We traveled for about 2 hours from Virac until we reached a long stretch of beach beside a road. Based on our itinerary, we were about to explore the attractions of the towns of Bagamanoc and Panganiban that day.
We met the local tourism team of Panganiban and traveled by boat going to Lolong Point. But on our way, a quite interesting sighting happened. Dwight, the hardworking staff of the Provincial Tourism Office of Catanduanes teased one of our fellow blogger, a bubbly and carefree girl named Cathy, who is also a good friend. Dwight said “Look, you’ll like this.”
Actually, we already saw this from the shore, but it is quite more interesting when you get to see this up close. This really looked like a male’s genital. Seriously.
This is Boto ni Kurakog, tagged as the sexiest islet in Catanduanes, or probably in the country? I guess all will agree. This is also called Ilihan rock located off the coast of Bagamanoc. Over the years, the islet got so popular that it was named as the Fertility Rock, and has become a site for folk fertility rites for locals and tourists.
There was a point when we asked Dwight to repeat the name of the rock formation many times because we just couldn’t get it at first. “Boto ni Kurakog.” he slowly said.
And then I understood, why. Hahaha!
I am not a Bicolano but I know what Boto means, because when I was a kid I remember we had this neighbor, a little girl probably about 5 years old who came from Bicol and just spent some vacation in Manila. Since this little girl was so adorable, kids tend to play with her and all, until she got annoyed with them, then she would shout at her playmates, mostly boys, “Boto mo!”
The fellow Bicolano elders in the community were shocked. Hahaha! She was just a little kid. A lot of older people could easily judge her that she had no proper manners and all, but she was just a kid. She came all the way from Bicol and it’s a fact that kids tend to imitate what they see and hear from adults, right? It’s not her fault. I didn’t ask my playmates what boto means at that time, because I saw the little girl’s cousin, a much older one, reminded her that she should refrain from saying that. I wasn’t that good at analyzing context clues at that time but I got it, that the meaning of boto in Bicol is penis.
Okay so the next question is, who the hell is Kurakog? Hahaha right? Why for so many men in Catanduanes, that penis-like shaped rock formation is named after him, insinuating that it’s his. Hahaha!
Grabe titig na titig si Cathy sa naghuhumindig na rock formation. HAHAHA
Whenever I travel to a certain place, I always ask about the story of a destination – it’s history and all. I also do my research but it is still way better to hear the story from someone who lives there or in the same province than to rely on books or other materials.
We were lucky that Dwight, this young dude from Catanduanes Tourism Office, is so smart and willing to share his knowledge. He is still a student but his knowledge and passion for Tourism of his province is remarkable. He shared that he is a Pharmacy student. I told him, “you can be a great Pharmacist and a good Tourism Officer someday.” He just laughed.
He said that there were a lot of legends and stories of Boto ni Kurakog (also Boto ni Korakog) but the most popular version is that long time ago there was this giant named Kurakog who fell in love with a mortal girl. Since he was a giant, of course the girls’ parents were against of their blossoming relationship, even forbidding the girl to see Kurakog.
Due to extreme sadness and depression, the girl committed suicide. It was obvious that she also loved Kurakog. The love of his life’s death was too much for Kurakog to bear. He got really depressed, and eventually died. After his death a part of his intimate body appeared in the middle of the sea. A lot of people are saying that it was Kurakog’s way for reminding humans of his anger and sadness, to let everyone know that love has no boundaries. LOL!
I also did my research and there were indeed a lot of versions. I read that Kurakog got really drunk and his body was washed away by the huge waves of Catanduanes. It was only that column rising a few meters above sea level that remained from his body.
That day we explored some of the best attractions in Panay, an island which is divided by the towns of Bagamanoc and Panganiban. We visited Lolong Point Lighthouse in Panganiban, had an awesome lunch and then traveled for a few minutes to Palestina Rolling Hills and Loran Beach in Bagamanoc.
We stayed for a while at Loran Beach to cap off our island hopping experience. Just a few steps above this beach is the Loran Ruins, an abandoned American Naval base built in the 1950’s.
[ READ: 5 Stunning Rolling Hills of Catanduanes ]
It was a day filled with adventure. On our way back to the mainland, we again passed through the famous Boto ni Kurakog. Our boat even circled the entire rock formation for us to get a nice view of it in different angles.
Our blogger friend, Cathy, was intently looking at Boto ni Kurakog. We even teased here many times if she was mesmerized by what she has witnessed. It was just a joke because Cathy is a happy and bubbly girl who can handle this silly and funny times.
By the way Cathy looked at the rock formation, I think I definitely agree that this is the sexiest islet not just in Catanduanes, but in the Philippines.
READ THE BLOG POST: 10 Best Beaches in Catanduanes
How to get to Boto ni Kurakog
Book a flight to Virac, the capital town of Catanduanes. Once you’re in Virac, there are vans going to Bagamanoc for 2 hours travel time. Drop off point is the Bagamanoc Municipal Hall and coordinate with the local tourism office. They will assist you in renting a boat to explore some attractions in Bagamanoc, and one of these is Boto ni Kurakog.
Other awesome attractions in Bagamanoc are Palestina Rolling Hills, Loran Beach and Paday Falls.
Dwight and Cathy at Loran Beach in Bagamanoc, Catanduanes
Loran Beach in Catanduanes
Where to Stay in Bagamanoc?
Here are some of the resorts or hotels to check out when you visit Bagamanoc, Catanduanes. I recommend Villa Felina. We had an awesome dinner there with delicious seafood and desserts. The owner was also very warm and accommodating. Plus, the property is beside the beach and has a homey ambiance. Please see below contact details.
Villa Felina
Ibarra St., Poblacion, Bagamanoc, East Catanduanes
0920-958-2890
Another good option:
Bagamanoc Guest House
Ibarra St., Bagamanoc, East Catanduanes
0908-813-2894
Note: Thank you to Provincial Tourism Officer of Catanduanes Ma’am Carmel Bonifacio Garcia, her team and the Tourism Promotions Board of DOT for making this trip possible.
Catanduanes Tourism Office
Provincial Tourism Officer: Carmel Bonifacio Garcia
Facebook Page: Catanduanes Tourism Promotion
Website: catanduanes.gov.ph/tourism/
