Saturday, April 28, 2007

Kalanggaman Island


Kalanggaman is a small island paradise with a land area of about two hectares situated between north of Cebu and Leyte. Belonging to the town of Palompon, Leyte, it is about an hour ride by boat either from Palompon or Villaba,Leyte. What makes this island unique is that it has two sand bars , one which protrudes towards the east and the other at the southern end. The eastern sand bar stretches for more than 200 meters into the sea, while the other one is only half as long which is submerged under water during high tides.

The island of Kalanggaman is supposed to have been bought already by one from Cebu who planned to put up a first class resort. The plan was supposedly turned down by the municipal council of Palompon which wanted to keep the place in its pristine state for eco-tourism. Security guards are posted on the island and supposedly is not open for picnics. There are no more islanders there except for some fishermen who make the island as their rest stop before they embark again for fishing.

Together with five other priests ( Frs. Stephen, Louie, Mony, Aaron and Roy) and the families of Atty. Ari Larrazabal and Engr. Oliveros and the convent staff of Villaba, we camped overnight at this island paradise last April 23, 2007. The sea was very calm at this time of the year and we had a good swim in the afternoon and even into the night. Over glasses of tuba and the grilled fishes that were newly caught by the fishermen who were stopping by the island, not to mention the lechon and the other food that we brought along, we had a fun and relaxing time together.
Late in the evening, however, while we were already sleeping, the winds became so strong that our tents were almost being knocked to the ground. I thought there was rain only to find out that it was sand that kept on splashing on our tents. For a moment there, I thought that if the wind would continue until the morning and with the waves so strong we will not be able to return to the mainland on time for our schedules the following day. Thank God, by early morning the wind had died down and the sea was back again to being calm. The crossing from Kalanggaman to Leyte is noted to be treacherous especially towards late in the afternoon. That is why it is always advised to go there in the morning.

Being now under the administration of the local government of Palompon, entrance fees per person are now collected if one visits the island. It is 50 pesos for residents of Palompon and 150 for non-residents. If one stays overnight in the island 200 pesos is collected for the entrance fee and 75 for Palompon residents. Another rental fee for the cottage is also collected. The boat rental for going to Kalanggaman is about 3,500 which has a maximum capacity of 25 persons. For reservations one can contact the Ecotourism Office of Palompon at this number (053) 338-2094.



As one approaches Kalanggaman island from the north, the eastern sand bar stretches very much longer than the island itself.



The sand bar stretches out far into the shallow waters. Just like in Boracay, the white sand does not get hot even at the scorching heat of the day.


Under the shade of the Talisay trees, we put up our picnic tables and the food we brought along. We also were able to buy newly caught fish by the fishermen who were making the island as their stopping point.













At both the eastern and the western part of the island, the shore is covered with slabs of stone as if artificially placed there as a windbreaker. The sea is clear all around. This is the sand bar at the southern end of the island which is more than a hundred meters length. However, this is submerged under water during high tides. The current at the end of the sand bar is so strong that if one is not careful enough, one might be carried out to the ocean.


Sunset in Kalanggaman

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes Ive known Kalanggaman since i was just a kid and it was own by my mother grandfather who is Andres Toring and it is so sad to say that it was own by other person now for it was sold at very cheap price. If I only had enough money by that time I would buy it by myself coz it is very beautiful palfe that ive ever seen...

Anonymous said...

as a palomponganon we've always spend our barkada outings in kalanggaman almost every year. last year it ruined me coz its glory has banished as it was two years ago when we visited the place. this celso de los angeles should be held responsible....

Joemill said...

Looks very much like Canigao Island... :)

Anonymous said...

hehehe i recognized msgr. bernie,fr. stephen,fr. roy in the pics....I do agree Kalanggaman is a treasure that they should preserve.Was fortunate to be able to go there last may 31,2009 and the place was SO WORTH the trip,the sea was really rough because we got there by 11AM & got back to palompon by 3pm.I have been fortunate to be able to visit other beautiful islands in the phlippines but this one TOPS all the other places that Ive been to.Its comparable to boracay but w/o the commercialism & pollution of Bora. Indeed GOD's gift to us that we should take care.Its under the care of Palompon LGU now since Mar 2007.

Anonymous said...

im a palomponganon but i have never been there. Thank God their are people who help to have the island back to palompon coz' its really 4 us palomponganons. wish i could go there sometime. viva palompon! viva!!!

Anonymous said...

wow...i'm looking forward to visit this island. it's really a paradise to be discovered...

Unknown said...

Kalanggaman is really a beautiful place. It's one hour pumpboat ride from Palompon. Summer is the best time to have fun with the stretch-long sand bar where you can't feel the heat of the sun. Cecille

Unknown said...

Sino po may contact number sa bangka na kung san pd kaming mag rent? Planning to go there on June, at sana maganda ang panahon .. Mas advisable po ba kung mag villaba kami nang route? Manggagaling ho kami sa Dulag, Leyte.. Thank you po...

beachanatic said...

Ruth, you can call the Ecotourism office of Palompon as they are the ones now handling the island. They will be the ones to contact a boat. Their telephone number is 338-2094. There are now fees that have to be paid in going to the island.

Anonymous said...

via Bugo,Cebu, i was here for an overnight stay with my college friends "The Survivors" and Patrick/Rocelyn..enjoyed so much..

Anonymous said...

im dying to go back to this heavenly island

michelle said...

wanna go back to kalanggaman

venus said...

i was at kalanggan last may 2010 with my officemate..it was a very nice place we realy enjoy the place..wanna go back to kalanggaman soon....

Anonymous said...

hi there! i want to be here on saturday and sunday.. do they have cottages for rent there? and how much is it? i hope its affordable! and do they have electricity?

beachanatic said...

You have to bring along your own tent if you want to stay overnight and food provisions. It's really just back to nature with only the moon and stars as your light in the evening. There is just a caretaker and some police force to ensure that you are safe while you enjoy your commune with nature.

chekadee0505 said...

it's amazing place its almost the same as the snake island in Palawan which i've been! the palompon government should develop it, put up some cottages there which give palompon tourism and work for the people there.i'm sure lot's of people would visit there than to fly to boracay just to see a white sand.seriously, they should have great ideas for this.it's a lovely place

Anonymous said...

we are from Villaba, Leyte and we could see Kalanggaman from my lola's house, and i want to go there eversince...the island was also featured in one of the magazines in my school (Travel Update) and it was so beautiful!!

i wish my family could visit the island as soon as possible. ^__^

Anonymous said...

im from cebu...can i go der via danao???

Myler said...

We are planning to visit Kalanggaman island but we are not sure if there is available parking space that could safely park our car in Palompon?

Anonymous said...

hope to visit this paradise, i'm from Palompon but sad to say i dad never been there.. oiram

Anonymous said...

I would love to visit, but please never develop it and keep it as it is. Visitors should bring back all their plastic and other waste para hindi ma pollute ito.

Anonymous said...

i love you beachanatic!

Anonymous said...

yung 3,500 po para sa motorboat back and forth na po ba yun? or ne way lang? thank you po :)

Anonymous said...

i love you more beachanatic!

Anonymous said...

i loved you first beachanatic!

Anonymous said...

Who wants to go to Kalanggaman? Where are planning to visit it soon...

Anonymous said...

Who wants to go to Kalanggaman? We are are planning to visit it soon...

Anonymous said...

tumahimik kayong lahat...kami po talaga ang nagmamay-ari ng isla na iyan...nasa korte suprema na po ang petiton namin para makuha namin ang talagang sa amin...

Kay yeto said...

Ill be going there on april.. Any advice since it would be my first time to go there. I want to stay over night.. I want to experience the fresh fish from the fishermans boat....

Anonymous said...

i wnat to go there pm me

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah.. I know this place very well.. This was owned by mother grandfather Andres Toring.. I remember when we were just a kid, wewent there with my cousins and other relatives, we really have good time there and the place like a paradise.. I was so happy knowing this was under the Municipality of Palompon, atleast I know the island is in good hands..

Anonymous said...

weeeh.. Really? not sure of it.. hehehhe