MAYDOLONGNON WINS BB. SILANGANG SAMAR TURISMO 2011 PAGEANT

The 19 year old contender from the municiplity of Maydolong, Eastern Samar, Analee Barrezo Montes, was all-teeth smiled when she was crowned Bb. Silangang Samar Turismo 2011 last November 7 at the Eastern Samar Capitol Building, Borongan City.

Hundreds of audiences witnessed Analee’s unparalled grace and wit as she confidently walked on the ramp amidst ten other beautiful ladies from different municipalities in the province. Each of these girls represented one particular tourist attraction in their locality which they had the chance to promote in a 2-minute spiel during their Swimwear Competition. For this, Analee showcased the Samar Island Natural Park’s (SINP) Canlumangog Base Camp located at Barangay Del Pilar, Maydolong, Eastern Samar. This SINP Canlumangog Base Camp is part of the SINP’s newest ecotourism attraction that is the 24,000-hectare Borongan-Llorente Closed Canopy Forest, believed to be the largest remaining lowland tropical virgin forest in the country.

Asked whether the leadership of the provincial government should give a boost to the tourism development of Eastern Samar, Analee asnwered, “I say definitely yes.” She further explained that tourism is not just about visiting places and seeing new things but can actually be used for the “supplemental development” of the province. She also added that aside from protecting the environment, tourism provides livelihood and “improves the general well being of the locals.” She also stressed that to achieve this, tourist destinations in the province must first be developed and then transportation amenities should be provided. This was the most apt answer that won her the crown. Next in line as First Runner Up was Maria Karla Lenina Belizar representing Borongan City’s Divinubo Island. While third in place was Calicoan Island’s representative, Ella Marnelle Caliwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

In addition to the Php40,000.00 cash prize as grand winner, Analee also received a gift pack from AVON as her prize for winning the Best in Swimwear award.

Last August 14, Analee was crowned as Miss Maydolong 2011 which gave way to her becoming the town’s representative to the Bb. Silangang Samar Turismo 2011 Pageant.


Written by Roxcy Joy Azura. This article has been republished from http://www.maydolong-esamar.gov.ph (The Official website of the Municipal Government of Maydolong, Eastern Samar).

SINP Canlumangog Base Camp

Brgy. Del Pilar, Maydolong, Eastern Samar



The Canlumangog Base Camp is located within the Samar Island Natural Parks’s (SINP’s) newest ecotourism attraction – that is the 24,000-hectare Borongan-Llorente Closed Canopy Forest or BLCCF.

To reach the site, one will first enjoy an hour of a thrilling ride through the challenging slopes, turns, humps and bumps of the paved and rough roads from Maydolong Poblacion to Barangay Del Pilar, identified as best entry point to the BLCCF.

From Barangay Del Pilar, it takes an average of 2-3 hours of leisure trek to the base camp. Guests will have fun going through the trail of muds, slopes, roots and rocks while enjoying the pleasant sound of nature and smelling the exciting scent of the forest.

Once at the Canlumangog Base Camp, the gushing sound of cool and clear Maylumangog River will certainly give a refreshing feel to each visitor. The lush canopy forest and awe-inspiring big trunks of Philippine mahogany trees measuring over 7-feet in diameter at breast height, supporting various plants such as lianas, orchids, pitcher plants and other epiphytes will surely take away the exhaustion from the trek.

Only 15-minute walk from the base camp, one will be amazed of the Nagkakalaton Natural Canal. It is a 200-meter stretch of clean water gently flowing into a stream with norrow upright rock wall, slightly curved inward to ceiling giving a long straight cut to allow sunlight from the top. The Nagkakalaton Natural Canal is good for swimming, tubing and other water-based recreational activities.

At the end of the canal is the spectacular Nagkakalaton Natural Bridge. The look of this natural bridge from afar imitates that of a huge cave entrance but when one enters in, it is not darkness that he will find rather a dramatic view of verdant greens and grays. Such an extravagant display of nature’s rich and vibrant colors are embodied in the abundant vegetation and beautiful rock formations in the surroundings. In addition to the cool and refreshing water disgorging from beneath, another unique feature of this natural bridge are the big and long trunks of trees that were natural driven to the site by the occasional rising of the river during heavy rains.

After a rewarding stay at the base camp, going back to the barangay will give guests a wonderful experience and adventure of river trekking which will pass through many falls and rapids. One of the highlights of this activity is a stop-over at the Kaglosong Falls. A 20-meter high waterfall, it is frequented by students and family excurtionists from different places during summertime. The natural lagoon beneath Kaglosong Falls is an ideal picnic area where visitors can take pleasure of the cool mist coming from the cascading waters.

So what ar you waiting for? Come and enjoy communing with nature at Canlumangog Base Camp!!!

Written by Roxcy Joy Azura (LGU Maydolong) and Eires Mate (SINP).

UST PhD Students Visit Kaglosong Falls

Twenty-two Biology doctorate and masteral students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila visited the Kaglosong Falls in Barangay Del Pilar, Maydolong, Eastern Samar last August 28.

The team, led by their professor, Dr. Grecibio Jonathan Alejandro, did a field trip with the aim to discover new species of flora and fauna in the Borongan-Llorente Closed Canopy Forest (BLCCF). The original plan of the group was to go inside the closed canopy forest. However, their tight itinerary and physical conditions of some students did not allow them to go deeper into the desired area. As such, they only reached Kaglosong Falls. The students, who were under the Plant Phylogeny and Graduate Seminar in Plant Sciences classes, were divided into groups and searched the area for possible discoveries. They also took pictures and recorded information about several plants they saw in the area.

The group arrived in Maydolong at 6:00 o’clock in the morning and had their breakfast at the residence of Mayor Henry M. Afable. They did a simple courtesy call with the Mayor and gave a token of appreciation to him. They left for their field exposure at past 8:00 AM. They returned to the Poblacion area at 7:00 o’clock in the evening and proceeded to the residence of Atty. Louie Borja, SB Member, who sponsored their dinner. The group was accompanied by Floyd Ramos, President of the Borongan Awareness on Nature and Outdoor Group, Inc. (BANOG) and other local guides.

The field trip was organized by Professor Neil Alejandro Pinarok of the Eastern Samar State University who is at present taking his doctorate studies in Biology at UST. Professor Pinarok is also the Vice-Chairman of the Eastern Samar Provincial Tourism Council.

Written by Roxcy Joy Azura. This article has been republished from http://www.maydolong-esamar.gov.ph (The Official website of the Municipal Government of Maydolong, Eastern Samar).