It was always been in my list to
visit the sunken cemetery. Personally I want to see the place and experience
what others say about the feeling of eerie when in this place. Mostly visitors
who visited this place filled with enchantment. To our dismay the place
couldn’t be explored because of the bad weather condition so we couldn’t be
transported by the boat. What we did was just enjoyed the sight of the place. Took
pictures and talked with the locals.
Sunken cemetery is located in Bonbon,
Catarman, which was the result of the volcanic eruption of MountVulcan
(Old Volcano) that was happened in 1870s. The whole capital of Camiguin,
including the cemetery sunk under the sea during that destructive volcanic
eruption. Part of the sunken land and the grave stones were still visible
during the low tide, but in 1948 the MountVulcan erupted again made
the whole area deeper. The gravestones can still be thru diving. That’s why
today SunkenCemetery
is considered as one of the most interesting diving sites in the Philippines.
In 1982 the Provincial Government
of Camiguin erected a huge cross to mark the site of the sunken graves of their
ancestors. From then on it was called the “SunkenCemetery”.
The history of the sunken
cemetery is definitely tragic. It’s the way the people of Camiguin valued this
historic site and its heritage that show the kind of people they are. This incident
truly defines the people’s courage, resilience and faith to survive the challenges of time.
Too many things to do in
Camiguin, take time and plan.
After our stop in Ardent
Hibok-hibok Spring Resort, we wanted to go to the white island, a sandbar, but
we couldn’t because it was high tide plus the weather was so bad. Our next stop
was the walkway to the old volcano, which has the 14 stations of the crosss
depicting the passion of Christ. Located in Barangay Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin. It is the memorial to the dead from the
eruption in the 1950s.
This tourist spot is a famous
tourist destination in CamiguinIsland on Lenten Season;
it is a pilgrimage site for Roman Catholic devotees. It’s their way of
penitence, trekking on the 8 kilometer path while contemplating and renewing
their faith. Every holy week locals and tourists specially the devotees observe
the Panaad festival, which means a festival of promise. Usually devotees have
that promise to visit and penitence for the wrong doings they done.
Although one does not need to be Christian
to admire the beauty of the pilgrimage site. Mt.Vulcan
is also known as the Old Volcano which is a contradictory because it is the
youngest volcano on the island; it was discovered during the 1871 eruption.
The environmental fee is very
minimal P 5.00. We paid it after our trek. On the other side of the road, there are food stall and souvenir shops.
The walkway is covered with
trees serve as the shades; the steps are concrete in the first few meters. Along the way there were vandals on the pavement, which are covered of moss. What we enjoyed most on
our trek was the breath taking scenery over looking the CamiguinIsland
and of course the fresh air. It was relieving being kissed by cold breeze and
smell of fresh air. There were just few tourists at that time so we had the
time to frolic. The bad thing was we were hungry and we were just munching
on chips and crackers after we reached the 7th station we resigned.
Lol so we slowly went back. Lesson of the day eat first before embarking on the
vigorous and time bounded tour. It’s great too because we have reason to go
back to CamiguinIsland because we have unfinished
business. See you again Mount Volcano- Walkway to the old volcano and Stations
of the Cross!
Part of our tour is the Ardent Hibok-hibok Spring Resort.
It’s a hot spring one. I grew up in a place where we usually bathe in hot
spring resorts; my expectation for hot spring is high. I always compare the
temperatures of Mapaso Spring resort or San Benon Spring resort to any hot
spring that I've been. To my surprise ardent Hibok-hibok Spring Resort matched
my expectations of a hot spring. This resort is the usual jump-off point for the hikers, who want to explore Mt. Hibok-hibok.
This resort is being managed by
the Local Government Unit of Mambajao, Camiguin, it has six natural hot
swimming pools with different water temperature. It is nestled on the foot of Mt. Hibok-hibok, which is an active volcano that
makes the water hot. The best time to go there and enjoy the water is in the
morning or at night. It is open 24 hours a day. The amenities of the resort are
bar and restaurant, cafeteria (canteen), cottages, picnic sheds and tables,
garden, camping ground and rooms available too.
Outside the resort there are many
shops selling souvenir items and comfort food.
We had a day tour so we decided
to have just 20 minutes to explore and enjoy the water but since we love hot
spring we stayed for another 10 minutes.
Entrance Fee:
Adult – P 30.00
Child – P 15.00
Facility and Accomodation Rates:
• Grill Station - 20Php
• Regular Size Shed/Table - 70Php (first 3hrs) ; 10Php/hr,
in excess of 3hrs.
• Family Size Shed - 150Php (first 3hrs) ; 10Php/hr, in
excess of 3hrs.
• 4 units - Duplex Cottage (AC w/ CR) - 1,200Php/room/day
(good for 2 pax)
• additional bed - 175Php/head/day
• 4 units - Dormitory Rooms (w/ AC) - 3,080Php/room/day
(good for 7 pax)
• Family Room - 2,750Php/room/day (good for 5 pax)
The swimming pools at Ardent Hibok-hibok Spring Resort contain fresh
and hot sulfuric flowing water. Temperature in every pool varies from thirty
three degrees centigrade (33ºC) to thirty eight degrees centigrade (38ºC)
to answer to individual needs and desire. Skin pores tend to open when expose
to warm or hot water and close to cold water exposure. Thus, one is advised to
have a cold shower after a dip at the swimming pool.
Sulfuric dioxide gas
smells like “rotten eggs.” The higher the sulfuric content the more likely one
smells it. The sulfuric content in the water varies from pool to pool at a PH
of 6.4 to 7.2. Sulfur in water offers several therapeutic effect on skin
disease, asthma (steam from pools provide bronchodilation effect), neuralgia
(nerve pain) and rheumatism (joint pains on the shoulder, neck and wrist).
Swimming, soaking or having a dip at the hot
springs will soothe, relieve or ease the pain of your
body.
Pool Guidelines
1. The pool opens 24/7
2. Pool cleaning
schedule: every Wednesday from 7:00am to
12:00noon.
3. Swimmers are
encouraged to wear proper swimming attire:
women
- bathing suitsor short pants
men
– swimming trunk or shorts
4. Children without
guardians are not allowed to use the pool.
5. Use of any soap or
shampoo at the pool is strictly prohibited.
6. Indecent
behavior/act, indecent exposure is strictly prohibited. It is punishable by
law.
7. Do not leave your
valuable things unattended. The resort will not assume responsibility for any
losses.
8. Everybody is
enjoined to help make the resort a clean and green place to stay.
