Adventures at Matukad Island (Caramoan Islands) ~ CAMSUR

One thing i love and will never forget about our trip to Caramoan is the rock climbing activity we had at Matukad Island. It was a one-of-its-kind adventure that gave us great experience and story to share and treasure.

Matukad Island is the closest island to Gota and is usually the first stop during the island hopping activity. Matukad is said to be the most scenic and has the best white sand beach among the islands in the Caramaon Peninsula. Huge and small rock formations dot the surrounding waters offering a spectacular scenery. The white-powdery-sand beach is almost perfect for swimming -it's just that because the island is pristine, seaweeds and rough stones are scattered on some parts of the shore. You may still enjoy the crystal clear waters but you have to take extra careful. You may wear waterproof rubber shoes or slippers to protect your feet and sunblock before taking a deep to the inviting beach to avoid skin blackening and other problems.

With its enchanting beauty and remoteness, it is no wonder that productions of different Survivor Franchises keep on coming back to Caramoan to film their own version of the hit TV series, The Survivor. Oh, I almost forget, your stop to Matukad depends on the schedule of taping of The Survivor because it is one of the venues. If there is an ongoing taping, the island is off to the public 

The fine, white, powdery sand of Matukad Island.

 

Matukad is a small island. If you're looking for a place of seclusion, it can be your perfect getaway.

 

Aside from great swimming experience and fabulous views for photoshoots, Matukad also give guests a one-of-its-kind adventure. Explore the lush tropical forest by climbing the rock formations that conceals the small lagoon. Elijerwin, our tour guide asked us if we want to try rock climbing and see the lagoon that is being hid by the big lump of rock formations. Without hesitation, we all agreed to take the challenge. We want to try something that we may not have done before. 

  

Rock climbing is no joke. Aside from the pointed rocks we need to pass on, there was no rope that would pull us up if ever we lose control or stepped on broken edges. But we faced our fears with height and we made it. We were very happy when we reached the top and rewarded by the fascinating views of the whole stretch of the island as well as the other islands around us.  

A rewarding site after the climb

Down is the lagoon which according to the story, once there were 2 big "bangus" inhabiting the lagoon and people believes they were the "guardian" of the island. Elijerwin added, "the other bangus had been captured and the one who caught it died".

The Hidden Lagoon

Unfortunately, we did not see the bangus. So we just took different poses again for photographs and enjoyed the view from the top instead. We also gave our shout outs: "I LOVE CAMSUR!", then we took our way down. 

Elijerwin assisted our friend Karen on her way down the rocks. To their surprise, the big bangus appeared before their eyes and Elijerwin was able to take a photo of its appearance. 

Rock climbing is really a tiring activity. So when we got down, we laid on the sand and rest for a while.

OTHER PICTURES FOR SOUVENIR:

  

  

THE CAST (L-R): Sally Jumawan, Karen Reyes, Joel (ME), Shayne Rodriguez, Lady Lutrania, Jerry Obra & Jared Jumawan

SEE MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE!


Date of Experience: September 11, 2011
With: Karen Reyes, Lady Lutrania, Jerry Obra, Shayne Rodriguez, Sally & Jared Jumawan

Camara and Capones Island, San Antonio ~ ZAMBALES

Our 2- day trip to Zambales includes island hopping to the wonderful Capones and Camara Islands. Originally, our island hopping was scheduled on the first day, but since we arrived at Pundaquit Beach  late, we decided to have it on the second day. 

We spent our first day and overnight at Anawangin Cove that gave us one-of-a-kind camping experience. [CLICK HERE] Our boatman and tour guide picked us up at 7:30 on the next morning and head on to visit the Capones and Camara Islands. Excitement filled our faces as we leave the cove. 

The Shoe-like Island

Ronald Mcdonalds once hopped & played in this island, and he left his big shoe =c lol!

Capones Island is indeed the highlight of island hopping activity in Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales. It is known for the century old lighthouse located at the back of the island built during the Spanish era to guide local and international vessels coming from north to northwest going to Subic Bay or Corregidor Islands in Bataan. The island is a big lump of rock formations with very little soil. It can be reached through an outrigger boat, 15-20 minutes from the shoreline of Pundaquit.

Getting into the island can be quite rough as you have to fight with your fear of water and deal with raging waves. This is because the island is at the western most part of the Philippines facing the open coastline of West Philippine Sea. You must also be prepared to get a little or a lot wet. They say, these are all part of the adventure. I said, yes if you are braver than out boatman, who used to take visitors in and out of the island and learned the movements of the wind and the sea. But he said that time is different and the waves are really big.  We can even see worries on his face. Our outrigger boat is really struggling with the big waves as we get near the island. He said that it is not possible for us to get into shoreline because of the strong push of water. If we insist, the boat might get damaged.

With nothing to do, we decided not to continue with our island hopping. Although we were all disappointed for not seeing the Light house, at least we are safe. We just satisfied ourselves taking pictures of the big rock formation in front of us and head our way back to Pundaquit. 

The other side of Capones Island

By the way, here's what you will see when you climbed and reached the peak of Capones. I wish I will be able to see this on our next trip to San Antonio, Zambales.. ;)

Photo credit: ERICK DANTOC [www.islandsofthephilippines.com]

The Camara Island

Near the Capones Island, about 5 minutes boat ride is the Camara Island. This is supposed to be our next stop.  Camara Island is actually a twin island separated by a flat stretch of white sand. When the water is low, the white sand bar connecting the two islands is very visible allowing you to transfer from one to the other without getting wet.

A mummy-like rock formation, which is the other part of Camara Island. This island look-like a lying person in the middle of azure waters.

Boatmen are really struggling taking their passengers out of the boat because of raging water.

View of the Camara Island from Pundaquit shoreline

Fishing boats aligned at the shore

The beautiful shoreline of Pundaquit and the picturesque view of Pundaquit Mountanin Range, the alternative by land route going to Anawangin.

Island hopping is FUN. Don't forget to wear your life vest for safety purposes.

Rock formations and rolling hills charm the passengers along the way to Anawangin cove.

The team is getting ready. Everyone is excited to get into the boat. Oh, by the way, this is taken upon our arrival to Brgy. Pundaquit before heading to Anawangin Cove. Brgy. Pundaquit is the getaway to Anawangin Cove and the closest shore to Capones and Camara Islands

Opps, a souvenir pls. before heading to Anawangin.

HOW TO GET THERE

Please see my post regarding our trip to Anawangin entitled, "ANAWANGIN COVE: A SECLUDED PARADISE". CLICK HERE!

MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

Our Trip: February 18 & 19, 2012

With: Pamela Mallorca, Sheryl Erpelo, Ton Lorenzo, Arlyn Bautista, Diony Castro, Aileen Columbino Melody Velasco & Lowey Velasco. 

Credits: capones.com, wikipedia

Manaoag Church - Now a Minor Basilica

February 17, 2015, marks a special event in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines and most especially in Pangasinan, as the Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, popularly known as Manaoag Church have been officially proclaimed as a Minor Basilica.

A favorite pilgrimage site and a center of Marian devotion in Northern Luzon, Manaoag Church has been elevated  and granted a minor basilica status by Pope Francis on October 11, 2015. The official declaration that set today was attended by thousands of devotees, Church leaders, members of the clergy and heads of private and government sectors. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle lead the declaration along with Cardinal Orlado Quevedo and Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales and including more than 30 archbishops and bishops from all over the country.

A Minor or Lesser Basilica is a church with certain privileges conferred on it by the Pope. Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth and/or significance as center of worship. The shrine which will be called the Basilica Minor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, is one of the few basilicas in the Philippines (13 as of this writing. see list, click here!).

For being a basilica, Manaoag Church now has a special bond of spiritual affinity with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. This means that attending mass at Manaoag Church is nearly equivalent to attending mass at Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. 

The three signs that indicate that the church is a minor basilica are now present and exhibited in the church - the umbraculum or ombrellone or papal umbrella, tintinnabulum or papal bell and the Papal Seal.

1. The Umbraculum or Ombrellone is a historic piece of the papal regalia and insignia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for the pope (Galbreath, 27). Also known as the pavilion, in modern usage the umbraculum is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of the Pope over it. It is found in the contemporary Church at all the basilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their main altars. Whenever the Pope visits a basilica, its umbraculum is opened.

2. A Tintinnabulum is a bell mounted on a pole, placed in a Roman Catholic Basilica to signify the church's link with the Pope. 

The tintinnabulum consists of a small gold bell within a golden frame crowned with the papal tiara and Keys of Heaven. If the Pope was to say Mass within the Basilica, the tintinnabulum would be used to lead the very special procession down the shrine's aisle. But now these symbols are not mentioned in the 1989 Vatican directives.

3. The Papal Sign

The papal seal includes the image of two crossed keys, one gold and one silver, bound with a red cord. This represents the "keys to the Kingdom of Heaven" and is the quintessential symbol of the Papacy as an institution. The silver key symbolizes the power to bind and loose on Earth, while the gold key the power to bind and loose in Heaven.

Papal symbol now adorns the facade of the basilica

Some of the improvements on the church includes statues of different saints on the elevated hallway leading to the church. 

The shrine’s elevation to a basilica recognizes the many miracles and extraordinary events that have taken place over centuries, inspiring greater devotion to the Lady of Manaoag, a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Learn more about the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, CLICK HERE!

Credits: Wikipedia