguin Island holds fascinating historic cultural and archeological treasures.

The island has a circumference of 64 kilometers of good roads, partly asphalted, an inlet with seven volcanoes and five towns, with a total population of 70,000. It is often called “Volcano Island.”

One gets thrilled traversing zigzagging, high-rise cliff-side roadway overlooking the seacoast, along side the grotesque rocky walls of Mt. Vulcan.

At Sitio Sabang, right below the protruding volcanic builders, foot prints of history were implanted by Ferdinand Magellan in April 1521 and later Capt. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in March 1565.

There are lots of places to see in this small island. One of them is the century old vine covered ruins of a Catholic Church, the belfry and convent left by the Mt. Vulcan fury in 1871 standing by the shoreline.

A stones throw from this place, which slopes gently into the sea, is huge cross rising from the waves. It marks the spot where the old cemetery sank as a result of Mt. Vulcan’s last fury.

Every year, on the 21st of May, the islanders row out there, on their banca to offer flowers and floating candles to the dead.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) put in place a modern telephone network which was made possible through a grant on telephone equipment from the German government costing five million Deutschmarks or roughly P80 million.

Camiguin’s 70,000 inhabitants were serviced by the operation of at least 400 telephone connections. It also includes 15 lines connected to the long distance telephone network of the PLDT using digital microwave technology.

Another unique attractions of Camiguin is Katibawasan waterfall, at upper Mambajao, rising 250 feet high. Enclosed with massive, Fern-swathed, granite mountain well, the waterfall is a sight to behold, a singular stream of water drops 50 meters from a bulging sources without touching the granite well.

Magting cave along the Mambajao coast, believed to be a million years old, provides a terrific asylum for Antiquarians and Archeologists. In its dark cubicles are found ancient human skeletons and primitive utensils preserved intact for an untold period of time.

The units inland off the shores of Agoho, Mambajao, is a natural wonder frequented by swimmer, scuba divers, fishermen, shell collectors and plain lovers of the sea.

On the opposite side of Camiguin island is Magsaysay islet named after former president Ramon Magsaysay. A motorboat can reach it in 20 minutes.

The Banlas spring gives crystals clear water that taste like real bottle soda, so much so that drinkers mix it with their rum or whisky.

The most romantic and idyllic spot in Camiguin is Languines lagoon, a man-made lake near the seaport barrio of Benone. A good road runs along the edge of the three kilometers circular lagoon.

A vignette of history is reflected in the ancient Moro watch tower of the shore of Guinsiliban town. Built by the Spaniards and Filipinos in the year 1569, the grizzled tower served as a vanguard against Moro invaders of pirates who pillage villagers and kidnapped women in the 17th century.

Another historic place worth seeing is Cabusan beach at the capital town of Mambajao. This was the site of the battle between local insurgents and Spanish and American soldiers at the close of Spanish regime.

Catarman town at the Southern tip of Camiguin owns an archeological museum replete with centuries old artifacts like jars, jarlets porcelain vases, jugs and other antiques dug out in the vicinity of Mt. Vulcan. Some these treasures date back to the Chung and Ming dynasties of old China.

Nearby, Mt. Vulcan looms like a forbidding apparition by the sea. It has since been transformed into a sublime tourist spot making it the site of the Stations of the Cross which windup to otherwise perilous shape.

This is the land mark of the “Panaad”, an annual trek around the island dome by religious devotees and curious tourists during Holy Week.

But the most breathtaking panoramic vista of Camiguin can be obtained from the peak of Mt. Hibok-Hibok to which a number of adventurers from the United States, Australia and France have gone in recent years.

Image Courtesy of : Wow Philippines

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