PIO DURAN

 

Pio Duran (Bicol Region, Philippines) is a reasonably sized port town to the south-west of Legaspi, though it is most easily accessed by road from Ligao. It is served by a number of ferry companies and is one of the primary transit points for car ferries to Masbate Island.

Indeed, it was a trip to Masbate that saw us there on this occasion. 

If planning on using the ferry services out of Pio Duran, I strongly recommend allowing plenty of time.

There are a number of operators, mostly varying greatly in service, whether the trip or customer service in general.

Before leaving for Pio Duran, we were told there were services every four hours. However, we arrived at midday, only to be told that the next trip would be at midnight.

To be fair, there were smaller ferries, mostly not for carrying cars, and the four-hour frequency may have come out of confusion with my question.

Kav's Ferries

A big shout out to this company who responded quickly to all enquiries made. While their service was limited and didn't fit into our schedule on this trip, I can certainly recommend their customer service.

Montenegro Shipping

On the other end of the scale, they ignore all forms of communication, whether on Facebook or via their 20+ email addresses. Yes, I tried every email address in every port.
Their website only half works and, much to my disgust, must have been hacked and was showing adult content at one stage.

Santa Clara Shipping Corp

I was unaware of this operator when first arriving at Pio Duran, but they were to be the operator we travelled with to Masbate.

Our ferry in both directions was the impressive M/V DON EDUARDO, a very large car ferry that, while second-hand (built in 2001) is maintained in very good condition and made for an enjoyable trip, despite running into a storm while en route to Masbate.

I will be covering the trips on this ferry in a later post, however, if you are looking for more information on them, check out their Facebook page.

It wouldn't be a port without a bangka or fifty.

McROLAND approaches the port from whatever it has been doing.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A Filo grasshopper.
Photo: Brad Peadon

One of the friendly locals out for a walk along the waters edge.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Population 2020 - 49,070

Households 2020 - 9,452

Region - Bicol

Province - Albay

Land Area - 133.70 square kilometres

A stroll down the main street.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran was named after the Filipino Lawyer and Legislator, Pio Saceda Duran (1900-1961) .

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran locals.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Superlines #1197 turns around at the port after arrival.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Another unidentifiable bangka.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A lineup of trucks sitting at the port. From the aroma, it is suspected that they were all for conveying fish to markets around the region.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Bus awaiting a load of passengers at Pio Duran. It was to have quite the wait for the next ferry.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Antonina Inn was our home for the 12 hours we were waiting for the Masbate ferry.

If you find yourself in the same situation, this is a lovely clean place, with friendly management and staff.

Could have happily stayed way longer.

Facebook Page

Photo: Brad Peadon

With everyone hungry, it was time to head down to the local Mcdonald's to grab a Big Mak (without the two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, onion or tomato).
Photos: Brad Peadon

An unidentified little old ferry sitting at the port.
Photos: Brad Peadon

Having just arrived from Naga, 'Son of Bongo' has a rest at the port. The whopping big thing on top is a karaoke machine that we were ferrying from Manila to Masbate.
Photos: Brad Peadon

This fascinating building was located across the road from the hotel we stayed in. Going off the markings around the balcony wall, it looks to be a former Caltex service station.
Photos: Brad Peadon

For those wishing to use some classic transport to get to Pio Duran, classic jeepneys still ply the Legazpi City - Ligao - Pio Duran route.

For now, those horrid modern jeepneys have not appeared to have made any inroads there.

EVC-886 looks more like the classic jeepneys we found in Iloilo City.

Photos: Brad Peadon

EVM-376 (above) and EVP-971 (below) await their next runs back to Legazpi while their drivers gather nearby.
Photos: Brad Peadon

Jeepney EVT-364 departing Pio Duran.
Photos: Brad Peadon

I am unable to find out anything about the F/R Daniel ship seen here at Pio Duran.

I am told it is a fishing vessel.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Further Reading Of Interest:

The Philippine bangka.

Lantangan (Masbate) 2007

Sunset Villa - Lantangan Masbate - 2022

SUNSET VILLA - LANTANGAN (MANDAON MASBATE)

 

G'day everyone, I recently returned from my 13th (not great for the superstitious) trip to the Philippines. 

Thanks to the joy that has been Covid, the ability to go there has been curtailed for a number of years and I have been eager to get back.

A major part of this trip was a return to Barangay Lantangan, a part of Mandaon, on Masbate Island (Philippines). Hoping that the location description is fine by all those who got significantly disgruntled at my leaving Mandaon out on Facebook (despite it being Facebook's description, not mine).

 This was my first visit in to my wife's home province for fifteen years.

Unlike my brief visit back in 2007, this time we stayed for some days.

Lantangan is a truly beautiful place, a somewhat isolated beachside location, with islands all round. I often refer to it as a resort, but without all the tourists that infest the many famous locations.

Not unusually, I went a little bit ballistic with the camera. How can you not in a wonderful place like this?

It was a great visit, one that I shall be covering here in a number of blog posts.

To start off, we look at Sunset Villa where we stayed for the visit.

Located a short way out of Lantangan proper, located on the edge of Looc Bay, and run by the wonderful Jerry and Betty, I could not speak more highly of the place.
A peaceful setting, overlooking Carogo and Cagmasoso Islands, with sunsets that the Philippines is famous for, and a short boat ride to Mandaon (the main centre for the area), it is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.

 

If you would like to enquire, feel free to contact Sunset Villa at the email address above.

Photos/Post: Brad Peadon

If dictionaries came with photos, this would be used under paradise.
Photo: Brad Peadon

The view from outside our room. A 20-second walk to the water.

Photo: Brad Peadon

An interesting thing noted around Lantangan were these plants that were decorated with egg shells.
I thought there was some reason for it but am assured it is purely decorational.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Preparing for our farewell night.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A popular spot for all of us loving that WiFi signal.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Someone enjoying that beloved WiFi.
Photo: Brad Peadon

A little more of that Lantangan paradise.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Merciful Way, the road from Lantangan Proper to Sunshine Villa.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Carogo Island is in the background.
Photo: Brad Peadon

Philippine sunsets.

Something to look forward to each afternoon.

Photo: Brad Peadon

This is one of the small rooms.

Sadly, I didn't get any photos of the larger four-bed (1xdouble, 3 single) room that we stayed in. But I can assure you that it was impressive.
Photo: Brad Peadon

That was a small look at 'Sunset Villa'. 
I shall soon be covering Lantangan Proper and other local areas.

Don't mention it - you're welcome :-)

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Thanks/Salamat

Jerry and Betty Landry

Nhing Peadon

Jonarie Artocillo

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Lantangan In 2007

An earlier post showing our first visit.

Island Hopping 2007

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Recommended

Brian's Ozzie Travel and Tourism Page.

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