Cagbalete: Your next travel destination

There is only one thing I can tell why I love to go outdoor, it is "Peace".

The island was a 1,640 hectare property that was located at east of Quezon Province. This island is part of Mauban, Quezon and was surrounded by the bodies of water of Lamon Bay and Pacific Ocean. However, most of the area are a privately owned property there is still some Visayan fisherfolks who are already settled at the island. The "Sabang" was the area that I am talking about who is populated with thousand of people and seems to be over populated nowadays. There are lot of job where they can get money like fishing, farming and now they've learn to be a boatmen for tourists.

Cagbalete was said to be home to a number of species such as Kingfishers, parrots, wild ducks, tabon birds and others. It is also the habitat of the coconut crab or “kuray” (a Cagbalete favorite), starfishes, “alimasag”, “umang”, etc., and a long time ago, the “pawikan” (giant sea turtle).

Cagbalete Island now hosts two Barangays, namely Barangay Cagbalete Uno and Barangay Cagabelete Dos. The land originally owned by Benedicto Pansacola and the descendants of Eustaquio Pansacola comprise the first Barangay. The second Barangay comprises the land originally owned by Jose Pansacola and Manuel Pansacola.

We chose to check in at Villa Noe as per recommendation from a friend. Same as the other resorts, VIlla Noe has amazing view, getting a good spot for sunset and the mini forest. As we arrived someone already picked us up for the accommodation and provided the key for our room. At first we don't actually have any idea what we can do that day because of the bad weather but the boatman told me to wait until tomorrow to check if we can go for an island hopping.

If we will talk about activities and food, my words aren't enough. At the resort there is a guy who named "Bok" that can cook and you can ask him to buy some stuff for you without any additional charges. I asked him to cook for us with his special "Ginataang Isda at Kuray". Ginataan means "done with the coconut milk" which has a nature touch of food and has a very high amount of umami (maybe because of the Monosodium glutamate LOL).

This was not the actual photo but it was big as this one

This is Sea Urchin best partner with their vinegar :)

Bad weather as usual :(

The day has come and we went for an island hopping but the weather still not in the mood. We tried to go to the sandbar that the boatman told me but the weather keep on stopping us. So, the more the weather stopped us the more we wanted to go. So the result was fantastic better to check the picture below with my expectation over reality.

This was original expectation

These are the reality

We still enjoyed the view because we are the only visitor that day!!! :)

How To Get There?

• Day 1

0200 Take a bus from Cubao to Lucena Terminal

(P200-P300).

0530 Ride a bus in Lucena bound to Mauban (P50-P60)

0630 Go to Mauban Local Tourism Office just a few

minutes away from the terminal.

0700 This time you should be at the Passenger Boat from

Mauban bound to Cagbalete Island.

0800 From this point it is for you to decide wether

you will rent a boat going to said resort or trek.

0830 You should arrived at the resort.

0900 - 2000 This is your free time.

• Day 2

0500 Have some coffee and enjoy the sunrise.

0700 You can ask the boatman or his partner to cook

a breakfast for you or cook for yourself.

0800 Go to Sandbar, Bakawan part, and Snorkeling.

1200 Take some lunch (take note of the schedule make

sure to arrive at the port before 1400)

Note: This itinerary was my original plan but we are not lucky enough because of the weather. My free time was consumed drinking Lambanog with boatmen.

This is the rates and schedule

This is the Passenger Boat

This photo of Bakawanan in Cagbalete is not mine since it is raining and I can't use my phone.

Note: I suggest do not try to go there between November and December since the weather is unpredictable. If you want to enjoy the island make sure it is summer and you have 90% chance of good weather.