EXPLORING THE OTHER SIDE OF MISIBIS IN ALBAY

 Location:  Barangay Misibis, Bacacay, Albay, Philippines

The Cagraray Amphitheater

This was a family trip to a family friend residing in this place dated May 10-12, 2024.  Our family friend is Romena Casabuena.  My wife and I served as the major sponsor "Ninong and Ninang" for her church wedding to Kempee Barcenila in Rapu-rapu District of Albay.

Arriving in the shores of Barangay Misibis

We had a long trip from our residence from Guinobatan, Albay to Legazpi City, then to Tabaco City for an overnight with Romena's parents.   The following day, we boarded a jeepney from Tabaco to Bacacay Crossing, then a tricycle from Bacacay Crossing to Bacacay town proper.  From the town proper, we boarded a jeepney heading to Misibis.

A boat transport from Misibis Proper to Sitio Layuan

Actually, Sitio Layuan is still a part of the mainland, but it is convenient to board a boat going there than by having a long trek, considering that Matthew, my son then was only 4 years old.  The trail along the coast line was a forest with a steep terrain.  It was a special trip just one way for P300.

Our Host's residence

Arriving Sitio Layuan for a 9-minute boat ride

This is the place I like, simple yet you can feel serenity and the cool breeze of the sea is just so refreshing.   There is no electricity in the area, but it is not hot there since there are so many trees around.

Opted to rest outside the house to enjoy the cool sea breeze

The place of Romena's parents were isolated.  In fact, there were only three visible houses in that place.  But the best thing that I like there was the beach.  It was barely 8 meters away from Romena's house.

Our very hospitable host Papa Roque and Mama Weng Casabuena

Papa Roque and Mama Weng are very humble people.  Papa Roque is a fisherman and he does fishing at night.  I love watching what he does as he fixes the fishing net during day time.  

Cagraray Eco Energy Park

After being hosted with a sumptuous lunch of seafoods, we boarded again a boat heading to Misibis Proper for a quick tour.  It was only 3:48 P.M. when we arrived Cagraray Eco Energy Park thru trekking.

Stella Maris Chapel

The breathtaking view from the Stella Maris Chapel

From the Misibis Proper heading to Stella Maris Chapel was such a long walk in an ascending elevation.  It was very hot then and we have to stop from one point to another.  

The Stella Maris Chapel

It is a hilltop Catholic chapel lcoated in the Cagraray Eco Energy Park, just a short distance from the Misibis Bay Resort on Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay.

The chapel's interior 

The chapel is highly popular for its breathtaking, panoramic views of the Albay Gulf and the iconic Mayon Volcano.  Because of its serene and picturesque location, it is a sought-after venue for destination weddings and intimate ceremonies.

Outside the chapel is overlooking Albay Gulf

The chapel faces Albay Gulf and with clear skies, the famous Mayon Volcano can be viewed in whole totality with all its splendor.

The Basilica-like chapel interior

Stella Maris (Latin for "Star of the Sea") is an ancient allegorical title for the Virgin Mary. It is both a major maritime charity and the name of several globally significant religious sites.

The rear view of the chapel

Cagraray Amphitheater

We left the chapel at 4:17 P.M. and trek to Cagraray Amphitheater reaching there at 4:42 P.M. - matter of 25 minutes walk.

My wife while with me at the amphitheater

Cagraray Amphitheater is an open-air venue nestled on Cagraray Island which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is designed to host a variety of cultural events, musical performances, and other gatherings.

My son enjoyed a lot climbing and going down the stairs

If you look around, the amphitheater is surrounded by lush greenery and provides a serene setting for attendees.  Its architectural design and natural surroundings make it a unique site for both local and visiting audiences looking to experience the arts in an outdoor environment.

Back to Our Host's House

From the amphitheater we had such a long trek going back to our host's house.  We passed thru Misibis Proper and we bought some food items from a sari-sari store.

Preparing the finishing nets for nights fishing

Our dinner was super special as it was fresh fish catch and a "ginataang langka".   Indeed, our host was so hospitable and we provided us so much for dinner.

Fresh catch at 11:58 P.M.

Fish and big squid were the fresh catch when Papa Roque arrived at 11:58 P.M.  The squid were separated as it drenched the fish with black ink.

A RECOLLECTION OF MY CAMALIG DAY TOUR

 

A scenic angle of Mayon Volcano in Quitinday Greenhills

This post was originally about my tour dated July 26, 2022, when my son was just 2 years old.  We did this trip after attending a wedding as major sponsor in one of the islands of Rapu-rapu district, Albay province.  From Rapu-rapu, we boarded a boat heading to Tabaco City and to Legazpi City where we stayed in a hotel for overnight.

To avoid many posts of these 3-day tour destination, I already posted here my different visits dated February 17, 2024; March 28, 2024; August 10, 2024; January 1, 2025; and April 16, 2025.  The rates in fares and entrance fees are recent as of this posting May 30, 2026.

Destination 1: Sumlang Lake

With my family while at Sumlang Lake

Sumlang Lake, located in Purok 1 of Barangay Sumlang in Camalig, is a 14-hectare, man-made freshwater lagoon.  Once choked by water lilies, it has been transformed into an eco-tourism hotspot offering bamboo rafting (balsa), kayaking, and go-karts, with a stunning, unobstructed backdrop of the majestic Mayon Volcano.

A bonding while rafting

This tourist spot operates daily from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  It charges an entrance fee of P100  or US$1.63 for adults; P60 or US$0.98 (Children 8-12 years old) and P84 or US$1.37 for Seniors/PWD.

My family enjoying the place

There are water activities in the lake, such the Balsa (bamboo raft) tour for P80 or US$1.30 per person; Kayaking and Aqua Bikes for P100 or US$1.63 per person; and Go-Kart Rides for P100 to P150 or US$1.63 to US$2.44 per person.

A green park to enjoy nature

The place itself is like a green park with lots of spaces grown with shady trees and ornamental trees and plants.  It is well-maintained and oftentimes, its decoration is thematic depending on the season or event like Christmas day or Valentine's Day.

The shy backdrop of Mayon Volcano

Usually, when skies are clear, Mayon Volcano showcases its beauty with all its glory mesmerizing the tourists of its magnificent form.

Food stalls are available inside the place

The event stage with historical icon objects

My March 28, 2024 visit with my best friend, Rome Frias

Rome in his relaxing mode along the lake

Rome, making the most of his visit

My fair share of relaxation

The following pictures are dated January 1, 2025 family visit in Sumlang Lake

April 16, 2025 visit with my family and nephew, Jerome Almasin Ambos and his family

Lunch at Socorro Lakeside Restaurant and Grill

A unique dining experience

Socorro Lakeside Restaurant and Grill offers fiery flavors of Bicolano and Filipino cuisine, signature coffee and the best ambiance with the backdrop of the Mayon Volcano.

Cooling of under the shade of refreshing trees

Framing Mayon Volcano from a refreshing bench under shady tree

How to Get There

From Legazpi City, you can catch a jeepney with a signboard of   either  Guinobatan, Oas, Ligao or Polangui and tell the driver to drop you off near Sumlang Lake with a landmark of Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO).  Just cross the street and there is a while building there and there is a tricycle which will give you a ride to Sumlang Lake.  You can see these jeepneys routes parked either fronting the Ayala Mall, Gaisano Mall and SM Legazpi.  The fare is just around P30 or P35 (US$0.49 or US$0.57).  The tricycle fare is around P25 (US$0.41) per head

Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO)

Suggestion/Recommendation

By the time I went here, I was not yet a resident of Albay.  So, what I did, I rode a jeepney from SM Legazpi City.  Then, when I was at APAO,  I contracted a tricycle driver to pay for his services for three tourist spots:  Sumlang Lake,  Quituinan Hills and Quitinday Greenhills for P800 or US$13.01  That was the price that I haggled in the year 2022.  But since I found the three tourist spots so distant from each other with no public utility vehicles going there, I paid him P1,000 or US$16.27.  We started the trip at 1:00 P.M. and ended at 7:00 P.M.  After the Quitinday Greenhills trip, I instructed the driver to drove us back to APAO, but I treated him first with dinner before we parted.  From there, I took a jeepney going back to Legazpi City.

Destination 2: Quituinan Ranch

Enjoying a late afternoon visit at Quituinan Ranch

I have a recent post of Quituinan Ranch here.  This ranch is located in Quituinan hills, that is way, it is called as such.  The distance from Sumlang Lake to Quituinan Ranch is around 4 kilometers.  But as I mentioned in my post about Quituinan Ranch, there is no public transport that will directly drive you there.  So, if you are a backpacker, just do the suggestion and recommendation I mentioned above.

The magic "kawa" at the ranch

Late afternoon visit is better as the place is an open space, though there is a pavilion visitors can take cover.  Regarding the fees in this spot, refer to this  link.

The tables and benches for the guests

The children's park at Quituinan Ranch

My family spent longer at the Sumlang Lake from 1:20 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.  While we reached Quituinan Ranch at 4:26 P.M. and stayed there until 5:06 P.M.

August 10, 2024 visit with my family

August 10, 2024 couple picture

August 10, 2024 siblings photo

February 17, 2024 visit solo 

Destination 3: Quitinday Greenhills

Arriving at Quitinday Greenhills

We arrived at Quitinday Greenhills at 5:37 P.M.  It is 11.7 kilometers from Quituinan Ranch via Baligang -Caguiba Road.   The place is so remote that there are no regular public transport plying to this point.

Trekking to the peak

Quitinday hills are just like chocolate hills in Bohol, but this one in all seasons are all green hills, but what makes it even special is its backdrop of the Mayon Volcano.   There is an entrance fee of:  Adult - P70 or US$1.14 per person ; Children (8 years - 12 years old) - P40 or US$0.65 per person; and Senior Citizens/PWD - P60 or US$0.98.  

Parking Fees are: P20 or US$0.33 for 4-wheel vehicles like cars, vans and SUVs, while P10 or US$0.16 for 2 & 3-wheel vehicles like motorcycles and tricycles.

Truly magnificent greenhills at the backdrop

The majestic Mayon Volcano at the backdrop

A 6:09 P.M. photo of my son with the backdrop of Mayon Volcano

March 28, 2024 visit with my best friend, Rome Frias

Rome ascending to the northern peak

Invading the northern peak

Standing at the northern peak

April 16, 2025 visit with my nephew, Jerome and his family

Jerome and his family

Somehow, I have seen some improvements here since my last visit in 2022 like its facade from the name Quitinday Hills to Quitinday Greenhills.

My granddaughter from Jerome

There was a newly built indoor and outdoor restaurant

A pasalubong and souvenir shop

They are selling originally manufactured chocolates from the local produce of cacao, part of the sustainable tourism livelihood project.

Shirts and bags for pasalubong items

Other locally produced items

Other pasalubong and souvenir items for sale

My niece-in-law,  Miriam Comia Ambos

Scaling towards the northern peak

Towards the northern peak

Jerome captured in the most scenic angle

Father and daughter at the southern peak

My third visit in this spot

Descending from the hill

THANKS FOR READING!