Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 13. Biri Island

Biri Island was once the best-kept secret of Northern Samar, a place out of the tourist trail because of its remote location. But apparently now, it is fast becoming the face of tourism in this province and is attracting many local and foreign visitors.

Along with my adventurous friends, we road-tripped Eastern Visayas last year and had Biri Island included in our itinerary. From Tacloban City, we stopped at Catbalogan City, passed by Calbayog City, and slept overnight in Catarman. The following day, we took a long drive to the small town of Lavazares which is the jump-off point to Biri, and after a rough banca ride, we reached our final destination.

The challenge of getting there paid off when I saw the magnificent Magasang Rock Formations. I was left in awe with these incredible gift from nature, many thanks to the ferocious waves of the Pacific Ocean. I can only imagine how many million years it took to be formed to how we see it today!

If you want to deviate from the usual tourist destinations and opt for more off-the-beaten paths, Biri Island in Northern Samar is definitely a perfect choice. Just make sure to bring comfortable footwear and sunnies, and be there in time for the sunset or sunrise for postcard-perfect photos!

My full story about Biri Island here.

The rocky beach of Biri

Samar Roadtrip

Padyak ride with Janet and Cha

February 7-10, 2012

Western and Northern Samar

As the van was speeding off along the coastal towns of Samar, I was reminded of how similar the scenes I was seeing there to most places I've been to before. The idyllic houses where women are seen sitting in front of their "porch." The children playing patintero on the side of the road. The lush green mountains and the coconut trees lining up. The occasional sight of bodies of water; from long beaches to streams to creeks, to meandering rivers and deltas. The clotheslines, the sari-sari stores, the water buffalos and the cattle egrets. These scenes pretty much depict the countryside of the Philippines. And Samar is definitely not an exception. 

I've been to this island many times because my mother hails from Catubig, a quaint town that lies in Northern Samar. I had fond memories of my childhood visits there and will always remember how well accommodated we were by our relatives so I was really excited to be reunited with them after eight long years.

Biri Beautiful

                          

February 5, 2012

Biri Island, Northern Samar 

The wind was furiously pounding outside, the rain was threatening in the northernmost direction and the sky was achingly gloomy and overcasted. This was the kind of weather  we woke up to on that Sunday morning in Catarman. And there's only one to blame: the fickle northwest monsoon. 

I was with Cha, Ciel and Janet for our second day of exloring Leyte and Samar. This day was the one that we've all been waiting for -- our Biri excursion! So despite the weather being totally uncooperative, we decided to proceed as planned.

Aboard a passenger jeepney bound for Lavezares, we left Cataman Terminal at around 6 a.m. The weather was beginning to improve as we were trailing the coastal areas of Northern Samar. I can already see the sun peeking through in some sheets of clouds, showing signs of a better day ahead of us.