#ULOG 1: The hidden beauty of San Pascual, Masbate

For an archipelagic country made up of more than seven thousand landmass, a scenery of islands and islets scattered on lapis lazuli water seems typical and ordinary, but those who truly love the sun, sea and sand know by heart that each island or beach is different and unique. As beautifully unique as those in the town of San Pascual in the province of Masbate.

Located in the northern coast of Burias Island, San Pascual is a bizarre and laid back coastal town that relies on the bounty of Ragay Gulf, Burias Pass and Sibuyan Sea for their livelihood.

Generally speaking, San Pascual is not the usual tourist destination. The town’s infrastructure is not designed for mass tourism and the facilities are not for the high-enders.

It is in fact offbeat and raw, uncrowded and unspoiled, but a promise of brighter tourism industry is in the offing with its numerous white sand island beaches that sit atop its vivid water, all in the backdrop of the majestic Mayon Volcano on the distant horizon.

Bask in the white sand beaches of Sombrero Island, Tinalisayan Island and sandbar, Animasola Island; visit the centuries-old San Pascual Church, the oldest church in the Bicolandia.

Check out Balinsasayaw House, home to more than 80,000 balinsasayaw birds; see the old municipal hall and Spanish-inspired ancestral houses in town; and explore more to discover the manifold of surprises that the town offers.

TRADITIONS AND BELIEFS

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Close family ties and religiosity are important traits for survival in an island or group of islands that lie in the typhoon path. A persisting traditional practice is the pamalaye. Beliefs on god, the soul and the afterlife are strongly held by Masbateños.

Associated to these, there are annual rituals like the Bantigue Fiesta which draws devotees of Saint Felomina from the Visayan provinces, pabasa, and Flores de Mayo.

Side by side with these are held beliefs that beings such as the kalag, aswang, duwende, tawo sa dulom, and mambabarang who can influence human lives for good or ill live around them in mounds of earth (including termite nests), old trees, and on mountaintops. Even the religious believe in supernatural forces. Faith healers and spirit mediums, who use herbs and massage to treat physical ailments, are popular.

RELIGION

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91% Roman Catholic. Other religions include Protestantism, Islam, and Iglesia ni Kristo.

How to go to San Pascual, Burias Island, Masbate?

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The advantage of San Pascual, Burias Island from the rest of Masbate is its close proximity to Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Manila to Naga City by Bus: Ride any Naga City bound bus in Cubao Terminal. Plenty of choices from Philtranco, DLTB, Isarog Lines, etc). In Pasay there’s Philtranco and DLTB. Travel time is 8–9 hours with fares starting from Php 700 to 1100.

Manila to Naga City by Plane: There are daily flights to Naga City via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Travel time is 45 minutes from Manila. Naga City Airport is near the town of Pili.

Naga City to Pasacao Port: Make your way to North Bound Terminal and take a jeep or VAN heading to Pasacao. Travel time is 45minutes to an hour. From Pasacao, hire a tryke to take you to the port.

From Pasacao Port to San Pascual: There are several boats that leave Pasacao Port for San Pascual daily usually from 7:00am, 10:00am and 2:00pm. Travel time is 2 hours and a fare of Php 150.

From San Pascual to Pasacao Port, there are boats that leave from 5:30am, 8:00am and 9:20am.

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PS. The photo is ours, unless it’s stated.

Definitions of..

• pamalaye - the traditional way of asking the hand of the bride from her parents.
• balinsasayaw - The pygmy swiftlet (Collocalia troglodytes) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae.
• kalag - ghost or spirit
• aswang - is a shapeshifting monster in Filipino folklore usually possessing a combination of the traits of either a vampire, a ghoul, a warlock/witch, or different species of werebeast, or even all of them together.
• duwende - dwarf
• tawo sa dulom - people in the dark
• mambabarang - sorcery or witchcraft

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