Raymen Beach Resort, Alubihod Beach, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Guimaras Island Hopping Locations
Guimaras Island Guide
Siete Pecados or Seven Isles of Sin in Buenavista, Guimaras
Tatlong Pulo or Three Isles in Barangay Sinapsapan, Jordan, Guimaras
Guimaras Guisi Lighthouse Guisi Point in Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Guisi Beach, Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Nagarao Island, Barangay San Isidro, Sibunag, Guimaras
Daliran Cave, Old Poblacion, Buenavista, Guimaras
The island province of Guimaras is an exotic place blessed with the unspoiled beauty of nature so pristine that is rarely found in other places. This natural beauty is mostly made up of picturesque beaches, springs, falls and offshore islets which attract both foreign and local tourists. Guimaras, formerly known as Himal-us, was a sub-province of Iloilo until it was made an independent province on May 22, 1992. It has a total land area of approximately 604.57 sq. km. comprising five municipalities, namely: Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag. Jordan, its capital town, has 14 barangays, Buenavista has 36 barangays, Nueva Valencia has 22, San Lorenzo has 12 and Sibunag has 14. Regarding population based on the 2010 census, Buenavista is the most thickly populated with a total population of 46, 703, followed by Nueva Valencia with 37, 852, Jordan with 34, 791, San Lorenzo with 24, 032 and lastly, Sibunag with 19, 565. The total population for the whole island is 162, 943.
The most prominent structure atop the mountain in the island signals the people that they are approaching Guimaras is a giant cross that rest atop the famous Balaan Bukid (Holy Mountain), the center of pilgrimage during the Holy Week and the First of May. It is situated atop Bondulan Point at Barangay Hoskyn, Jordan which offer pilgrims a commanding, scenic view of Iloilo City across Iloilo Strait.
First stop is the capital Jordan and Macopo Falls will be passed by before reaching the provincial capitol. Macopo Falls is just one kilometer from the provincial capitol. It is also called "Bather's Paradise" because people who shied away from the crowded beach resorts during weekends, Sundays and holidays could go there and find that place is really suited for them and one can feel the piercing coolness of the place. The water in Macopo Falls is so clear and cool since its source came from the mountain springs. It contains two pools which are ideal for swimming. There is also an ancient burial cave in the town of Jordan intruded only by the persistent guano collectors. This place is a favorite site of the Boy Scouts for camping and bivouac. It's natural beauty has been unspoiled by men instead maintained its pristine environment. Standing on the summit of the famed Balaan Bukid (Holy Mountain), we can see the panoramic view of the whole city of Iloilo since this is situated on a high terrain. Traveling ocean vessels always keep distance while approaching this place called Bondulan Point in order to avert accident. Balaan Bukid is famous for being a pilgrimage sites for devotees, faithfuls and other tourists during the Lenten Season. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Panay Island. Another reason that Balaan Bukid attracts a lot of tourists is because of its Pagtaltal sa Guimaras (Crucifixion In Guimaras) held every Good Friday in Balaan Bukid. Pagtaltal sa Guimaras is an actual reenactment of the last hour of Jesus Christ until his crucifixion and death on the cross. The organizers choose a devotee to act as Jesus Christ - someone who has a made a deep pledge of reform and penance of crucifying himself on the cross if his wish or wants will be fulfilled. The actor will be crucified to the cross using real nails piercing his hands and feet for a specific time period under excruciating and scorching heat of the sun. Balaan Bukid is also home to the Trappist Monk Monastery, the only Trappist monk monastery in the Philippines. Naburot Island is considered to be a refuge of people from pollution and hustles of city life.
Naburot Island is just a few minutes away from Tatlong Pulo (Three Isles). It's clear and calm waters are inviting for swimmers, boaters and scuba divers. Buringot Beach which is ten minutes boat ride from Naburot Island is suited for writers, poets and lovers. The waters of this place is so calm that it is ideal for windsurfing and sailing. The famed Alubihod Beach is very popular among beach goers, tourists and travelers who frequented Guimaras Island. It is a white sand beach named because of its white sand looking like a "bihod" or fish eggs. This beach boasts of white sand, varied-shape corals and nature carved rocks. The water here is crystal clear fitted to be an ideal place for scuba diving.Nagarao Islands is also one of the islets in Guimaras and there is a cave called Catillaran cave there. It is situated in a half hidden forest clearing thickly encircled by the verdant forest trees and shrubs. One can find hardened, weird looking stalactites there as well as pointed piles of stalagmites rising in rows on the damp ground of the cave.
Trappist Monastery is also another attraction. It has a spacious praying hall so tranquil and serene that it is really suited for reflection and meditation. At the simple altar stood a huge lighted candle which is kept perpetually lighted throughout the days of the year and from year to year. The area enclosed by the compound is quite extensive enough for the monks to have their citrus plantation on it.
Good Shepherd's Fold Orphanage in Buenavista is an institution built in 1946 by Philip Trabon which offers a high school course with a vocational training on the practical arts and the science. One can see the vast area which encloses the facilities of a laboratory and workshop rooms for young orphans.
Daliran Springs and Cave in Buenavista is a mountain spring that has a fresh, cold water that comes from a crevice of a natural rock formation which flows freely to the densely forested nook down below. Tributaries from several mountain springs met together to form a wide pool which is as large and enjoyable as an ordinary swimming pool. Below the pool are some granite rocks similar to what can found in the ceilings and walls of the adjoining cave. Next stop is the Tinadtaran Buenavista Target Range at Barangay Tinadtaran, Buenavista.
Tinadtaran Buenavista Target Range at Barangay Tinadtaran, Buenavista is the place where the young Douglas MacArthur developed his shooting skills during the period from 1903 - 1904. He was 23 years old then and a Second Lieutenant fresh from the West Point Academy in the United States, when he was assigned in Iloilo as a Company Commander of an Army Corps of Engineers. In fact, the roads from Arroyo Street to Compania Maritima Building and the wharf along Muelle Loney were constructed by his Army Engineers. The Tinadtaran Target Range is among the enduring proofs of General Douglas MacArthur's stay in the island.
Barangay Supang still in the town of Buenavista is also full of history. Camp Jossman in Barangay Supang in Buenavista town is the place where a military installation was put up by the United States Army in 1903. The road in the area which is still visible up to this day is also one of the evidences of General MacArthur's stay there. p. 254
Roca Encantada is famous for its mansion perched on top of the island. This mansion perched on top of a small rocky island was built in 1910 by a lady who at the age of 22 became a widow. Because of loneliness, she decided to leave the elegant city life in Iloilo and stayed there in the mansion by the rock for the remaining years of her life. Before she died, she left word to her sons never to sell the place for anything in this world. The lady was no other than the late Doña Presentacion Hofileña Lopez, the mother of the illustrious Lopez brothers - Don Eugenio H. Lopez and former Vice President of the Philippines, Fernando H. Lopez. The place is occasionally used as a venue for seminars and retreats and a favorite stopover for some excursions and field trips. To reach the top, one must ascend the rocky steps toward the island mansion. Once you reach the top, you will have a breath taking view of the surrounding areas while being refreshed by the flurry of the cold, fresh sea breeze. One can delightfully discover that the place offers a panoramic view of the whole northern portion of Guimaras Island and upon turning the gaze towards the middle portion of the sea, one can see a clearer view of the seven islets known as the "Siete Pecados" or the "Isles of Seven Sins." Known literally as the "Enchanted Rocks," Roca Encantada portrays an atmosphere of complete serenity and tranquility which reflects the owner's desire and personality. It is really an ideal place for one who wants seclusion and reflection. Many people believed that the place serves as a lasting symbol of the late landlady's love of nature.
Guimaras is only a small province but it is endowed with a natural beauty exemplified by its numerous white sand beaches, spotless roaring cascades and significant historical sites, very few of which were man-made. Most of those natural beauty attractions remained pristine and unspoiled which made them so attractive and tempting to local and foreign tourists.
Roca Encantada, Buenavista
Roca Encantada, Buenavista
Roca Encantada, Buenavista
Roca Encantada, Buenavista
Balaan Bukid or Sacred Mountain in Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras
Balaan Bukid or Sacred Mountain in Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras
Isla Naburot or Naburot Island in Barangay Sinapsapan, Jordan, Guimaras
Isla Naburot or Naburot Island in Barangay Sinapsapan, Jordan, Guimaras
Isla Naburot or Naburot Island in Barangay Sinapsapan, Jordan, Guimaras
The smallest plaza in the Philippines can be found in Jordan, Guimaras
Photo Source:
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http://theislandexplorer.blogspot.com
http://neilshots.wordpress.com
http://ilonggos.net
http://flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com
www.iloilo-travel-guide.blogspot.com
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