Maria Gracia Allene N.

Paderanga Human and Physical Geography

My place of comfort residence is Camiguin Island formerly under Misamis

Oriental Province before it became a province on its own. Total land area of Camiguin is
3,255 hectares with a total population of 88, 478 in a 2015 Census. Camiguin has only 5
municipalities namely: Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Mambajao, and Sagay in which
further subdivided into 58 barangays. The island of Camiguin, of volcanic origin, is
composed of four stratovolcanoes: Mount Hibok- Hibok and Mount Vulcan, Mount
Timpoong, Mount Butay and Mount Guinsiliban. Each volcano (except Mount
Guinsiliban) is made up of several flank domes.
About half of its total land area is agricultural in nature, a third devoted to agro-
forestry, and the rest used for eco-tourism, forests reservation and built-up areas,
coconut, rice, banana and fish catch are the main agricultural products. The island is
mountainous with the highest elevation reaching over 5,000 ft (1,500 m). It is encircled
by a national road with a length of about 64 kilometres (40 mi).
Widening of roads are now visible in different municipalities, newly-built world
class Camiguin Nouveau Resort and Villas which is located at Barangay Tupsan
Pequeño in the municipality of Mahinog, Camiguin. The resort features four pools, villas,
function halls, outdoor playground, beach front development, beach bungalows and
parking area. Camiguin Island is a beautiful pear-shaped volcanic island-paradise in the
Bohol Sea. Recently, the first Jollibee branch and a Gaisano Mall in the municipality of
Mambajao were recently opened. These projects and infrastructures can help boost the
Island’s tourism
The Island is known for its many attractions. Several centuries-old Spanish
Colonial and 20th century churches are found in various parts of the island.

 Santo Rosario Church: The Santo Rosario Church in the municipality

of Sagay was built in 1882. The facade of the church is a declared Important
Cultural Property of the Philippines.
 Old Bonbon Church Ruins of Catarman: The church of the Old Bonbon was
destroyed and partly submerged by volcanic debris during the eruption and
formation of Mount Vulcan from 1871 to 1875. Also known as Gui-ob Church, only
the ruins of the church and bell tower remains of the old town. A modern white
lighthouse was recently erected close to the bell tower. The archaeological site has
been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.

Beautiful and ornate ancestral homes dating back to the Spanish Colonial

Period and American Colonial Period are still abundant and can be found along the
streets of Camiguin. Fourteen of these heritage houses have been declared
as Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines. These include the Borromeo
ancestral house, Bacut ancestral house, Luspo ancestral house, Neri ancestral house,
Nery ancestral house, Nerio-Chan ancestral house, Corrales ancestral house, Corrales
y Gamali ancestral house, Francisco ancestral house, Juni ancestral house and Lim
ancestral house, and Catalino Chan and Eleuterio Chan ancestral houses.

The province is dotted with numerous heritage structures and zones from the
classical, Spanish, and American eras, but most of its heritage sites are from the 300-
year Spanish colonial era.

 Sunken Cemetery of Catarman - an ancient cemetery which sank beneath the

sea due to a volcanic eruption. The archaeological site has been declared as
a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. The place is commemorated by a
huge cross erected in 1982.
 Spanish-era watchtower in Guinsiliban - the watchtower of Guinsiliban was one
of the most important in the area during the Spanish colonial era. The watchtower
has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.
 Old Mambajao Fountain - a unique-style fountain from the Spanish era. It has
been declared an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.
 Old Mambajao Municipal building - a well-preserved Spanish-era government
building which has been declared an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.

Furthermore, located just a few miles off the coast are the two Islands of
Camiguin: White Island and Mantigue Island. Camiguin is also abundant with springs
like Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring, Santo Nino Cold Springs, Bura Natural Soda Water
Swimming Pool and Tangub Hot Spring. Moreover, old Spanish documents indicate that
the renowned explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in
Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively.

Every year in the third week of October, a festival is held to celebrate

the Lanzones (locally called bwahan/buahan), a small grape-sized tropical fruit grown all
over the island. Lanzones grown in Camiguin is considered to be the sweetest. The
unique flavor is due to the richness of the volcanic soil. The week-long Lanzones
Festival is one of numerous colorful events in the Philippines.

This is a place of comfort for my Papa, Mama, sister and I because aside from
this is my Papa’s birthplace and residence, the Island gives away peace and relaxation
and an escape from a bustling city. How history made the Island as it is now, why big
rocks exist not just in the mountains but also along the shorelines and/or beaches of the
Island, from a volcano to an Island how impactful like a domino effect the island
presents. And from time to time, a simple life Island life is what everyone needs not just
once in a while but as needed.