Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave-Cotmon, Camalig, Albay

Our family loves to travel and explore a place, that’s why every time we see opportunity we always include side trips. One of our recent trips was in Hoyop-hoyopan Cave, which is located in Barangay Cotmon, Camalig, Albay.

The name of the cave was derived from the word Hoyop which means blow or blowing of air/wind. The air can freely pass though inside the cave. There are many entrances and exits, these passage ways will test your skill in squeezing and kneeling to get through the other chambers. Although in my case I didn’t have any problem passing through, lol I am petite that’s my advantage. One of the opening will lead the tourist to the stunning view of the Mayon Volcano, but sad to say we didn’t see it because it was cloudy and raining at that time.

Inside the cave, there are beautiful and stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites, like dinosaur, angel and a lot more. A pond and a dance floor can be found inside it too. The dance floor is still being used during fiesta.

the Dance Floor

Fruit bats and other living organisms are can be found. There are still jars inside the cave were dated from 200 BD too 900 AD, some of these artifacts are now in National museum and Camalig Church. According to a Franciscan priest and archaelogist, Fr. Cantius Kobak, the cave is as old as 3000BC to 4000BC.

Fruit Bats

It withstood the test of time, been one of the witnesses of our colorful past, served as sanctuary during difficult times and even up to now it does to the local specially on strong typhoons hitting the place.

Dinosaur formation

Hoyop-hoyopan cave has an approximately 32 square meters of land area. The path way now is concrete different from the last time I was there and there are bulbs serve as the light instead of the flash lights that we used before. It is being maintained now by a clan, Soriano, Nieva and Nuylan Families. The tour fee was 500.00 pesos for eleven persons as payment for the lights and tour. Parking fee is 25.00 pesos. Outside the cave there are native souvenirs that can be bought. We bought hats as souvenirs.

The opening where the Mayon volcano supposedly can be seen clearly during Sunny days

The opening where one person can pass through at a time

Hoyop-hoyopan cave is definitely a place worth to visit.