“Mangrove” or “Bakhaw” in Filipino is one of the unique species of trees that grows in the tropical region across the globe and The Philippines is known to be one of the natural habitat of this incredible genus. As of 2014, the country is on the list of the Top 20 Mangrove Habitat Nations with 2,064.24 km2 or 206,424 hectares Mangrove Forests and the 220 hectares of that can be found in the Visayas particularly in Kalibo, Aklan.

The Bakhawan Eco-Park in Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan was founded in 1990 with the unity of the community which transformed mudflats into a mangrove forest. This is all efforts made by the Municipality of Kalibo, Uswag Foundation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the People’s Organization or the Kalibo Save the Mangrove Association (KASAMA).
This site was fostered in order to prevent flood and storm surges across the community which is near around the coastal areas. To date, Bakhawan Eco-Park in Kalibo is known to be the most successful mangrove reforestation project in the Philippines which already received tons of local and international awards and also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province.

The park is a 1.0 kilometre trail which is made of bamboo that takes the tourists into the mangrove forest. So, all in all, you’ll be touring around in this majestic mangrove forests for 2 kilometres (back and forth) and this is one of the best eco-walks I have so far aside from my experience in my own native place in Roxas City, Capiz. This is a must-visit Eco-Tourism which is home of different species of mangrove trees which also serves as the sanctuary or haven for various varieties of birds and marine species such as crabs, fish, shells and the famous “tamilok” or shipworm in English known to be the exotic food which can be found on wood or logs immersed in the sea water.

HOW TO GET THERE?

This place was actually listed in my itinerary as one of the places to visit in the Visayas region. So, after that adventure in Mararison Island in Culasi, Antique, I travelled for two and a half hours (Depart: 10:05AM – Arrived: 12:30NN) under the comfort of the Ceres bus (ordinary bus) for P110 (as of October 2017). You can also take a UV Express or van from Culasi, Antique going to Kalibo with a difference of almost P30 in the fare rates. But for sure, wherever you are, you can always reach Kalibo at glance since there are plenty of transportation mode just around the corner. 

Kalibo is highly progressive town in which there are lots of establishments offering comforts such as hotels for accommodation and or restaurants to satisfy your cravings. You can dine in at the famous Ramboy’s restaurant to taste Kalibo’s best cuisine which is truly delectable.

You can approach the tricycle driver to take you to Bakhawan Eco-Park in which they would probably charge you for P80 pesos but anyhow, you can negotiate to lower it down up to P60 pesos since it’s a special trip. But if you don’t mind, you can directly go to the terminal going to Brgy. New Buswang and wait for the tricycle to be full then that’s more economical in which you’ll be paying P10 pesos only. It will be a 10-20 minutes ride. You can also asked the driver to wait for you to take you back to the city proper from the park or you can just go directly to the terminal, just in front of the entrance of the park for the same price.

Once you arrived, you will see a humble structure that welcomes the tourists and guests. You have to register of course and pay for the entrance for P150 per person since I am not Antiklanon (local tourists) but it’s only P100 for the locals but you must present your ID. Wag manloko bes, hanggang dito ba naman? Then, you can hit the bamboo trails at 1 kilometre long trail which will take you deeper into the mangrove forest. It will be a short and healthy trail plus an instagrande place which you shouldn’t miss to be part of your experience.

In between 200 to 300 meters, there’s a small shed or a nipa hut in which you can take short rests and catch your breath and sight the spectacle richness of the mangroves all around you. Please don’t throw your trash as there is available trash bins in which you can properly disposed your garbage accordingly. You also have to experience to cross the river not with a boat but with a bridge made by a bamboo.

Just across this bridge, a few meters away, there is a fish culture for Plapla and Bangus in which you will be catching up these huge species by feeding them for P10. The eco-park is not indeed protects the community for danger of strong storm surge but also provides a means of livelihood. Almost 400 meters away from the end, you can take another rest in the garden of some sort with open-air picnic huts which you can rent as well as for those who loves to stay overnight, there’s a tent also available for rent. The place is safe and secure with comfort rooms available just anytime nature calls you in.

A few hundred meters trail and you’ll arrived in your destination. Congratulations you have made it! You have reach the 1 kilometre trail. In the end, there’s still beauty that awaits you, the long sandbar borders, the lagoon and the open sea. There are also water activities which you can enjoy such as Kayak or ride a bamboo raft to get around the lagoon or take a stand at the sandbar. Or you can simply enjoy and relax at the scenery with a fresh air from the esplanade with cottages and lounges.

There is no food or fancy restaurants available inside the eco-park except for a small sari-sari store near at the end of the trail so better make sure to take a hearty meal before going for a trail. And please be reminded to never ever drop your garbage anywhere, remember that this not just a habitat but a safe haven which provides not only safety but a source of living to the locals. 

When God made natural wonders, He didn’t forget to create the most precious one which now rests ahead at the Visayan region. Mararison Island is a small paradise which is now being called “The Batanes of Visayas” located in the Municipality of Culasi, Antique, still in the region VI of Western Visayas. The legend has it that Mararison is one of the three offspring of goddess Madya-as (now known to be the tallest mountain in Panay Island) and god Kanlaon. Aside from Mararison (the first born), Batbatan (second son) and Maningning (only daughter) are his two siblings which is actually an island as well but quite far from each other which is actually a result of violating rules of the gods. Now, the island becomes a popular destination for travelers, hikers, divers and even for those looking for a peaceful serenity with a picture-perfect view that will truly melt your heart and appreciate the beauty of God’s work.

So far, according to my tour guide (Kuya Marlon) in which I’ve got the chance to talked with, there are almost one thousand (1000) people settled in the island with limited access in the electricity which is normally up from 6:00PM to 10:00PM using the Genset which was bought using the donations of each families in the island with a help of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Culasi. 

The island was highly devastated back in 2013 during the Super Typhoon Yolanda which resulted to relocations of some families to a safer area within the island. They have local source of water which they called “bukal” which comes from the mountains and supplies homes across Mararison Island.  

ANTIQUE TERMINAL, MOLO, ILOILO CITY – CULASI, ANTIQUE

Well, I went straight from Ortiz Wharf Port fresh from Guimaras to Antique Terminal, located in Molo, Iloilo City with a cab for P100+ for about 20 minutes travel (depending on the traffic). Or just in case you came from the airport or other parts of Iloilo, just take the cab and you can reach your destination in few minutes. Taxi drivers are kind and gentle they are using metro, hindi kagaya sa lugar na alam mo, mga manloloko at balasubas.

Then, once you arrived at the area, you can asked from the drivers the L3 van or UV Express going to Culasi, Antique, fare is P200 (as of Oct 2017). You have to be patient at waiting especially when you are about to travel late in the afternoon. You can also try to ride with a Ceres bus if there is available seats and if the route is going to Culasi because normally, they only served San Jose (capital of Antique). Average time of travel is 4-5 hours (Depart: 3:30PM – Arrived: 8:30PM). Masakit sa wetpaks pero ayos lang yan, minsan lang naman. Try mo din makipag kwentuhan sa katabi mo bes for sure kakausapin ka naman nila.

OVERNIGHT AT CULASI, ANTIQUE

I had to stay for one (1) night at the hotel which can be found just around the corner, near the plaza since it’s already late and there’s no boat available to cross the deep blue sea under the gloomy rainy evening. You can ask the local for hotels or lodging house and they will surely tell you to stay at LS Suites which is a few meters only from 7/Eleven. The place is cozy and a safe haven for a very cheap prize of P800 per night (Standard Room) with own bathroom + heater, cable TV, WIFI and a queen sized bed. As usual mag-isa nanaman ako, #solotravel and peg.

There, I had a good night sleep.

CULASI PORT – MARARISON ISLAND

Go straight at the tourism office, few meters from the hotel to pay for the terminal fee of P30 (as of Oct 2017). Then if you want to rent a boat, it will be P750 (round trip) or try to showcase your negotiation skills you can have it lower than that of standard rate. But in my case since I’m a solo traveler, I just paid for P150 (STD rate per person - oneway) and get along with other passengers. The trip takes 15 minutes only and the boat was able to have a 360 degree tour around the small paradise. Oh diba? Para talaga sa mga kuripot na kagaya ko to! Same strategy applies when you get back from the Island, you can ride on with other passengers for the same rate or in my case I just paid P100 as advised by Kuya Don-don (bangkero).

There, you’ll be able to see the emerald green sea water with its precious coral stones of different shapes and also witness different sea creatures playing and rooming around like they were welcoming you. Get the chance as well to catch up with the back view of the virgin island and appreciate its bizarre shapes and formations. How was that? It’s really perfect! Again, I will not left any contact details just to give fare chances to bangka drivers to take passengers since there are plenty of them and they are nice.

TREKKING AT THE HILLS

You cannot leave the island without going on top of the hills of Mararison. This is a must for all tourists and it will definitely end your day with a smile as you perceived the spectacular and splendid 360 view of the island. Along the way, you can see pitcher plants and other flora. Just a piece of advice, please don’t pick them up as they only grow in this island maybe because of the climate and the soil. So wag mo nang subukan please, masasaktan ka lang. Pitcher plant are also good to the environment as they regulate the population of mosquitoes. So along the way, you will notice that even after the sun down, there is no sign of mosquitoes along the way.

The peak of the hills is also perfect for the sunrise and sunset viewing. In my case, I was able to witness the sunset since I asked the tour guide to trekked around 4:30PM and we’d get back by 6:15PM. There, you will be able to witness the Batanes liked view of the whole island. A picturesque view of grassy mountains blends with the rich colour of emerald and blue sea. Trekking is easy, just wear shoes to be more comfortable. Wag takong bes ha, hindi yan runway. You can also see the cliffs perfect for photo-ops. Wag mo susubukang talunin lalo na kung walang sasalo sayo.

Please be advised that you cannot go on hiking alone, you have to be guided by a tour guide. Minimum fee is at P200 per person unless you are generous enough, then you can give as much as you want as a form of help for these locals. There are plenty of tour guides that’s why some of them were having one (1) customer per day only and they also gave P20 pesos to the association. Just approach the information both to hire your very own tour guide. 

OVERNIGHT AT MARARISON ISLAND (VILLA VICTORIANO BEACH RESORT)

There are plenty of households’ offerings homestay as there is no hotel yet in the area. In my case, I got a chance to stay in Villa Victoriano Beach Resort, a couple of bahay kubo or nipa hut lying across the beach front for P300 per night. Food is available for P100+ per head (depending on the menu of your choice). There is no fine dining or fastfood around the island so, appreciate what’s available and be thankful for it.

We’ll I’ve got the chance to taste the rich flavor that brought by the nature to the island in one of the menus for dinner. I ordered sea shells (I don’t know what the name is) and it was of the best shell menu I ever had in my whole life. I swear the taste is good, the aroma and the soup, ahhh, I won’t forget that. It was cooked in a traditional way which is “ginisa” with ginger and a lot of garlic. When you get around the island, try to request for the same thing and tell me if that’s worth it.

Travel Tips: (1) Bring more cash as there is no ATM around the island, (2) Bring your own toiletries, medicines and drinking water especially when hiking, (3) Do not pick the pitcher plant and other flora, (4) Bring power bank as there is no abundant supplies of electricity, (5) Be kind to the locals and please do not leave your trash, love mother nature

Enjoy other water fun activities such as swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and fishing or just enjoy the view outside of your Kubo.

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