For Caramoan Accomodation Inquiries  and  Bookings
MR   DEETAN
SabahPhilippines@gmail.com

Caramoan Forum
Oh..VIDEOS
History
CARAMOAN News
NEWS   ROOM
Cock Breeder
Bantay Condo
New Items
Gadget For Sale
Yamashita Treasures
Two Seasons Resort



Boracay Island
Calicoan Island
Calagua Island
Gubat Bay
Siargao Island
Palawan Island
Bucas Grande Island
Tubbataha Reef
Puraran
Itbayat Island
Sabtang Island
TAGUIG CITY


Irian Jaya
Lembeh

Kudat Town 
Sandakan City


Boracay.COM Inquiries
Palawan.COM Inquiries







Hometel in Caramoan
HomeTel  in  Caramoan









Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Naga Cathedral Grounds, Naga City Camarines Sur
Situated beside the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, it was founded in 1793 and became the second school in the Philippines. This was the seminary where Bicolano hero Jose Maria Panganiban and Bishop Jorge Barlin studied. A museum is located inside the seminary. It is called the Museo del Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres.



Nahulugan Kampana
Barangay. Santa Maria, Lagonoy Camarines Sur The belfry of the first stone church which serves as the living memory of the past became an added tourist attraction of the municipality. It is approximately 300 meters from the Lagonoy Poblacion and can be reached thru walking or riding motor vehicles or padyaks. Presently the area is categorized as open and grassland area, but half a portion is utilized for agricultural purposes. It has an area of more or less one (1) hectare and privately owned by Ontengco's family.






 
       

Caramoan is approximately 501 kilometers away from Metro Manila; 95 kilometers from the municipality of Pili, where the seat of the provincial government and the Pili Domestic Airport are located; and 110 kilometers away from Naga City, the heart of Bicol.


CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR

It was not too long ago that only backpackers and the locals knew of this remote peninsula’s pristine beaches. But the fourth-class municipality is expected to achieve celebrity status soon enough, with foreign productions completing filming and development projects in place. Even now it is being touted as the next Boracay. About 10 million TV viewers in Europe and Canada are expected to watch the French edition of “Survivor,” which was shot entirely on Caramoan’s white-sand beaches. The eighth season of “Survivor-France” will be aired in France and other French-speaking nations like Switzerland, Belgium and Canada from July to September, their summer season. “Survivor,” a popular reality game show that isolates its contestants in the wilderness to compete for cash and prizes, is known to choose locations in exotic environments. Gota beach, the gateway to Caramoan’s other beaches and islets, was rented for exclusive use by the French production outfit starting late February until early this month. According to “Survivor-France” TV director Corinne Vaillant, the powdery sand, the coconuts on Gota beach and the neighboring islets are a “dream” for the French people. “We chose Caramoan because it’s really wide. It’s necessary that contestants don’t see anything other than nature for them to believe that they’re really lost in the wilds,” Vaillant told the Philippine Daily Inquirer With the filming completed, members of the production crew prepared to leave Gota beach Wednesday.
there's the clubhouse which also has a mini bar and souvenir boutique
What I love most about traveling is experiencing and absorbing everything there is in one place and capturing that moment through pictures, journals or just with my five senses, and being able to share it to people who also love and live to travel, just like you! This is one of the places in the Philippines that I'm certain will sustain economic development in the region at the same time be a major contributor in Philippines Tourism



I'll definitely go back here, and next time around, I will not leave until I beat the three-year old, Tekia Buchanan with an easy-up board, to try and try until my arms fall out! And one thing's for sure, I will never forget my first time here and the experiences with friends who went here with me for the first time too. Another adventure to last a lifetime… Till our next trip!

MUST EAT: Bicol Special called "PINANGAT"
 (a combo porkchop with their own "PINANGAT"a.k.a Bikol Laing - Pinangat.COM )
 

Caramoan Aviary Dome


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal
Overnight stay
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, some Cabinet officials and congressmen visited Caramoan on Monday and stayed overnight at Gota beach. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who was in Ms Arroyo’s party, said the wide viewership of “Survivor” would surely boost tourism in Caramoan. Durano said it was the first time in the TV show’s history that two seasons were consecutively shot in one country. 2 Hollywood films? He said the seventh season of “Survivor-France” was filmed in Palawan last year, and that after it was aired, the number of tourists arriving in the province from France alone was up by 23 percent. While the Department of Tourism, which brought “Survivor-France” to Caramoan, shouldered the fuel cost to keep the location powered with electricity, the provincial government took care of the development of the site. There are now 73 foldaway cabanas at Gota beach, imported from China and worth P60,000 each, said a source who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak to the media. A total of 20 regular-sized cabanas can be assembled by two teams in a day. Ms Arroyo stayed in one of the largest cabanas during her overnight stay, the source said.



Courtesy of Jovi Villareal

French can’t seem to get enough of the Philippines these days. Fresh from being featured in two seasons of “Koh Lanta,” the French version of “Survivor,” the country recently clinched another honor: the coveted “Ecotourism Destination of the Year” title in the 2009 edition of Nature, one of France’s biggest travel fairs. A jubilant Joseph Ace Durano, secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism, broke the good news at the recently concluded Top Resa travel fair in Paris. Colleagues from DOT and the Philippine Tourism Authority as well as representatives from the government and private sectors, which included some of the country’s biggest tour oper ators and resort establishments, joined him in the four-day fair. The country’s participation culminated in a cocktail party hosted by DOT for France’s top travel executives. Dubbed as “Mabuhay Night,” the affair was hosted by Frenchman and “Koh Lanta” star Denis Brogniart and featured the Bayanihan Dancers, May Bayot and Acoustic Jive, champion bartender Ryan Burgos and “Koh Lanta” finalists. Unlike Top Resa, which marked its 30th year, Nature appeals more to direct consumers as opposed to industry movers. The Philippines has been joining Top Resa for the past three years, and will debut next year in Nature. As the sole featured destination, all eyes will likely be on the Philippines. “An adventure travel fair like Nature mirrors the French people’s preference for ecotourism,” said Durano. “It combines nature-based travel with a bit of physical activity and cultural immersion.” Unprecedented Durano attributed this latest development to a number of factors, foremost of which is the country’s selection as site of “Koh Lanta” for two years in a row.




After shooting in El Nido, Palawan, in 2006, the show’s producers were back in late 2007, this time in Caramoan, with a new batch of competitors. “This is unprecedented in ‘Koh Lanta’s’ history,” he said. “Since it debuted a few years ago, the show is watched by almost 8 million people every week.” Images of the Philippines are likely to linger in French living rooms a year or two from now, as Durano finalizes details with producers of the French version of “Great Amazon.” The show, which reportedly has a bigger following than “Koh Lanta,” also wants to shoot an entire season in the Philippines. “Based on exit surveys we did, foreign tourists spent close to $4.8 billion in the Philippines last year,” said Durano. “This figure doesn’t include plane fares and hotel accommodations, which they usually buy in their respective countries, and other miscellaneous expenses.” After exceeding last year’s 2007 target of three million tourists by close to 100,000  The French, he added, are always on the lookout for newer, more exciting destinations in Asia. Those who first stumbled on the Philippines were pleasantly surprised to find out the country, apart from its postcard-pretty beaches, has an interesting Latin heritage that’s totally unique in Asia. “The French are always looking for culture in a country,” he said. “They love visiting old churches and going to markets to experience how life is in a particular place. If you travel so far, you need to find something different yet familiar. You don’t travel for 15 hours just to see a nice beach.”








Courtesy of Jovi Villareal

Learn Bicol : Basic Bicolano Phrases

It’s always nice to know at least a little about the language / dialect of the places we visit. In the Caramoan Islands, the local communities speak Bicol or Bicolano. If you’re planning on visiting the Caramoan Islands soon, the few basic phrases below might help you in getting around the place. These phrases might come handy during communication with the local residents or simply when asking directions.

Good morning - Maray na Aldaw
Good afternoon - Maray na Hapon
Good evening- Maray na banggi
Good night-maray na banggi
Thank you- salamat
You are welcome- mabalos
I’m glad to meet you- Ugma akong naghilingan kita.
My name is… - (name) an ngaran ko
What is your name? - Anong pangaran mo?
Hello - Hello
How are you? - Kumusta (continue reading…)


Caramoan Islands Travel Tips

A trip to the Caramoan Islands will get anyone as close to nature as possible with its pristine beaches, majestic caves and diverse marine wildlife. Hence, one must be fully prepared to experience an adventure of a lifetime.

If there’s a list of things that one shouldn’t be without when going to the Caramoan Islands, it has to be this list.

1) Camera. Visitors of the Caramoan Islands would spend almost half of their time taking photos of the magnificent place, trying to capture every space of Mother Nature’s beauty at its finest. Capture memories of your travel and share them to your family and friends. The Caramoan Islands is surely one of the best places on Earth.

2) Tents and camping gear. Resorts are far away from the beaches of Caramoan. Hence, to those planning to stay overnight in the beaches, one must have the appropriate and necessary camping gear to make your night’s rest as comfortable as possible. Many tourists consider this as one of the highlights of their trip to the Caramoan Islands.

3) First Aid Kit. Be sure to have one just in case you hurt yourself in your adventure. Hospitals and clinics are not easily accessible from the Islands.

4) Bottled water. There aren’t enough available in the Islands so you should bring enough for your trip.

5) Sunscreen. Higher Spf Preferred

Also, it is highly suggested that tourists introduce themselves first to the Baranggay Captain. This shows courtesy and an opportunity for the locals to welcome you. They may also give you valuable information for your stay on the islands. They are very hospitable and welcome tourists as if they were family.

.



Travel Directions: How to get to Caramoan

If you are like me who is afraid to fly in an airplane and have difficulty getting to exotic places like Palawan, Siargao, Bucas Grande, Balabac, Coron,  Boracay.   Caramoan Peninsula is located in the island of Luzon, Philippines. That means it is reachable via land travel from Manila.  Read on to know how to get to Caramoan.

One can take a 10 hour bus ride from Manila to Naga City, Camarines Sur.  You will pass through the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Camarines Norte.

Then from Naga City it will take another shuttle bus ride to Sabang.  It will take approximately 2 hours to Sabang.  This is where the Caramoan-Naga port (San Francisco Church) where you will embark on a boat ride to Caramoan. Departing schedule to Caramoan starts at 12 PM in the afternoon until 1 AM in the morning. The boat ride normally takes 2 hours.  From the port in Caramoan,  you may take local transportation to your chosen accommodation, inn or hotel.

But as soon as you hit the waters of Caramoan,  you will get refreshed,  relaxed and enjoy this secret paradise.  It is really an adventure fulfilled.

Enjoy kayaking or scuba diving from any of the 6 Caramoan Islands. Its diverse marine life will surely captivate all aqua lovers, from hardcore enthusiasts to beginners alike. Its clear waters is a testament to its virginity and Eden like atmosphere. Island hopping will never be the same. Hop from any of the six island paradises : Lahuy, Cotivas, Guinahuan, Luksuhin, Malibagon and Masag. Each giving you a unique adventurous experience.

Scale limestone cliffs and rocky land masses and conquer the elevation of the vicinity. Enjoy the majesty of the place from the top of these mountains. The Caramoan Islands is the best place to relax and escape the city’s stress. Reward yourself with an unforgettable experience. Fall in love with nature at its finest. The Caramoan Islands is truly one the Earth’s natural treasures.


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal


Courtesy of Jovi Villareal




















Caramoan continues to draw ‘Survivor’ to Camarines Sur
By Juan Escandor Jr.

CARAMOAN, Philippines -- For the second time around, Survivor Israel will rent the whole of the Gota Village Resort, a local government-operated tourist destination

in Ilawod, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, to film two editions of “Hisardot (Survivor).”

Hisardot’s non-celebrity shoot would last 40 days and the celebrity edition, 30 days, excluding the one and a half months allotted for pre-production so equipment, props and sites could be prepared for the show, said Jimmy Binyamini, production manager.

He said Gota Village was the “best place" to shoot Survivor Israel there, citing the "good people" and the "unique sites” the tourist spot

offered.

They were here in 2009 in the same month to shoot one edition of Hisardot whose broadcast ended last month via Israeli national television Channel 10.

This time, they will again start shooting on Feb. 28 and end filming sometime in late May or early June.

Aside from promoting the adventure appeal of Caramoan Islands, which will be shown throughout Israel, the Hisardot will employ some 200 local crew to assist their 120-crew production, according to Binyamini.

“Caramoan is a great adventure site ideal to our show, that’s why we are here again,” he said.

Hisardot has two parts, the “reality” part and the game part where the participants’ wits and survivor instincts are tested, according to Binyamini.

Like castaways on an island, the participants of Survivors are made to live in primitive conditions for 40 straight days, followed by a camera 24 hours a day.

Hisardot is actually the second media outfit of Survivor that filmed their editions on the small islands strewn at the northeast of Caramoan facing the island province of Catanduanes Island  also visit Puraran for surfing in Catanduanes Island

The French Survivor, Koh-Lanta Caramoan, was the first media outfit that filmed Survivor in 2008, followed by media outfits from Israel, Bulgaria and Serbia in 2009.

Koh-Lanta was shown in Europe with an estimated 12 million viewers.

A top executive of the Camarines Sur provincial government, who asked not be named because the negotiations are still ongoing, revealed that Survivor USA has been considering filming here starting 2011, until 2012.

He said the production crew of Survivor USA has searched many areas in the Philippines and found Caramoan the most ideal place for their filming because of the unique geographical features of the place and the available facilities that meet production standards.

Caramoan has become a favorite place for the Survivor shoot because of the variety in scenery and unique sites that catered to adventurous tourists, said Jovi Villareal, recreational officer of Gota Village Resort.

Ning Villanueva, provincial tourism officer, said the provincial government's hosting of Survivor brought in droves of foreign tourists, making Camarines Sur the most visited destination in 2009.

Citing records from the Bicol regional office of the Department of Tourism, Camarines Sur was the top tourist destination in the Philippines in the first nine months of 2009, with 1,022,092 visitors, of which 206,937 were foreign tourists.
Among the foreign tourists, Israel was the second highest number of arrivals after the US citizens.Visitors from the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan also arrived in the province.
The regional revenue generated from tourism reached more than P1 billion, of which P0.7 billion was contributed by Camarines Sur.
Villareal said the local government-owned facility is within the 4,000-hectare national park being managed by the provincial government as agreed upon with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Some 2,000 hectares of this park has been declared a protected area being developed for eco-tourism purposes, he added.

He cited many unexplored sites like tiny lakes, subterranean passages and underwater caves in the small limestone islands here that could cater to the more daring and skilled adventurous tourists.

Within the eco-tourism area, small islands are scattered sporadically with plants and weed trees, at the base of which are a number of narrow beaches and coves accessible by boat or kayak, according to him.

On the fringes of the land within the Gota Village Resort, towering vertical limestone walls suitable for rock climbing abound while a newly discovered subterranean river awaits exploration.

The primary attraction of the Gota Village Resort’s tourist area is the scenic view, which is defined by its unique geologic configuration in the middle of a wide coastal marine environment.

According to a 1981 study of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences, Caramoan exhibits the so-called karst topography.

This means a landscape defined by varied formations of limestone masses which were subjected to geologic processes that created vertical cliffs.
Euphi Peñano, resort manager, said the geologic features of the place highlighted the area’s natural tourism assets.“As for the Survivor production coming back, they must be profiting from the scenery here that draw television viewers to their show,” he said.

Photos Courtesy of  CARAMOAN.COM





















Metro-Manila -  Republika ng Pilipinas
For Inquiries  and  Bookings

Email:  SabahPhilippines@Gmail.COM













 







Caramoan, Camarines Sur's best kept secret, is now achieving its celebrity status after Survivor- France is now completing its filming in this remote peninsula. It is a 4th class municipality where only the backpackers & the locals knew of its pristine white beaches.


Enter Caramoan Cagraray Catanduanes Bikolano Residents Tourists Chat Room


Only in Caramoan
 Meaningful vacations
Text by MITCH M. ARCEO
 Relaxation…how do you define it? In Camarines Sur, there are three options for relaxing and de-stressing. First, it is lying on a hammock under the trees, sipping your favorite drink while watching the sunset; second, exhausting your body by engaging in sports like wakeboarding; and third, visiting and interacting with the Gawad Kalinga family. So when we were invited to go to Bicol, I was ecstatic about the thought of going to Caramoan Islands in CamSur (short for Camarines Sur). I have been to CamSur once but I never made it to Caramoan. Luckily, island hopping was on our agenda this time. CamSur is accessible via air, land or sea. It boasts of cultural sites, white sand beaches (in Caramoan), rainforests, majestic mountains, caves, waterfalls, the famous Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) in Cadlan, Pili, and now, the newest "attraction": the Gawad Kalinga site. Lucky for us, we were given the chance to experience CamSur’s best. After a 45-minute flight to CamSur, we headed to CWC for a quick lunch. The familiar rush of excitement came over the group. But we had to stop ourselves from grabbing our gear and heading for the water because wakeboarding wasn’t on the agenda for the day. After lunch, we were off to our first destination, the Caramoan Islands, a group of islands where the reality show "Survivor France" was filmed. Going to Caramoan is tiring as it requires an hour and a half drive from CWC to Nato Port, a two-hour boat ride to Guijalo Port, and another 30-minute drive to Gota Village Resort, but it was worth it! Matukad Island’s white sand is as fine as Boracay’s. If we had more time, we would’ve explored the island and trekked the mountain. Apparently, there is a lagoon on top of the mountain. The second island we went to was Lahos Island, which was equally enthralling as well. Its sand may not be as fine as Matukad’s but what makes it appealing are the two big rocks situated on either side of the island. The rocks facing each other feel like two big guys marking territory. Thus, it is as if you own the island. Between the rocks is a space perfect for intimate gatherings. Bicol governor L-Ray Villafuerte mentioned that you can even rent the whole island for private parties and events like birthdays or wedding proposals. Other attractions of Caramoan include firefly-watching and snorkeling. The day ended with a lavish seafood dinner by the shore, a perfect way to cap the day. The following day, we dropped by the deer farm before heading to CWC. Here, I met Chokoy! Unlike other deer, Chokoy is not afraid of humans, and is considered the "friendly deer." Kids who go to the deer farm play with him. The deer even pose for you if you want to take a photo! After paying a short visit to Chokoy, we went back to CWC and prepared for the launch of the Gawad Kalinga Bed & Breakfast. Gawad Kalinga sites have sprouted all over the country but what makes CamSur’s site special is their bed and breakfast concept. "In the past, I’ve met a lot of foreign tourists who want to experience the ‘real deal,’ and that is to stay in shanties or help build homes," shares Gov. L-Ray. And so, with the efforts of the local government and Gawad Kalinga, the GK Bed & Breakfast was born. The GK Bed & Breakfast is the first of its kind in the country. It caters to volunteers, including tourists who want to experience what GK volunteers do -- build houses for the less fortunate. GK Bed & Breakfast welcomes tourists (local and foreign) who want a different kind of vacation, one which includes immersion. All profits go directly to the GK fund. "We want to build self-sustainable communities. Providing housing is one thing but what is more important is for us to help them find means of sustainable income. This is the harmony of tourism (through the bed and breakfast concept) and social responsibility," says Governor L-Ray. Aside from the GK Bed & Breakfast, GK families make a living producing slippers made of ragiwdiw grass, lanterns, bags made of scrap, and more. They make great bags! In fact, each one of us went home with bags which more like a bayong. After the GK visit, we went back to CWC for another mouth-watering dinner. They served sushi with a twist (using laing as an ingredient), delectable dishes, and desserts. The third day was the official ‘wakeboarding/kneeboarding day’ for us...well, for me and Becca (another journalist) at least. We picked up our gear and went to the cable park. For someone like me who doesn’t know how to swim, any water sport is a nightmare. Yet I find kneeboarding both nerve-wracking and exciting. The wind that brushes your skin, the water that splashes on your face, and the strong pull from the cables yield a thrilling and pleasurable feeling. Unfortunately, due to our activities over the past days, my body was too tired to continue after a couple of rounds. Nevertheless, it was fun! All in all, the trip to CamSur was once again extraordinary. Where can you find a beach which is like Palawan and Boracay combined, or a water complex hailed as the best by many international wakeboarders? Or a place where you can enjoy your vacation and at the same time, help people? There’s only one answer: in Caramoan

Is Anthony Bourdain ready for the Philippines, and vice versa? by JAKE RAMIREZ "It was so last week!" exclaims Anthony Bourdain regarding balut. The host of Discovery Travel & Living’s No Reservations was in Manila recently to shoot some episodes, traveling from north to south in search of Filipino food to feature on his show. Anthony, a 28-year veteran of professional kitchens, started as a dishwasher in New York City and rose through the ranks. In 2000, he published a memoir of his experiences in the culinary underbelly entitled Kitchen Confidential, which became an international bestseller. He has since milked that big break for all it’s worth by coming up with A Cook’s Tour, a gonzo-style travel diary, followed by a historical account of the notorious turn-of-the-century cook and disease carrier Typhoid Mary, the crime novels A Bone In The Throat, Gone Bamboo, The Bobby Gold Stories, The Les Halles Cookbook, and a collection of essays entitled The Nasty Bits. "I am really surprised that my show has been a hit in the Asian market," states Anthony, who also sat as a judge in a reality cooking show called "Top Chef." And being in the Philippines for the first time, Anthony is under some pressure because there is so much to explore, the country being comprised of 7,107 islands and 14 regions. "I am willing to eat anything as long as it is not somebody else’s pet!" chuckles Anthony, perhaps referring to Filipino dish dubbed azucena. He has already tried Pampanga’s pride, the ubiquitous sisig, and finds it amazingly good, as well as papaitan, mostly made with goat innards. Anthony has also visited Farmer’s Market for some serious, um, marketing chores. He can hardly wait to try the famous lechon of Cebu. "I am living a charmed life, can’t complain," says Anthony, who presently lives in New York City with wife Ottavia and daughter Ariane. They are planning to live for a year in Vietnam because they like the place so much. Maybe Anthony should reconsider and discover first what our islands have to offer. Who knowsö we are more than willing to let him stay with us with our brand of Filipino hospitality.




SHOPPING BOY.COM  Announces a Service
Dear Philippine Resident,
You Tell us what Legal Items to Purchase  in USA &  On your behalf We will buy it  and We send it to the Philippines
we will ship Any Legal items from USA to Philippines  You can pay the Seller Direct or We can Pay the seller for you provided you pay us first by using Western Union
 1.If you reside in Metro Manila (Please pick up the Item in Kalookan)
2.If you Reside Outside Metro Manila (it will be ship to you - door to door)
3. We can also consolidate all your items in 1 box so you pay only 1 shipping fee provided its not over 85 lbs per box (Anything Over it will break the box)
 Our Service Fee + Shipping Fees We charge 20% of the Total Purchase price
 $60/Box For Metro Manila
$75/Box For Provincial Delivery
Our Maximum Weight is 85 lbs Per Box
 Sincerely Giuseppe Deetan
 ShoppingBoy.COM (Under Construction)
email us at:   SabahPhilippines@Gmail.Com







Enter Caramoan Cagraray Catanduanes Residents Tourists Chat Room

 

SabahPhilippines@gmail.com