Old Church Ruins (Gui-ob Church) - Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin

When the tour guide told us that our next stop was the Old Catarman Church Ruins, I was like it might be a creepy place. From outside it looked like fortress with the wall covered with moss and surrounded by huge trees. The wall and posts are huge and thick; they show how beautiful and mighty the church building was. As we entered the main building, which was the church, the cool breeze kissed our skin, refreshing. Actually it is not a creepy place maybe at night it is but for me it was a serene place. It is perfect for those who are looking for a nice place for photography, pre-wedding photo shoots or simply nature photography.

I noticed there are floor tiles on the altar where candles were being lighted. Those tiles are not matched with the old ruins. According to the kids selling candles, after the earthquake the locals built a chapel inside the ruins but now it was removed that’s why there are floor tiles on the area of the altar.

Outside the church towards the area where the remnants of the bell tower and the convent are, is a stunning view so green, the breeze smells so fresh, the surroundings is clean. The coral stones are visible on the convent building. We were estimating the measurement of the thickness of the wall more or less it could be more or less 40 inches thick. Beautiful and stunning architectural design, although as we were exploring the place, we thought that for sure our forefathers were forced to work to build this beautiful project of the Spaniards. Erase erase lol that was just part of the history and hope we learn from it.

There is a white lighthouse at the back of the convent building, the only modern structure in the ruins. Odd but well that is needed to guide the ships and the people, wish they could find a place other than the Old Catarman Church Ruins because that lighthouse mismatched the beauty of the Old Ruins.

The church of the Old Catarman town was destroyed by volcanic debris during the eruption and formation of Mt. Vulcan from 1871 to 1875. It is also known as Gui-ob Church, located in Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin.

We took time to take pictures in every corner, we were all amazed with the beauty of this place, ruins but it represents how strong the people of Camiguin are.

 A brief account Mt. Volcan Eruption

May 13,1871

6:00 PM

Cotta Bato the capital of Camiguin Island was a quiet and attractive town verdant in its natural wonders. Its peaceful shores provided strolling grounds for its inhabitants as they basked under the gracious moonlight.  Suddenly

Tranquility came to a halt as a sub-terranean rumbling sowed undescribable lower hundreds of houses and the churches crumbled into pieces the ground rolled and broke into deep crevices with horrifying earthquake served only as prelude to the destructive climax a cataclysm never witnessed before Mt. Volcano gave out its hardest and most violent outbreak.  

6:20 P.M.

Cotta Bato was a dreadful pile of ruins. The single volcano eruption buried a beautiful town into obscurity.

Hundreds of lives were lost while the survivors sought refuge in the open ground that gave them hope for tomorrow.

Source: Old Catarman Church Ruins

Cagayan de Oro City-Bukidnon-Camiguin Tour

It’s been awhile that we were looking for the Cagayan de Oro-Bukidnon-Camiguin-Iligan tour but we couldn’t find the best time for it. We had lots of things to consider, budget, time and work. Then one night an email coming from Airasia prompted on the screen, so I checked it then I found out there was a 99 base fare for CDO. My sisters and a friend decided to go for it. The airfare was 1,5++ each.

When we landed in Laguindian Airport we were so enthusiastic, everybody was looking forward what CDO would offer. We looked for a transportation to bring us to our hotel, St. Nicholas Inn, Hayes St., CDO. Some van offers for 199 per head, some say taxi would be better since we were four so we could save. One guy told us that he could take us to the city for 600.00 opppss that is not allowed by Land transportation office. Riding a taxi should always be by meter. We happened to hire a taxi driver, who agreed to a meter. Sad to say his meter ran so fast that we didn’t reach the hi-way the meter reader showed 103.00. And the worst of it he didn’t know the St. Nicholas Inn that we had to drop off then look for ourselves. I used google map thru my tablet and asked some locals where we could find the hotel. We took rela (motorela), it’s a local public transportation, a tricycle but with a different body. Finally we found the hotel then we left our bags in the hotel to go to Bukidnon and experience Dahilayan Park Adventure and Delmonte Plantations.

After our Bukidnon escapade, we booked for whitewater rafting adventure. My sister booked us in the Red rafts whitewater rafting. Early in the morning we prepared to conquer the rapids.

The river guides from Red whitewater rafting referred a guy, Jojo, who operates a tour in Camiguin Island. We had to leave our hotel at 2:30 in the morning to catch the first trip in Balingoan Port going to Benoni Port, the gate to Camiguin. Camiguin Island can be explored in a day. Around 3:30pm we were done with our tour and were in the port to go back to Cagayan de Oro. We reached our hotel around 11:00pm.

We wanted to visit Iligan but mostly that we talked with, they said we should skip Iligan. Hopefully someday we could go and visit Iligan. 

The Chocolate Hills of Legaspi City

I was in the first flight to Legaspi City. And after the clouds greeted me with so much joy, they disappeared when the plane was about to land and the scattered hills, which looked like chocolate hills, showed and gave me more excitements in taking pictures till the Majestic Mayon Volcano showed up. It was a breathtaking scene. As if I was welcomed wholeheartedly. Great experience.



Scattered Small Hills


Mt. Mayon greets every passenger with a smile



Chocolate Hills look like


Beautiful Tiny Hills


The Plains from up above


Mt. Mayon early in the morning



Mt. Mayon with Wings



Mt. Mayon

The Majestic Mayon Volcano

Every time I fly home, I feel great and blessed. Although the airport from my hometown is two hours ride. The sight of Mayon Volcano greets me before I land. There is something about this almost perfect cone volcano, according to locals, in a day it shows once, clear show-up. It is like a shy maiden, which is seldom seen by people. Mayon Volcano is named from Daragang Magayon, which means beautiful maiden. The picturesque volcano and the mountains are a breathtaking sight from the sky. Actually the tourists at my back were in awe. They said the mountains look like chocolates hills. I always can’t wait for the airplane to take off so that I can take pictures. Some nature adventurers do trekking to summit Mayon Volcano.



It is located in Albay Province, Region V. There are other things to do in this part of Bicol Region to fully enjoy your stay. Actually those who want to experience Bicol at its best please check this out.