Sibuyan calls

The world’s densest forest, the cleanest inland body of water, the heart of our country. Thirty-four recorded waterfalls (and counting), rivers, streams (most of which are clean and drinkable): Sibuyan calls. For its debut, this is what the lady offers:

An approximately 90-kilometer trail by bike or via all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) along biodiversity areas or around the island; sea and mangroves on one side — forest and rice fields on the other. Biking like no other, rental for only P250. Stopping at your own leisure as you pass through various towns, or going for time and biking at speed. Your choice.

DAGUBDOB FALLS. Named after the sound of an engine running caused by the drop of water from one level to the other. Four levels of waterfalls — one on top of the other — forest trails, bird watching, and on top of that, the unique ultramafic (rich in minerals but low in nutrients) flora that can only be found in Sibuyan.

The higher waterfall areas can be reserved for companies, or families at an average cost of P3,500 depending on the area. Cabanas are set at every level that one can rent, rates depending on the size, and you can eat food prepared by the community. One can intersperse the swimming with walks along prepared forest trails, seeing and learning about biodiversity — view breathtaking scenery, bird-watch, and when hot and tired, take a dip in the river or get a natural massage from the waterfalls with the water increasing the blood circulation on your back.

CANTINGAS. One of the country’s cleanest inland bodies of water. Experience the first double-direction zipline. You ride the zipline one way — above gushing river — and zipline back, all for the reasonable cost of P200. Or do a daredevil jump. There are three rungs — the highest rung is my favorite. I must have done this about 10 times already and it never fails to give me a thrill. My brother, Ernie, describes it aptly: “I jumped and I felt, whoa! Ang tagal pala nito!” But landing in the water is so invigorating. I have concluded it’s the energy of the water.

Like Dabugdob, one can intersperse this with guided forest trail treks (P50 per person minimum group of five persons). Experience what it feels like to be surrounded by the lush forest trails. Meals will also be cooked by the community. Taste sarsa, a native delicacy made of shrimp and coconut wrapped in banana leaves spiced with chili. My son loves it!

CRESTA DE GALLO is the lone white sand beach island in Sibuyan, accessible via a 45-minute to one-hour boat ride from the main San Fernando shore. It is good for a day trip where you will be ferried by a boat complete with packed lunch, snacks and a tent. All for just P600 to P800 per person (minimum of 10 persons). All you need to do is hop on the boat!

Then we go to Magdiwang.

LAMBINGAN FALLS. One of the popular and accessible waterfalls in Sibuyan that features unique ridge-to-reef forest vegetation and where you can learn about a carnivorous aquatic plant called utricularia that simply grows on the walls of its rock formations.

MAGDIWANG BOAT RIDE. Take the kayak or enjoy a ride on a bangka (paddle boat) with mangroves on both sides. And there is also a floating café in the middle of the river where you can sit and get to view the flight and nesting of thousands of egrets on the trees at one side of the river while enjoying a snack from 5 p.m. onwards. On a good day, you’ll see fireflies light up some of the mangroves on the other side. Clean air, a tranquil setting: what more can you ask for?

For advanced hikers, they can check out Cataja Falls also found in Magdiwang. On a fine sunny day you will see blue butterflies flying around at the top of the falls!

What about Gomot Falls and Kabit-tubi? Kabit-tubi is a newly discovered 45-foot waterfall drop in Cajidiocan! Pristine surroundings and a forest trail as well.

Imagine this: Sibuyan is an island from the Ice Age found at the heart of the Philippines. It is more known to the mountaineering community because of Mount Guiting-Guiting which they consider a special climb because of its terrain and natural beauty. It hosts the world’s densest forest that botanists and researchers consider paradise and up to now new things are being discovered!

How to get here? Ah, that is the question. The island is surrounded by rocky seas and, like Batanes, eclectic weather patterns. So there is this small window during the summer when it is accessible to the public (March to May). We are chartering private planes for now so it is a little bit costly. It’s P5,000 one way. But hey, for an experience of a lifetime, why not? If you are in Boracay we are getting a ferry that will be much cheaper. Just call us for more information.

Here are some overnight offerings:

Dagubdob Falls: Named after the sound of an engine running caused by the drop of water from one level to the other. Photo by VERONICA PARALEJO

German Villas. These have been built by a German community that has fallen in love with the place. They use them during their stay, but the villas are open to the public when their families are not using it. There are two areas that can hold visitors.

In San Fernando, there are five villas. The cost per night is P1,500 each house per day excluding breakfast. This is situated near the beach and is quite picturesque.

Cajidiocan similarly holds about eight houses. The cost is about P500 per person per night. There is also the Marble House where you can stay for about P600 to P700 per night per person.

In Magdiwang, the more notable accommodations are at Rancher’s City Bed and Breakfast, Bagumbahay Beach House, and the most popular resort, Sanctuary Garden Resort. Average stay in these resorts complete with air-con rooms is P350 – P400 per person for backpackers, or get a whole room that is also air-conditioned for P1,200 – P1,500 that is good for four to five people.

For the more adventurous and those that want to stay nearer nature, Rox, the premier outdoor store in the country, will be setting up tents — strategically nestled at the foot of the mountain. There will be tents in groups, and then there are “glamping” (glamour camping) tents set aside with your own toilet and bath facilities, and your own butler. The cost is to follow so please watch out for it!

The dictum we have all agreed on here is to strictly apply the “Leave No Trace” principle popular among hikers, “Take nothing but pictures, Kill nothing but time, Leave nothing but footprints.”

Sibuyan is special. We would like to keep it that way. Reverence for the environment here is paramount. We want to prove that by revering Mother Earth, quality of life is achieved. Sibuyan is not a party place; it’s a nature lovers’ place.

I need to mention the Herculean, visionary and enlightened efforts of Space Specific headed by Reggie Yuson. This is a groundbreaking planning venture that goes beyond the norm. The first thing Reggie did was make an inventory of the flora and fauna of the sites being offered. Then he enlisted a chef to train the communities to prepare the meals enhancing their local cuisine. All the trails and biking routes have been planned out with reverence for the environment as the prime non-negotiable principle. A code of ethics is being planned wherein from the website to the moment people land in Sibuyan, the culture of reverence for the environment is instilled. In fact the drive and dream that motivates us all is that this is how we would like our country to grow — to bloom. And if we do it this way, we will experience a joy like no other.

Space Specific has a core team with diverse expertise. The core team includes Anthony Arbias (botanist /eco-tour planner), Ronald Achacoso (ecology and botany), Ivan Sarenas (birder and wildlife researcher), Veronica Peralejo (graphic visualizer) and Leonard Soriano (mapping specialist /geographer.)

It is important to state that I would never have gone to Sibuyan if it didn’t have sterling mayors who were committed to the environment, namely Mayor Dindo Rios, his lovely wife Ruby, Mayor Ibarra, Councilor Nonoy Radan of Magdiwang and Mayor Galang. And all their sanggunihang bayan. Governor Firmalo of Romblon and his beautiful daughter have been exceptional. They have issued a moratorium on mining in Romblon. Having had the insight and courage to do this, I and many other people want to help them all the way.

My team, Dave Pardo and Dan Intong, deserve a place in heaven. So I truly hope that when they see the project come up, the sacrifice that they, Space Specific, and everyone else has put into the project will make the results worth their while.

All the sites here will benefit the communities living in the island. The plan is to eradicate poverty. The inspiration is to show the way.

Come: Sibuyan calls. Take this window of time and experience nature’s wonder.

* * *

For more information call Dan Intong at 0917-5759694 or e-mail danilo_b_intong@yahoo.com. You can also reach Darryn Castillo at 0917-8582949 or e-mail darryn_castillo@abs-cbn.com. For more pictures, go to www. sibuyan.com.

I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.