Camiguin’s Mantigue Island Morning View
It was a few days before our Camiguin travel when I saw a Howie Severino feature on Mantigue Island on TV. The island has a controversial issue regarding long time island residences who refuses to leave the island since the local government and tourism wanted to convert the whole island into a protected area. Since we were in Camiguin, we decided to check this out on ourselves. Things fell easily on place as our habal-habal driver, Jun, is a neighbor to a relative of a residence on the island. We easily secured a boat and a place to stay there for the night.
Mantigue parked boat on shore
We met Jeffrey, a young lad, near the Benoni Port where he’s large boat was waiting. He lives on the island and he hangs around the area to get supplies and also caters for some tourist as well who wants to visit the island. Prior to this, we were asking several people on how long the travel going to Mantigue is. We got varying answers from an hour to two hours so we were like getting ready ready for a long boat ride. It was a pleasant surprise that from Benoni, it took only less than half an hour to get here.
Mantigue Sunburst Shores
The boat ride was pretty smooth that afternoon and the waves unusually 3d-smooth. Mantigue island from a distance has a shiny white glimmer from it’s sands much like White Island but has really thick Forest Cover in the middle. The ocean waters was crystal clear as we approach the island. We could see large table corals and numerous species of fishes swimming around. It was beautiful.
Mt Timpoong and a Talisay Seedling
Jeffrey led us to a cabana for the meantime as he attend some matters first. The community there seems to have settled well. A number of houses made from sawali and wood, clustered together and inside there’s a cemented basketball court where we could hear people playing. Shortly, Jeffrey showed us a lone Cottage that would have been a great place to stay. It has two bamboo beds but the whole cottage can accommodate more than 6 people. Overnight stay there is only Php 700 but we had to wait for word from Jeffrey’s brother if a pre-booked guest would come in.
Mantigue dinner of Tambayang Shells and Balo fish
While hanging around the Cabana and playing with the local friendly island dogs, we were approached by a man who seems to be a government tourism representatives. He was continuously talking to us in English. He was accompanied by a couple or armed local guards and he came there informing us of the Camiguin’s local government’s plans for the island. We also had to pay an entrance fees if we are going to swim and stay on the island overnight. There are also various fees if you are going to camp and also dive the reefs. We paid our applicable dues and he left. The residences of Mantigue just allowed him to be but I could feel their coldness towards him.
Manitgue morning boats
After the Government official left, a resident asked us to sign a petition sheet to help them stay on the island and other conditions. Honestly we didn’t want to meddle on any local affairs so we didn’t sign anything since a signature is a strong sign of support on one side of the fence. We came here to see and observe and be objective as much as possible leave things to Camiguenos to settle.
Mantigue Seaweed Covered Shore
While waiting for word, I decided to roam around the island. Mantigue is a small island, it took me only less than half an hour to circle through it. The island geography is mostly made up of white sand much like White Island. It has a very wide and long stretch which I’m sure beach lovers would enjoy. The internal forest is home to a number of bird species as well. The government official and the island watch guards stays on the other side of the forest. There are a number of Talisay seedlings there which is part of the government’s reforestation project. One reason why the local government wanted the residents here to leave is bring back the migratory birds that usually visits the island. With human presence there, these birds became a bit wary to land on the island.
Mt Timpoong view from Mantigue
By nightfall, we received word that the cottage wasn’t available so we had to homestay at one of Jeff’s relatives. At night there were only selected houses with electricity powered by fuel generators. On where we were staying our light were only candles and gas lamps. For dinner we were served grilled Tambayang Shells and Balo (haba) Fish. The shells, especially the small ones were real tasty. With nothing much to do, we chatted with Jeff’s female cousin who’s still in high school studying. Kids here have to always ride a boat to the island going there and back just to study. His grandfather has a boat which she uses to commute going to school. The night signaled an impending thunderstorm which brought in some cool breeze. We stayed on the house sala for the night.
Manitgue on to harvest
with the no noise pollution on the island, the sound of the storm, the grumbling sky, the crackle of the lightning and the fall of the rain seems to have intensified that night. It felt like I’m in a THX cinema where all the dolby surround sounds set to the highest. I was able to snatch in some sleep throughout though. I woke up to the sound of morning prayers at the church nearby. The rosary were prayed around 5am and the rain has abated. Most people are already up here early morning.
Monring Shell Harvest
We went to shore and found the calm sea mirroring the bursting warm hues of the sky. As always, nature is more vibrant after the rains. Fishermen started to haul their boats to the sea. Mt Timpoong looks glorious with the capped clouds. On the other side, people were heading to the sea with their buckets and large knives to harvest for edible shells. Seeing all this, it seems that people here are very used to this way of life. They harvest and earn their living through this. It isn’t surprising since their families have been living here for more than 60 years. All the families here are related to each other. Originally there are 40 families living on the island, but due to the dispute, some decided to move to the mainland but the remaining 24 families still prefer to continue with their way of life on the island.
On leaving beautiful Mantigue Island
Manitigue Island is a beautiful island with very rich environment. It’s a diving site and a bird sanctuary but it’s also home to some people. So should people go to the island despite the quiet dispute between the government and the residents? Sure, everyone should see the wonders of the island, just don’t meddle with the local affairs and let them settle the issue on their own.
Essentials:
FEES: entrance to (php 10) and activities fees (php 20 for swimming, higher for snorkeling and scuba diving).
TRIPS: contract a bangkero from benoni or san roque. banca ride is around p400-500/one way. trip takes only 10-15 minutes. Our bangkero was jeffrey saturos, a resident of the island mobile 0929.6770331
SUPPLIES: there are sari-sari stores but no refigrigerated drinks. Water is rationed from the mainland so bring your own.
ACCOMMODATION: there is only one cottage available for guests, with 2 beds but the room can accommodate up to 6 pax; php700/night.
What a beautiful pristine place. No wonder residents dont want to move. Personally, what do you think of the govt plans?
so paano pumirma ba kayo dun sa petition sheet? anong stand mo sa issue ng Mantigue Island?
ganda ng lugar na’to. parang ang sarap i-explore. i love all your photos, Ferdz. wala kang tulak kabigin kase na-capture ng mga images mo yung laman ng narrative. napapa-”hay” na lang ako habang paulit-ulit silang pinagmamasdan ang mga kuha mo. ganda talaga ng Pinas!
Thank you very much Photo Cache and Rayts! I didn’t sign their petition, but personally there has to be a balance on each party’s decision. The government should provide a good livelihood for them or a better place. If not, and I’m not sure if it’s possible for them to be the caretakers of the island. If it’s me I would love the island to be in its natural state as possible, but I can’t neglect people who are living there as well. It’s a tricky balance and each side should be ready for compromises.
due to the recent strong rains down south, our guide told me binaha sila sa island. lubog daw kasi 6 ft yung tubig. i wonder how they managed. siguro isa sa mga considerations yun whether they need to be relocated or not. isa pa yung availability ng potable water since the island doesn’t have a supply system in place. anyway, nice captures ferdz as always. makes it nice to look back to this trip, no matter how short it was.
sa ganda ng lugar nila.. mahirap talaga umalis…
thanks for sharing this. nakakamangha!
Awesome view! great photos as usual:)
it’s good that you pointed out that experience ferdz. though i never had a similar experience yet on my travels but this will definitely help anytime it happens to me. it’s true that it should be the locals and the officials who should settle it.
i didnt know that there’s still a lot to discover around camiguin apart from the white island. it gives us more reason to go there.
Hear about the flooding as well Oggie. It’s the first time the island was submerged like that. I guess this would be a good reasons for some of the locals to move out.
I guess that’s also one reason why these people are staying Mimi. Maganda lugar nila.
Thanks Cheh.
There’s still a lot to discover in Camiguin Dom aside from the usual tourist trail.
As usual Ferdz, your photos are beautiful and they leave my mouth gaping – in wonders. I love how beautiful the Philippines is – so many nature retreats to explore and enjoy the solitude that a person needs.
I agree with you when you said that the govt should provide the locals another place to stay and a livelihood to sustain their living. Also, Lagalog is right – staying in this area has high risks. Just imagine being soaked 6 feet under water for how many days.
Great photos sir by the way. =)
Wow… fantastic pictures… nice composition, light, DOF and subject! Again…wow!
Hello, I just love your photos.
Saw you Bigby’s, Kuya Juned told me about you, that you’re the man behind ironwulf.net
Have a nice day!
nice set ferdz, ayos lahat…. fave ko yung mt. timpoong view and the last pic…
Amazing…the colors are vivid, the images sharp. Love all the photos, but especially the first one. Thank you for sharing!
wow what an amazing place! i can feel the idyllic life there even if i’m just reading all about it.
Hi Kyels! Thank you very much, I think it’s the natural beauty of the place which makes the photos realy scenic.
Many thanks Pao. Living there really has hazards. I guess kelangan nilang mag relocate after that flooding.
Many thanks Sidney!
Hi Ada! I think I saw you there too. Many thanks for the visit. Balik ka ulit
Salamat Lino.
Many thanks Dennis.
It’s a nice place to stay for a while Carlotta. But I wouldn’t stay there for a long time though.
maganda talaga sa mantigue island, mas maputi pa yung buhangin nila compared sa boracay at mas pino pa, sarap din mag-snorkeling, may pinakain panga sa min nun na fresh from the sea i forgot the name, june of 2006 nung nagpunta kami dito.
bongga ang fotos…naka naka ad2 nko dha….pero behind anang byuti ng mantigue islet lies the veri thruth ang worries ng residents there…threaten owez sa demolition..and other form sa harrassment…….nah bstah, ey guys try to visit there..not just to enjoy the byuti of the place but try to reflect…integrate with the masses there..talk to them,and youll see how terrible their lives is, and how unfair this present rotten social system to them…na easy lang keu cla e demolish sa islet nga ilang natawhan ug ilang KINABUHI!
Of the several blog entries you’ve written that I read, this is my favorite. It didn’t feel like I’m merely reading a blog, somewhat it has a touch of journalism. I could even feel the sentiments of the locals. There’s a “heart” to this story and I couldn’t help but to do more research on what transpired to the islands after I read this. Wonderful post Ferdz.
Hi Pang! Thanks for reading my blog. Just to update you, there are no longer residences in the area. Since the last storm that almost submerged the island, most of the people have now relocated. Only patrols are present on the island though people are still allowed to visit
Thanks for the update Ferdz.
Well what happened may be for the best. Atleast the residents are now on a safer ground and the island is sure to be on an even more pristine state.