Caramoan: Hidden Paradise in Cam Sur!

Caramoan is a 1st class municipality on the Caramoan Peninsula, in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 70,810 people.

The name Caramoan has been officially adapted since 1619, the year it was founded by a Spanish missionary friar, Francisco de la Cruz Y Oropesa. Fr. Oropesa penetrated the thick virgin forest of the

Caramoan Peninsula and founded a small settlement in a place called Baluarte. This settlement was subsequently turned over to the administration of the Holy Bishopric in 1696.

Very little is known about Caramoan. Isolated from the rest of Camarines Sur, it is no surprise why Philippine's Secret Paradise remains unexploited from commercial tourism.

Caramoan gives 'island hopping' a new meaning. Enjoy its beauty in many ways. Great ocean adventures for kayakers, snorkle and scuba dive to experience the diverse marine life, trek and search for the enigmatic lagoon, rock climb the limestone cliffs, explore the caves or just star gaze at night.

Popular tourist destinations are the Caramoan National Park, the Centro, and Gota Beach, and popular activities include diving, swimming, snorkeling and spelunking.

The Caramoan Peninsula has gained tourism popularity in recent years. After the place has been featured in the news and local television programs, local and foreign travelers started to explore the beaches of the peninsula. Caramoan is one of the National Parks of the Philippines.

Here are the Top 10 islands found in Caramoan Peninsula:

Cotivas



Gota

Hunungan

Lahus

Lahuy

Matukad

Minalahos

Pitogo

Sabitang Laya

Tinago

Caramoan can also be reached via the southern Luzon expressway  to CBD(Central Business District) in Naga City . There are also direct flights from Manila to Pili Airport, the Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific fly regularly from the Manila domestic airports to Pili airport. The best, easiest and most comfortable way to reach the Gota Village Resort is to let the office in CWC  or Camsur Tourism Office organize the transport transfers.



Clark Disneyland soon to rise?

The City Council of Angeles City has approved a resolution supporting and endorsing Pampanga Representative Carmelo Lazatin’s (1st district) invitation to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to consider establishing Disneyland inside the Clark Freeport Zone.

The resolution, sponsored by councilors Will Rivera, Maricel Morales, Edu Pamintuan, Jericho Aguas, Alex Indiongco and Joseph Dimapilis, was unanimously approved during the council’s regular session last April 24.

According to the resolution, the world-famous theme park will help the Department of Tourism meet, if not surpass, its target in terms of tourist arrivals now pegged at five million visitors a year.

“A Disneyland theme park shall help generate local employment and other businesses, thus spurring the growth of country’s economy,” the resolution added.

Earlier, Lazatin wrote Thomas Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and offered the former US military base as the next location for the famous park.

“The Clark Freeport Zone may interest you and Walt Disney as the next location for your famous Disneyland theme park, as it boasts of a 4,400 hectare main zone and 27,600-hectare subzone,” Lazatin said in his letter, adding that Clark Freeport Zone offers tax-free privileges to locators.

“Together with our population of more than 90 million Filipinos, a Disneyland theme park in the Philippines could be a major income generating site for your company,” he said.

Further, he added that that the tax-free privileges given to locators at the Clark Freeport Zone could be attractive destination for Disneyland theme park. Lazatin also cited Clark International Airport, world-class airport which is expected to serve at least P1.6-million passengers this year. He said in in his letter that the airport will be making it easier for tourists to enjoy the amenities and entertainment Disneyland is famous for without the hassles of long travels.

Apart from the airport which will offer convenience to visitors, the hotel accommodations will not be a problem as Clark has the best hotels, where visitors can likely enjoy the Filipino hospitality.

The lawmaker said "the Philippines is a favorite tourist destination in Southeast Asia, with an average arrival of four million foreign visitors a year and for 2012, the government is eyeing to hit the 5-million mark."

Disneyland theme parks are among the most visited and the best-earning parks in the world. There are so far 3 Disneyland parks in Asia located in Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan and Shanghai, China.

No confirmation as to what the Disneyland management’s stand about this request has been released though. But should this be considered, it will definitely be more fun in the Philippines!

Pundaquit Escapade

Pundaquit is a fishing village located in San Antonio, Zambales. The primary livelihood in this small, yet lively and beautiful town is fishing and tourism. Locals who speak both Ilocano and Zambal, also speak Tagalog as well. They will be more than willing help you if you ever lose your way to the winding roads from the town traveling to the beaches of Pundaquit.

Zambales being only 3 hours away from Manila, We left Dau Bus Terminal around 3AM then we reached Olongapo City around 4AM. The travel time is pretty fast due to the aid of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Pundaquit however, is another 30 to 60 minutes away from the first city which is Olongapo. Traveling to Pundaquit is not as hard as it looks, buses have a cheap fare treat for as low as 40 Php. The North has all the scenic roads and interesting people you’ll see along the way. We reached the municipality of San Antonio half past 7AM. That’s enough reason to make daytrippers and backpackers feel more relaxed,  laid back and away from the rat race and hustle and bustle of the city.

This town is primarily known for its calm and clean beaches compared to its neighboring towns. Even if Pundaquit is facing the open ocean of the China Sea, it maintains its calm shorelines as it is  sheltered by Capones and Camara islands. It is also the best jump off point if you want to visit the Camara Island, Capones Island and Anawangin Cove since it is the closest shores to these

Being almost parallel to the view of the two islands, Pundaquit is the perfect jump off point to visit Camara island and Capones island. It is recommended to leave early morning and pack your breakfast so you can have a picnic at Camara island.

Although there’s not a lot of flora and fauna to feast your eyes on, nature lovers will still delight on the strikingly erratic landscape of Zambales. The best way to admire the beautiful scenery is by trekking through the panoramic backdrops. Zambales is a relatively safe place with friendly, accommodating locals and a low crime rate; but it’s still best to keep your guard up.

Capones island is another 15 to 20 minutes boatride away from Camara and offers a lot more shaded area where you can spend the rest of the day or go on a short trek up the lighthouse and enjoy the view of Zambales and the horizon facing the China Sea.


The Anawangin Cove is by far the most popular destination for campers and beach goers alike. Just the mention of the name Zambales will ring a bell for those who have gone to the cove that a trip to Pundaquit is never complete without feeling Anawangin’s mixture of volcanic ash and white sand beneath your feet.

It is advisable to bring your own food and hygiene necessities instead of purchasing in the beach resorts. The prices are quite high than the normal prices. There is a public market but it is not actually located in Pundaquit, rather it’s right beside the municipal hall of San Antonio, which is the last town before you reach your destination. It’s best that you buy your goods and water here before heading towards the town of Pundaquit.

Pundaquit is blessed with fine beaches and majestic surroundings. It wasn't long before the sun was headed towards the horizon to call it a day. We had to head back home. It would have been nice to get closer to the horses, walk along the river, explore the homes on the cliffs, trek up the mountains, or discover the treasures of Capones Islands, but perhaps another time. Actually, not perhaps, Pundaquit more than deserves another visit. And I can certainly attest that Pundaquit is indeed one of Zambales' lesser-known gems if not the gem of Zambales.