We have visited Northern Samar (again!). It’s my Mom’s hometown and it’s fiesta there, so we kinda had a tour of what her childhood felt like. 🙂
Province: Northern Samar
Country: Philippines
Capital: Catarman
Location: 12.3613° N, 124.7741° E
Land Area: 3,692.93 km2 (1,425.85 sq mi)
Currency: Philippine Pesos
Language: Waray (Main), Tagalog, English, Waray, Cebuano, Inabaknon, Bicolano
Northern Samar proper is approximately 697 km away from Manila and it will take you (if you’re lucky enough) 16-18 hours of land travel. We got off around Rosario and it was like 1.5-2 hours travel from Allen Port.
But if you’re not into long rides and road trips, you can snatch a flight to Catarman via Philippine Airlines. They fly 4 times a week so it won’t be hard to find one.
FARE SHARE:
Pasay (DLTB Bus) – Catarman or Rawis = Php 1,200 ($23.64) (it includes ferry boat ride that will take you from Matnog, Sorsogon to Allen, Northern Samar.
*We got our trip back home for Php 1,450 ($28.56), as they say that it’s peak season at that time. But when it’s lean, like when we visited last January, we got our trip back to Manila for only 900, including the ferry fare.
If you’re planning to save time, take Philippine Airlines, you can get a 4,458-peso ($87.82) flight one to two months before your desired departure.
*If you’re the motion sickness-y kind, you may have to prepare for motion sickness medicines as it will require a lot of zigzaggy roads along the way. (Well, I guess it actually depends on your disposition during the trip)
*BRING YOUR OWN BAON. This is kind of an important thing to note because as we all know, rest stop foods will rip your wallets off!! Prices may vary from 50-75 percent more expensive than the usual. You can just bring dry foods to avoid hassle.
*Book your trip ahead, especially when its peak season. They say peak season is May, so you may have to book 1 week (or 1 month!!!) before your desired and planned departure.
DLTB Bus Company:
*Bring a lot of patience. Haha! But seriously, bring something that can kill boredom, like a music player or something.
Did you know?: Buses are actually my comfort places, especially when it rains? Ohhh heaven! I used to take round trip rides from Baclaran to Fairview to unwind and think during my college days. Now you know! 🙂
GV Hotel Catarman
Rate starts at 700/room (good for 2)
Anberro Inn
3rd floor CAMARA Bldg., Bonifacio Corner, C.P Garcia St., Catarman, Northern Samar
Phone: (055) 500-9104
Cellphone: 09065607696/09283394878
Rate starts at 2,700/room (good for 2)
Pink City Pension House
Roxas Street, Catarman, Northern Samar
Phone: (055) 251-8695
Rate starts at 800/room (good for 2)
Deo’s Pension House
E.B Moore St., Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar
Cellphone: 09176074107
Rate starts at 700/room (good for 2)
North Hill Pension House
3rd floor, Catarman Cellzone, Marcos Street, Catarman, Northern Samar
Phone: (055) 500-9085
Cellphone: 09065535318
Rate starts at 750/room (good for 2)
Bahay Pinoy Pension House
378 Capitol Road, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar
Phone: (055) 500-5739
Riverview Hotel
Rizal Street, Catarman, Northern Samar
Cellphone: 09307308200
Rate starts at 500/room (good for 2)
Mijares Hotel
Balite Street, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar.
Phone: (055) 500-9098
Cellphone: 09274604168
Rate starts at 250/room
A little comedy guys: Direct translation as “They said it’s not delicious without sauce, but still fine..”. Nice one Uling Roasters!
There are jeepneys going to and from Catarman. Fare from Allen to Catarman Proper is 50-60 pesos.
There are also tricycles going around the road that could take you anywhere within the vicinity. Fare is 10 pesos minimum.
The Island of Biri – boasts its very own Biri Rock Formation, this island is one of the best destination in the whole of Northern Samar. Engaging its beautiful rock formations, it is a must see for adventurers like me!
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Allen Port, you can just ride a jeepney then disembark at Lavezares. From Lavezares, you can hop on a motor boat going straight to the island. Jeepney fare is approximately 30 pesos (0.60 USD) and 50 pesos (1 USD) per head on motor boat. Then from the port in Biri, you could just rent a habal-habal (motorcycle) that will take you directly to a pathway going to the Rock Formation.
Capul Island – sits in the central part of San Bernardino Strait, this island well-known for it’s history. It’s name was said to come from the word “Acapulco” as it played a significant role for the Galleon Trade between Manila and Acapulco. But please note that once you come to the island, locals will speak a different dialect already. Actually, it’s a dialect called “Inabaknon“, which is a language only used specifically by them.
You can visit the Capul Lighthouse and have a thousand-dollar view from Capul Lighthouse Hill.
HOW TO GET THERE:
FROM MATNOG:
Balwharteco, or Looc Port offers trips directly Capul’s poblacion. Trip lasts for about an hour and fare is 50 pesos (1 USD). Please note that the trip going back will be on the morning next day, around 5-7 am, so plan accordingly.
FROM VICTORIA:
Disclaimer: This route is not recommendable as it may cost you a bit. But who knows, it’s always good to have Plan B.
From the town center of Victoria, you may hop on a tricycle going to the port and from the port, you may ride a motorboat going to San Antonio Island. Fare is 30 pesos/head (0.59 USD).
From San Antonio Island, hop on a habal-habal (motorcycle) to Sitio Dalupirit. Fare will be 20 pesos (0.40 USD). From Sitio Dalupirit, you can ride on a motorboat that will take you to Capul Island. Boat rental will be 500 pesos and you can split it, depending on how many passengers can fit. Basically, the lesser the people, the lesser the expenses, right?
VICTORIA’S BEACH LINE – believe me, it’s one for the books. It’s one of the best beaches I have visited ❤ Also, it would not cost you a lot! On the resort (?) we visited, you just need to rent a cottage that costs around 200 pesos (3.96 USD) and you can bring the whole squad without paying any entrance fee. Rinsing will cost you 5 pesos (0.10 USD).
PINK BEACH OF SAN VICENTE – I honestly haven’t been here yet but it’s on my “Must-Visit” list. Next time. There’s always a next time.
*You can also hike through some hills across the municipality. As for my mom’s home island, they have this hill called “Uma” which locals use as their “bread and butter”. But hey, you will be in awe once you reach the “Putongan“, where you can have a breathtaking view, overlooking Pacific Ocean, Biri Island, Mayon Volcano on your left, and the rest of Northern Samar. It’s a live 360-degree view of eyecandies and lush green nature.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Allen Port, ride a jeepney with a placard going to “Catarman”. Drop off exactly at “Salhag“, and from there, you can ride a motorboat going to Brgy. Buenavista.
Speaking of my Mom’s home barangay, since it’s fiesta, they hold “Santacruzans”, just like here in Manila, where ladies dress up like queens and princesses as well as guys as their escorts. One thing is that these ladies are really the chosen ones, meaning, they are either pretty, daughter of someone from Manila, or just rich, that’s all. They pre-select joiners and on the first night of the fiesta, they will be awarded.
I was also so surprised to discover that they still do hold “sayawans” (traditional dance parties) for their patron fiesta, in which they dance til their feet give up. It’s fun when you’re into them. Plus, you can dance with your crush (lucky if they dance with you. haha!). Sorry to the guys I declined though. You deserve someone better. Lol. I’m a shy and reserved human creature, so it will be just awkward and you’ll regret it for sure. They party lasts for three nights. The first night is for the adults and some older generations. Second is for everyone and the last night, the fiesta proper is for the youth. Well, it really didn’t happen. Technically, anyone can join.
There’s this “Curacha” in which they let two individuals (specifically the most successful ones who live (or lived) there) dance, with a box on the floor and offer twenty peso bills. While dancing curacha, people can also throw bills (only 20-peso bills) to the dancers as well.
Well, for the youth, they can choose curacha or modern dance. Whichever they prefer.
Here are some phrases that could help you:
Kamusta/Kamusta ka? – Hello/How are you?
Salamat – Thank you
Pasinsya – Sorry
Nano an imong ngaran? – What’s your name?
An ako ngaran ay… – My name is…
Maupay nga aga! – Good Morning!
Maupay nga kulop! – Good Afternoon!
Maupay nga gab-i – Good Night/Good Evening
Paalam – Goodbye
Naintindihan ko gad – I understand
Diri ko maintindihan – I don’t understand
Ambot – I don’t know
Sugara Utro – Please say that again
Hinay-hinay la an isturya – Please speak more slowly
Maaram ka mag-ingles? – Do you speak English?
Tag-pira ine? – How much is this?
Hain an kubeta? – Where’s the toilet?
Nagkaon ka na?/Nagkaon na ko – Have you eaten?/ I’ve eaten
Pan-o – How
San-o – When
Nano – What
Diin/Hain – Where
Getting tickets going home in May is such a pain in the ass. We’re supposed to go home at June 1 but we got tickets for the 4th. Another thing is that it’s 500 pesos more expensive!
It’s good and clean. 4 stars!!!
As a child, I always feel afraid when they speak of my mom’s hometown. Because of some shitty family issues, I never really got interested into visiting the place. I honestly didn’t feel any connection or anything. But this specific trip changed my perspective. Meeting new people and relatives, I finally felt home and welcome. I’ve made new friends, explored a bit and discovered things I never expected to see. I was thankful. Though still, until now, the relationship is getting worse, at least we still have those who we got their backs at. I always believed that everything must come to an end, and I wish, everything will turn out fine. I swore I’ll never waste my energy on depressing matters. All I want is to have fun!!! YOLO
Aaaaaaaaaand please wait for the vlog for this trip! It sure is fun! Will update this blog once it’s uploaded 🙂
When This Loner Travels 
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