Capitancillo: An Island Beckons

Capitancillo Island is more than just a historical islet of Bogo City, it is now being transformed into an ideal get-away for sea lovers who want to take a dip into its pristine waters or just take a stroll on its white sandy beach. As for the more adventurous individuals, the island’s 22-hectare marine sanctuary is a perfect venue for a scuba diving escapade.

Just a good 20-minute motorized boat ride from Marangog Cove (a residential subdivision overlooking the Capitancillo) lies the six-hectare islet of the Capitancillo, which houses one of the world’s oldest lighthouses. According to its history, the island takes its name from Captain Cillo, an American who during the Second World War ran his vessel aground on the island. And not too long ago, the island’s marine sanctuary was a haven for dolphins, whales, manta rays and other exotic sea creatures. But because of man’s constant abuse, they disappeared without a trace.

Inspired by the beauty of the place and its potentials to become the city’s main tourist attraction, the city government through its Mayor Celestino “Junnie” Martinez Jr., re-developed the island. and restore its old beauty to make it ready to welcome guests. It is now one of the city’s priority projects, revealed Martinez.

It took Bogo over a year to do the complete make-over of  Capitancillo, of which includes the preservation and continuous protection and, according to its mayor, having “very nice underwater scenes,” making the place now “comparable to Palawan’s Tubbataha Reef.”

Martinez said he is positive that dolphins and whales will be coming back there, as various types of corals, that are now scattered in the depths of the island, have regenerated making them a perfect place for these marine creatures.

To encourage more scuba divers, and even snorkelers, to see the place, the city government has opened the place for their use for free.

At 20 feet, corals (the place is littered with the rare black ones), gorgonian fans, sponges and schools of fishes can already be seen, said Mar Cruz, Capitancillo’s technical adviser. The visibility is also not a problem here, he added.

And with the preservation still going on, and with more small fishes already seen coming in, Cruz said it won’t take long for the place to become famous.

“This is set to become one of the best in the Philippines,” he added.