One way of enjoying Tabugoc aside from exploring the waters is to take pleasure from viewing its lush greenery and enjoying the fresh produce it offers. While my husband took no solid food for three days as he annually does in the observance of Holy Week, the rest of the family, my in-laws included, had to abstain from eating meat. It was not so hard as we are all fish lovers. My kids, young as they are, also love to eat fish. In fact, I only prepare meat once a week (on Sundays) in our house even on regular days.

The parents of Lanie, my maid of ten years, invited us in their home for a visit. From the house they led us to the top of a small mountain, a land they own, to partake of the freshest coconut fruit I have ever eaten. Everybody in our group enjoyed the experience – from the food, to the view from atop the mountain, and the fresh air. Though we had the same experience two years ago when we last visited the place, climbing three mountains is beyond me this time.

One thing which never fails to catch my attention is their expertise on turning a part of the coconut husk into a spoon-shaped thing which we later use in scooping the coconut meat.

While we were enjoying the coconuts they gathered, the couple (Lanie’s parents) were busy harvesting corn from their farm. We cooked it immediately after arriving home and nothing tasted better than corn cooked straight from the farm.

raymund trying to climb a coconut tree

When most people trooped to famous beaches and resorts in the Philippines to celebrate the Holy Week, we spent ours in the island of Catanduanes. Tabugoc, Pandan, Catanduanes, the hometown of my husband.

Tabugoc is four hours away from Virac, the capital municipality of the province. We boarded an airplane (PAL express) from Manila, landed after almost an hour in Virac, and traveled by land going to Tabugoc. From Virac, the road is cemented only up to Bagamanok, then it is rough road all the way up to Tabugoc. That accounts for the four hours of travel.

It was good it was not raining the day we arrived. Otherwise the road would have been muddy and that would further slow down our vehicle. We had to cross several mountains, going up and down, in order to reach our destination on the northern side of the island.

The view of the sea and its surroundings is breathtaking. I cannot resist not to take pictures though it was my third time to visit the place. The water is so inviting we woke up early the following day to have a swim. It was so relaxing that napping afterwards is such a welcome.

Our activity centered on swimming, boating, and attending church activities. If we were not into anything, time was spent for free consultations with local folks.The kids spent some of their time playing chess with neighbors.