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Sunrise view at Coolis Beach Resort in San Fernando, Ticao Island, Masbate. Ticao Island is only accessible by ferries from either Sorsogon province in the Bicol Region or nearby Masbate Island which has an airport. Once you're here, however, you'll be rewarded by pristine beaches, stunning islands and rich marine life.
The Masbate islands and province have been known to Filipinos as cattle country - they even have rodeos here, perhaps the only place in Asia. Only recently are its magnificent beaches and offshore islands becoming popular such as Porta Vega Beach in Dimasalang town.
A new day begins at San Fernando town, Ticao Island in Masbate province, Philippines. We spent a few days here doing outreach to a needy community. The sights around Ticao Island convinced us that this place is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the country.
Burobangkaso Island in Monreal, Masbate contains a collection of slab-like rocks arranged like a stack of books. The rocks are tilting to one side and some on the left have already completely fallen over.
Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary and Sandbar is just a 15 minute boat ride away from Masbate City on the main island of Masbate.
One of the many golden sand beaches in Virac, the capital of Catanduanes province, Marilima Beach has shallow, clear waters. Dead sea grass brought on by the northeast monsoon winds mark the ripples in the sand.
The Pacific coast at Baras, Catanduanes viewed from Binurong Point. There's another, even higher elevation, view deck from which we could watch the coast - Balacay Point. Unfortunately locals told us that the road going there was closed for the time being due to its poor state.
A quiet portion of Mamangal Beach, a golden-sand beach popular with the locals of Virac, Catanduanes province.
This beach is just one of several golden-sand beaches in the southern coast of Catanduanes, in the towns of Virac and San Andres.
Porta Vega Beach Resort at Dimasalang, Masbate can only be reached by boat from the pier at Dimasalang town.
After our hike to Binurong Point and a visit to Puraran Beach in Baras, we passed by this waterfall in the town of Bato on the way back to our resort in Virac town. Less than a kilometer from the main highway and requiring practically no trek to reach it, Maribina Falls is frequented by locals.
At Binurong Point in Baras, Catanduanes province. Catanduanes is usually the first province in the path of typhoons traversing the Luzon mainland from the Pacific, hence the name.
It's really not yet summer (or the dry season) in the Philippines but these kids at Marilima Beach in Catanduanes are already enjoying a taste of it.
A wide beachfront and the raging swells of the Pacific combine to make this beach a top surfing destination. Not for the summer months, however, although beginners can try out here.
Low tide at Batag Beach in Virac, Catanduanes.This beach is one of several beaches located along Virac' southern coast.
Fishing boats at Marilima Beach in Virac, Catanduanes. Known as the "Land of Howling Winds," Catanduanes is often the first province in Luzon to bear the brunt of an incoming typhoon.
Fishing boats parked at Marilima Beach in Virac, Catanduanes province. The seas around this island province are seldom calm - it's one of the Philippines' surfing destinations - so it must take nerves of steel to go fishing in small boats such as these.
Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes is famous internationally as a surfing destination. This is off-surfing season, however, so it was a good time to enjoy an almost empty beach.
Halea Nature Park in San Miguel Island, Monreal, Ticao Island, Masbate is one of the Bicol Region's lesser known but stunning destinations. It's not easy to get here but the long travel is worth it.
The windswept hills and sea-sculpted cliffs of Binurong Point in Baras, Catanduanes have only gained popularity in the last 3 years.
Sea grass, living and dead, create interesting patterns with sand ripples: at Mamangal Beach, Virac, Catanduanes. Mamangal is the beach most visited by the locals in Virac but even on a Sunday the crowd is not that big.
Low tide exposes the sea grass at Marilima Beach in Virac, Catanduanes. All the beaches here are accessible by paved roads but continue to remain pristine.
Like most beaches in Virac, the sand at Marilima Beach is a combination of creamy white and orange sand particles, creating this sand color.
Sunny afternoon at Porta Vega Beach, Dimasalang, Masbate. Masbate is one of the lesser known destinations in Luzon, Philippines partly because of its relative inaccessibility. That trait has served to protect the pristine nature of any of its destiinations. This particular beach is inaccessible by land due to the forested hills at is back. One has to take a boat ride from the pier at Dimasalang town proper to get here.