There was a time in my life when a weekend without plans automatically meant camping at Anawangin Cove, a routine so ingrained that we decided to store camping gear with local contacts who eventually became our friends.

My first visit to Anawangin Cove was in 2007, spurred by stories from friends who raved about its ash-gray sand and agoho trees. 

Although not the pristine white sand and pine trees as initially expected, the unique landscape, a product of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption, enchanted me.

I will get to that later because that is not the point of this post.

We’ve been planning our trip to these islands ever since our boatman from San Andres told us about these lovely islands. It was way before these islands became popular. So, needless to say, it was a much-awaited trip and it was an eventful one.

I traveled with a big group to the islands. We decided to take the San Andres, Quezon route instead of the more popular one, which is Pasacao, Camarines Sur. Also, instead of sleeping in an inn or staying in a homestay in San Pascual, we decided to camp on Sombrero Island.

Oh, and by the way, it was my first time to visit Masbate, my 59th Philippine province.

Sombrero Island was everything we envisioned it to be, except we wanted it less crowded, but it was okay. We were happy to share the island with other happy campers, plus we got a lot of juicy stories. (Hello to the ate and kuya who had their morning delight in their tent!)

Unlike Sombrero, Tinalisayan, with its abundance of trees, seemed perfect for hammock camping. Additionally, it provided the convenience of male and female comfort rooms, along with chairs and tables. We had lunch at Tinalisayan before proceeding to the farthest island, Animasola.

Animasola offered a unique character compared to the other two islands. With stunning rock formations reminiscent of Biri in Samar, it became a canvas for creative pictures. The inspiring rocks even prompted one of our travel companions to embark on a climbing adventure.

Then, it happened.

A loose rock, a fall, an accident.

We rushed back to Manila. Leaving was difficult, but our primary concern was our friend's broken legs. It brought back memories of my own accident, and I empathized with the pain. Fortunately, it wasn't as severe as anticipated, and surgery wasn't necessary.

So, there it is! I hope it won't take another two years before we can return. Looking forward to it!

Apo Reef, the second-largest contiguous coral reef globally and the largest in the Philippines, is just one gem in Sablayan's treasure trove. Pandan Island, with its rustic charm, can easily compete with the best resorts in the country, offering guests an authentic island life experience. Adding to the allure is Libao Lake, a quaint inland oasis nestled within the Sablayan Watershed Forest Reserve.

These three wonders marked the highlights of our recent vacation—a dream years in the making, weeks of meticulous planning, and hours of exhilarating travel.

The anticipation for this adventure had lingered for years. Mindoro, a haven of biodiversity with numerous endemic species and diverse habitats, had already captivated me during my initial visit in 2006. Guided by Anya Santos-Uy from Haribon, an organization dedicated to nature conservation, we explored Pandan Island and Libao River. Since then, Apo Reef had firmly secured its spot on my bucket list.

Fortuitously, a chance meeting with Mayor Ed Gadiano of Sablayan during Mamburao's Tuna-toneladang Festival reignited the call to explore Sablayan's natural wonders. 

I invited friends and we embarked on an adventure that promised not just the breathtaking Apo Reef but also the allure of Pandan Island.

To me, a good beach is one where I can lose myself in the soft sand, basking in the company of friends. Pandan Island, however, exceeded expectations—it boasted exceptional marine life that urged me to linger longer in the inviting waters.

The island is accessible by a 20-minute boat ride from Sablayan. We rented a glass-bottom boat through the Sablayan Tourism Office and it heightened our experience, especially when we were delighted by the sight of a turtle.

We arranged a one-way boat rental for P 1,100.00, and the boat comfortably accommodated our group of 17 passengers.

We also paid an environmental fee of P 55.00 each. Fortunately, as guests of the resorts, we were exempted from the entrance fee.

Our accommodation included four rooms: two budget rooms, each good for two pax, for P 800.00; a spacious bungalow, suitable for two pax, for P 1,600.00; and a family house, designed for four pax, for P 3,250. We paid an additional P 250.00 each for extra passengers.

For dining, we were obliged to partake in a dinner buffet priced at P 470.00 each. While we anticipated alcohol to be pricey, we were pleasantly surprised to find that beer was only P 50.00. Woohoo!

Apo Reef

The next day, we departed from the resort early to join the rest of our group and purchase provisions for the upcoming three days Apo Reef camping. 

Senen and Rovil, our guides assigned by the Sablayan Tourism Office, assisted us in these preparations, for which we paid P 4,000.00. The tourism office also organized our boat trip to Apo Reef, with a cost of P 12,000.00. This fee covered a large boat suitable for 20 passengers for three days and included a small banca to transport all our supplies.

The boat ride of over two hours proved to be absolutely worthwhile as we arrived in paradise.

The Apo Reef Natural Park comprises three islands: Apo Island, Binangaan (a rocky limestone island), and Cayos del Bajo (a flat coralline rock formation). 

Apo Island covers about 22 hectares. There is a designated campsite near the registration area, equipped with comfort rooms and water pumps expelling saltwater.

We spent two nights at Apo Island and paid P 270.00 each for our entrance and environmental fees. Our itinerary included exploring the island's lighthouse, lagoon, and, of course, snorkeling around it.

The caretakers of the island advised us to keep quiet as there are migratory birds nesting on the island. This was perfectly fine with us, as we wanted to enjoy nature in a respectful manner.

The highlight of the Apo Reef experience was snorkeling. Fortunately, the area has been declared a protected zone, ensuring that the underwater scene is vibrant and teeming with life.

We washed up at Emilie Hotel for P 50.00 each, then had lunch at the public market. Since we had more than six hours left before our scheduled bus trip, we decided to see Libao Lake. 

We rented a joylong van for P 2,500.00 at the Dimplestar Bus Terminal. It was spacious enough for 15 pax, plus our backpacks. The tourism office arranged for our permit, and we paid P 80.00 each, which included environmental fee and entrance.

Libao Lake

Libao Lake is situated inside the Sablayan Penal Farm. It has an approximate area of 24 hectares. The name Libao is from the word libua, a Mangyan word for white lotus, which is abundant in the lake.

It was a quiet afternoon spent having snacks, exchanging pleasantries with the inmates who were there at the lakes, and, of course, taking photos. Some took naps.

It was definitely the best scene to cap our five-day adventure in Sablayan.

PS

There are other places to see in Sablayan like the Parola Park, which is the future site of the longest island-to-island zipline in the world. The Sabalayan Museum is also worth a visit for a brief tour about Sablayan’s history and brush up on their culture. They also have beautiful murals at the park. There is one dedicated to its early inhabitants, the Mangyans, and another one on Sablayan’s history.

Dimplestar, with stations in Santolan, Sampaloc, and Alabang, offers air-conditioned buses to Sablayan. Seats are not that comfortable though, but it is cheap at P 800.00.

Lastly, it is best to coordinate with The Sablayan Tourism Office (09984259898, 09166831709). They are very helpful. Look for Ms. Norie. She made our trip really hassle-free.