There’s a group of islands lying at the southwest of Leyte and northeast of Cebu City. It is very apparent from here in the Ormoc Bay. I have came across this for many years now but never have known of it. Luckily, the old family housekeeper lives in one of these islands. I was lucky enough to venture an eleventh hour trip to these mysterious islands of the Camotes Sea, just three days before the New Year celebration.

Camotes Islands. Coined as "The Lost Horizon In The South". Four islands comprise the Camotes group: Pacijan, Poro, Ponson and Tulang...In prehistoric Philippines, the coastal settlements in these islands were at the crossroads of civilization: vibrant trading communities and important ports of call for artists and artisans. Southeast Asians and Chinese merchants have come to do business with local traders, mostly fishermen and farmers, as evidenced by a whole pre-Hispanic village excavated in Poro town in the 70s...... In 1521, a few days after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines for Spain, history dawned over Camotes islands. After the historic Mass in Limasawa Leyte, the expedition’s official chronicler Pigafetta wrote on his journal that the flotilla of five ships dropped anchor on the coast of Poro, near Ponson and Pacijan islands, to wait for Kolambu, the chieftain of Limasawa. The group then proceeded to Cebu where Magellan erected a wooden Cross to symbolize Spain’s Christianization in the Far East. (this info is a copy-paste from CamotesResorts.com.ph) In short, this was a pitstop of the Spaniards before they proceeded to Cebu to Christianize and colonize the whole archipelago.

Seafare. The sun was up ahead. I went to the busy wet market of Ormoc along with the trusty housekeeper as the guide and the folks and hopped in this medium-built outrigger. Soon, the engine started to sound and the boat launched. The little silhouette of land that I always see from the city plaza now starts to become clear as we exited the OrmocBay. You can see rocky edges of each islands. Small houses and some resorts resting on some beaches and cliffs. And it was clear how the shores was just pure paradise with its white sands and crystal blue waters. It was a slow trek of about three hours but it was all worth it because of the view that I was taking in from the boat. The boat had a few stops to load and unload in each corner of the first island which is the Ponson Island (the island that is visible from OrmocCity and Merida). The boat proceeded to cross the Kawit Strait until the boat reached the Tudela Port of the Poro Island where we got off.

Poro Island. The one thing that is very prominent when you reach Tudela was the three mountains that welcome you. It is renowned as Mount Three Peaks. They stand as guards of the island. The town itself was a quite and thriving town. A multicab was waiting to carry us around the two islands (Poro and Pacijan). We rode all the way to the east of Poro Island to the barrio of Mac Arthur. It was an uphill climb of the vehicle. The terrain was rugged. It was rough with lots of sea rocks and different variety of vegetation and foliage surrounding our way. The houses were clearly reminiscent of the olden times (60’s, 50’s and way back to the Japanese invasion and the Spanish Era) where there were classic simple architecture of middle-class Filipino houses back in the day (not necessarily nipa huts). Some made in a sturdy panel of woven bamboo slats in fancy geometric designs called “amakan”. Bamboo weaving is a common industry in the area. (Especially in the town of San Francisco)

125 McArthur.We had a quick lunch at our housekeeper’s house. It was my first time to actually visit and see our housekeeper’s home. --(She has been with us even before my parents were married. My father then was still in high school and she was my grandma’s company.) The house was simple, no electricity with only a gas lamp as the light during nights which I can imagine that it would be so dark and lonely, water was difficult in which you have to collect in a pumping hose away from the house. The only technology near was the battery powered small radio with a photo of a local celebrity. Hehe. The house had lots of unique shrubs and trees. There was the tasty Pomelo Tree and few vegetables. It felt home. The house reminds me of the life before as a kid. I have sensed this way of life from my lola’s house before which are just remnants of some memories in my mind now.

Bukilat Cave. Just a few minutes away was this locally famous cave. There were steps leading below the earth. As i descended, there was fear in my mind. It was new territory for me. But all was well as i saw the dark and mysterious beauty it had deep inside. Stalactites, stalagmites, huge rock formations and some blank dark passageways leading to nowhere. It was a mixture of fear and awe but all perfectly making good sensations. The skylights breaking through the holes from above illuminated the whole room. The water was in a low tide that time but it was cool and refreshing. Just across was this huge dark exit. Few have attempted to uncover it. It was the source of the seawater in the cave. They say it would lead to the very ocean and on some occasion, strong currents would flow through it so it is best to take caution. Later, i found out a little history of the cave. It was named after it's founder Bukilat. The cave was used as a hiding ground from the Japanese during the Second World War. Some had rumored that treasures were hidden in this area

Path To Pacijan. Next in the itinerary was to go east to another island- The Pacijan Island. Going there, we had to cruise along the few quite towns lying just at the banks of the south of Poro island. Riding along the coast, you can see the grand details of the edge of the island that meets the sea. The weather was gloomy  with some light rain at that time. It was cold to the skin but was still beautiful as the waves crash into huge rock formations off the coast. There were cliffs where you could get a bird’s eye view of the lonely blank sea.  Still, everything at this time was good stuff as I had to take every sensation that was new to me that time. I noticed, when the cab passes the inlands, huge forests of tall bamboos were growing.

San Francisco Town. There is a long stretch of road-bridge before entering the San Francisco town of the Pacijan Island. It was crossing through mangrove territory. The cab took a short stop at the wet market of San Francisco. Fresh fish was abundant and were laid in tables here. Locals say that Sundays are the best time to buy for seafood. White sand is the ground in the market... It is here in San Francisco that had the feel that is close to modern civilization and vital amenities because the other towns still had barriers in terms of communication, technology and supplies. There was more concentrations of people and vehicles but it was not crowded. I believe that this was the town proper of the island... We moved deep into the heart of the island thru the one main highway in the area. The inlands were rugged. Most were still unspoiled by man.  There were some part that had lots of grazing oxen. At some time, we passed another attraction in the area which was the LakeDanao. But I only saw the huge natural body of water from a distance.

Rock Resort. We reached to the very southwest of the island where we took shelter at a cozy cabin of the resort (Mangodlong Beach Resort)... My sister and I checked out the beach that afternoon. It was out of the ordinary. The whole panorama was unbelievable. The setting sky!, The feel of the white sand! the cool light blue sea. This great land! It is just one instance how our Maker had this grandiose and ingenious idea and it was all materializing right in front of my very own eyes. Wow... i could not imagine how just this morning, I was in bed and dozing off and at the end of the day, i was put in this very spot on Earth. There is no place I would want to be at the moment but right here right now... And that moment, i witnessed a beautiful shift of the afternoon sky to nightfall.