Hopping into some of the 7,107
islands (plus 400 more new ones?) that form part of the Philippines, especially
those off the beaten path, thrills me no end. The exhilaration and
uncertainties of the sojourn, not to mention the exciting discoveries that go along
with it, can be quite therapeutic to the mind, body and soul!
Going off the beaten path, for me, means throwing myself
out of my comfort zone, discovering a hidden hideaway, having a novel
experience or stumbling upon a new spot I haven’t seen before. It could be revisiting
a popular destination yet finding something out of the ordinary somewhere in the
thickets of mediocrity.
This predilection for roads less travelled, I guess,
spells the difference between a tourist and a traveler. So far, I’ve managed to
strike a balance between these two by seeing some must-see attractions in a
certain place as well as searching for something other than usual stuff offered
by tour guides, travel shows and what have you.
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The giant cross in Balaan Bukid as seen from Guimaras Strait
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On
certain occasions, I go for the so-called “touristy” routes if only to satisfy
my guilty pleasures, not to mention my curiosity. Even so, I always try to find
something new and unusual in those destinations in any way I could. Just like
this recent sojourn I had in one of the islands belonging to Western
Visayas—Guimaras!
After taking a peek at some of the popular destinations
in that part of the country, particularly those in the neighboring islands of Panay
and Negros, I ventured into the island province that's sandwiched by those two large
ones.
Guimaras isn’t exactly a destination off the beaten path—it’s
among the oft-visited destinations in that part of the Visayas. Though I’ve
seen the island several times en route to Iloilo and Bacolod, I haven’t scoured
the place. So that made the sojourn worth pursuing as far as this gadabout is
concerned.
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Guisi Beach in Nueva Valencia as seen from a hill near the lighthouse
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Guisi Beach: one of Guimaras's well-kept secrets
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Once a sub-province of Iloilo, Guimaras has come into its
own as a full-fledged province in 1992. Made up of five municipalities
(Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo), the island is
separated from Panay and Negros Islands by the Guimaras Strait a.k.a. Iloilo
Strait.
Best known for producing probably the sweetest mangoes in
the country (or should I say, the whole world?), Guimaras has numerous natural
come-ons that are as exotic and luscious as the popular tropical fruit it
produces. The island has several beaches, waterfalls, springs and offshore
islets that never fail to lure local as well as foreign tourists.
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Mangoes galore!
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A mango plantation in Jordan
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It was Lent when I flew to Iloilo City and headed for the
island via a 15-minute boat ride from Ortiz Wharf in Iloilo to Jordan, the provincial capital.
In Jordan, I flagged down a tricycle that took me to the town of Nueva Valencia. Nearly an hour later, I reached the secluded Guisi Beach where I billeted myself in one of the resorts there.
After resting for a while, I spent the rest of the afternoon scouring the place, feeling guiltless as I
indulged in some "guilty pleasures" that ascetics and puritans would
probably frown upon during those days of penance, prayer, passing up and pondering.
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Jordan-bound boat at Ortiz Wharf
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Whenever self-abnegation becomes the order of the day, the free spirit in me always manages to find ways that combine the secular and the spiritual. For instance, snapping nature
on my way to a sacred mountain, saying a little prayer before roaming around a
sought-after monastery, lighting a candle after exploring the remnants of an
ancient church, among others.
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Sunset as seen from Guisi Beach
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Let’s just say I’ve imbibed a certain kind of religiosity
that somewhat differs from the church’s dogma yet I also saw to it that I got
to spend some time reflecting and meditating even as I enjoyed myself in the
island, albeit on a subdued scale.
Besides, I sought divine intervention to make the trip
possible amidst some unfortunate incident that recently affected me.
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Awe-inspiring vista at Balaan Bukid's peak
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Grotto
of the Sto. Niño (Holy Child)
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What’s in store for you if you go up there? A picturesque
view of nearby Iloilo City and the town of Jordan down below. Found at the
summit of Balaan Bukid is the Chapel of Ave Maria Purisima and a humungous
cross, the one often seen as you pass through Guimaras Strait en
route to the regional capital’s coast.
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The path en route to Balaan Bukid
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Interior of the chapel
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Trail to the Trappist
Monastery. Said to be the only
one of its order in the country, Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery,
which was founded in 1972, offers a serene and rarefied atmosphere ideal for
solitary adventures and personal recollections. The Trappist monks belong to a
branch of the Cistercian Order which is known for its strict rules, including extreme
austerity and silence.
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Chapel of Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery
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Roaming around the hallowed grounds of the monastic enclave
would surely leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed, renewed and re-energized, as
if a cumbersome burden were taken off your shoulders. The monastery also has a
small chapel and a retreat house, making it a sought-after venue for reflections and
recollections.
Before leaving, why not drop by the monks’ souvenir
store? A wide array of mango-based delicacies such as tarts, candies, jams,
preserves and other sweet temptations await those who go there. By bringing home
some of the monks’ labor of love, you’ll be able to help them earn a living. Incidentally,
all products sold at the store are made from ingredients grown within the
Trappist complex.
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Upper pediment and facade of the Navalas Church
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Nuzzle up to Navalas Church.
Find inner peace by nuzzling
up against the oldest Spanish church in the island, St. Isidore the Farmer (San
Isidro Labrador) Church. Built in 1880, the Navalas Church is the only extant
heritage house of prayer in Guimaras. Located in the village of Navalas in the outskirts of Buenavista, the
coral stone church is one of the heritage treasures found in the island.
At first glance, the architecture of this quaint church would
remind visitors of the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo. This is so because Guimaras
was once a visita of Jaro, that is, a
village without a priest, usually placed under the care of a neighboring church
for religious ministrations during Spanish times.
What makes the church standout is the sprawling garden
found on its front yard, which is full of huge trees and surrounded by an old
stone fence. Standing prominently in front of the church is a formidable
belfry, which doubles as a watchtower, serving as one of the island’s early
warning systems of any impending attack by Moro pirates.
Only the façade of the church has retained much of its
heritage touch. Its interior, including the ceilings and other portions, has
undergone massive rehabilitation.
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Ruins of the old Guisi Lighthouse
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Gulp down the view at Guisi
Lighthouse. Lighted for the first
time in 1894, Guisi Lighthouse, also known as Faro de Punta Luzaran, is considered
the second oldest lighthouse in the country. The ancient structure is made up
of imported prefabricated metals from France, clay roof tiles (locally known as
tisa) from Portugal and cement from
England.
During Spanish times, the lighthouse or parola is said to be so visible at
night, guiding ships passing through Guimaras Strait. Only the ruins of the
structure remain for everyone to see. A new lighthouse has been constructed
just a few meters away from the old one.
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Alubihod Beach, the most popular beach strip in the island
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Ambulate towards Alubihod Beach.
“Touristy” in every sense
of the word, Alubihod Beach is the most frequented nook in the island. Home to popular
resorts such as Raymen, Alobijod Cove, Rico and the like, most, if not all of those
visiting the island gravitate towards its powdery, white-sand stretch to get a healthy dose of sun, sea and sand.
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Alubihod Beach is one of the best take-off points for island-hopping!
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Beachcombers gravitate toward Alubihod Beach
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Roughly 45 minutes away from Jordan Wharf, it has one of the
longest stretches of white sand in Guimaras (even though it’s only around 300 meters!).
Alubihod is also a popular jump off point to one of the highlights of any visit
to Guimaras–island hopping.
Take in as much vitamin sea as you can while exploring each
of the sun-kissed islets bearing such exotic names as Ave Maria, Taklong, Isla
Naburot, Inampulungan, Nagaro, Turtle, Tiniguiban, all of which are located within
the fringes of the island province.
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The windmills of San Lorenzo
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Stroll around San Lorenzo
Windmills. Spread out on a
sprawling plain on the eastern side of the island, the San Lorenzo Windmills
(sometimes ecalled Wind Farm) are among the latest man-made structures that
attract tourists to Guimaras.
Launched last June 2014, about 27 windmills, each with a
capacity of 2 megawatts, now provide 54 megawatts of electricity to the island,
way above the reported13 megawatt power requirement of Guimaras. The remaining
energy generated from the operational windmills are reportedly being used to
energize the neighboring provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
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Source of power for the island and its neighbors
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How do you while away time once you’ve grown tired of
laying eyes on the structures? Take as
many selfies or groupfies as you can with the windmills as backdrop!
Wait, there are so many other stuff worth doing if you’re
in Guimaras. Given its rugged terrain and pristine waters, it also offers travelers
the opportunity to indulge in adrenaline-pumping adventures—mountain biking, rappelling,
scuba diving, jet skiing, to name some. Add to that the sweetest adventure of ‘em
all—devouring what is probably the sweetest mangoes in the whole world--fresh, processed, cooked or what have you!
So, this summer, why not guiltlessly indulge in the
numerous pleasures that await those who dare explore the island paradise of
Guimaras! :-D
This predilection for roads less travelled, I guess,
spells the difference between a tourist and a traveler. So far, I’ve managed to
strike a balance between these two by seeing some must-see attractions in a
certain place as well as searching for something other than usual stuff offered
by tour guides, travel shows and what have you.
On
certain occasions, I go for the so-called “touristy” routes if only to satisfy
my guilty pleasures, not to mention my curiosity. Even so, I always try to find
something new and unusual in those destinations in any way I could. Just like
this recent sojourn I had in one of the islands belonging to Western
Visayas—Guimaras! 
Once a sub-province of Iloilo, Guimaras has come into its
own as a full-fledged province in 1992. Made up of five municipalities
(Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo), the island is
separated from Panay and Negros Islands by the Guimaras Strait a.k.a. Iloilo
Strait.
Best known for producing probably the sweetest mangoes in
the country (or should I say, the whole world?), Guimaras has numerous natural
come-ons that are as exotic and luscious as the popular tropical fruit it
produces. The island has several beaches, waterfalls, springs and offshore
islets that never fail to lure local as well as foreign tourists.
Whenever self-abnegation becomes the order of the day, the free spirit in me always manages to find ways that combine the secular and the spiritual. For instance, snapping nature
on my way to a sacred mountain, saying a little prayer before roaming around a
sought-after monastery, lighting a candle after exploring the remnants of an
ancient church, among others.
Besides, I sought divine intervention to make the trip
possible amidst some unfortunate incident that recently affected me. 
Bask in Balaan Bukid Shrine. For Catholic devotees, Balaan Bukid is the perfect
pilgrimage site during the Holy Week. On the way to the top of this hill are
the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross that depict the significant events in
the life and passion of Jesus Christ. Visiting Balaan Bukid would surely delight
the senses, not only of the most fervent devotees but also those of non-believers.
Bask in Balaan Bukid Shrine. For Catholic devotees, Balaan Bukid is the perfect
pilgrimage site during the Holy Week. On the way to the top of this hill are
the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross that depict the significant events in
the life and passion of Jesus Christ. Visiting Balaan Bukid would surely delight
the senses, not only of the most fervent devotees but also those of non-believers.
What’s in store for you if you go up there? A picturesque
view of nearby Iloilo City and the town of Jordan down below. Found at the
summit of Balaan Bukid is the Chapel of Ave Maria Purisima and a humungous
cross, the one often seen as you pass through Guimaras Strait en
route to the regional capital’s coast. 
Trail to the Trappist
Monastery. Said to be the only
one of its order in the country, Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery,
which was founded in 1972, offers a serene and rarefied atmosphere ideal for
solitary adventures and personal recollections. The Trappist monks belong to a
branch of the Cistercian Order which is known for its strict rules, including extreme
austerity and silence. 
Roaming around the hallowed grounds of the monastic enclave
would surely leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed, renewed and re-energized, as
if a cumbersome burden were taken off your shoulders. The monastery also has a
small chapel and a retreat house, making it a sought-after venue for reflections and
recollections. 
Nuzzle up to Navalas Church.
Find inner peace by nuzzling
up against the oldest Spanish church in the island, St. Isidore the Farmer (San
Isidro Labrador) Church. Built in 1880, the Navalas Church is the only extant
heritage house of prayer in Guimaras. Located in the village of Navalas in the outskirts of Buenavista, the
coral stone church is one of the heritage treasures found in the island. 
At first glance, the architecture of this quaint church would
remind visitors of the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo. This is so because Guimaras
was once a visita of Jaro, that is, a
village without a priest, usually placed under the care of a neighboring church
for religious ministrations during Spanish times.
What makes the church standout is the sprawling garden
found on its front yard, which is full of huge trees and surrounded by an old
stone fence. Standing prominently in front of the church is a formidable
belfry, which doubles as a watchtower, serving as one of the island’s early
warning systems of any impending attack by Moro pirates. 
Gulp down the view at Guisi
Lighthouse. Lighted for the first
time in 1894, Guisi Lighthouse, also known as Faro de Punta Luzaran, is considered
the second oldest lighthouse in the country. The ancient structure is made up
of imported prefabricated metals from France, clay roof tiles (locally known as
tisa) from Portugal and cement from
England. 
Ambulate towards Alubihod Beach.
“Touristy” in every sense
of the word, Alubihod Beach is the most frequented nook in the island. Home to popular
resorts such as Raymen, Alobijod Cove, Rico and the like, most, if not all of those
visiting the island gravitate towards its powdery, white-sand stretch to get a healthy dose of sun, sea and sand. 
Roughly 45 minutes away from Jordan Wharf, it has one of the
longest stretches of white sand in Guimaras (even though it’s only around 300 meters!).
Alubihod is also a popular jump off point to one of the highlights of any visit
to Guimaras–island hopping. 
Stroll around San Lorenzo
Windmills. Spread out on a
sprawling plain on the eastern side of the island, the San Lorenzo Windmills
(sometimes ecalled Wind Farm) are among the latest man-made structures that
attract tourists to Guimaras.
Launched last June 2014, about 27 windmills, each with a
capacity of 2 megawatts, now provide 54 megawatts of electricity to the island,
way above the reported13 megawatt power requirement of Guimaras. The remaining
energy generated from the operational windmills are reportedly being used to
energize the neighboring provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. 
Wait, there are so many other stuff worth doing if you’re
in Guimaras. Given its rugged terrain and pristine waters, it also offers travelers
the opportunity to indulge in adrenaline-pumping adventures—mountain biking, rappelling,
scuba diving, jet skiing, to name some. Add to that the sweetest adventure of ‘em
all—devouring what is probably the sweetest mangoes in the whole world--fresh, processed, cooked or what have you!
