A plan for a summer getaway usually ends up with just a PLAN. One night, my housemate Tina and I decided to go to Quezon and explore Cagbalete Island. A self-confessed G.I. (geographic idiot), I found a good travel buddy. Tina googled everything we need to know about the travel, including the fare, and how to get to the island. Born and raised in Quezon province, I never really had a chance to explore the beautiful places in my hometown so I said yes to this adventure and didn’t really mind getting lost.
We left Manila at around 9:30 in the evening and boarded AB liner in Pureza, Manila. We arrived in Pagbilao at around 1:00 in the morning and rest a little at our house in Pagbilao. We woke up very early to go to Pagbilao market and spent PhP 500 for our baon, which is good for five people!
From Pagbilao, we traveled for 30 minuntes going to Mauban port. At Mauban port, there were several bangkeros who will offer you a ride to Cagbalete Island. Cagbalete is a 40-minute boat ride from the port.
We were asked to pay PhP50 pesos for environmental fee. (I don’t know about this environmental fee, because they maintain a coal powerplant in Mauban, which is also near Cagbalete. A similar coal powerplant is also maintained near kwebang lampas in Pagbilao. Coal-fired powerplants are known to emit harmful pollutants).
We hired a private boat which costs 2,000 but you may opt for a public transport for only 50 pesos per head. Public boats leave at 10 in the morning. The only advantage when you hire a private boat is that it will take you to the resort where you want to go while public boats will drop you at Cagbalete port and will take a 30-minute walk to the eastern part of the island where most of the resorts are situated.
Based on my housemate’s research, it is good to stay in Villa Cleofas because they have cottages and tents plus they have other activities to offer. True enough, we found our place under a Talisay tree with a hammock. We talked to the owner of the resort and she asked if we will be staying overnight or will be using a cottage or a tent. We said we will only be staying for the whole day. Since we will not be using any of their amenities, we were asked to pay pHp100 pesos, instead of only pHp 50 if you will be using a cottage or a tent.
I also love the pine trees standing along the shore!
Because we were so excited to take pictures, we didn’t notice that it is already low tide and that the water is slowly subsiding as far as 1 kilometer. We had to walk far so we can swim.
Bangkeros also offer island hopping, usually for pHp 1,500. They will take you to sand bars. During low tide, you can walk towards what they call the Bonsai Island where Bonsai trees are surrounded with beautiful rock landscape.
There’s also a river that meets the sea which is around 800 meters away from Villa Cleofas. They say its good for skim boarding and of course, picture taking!
The owner also said there is a farm near our place where locals sell fresh vegetables. Unfortunately, the locals have just harvested their crops. We’ve only seen a field of green and red chilis.
We only had a short time in the island. It’s suppose to be an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life but a day is too short to roam around the 1,640-hectare pristine island.
There’s more to know in Cagbalete. Sometimes, those the eyes can’t see. I would love to talk to the locals and know more about the lives of people in Cagbalete the next time I visit.
What do I get from this spur of the moment trip? A burnt face and shoulders and an achievement of overcoming my fear of not knowing where to go. Hoooray to unplanned trips!:) ###
The Naysayer 
Getting “lost” is one of the most exciting experiences I always look forward to. Every corner and twist of the road unfolds a new world I have never seen before. Congratulations! Wishing you more oppportunities to explore the “never-seen-before”. =)