PLANNING YOUR
TRIP
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| (A) Naga City; (B) Pasacao, CamSur; (C) San Pascual, Masbate |
I was an island girl for 2 years. After passing my board
exam, I immediately applied to the DTTB (Doctors to the Barrio) program. A
program under the Department of Health (DOH) where they send doctors to the
underserved municipalities in our country. I was idealistic (I still am) and I
wanted to make a difference so I braved the rough seas and set foot in an
island with electricity running from 5pm to 10pm only.
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| San Pascual |
Burias Island is one of the three major islands of the province of Masbate. It is comprised of 2 neighboring municipalities: Claveria where the entry point is through Albay, and San Pascual which can be reached through the town of Pasacao, Camarines Sur. I was assigned in San Pascual.
San Pascual may lack the facility to cater to tourists, but it was charming, beautiful and captured my heart. Weekends were spent frolicking in its numerous islets, armed with bottles of Emperador light, surrounded by good company who loved the island as much as I did.
This place is truly an undiscovered gem.
Animasola Island, an island just a short boat ride away from the town of San Pascual, is stunning with its towering rock formations similar to the ones in Biri Island. If you prefer lounging on an island with powdery white sand and having an island all to yourself, you can pitch your tent in either
Tinalisayan Islet or
Sombrero Island. What’s great about San Pascual is its proximity to Naga City, Camarines Sur. You can explore the other tourist attractions that this emerging tourist hub can offer, such as wakeboarding in CWC, or island hopping in Caramoan.
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| Animasola Island |
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| Sombrero Island |
GETTING THERE:
1. From Manila to Naga City
By Bus
Bus companies: DLTB, Penafrancia Tours, Isarog Lines,
RSL, Philtranco, Raymond
Terminal: Cubao terminal is located in front of Shopwise;
Philtranco is the only bus company with terminal in Pasay
Travel time: 8-9 hours
Fare: 700-1100 (I prefer the single seater which cost
around 850-900)
2.
From Naga City to Pasacao port
- From the CBD terminal, you can either walk or
ride a tryke to Pasacao Van Terminal (beside SM Naga)
- Take the Van to Pasacao town
- Once you reach Pasacao, tell the pedicab driver
to drop you at the Port or Pantalan
Travel time: 30 minutes
Fare: 50
By plane
- Pili airport is a 20 minute drive from Naga
City.
- You can either hire a taxi from the airport to Pasacao van terminal in Naga City which would cost
around 200-300 or
- You can take a pedicab from the airport to the main highway. From the
main highway, you can flag a bus to Naga City which would cost around 20. You
will be dropped off at the CBD terminal, and from there you can either walk or
ride a tryke to Pasacao van terminal (see By
Bus instructions)
3.
From Pasacao port to San Pascual, Masbate
- There are 3 boat companies servicing this route
- I usually take Maxim or SR San Pascual since
departure of DF is very unpredictable
Boat Companies:
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Pasacao to San Pascual
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San Pascual to Pasacao
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DF
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7:00am
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8:00am
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Maxim
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10:00am
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5:30am
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SR San Pascual
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2:00pm
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9:30am
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Travel time: 2 hours
Fare: 130
ACCOMMODATION:
Fuentes Lodging House – this is the only lodging house in
the town center
Sombrero island – they have 2 basic huts that can be
rented, costs around 300-700/hut (Caretaker/owner:
Dong 09216120604)
ITINERARY:
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ITINERARY
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REMARKS
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Day 1
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1pm: ETA San Pascual
2pm – 5pm: Animasola island
5pm – 6pm: Travel to Sombrero island
6pm – onwards: Camp at Sombrero island
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Day 2
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5:30 – 6:30am: Travel to Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
6:30am – 8:30am: Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
8:30am – 9:00am – Travel back to San Pascual
9:30am – ETD San Pascual to Pasacao (Last trip of the
day)
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*You may choose to remove Tinalisayan islet and sandbar
from the itinerary
** Only 2 boats have regular trips going in and out of
San Pascual, be careful with the departure time of each trip
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SPECIALTY:
Dried squid – you can find this in the market near the
port area, costs around 450/kg.
HELPFUL LINKS:
