It is a small, sun-kissed island blessed with idyllic landscapes, a cozy lifestyle and gentle people. Camiguin, off the coast of Misamis Oriental, has proven itself worthy of a place among the Philippines’ top anchor destinations. Check out its white-sand beaches, scenic waterfalls and therapeutic springs. The province is also home to a linker’s haven of seven volcanoes—more than enough reason to visit this charming province.
Camiguin is a tiny pearl-shaped volcanic outcrop off the north coast of Mindanao.
It is an ideal destination for trekkers in search of adventure and romantic yearning
for a quiet corner. It can be toured form tip to tip by land transport in two
hours. Mambajao, the capital, makes a good way station to such attractions as
seven volcanoes, waterfalls, springs, and white sand beaches. It is positioned
as the eco-agri site of the region.
It is approximately 90 kilometers north of the City of Cagayan de Oro. It is bounded
to the north by Bohol Sea, to the west by Macajalar Bay, to the southeast by Gingoog
Bay and to the east by Butuan Bay.
Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged
at 29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely, Mambajao - the capital
town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven
volcanoes, including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. According to the National
Statistics Office, Camiguin has a total population of 74,232 persons, making the
province the second smallest in the Philippines in terms of population.
Among the Province's major products are coconut, cassava, banana, camote, palay,
corn, fruits, coffee and vegetables. Camiguin's volcanic soil has proved to be
a fertile ground for planting various crops. At present, the Provincial government
is looking into an agricultural program that would increase the cultivation of
fruit trees and vegetables in Camiguin. The Province is also among the best abaca
fiber producers in the country. Camiguin is proud of its natural resources, which
include sulfur deposits, geothermal energy, agricultural lands and fishing grounds.
The Camiguin culture is a mixture of both Boholano and Cebuano culture. It is
very colorful and creative. The people are deeply religious, hospitable and friendly.
Cebuano is the major dialect in the Province. However, in the towns of Sagay and
Guinsiliban, where most of the indigenous tribes reside, the Kinamiguin dialect
is still spoken. Kinamiguin is derived from the Manobo dialect with some mixture
of Boholano.
