Sitting foot to Limasawa Island where the First Mass in the Philippines was held was a great experience, according to history LIMASAWA got its name when RAJAH KOLAMBU, the Rajah of the Island has 5 wives, that is why the place was called Limasawa which means LIMA ASAWA “Five (5) wives”.
DAY1 - So, starting off from Sea Port of Padre Burgos the only means of transportation to reach Limasawa Island is to ride “BANGAKA” or outrigger boat which cost only One Hundred Pesos (P100) and if you want to bring along your motorcyle with you it also cost about P100 and P50 for the porters to make sure your motorcyle is safely placed in the Bangka and the travel time from port of Padre Burgos to Limasawa Island is approximately 1 hour.
Arriving at Limasawa island, the only means of transportation in the island is by motorcab/tricycle, but if you have your own, well, it should be no worries so we brought our motorcycles along.
Where to stay? According to a friend of mine, one of a popular place to stay is at DAKDAK Beach Resort so, after we got off the Bangka we didn’t waste any time, we immediately invade the place and lucky for us their is not much people around because Travelers outside Southern Leyte were not permitted to travel to LIMASAWA for now due to the Delta Variant, not much of people around feels like you own the place, white sand beach with crystal clear water, a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
have a video clip of this view though, but can't insert it here.
There were other also options to stay, there is the Lagoon, Amy Beach Resort, Evashore Beach Resort or at the Islander Cooperative Guest House, well lucky for us we have friends at the Island so we have a place to stay for a couple of days.
DAY 2- Visiting the National Shrine of the FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES it was stated and quote “Celebrated here on Easter Sunday, 31 MARCH 1521, when Magellan landed on this Island on LIMASAWA on his voyage around the world. Early in the Morning Magellan sent ashore priest Pedro De Valderrama with men to prepare a mass and to inform Rajah Kolambu, through an interpreter. That he and his men would land to attend. The Rajah showed consent by sending gifts. As Magellan and his men approached the shore, a salvo of six guns was fired as a sign of peace. Rajahs Kolambu and Si-agu each embraced Magellan, flanked him and together with the sailors, they marched to the place of worship. During the mass the Rajahs remained on their knees with clasped hands. At the elevation the ships fired all their artillery in response to musket signal from the shore.”
Before heading to other tourist destination in the Island, I went to the plaza where a big event was recently held but unfortunately for us, only this signboard of the Quincentennial Celebration was left, because at that time of the actual 500 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY CELEBRATION only few where granted access to be part of that once in a lifetime event and its not that easy to comply with those health dec stuff. Lucky for them!
Visiting the National Shrine of the FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES would not be complete without climbing the 450 Steps to the First Cross planted in the Philippine soil…tara! Lets go.
First Cross planted in the Philippine soil!
Last stop of the day, “THE LAGOON” we arrived at the place at around 11:15 a.m. we’ve manage to take some pictures I mean a very few pictures but the plan to stay for a bit and take a dip and chill for a while was canceled, dang! we were out of luck, we were advice to leave the place because a storm is coming…bad weather means change of plan, and the worse part we were stranded in the island for four days instead of two days, because the coastguard no longer permit Bangkas to sail but still lucky for us we had a place to stay though.
And so it begins.
better prepare for the storm..haha
ADIOS!
