“There’s only one jeepney in the whole of Laoang Island,” shared Putot, one of our new friends.

Celerino, nicknamed Putot, rarely spoke. If I’m not mistaken, it was most likely the third time that I heard his voice in the two days that he gone along with us as we explored Laoang, northern Samar. We were at a cottage along Onay beach with two other locals Rocca as well as Mark.

“You’re kidding,” I uttered. It was one of the unusual times that he stated a word yet he selected to state something as astounding as that.

“I’m not,” Putot said.

“He’s not,” verified Mark. Later, we would ask a couple of regional government workers to verify. As it turned out, there truly was just one jeepney in the whole island.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

Motorcycle Town
1. Calomotan Beach
2. Magsaysay Beach
3. university of Eastern Philippines
4. Laoang Church as well as Almuraya Fortress
5. Onay Beach

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Motorcycle Town

Many residents of the island of Laoang really own vehicles however they are parked in the close-by barangay of Rawis, part of mainland Samar. They only utilize vehicles when they travel long distances within mainland Samar. After all, Laoang is a fairly little island as well as to run tasks or just do their everyday routine, locals just walk, take a tricycle, or trip a motorcycle. It’s cheaper that way.

My buddy Ces, prepared for a motorcycle tour!
The motorcycle, or habal habal, is most likely the most typical mode of transportation here. From simple scooters to the bigger ones, motorcycles have ended up being a preferred among guy as well as women, young as well as old, rich as well as poor. It has a considerable part of their method of life in the island. Thus, it was just apt that we likewise experience roaming around on a motorcycle!

1. Calomotan Beach

When our motorcycle hit the dirt road, we understood we were in for a treat. All major roads in Laoang have been paved with concrete however it is still the dirt roads that serve as the only gateways, albeit difficult, to the outlying nooks of the island countryside. one of these nooks is an off-white beach tucked in Brgy. Calomotan.

The crescent Calomotan Beach
Greens racing to the shore
An army of coconut trees increase from a carpet of ferns that is cut by a narrow path that leads to the sea. The greenery ends at its border with the sandy domain — our very first beach for the day. however the eco-friendlies mingle with the sand as mischievous flowering vines race towards the sea. One side of the cove is specked with jagged medium-sized rocks however none of them disturb the reclusive calm the scenery creates. more about Calomotan beach here.

2. Magsaysay Beach

I’m not sure whether it was the blinding sun or the spectacular seascape however there was something about Magsaysay beach that was so soothing, the location was like a lullaby. perhaps it was the soft sand that seemed to carefully sway our feet. perhaps it was the simple waves that breezed with shallow waters. perhaps it was the charming wind that seemed to kiss my cheek as well as caress my hair. Or perhaps it was the sandbar that looked to me like an inviting giant bed. I have no idea.

Magsaysay Beach
Magsaysay beach sandbar
But Magsaysay beach has that relaxing, sleepy feel to it. It might have lulled me to sleep if it weren’t for our companions who required us, announcing it was time for some buko juice moment! more about Magsaysay beach here.

3. university of Eastern Philippines

I never truly wished to ended up being an ornithologist however for a great hour, I believed I had a calling. The believed provided itself as we stood in the middle of the fish ponds of the university of Eastern Philippines. It’s an strange believed to want to ended up being a bird professional while in a fish-happy atmosphere however we were not there to catch fish.

Fly birdies fly
Funny since as soon as we set foot on this wetland, it was the birds that stole our fickle attention. We thoroughly enjoyed birdwatching however we wanted we understood what those birds were. more about this stop here.

4. Laoang Church as well as Almuraya Fortress

Laoang Church, officially understood as St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church, is the center of Catholic belief in the island of Laoang. Save for the bell tower, this church, particularly its façade, truly looked old as well as historical. The most prominent part of the church’s façade is its huge triangular gable, taking almost half of the space. The gable holds two central arch niches above the primary doorway with statues of St. Michael the Archangel, which the church is named after as well as is thought about the guardian of the town, as well as most likely the Virgin Mary.

Laoang Church
Almuraya Fortress
Just next to the church is the Almuraya Fortress, composed of a watchtower as well as a cobblestone wall that served as adefense of the town against the pirates. Today, only its ruins stay as well as the watchtower is barely recognizable. It is, however, one of the most important locations to go to in the island. more information here.

5. Onay Beach

Onay is the vernacular word for suicide. legend has it that a tragic like story ended at this beach, which made locals phone call this place, “diin ba ang may nag-onay,” or in English, “a location where somebody killed herself.” however this grim moniker did not stop them from flocking to this place; it is the most prominent swimming area in the island. Blanketed in a radiant blend of white, black, as well as brown grains, Onay beach shows the afternoon sun as well as shine as if the sand is golden.

Golden Onay Beach
Onay beach is a long, long stretch of sand, with one side fringed with thick vegetation as well as the other soaked in turquoise water. As I stood at the mouth of the primary gain access to point in the middle of the cove, I might barely see its north end, seemingly disappearing in the droplets that the waves spray into the air.

On the south end lie a cliff as well as two huge rocks. The cliff serves as a breakwater, pushing the waves to make loud splashes as they slap its edge. completely grown trees grow on top of it, enabling cliff jumpers to leap from the edge of the rock into the deep water. The very first of the two rocks, just a few feet away from the first, is generally flat-topped however is heavily contoured. half of it is bare, a abuse to the sole, as well as the other half grass-covered. At the center of the grassy part is a deep, half-filled watering hole. Both these rocks can be accessed from the dry sand as well as they stretch all the method to the sea. The other rock is a bona-fide islet, surrounded by water however still extremely accessible. Its top is likewise flat as well as is embellished with a little bush. The spaces between these rocks produced mini-rivers as the water rush-squeezed their method with them for a possibility to touch dry land. checked out more about Onay beach here.

Onay Beach, Laoang
When our soles were satisfied as well as our knees ached, we headed back to the hut where our new buddies Putot as well as mark took temporary shelter. Our conversation meandered from beaches to politics to progress. They were all just waiting on the time that tourism in Laoang would blow up as well as they were mindful of the prospective damage it can do to their home. They don’t believe they’re gotten ready for the effect of advancement should it come to their island in the near future. simple life, that’s what they had always bragged about. Although they desire life right here would be better, they said, they were not complaining about the slowness as well as silence that invisibly swallow the winds as well as tides here. They’re happy with just sufficient food to eat, gorgeous environs, lots of time, as well as a dependable motorcycle.

Onay beach sunset
“Come to believe of it, I haven’t seen any type of cars, either. have you?” I asked my buddy Ces,

“No, no,” Ces answered. “I’ve only seen tricycles, motorcycles, as well as a pick-up truck, which is the authorities mobile.”

“There are three vehicles here,” added Mark. “And they all belong to a funeral service company.” He chuckled, preventing him to put one more pinch of crunchy eco-friendly peas into his mouth.

“Seriously, though, we don’t requirement vehicles here,” Mark’s tone exhibited a hint of pride that radiated even more brilliantly that the orange sun diving into the silhouette of Mt. Mayon, which is seen rather clearly from here.

How to get here: From Manila, fly to Catarman, northern Samar. Take a trike to the primary terminal as well as trip a jeepney that goes to Brgy. Rawis in Laoang. In Rawis, take the short boat trip to Laoang Island.

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