The Cathedral of Libmanan and the Churches of Pasacao and Pamplona

During an Undas break in 2018 we visited the Masbate islands of Ticao and Burias.  After visiting the Burias island, we took the boat going to Pasacao on the mainland where we left our car.  Since we arrived early, we decided to make a short detour to Libmanan on our way back to Manila so that we could visit the Cathedral. Since it was a Sunday, we asked permission that we be able to say mass at the private chapel of the Bishop who happened to be there. He invited us also for breakfast after the mass. On our way back, we passed by the church of Pamplona which was along the way.  

St. James the Great Cathedral Parish (F-1586) 
Libmanan, Camarines Sur

Since it was a Sunday, we said mass at the private chapel of the Bishop's residence. 

Having breakfast with Bp. Joe Rojas of Libmanan

St. Michael the Archangel Parish (F-1885)
Pamplona, Camarines Sur 

St. Rose of Lima Parish (F-1885), Pasacao, Camarines Sur

BURIAS ISLAND OF MASBATE

        After visiting Ticao island of Masbate we took the early morning boat from Monreal back to Pilar, Sorsogon. From  Pilar we drove up north to Pasacao, Camarines Sur where we took the boat going to the Burias Island arriving in San Pascual  late in the afternoon.  We stayed at the Sunset View Tourist Inn which was just near the pier.  In the early evening we went to the Espares family house in San Pascual to view the thousands of  swiftlets (balinsasayaw) birds which have made the basement of their house as their nesting place.  The nests of these birds which are made of their saliva stick to the concrete ceiling of the basement and these are being made into the famous birds’ nest soup. As a remembrance of our visit we ordered a bowl of the birds’ nest soup which we asked to be delivered to the inn we were staying.

        The following day was a whole day of island hopping where we visited the Animasola, Tinalisayan and Sombrero Islands. 

The port in Pasacao, Camarines Sur where we took the boat going to San Pascual in the Burias island of Masbate. 

Arriving in San Pascual, Burias Island

The Sunset View Tourist Inn where we stayed was just outside the gate of the pier in San Pascual

After just a few moments of rest we went to the Espares family house where we saw the thousands of swiftlets at the basement of the house.

We then proceeded to visit the parish church of San Pascual to pay a courtesy call to the parish priest and ask permission to celebrate the mass. 

The bowl of birds' nest soup that we ordered. 

Island hopping tour to Animasola, Tinalisayan and Sombrero Islands

Approaching Animasola Island

Tinalisayan Island, Burias 

Tinalisayan had a very beautifully preserved coral garden. 

Sombrero Island, San Pascual, Masbate