Top 10 Ruins in the Philippines for Tourists

A RUIN is defined as the physical destruction or disintegration of something or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed.

Ruins are the remains of human-made architecture: structures that were once complete, as time went by, have fallen into a state of partial or complete disrepair, due to lack of maintenance or deliberate acts of destruction. Natural disaster, war and depopupation are the most common root causes, with many structures becoming progressively derelict over time due to long-term weathering and scavenging (from Wikepedia).

There are numerous famous ruins in the world such as ancient sites in Greece, Rome, Egypt, China and South America.

In the Philippines, we also have our own "ruins" for tourists and these are the ruins that I have visited.   

1. Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occidental (destroyed by intentional arson with the consent of the owner during World War II so that the house will not be used as a Japanese garrison.) 

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-ruins-negros-occidental.html

2. Corregidor, Manila Bay (destroyed by the Japanese bombardment during World War II) 

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/independence-day-tour-corregidor-and.html

3. Cagsawa Ruins, Albay, Bicol (destroyed by Mt. Mayon's eruption in 1814)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/bicol-adventure.html

4. Fortune Island, Nasugbu, Batangas (not properly maintained by the owner)

www.pinterest.com

5. Song-Song Ruins, Batanes (destroyed by a tidal wave/tsunami in the 1950s)

from ww.biyahero.net

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html

6. Old Guiob Church Ruins, Camiguin (destroyed by Mt. Vulcan's eruption from 1871-1875)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html


7. Pindangan Ruins, San Fernando City, La Union (destroyed by an earthquake in 1892)

from pinoy-horror-stories-blogspot

8. Old Taal Church, San Pascual, Batangas (destroyed by Taal Volcano's eruption in 1754)

9. Banza Chruch Ruins, Butuan City (The oldest church ruin in the island of Mindanao. Built in 1625 and destroyed by the Moro pirates in 1753)

from www.geckogo.com

10. Old Tanauan Municipal Hall, Batangas (destroyed during World War II)

from filipinoscribbles.wordpress.com

Catanduanes

From Paniman, Caramoan, I rented a boat to Catanduanes.

Initially, going to Catanduanes was not part of the plan. But the local folks told me that Catanduanes is just 2 hours by boat. Prior to this trip, I had never seen or had been in Catanduanes. Opportunity was knocking on my door and I opened the door.

The boat ride was good for more than 2 hours. I rented a small boat (good for 3-4 pax only) for P1,500. The bigger boat (good for 10-15 pax) costs 2,500 - 3,000. With only my backpack and camera bag, I decided to go to Catanduanes.

My boatman's name is Mang Roy Razon.

It was not the usual island hopping experience.

Caramoan islands

  
It was a little bit extreme considering that I was not given a lifejacket and there were two of us only onboard the boat. So imagine if the boatman gets a heart attack in the middle of the seas, I would be there in the middle of vast expanse of water not knowing what to do! Anyway, that was part of the adventure!

Along the way, we passed several islands which are covered by the island hopping tour provided in Caramoan. But one island that I would never forget is the Catanauan Island because according to my boatman that was the island where the Survivor TV program was shot.

After 2 hours, we reached the Port of Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes. 

The trip did not stop there since I miss the Ro-Ro trip to Tabaco and I've wanted to go to Virac, Catanduanes. And so I hired a tricyle ride to Virac amounting to P500. The trip was 50 minutes. 

The Ro-Ro boat trip in Virac was scheduled to leave 1 pm and we left San Andres past 11 am. Time is of the essence!

Virac Church

 
After almost an hour, we reached Virac. And the first tourist spot that I saw then was the Virac church (which we passed while going to the Virac Port.  

We went straight to the port and bought the ticket to Tabaco. 

Fare in Penafrancia
P240 - ordinary
P310 - aircon

The Ro-Ro trip was good for 3.5 - 4 hours.
First trip in Tabaco to Virac leaves 6:30 am.
And the trip back to Tabaco from Virac leaves 1pm.

On the other hand, the Ro-Ro trip in San Andres from Tabaco leaves 7 am (if seasonal 5 am) and back to Tabaco 12 pm.

While cruising back to Tabaco, Bicol, we passed the Twin Rocks Resort. One of the best, if not the best resort in Catanduanes.

After 4 hours, we reached the Port of Tabaco.

Tip - Never use the bus parked inside the pier. 

Go to the  Tabaco City Central Terminal.

There are plenty of choices to choose from ranging from vans, aircon and non-aircon buses.

You have to ride a tricycle or a trisikad to go to the terminal.

Here you can find buses/vans plying Naga, Daet, Cubao or Alabang.

So how many hours did I stay in Catanduanes?

Two hours only! But the adventure lasted a lifetime!

  

Calaguas Island

Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island

Calaguas Island is a paradise!

How to get there

From Buendia, Cubao or Pasay, ride a bus (preferably DLTB, Superlines) going either to Daet or Naga City. Travel time is 8-9 hours depending on the traffic in San Pablo City and Sariaya. Fare is around P513.00 (ordinary aircon) or P650 (Executive class). You have two options were to alight. 

Terminal in Buendia is in LRT-Taft station.

Terminal in Pasay is near Winston Hotel or Sogo Hotel.

Terminal in Pasay is near Ali Mall or Farmer's.

Option 1 - Daet - Take the van going to Paracale. The terminal of the van is in the Daet market near the church and the cost is P180.00. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

Option 2 - Alight at Talubatibo, Labo (crossing going to Paracale), hire a tricyle for P300 OR wait for the bus going to Paracale (every 30-40 minutes). Travel time is 30 minutes only.

If you are traveling alone, it's better to go to Daet and pay the P180 or wait for the bus.

But if you are traveling with your friends, it's better to hire the tricycle and divide the amount of fare with your friends. 

From Naga City (in case you opted using the plane) or in case you are coming from CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), go to LCC Mall terminal for the van going to Daet. From Naga City to Daet is 2 hours and the fare is P180.00. First trip is 5 am and the last trip to Date is 8 pm. Then reaching Daet, take the van going to Paracale. Travel time to the port is 1 hour.

From Daet,  board the van going to Paracale. 

Paracale Port

There are two ports going to Calaguas Island, namely the Paracale Port and the Vinzons Port. Travel time in Paracale port to Calaguas Island is 1.5 hours. Travel time from Vinzons to Calaguas Island is 2-3 hours.

Better choice is the Paracale Port.

Hire a boat going to Calaguas Island (the fee includes the island hopping).

PARACALE PORTContact pax and nos. -
Mang Boy - 0908-546-0683
Sam - 0920-803-1510
Rizza - 0948-362-4616 / 0910684-3649

Small boat (1-3 pax) P1,200 - 1, 500
Big boat (5-10 pax) P2,500 - P3,000
Bigger boat (20-25 pax) - P5,000 - P6000

VINZONS PORT
Kagawad Biboy - 0947-533-6543 / 0999 585 6560

Smaller boats are available in Paracale.
Bigger boats are available in Vinzons.

Place to stay in Vinzons - Mac Resort (0919 400 2659)

After  1 hour and 30 minutes, we reached Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island.

There are cottages available at the beach. Only halo-halo and several beverages are sold at the island. So it's better to bring your own food.

You can also do camping in the beach. Make sure you bring your own tents and/or sleeping bags. But you can also rent for P200-300. Entrance fee is P120-150. Cottages are a bit expensive.

There are public toilets available. Fee is P10-20.

There are so many things you can do at Mahabang Buhangin like playing beach volleyball.

You can also trek the hills and the nearby barangay.

Tinago Island

Or go to Tinago Island (other side of Calaguas Island) by foot and the trek time is 20 minutes.

But the best thing to do is island hopping at the nearby islands.

The sea is a little bit rough and you will certainly get the additional adventure you want while island hopping.


In case of island hopping, you can go to 4-5 islands depending on your agreement with the owner of the boat.

Makulabo Island

Water is clearer in Makulabo Island.
Enjoy the island hopping experience! 

It's Really More Fun in Calaguas Island!