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Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I SHUN away from most guided tours because I find some of them too expensive, pretentious, and provide little opportunity for self-exploration.
I usually depend on my personal research and self-exploration in finding the best attraction that an unfamiliar territory can offer. It was through this that I found myself in the exhilarating search for Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Camalig town in Albay.
On my second day in Legazpi City, I managed to board a jeepney ride to the sleepy town of Camalig. The town is 15.3 kilometers from Legazpi City along the Pan-Philippine Highway. The town is famed for its pinangat dish.
Pinangat, more commonly known as laing outside of Bicol region, is an amazing concoction of taro leaves, chili, meat and coconut milk wrapped in gabi leaves and tied securely with coconut leaf. But in Camalig, pinangat is much more delectable than any I have tasted in Albay. The town also boasts of pili nut specialties made by families.
The town market is a particular point of interest as one can easily enjoy local delicacies and meals with the signature peppering of lots and lots of chili. After having my fill of the local food offerings, I finally decided to start my adventure to find the famed Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave.
From Camalig, one had to take a tricycle ride or habal-habal to the cave entrance which is an easy task if not for the fact that the distance that one would have to overcome is some good eight minutes.
Taking a rented ride is also ideal but be careful of drivers who may take advantage of overpricing the ride fee. Going price for tricycle is around P100 to P120 while habal-habal can go from P70 to 100 per person.
If you are the more adventurous type, I suggest you take the habal-habal for a more scenic view of the Baligang-Talandong-Comun Road. Plus the fact that your life and safety depend on the driver (no helmets during the trip) provides a nice novelty to your ride.
The cave is located at Barangay Cotmun. The cave has enormous entrances that vary in diameter and provide different vantage points of the surrounding areas. The cave provides different chambers and tunnels that can require you to squeeze your way through.
Vast stalagmites and stalactites will greet visitors upon entrance.
Previously, some artifacts like jars and wares found inside the cave were dated from 200 B.C. to 900 A.D., and attributed to Calanay complex.
They are now housed at the National Museum in Manila while local tourists may see some of these at the Camalig church.
Hoyop-Hoyopan cave served as a guerilla and refugee camp during the Japanese invasion, refugee camp for the liberation army and a hideaway during the Martial Law years.
The Hoyop-Hoyopan cave covers approximately 31.4 square meters of land area. It is privately maintained by the Soriano, Nieva, and Nuylan families who charge fees for the tour and entrance.
The cave is comfort zone for nature lovers and nice place for beginners who are into spelunking activities. The name of the cave, I later learned, means “to breathe in cold air.”
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For comments, suggestions, violent reactions, invites, indignant rebuttals and what-have-you email: ianocampoflora@yahoo.com (09173435197).
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