Sibuyan Island is one of the 3 Major islands in the province of Romblon. It features an array of picturesque places, seemingly untouched beaches, a mayhem of waterfalls, and clear blue waters. The highlight of it all is of course hiking the great G2 (Guiting-Guiting)!
A peaceful getaway, a beautiful paradise, and a place seemingly unbounded by time. Truly one worth rediscovering!
HOW TO GET THERE
Roro (Roll-on/Roll-off)
- The sure fire way to get here is traveling via Roro. From Manila, you could travel down south to Batangas Port via several buses like BLTB/JAM Liner at Buendia Station or other buses at Cubao going to Batangas Port.
- At Batangas Port, secure your tickets going to Romblon. Only one trip available per day and will depart around 5pm. Be sure to be there 3 to 4 hours before that.
- You will soon arrive at Cajidiocan Port in the island of Sibuyan. Regardless of your itinerary, tricycles are the main mode of transport as jeepneys are very rare and more often than not is rented.
- Rent a trike/jeepney (if in groups) to the DENR PAO (Protected Area Office) to register and have a briefing on the hike and trails. Better yet call them before hand on the numbers below. For the rates you could call them as well since it varies depending on your group, trail, and/or route.
- Smart: 09284901038
- Globe: 09973596705
- Yahoo: mt_guiting2@yahoo.com
- Gmail: mtguitingguiting@gmail.com
*Important Note: There are 3 municipalities here. San Fernando (where most resorts lie), Cajidiocan (main city and only ATM available), and Magdiwant (where most probably you would be jumping off going to G2).
Plane
- Though there are flights going to Tablas airport via PAL, it’s schedule is not that good and you would still travel via boat going to Sibuyan Island anyway. Most probably you would be waiting the Roro from Batangas Pier.
Mt. Guiting-Guiting – more notably known as G2 in the mountaineering department, is one of the most difficult and technical climbs in the Philippines and yet features one of the most enchanting scenery in the country! It’s ragged and jigsaw-like landscape featuring a lot of bouldering, knife edges, kiss the walls, a 90 degree wall, and many death defying traps lead to its naming of Guiting-Guiting (jagged in Romblon dialect). So if you plan on taking the Great G2, then be more than prepared…
And to give you a glimpse of how it looks like, see below images which are not in order of climb. There won’t be any surprise if I give you every step and sequence right? haha. Good luck and enjoy your battle!
Starting off with a great view of the signature G2 ridges!
Single file only guys!
Now this is a place to take my pic…. Oh wait where is everyone?
Now where do we go from here?!
These steep and rocky terrain make it a little technical…
And did I say “no pushing”? haha!
These peaks are most of the time foggy, so you won’t know which peak you are now at! lol.
Going down…..
Just can’t get enough of G2!
And here is a little perspective for you guys!
Time for a short break under this scorching heat!
This is the famous 90 degree (well almost 90 degree) wall!
If you’re scared… just do it anyway!
Now I know I blocked the view! Really bad in posing! Lol.
You almost see the entire Norther Sibuyan from up here.
Such beauty that it makes me wanna jump!
Looking out the knife edge…
Enchanting! And my lens is filled with sweat! Lol.
That will take a lot of bouldering to reach the top!
We’re almost there guys…just a little more than an hour to go! haha.
Just enjoy everyone. No rush. Really.
Climbing..still climbing…even in the flats I’m still climbing!
Having a little last laugh (haha!) past the summit and secret garden…
Looking for Mt. Mayon? Argh now where is that telephoto guy…
I got a habit of always staring down! Feeling the fear!
A view from the river below! Now that is majestic!
Well, if you have a lot of time to spare after hiking G2. And if you’re still alive (haha), then you probably want to relax a bit on some of Sibuyan’s well known hotspots! The island has a mayhem of waterfalls so just ask around and you’ll get there…somehow. Cresta De Gallo Well this is a small islet (8 hectares) just south of Sibuyan Island. If you want to be at peace and have a lot of alone time, then this is the best place to be. With an entrance fee of only 20php (but of course the boat ride will cost you around 5k php round trip – just talk to locals here and they would probably suggest you go south in the municipality of San Fernando then ride a small boat there going to Cresta), this is a nice getaway from the hustle! You could just pitch your tent at the beach side and watch the stars circling the stars!
Cantingas River
Normally, people visit the Cantingas River Resort to enter. Just 60php entrance fee for an unlimited jump on a 40ft platform! Or you could just plunge in the river’s cool waters as well 🙂
<pictures will follow….when i get time 🙂 see you guys!>
Other Destinations
- Dagobdob Falls
- Canggumba Falls
- Cataja Falls
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