Other Than Boracay

Sunrise at Borawan

Borawan Island is located in Barangay Lipata, Padre Burgos, Quezon,Philippines.

Locals of Padre Burgos pride themselves of having Boracay and Palawan in one place – where the name “Borawan” derived. Because of its own spectacular rock formations like the limestone cliffs of Palawan and crystal clear water and white sand like Boracay.

The mountain range with a terrain overlooking China Sea. Ideal also for mountain climbing and camping activities. Three beaches are still underdeveloped in the sea, the Ordaveza, Burawan, Escalero Beach and Lipata cave.

The island is also paradise for animals and sea creatures, especially sea turtle "Pawikan" where these islands of Padre Burgos is one of the home town and lay eggs.

Padre Burgos is a 5th class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. It is located in Bondoc Peninsula just east of Lucena City, the provincial capital. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 19,877 people. It is bounded on the north by Atimonan, on the west and northwest by Pagbilao, on the east by Agdangan, and on the south by the Tayabas Bay.

Top view of Padre Burgos Island beach

The town is notable for its unspoiled beaches and the Tulay Buhangin (Tagalog for "sand bridge"). All the population are of Tagalog descent. The economy is primarily based on coconut husking and farming. Local tourism is also on the rise.

Credits:
http://www.localphilippines.com/attractions/1169/borawan-island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padre_Burgos,_Quezon



How to Get there:
1. Take a bus bound for Lucena and get off at the Grand Terminal. There are bus companies that has regular trips to Lucena. We took Jac Liner in Buendia, fare is around 220 pesos and travel time is about 3-4 hours.

2. From the grand terminal, take a mini-bus bound for Unisan and get off at Brgy. Marao in the town of Padre Burgos. Fare is about 40 pesos and travel time is around 45 minutes.

3. Look for Vista Playa Restaurant and ask where you can rent a boat going to these beaches. Prices depend on how many are you in the group and how many islands you wish to visit (600 - 1,500 pesos).

Credit: http://www.pinoyadventurista.com

Special Events:
Laguimanoc Festival

A festival celebrated on February 17 every year. This feast explains the history of the municipality.

Rock climbing and rappelling at Borawan

""Laguimanoc"" was the former name of the municipality before it was renamed to Padre Burgos.


Where to Stay:

The Tamarind Tree Resort
http://thetamarindtreeresort.com/
Landline 736 0434
Globe (0926) 694 2202 | Smart (0908) 525 3295
Sales Office Hours: 10 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday

What to do:

Borawan is a rock island and rock climbing, rappelling, photography, snorkeling, diving and many other island adventures is great on this island.

 

Borawan beach.

Borawan sunset

Photo Credits:
http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com
http://letsg0outdoors.blogspot.com

If there's Boracay Paradise, there is also Bacacay Paradise, the undiscovered beauty of finest black volcanic sand beach, Mt. Mayon view and abundant wildlife for adventure of this wonderful town at back of the most perfect cone volcano and the Pacific Ocean.

About Bacacay in Albay

The small town of Bacacay lies on the eastern slope of Mayon volcano. It has 143 kms. of irregular coastline of mostly black volcanic sand and smaller white sand beaches in the Cagraray Island. Most of these black sand beaches are to be found in Brgy Sogod, which is less than 5 kms from the Poblacion. Bacacay is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 61,574 people in 11,154 households.

Tradition says that the name of the town was derived from "BAGACAY" a bamboo specie. It was said that the plant thrived luxuriantly in the place when a group of Spanish Conquistadors arrived to claim the land. They asked a local (who happen to be cutting some of the said bamboo) what is name of the place, the person misunderstood the question and thought that they was asking about the name of the plant he was cutting so he answered bagacay, but the Spaniards assumed it was "BACACAY". Time passed by, the Spanish version then became the official name of the place.

Bacacay was founded in 1649 as a barrio of Tabaco, the town became independent in 1660, it occupies the rolling terrain of the eastern slope of Mt. Mayon, descending to the low lands facing the open sea. Thus under the watchful eyes and guidance of the beautiful St. Rose of Lima and the Lady of the Abandoned, the parish came into her spiritual being. Although more than 329 years passed since the town of Bacacay had been founded, civil and political life was not introduced until 1807.

Bacacay Municipality is divided by 58 barangay:

Baclayon Banao Bariw Basud Bayandong Bonga (Upper) Bonga (Lower) Buang Cabasan Cagbulacao Cagraray Cajogutan Cawayan Damacan Gubat Ilawod Gubat Iraya Hindi Igang Langaton Manaet

Mapulang Daga Bogña (Pongco) Mataas Misibis Nahapunan Namanday Namantao Napao Panarayon Pigcobohan Pili Ilawod Pili Iraya Barangay 1 (Pob.) Barangay 10 (Pob.) Barangay 11 (Pob.) Barangay 12 (Pob.) Barangay 13 (Pob.) Barangay 14 (Pob.) Barangay 2 (Pob.) Barangay 3 (Pob.)

Barangay 4 (Pob.) Barangay 5 (Pob.) Barangay 6 (Pob.) Barangay 7 (Pob.) Barangay 8 (Pob.) Barangay 9 (Pob.) Pongco (Lower Bogña) Busdac (San Jose) San Pablo San Pedro Sogod Sula Tambilagao (Tambognon) Tambongon (Tambilagao) Tanagan Uson Vinisitahan (Mainland) Vinisitahan-Napao (Island)

Credits:

http://www.facebook.com/bacacay.albay

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacacay,_Albay

http://wowlegazpi.com/2010/06/21/the-black-sand-beaches-of-albay/

How to Get there:

Driving to Bacacay is not a problem as the turns are clearly marked. From Legazpi City, Bacacay is approximately 20.3 kms, about 30 minutes of travel. There are two marked entry points to Bacacay, in Brgy Bonga and in Brgy. San Jose. To get to the beach Resorts, make a right at Brgy San Jose Junction. A marker “Beach resorts” will be sited before the said junction. Then drive straight about 3 kms to reach Brgy. Sogod.

From the Legazpi City Central terminal, ride the jeep going to Bacacay. Ask the driver to let you off at Brgy San Jose junction. Then hop in to a tricycle to take you to the resort of your choice. You can also ride a van or GT Express to Bacacay.

Features & Attractions:

Gallery and information on Karagumoy Festival of Bacacay, Albay - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.164906130251719.40124.100001969992453

The town is visited most especially during summer due to its many beautiful beaches, most notable of which are the white sand beaches in Cagraray Island.

Giving an alias/title (bansag in bikol) to a person is an old practice in Albay. In Bacacay alone, there are many clans that are famous because of their bansag. It’s funny how Bacacayanos address their fellows by their bansag.

ACTIVITIES: redefining relaxation when you get the chance to visit these black beaches.

Black sand beaches are rare and very fascinating. The distinct black sand is created from the natural erosion of volcanic rock and which evolved from ground lava. The Big Island in Hawaii is famous for this attraction. But one need not go to Hawaii for this, as black volcanic sand beaches are also plentiful in Albay.

Albay Adventures

• Busay Waterfalls adventure
• Mount Mayon Trek
• Ticao Manta Ray drive
• Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Sorsogon Adventure
• Cave Adventure
• Firefly Expedition
• Heritage Church Pilgrimage
• Swimming With The Whalesharks
• Camarines Sur Adventure.

Photo Gallery:

The featured church is actually the present church of Saint Rose of Lima. The same was was built wayback in 1660. There was an old church ruins at the back of the featured church. The belfry of said church still remain as of this date.

http://tourismbicolandia.blogspot.com/2011/06/rare-lush-and-beauty-of-black-beaches.html

Where to Stay:

Well-known resorts in Bacacay are Kuron-Kuron Beach Resort, Viento de Mar Beach Resort, VRT (Tanchuling) Beach Resort, Michaelangelus Beach Resort, and the Misibis Beachfront Resort.

MICHAIANGELUS BEACH RESORT

Mora St., Bacacay, Albay

MARAHII BEACH RESORT

Igang, Bacacay, Albay

MICHAIANGELUS BEACH RESORT

Mora St., Bacacay, Albay

VIENTO DE MAR RESORT

Sogod, Bacacay, Albay

C/0 Bicol Adventure and Tours

Suite A, 2nd Flr. EGP Tower

730 Rizal St., Legazpi City

VRT (TANCHULING) BEACH RESORT

Sogod, Bacacay, Albay

Food and Where to Eat:

Raintree Misibis Bay

Cagraray Island, Bacacay
Albay Province, Bicol Region,
Philippines
Phone: (63 52) 821.3800
Fax: (63 52) 487.1540
Website: www.misibisbay.com

Restaurants and Bars

• Spice Market - Inspired by the famous flavors of Southeast Asian markets and fishing villages, Spice Market offers cuisine with distinct flavors of Asian herbs, marinades and spices.
  Opening Hours: 6AM - 10PM.
• Dela Playa - Dela Playa Beach Grill and Tapas Bar offers seasonal premium grilled seafood and steaks. With nightly entertainment of acoustic guitar and soft Brazilian music, Dela Playa is the perfect place for sa cocktail by the sunset.
  Opening Hours: 6AM - 10PM
• Sula Bar - For a poolside bar experience, Sula Bar offers drinks and cocktails perfect for a night out with friends.
• The Shack

Themed Dining

In a fine restaurant. A banquet hall. By the golden beach. On top of a hill. In your very own room. On verdant fields. In the midst of an amphitheatre lit by a thousand candles and stars.

As vast as the terrains surrounding the scenic province of Albay are the choices of where your next intimate dining or sumptuous banquet will be.