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CAMIGUIN.Mysterious as it seems, but definitely you can Come-Again to this island.Ironic as it may sound, but this is my first time to visit this island. Good thing my team grabbed some promo seats online. Before we arrived in this enchanting island, we spend a night at my hometown in Balingasag, a small quiet town off Cagayan de Oro City.
Dubbed as island Born of Fire, Camiguin indeed emerged from the seafloor of Macalajar Bay and peaked into a volcanic island composed of four young stratovolcanoes overlying older volcanic structures. The island derived its name from the native word “Kamagong”, a tree of the Ebony family that thrives near lake Mainit in the Province of Surigao del Norte. The original inhabitants of Camiguin were “manobos” who migrated from Surigao. The old native language in Camiguin is called “Kinamiguin”, which is similar to the dialect spoken in Surigao.
It was a perfect, crisp day when we arrived at the port town of Balingoan, the major port leading to the island. Boat fare differs according to age group.
I was a bit nervous during this trip since I got only a few bucks in my pocket and I haven't confirmed if PNB in Camiguin accepts ATM cards outside of the province. Luckily, the machine popped out cash and were on our smiles again.
Our first stop! A majestic view of Mt.Vulcan(Daan).I could just imagine how awful the time it was when this peak erupted and wreak havoc to the town of Catarman and sunk its cemetery(to what is now known as Sunken Cemetery). Powerful force of nature indeed!Next stop was the Stations of the Cross. At last
I was able to step into this place! Way back when I was in high school, I would almost kneel down to beg and ask permission from my father to come to Camiguin on Holy Week since most of my friends attend the "Panaad" - an annual pilgrimage during Holy Week. My dad would prefer to have me stay at home, because he was pretty sure that I wouldn't do any penance and would just do "lakwatsa". Hmmm, well dad was definitely right! Anyway, the group didn't have the courage to climb the steps leading up to the peak(or the 14th station) for the various physical and spiritual reasons and alibi's they have.lol
Well as for me, I managed to climbed the 4th station and only captured a shot of the first station.Ironic
