I last set foot on this island almost 10 years ago when my maternal grandmother died and all of us, her children and apos who are based here in Baguio city have to go home to pay our last respect. It was a bittersweet homecoming, so to speak, for us and for me personally. I spent my entire grade one life in this island after we left Davao City and before moving permanently to Baguio City. So many childhood memories have I left with the place and the mere mention of its name brings them all back again. The joy of living an idyllic island life where time goes by unnoticed and where simplicity is practiced every single day is something that one cannot exchange for anything. I mean, that kind of life it’s priceless and it’s one of those things you missed and long for especially when you spent your entire existence in the hustle and bustle of the city. Anyway, so much for my sentiments and more about Rapu Rapu island. About Rapu Rapu island: Rapu-Rapu is a third class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 35,875 people. The municipality comprises three islands: Rapu-rapu Island, Batan Island, and Guinanayan Island. Rapu-Rapu is 374 km southeast of Manila and 36 km east of Legazpi City, the provincial capital of the province of Albay. The small island of Rapu-Rapu and Batan lie to the east of Luzon and together with the islands of San Miguel and Cagraray, form the northern rim of Albay Gulf. Rapu-rapu is politically subdivided into 34 barangays with much of the population living in Poblacion. During my stay there in the 80’s, life on the island was so much simpler with the people there doing the same task every day. Like if you tilled your land or go to the sea to catch fish today, I bet that you will also be doing the same thing the next day. It’s plain and simple monotonous but a stress free kind of living. I remembered during those times that there were only few families who had a comfort room inside their houses and people used to relieve themselves on the shorelines. There was no electricity on the island so people had to rely on kerosene lamps, petromax or generators. Today, the island is enjoying progress, albeit rather slowly. It has a mini power plant already which supplies electricity to every household from 6 in the evening until 12 midnight. A cell site has also been erected which makes up for a stronger mobile signal on the island. Mini groceries and stores sprouted everywhere. Huge houses had also been built and the quality of life of the people had improved tremendously. Lately, the island has gradually become a tourist destination as people from all over the Philippines started to discover the hidden beauty of this place. How to get there: If you are coming from Manila, there are two ways in which you can possibly go to Rapu Rapu island. You can either ride a bus or take plane. Either way, it’s your choice and your adventure. If you opt to have a bus then you’ll have to endure a grueling 12 hour ride. There are many bus line that are plying the route of Manila to Legazpi City. These are DLTB Bus, Cagsawa Bus Line, Peñafrancia Bus Liner, Philtranco Liner and Isarog bus. Most of these buses have their terminal either in Pasay or Cubao. There are also other buses that travels from Manila to Legazpi but these are regular mini buses and I am pretty sure that you don’t want to sacrifice your personal comfort in a 12 hour bus ride. The bus usually leaves at 6 in the evening passing by the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and finally arrives at Legazpi City 6 in the morning the following day so all you have to do during the entire trip is to sleep, sleep and sleep. Fare ranges from 800 to 900 pesos depending on the type of bus trip. Another option which is faster and more convenient than taking a bus is, obviously, by plane. Domestic carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights to Albay which would take about an hour or so of your travel time. Regular air fare would cost around one or two thousand pesos or if you want to avail of a much cheaper air fare then you have to book your flight months ahead. Upon arriving at Legazpi City, if you still have time you can spend it either visiting nearby tourist spots, malls, or having a short stay at one of Legazpi’s hotels as the motor boat that will take you to Rapu Rapu Island departs the city at 2 in the afternoon. There are two trips from Legazpi to Rapu Rapu, the first trip is 7 am and the last trip is 2 pm, vice versa. The motorboat is docked at the Legazpi port which is near Embarcadero de Legazpi. A bit of advice though, go to the port much earlier than the scheduled departure of the boat as there are times when seats could be filled immediately and, of course, to choose a comfortable seat for you. Travel time from Legazpi to Rapu Rapu is approximately two hours so it is best to bring with you lots of patience and something for those who have sea sickness. The boat trip will give you a good view of the Mayon Volcano, the Albay gulf and various small islands. After 2 hours of sea travel, the boat will dock at the Rapu Rapu port located at Barangay Poblacion and one can have a good view of Pagol Islands. Best time to visit: Rapu Rapu has a tropical climate but still the island has a lot of rainfall even on summer season. Best time to visit would be from the month of December until May. Although rain can occur within these months but the possibility is very slim. You can also plan your visit during the Layag Festival which happens from May 22-27. This is a weeklong festival which coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The festival name was taken from a local word “layag” or sail boat which is a primitive means of transportation of the early people of Rapu-Rapu. It depicts the people’s journey of faith. The people of Rapu Rapu: One can attest to the resiliency, hospitality and piety of the Rapu Rapu people. At times, life in the island can be difficult with no other source of livelihood but farming and fishing. Add to that difficulty is the unpredictable weather. Typhoons are frequent and a destructive menace in the Bicol region. The eastern part of Rapu Rapu faces the Pacific Ocean and it’s where most of the typhoons are formed. But through it all, the people have remained strong and durable just like the Pili nut that is endemic in the area. Experience the warmth of the Rapu Rapunons by visiting the island. Things to do: Visiting the wonderful and unspoiled beaches of Rapu Rapu island is a huge favorite where you can find powdery white sands comparable with the famous Boracay island less the commerciality and crowds of course. Most of these beaches are accessible by small outriggers or bancas only. You can rent bancas from local fisher folks for a minimal fee and request for them to take you to these beaches. You can have the entire beach all by yourself or exclusively for your family as you can be sure that there are no other people around that will spoil your fun. Swim to your hearts content but just be careful though and take a pack lunch with you as there are no available restos within the area.You can also try the Irrigation-a mini waterfall where the water coming from nearby mountain is cool and will refresh you from the hot weather. Touring the entire island is also highly recommended which will take you about half a day to do it. You can also request your bankero to take you to Pagol islands and have a souvenir picture there. Doing this will let you discover all the other hidden beauties of Rapu Rapu. Last time I heard, there are beach lots here that are for sale and can be converted into resorts. Food tripping is also another way to enjoy the place. You can try out local delicacies like Bicol Express, Pinangat and Laing, Pili nuts, Kinunot, and Ibos. These foods will make you forget your name once you tasted it. I'm pretty sure that you'll gonna ask for more. And my most favorite activity of them all is waiting for the sun to set on the pier with the majestic view of Mayon Volcano in its backdrop. Ahhh just to see the beautiful sun setting will make you appreciate that somehow life is still worth living in this crazy world. Whatever your reasons for coming to Rapu Rapu just keep in mind that you are there to relax and somehow find a temporary respite from the noises of the city life. There you go. I've said enough already and if there's anything missing in this guide/story, well, you can always let me know here. I've already experience Rapu Rapu and now it's your time to experience it too. Enjoy and God bless! Photo credits: Limbonis.com; Allen3ya.Blogspot.com
7 Comments
steven
12/28/2015 02:24:16 pm
thank you for posting these beautiful pictures of rapu-rapu. the island town where i grew up! lots of unforgettable memories! Can i ask permission to post some of your pics? Thanks!
Reply
Baguio Family Time
12/30/2015 10:38:18 am
Thank you Sir Steven for the wonderful comment. I spent a year or two of my childhood days in Rapu Rapu. My mom is from Rapu Rapu-the Villanueva's. So many good memories kaya hope that someday I can go back home again. The pictures that I posted are not personally mine Sir and I have cited the owners.
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Paolo
7/26/2016 11:31:50 am
Do you know how to get to the 2 caves? Pototan and Minaso?
Reply
Baguio Family Time
7/26/2016 10:13:45 pm
Hello Sir Steven.
Reply
sarah
10/19/2019 10:36:33 pm
Thank you for sharing the beauty of Albay. I am from Polangui and would like to visit Rapu Rapu one day and take my elderly parents who are in their 80's. Are there places/ motel/ hotel to stay while in Rapu Rapu?
Reply
Baguio Family Time
10/20/2019 11:47:13 am
Thank you also Ma'am Sarah for appreciating Rapu Rapu and for taking time to read this blog. I do believe that there are already some hotels and resorts in Rapu Rapu and you can search for it on Google. You might also want to drop by a local resort there named RAPUCAY.
Reply
Aang
4/7/2023 02:49:07 pm
Do they have like cellular signal or data something in this place?
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