By Bernard L. Supetran
With the resounding success of the Visit Philippines Year 2015 which is about to conclude, the Department of Tourism will launch another program to reward and entice tourists to visit the country again in its yearlong campaign. In keeping with this national trend, the comely province of Camarines Norte recently rolled off its local campaign “Come Again to Cam Norte” to lure travelers back into its loving arms.
Bicol’s northern frontier, however, has a series of getaways that will make you come back again and again, with or without the enticing slogans.
Calaguas Islands
This not-so-secret iconic getaway hugged the limelight when it was named the top Tourism Gem in an online poll of Isla Lipana & Co. Located two hours from the mainland, the heart of the Calaguas archipelago is Tinaga Island which is reputed for its mile-long powdery sand and crystalline water. Its back-to-the-basics allure of roughing it out under the stars is its main come-on. For a dash of comfort, there is Waling Waling Resort, which offers comfy tropical lodging. If you’re tempted to call it the “next Boracay,” locals would rather like to hear you say it was Boracay of 30 years ago.
Beach-bumming and island-hopping
With a long Pacific coastline, CamNorte is punctuated with fine beaches—San Jose Beach (Talisay), Pulang Daga (Paracale), Cayucyucan (Mercedes), Mangcamagong (Basud) and Calalanay (Panganiban).
San Jose, adjacent to Bagasbas, is also an alternative surfing spot. Sunsets in Pulang Daga are kaleidoscopic, Cayucyucan is child-friendly with its shallow waters, while Mangcamagong has the mountain ranges as a dramatic backdrop. Maculabo and Quinamanokan are powdery islands just a few minutes away from mainland.
Half an hour away from Mercedes town is Siete Pecados consisting of the islands of Quinapaguian, Canton, Canimog, Apuao Grande, Apuao Pequeña, Caringo and Malasugui. Apuao Grande is the most popular because of its powdery sand, Canton boasts of caves believed by many to be enchanted, while Caringo is known for its marine sanctuary where corals are largely untouched.
Agile beach lovers can paddle around the islands aboard a kayak which the Mercedes tourism office rents out. Back at Baybay Beach in the mainland, you can ride the waves aboard a kayak where moderate waves and shallow waters have made it a “kayak-surfing capital,” where newbies can test their paddling skills.
Surfing and kiteboarding in Bagasbas Beach
Located in Daet, this is a top destination for surfing greenhorns because of its sandy bottom and consistent waves whole year-round. It is recognized as the 62nd spot in the world’s surfing circuit and the first in the Philippines to be included in the said circuit.
You can level up and go kiteboarding, which combines surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding and wakeboarding with flying a kite. Bagasbas has become a playground for international kiteboarders because of the abundant Pacific wind. Ideal months for kite surfing are from November to March.
Lessons on both water sports can be had at rock-bottom rates.
Waterfalls trekking
The mountainous terrain has gifted Cam Norte with enchanting cascades with tall drops. Nature lovers can enjoy adventure-filled hikes to the 70-foot-tall Colasi waterfalls in Mercedes; Nacali Falls in San Lorenzo Ruiz; San Felipe Twin Falls in Basud. In Labo; three waterfalls standout—Malatap and Binuang—which are just a few hundred meters away from the highway, while Maligaya Falls may be reached after an 8-kilometer trek. Mananap Falls in San Vicente is ideal because of its short hike, refreshing sights and cool waters.
Caving
Tucked somewhere in the bosom of Mount Cadigin Labo town, Cadig Cave is a showpiece for adventure 101 or those who want to get initiated to spelunking. Composed of several dark compartments of stalactites and stalagmites, this cave offers moderate difficulty in trekking and exploration, but never short on thrilling experiences you would want to do again.
Also within the town are the caves of Mambuaya and Pintong Gubat, which can heighten your craving for spelunking with their rich speleological properties.
Heritage spots
A must-see in Daetis is the First Rizal Monument, a white-stone obelisk which was unveiled on December 30, 1898. Situated at a riverine park, it holds the distinction of being the first monument built in the honor of the national hero. A few steps away is a memorial pedestal honoring the martyrs of the 1898 Daet Revolt against Spanish colonizers. Across the park is the Daet Heritage Center, the former municipal hall, which serves as the town’s museum and sociocivic center.
The Bulawan Museum at the Provincial Capitol Complex showcases Cam Norte’s noble heroes, archaeological finds, a portrait by prized Filipino artist Fernando Amorsolo, among others.
Considered a living museum is the Pabico Mansion, a 98-year-old ancestral house, which is a mute witness to Cam Norte’s glorious bygone era. It takes pride in original features such as lattices, barandillas, murals, frescos, capiz windows and upright piano are well-preserved.
Bicol’s 400-year-old religious heritage is best represented by the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church in Paracale, founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1581 and became a parish in 1611. Other historic churches are Saint John the Baptist in Daet; the Saint Peter the Apostle in Vinzons; and Capalonga Church, home of the Black Nazarene whose devotees often come from the affluent “Chinoy” entrepreneurs.
Bite a spice of life
Bicol dishes comprise a tasty regional cuisine, with its distinctive use of chili pepper and gata (coconut milk). Laing, tinuktok (ground shrimp or crab wrapped in gabi leaves in gata), and kinunot (manta ray cooked in coconut milk), sinantol (ground santol meat with gata) are just a few of the must-try dishes.
Quaint local restaurants are Catherine’s at Lighthouse Resort, Central Plaza, and Golden Palace for Chinese cuisine, King Fisher for seafood, and Kay Sarap and Pratesi for the Filipino all-time favorites. Chef Mama, a gourmet resto, is known for Pinoy and fusion food such as Bicol-inspired pizzas and pastas.
Souvenir shopping
Pineapple and abaca are major products in the province, so items made from these fibers, such as bags, wallets and pineapple derivatives, are sold in the markets. Best buys are Bicol’s signature pili nuts and dried seafoods. Pilipinya Pie, a fusion of pineapple and pili, is a must-taste. Angko, a specialty of Vinzons town, is a delectable sticky rice ball filled with peanuts and sweetener.