If you've been to Bantayan Island in Cebu, you have surely gone to the Virgin Island as one of the island hopping destinations. It has been called 'virgin' for quite a long time and I've been curious whether this little paradise has lived up to its name.

grand entrance!

This is isn't the first blog I've written about Bantayan Island (that's how I love this place) so go ahead check out the fun things to do in Bantayan and some tips for island hopping in Virgin Island and other unpopular destinations surrounding the island.

Greetings!

Visiting it for the second time, I have noticed several changes as I walked past the main entrance. Because I often travel with a budget, I surely took notice on the sign board with the updated entrance fee. From just Php 100, it has increased to Php 500 / two pax with Php 100 per person in excess of two people. Really? Why?  I didn't understand at first because nothing was really changed except for some minor repairs and repaints.

bamboo pathways ahead

When I walked farther into the forest area, I began to understand why they've doubled their fees. One of the friendly staff told us about a diving cliff or moreso a man-made diving board. He directed us to the forested area to get to the diving spot. I saw newly constructed bamboo pathways hemmed in the big boulders amid the mangrove area.


After a few meters, I saw a wide wooden platform overlooking the sea beyond the cliff. The bamboo pathways had little corners where the small native huts with seats were situated. Those pretty little cottages somehow lured me into taking a nap after a stroll under the scorching sun. The breeze up there was as invigorating as a chilled drink but it tends to get really hot and humid during the day so prep up with your sunscreen and sunglasses.



The construction of the bamboo pathways made exploration to some parts of the forest possible. Now, you could actually walk on those tapered ends of the boulders which you couldn't do before.



As you get to the end of the bamboo bridge, the forest trail start. There's really no guide or resort staff to walk you to the diving spot or to guide your way in the forest so it's the best time to explore and get lost. (hyperbole, I know right) Walking without a guide seems scary at first. I got that Little-red-riding-hood feels as I walked past the tall trees alongside the trailed path. I felt a wolf is gonna snatch me anytime soon! LOL.


 If you just follow that trail - that single trail (or so I thought), you won't lose your way. At the end of the path, it would feel like you've passed through a portal to another world. Who would have thought that the forest would lead you to another white sand beach? Yes. This part is a perfect spot for yoga or some quiet reflection. While it gets so hot during the day, some coconut trees lined across the beach could share their shade for a tired 'hooman'.


Facing the beach, walk a few meters to your left and you'll find the much awaited diving spot. You could dive all you want. Don't worry lifeguards are always on their watch.

Going back to the main resort, I already felt a little haggard (hagardo versoza!) so grabbing a snack or a drink at their mini restaurant would be a perfect 'endgame'. Their prices are a bit higher than the usual like doubled compared to the prices in the main island.

You might also want to lounge on this floating hut as you wind up your trekking. Pretty much a perfect photo opp!

Except from the ones I mentioned above, nothing significant have changed especially in the main resort.


I admit, my impression of a virgin island is far from what I have recently seen and experienced. I used to imagine an uninhabited beach island with large boulders surrounding it. It seems that they are slowly turning Virgin Island into a resort with more facilities which for me is not bad at all. I embrace changes so long as these modifications are not destructive.

You may cast doubt with the rawness of the island but one thing is certain, the waters and the beach are as pristine and 'virgin' as they have always been. For the nth time, I'll never get tired of going back to this little paradise.

instragammable ayt?

Till our next laag*!

Carnaza Island is 5-6 hours of travel time from the heart of Cebu but despite the distance, local and foreign tourists wouldn't mind spending hours of travel just to temporarily enjoy a haven of unbelievably beautiful seascapes.

the Barrio at Carnaza Island

If only I could linger in the island for just one more day I could have done so but I had stuff to do in the 'real world' (I meant work here) so I had to squeeze in all the must-sees in Carnaza into one whole day. Although there were unexpected circumstances, travelling with friends made everything easier to handle. Get some tips on how to have a hassle-free Carnaza getaway!

Getting there...
If you are taking the public transpo, you should take the bus bound for Daanbantayan via Maya-Bagay as this would drop you off near Tapilon Port. Bus conductors could easily identify if you're off to Carnaza Island once you tell them you'd disembark at Tapilon Port so you wouldn't have troubles getting there even if you sleep through the whole journey. They would wake you up. [not kidding]

The bus would have two stops, sort of a pee break somewhere in Carmen and the last one would be in Bogo City where you could buy the famous delicacy made from corn, milk, and cheese (are you drooling right now? LOL). Locals call it pintos. 

The travel time takes 4 hours depending on the traffic. What's great about traveling at the wee hours is that you could avoid the annoying traffic and get to your destination earlier than expected. Bringing food to munch while on the bus would be a great idea because the bus stopovers are quite short to really eat or wait for food to be served.

From the drop-off point, ask the locals of Daanbantayan as to which road leads to Tapilon Port and they'd be glad to tell you the directions. The locals are really friendly [even if you're not a foreign tourist. LOL.]

going down the stairs; we didn't realize there was a better staircase a few meters away LOL.

aboard the little passenger boat

Tapilon Port is not as exquisite as the ports in Cebu City. It's pretty much a docking area of small boats, that's it. There are no waiting areas or seats. Boatmen would greet you and try to bargain a special trip (pakyaw as they call it) to Carnaza Island. As of this writing, PHP 2, 000 - 2,500 is the usual cost they would offer. If you're a large group, this amount is practical but you may also wait for other smaller groups so you could just pitch in for the total cost. Travel time may depend on the size or the capacity of the engine or the boat.

While this would seem the only option at first, you have to note that there are legitimate or registered passenger boats that would arrive at around 9:30 - 10:00 AM. They claim that they are legitimate because they are registered under the municipality of Daanbantayan and they are also geared with safety equipment and life jackets. This boat is also bigger. If you don't see any life vests inside the pump boats, then these are not the registered ones.

Touchdown!
Upon reaching Carnaza, you would be greeted by a small seaside community called the Barrio. Unlike in the previous years, this place already has small restaurants (karinderia) and affordable inns. If you don't wish to stay at Carnaza Eco Park, this would be the better option. The food they serve in the restaurants also has more varieties than that of the Eco Park.

Still a pretty sight despite the boats docked on the beach

Although the beach side of the Barrio has been made as docking area of boats, the waters are crystal clear and it has soothing temperature especially in the morning - perfect for a early morning dip! Beside this small community is a seemingly mysterious craggy hump that looks like coral rocks where you could actually get a breathtaking bird's eye-view of the ocean.

Can't skip this beautiful area of the Barrio

From the Barrio, you could explore the island and the nearby islets by boat. You may rent boats for island hopping at around Php 1,500. There are great beaches and an incredibly long stretch of sandbar in La Manok, an islet near Carnaza. It's absolutely free. You shouldn't miss this. Skull Cove is another white sand beach in Carnaza owned by Carnaza Eco Park and it's part of the package if you book in the Eco Park. It has a cave with two human skulls resting in it. Kailina is also a promising public beach with a longer stretch white sand compared to the Skull Cove. Finally, Carnaza Eco Park is one of the attractions of the island where you could get better accommodation. There are air-conditioned rooms available with unlimited supply of water for shower. Alternatively, outdoor tents and wooden tents are also available. Explore other options for accommodations here.

Furthermore, you could visit other parts of the island such as Daanbarrio, another barangay, that has small restaurants and karaoke places. The main transportation of the island is the motorcycle and it usually costs Php 30 per ride or destination.

witnessing a love story to unfold. joke. - La Manok Sandbar

Sandbar at La Manok - it's prettier when it's low tide

the beach and the clear waters of La Manok

Carnaza Eco Park beach

Wooden tents at Carnaza Eco Park

beach at Skull Cove

the cave in Skull Cove

the inn where we stayed for a night

Going home...
According to the locals, the boat embarks at around 8 AM but most of the time it starts to load passengers and cargoes at 7 AM on the shores of Brgy. Barrio. Sometimes passengers have to ride on a smaller boat to reach the main passenger boat depending on the tides. At exactly 8AM or even earlier, the boat already heeds to Tapilon Port so you have to be quick as there would be no other schedules unless you'd take a special trip at a special price.

passenger boat going to Tapilon Port (the larger one,I mean) plus the kid enjoying a morning dip

Carnaza Island Itinerary

CALLTIME: 3AM

DAY 1
3:45 AM - Bus bound for Daanbantayan via Maya - Bagay
                *stopovers at Carmen and Bogo City
                  Fare: Php 217 (Ceres Bus)
7:30 AM - Arrival at Tapilon Port
7:45 AM - Aboard the small passenger boat to Carnaza Island
                  Fare: Php 200
11:30 AM - Touchdown Carnaza Island
12:00 NN - Lunchtime / Prep for Island Hopping
                   Meal: Php 50 - 60
1:00 PM   - Island Hopping to:
1:45 PM     * La Manok
3:00 PM     * Skull Cove
4:00 PM     * Carnaza Eco Park (drop off point) Entrance Fee: Php 200
                   Island Hopping Cost: Php 335 / person
6:15 PM   - Motorcycle Ride to Daanbarrio
                  Fare: Php 30 / person
6:30 PM   - Dinner at Daanbarrio (Psalms Resto)
                   Meal: Php 70 - 100
8:00 PM -  Cecil's Place (inn at the Barrio) Php 300 per person
                  Tricycle Fare: Php 30 / person 
                 
DAY 2
5:00 AM - Early morning dip at the Barrio + Photo shoot sesh
6:30 AM - Preps!
7:00 AM - Breakfast at the Seaside Eatery (literally downstairs of where we stayed)
                  Meal: Php 50 -60
8:00 AM - Aboard the passenger boat (till then, Carnaza)
                  Fare: Php 150
9:45 AM -  Brunch (or early lunch)
                   Meal: Php 40 - 50
10:30 AM - Visited Daanbantayan (Tapilon) Church
11:00 AM - Headed to Daanbantayan Bus Terminal (tricycle ride)
                   Fare: Php 15 / person
12:00 NN - Bus bound for North Bus Terminal
                    Fare: Php 192 (Sugbo Transit)
4:00 PM  - North Bus Terminal --> goin' home separate ways, xoxo

Chasing sunsets? Witness that in Carnaza Island with a natural foreground

Till our next laag!

Aside from Sinulog Festival, one of the most festive events in Cebu is the Kadaugan sa Mactan celebrated in Lapu-Lapu City every 27th of April that last for a week. Indeed, it is very timely for summer when most tourists flock in the city to enjoy a day or a whole season under the sun along the beaches of the historic resort city. True to its name,  Lapu-Lapu City is historical because this is the heart of the Spanish colonization which is where the city got its name. It's named after the gallant local, Lapu-Lapu, who was believed to have defeated Magellan, a Spanish colonizer, in a battle which happened in the island. Recently, this chronicle received controversies when some historians believed that the battle really happened in Mactan, Camotes [another island in Cebu]. Whatever issues though, the city is strong about its claims of their heritage and the Rampada continues.

fabulous costume, props, choreography, and everything else! © Aldrin Floyd

Although the main festival is celebrated in one day, other events related to the Kadaugan are launched the entire month of April.

Kadaugan Food Festival
Launched on the 2nd week of April
Among the most awaited event is the Food Fest at Mactan Shrine that runs for at least two weeks with the most delectable dishes from prominent hotels and restaurants of the city. Anyone could just walk in the historical shrine of Lapu-Lapu located in barangay Punta Engaño from 6PM to 10PM and enjoy good food and the wonderful sites within the park.

Kadaugan sa Mactan (Re-enactment)
Held every 27th of April (around 8AM)
The Battle of Mactan, the main reason of the commemoration, is re-enacted right at the shores where Lapu-Lapu and his men defeated the Spanish colonizers led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The ritual is usually commenced by a Holy Mass and a flag raising ceremony as early as 7AM  attended by government employees and tourists. Spectators often crowd at the shores behind the barricades as they witness the sweet victory of the Oponganons' ancestor (Oponganon refers to the natives of  Mactan Island) brought to life by local celebrities. It can be a simple dramatic scene or sometimes a musical rendition.

Rampada (Street Dancing Competition)
No exact date but usually held after the 27th of  April
Street dancing has just leveled up from a simple street party to an actual dancing festival with glamorous props, costumes, and choreography. Rampada in Cebuano literally means doing a show (rampa) on the streets (kalsada) reference: http://news.lapulapucity.gov.ph/tag/rampada/

As one of the highlights of the event, this competition is well-represented by the different barangays and are often anticipated by locals. People often crowd along the national roads of Lapu-Lapu near the city hall but because of the influx of spectators, the city government decided to change its location from an open space to a huge indoor arena, the city's very own, Hoops Dome located in Humay-humay Road. The dancers would give their best shot during the Rampada showdown. With a minimal entrance fee, you get to enjoy up-close the amazing dance moves of the Oponganons.

the spectacular ending © Aldrin Floyd

Search for Reyna Bulakna (beauty pageant) 
No exact date but usually held after the 27th of  April
Just like any festivals, Rampada dance groups boast of their beautiful and talented Reyna Bulakna (festival queen). The name Bulakna is used in reference to the princess in one of the islets of Mactan and wife of the hero, Lapu-Lapu.   The event is participated by the respective festival queens/muses of each participating Rampada teams. Aside from beauty and glamour, the contestants' dancing skills and stunning costumes are also part of the criteria. Get ready to be stunned with these beauties.

the lights though © Aldrin Floyd

2017 Reyna Bulakna winners © Aldrin Floyd

The four activities listed above are only highlights of the Kadaugan Festival but there are also additional events that the city government might also organize. In the past years, there were cultural shows most of the time held outside Hoops Dome, fun run, amusement parks (also known as peryahan), street parties hosted by local radio stations, and other entertainment shows. So the next time you think of Cebu, you might want to visit or drop by the historic resort city, Lapu-Lapu City.

***
Cebu is home to festivities and rich cultural heritage that are sought-after both by locals  and foreign tourists. Every province and each of the municipalities or cities in the provinces have at least one festival either honoring a patron saint or commemorating a prolific ancestry. Most Filipinos always put value on faith and history. They are always thoughtfully sentimental when it comes to their beliefs and ancestors. Festivals are their way of paying homage to the people who are responsible of establishing a productive past which made what they have or who they are today. Furthermore, festivities are also seen as a way to worship or show reverence to God. While festivals honoring saints are deemed  solemn, celebration of culture and history are really filled with fun and merrymaking.

Carnaza Island generated lots of buzz when it was featured in a fantastically luring way but we found out that some of which were actually just misleading overrated blurbs. We had a great deal of realizations over our little misconceptions in this trip. Let me share some tips in getting there and enjoying the untouched beauty of the island hassle-free.

a glimpse of Carnaza Island

Beach at the Barrio

1. KNOW WHERE TO STAY. 

As of this writing, there are three accommodation options for a guest while in the island. 

Where we stayed

We fell in love with the interior of this house. It was beyond what we expected. [we were imagining empty doorless wooden tents afterall]

        

Inside the Skull Cove

From North Bus Terminal, get a bus ride to Daan Bantayan via Bagay. It will drop you off near Tapilon Port. Just never forget to remind the bus conductor; they are going to ask anyway upon reaching the town. You have to walk a few meters to the port and everyone there knows where the port is so you won't have troubles asking for directions. Ever since Carnaza Island became famous among vacationists, boatmen along Tapilon Port have become more aggressive in convincing passengers to pay for  a special trip. Those who do not know the tricks of the trade will definitely fall for it. Although it's not totally bad to take the offer, it is noteworthy to know that there are legitimate (licensed) boats that will transport passengers to the island. 

SCHEDULE: 

TO CARNAZA
9:30 - 10:00 AM (passenger boat arrives at Tapilon Port from Carnaza Island)

FARE: Php 200

TO TAPILON PORT (going home)
7:30 - 8:00 AM (passenger boat docks along Sitio Barrio, Carnaza Island; it takes time to load cargoes so it usually spends 30-45 minutes on the shore) 

FARE: Php 150

Travel Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

•  the only schedule we have confirmed from the boatman himself 
•  all trips are on a first-come-first-served basis; there are no ticket reservations 
•  special trips with this boat is also available upon reservation but it costs more 

On a personal note...

I could have preferred the legitimate passenger boat since it is bigger and safer because of the life vests available. Knowing it is registered under the municipality, you'd know who to call for and who's going to be accountable if anything happens. However, our group was convinced by one of the boatmen that there are no other passenger boats that would arrive at that hour so we hurriedly boarded on a pretty small boat with no life vests or any safety gears whatsoever. There were 13 of us excluding the 2 boatmen and the travel time was 3 hours and 45 minutes. Imagine the time we could have saved if we waited for the legit ride. The ride was exhausting but we didn't complain because we thought that was the normal travel time.

on board! [this is the unregistered passenger boat w/out life jackets or any safety measures]

Going home, we had to hasten at around 7AM because the boat was already docked at the shore so we thought they were a bit early. Then we realized it had to be early to load cargoes and passengers plus we had to right on a little boat to get to the passenger pump boat because it was high tide. We embarked on the journey at exactly 8AM and we admired how people there were really prompt and made no delays as they promised. 

had to ride on this little red boat to reach the passenger pump boat bound for Tapilon Port

Bonus Tip:

PRICE TAG:

Air-conditioned bus (North Bus to Tapilon) - Php217

Air-conditioned bus (Daanbantayan Terminal to North Bus) Php192

Boat ride from Tapilon to Carnaza - Php 200

Boat ride from Carnaza to Tapilon - Php150

Room accommodation including water/electricity - Php300

Island Hopping - Php1000 (in our case we divided it by 3)

Carnaza Eco Park entrance fee - Php150

Grilled seafood - Php100 (good for 3-4pax)

Value meals (resto/carinderia) -Php50  approx. (we dined twice)

                      TOTAL: Php 1, 680

• *this only reflects an approximate amount based on our own actual spending 

Till our next laag!