Day 9: Mainland Biliran
Visiting the Island Province of
Biliran has long been due on my list of places to wander in the Philippines. With my delight to finally see the jewel of
the eastern Visayas, I decided to scrap some of my trips in Mindanao and set a 3-day escapade to Biliran Island.
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Boris and I at Star Rockz Cafe, Tacloban |
Before the sun was up on the 9th
day of my 13 Days of Summer, I was already boarded on a domestic plane bound for Tacloban City. It has been two
decades since the last time I stepped into the province of Leyte.
Okay , I confessed! Due to some circumstances , this trip made me nervous when my supposed travel buddy backed out and I was a little
lost and have no memory on how the city looked like before. Good thing I was
welcomed and assisted by Leyte based photographer and travel blogger Boris Pascubillo who kindly shared some useful tips traveling to Naval.
Since the sun had just risen , my stomach simply got attracted on Boris' invitation for breakfast and coffee treat at Star
Rockz Cafe, downtown of the city.
Excited with our first meet up, our chit
chat had made the time flown so fast that I did not realize it was already
8:00 am and already late for my Sambawan trip.
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Fresh produce from Little Baguio in Biliran |
The easy drive took two hours and
a half to reach Naval, the capitol town of Biliran Province. There , Hector, the representative of the
Provincial Tourism Office of Biliran welcomed me and offered me with a quick lunch at Weluisa. We did not waste a minute and took off for the
mainland tour around Biliran Island.
It's A Hide and Seek to Tinago Falls
First on our list is the famous Tinago Falls in the municipality
of Caibiran. To reach the famous waterfalls, we have to traverse the
highway cutting through middle of the island the locals called "Cross
Country" .
Passing by this paved road, we experienced the sudden dropped of
temperature that was almost similar to the chilling micro climate of Baguio City, hence, they call it
Little Baguio.
Along side of the road
are stalls of fresh vegetables sold at very cheap price. According to a local,
vegetables grew well in the vicinity due to perfect environmental condition for
plant cultivation.
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Tinago Waterfalls in Caibiran, Biliran Island |
It was raining hard when we reached
the secluded park of Tinago Falls in Brgy. Cabibihan. It took me awhile waiting
until I have decided to run under the soft drizzle down to the concrete stairs
leading to the foot of Tinago Falls. Unfortunately, the rushing mountain waters made the falls turbid.
Tinago is just one of the many waterfalls in the island and almost each municipality has their own waterfalls, thus, I am citing this place as the Province of Waterfalls.
Tinago is just one of the many waterfalls in the island and almost each municipality has their own waterfalls, thus, I am citing this place as the Province of Waterfalls.
An Odd Thing to Find!
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St. James the Apostle Parish |
We temporarily took shelter at
the gym of the municipality town square of Caibiran where a head turning Catholic church
building caught my eyes.
The Saint James the Apostle Parish stands in style with beautiful facade and images made of bronze angels and saints . This kind of church look very different compared to the old and even modern conventional provincial churches in the Philippines. Looking at it for some minutes, I felt I was gazing on some old historical, classical landmarks in Europe. The original church was 96 years old.
The Saint James the Apostle Parish stands in style with beautiful facade and images made of bronze angels and saints . This kind of church look very different compared to the old and even modern conventional provincial churches in the Philippines. Looking at it for some minutes, I felt I was gazing on some old historical, classical landmarks in Europe. The original church was 96 years old.
The exquisite and high class architectural
design of the church was seemed to be in
contrast to the simple life of the people of Caibiran that can make visitors
really wonder on the presence of such landmark in the rural place. Unfortunately, the church was closed that time for renovation.
You're Hot and You're Cold
Moving forward, we visited the famous San Bernardino Cold
Spring Pool in Brgy. Manlabang, Caibiran. For some, the pool would look like a
regular swimming pool , but according to the locals, the free flowing water is coming from a natural spring that even on the hottest
day of summer have remained very very cold. The spring pool is surrounded by a number of giant century old banyan trees.
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Century Old Banyan Tree in Biliran |
Another spot not to miss in
Caibiran is the Mainit Hot Spring that literally boils in Brgy. Villa Vicenta
or better known as Brgy. Mainit. The boiling spring can be spotted on both
sides of the river cutting across the barangay.

Romancing the Lover's Cave
Time have fled so fast that it was
already late in the afternoon before we know it. Given with little time, we decided to step onto one more place in Culaba since it was just few meters away from the highway- the Lover's Cave of Vista de Amor or simply known as Acaban Cave.
The land to where the cave is seated is privately owned . There are cottages
set at the top of the hill where you can have scenic view of the coast of the whole municapality.
To find the cave, there is a concrete stairs
leading to the rocky coast of the underdeveloped resort. At the left side of the stairs is the mouth of the
cave half submerged in calm turquoise water
suitable for swimming. Since we were not prepare to get wet in the mini blue lagoon, we just enjoyed the view of the surroundings.
Tired of the whole afternoon chasing some of the beautiful spots in Biliran we decided to retire and save our energy for tomorrow's much exciting activity in Sambawan Island.
Tired of the whole afternoon chasing some of the beautiful spots in Biliran we decided to retire and save our energy for tomorrow's much exciting activity in Sambawan Island.
Other Places to See in Biliran
Municipality
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Tourist Destination
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Location
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Caibiran
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Mainit Hot Spring
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Brgy . Villa Vicenta
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Caraha Cascades
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Brgy. Villa Vicenta
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Tinago Falls
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Brgy. Cabibihan
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Tomalistis Falls
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Brgy. Asug
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San Bernardino Cold Spring
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Brgy. Manlabang
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Caibiran Volcano
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Sitio Pulangyuta
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Usin Fish Sanctuary
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Brgy. Uson
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Almeria
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Bagombong Falls
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Brgy. Caucab
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Ulan-Ulan Falls
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Brgy. Sampao
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Recoletos Falls
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Brgy. Sampao
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Kinaraha Falls
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Brgy. Sampao
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Pondol Falls
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Brgy. Iyusan
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Iyusan Rice Terraces
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Brgy. Iyusan
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Capinahan Island
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Brgy. Poblacion
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Dalutan Island
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Brgy. Talahid
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Biliran
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Nasunugan Watch Tower
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Brgy. San Roque
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Cabucgayan
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Casabangan Falls
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Brgy. Balaquid
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Kasiawan Falls
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Brgy. Kasiawan
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Culaba
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Acaban Cave
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Brgy. Bool West
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Hagimit Pagiriw Cascades
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Brgy. Virgiña town proper
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Dapanas Pool Cascades
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Brgy. Kalipayan
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Fish Sanctuary
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Brgy. Looc
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Harang Valley Rice Terraces
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Brgy. Kalipayan
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Kawayan
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Bat Cave
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Brgy. Balakson Tinangkasan
Island
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Tinangkasan Islet
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Brgy. Balakson Tinangkasan
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Tigasipol Island
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Brgy. Poblacion
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Tagnucan
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Brgy. Poblacion
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Generoan
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Brgy. Balite
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Masagongsong Public Spring
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Brgy. Masagongsong
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Maripipi
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Ang Lantawan Watch Tower
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Brgy. Ermita
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Brgy. Ol-og
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Viga Cold Spring
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Brgy. Viga
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Naval
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Higatangan Island Rock
Formation
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Brgy. Mabini
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Caray-caray River Cruise
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Brgy. Caray-caray
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Getting Around Biliran
If you plan to go around Biliran , you can hire the service of a habal habal or motorbike in Naval for at least Php 1000 for a whole day trip, the driver will serve as your tour guide. If you are traveling in a group , you can also rent a multicab type of jeepney in Naval.
Where to Stay in Biliran
There are several resorts and Inns in Biliran. But for this particular trip , I stayed in TJ Pension located in corner Magallanes and Inocentes Streets, Naval.
Contact: +63916.231.5279/+63908.48.76629/053.500.9917
Single Non-aircondition
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Php 300.00
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Twin Non-air condition
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Php 380.00
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Twin Air-condition
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Php 630.00
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Matrimonial
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Php 630.00
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Family Room
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Php 900.00
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Getting there
By Air
Coming from Manila , there are
daily domestic flights bound for Tacloban City , the nearest airport from Biliran. From the airport take the jeepney with the signage of San Jose bound
for city proper (drop at BPI). From the city proper hop into a tricycle to take you to the
terminal of vans bound for Naval . There are three major van terminals in
Tacloban City. Fare is Php 130.00 for 2.5 hours travel.
1. Duptours , located along
Avenida Veteranos, near the front gate of Divine Word University.
2. Van -vans , located along
corner of Salazar-Burgos Streets
3. Grand Tours, located in Burgos
Street, near Tacloban post office
By Land
Coming from Manila there are bus
companies that operate daily bound for Tacloban City , fare is Php 1200.00 ,
travel time is 24 hours. From the Tacloban Bus Terminal just take a tricycle
toward the chosen van terminals mentioned above.
Bus Operators
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Terminal
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Contact Nos.
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Philtranco
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Pasay
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DLTB Co. Bus
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Pasay,Cubao
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Eagle Star
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Ali Mall Cubao
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02 523-8944
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Ultra Bus
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Cubao
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02 325-4980/0922.859.2388
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Silverstar
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Cubao
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02 321-2529/327-9502
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Super Five
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Cubao
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0928.763.2746
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By Sea
There are daily scheduled fast
crafts in Cebu port bound for Ormoc , Leyte, travel time minimum of 3 hours depending on the weather
condition . At Ormoc public terminal, there are van waiting bound for Naval,
Biliran, travel time is 1-1.5 hours.
For more information contact:
Mr. Dionisio Oliva
Provincial Tourism Office
Naval, Biliran Islands
Email: olivajx@gmail.com
For more information contact:
Mr. Dionisio Oliva
Provincial Tourism Office
Naval, Biliran Islands
Email: olivajx@gmail.com
Beautiful Pictures!
ReplyDeletethank you , I appreciate that , I am still learning to make my captures better :D
ReplyDeleteBiliran is a beautiful place indeed! Haven't been there yet, but friend keep on telling me how majestic the place is.
ReplyDeleteP.S. stunning photos!
Tinago Falls is really beautiful. Also, it must have been nice to hug a century old tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the online tour. Tinago Falls is a great site for Nature lovers. BTW what's that veggie, 'Upo'?
ReplyDeleteYes , upo, ganyan ang variety na upo sa Biliran ....
ReplyDeleteAng dami pala pwede puntahan sa Biliran Island I only intended to stay there for a day or two but is now seriously considering staying for a week.
ReplyDelete- Wanderer Juan
You take really nice pictures - I especially love yung nasa church. I agree. That looked like something from a grand cathedral somewhere in Europe.
ReplyDeleteI literally teared up a bit after reading your post. I was supposed to be bound for Tacloban today (if it wasn't for the cast), and was already set to visit Biliran with my friend. But your story also made me smile because there's more for me to look forward still.
ReplyDeletepls cover the places i wasn't able to visit ... i ve heard maganda sa ulan ulan falls
ReplyDeleteThat Tinago Falls is close to my homeland but unfortunately I never get the chance to visit there. I was just scared for some rumors about the place.
ReplyDeleteThe falls looks so awesome and wonderful. That tree is really huge! I wonder how many persons will it take to embrace the body of it.
ReplyDeleteWow hidden gem of the Philippines, sana makapunta ako dyan someday. I wanna explore that place too. I love the way you narrated your trip, very detailed and informative.
ReplyDeleteWhat else is lacking in this post? Everything seem to be laid out for a traveler to pursue a trip to BILIRAN... The place is really a destination to explore.
ReplyDeleteWow that's a lot of great places awaiting us to explore in Biliran! and this post will serve as a guide to everyone.
ReplyDeletetinago falls... such majesty. i remembered, we have similar falls like this in our province... it such a relief to swim in such refreshing water. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that Biliran had these attractions...that Church is beautiful! I will make a note to myself to visit one day soon. Will pin your post too, so I won't forget!
ReplyDeleteNice place. I hope to be able to visit too, in the near future..
ReplyDelete