Photos from Catanduanes Tourism Promotion Facebook page
This island province may be often used as a typhoon observation point, but unknown to many, this tourism frontier helped put the country in the world’s fiber trade with its sturdy product—the abaca.
Situated on the archipelago’s Pacific seaboard, Catanduanes has some 36,744 hectares dedicated to abaca farms, and employing 13,795 workers. Last year, it produced 18,003 metric tons, which make up for almost one-third of the national output, thus making it the country’s abaca capital.
According to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, the future of the abaca industry is very promising, as the Philippines supplies 85 percent of the world’s requirements, and the province stands to gain from the processing plants planned for construction and mechanization of the harvest.
It is for this reason that the province recently held the Fifth Abaca Festival to showcase its valuable indigenous fiber, a proverbial gold mine, which has been the pride of the province since the Spanish-era galleon trade.
This year’s festivities consisted of a blend of physical and online events, included a trade and tourism fair showcasing home furnishings, decorative accessories, and novelty by-products.
Traditional crowd-drawers which were streamed online were the competitions on abaca arch and façade design, spoken word poetry, the Festival Queen tilt, and the Virtual Dance Showdown of municipal contingents garbed in abaca costumes.
“We will not let the Covid-19 pandemic stop us from celebrating this year’s Abaca Festival. Together, we shall honor the abaca and its importance not only to our industry and economy, but also our culture,” says Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua.
He said that this year’s theme emphasizes the strength and resilience of the abaca, where Catandunganons can be compared as they battle life’s trials.
Cua added that the festival highlights the province as a family oriented and nature-themed destination of choice, away from the madding tourist crowd.
He noted that the virtual celebration is part of the long-range preparation for the restart of the local tourism industry, along with the current efforts in ensuring compliance to government health and safety protocols.
But beyond the festival, its iconic destinations beckon travelers to explore the off-the-beaten path.
With the tagline “The Happy Island,” Catanduanes aims to bring happy memories to guests with its diverse natural, adventure and cultural wonders which can be easily reached through its circumferential coastal road.
A top must-see is the “Majestic Waves,” a popular surfing spot which is so-called because of its long magnificent barrel which has lured national tournaments. Once an obscure, secluded beach in Puraran, Baras, it boasts of powdery sand, crystalline water and quaint resorts offering delectable regional specialties and ice-cold drinks.
Much like a crude diamond due to its isolation from mainland Luzon and the lack of luxe facilities, the province more than compensates with its natural endowment of breathtaking capes, jagged cliffs, charming coves, and sleepy shores where one can gaze at the mesmerizing sunrise or sunset.
It is also home to quaint resorts with water sports equipment where guests can kayak, do stand-up paddle, and snorkel in the crystalline waters. Catanduanes Halfway Resort Hotel in Pandan and Twin Rock Beach Resort in Virac have comfy lodging facilities and amenities which are among the best places to stay in the province’s northern and southern part, respectively.
With a rugged terrain, province abounds in waterfalls tucked within the lush vegetations, whose icy water is a refreshing respite from heat and humidity. The most popular is Maribina Falls in Bato because of its accessibility and shallow multi-layered basins, while Nahulugan Falls in Gigmoto is an exciting trek with its three-tiered drop which welcomes hikers.
Despite being an unpolished gem, Catanduanes is already glittering with its natural attractions wonders which evoke a rustic allure—Tuwad-Tuwadan Blue Lagoon, Cagnipa Rolling Hills, and Hiyop Highlands in Pandan, Binurong View Point in Baras, and the San Miguel River Park.
Its rich cultural heritage is reflected on the edifices which have withstood super typhoons and the ravages of time. Most notable among these is baroque St. John the Baptist Church in Bato, a monument of faith and refuge against calamities.
An equally historic religious spot is the Diocesan Shrine of the Holy Cross in Batalay, the final resting place of Augustinian priest Diego de Herrera, the first Catholic missionary to the island.
The town of Virac is dotted with colonial-period ancestral homes which have been repurposed as commercial shops, restaurants and tourism-oriented establishments. Not to missed is the Old Provincial Capitol Building, which houses the Museo de Catanduanes, a repository of memorabilia, archaeological finds and vintage photographs of a genteel past.
With a warm population drawing strength from the strong fiber, and an inimitable natural landscape, the Happy Island can undoubtedly give you a happy ending at the end of the journey.
Image courtesy of Tourism Promotion Facebook page
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