The unseen 'beauties' of Northern Samar

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.

So wrote Thomas Gray in Elegy Written On A Country Churchyard.

Unlike Gray’s flowers, the “beauties” of my home province, Northern Samar, won’t “blush unseen” for long. Slowly but surely, local — and, soon hopefully, foreign — tourists are starting to appreciate my province’s rich natural resources that consist of old churches, virgin beaches, refreshing (rustic) scenery, historic bridges and other natural attractions thankfully featured in the province’s 2009-2010 calendar distributed by the Provincial Tourism Office in Catarman town.

Travel leisurely by land (roads in Northern Samar are well-paved), you can catch glimpses of Warays weaving colorful tikog mats; or selling dried fish, pili candies, piniato sweets, pinangat and other mouth-watering delicacies.

Northern Samar is “Kuratsa Land” as its governor, Raul Daza, aptly puts it, referring to the courtship dance usually performed by newly-weds at the reception, allowing friends and relatives to pin bills on the bride’s gown and the groom’s Barong Tagalog.

Here are the province’s 24 towns and some of their attractions:

• Allen (mayor: Laureana D. Suan): Balwharteco (the port area), the Nikit Festival and the Wayang Wayang Resort;

• Biri (mayor: Jaime S. Garcia): The Biri Rock Formation (backdrop of Regal movie Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin starring Richard Gomez and Maricel Laxa);

• Bobon (mayor: Benjamin L. Jao): Old Colgante Bridge, Lulugayan Falls and Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church;

• Capul (mayor: Ignacio V. Cascano Sr.): a 16th century church, Capul Lighthouse, Abak Beach and Moro Poro Islet;

• Catarman (mayor: Alita E. Rosales): Macagtas Dam, Our Lady of Anunciation Church, White Beach and the University of Eastern Philippines campus;

• Catubig (mayor: Ma. Cristina Ladio-Vicencio): 18th century church (nearby is the Battle of Catubig Marker) and Sakay-Sakay fluvial parade;

• Gamay (mayor: Timoteo T. Capoquian Jr., M.D.): Gapo Beach, Matikawal Falls, Bag-ot Falls and Canawayan Beach;

• Laoang (mayor: Madeleine M. Ong): Onay Beach, the old St. Michael Church and aerial view from the Batag and Solar Lighthouses;

• Lapinig (mayor: Romualdo D. Menzon): Canawayan Beach, an old lighthouse and fisherfolk with their rich harvest;

• Las Navas (mayor: Arlito A. Tan): Pinipisakan Falls, Sakay-Sakay fluvial parade (in honor of the Sto. Niño) and the Ginagatusan Falls;

• Lavezares (mayor: Quintin B. Saludaga): Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Marine Park, Rapac Beach, Shrine of the Risen Christ and the Talutang Festival;

• Lope de Vega (mayor: Erlinda P. Cinco): Abaca plants (and stripped abaca fiber), coconut plantation and other greeneries;

• Mapanas (mayor: Felipe L. Laodenio): Mayong-Payong Beach, Sulop Lake and Maylemon Lake;

• Mondragon (mayor: Ismael C. Bugna Jr.): Malobaroc Beach Resort and St. Claire Monastery;

• Palapag (mayor: Ricardo M. Daiz): Rakit Dakit Rocks, Bangkulis Festival at Talolora Beach, old church bell and old church ruins, and the Sumuroy Wharf (where the Sumuroy Monument is);

• Pambujan (mayor: Rogelio S. Tan): Caohagan Island, the old Pambujan Church and Paninirongan Beach;

• Rosario (mayor: Basilio L. Miranda Jr.): Verdant rice fields, hot springs and the town’s famous crabs;

• San Antonio (mayor: Renato R. Collamar): Lagbangan Lake, the beaches, Manoglaya Festival and the caves;

• San Isidro (mayor: Conrado G. Avila Sr.): Canauayon Island, Bukana Falls and Busay Falls;

• San Jose (mayor: Damian T. Luzon Jr.): Mangrove plantation and the Pangilala Island;

• San Roque (mayor: Andre L. Avalon): San Roque Beach, Bangon Falls and Malarag Falls;

• San Vicente (mayor: Franco B . Francisco): Pink Beach, Panagat Festival, Sila Island, Mahaba Beach and Island Cave;

• Silvino Lobos (mayor: Edmund S. Gillamac): St. Isidore the Farmer Mission Center and the Amphitheater;

• Victoria (mayor: Nicolas C. Purog Jr.): Spice of Life Beach, Mawo Steel Bridge, Budoy Falls, Candominga Cave and San Abner Falls.

Better still, instead of just looking at the pictures, visit the province.

(Note: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Catarman thrice a week, and Zest Air daily. From Catarman, you can reach by car any of the 23 other towns.)

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