TOURIST DESTINATIONS LEADING TO AND WITHIN THE RADIUS OF MATNOG-ALLEN EXCHANGE

Location: Bicol Peninsula and Samar, Philippines

A documentation of how Matnog-Allen sea cross looks like
Being from Calbayog City, I used to travel by land from Manila to Calbayog.  Before, my consideration was it is cheaper compared of boarding an airplane.  In terms of time, it is inconvenient since the travel is almost whole day.  You are seated in the bus for the whole duration of the trip.

Still in Matnog waiting for the ferry's departure to Allen of Northern Samar

The question is: Where is Matnog and Allen?  Well, Matnog and Allen are two different places.  Matnog is a municipality of the province of Sorsogon and geographically speaking, it is the southernmost tip of the island of Luzon.  While Allen is a municipality of Northern Samar where ferries from Matnog dock.  Allen is the northernmost tip of the Samar Island. There is also an alternative port in San Isidro, also in Northern Samar but Allen is the most famous and oldest connecting port from Matnog.   Technically,  Matnog connects to Visayas and Mindanao when the ferries coming from it land either in Allen and San Isidro.

A FastCat carrying vehicles and passengers from Matnog to San Isidro

Though it takes 13 hours bus travel from Manila to Matnog, I still consider it convenient on my part since when I take a bus from Pasay City at 8:00 P.M., I will be in Matnog the following day at 9:00 A.M.  I will only sleep while on board the bus at night.  Besides, there are bus stops for eating meals which is usually the first stop is in Atimonan (Quezon Province), then Naga City, and a certain part of the Sorsogon province, then finally in Matnog.

Matnog Port can accommodate multiple ferries at a maximum of five

The best thing of this night trip is when you wake up while on board the bus at around 6:00 A.M., you will see Mayon Volcano.  The sprawling rice fields with a refreshing view would welcome you as you open your eyes.  So, if you are travelling with your own vehicle, you can spend time enjoying the majestic view of the Mayon Volcano.  There are more suggestions that you can capture the famous perfect-cone volcano in the province of Albay.  However, let's just limit them into four in this blog. First, is at Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga ; second is at  Quintuinan Ranch of Camalig and the third one is at Sumlang Lake, also in Camalig and fourth is in Legazpi Boulevard viewpoint in Legazpi City.  Let's take a look with them one by one.

The postcard-perfect Mayon Volcano as viewed from Cagsawa Church ruins in Daraga, Albay (Philippine Tourists Blogspot)

Mayon Volcano as viewed from Quintuinan Ranch in Camalig, Albay

Mayon Volcano as viewed from Sumlang Lake in Camalig, Albay

Mayon Volcano as viewed from Legazpi Boulevard viewpoint in Legazpi City (Stock Adobe Image)

There is still more, and it's up for you to find out.

Captured while on board the bus along Ligao, Albay

As I wake up early in the morning, I open the curtains of the bus not to let go every inch of sight that unfold as the bus moves forward. 

Another captured picture along Ligao, Albay while on board the bus

I find the province of Albay to be blessed with so much natural beauty.  This countryside is so scenic that even if you are on board the bus traveling you will be amazed of the pictures you will capture.

Matnog as viewed while aboard the ferry

During the peak season, Matnog Port Terminal is extremely busy with buses, trucks, private cars reaching to thousands in a stretch of one kilometer or longer while passengers are thousands.  The economy of this municipality thrives on these arrivals of passengers on their port.

The other side of Matnog with Mount Bulusan at the backdrop

If you want to enjoy Matnog, an overnight stay will suffice visiting three of its famous attractions, namely: Subic Beach, Juag Fish Sanctuary Lagoon, Tikling Island and its pink beach and Calintaan Island Beach.

To give you an idea, how these tourist destinations, a sample picture and its link is provided below:

Subic Beach (Trevally Travel and Tours)

Juan Fish Sanctuary  Lagoon (Tripzilla)

Tikling Island (Explora.ph)

Tikling Pink Beach (Tripzilla)

Calintan Island (Trevally Travel and Tours)

If there is still enough time or if you find time, you can enjoy a swim together with whales in Donsol, still a part of the Sorsogon province which is  2 hours and 40 minutes travel from Matnog or at a distance of 138 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Watch and  swim with whales in Donsol (Trevally Tours and Travel)

You see! Matnog can be an ultimate destination in terms of tourist destinations.  Now, let's go back to our point of discussion.  the Matnog-Allen exchange.

A FastCat servicing passengers from Matnog to San Isidro

The choice of taking receiving ports like Allen, San Isidro or Dapdap depends on the bus of your choice.  FastCat is more expensive than the ordinary ferry but it is faster which only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.  Below is its schedule:

                     Matnog to San Isidro                             San Isidro to Matnog

                            6:00 A.M.                                                   3:00 A.M.

                                                 

                          12:00 NN                                                      9:00 A.M.

                            6:00 P.M.                                                    3:00  P. M.

                        

                          12:00 MN                                                     9:00  P.M.

A ferry servicing passengers and vehicles from Matnog to Allen or vice versa

The ferries plying from Matnog to Allen and vice versa usually are the Star Ferries and the Montenegro Shipping Lines with an estimated speed of 1 hour and 50 minutes.  While the FastCat from  Matnog to San Isidro or Dapdap and vice versa is one hour and 30 minutes.  The following pictures is a compilation of different dates of trips in Matnog Port Terminal.

When buying bus ticket, the ferry fare is already included.  This is distributed by the bus conductor upon boarding the ferry.  On the other hand, when buses board the ferry, they required to be empty of passengers since the latter is required to purchase a ticket for terminal fee of P30.  Thus, when one boards the ferry, he needs to present his ferry ticket and terminal fee.  So, it is important to keep them, or else you will not be allowed to board the ferry.

Villa Costa Conchita Beach Resort in Allen

Allen does not only serves as a getaway to Visayas but if one tourist opts to stay for a few days, there are some tourist destinations he can visit with.  Villa Costa Conchita Beach Resort is just in Barangay Calarayan of Allen, Northern Samar of barely 5 minutes from its town proper.

Villa Leonor Beach in Imaga Beach Coast of Cabacungan in Allen (Photo credit: Bill Baylon)

A 30-minute drive from Allen town proper can give you the white sand beach of Villa Leonor Beach Resort in Imaga beach coast of Barangay Cabacungan of Allen, Northern Samar.  The place is not highly commercialized.

Also from Allen, you can take options to visit the nearby famous destination like Biri Island,  Capul Island, San Antonio beaches of Dalupiri Island and the Pink Beach of San Vicente.

Now, let's peep into these destinations, I mentioned above.  Their link will give you the details of how beautiful they are.

The fascinating and mystical Biri Island

The tranquil and laid back island of Capul Island

The white sand and clear aquamarine blue beaches of San Antonio in Dalupiri Island

The remotely undisturbed pink beaches of San Vicente in Northern Samar

When you travel further Samar, you still have a lot of destinations to visit and enjoy with but meanwhile, let's just concentrate on those locations near Allen, Northern Samar.

Meanwhile, let's go back to our Matnog-Allen exchange. . .

 My trip from Allen to Matnog

Going back to Manila, when I will take again a bus trip, I will pass through Allen going to Matnog and the following pictures would tell you of the usual scenarios.  As our bus arrives at Allen's Balwharteco's Port terminal, we pay a terminal fee of P20 and an environmental fee of P5.  Then, we wait from port's departure area till our ferry's passengers are called to board.

After boarding and the ferry is still loading goods and vehicles, it is not at all boring while waiting for the ferry to depart from Allen.  There are so many things to make you busy while waiting.

They are coin divers at Allen's Balwharteco Port Terminal

The following pictures show how these coin divers do just to earn money from the coins being thrown by the ferry passengers to the sea while the ferry is loading and preparing for its departure.

By watching and throwing coins to these entertaining coin divers, you won't notice the ferry is already leaving the port.

Our ferry is slowing disengaging from Allen's port

When the slowly moves away, your first to do is to go to your place and check your belongings if it is still there.  After all, the accommodation provided are just long ordinary chairs.

 The passengers' seat in the economy class

Usually, ordinary ferries like this has only one class, the economy where passengers are just given a seat while on board for 2 hours going to Matnog.

The ferry's open upper deck

Normally, if the ferry is already navigating at sea, many passengers would crowd at the ferry's open upper deck waiting for the sunset.  My usual time of trip from Allen is late afternoon.  Hence, it is just timely that there is sunset.

Waiting for the sunset

The open upper deck of the ferry seem like a park where people unwind.  In this place, some strangers find friendship and even true love.  I knew of stories where couples meet from this place and eventually love started to grow.

CONTACT:

If you want to avail some of the tour packages in Sorsogon, you contact one of the tour operators who can be contacted through his Facebook Account at Wedmar Gacis.

TOUR PACKAGES AND OTHER DETAILS:

Rental for motor boat for Subic Beach is P2,500 for Day Tour and P3,500 for Overnight which is good for 5 persons capacity only,  since social distancing is being observed.  This rate also includes the island hopping.  It is back and forth.   The motors boats used for operation are licensed with Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) registered in Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) as well as the owners and boatmen.  Included in the island hopping are the Tikling Island, Juag Lagoon/Fish Sanctuary, Sea Cave and the Subic Beach.

In terms of accommodation, there is a choice between airconditioned or fan room.  The rate for the airconditioned rooms vary from P2,000 to P5,500 as it depends on its size. On the other hand, the rate for the fan rooms vary from P2,000 to P3,000 due to varying sizes.  The P2,000 rooms for both aircon and fan rooms is good for 2 persons only, but it can be maximized to four using extra beds.  The P3,500 airconditioned rooms have 2 beds with a capacity of 4-6 persons and the P5,500 airconditioned rooms is a family room.  For overnight guests, they can get the services of the cook if they have food supplies with them and the open cottage is for free already.

There is an environmental fee of P70 per head for locals and P320 for foreigners.  If it is Day Tour, the rental for the open cottages is P600 but it is P700 if overnight.  If guests have tents, they are not required to get a room for accommodation.  There is also available tents for rental.

There is a parking space for fee if guests wanted their vehicles to be safe.  For Day Tour parking, it is P150 and P200 for overnight.  This parking space is a private parking secured with with fence and gate and a guard.

PALAD SANDBAR MANIWAYA ISLAND

Location: Maniwaya Island, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, Philippines

Another sandbar experience in the jewel island of Maniwaya

KABIGAN WATER FALLS

Location: Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

The 87-feet high Kabigan Falls
Kabigan Water Falls is a part of our 3day-2night Ilocos tour package after we had a short visit in Bantay Abot Cave, but originally coming from Pagudpud Beach from an overnight stay.

The vehicle drop-off point where trek starts selling buco fruits

This refreshing water falls is just 1.8 kilometers from the national road and accessible through trekking in 30 to 40 minutes.  With this,  some of my colleagues did not dare to walk and stayed in shade at the drop-off point enjoying their freshly served buco fruits.  A local who served to be our guide told us that there are instances that there is a vehicle for rent for those who like to go to the water falls, but does not like to walk.

This is partly the type of trail you will see at the start

The trekking is not that challenging as it only requires purely walking.  The first part is an open trail and one needs a cover because it is really hot in Ilocos in general.

Trailing along a golden rice field

Immersing on this kind of trail is quite relaxing and you will smell the odor of a rice field and its paddies.  Surrounding the rice fields are hills.  It's in itself a rewarding experience.

Such a flat trail no challenge at all

On the first part of the trail is mostly open but on its sides are trees that might give a shade if you want to take cover.  But definitely, you can take an executive walk.

Walking along a clear and clean stream

Looking at the flowing clean stream is quite inviting for a swim, but I knew that I still have to trek and the water falls itself is the ultimate reward.

My mentor Mrs. Nelsie Caculitan and Mr. Cesar Cano taking a 5-minute rest at a buco stop

Along the trail are buco fruit stops where guests can have an option to rest and buy their fresh buco to quench the thirst from the searing heat of the sun.

Crossing a shallow stream

It will be twice that guests will cross a shallow stream and becoming wet is unavoidable.  So, equip yourself with a walking slippers and not a trekking or running shoes.

A gradual ascent which may not cause your breath away

Not this short ascent will stop my highly excited colleagues and most specially my boss, Mam Lucia Llego and husband, Sir Frank with their son, Francis.

Another trail along the wet rice fields

Trekking in this varying lush green and open fields would be breathtaking.  You would not notice you are already walking a thousand meters or more.

And what about enjoying a moment in this canopy-like covered trees trail

No one can resist having a refuge in shaded trail forming like canopy to cover us from the heat of the sun.   Realizing that this experience is rare being in forested area, we decided not to rush trekking.  After all, we knew  that the water falls is there waiting for our arrival.

This wooden bridge is almost near the water falls

From this wooden bridge, we can already see the water falls partly and cascading sound of the the water falls telling us to trek faster and plunge on its cold water.

The elevated part overlooking the water falls

My colleagues and my boss with her husband.  In the picture above from left to right are: Mr. Mamerto Presentacion (in yellow shirt), Miss Roselyn Napoles (in white cap), Mrs. Lucia Llego - my boss and husband Sir Frank (in red shirt), I am at the back (in blue trekking shirt), Ms. Connie Pante, Mam Elizabeth Patriarca and Ms. Cycyl Birog.

my solo picture

My colleague and travel buddy Mr. Allan R. De la Trinidad

By the way, guests should provide themselves with bottled water, because juice is not enough to quench your thirst.  For some, they may need trail food like jelly ace but not chocolate bars because the more you become thirsty.

Our group ready to invade the water falls

The  place is  also good for picnic bringing food, so that in between swimming, they can eat and stay longer in the water falls.  But I warn you, the water is really, really cold.  You may not want to stay longer.

And finally, we plunged to its cold waters!

The swimming basin can accommodate as many as 80 people (not in a crowded mode)  and it is not deep.  Kids should be accompanied by the adults.

BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Location: Sitio Mabubua, Baloi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

A part of the topographay Pagudpud beach coast
Bantay Abot Cave is not really a hill, but rather a hill with a hole along the shores of the town of Baloi in Ilocos Norte.  It has rock formations which is believed to be formed by earthquakes in the past.

Tourist markers for the Bantay Abot Cave

At a distance,  this hill with a hole is like an image of a green whale resting ashore. We dropped by here after a drive coming from an overnight in Pagudpud Beach.

The sight of beach coast from the Bantay Abot Cave

On the other hand,  this tourist spot is more than 40 minutes coming from Bangui Windmills though this is not accessible along the main road since you have to drive down to a periphery road going there.

A stone-made stairs coming from the periphery road going to the site

A swim on its beach coast is not recommended here because like that in Bangui coast, the waves are very strong, though rock scrambling on its shallow part can be done.

Bantay Abot Cave at a distance

The rock formations on this cave is ideally good for photography or other location shooting that you might want to have like pre-nuptial, but you need to be watchful of the rocks for they might be slippery when wet.

From this point, we pushed to Kabigan water falls with a separate blog  post here.

CORAL REEF BEACH RESORT

Location: Barangay Ba-ay, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines

A leisurely moment along the boardwalk of Coraf Reef Beach Resort

MANANAP WATER FALLS

Location: San Vicente, Camarines Norte, Philippines

A must-visit hidden gem of Camarines Norte

IMAGA BEACH

Location: Barangay Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar, Philippines

Just one of the rough beach coasts along Pacific Ocean

CORREGIDOR ISLAND

Location: Manila Bay, Philippines

Corregidor Island: Once a fortress of Manila

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH OF LUBAO

Location: Barangay San Nicolas, Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines

DIOCESAN SHRINE AND PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED

Location: J.P. Rizal corner V. Gomez Street, Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines

The religious center of Marikina City

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SEMINARY OF CALBAYOG CITY

Location: Barangay Dagum, Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines

Has been known as a haunted place but a religious landmark of Calbayog City

PLAZA IBARRA DE CALBAYOG

Location: Tinambacan, Calbayog City, Samar

An alternative resort or tourist destination in Calbayog City

MOUNT SAMAT

Location: Pilar, Bataan, Philippines

Jump-off Point: Brgy. Diwa, Pilar
Elevation: 553 MASL or 1,814 feet
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1 hour
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 1/9, Trail class 1, historical trail.
Features: It is the site where the Dambana ng Kagitingan is erected and it can be reached thru a vehicle and there is no need to trek.


Source: Wikipedia

A place where heroism of Filipino people is remembered

Mount Samat is famous for being identified as the Mount Samat National Shrine, because on its summit was erected the Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour.  It gained its status as a national shrine on April 14, 1966 and is being operated by the Provincial Government of Bataan.  The area is 73,665 hectares and is open to the public all year round.  The colonnade, museum and the memorial cross were completed in 1970.

The Colonnade of Mount Samat National Shrine

One of the three major parts of the shrine is the Colonnade which means, it is a series of columns set at regular intervals and usually supporting the base of a roof structure. On the other hand, as shown in the picture, a colonnade is a marble-clad structure surrounded by an esplanade, itself surrounded by marble-clad parapets. The two other parts of the shrine are the war museum and the memorial cross.

The Colonnade as viewed halfway to the summit

The Colonnade is just above the massive stairs which connects the parking space for the guests.  Since the road is passable by vehicles, there is no need to trek to this site.  Upon entering the main entrance with military checkpoint, a spacious parking space is available.

There is an entrance fee to the shrine of P50 per person.  It opens daily from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.  You need to keep the two tickets issued upon payment of entrance fee since you have to give one of it to the guard when you visit the museum and the other one prior to entering the elevator of the Memorial Cross.

The bloodstone footpath to the summit

Trekking to the summit from the Colonnade is not a problem as there is a flattened stone pathway to the summit where the giant Memorial Cross is erected. From the Colonnade to the summit is consist of 448-step zigzagging footpath through the bloodstone, which is said to be the rocks from Corregidor, stained by Japanese blood. 

The zigzagging 448-step footpath towards the summit where the Memorial Cross is located

You might wonder why this site is given so much historical significance.  It can be recalled from history that wayback 1942, Mount Samat was the site of one of the bloodiest battles between the Allied forces and the Imperial Japanese Army during the Battle of Bataan.  After three months of bloody battle, the US and Philippine armies surrendered to the Japanese, because the former was defeated and what followed was the tragic death of thousands of men on the Bataan Death March.  It was then President Ferdinand E. Marcos who declared Mount Samat a memorial park.  The shrine complex completion in 1970 marked the 25th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The shrine's Memorial Cross

The summit does not only have the memorial cross but it also has a lush park and souvenir shops.  There is actually an elevator inside the Memorial Cross or also called Mount Samat Cross which will take the guests feast on the breathtaking scenery of Bataan while boarding the elevator, however, by that time we visited it, the elevator was not in operation.  The cross stands at 92 meters with the the cross arms 30-meter wide.  There is an observation deck in the cross arms of the cross where Mount Mariveles (Tarak Ridge), Corregidor Island and Manila Skyline across Manila Bay can be viewed in a clear and cloudless day.

The base of the Memorial Cross

At the base of the cross is an 11-meter high relief depicts important historical scenes and individuals in Filipino culture which was designed by artist Napoleon Abueva.  These images showcases the story of national hero Jose Rizal's death, the first parachute landing by the 511th parachute infantry regiment, and the Battle of Bataan.  National celebration connected to the Dambana ng Kagitingan is the Araw ng Kagitingan which falls on the 9th of April every year - the day the US and Filipino forces surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army.

The mini park at the base of the Memorial Park

There is a mini park that surrounds the base of the Memorial Cross.  By the way, the war museum is housed at the basement of the Colonnade.  Unfortunately, I was not able to visit it since I was not aware that there is such in the place. As I was told, the museum houses a collection of historical artifacts from the war, including a display of various weapons, a 3D map of the Bataan area and a series of photos illustrating the battle and the soldiers who took part.

HOW TO GO THERE

For DIY travelers, take a bus bound for Balanga of Bataan from Manila via Bataan Transit or Genesis Bus Lines which will approximately 3 hours drive for a fare of more or less P200.  From Balanga City Central Terminal, board a jeepney bound for Cabog-Cabog and go down at the intersection to Mount Samat in Diwa, Pilar, Bataan.