Camiguin, your one-stop island of wonders

MANILA, Philippines - Fire and lava usually bring to mind images of devastation and destruction. Yet, when one steps into the island of Camiguin, one can only marvel at how mysteriously beautiful nature works, and how abundantly blessed the Philippines is.

Born out of volcanic debris and land movements, the place is surrounded by water and is a multi-faceted island of wonders. With its tropical character and volcanic composition, some cannot help but say that it is comparable to Hawaii, and while that is a positive estimation of the place, Camiguin is truly a paradise all its own.

Waterfalls flow, hot and cold springs (including carbonated bodies of water called soda springs) are scattered across the land. The environment is lush and will bring work-weary urbanites to a meditative state.

Visitors will surely enjoy the heights of Camiguin’s mountainous terrain, as well as the depths of the sea through a variety of underwater adventures being offered everywhere on the island.

Camiguin may be a complete destination but it opens up to nearby isles that you can also explore with your travel group. You will experience a constant push-and-pull of emotions as you journey aboard a motorboat because of the playful waves and pristine waters. After several minutes of boat ride, you will feel the excitement rise as the outlying white sand islands begin to emerge in your view.

Besides being a haven for nature trippers, enchanting Camiguin is rich in history. Landmarks stand tall and proud, among the most famous being the Sunken Cemetery. Visitors will see an enormous cross (built on solid lava) revealed above the sea, a monument to the island’s old capital and ancient Camiguinons buried by 19th and 20th century volcanic eruptions and sea water.

“Camiguin is shaped by nature and history. It is a one-stop island that represents the best that our country has to offer. We want more Filipinos to get to know the island and its people by including it in their bucket list of places in the Philippines worth visiting,” says Alfredo Herrera, Airphil Express SVP for marketing and sales.

“And while you enjoy the native delicacies, scenery, and culture of northern Mindanao, the approachable, warm-hearted locals will help direct you to your next adventure on the island in the same way that we help connect you and your loved ones to your dream destinations through discounted fares via our Express Sale promos,” he adds.

Airphil Express currently has daily scheduled flights to Camiguin via Cagayan de Oro City from Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

Aside from its much anticipated Express Promo Sales, Airphil Express is proud to have pioneered the 24/7 customer support service — a first in the local budget airline industry.

“By taking advantage of emerging trends in social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, we are able to get in touch with our customers, and be responsive to their needs any time of day, any day of the week,” Herrera says.

Airphil Express sets itself apart from other local budget carriers with its value-for-money features and services, such as free check-in baggage allowance of 15 kilos plus free seven kilos of hand-carry luggage. This particular service, previously standard and free with most other budget airlines, has since become an additional at-cost service.

Airphil Express also provides online booking with seat selection, online check-in, travel insurance, and pre-paid additional baggage.

Today, traveling on Airphil Express is comfortable and safe with its young and reliable fleet of Airbus A320, Q300 and Q400 aircraft.

Another first in the company’s online service is the “manage booking” feature, which allows Airphil Express passengers to make flight adjustments like rescheduling of previously booked tickets on their own through www.airphilexpress.com.

Airphil Express currently has daily scheduled local trips to 32 destinations. It also serves the Manila-Singapore and Cebu-Hong Kong international routes.

For bookings or inquiries on the latest travel promotions and services of Airphil Express, guests can visit www.airphilexpress.com. They can also keep in touch and provide immediate feedback to Airphil Express’ 24/7 customer support team by following www.twitter.com/airphilexpress and/or liking facebook.com/airphilexpressph.