Mauwang Island is a land of unpredictable beauty, a tale of history and culture woven together in a fascinating web of mysteries and hidden treasures. This paradise has been a playground for human beings since long time ago, with majestic natural formations, hair-raising marvels, and the eternal energy of the restless waves. But today, this island boasts of the greenest eco-tourism to be found in the Philippines.
Whether you come here to observe the wake of history or explore the realms of nature, this magical place has everything in store for you.
Contents
All About Of Mauwang Island
History
In the year 1324, the first inhabitants of “Mauwang” were believed to have come here in search of a safe haven against constant attacks by such fierce invaders as pirates and Japanese. It was during that desperate time when they decided to bury their valuables under sand at high tide so that it will be preserved beyond recall even if victorious savages would burn every living thing on this island. As most war-like people do not leave behind precious treasures, it is not known whether the buried valuables were left here or taken elsewhere.
Climate
Mauwang Island is a small piece of land through which have passed currents, winds and waves that has shaped this place according to the laws of nature. It’s serenity coupled with its natural wonders are experience in itself both relaxing and rewarding at once.
This island boasts three distinct climate zones: Manila Lagoon Area on the east side, Warm Trough Zone on the north side and Upper Majella Sea Side (Philippines’ second highest point ) in the southwest.The warmest waters of these islands usually extends from June to September, with temperature as high as 33°C . The currents on this part is calm but there are a lot of shallow coves for small boats where swimming and snorkeling can be done.
Culture
The island is home to the 3000-year-old Buliwan people, a tribe with many cultural and artistic (buried treasures), whose origin center on Mauwang. They have strong belief in their nomadic way of life that provides them agricultural fruits since they are considered as children of nature; this together with a multigenerational system give birth to such mysticism thought that whole landscape reflects ideology.
The language spoken here still resembles the ancestral Malayan but different nuances make these sounds familiar to Western ears accustomed to certain words and grammars.
The island is mainly composed of large limestone cliffs that are separated from the plain by a small strip of mangroves, shallow coves (the area where the waters can still be seen beyond the rim), forest-clad ridges and grasslands with fishermen’s huts on them.
Tourism
The Buliwan Burial site is located on an elevated area near the beach of Tagaban Bay, in Barangay Baloc-Baloc. It features a number of structures with burial sites that had been cut into bedrock (“kubo”), each sunken chamber; some burials contained human bodies floating in decorative jars called “hele”.
The best time to visit this island would be from November through April every year since it’s the time when the squids give birth.Restaurants and local vendors that sell traditional delicacies such as prawns, shrimps and smoked fish are available in predominantly located by river-ways of Morong town at Dalaguete which boasts an old stone church or Barangay BalocBaloc (also called Entremata) where a tough competition is still being held as we speak by native fishermen.
Transport
HOrion a publicly owned bus company is the biggest provider of transportation within Buliwan and can be located in barangay Tagaban where it has its terminal. For foreigners, travelers coming from Manila to Surigao City will have their first transfer at Apalit bus terminal after passing through seaside towns such as Manjuyod or Pontevedra before crossing on ferry boats over to Dinagat Island’s capital Barili town where they will get the chance to take a bus bound either for Barangay Ninoy Aquino and Capones municipal wharfs of Tagaban.
All citizens coming from outside could also travel directly in via seaplane as it runs daily based on schedules courtesy of seatbus liners Catanduanes Airline Services who have their base being at Mercado Basco Airport (MAO), sometimes going further south while passing northbound through Metro Manila
Cuisine
Bullywan culture is deeply rooted on its tradition and way of sharing food especially the use of a special type soup called “liwat” which was not just present during specialty gatherings but also in daily meals. Different regions amongst the island would offer different varieties although one common, soothing recipe is to boil pork skin (bodik) with additional ingredients such as betel nut(pamagat), ginger root and calamansi leaves. Everything is cooked slowly until all ingredients are mixed.
Thanks to years of idle observations and interests, the tradition was passed on from generation to generation making it a crucial one in Bullywan culture richness.The main “liwat” ingredient comes from pork skin since Filipinos today tend to take different lengths or sizes for their variety of soup which differs at some families as simple/regular and complex. Some clans prefer adding multiple types but also settle on giant.
Wildlife
Found in northern and eastern part of Dinagat Island, the park covers a total area of 3,425 hectares divided into two component parts. While 2% is woodland cover as habitat to Lobiang stagshorn bamboo, it also uncovers coral outcrops with isolated caves which are commonly found at 75m under water level. Found mostly on Diara Island and occasionally on Diopuet, populations consists of snakes of both viperine family ( diptancons ) as well as monotypic genus “Phelodytes”.
Despite the presence of nonvenomous species such as “P. samal” to Lobiang here, rattlesnakes are sometimes found in caves which usually produces rattle sounds when they strike at prey. The park generally provides a safe refuge for them thus this area is perhaps its most sought out and loved by tourists. Reduced to insects, diurnal activity of the park goes unnoticed unless glassed or seen with just a flashlight until late into the evening when it gets busier over night-time.
Conclusion
So whether hiking or a visit to Palm Beach, the best way of getting there is by taking the usual two-hour jeepney ride from Manila.
The famous Bullywan Falls at first glance does not look like much until you actually see it up close and with time passing by as well then its all worth seeing! Its part where nature’s elements arrive right in your backyard! The East Laguna Preserve is definitely one of the most “local” places, yet with its close proximity to Manila and coming from Pagudpong Bay in Baclayon City which also has many expatriates signing up as part of the EPLBF there must be something timeless included. -o- This post was written by my cousin Julie Espinosa (Good Thinking).
FAQs
1.What Is Mauwang Island?
Ans: Mauwang is the island in Redondo Park with a lighthouse and two lighthouses. The fences are put there by private companies to stop people from visiting it. Kaya tangina, langit na lang ang mga nabubuhay at katulad din nito ang mahabang sailboat ng Bayan .
2.How Did It Get Its Name?
Ans: It is said that the Spanish sailors first called it Mauwan. The word “mauwa” means ‘a place of crowds’ in Visayan languages, and was used for commercial exchange or trade fairs held on prominent sites such as Buenavista across from Bantay Dagat .
3.How Long Did It Take To Get Back?
Ans: We took the jeep until Buenavista (30-minute ride), then went by van to Tabonbuena, and Captain Tacloban took us back. At first we tried taking a van from Barangay Tanumbanan, but it turned out that their vans did not make the last stop in Majestic Harbor so they only drove as far as Puerto Gala.
We were able to find another captain though who lives near the beach, and he directed us to take a tanduay boat which takes about ten minutes only. It costs P1,500 (around $6).
4.How Does Anyone Names Anything?
Ans: The island was formerly billed as the “battleground of Laguna de Bay”, hence it was called Mauwang by survivors. It is a marine reserve now and all boats should be returned, despite what some say is on their way out to la-resize so they can turn more patients over in short term hospitals.
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