Sibuyan Island: Unknown Paradise

Have you ever wonder where Sibuyan Island is located in the Philippines? Do you even experience the life of the locals in Sibuyan Island? Are you even curious what kind of places or view does the island will offer?

I'm inviting everyone to read it up to the end. I hope you will enjoy.

Sibuyan Island, is considered as the Galapagos of Asia. It is 187 nautical miles from Manila. It is situated in Region IV-B MIMAROPA. Sibuyan Island is a jewel of the sea. Although Sibuyan Island is just 445 sq.km it has so much more to offer.

As a local, the life in our island is one of a kind. I want to spend most of my life here in my beloved island. Me and the nature.

Sibuyan Island is home to one of the most unspoiled ecosystems in the Philippines and in the world, as claimed by natural scientist.

Here are some things that I want you to know about my beloved island:

1. It is known as the Galapagos of Asia because of its geological history, the island was never connected to any part of the Philippine Archipelago. Hence, it is known for its unique intact chain of endemic flora and fauna.

2. Sibuyan Island holds the record for the densest forest in the Philippines, as claimed by the Philippine National Museum. There are 1,551 trees per single hectare.

3. In Sibuyan Island, there is the Cantingas River that is known for being the cleanest river in the world.

4. One of the most difficult climb in the Philippines is a hike to Mt. Guiting-Guiting.

   Mt. Guiting-Guiting is the culmination of the rich biodiversity for having the densest forest and home of up to 54 endemic plant varieties.

5. Mt. Guiting-Guiting is majestic because we locals believe that it is a dwelling place of the spirits and other creatures that only a special persons can witness. They believe that the Tinagong-Dagat in Mt. Guiting-Guiting is the passageway to the home of the Engkanto's.

6. Sibuyan Island is rich in different bodies of water like waterfalls, hotsprings, oceans, rivers and streams. Cantingas River, Pawala River, Dam, Kawa-kawa Falls, Olango Falls, Dalipi River, Cataja Falls, Cresta De Gallo, Dagubdob Falls, etc. are some of the most scenic places that you can enjoy. It is best to explore and enjoy together with your love ones.

7. Sibuyan Island, is one of a kind when it comes to locals. The locals are very hospitable, friendly, cheerful, kind and religious. It is a safest place to reside with. At night, you can walk peacefully even it is dark because no one will ever harm you.

8. Sibuyan Island is magical. Local believes in different entities that lives with us. We are rich in traditions and beliefs that until now it is still been practiced by the locals.

There are so much more to explore in our island. What I have been shared are some of my experiences. This is also the reason why the locals are against in open pit mining because mining will destroy the balance in our ecosystems. We should promote tourism and not destruction. Let's preserve the beauty that God bestowed upon us. We did'nt own the nature. Nature and us are interconnected. Nature helps us in our everyday lives. We should be the steward of God that protect and preserve the goodness of our Planet Earth. This is Sibuyan Island, the Unknown Paradise that I unfold.