Words By: Roxi Lim | Photos By: Taryn Navarro & Lucky Alabado
MASBATE is never really on anyone’s top list of places to visit in the Philippines, but everything about it leaves you in awe.
The province has all you’d want from any island in the Philippines – clear turquoise water, thriving underwater wildlife, stunning views and powdery white sand. Best part is, you can enjoy all of this as if you had your own beautiful corner of the world.
DO
- Have the sweetest buko juice while enjoying the view of green hills
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
After a rocky ride up, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the Masbate coast at Mayong Payong. You’ll also be surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills and in the end, a stunning view of the sunset. You can also enjoy all of this while eating some buko!
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE
Take a sip of Kamias Shake in a beach cabana
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
We went to Paraiso de Palani for lunch, and it is paradise indeed! They had the most sumptuous meals, and an unforgettable kamias shake that you couldn’t just get enough of. There were also these dreamy cabanas for those perfect Instagrammable photos.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Go horseback riding up a hill and enjoy an unforgettable sunset at Sese Ranch
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Sese Ranch was such an unexpected surprise. It was probably one of the most beautiful sunsets you could ever experience. Like a scene pretty much right out of a movie, take the horse up the hill and enjoy the sunset with some sweet bayabas freshly picked from a tree.
- Chill on a sandbar hut like you’re in the Maldives
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Want a piece of paradise? Buntod Marine Sanctuary has an amazing uninhibited sandbar with huts on the water just like in the Maldives. This dreamy experience is only a quick boat ride away from Masbate City.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Take a refreshing swim under Catandayagan Falls
Shot with a Sony A7R II with E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE
It takes a bit of a journey to get here, but when you see the falls in the horizon, you won’t be able to resist taking a cool dip in the water. The falls are majestic, stunning and isolated.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Oh, we also had our lunch while admiring the view.
- Climb some stunning rocks, and jump if you dare
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
The rock formations at Burubancaso Island can easily be climbed. Some kids even climbed all the way to the top and took an 8 storey cliff jump into the clear water.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Snorkel in the clearest turquoise waters
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
We found the same turquoise waters from Palawan at Halea Nature Park. Come here to see a lot of fish and coral, and a lot of limestone rock formations as well.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Catch a manta ray acrobat show
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
If you’re lucky enough, you might just see manta rays swimming next to your boat and jumping out of the water. These huge majestic creatures can be found around the Ticao Island area while you’re island hopping.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Explore a bat cave and see some snakes
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Watch your step, and take an interesting hike into a cave on Snake Island that makes you feel like you’re on the set of Encantadia. Once you make it all the way to the end, you’ll find hundreds of bats waiting for you. Those who want more of an adventure can jump into the blue lagoon under the batcave.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
STAY
- Altamar Beach Resort
Ticao Island
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Altamar is your perfect home base for island hopping around Ticao. It’s homey, comfortable, and the staff will cook you some Filipino food like you’ve never had before.
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Patio De Milagros
Dimasalang
Patio de Milagros has the sweetest staff to make you feel like Masbate is a home away from home!
Photos from Patio Milagros’ Facebook Page
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
PLANE
Cebu Pacific has daily flights to Masbate from Manila
Book flights with Cebu Pacific through: http://bit.ly/DiscoverMNLxCEB
Luggage from Delsey Philippines |
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
BY LAND / SEA
Take a bus from Manila to Pilar, Sorsogon. From there, take a two hour ride on a FastCraft.
FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
Take a tricycle. Travel time is around 10 minutes.
DISCOVER MNL THINGS TO BRING:
- Lots of swimwear!
- Camera & Phone
- Day packs and backpacks
- Caps & Umbrella (if you’re sensitive to heat!)
- Waterproof gadget case/s
- Cash for incidentals (tricycle rides, etc)
- Sunblock
What’s in the photo:
- Swimwear by I Love Koi & H&M
- Sony A6500 mirrorless digital camera
- Lifeproof Nuud case for iPhone7
- Outdoor Products Backpack
- Cap
Shot with a Sony A7R II with FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS
All set? Come and Discover Masbate soon!
Check out more of our travel photos at #DMTravelSeriesxCebuPacific & DiscoverMNL on Facebook and Instagram!
WATCH OUR DISCOVER MASBATE TRAVEL FILM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW1_lB_I9F0&t=14s
Find out more about the cameras here:
Sony Philippines
- Website: http://www.sony.com.ph/
- Facebook: /SonyPhilippines
- Instagram: @sonyphinc
- Twitter: @sonyphinc
Special thanks to:
- The Office of the Vice Governor Atty. Kaye C . Revil and her team for the arrangements.
- Patio Milagros Minitel & Restobar for being our official Accommodations Sponsor.
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