Epic Masbate Adventure: Road Trip from Balud to Masbate City

Morning hues at Palani Beach Balud Stepping onto the main island of Masbate was exhilarating. What seemed like a challenging task w...

Morning hues at Palani Beach Balud

Stepping onto the main island of Masbate was exhilarating. What seemed like a challenging task was made easier thanks to the Tourism Promotions Board and Masbate Tourism. Fresh from exploring the Jintotolo Lighthouse in Capiz Province, our next adventure was a road trip—68 kilometers from Balud to Masbate City, spanning at least 3–4 hours with exciting side trips.

Morning hues at Palani Beach Balud

Balud Beach and Landscape

10-kilometer White Sand of Palani Beach

After a long sea journey from Capiz, we finally had our downtime at Palani Beach. We stayed at Palani de Paraiso Resort, nestled right along the wide shoreline. The evening was a perfect mix of a beachside dinner, mellow music, and much-needed rest.

Catching the starry tailend of a nightsky before dawn

The next morning, I rose early to catch the sunrise. To my surprise, the beach stretched endlessly in front of me, a pristine expanse of white sand that seemed to go on forever. Palani Beach, with its wide shores and gentle waves, is a favorite among locals and city dwellers alike. Its shallow waters are perfect for families, making it a peaceful haven.

Some of the food served at Lunch at Lumawig River

Balud: A Seafood Haven

Balud, located at the southwestern tip of Masbate Island, is a quiet 5th-class municipality known for its seafood. Its name comes from the “balud,” or Pink-Bellied Imperial Pigeon, once commonly seen here but now critically endangered. Although sightings of the bird are rare, the abundance of fresh seafood certainly isn’t. Before we departed the resort, we were treated to a feast of crustaceans and fish—truly a seafood lover’s paradise.

Some of the food served at Lunch at Lumawig River

Lumawig River Cruise

Our first stop en route to Masbate City was the Lumawig River Adventure Park, where we embarked on a peaceful four-kilometer cruise through mangroves, gliding towards the estuary. The cruise, which costs Php 1,500 for up to 25 people, was serene and picturesque, made even better with a seafood lunch. For Php 3,500, you can enjoy a full package with food, perfect for groups of five.

Sese Brahman’s Ranch

Embracing Masbate’s cowboy culture, we visited Sese Brahman’s Ranch in Mandaon. This sprawling ranch, owned by Judge Sese, is known for breeding Brahman cows. The ranch offers visitors horseback riding and coffee at a scenic café with stunning views of Masbate’s hilly landscapes—a true cowboy country experience.

Fazenda de Esperanza

Fazenda de Esperanza

Next, we stopped in Milagros, Masbate, to visit Fazenda de Esperanza, a Catholic-run rehabilitation center offering a peaceful environment for young people overcoming addiction. Nestled in verdant hills, the center uses nature-based methods for recovery. The serene surroundings make it an ideal place for healing and renewal.

Rodeo Leather Craft

Cowboy Culture in Masbate City

Masbate City has fully embraced its cowboy heritage. From leather goods to unique decor, the city’s shops cater to every cowboy’s needs. Rodeo Leather Craft offers everything from hats and belt buckles to boots and other leather goods, while Handumanon Arts and Crafts, run by Virgilio Natural, showcases fascinating bull skull art pieces. Virgilio is also a wealth of knowledge for outdoor enthusiasts, as he is the founder of a local mountaineering club.

Handumanon Arts and Crafts

Overnight in Masbate City

Our day ended with a lively gathering and dinner at JM Seafoods Restaurant, where we dined with Masbate’s tourism stakeholders and learned more about the province’s plans for tourism development. We spent the night at Treasure Island Hotel, which offered comfortable rooms with two queen beds and a spacious veranda—perfect for watching the sunrise over the bay and city.

And so ended the second day of our Masbate adventure, leaving me eager for what the next day would bring.

Owner Virgilio Natural (left) and Bull Skull Arts