Summer heat did not resist me from taking a break and be back to my hometown in Masbate after almost half a year. It’s the best time to enjoy vacation and take a break from the tedious and fussy city life. I have recently finished the requirements for my last subject in the academe postulated in the completion of my Bachelor’s Degree. So it’s just so delighting to take an unlaxing break after all. And it’s a perfect timing because our barangay is celebrating its annual fiesta which is a time of gathering with old friends and colleagues.

The fiesta is a celebrated event in Balud which draws a lot of party maker from different part of the town. The week before the festivity there is a weeklong inter-barangay basketball league tournament that becomes one of the highlights of the event. Each barangay in the town has its team to endorse. The games are being played in the afternoon until 9 – 10PM to keep off from the scorching summer heat because the plaza’s court is not covered. During the 4-night festivity proper prominent political personalities and allies were present to compliment the event and a cock derby was held on the first day.

My overall stay in Masbate lasted for more than a week. I happen to visit Masbate City where I studied and finished high school in St. Anthony Seminary. I live in Calumpang in the town of Balud and people there rarely come to the city because of a very fagging out 3-4 hour trip not to mention the bumpy and boisterous junctions on your way. I left at around 7 in the morning and arrived in the city at around 10:30AM. I need to move quickly to be able to do everything I need to before 2:30PM because I need to catch the last trip going back to Calumpang. After taking breakfast I went strolling through the landmarks and scenes in Masbate City.

Masbate Cultural and Sports Center

I visited the capitol and lies on its side is the Masbate Cultural and Sports Center (MCSC) where we used to hold the events of our school then. Facing the MCSC is the Masbate Park which is quite messy and crappy due to its ongoing restorations and developments. On the other side of the park dwells the City Hall and nearby is the Provincial Hospital. I also went around and was directed myself to the Rodeo Arena where the famous annual festival of Rodeo Masbateño is held.

Masbate Park

Masbate City Hall

Masbate Rodeo Rotonda

Rodeo Arena

Masbate City

Unfortunately the stadium was closed and I wasn’t able to enter. The searing heat of the sun is really haunting me so I kept on walking through the shed of the trees going to Masbate National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) when two of my confreres passed by and saw me, we talked for a while but they need to go along. After that very exhausting stroll and photo walk I need to eat lunch and buy the things that my mother asked me to. I decided to dine where we usually eat when we were in high school, the Bulalohan in Boulevard but unluckily they closed shop. So I fixed everything and went back to the terminal and there I took my lunch and waited for the departure of the bus.

Masbate Land Transport Terminal

Masbate Ranches and Farms

Carmelado (Pastillas de leche)

On our way home we passed by Milagros a town in Masbate and its absolute majority is composed of cattle farms and ranches. They have this specialty “pasalubong” the Pastillas de leche or better known in Masbate as “Carmelado” which sells for 100 bucks each bag that contains 7 small pouches of it. It is made of fresh cow’s milk and white sugar that tastes really yummy as you can savor the luscious cows milk in it with a little sugar added. I think it must be one of the trademark “pasalubong” from Masbate but I think maybe it was not given much attention by the government because it is being sold in Crossing Milagros alone and by the vendors that enter the buses along with the “Mani”, Mineral Water, Popcorn and etcetera that they sell. It must be given much aid by the Department of Tourism Masbate to promote the product, to give it good packaging and to sell it in a proper “pasalubong” store along with other products of Masbate. I’ve noticed that during the regime of Gov. Olga Kho the current governor of Masbate, that tourism has been given much attention and upliftment. Various beaches and eco-tourism sites has been known with its aggressive promotions and development. Masbate has been featured several times in national television showcasing its Rodeo Festival and its eco-tourism destinations. It’s a good move governor keep it up, keep on investing in tourism, bring out the potential of Masbate and that must be complimented by a trademark “pasalubong” for the tourists that can only be bought in Masbate like the “Carmelado”.

The story above is I think the highlight of my visit to my hometown, Masbate. Of course I would also love to tell you that I really enjoyed the beach in Calumpang. It is where I grew up and really love the shores. The sand is not as fine as Boracay or other known beaches but it has a different touch and a different pleasure to offer. Unfortunately there are no resorts in our area, purely natural beaches without any development and cottages. Everyone owns it and everybody is free to enjoy it.

Traveling from Iloilo to Masbate? Here’s a guide: Western Visayas to Masbate: A Travel Guide

Calumpang, Balud, Masbate