Explore the Wonderful Nature of Island Camiguin

November 1, 2008 · Posted in Philippine Islands

This island is said to be “Born of Fire” because of its seven volcanoes unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia. The island of Camiguin is a pear-shaped volcanic island with a total land area of 238 sq. kilometers. It lies 10 kilometers off the coast of the Province of Misamis Oriental. Along with the Provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, CAMIGUIN forms part of a geopolitical grouping of provinces comprising Region X or Northern Mindanao.

Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged at 29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely Mambajao; the capital town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven volcanoes, including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. According to the National Statistics Office, Camiguin has a total population of 74,232 persons, making the province the second smallest in the Philippines in terms of population.

In order to get in Camiguin, one has to travel one and a half hours from Cagayan de Oro City to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, and take any of the hourly scheduled ferries across the channels of Mindanao Sea, which dock in either ports of Guinsiliban or Benoni. There is a regular sea and air transportation from Cebu to Camiguin and vice versa. Once you’re in the town, one can go around the 64-kilometer circumferential road in just one hour and a half time through public or private transportation.

Among the Province’s major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay, corn, fruits, coffee and vegetables. The Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture. It is very colorful and creative. Most people there are deeply religious, hospitable, and friendly. Cebuano is the major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and Guinsiliban, where most of the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect is still spoken. Kinamiguin is derived from the Manobo dialect with some mixture of Boholano.