Canigao Island: The Way There
First you'll have to make your way to the jump-off point going to the island, and that is (only) from the port somewhere behind the municipal hall of the town of Matalom Leyte - therefore very easy to find!
But how you get to Matalom can be in many different ways - most of which are fun travel experiences depending on where you are coming from, your circumstances, and how creative a traveler you are!
It is important to know your bearings though, so you can find the easiest (even if not nearest) way to this town. First to note: Matalom is the southern-most (southwestern-most to be exact) municipality of Leyte Province. You will naturally instinctively reckon that with the provincial capital, Tacloban City, more than 200kms via Ormoc-Baybay Road or about 160kms via Mahaplag-Baybay Road. Hassle ba?!
Now now.., that said.., did you know that, Matalom is right next to Maasin City the capital of Southern Leyte? Just about 25kms from city hall to municipal hall! Some folks even ride tricycles between the two places. You can also fly to Maasin from Cebu, right? Or get on a RORO from Surigao City; fastcraft or ship from Cebu, and so on and on, right? There are even boats from Ubay port on Bohol to Maasin!
Oh, if you were in Bohol, there are boats also from Ubay to the town of Bato, which is just about 5kms to Matalom via trike, habal-habal, jeep, van or even bus (kung pasasakayin ka as it's too near haha)!
Uhuh, above Bato, there are Hilongos (about 12kms to Matalom); Hindang (about 20kms); Inopacan (about 29kms); Baybay (about 53kms); even Ormoc (about 99kms) to/from Matalom! All have regular trips from Cebu City via the inter-island boats that sail at night! Or fly to Ormoc from Cebu or Manila!
In my case, since I was already at Baybay City yesterday, I slept there overnight, and had a wonderful morning joyride to Matalom after a hefty jolly breakfast! And that, is what I want to show and tell you!
Let me start with this collage of things I saw at the port...
That thing at left is the entrance fee official receipt (P80 for two people - me and my driver). That blue post-it note stapled on top of it is (I think) the receipt for the boat ride (going and coming) which was P110 for two persons. Hmm, just a post-it note? Not an official receipt or an "official" ticket? Dear BIR!
At right are curious things I saw posted on the wall. They display boat capacities, the entrance fee and boat fare per person (above) and some reminders like "creating bonfire is prohibited", "bringing of pets is strictly prohibited", "bringing of white sand is not allowed". Pets TO & sand FROM the island I guess.
That doggie roaming this port area looks old but cute, and I saw it has a problem with its feet. Lo-oy...
After the payments above, you get to this place that supposedly serves as the "waiting area"...
This is inside the gated port area. The sea (and the boats) are to the back of the camera. Noted, but I did not make a fuss about it, that I was the only passenger asked by those personnel to wait here. But of course my driver stayed with me! Other passengers walked straight to board the boat. Why is that?
My driver discovered (he whispered to me), that we were asked to sit in that waiting area because, we were supposed to be being treated as VIP. Yes, Very Important Passenger haha! How did that happen?
Ah well, somebody I know (in Tacloban) called up somebody he knows (in Matalom), that since I was a "first-timer", if the staff in this port could please assist and guide me (and my driver) where to safely and securely park our vehicle. That was all there was to it. Just a simple request of extra assistance.
The problem was(or was that really?), the somebody in Matalom that my friend in Tacloban called for this request, happened to be a real "somebody" that the barangay folks manning the port oh so revere. Thus, when that simple request reached them, they treated me as if I was some political figure hehe!
How so? Well, they even wanted my driver to bring our vehicle into this area that is supposed to be off limit. But I said "safe ra man kaha didto sa paid parking area", and they said "aw yes sir it is safe". Duh!
Mind you, although I may have been on the "favored" party this time, I really don't like this Filipino trait. Everyone should be given the same kind of service whether they know "somebody" somewhere or not.
This situation even got me into a little disadvantage (as far as my being a traveler is concerned)...
I was stuck waiting (as told) on that wooden bench while other passengers just walked on to the boat. You see that guy walking with a blue backpack? He was a fellow passenger merrily taking pictures as he walked to our boat. I couldn't. Why? 'Cause I was "VIP" and should only move when ceremoniously told by my "hosts". Good manners dictate I shouldn't disappoint those who are "honoring" me. Haruy!
It's such a (twisted) Filipino way of being courteous or hospitable or mapag-aruga, right? Wheh, as for me, I call that undue favoritism, which is not good, unless I was 'disabled' or 'senior citizen', di ba? The issue in this situation is I was the one being accorded the "favoritism", alangan magyawyaw ako hehe!
At least, if it's any consolation, I got to observe how these barangay folks "operate" Canigao Island...
Yep, that is the passenger manifest. That Manang dearly held unto that sheet, approaching accosting people going to the boat, asking them to write their names on that manifest. I told her (yes, nakialam) to just put it on the table and ensure passengers pass there - like the red tables at Iloilo's Ortiz Wharf.
Malo-oy 'tawon 'ta sa iyang pedicure kay sige sya'g dagan!
Anyway, as for me, with itchy feet and hands, excited to take pictures... waiting pa rin. Look!
I zoomed my phonecam, it's that foreigner with a blue bag I saw walking earlier! He was having a fine time taking pictures here and there! Inggit ako, the "VIP" kunohay, waiting in a tent with a wood bench!
There even came a time when the pier was all empty and quiet...
It looked / felt like there was no human activity at all. Have all passengers already boarded our boat?
While I wondered why the pier was all quiet, as if on cue, this man told me (in English) "sir, follow me"!
So I followed, masunurin akong bata! Syempre my driver (yaya, chaperone, alalay) followed me hehe!
Whatever this was for, I went with the flow. I was being treated as an esteemed guest, remember?!
At this time, it was hard to stop them from doing the "extra care" they were showering upon me. Okay, sige, go ra, walang basagan ng trip hehehe! Ayan si manong boatman at left edge of the pic o! Follow!
Follow nang follow, nothing would go wrong hehe! Our boat was at the edge of this bamboo bridge!
No, not this one says manong boatman.., this one would be next to be filled, after our boat!
At least I got to see how these boats look like when there are no passengers yet. They look good ha!
Not this one too! This just actually arrived from the island and just emptied its passengers out earlier!
And here it was... our boat to Canigao Island! Yeah! All expected passengers already boarded!
And once I was seated (at the very front edge, no less) this boat immediately pushed back. Leshgo!
Oh, eto na.., after secretly covertly asking around, my driver (cum yaya, chaperone, alalay, bodyguard) discovered that.., 1] I was asked to wait at that tent until the last minute because I was a "VIP" (daw)! Purportedly, so I won't get seasick (daw) while waiting for departure as the boat kept bobbing around. Aruu! Sige na nga! 2] That guy who said "sir, follow me" was the captain-of-the-ship, he is the one that finalizes things with the ticket people, the one that boards last and the only authority that can say "go"!
And 3] I was endorsed to him to ensure I am well taken care of! Ano ba ako, baldado? Hahaha, 4] They needed me to board last with the captain, so that I get to sit at the very front for the good views, not to mention so I could also disembark first - which indeed was what happened! So, my deepest gratitude!
Yeah.., true.., I was really truly at the very front with unobstructed view of where we were going!
I was first to catch the freshest sea breeze too... (at ang utot ko papunta sa loob hahaha)
Until we got nearer.., oh yes, the island really looks so damn inviting..,
And nearer.., I could already hear the "oohs" and "aahs" of my fellow passengers..,
And touchdown! Commotion on board! Aligaga lahat to already finally set foot on the sand!
So we arrived at Canigao Island.., the sand is not white.., it's pinkish.., so that's it.., What now? hahaha!
Ganito, let's roam around the island. In my next story! はい？
But how you get to Matalom can be in many different ways - most of which are fun travel experiences depending on where you are coming from, your circumstances, and how creative a traveler you are!
It is important to know your bearings though, so you can find the easiest (even if not nearest) way to this town. First to note: Matalom is the southern-most (southwestern-most to be exact) municipality of Leyte Province. You will naturally instinctively reckon that with the provincial capital, Tacloban City, more than 200kms via Ormoc-Baybay Road or about 160kms via Mahaplag-Baybay Road. Hassle ba?!
Now now.., that said.., did you know that, Matalom is right next to Maasin City the capital of Southern Leyte? Just about 25kms from city hall to municipal hall! Some folks even ride tricycles between the two places. You can also fly to Maasin from Cebu, right? Or get on a RORO from Surigao City; fastcraft or ship from Cebu, and so on and on, right? There are even boats from Ubay port on Bohol to Maasin!
Oh, if you were in Bohol, there are boats also from Ubay to the town of Bato, which is just about 5kms to Matalom via trike, habal-habal, jeep, van or even bus (kung pasasakayin ka as it's too near haha)!
Uhuh, above Bato, there are Hilongos (about 12kms to Matalom); Hindang (about 20kms); Inopacan (about 29kms); Baybay (about 53kms); even Ormoc (about 99kms) to/from Matalom! All have regular trips from Cebu City via the inter-island boats that sail at night! Or fly to Ormoc from Cebu or Manila!
In my case, since I was already at Baybay City yesterday, I slept there overnight, and had a wonderful morning joyride to Matalom after a hefty jolly breakfast! And that, is what I want to show and tell you!
Let me start with this collage of things I saw at the port...
At right are curious things I saw posted on the wall. They display boat capacities, the entrance fee and boat fare per person (above) and some reminders like "creating bonfire is prohibited", "bringing of pets is strictly prohibited", "bringing of white sand is not allowed". Pets TO & sand FROM the island I guess.
That doggie roaming this port area looks old but cute, and I saw it has a problem with its feet. Lo-oy...
After the payments above, you get to this place that supposedly serves as the "waiting area"...
My driver discovered (he whispered to me), that we were asked to sit in that waiting area because, we were supposed to be being treated as VIP. Yes, Very Important Passenger haha! How did that happen?
Ah well, somebody I know (in Tacloban) called up somebody he knows (in Matalom), that since I was a "first-timer", if the staff in this port could please assist and guide me (and my driver) where to safely and securely park our vehicle. That was all there was to it. Just a simple request of extra assistance.
The problem was(or was that really?), the somebody in Matalom that my friend in Tacloban called for this request, happened to be a real "somebody" that the barangay folks manning the port oh so revere. Thus, when that simple request reached them, they treated me as if I was some political figure hehe!
How so? Well, they even wanted my driver to bring our vehicle into this area that is supposed to be off limit. But I said "safe ra man kaha didto sa paid parking area", and they said "aw yes sir it is safe". Duh!
Mind you, although I may have been on the "favored" party this time, I really don't like this Filipino trait. Everyone should be given the same kind of service whether they know "somebody" somewhere or not.
This situation even got me into a little disadvantage (as far as my being a traveler is concerned)...
It's such a (twisted) Filipino way of being courteous or hospitable or mapag-aruga, right? Wheh, as for me, I call that undue favoritism, which is not good, unless I was 'disabled' or 'senior citizen', di ba? The issue in this situation is I was the one being accorded the "favoritism", alangan magyawyaw ako hehe!
At least, if it's any consolation, I got to observe how these barangay folks "operate" Canigao Island...
Malo-oy 'tawon 'ta sa iyang pedicure kay sige sya'g dagan!
Anyway, as for me, with itchy feet and hands, excited to take pictures... waiting pa rin. Look!
There even came a time when the pier was all empty and quiet...
While I wondered why the pier was all quiet, as if on cue, this man told me (in English) "sir, follow me"!
Whatever this was for, I went with the flow. I was being treated as an esteemed guest, remember?!
Follow nang follow, nothing would go wrong hehe! Our boat was at the edge of this bamboo bridge!
No, not this one says manong boatman.., this one would be next to be filled, after our boat!
At least I got to see how these boats look like when there are no passengers yet. They look good ha!
Not this one too! This just actually arrived from the island and just emptied its passengers out earlier!
And here it was... our boat to Canigao Island! Yeah! All expected passengers already boarded!
And once I was seated (at the very front edge, no less) this boat immediately pushed back. Leshgo!
Oh, eto na.., after secretly covertly asking around, my driver (cum yaya, chaperone, alalay, bodyguard) discovered that.., 1] I was asked to wait at that tent until the last minute because I was a "VIP" (daw)! Purportedly, so I won't get seasick (daw) while waiting for departure as the boat kept bobbing around. Aruu! Sige na nga! 2] That guy who said "sir, follow me" was the captain-of-the-ship, he is the one that finalizes things with the ticket people, the one that boards last and the only authority that can say "go"!
And 3] I was endorsed to him to ensure I am well taken care of! Ano ba ako, baldado? Hahaha, 4] They needed me to board last with the captain, so that I get to sit at the very front for the good views, not to mention so I could also disembark first - which indeed was what happened! So, my deepest gratitude!
Yeah.., true.., I was really truly at the very front with unobstructed view of where we were going!
I was first to catch the freshest sea breeze too... (at ang utot ko papunta sa loob hahaha)
Until we got nearer.., oh yes, the island really looks so damn inviting..,
And nearer.., I could already hear the "oohs" and "aahs" of my fellow passengers..,
And touchdown! Commotion on board! Aligaga lahat to already finally set foot on the sand!
So we arrived at Canigao Island.., the sand is not white.., it's pinkish.., so that's it.., What now? hahaha!
Ganito, let's roam around the island. In my next story! はい？
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