As a kid, I’ve never really understood what rolling hills meant, until I watched the episodes of the 90’s popular tagalized cartoons “The Trapp Family Singers.”
It was adapted from the movie, The Sound of Music in 1965, about the story of a girl named Maria who was sent to the house of a retired naval officer to take care of his children. It actually has a happy ending. Maria later married the retired officer and became the instant mother of the seven kids. They’ve lived and overcome the challenges during the Nazi invasion of their hometown in Austria.
How can I forget the movie’s iconic scene when the main character, Maria, played by Julie Andrews sang, “the hills are alive with the sound of music.” That was my first ever understanding of what rolling hills are.
As I grew up and became a traveler, I have become more aware of that there are a lot of beautiful rolling hills in the world, mainly in Europe and also the popular rolling hills of Batanes.
But did you know that the province of Catanduanes also boasts with stunning views of rolling hills and grassy highlands? And we’re not talking about just one, but many rolling hills scattered all throughout the province.
During my last travel to Catanduanes, I was lucky enough to be able to witness and experience some of the province’s best rolling hills and here are some.
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1. Palestina Rolling Hills
Catanduanes is now slowly getting the attention it deserves when it comes to tourism. But the truth is there are still a lot of spots and attractions that are waiting to be explored and shared to the world.
going to Palestina Rolling Hills
Undeniably, Binurong Point is currenly the most popular tourist destination in Catanduanes. Many travelers are visiting the province just to experience the view that a lot are saying, resembles the rolling hills of Batanes.
Some even tagged it as the Batanes of Bicol region. Well, I don’t agree calling a place like a little version of another more popular place because it just signifies that one is inferior from the other, because the fact is every destination has a unique character that everyone should appreciate and celebrate.
kaya pa?
Although the popularity of Binurong Point is undeniable, there are many rolling hills in Catanduanes that can make any travelers in awe because of its exquisite beauty, and one of these can be found in Bagamanoc in Catanduanes.
We just finished our lunch hosted by Tourism Office of Panganiban when the Tourism office team of Bagamanoc arrived on a motorboat. It was their time to show us around and let us experience the best tourist attractions from their municipality. They told us that they would take us to Palestina Rolling Hills.
This is located in a small island called Panay which is divided into two towns, Panganiban and Bagamanoc. We traveled by motorboat to the other side of the island and noticed these green smooth hills from afar. That was the rolling hills that the staff mentioned.
After docking the motorboat, we then started to hike for about a few minutes. It should be just a chill trek. I think the only problem was the scorching heat of the sun, so be prepared when you travel here. Bring pandong or any kind of protection.
By the time we reached the peak of Palestina Rolling Hills, we were welcomed by these stunning views of the mountains, the sea and even the white sand beaches below.
We stayed there for a few minutes to just chill and enjoy the beauty of nature. If you happen to visit Bagamanoc, Catanduanes, you may drop by at the Municipal Tourism Office to get some assistance on how you can visit and experience Palestina Rolling hills.
READ THE BLOG POST: 20 Best Catanduanes Tourist Spots
2. Cagnipa Rolling Hills
I didn’t expect what we’ve witnessed on our way to Tuwad Tuwadan Lagoon in Pandan, Catanduanes.
Of course, my mind was focused on witnessing the popular lagoon with a funny name. It was actually called Tuwad Tuwadan because the last trail going down to finally see the lagoon is so steep that people need to crawl or make tuwad just to be safe. And it was true, it was indeed steep.
Cagnipa Rolling Hills
On our way there, it was just a normal Catanduanes scenery for me. The sea with the islands with rugged terrain and beaches, until we reached the highest spot of the Cagnipa Rolling Hills. I remember hearing one fellow traveler said, “Oh shet t*ngina ang ganda.” Yes, I’m serious. Hahaha!
WOW
This is Cagnipa Rolling Hills in Pandan, Catanduanes. Probably one of the most beautiful sceneries that I’ve witnessed while touring the province for four days. That small cove below with the white sand beach surrounded by rolling hills was just breathtaking.
We’ve also seen some travelers setting up tents. Apparently, people can do camping in this spot with the stunning views.
How to get to Cagnipa Rolling Hills? From Virac Town proper, there are air-conditioned van that would take you to Pandan for PHP 150 fare. From there, you can coordinate with the Tourism Office of Pandan, or you may hire a habal-habal going to the jump-off going to Cagnipa Rollling Hills.
READ THE BLOG POST: 10 Best Beaches in Catanduanes
3. Hiyop Highlands
It was our first time exploring the town of Pandan, Catanduanes. We traveled for about two hours from Virac and our first stop was Hiyop Highlands.
It was a vast grassy highland. There was only one bungalow house in the middle of these hills and it was obvious that roads were being constructed towards the other end of the hill.
Fences were also visible, signifying the fact the land is mostly owned privately. To get a better view of the Hiyop highlands, we then transferred to another location near the community.
We passed through a barbed wire fence and walked towards the rolling hills until reaching the edge to witness the stunning views of the cove below.
We were accompanied by Jamaica, the little girl from the community who in a way acted as our guide. Well, actually she just accompanied us and we were cool with that. It was nice to have a kid around while enjoying the beautiful sceneries.
4. Binurong Point
Again, Binurong Point is currently the most popular attraction in Catanduanes. There’s no doubt about it because this spot in Baras, Catanduanes has an awesome view of the sea as the waves crashes on to the rocks of the island’s rugged terrain.
The name was derived from the word binuro, an old way of preserving food, because during the earlier times people usually preserve their food by drying fishes with salt under the heat of sun at the same spot as today’s Binurong Point. While others store their food inside a jar or container with salt and spices and keep it hidden between the rocks of the now popular attraction.
It would take a 30 minute hike going to Binurong Point from the official jump off as determined by the Tourism Office. This is a new trail that started last April 2019. They changed the trail due to issues with land ownership and unauthorized collection of fees from the various land owners of the old trail.
A guide is also a must when you trek to Binurong Point.
Don’t worry about the quite tiring trek because you’ll be rewarded by this view of the Binurong Point that despite the hike, you’d suddenly feel a sense of relief and accomplishment.
As for me, I was even thankful for the quick trek because at least I had my needed dose of exercise during my travel to Catanduanes.
5. Lolong Point in Panganiban
Panganiban in Catanduanes may be popular for its delicious kinis or crabs. That they even have a festival for it, the Kinis Festival. There are still a lot of beautiful places in the municipality that you’d enjoy. Aside from their various pristine beaches and falls, there’s Lolong Point, the popular lighthouse in the province surrounded by grassy highlands.
Can I stay here for a few more minutes?
READ: Lolong Point Lighthouse: Breathtaking view in Catanduanes
Lolong Point Lighthouse
Actually, this can not really be considered a hardcore rolling hills, but the view from the lighthouse is enough to make you feel in awe with nature.
We traveled going there by boat for 30 minutes and relaxed in a nearby beach named Kumagat Beach.
From the beach, it was just another 15 minute trek going to the lighthouse. You should definitely visit Lolong Point when you travel to Panganiban, Catanduanes.
Note: This travel to Catanduanes was made possible through the Catanduanes Provincial Tourism Office and Tourism Promotions Board of DOT. Thank you so much for this chance to explore Catanduanes. I’ll surely be back.
2 Comments
Catherine Salvador Mendoza
August 4, 2019 at 12:17 pmI love all the Rolling Hills in Catanduanes! Surely I’ll be back! Ahuh!
Jon Espina
February 2, 2021 at 4:20 amYes, pagbalik mo sa Pinas. Gala tayo. Ahuh! 🙂