Kalanggaman Island, Philippines

The extent of the flapping sandbar. These "wings" change direction depending on the waves. Hence, a bird. Langgam in Kalanggaman means bird.
The extent of the flapping sandbar. These “wings” change direction depending on the waves. Hence, a bird. Langgam in Kalanggaman means bird.

We targeted 3 provinces in 5 days and Kalanggaman belongs to the second province called Leyte. We have already visited mainland Cebu including Cebu City and its northern islands such as Bantayan and Malapascua. Since we love adventures especially ATV, we likewise spent one full day in Danasan Eco Adventure Park to enjoy their extreme activities.

From Manila by plane, the 5-day trip started off with Cebu City in the south, dropping by Danasan Eco Adventure Park before climbing up the main island to Bantayan then took the boat to Malapascua island.
From Manila by plane, the 5-day trip started off with Cebu City in the south, dropping by Danasan Eco Adventure Park before climbing up the main island to Bantayan then took the boat to Malapascua island.
From Malapascua island, took another boat to Kalanggaman island, then landed in Palompon of Leyte. Took the van bound to Tacloban, crossed the San Juanico Bridge by foot, and dropped by La Villa Francisco Resort. Finally, we departed from Tacloban to Manila.
From Malapascua island, took another boat to Kalanggaman island, then landed in Palompon of Leyte. Took the van bound to Tacloban, crossed the San Juanico Bridge by foot, and dropped by La Villa Francisco Resort. Finally, we departed from Tacloban to Manila.
DatePlacePreview
August 30, 2016Cebu CityAnother Angle
August 31, 2016Danasan Eco Adventure ParkMountain Ranges
September 1, 2016Bantayan Island
September 2, 2016Malapascua IslandThe white sand of Malapascua's beach reflecting the early morning sunlight.
September 2, 2016Kalanggaman IslandThe extent of the flapping sandbar. These "wings" change direction depending on the waves. Hence, a bird. Langgam in Kalanggaman means bird.
September 3, 2016LeyteSan Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater.

Kalanggaman

September 2, 2016

  • Non-Palompon Tourists – Entrance Fee: PHP 150.00/head
  • Cottage: PHP 250.00/cottage
  • Kalanggaman to Palompon public boat fare: PHP 200.00/head

Among the 3 islands we have been to (the first 2 were Bantayan, Malapascua) in this Cebu-Leyte road-trip slash island-hopping DIY tour, Kalanggaman is my favorite because of its long and moving sandbar plus the fact that it is far away from the busyness of the world.

The "wing" of Kalanggaman island so long and bright.
The “wing” of Kalanggaman island so long and bright.
What a lovely scene that welcomed us.
What a lovely scene that welcomed us.
Why go to a crowded beach when you can have the island by yourself?
Why go to a crowded beach when you can have the island by yourself?
This was my first time to see a lengthy sandbar.
This was my first time to see a lengthy sandbar.

During the tour, I asked why the name of the island is “Kalanggaman.” Langgam in Cebuano means bird. The island’s sandbars act like the wings of a bird. They change shape depending on the direction of the waves, where they seem to “flap” accordingly. Amazing! Apart from the shape, I would imagine longer ‘wings’ during low tide because our boatman said what we saw was not its longest version.

Dad endured the heat but with the amazing view, he did not mind it at all.
Dad endured the heat but with the amazing view, he did not mind it at all.
Dad stayed in this cottage the whole time, running away from the scorching heat of the sun.
Dad stayed in this cottage the whole time, running away from the scorching heat of the sun.
The pathway that leads to the other "wing" of the island.
The pathway that leads to the other “wing” of the island.

The island is divided by grasses and coconut trees. A chapel stands also in the middle of the island (wow, my first encounter) and it does boast a picturesque view! Interesting. I wonder if that chapel has history of private (or secret?) weddings already.

The chapel in the middle of the island.
The chapel in the middle of the island.

We also found wooden, triangular-shaped ‘tents’ on the other side of the island. Some men were busy putting and setting things up and when I asked one of them what’s the plan behind the structures, the guy said that development is ongoing and in a few months, water sports might highly likely be introduced in this island. I somehow got mixed feelings about this.

Development has started on this side to cater to water sports in the future.
Development has started on this side to cater to water sports in the future.

Well, it is good business and it will boost tourism when the community enables water sports in this area. However, I am also afraid that the island will be abused somehow. It won’t probably be as beautiful and as clean as it is now. Hopefully not.

Say, a wooden tent? And a free cellphone on the lower left!
Say, a wooden tent? And a free cellphone on the lower left!
Coconuts were super fresh that they come directly from the trees.
Coconuts were super fresh that they come directly from the trees.

It was a lot of fun doing a 360-degree check on the island, not minding the dehydrating weather at all (but if I remember it right, my friend Mikee was able to drink a full 1.5 liter of Royal Tru Orange after the walking tour). It reminded me how simple life can be and still enjoy every minute of it. When you get hungry, you can just climb the coconut tree and have a fresh buko (young coconut) juice in no time. I think a coconut that has fallen from the tree after a day is already considered spoiled. Whereas, for most of us, coconuts that just landed in the market are the so-called fresh ones.

Kalanggaman's sandbar on the other quieter side.
Kalanggaman’s sandbar on the other quieter side.

The other ‘wing’ of the island has a low point that I did not dare to cross. I was not sure of the depth of the waters and I don’t trust my almost-no-level swimming skills. So I was just happy taking photos of foreigners who were doing some pictorials across.

The other wing was submerged and I was scared to cross the water.
The other wing was submerged and I was scared to cross the water.
No wonder this side was not a favorite because of these black rocks.
No wonder this side was not a favorite because of these black rocks.

Kalanggaman has 2 faces. One rocky and one sandy. The side where they plan to put up water sports is the rocky end of the island. I wonder how they will conduct the water sports on this side. However, I think this side also has more trees than the sandy end. That’s the thing, what if, because of people, the sandy side lost some of the trees already? Just thinking out loud.

Is this by Yolanda again or by the development that's happening?
Is this by Yolanda again or by the development that’s happening?

Some trees I believe were torn down by the wrath of typhoons and super typhoons. Especially in this area, typhoons are constant visitors, ready to steal and destroy everything that is above the surface. The last, strongest typhoon that wrecked this place was Yolanda in November, 2013.

Oh what happened to the tree?
Oh what happened to the tree?
The sun was about to set and you can see the sandbar from a distance.
The sun was about to set and you can see the sandbar from a distance.
This side was just good for a walk along the shore.
This side was just good for a walk along the shore.
Up to which point are the waters shallow?
Up to which point are the waters shallow?
What evidence still needed to prove how clear the water is?
What evidence still needed to prove how clear the water is?

No matter how much the typhoons try to hurt the islands in the south, the beaches remain to be ever beautiful and calm. This is what I love about my country, ever resilient and strong, with broad smiles on people’s faces. Fighter!

The shore may be rocky but the waters are definitely crystal clear!
The shore may be rocky but the waters are definitely crystal clear!
The waters just effortlessly reflect the sunlight.
The waters just effortlessly reflect the sunlight.
Floaters for visitors to view more of what the beach offers.
Floaters for visitors to view more of what the beach offers.

The island was intentionally installed with a somewhat floating deck for tourists to enjoy the view from a distance. And one would indeed appreciate the island even more with a different perspective.

Note: This is not advisable for those who get dizzy easily on moving surfaces.

The view of the island from the edge of the floaters.
The view of the island from the edge of the floaters.
This is the beautiful side of the island where it was not rocky.
This is the beautiful side of the island where it was not rocky.
Different directions of water meeting together.
Different directions of water meeting together.
The coarse sand by sunset.
The coarse sand by sunset.
"Here is the only remnant structure left standing after the super typhoon Yolanda struck Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte last November 8, 2013."
“Here is the only remnant structure left standing after the super typhoon Yolanda struck Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte last November 8, 2013.”
The long, moving sandbar of Kalanggaman island in Leyte.
The long, moving sandbar of Kalanggaman island in Leyte.
No need to rent for a cottage, these trees could be useful.
No need to rent for a cottage, these trees could be useful.
Bye! Until we were the last to leave...
Bye! Until we were the last to leave…
Are we ready to go home now?
Are we ready to go home now?
Dad did not seem to want to leave the island.
Dad did not seem to want to leave the island.

We left the place with so much satisfaction in our hearts, for being able to relax in another paradise, among gazillions of paradises, that Philippines has to offer. Though we spent less than a day in Kalanggaman, it was all worth it. The more or less 4 hours was all we needed to calm our minds and to remember to be grateful of little blessings in life.

My eyes were focused towards the destination but the moment I looked back to check on the sunset, this was what I saw. Amazing!
My eyes were focused towards the destination but the moment I looked back to check on the sunset, this was what I saw. Amazing!

The trip was even sealed with a gorgeous sunset. I almost missed it because our direction was against the sun. However, I was blessed to have witnessed it until we arrived in Palompon, Leyte.

Back to List

DatePlacePreview
August 30, 2016Cebu CityAnother Angle
August 31, 2016Danasan Eco Adventure ParkMountain Ranges
September 1, 2016Bantayan Island
September 2, 2016Malapascua IslandThe white sand of Malapascua's beach reflecting the early morning sunlight.
September 2, 2016Kalanggaman IslandThe extent of the flapping sandbar. These "wings" change direction depending on the waves. Hence, a bird. Langgam in Kalanggaman means bird.
September 3, 2016LeyteSan Juanico Bridge is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater.