“Death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.” – Steve Jobs
I guess its best to open this post with a quote from the iMac guy.
Now let’s go to business (to death destinations I mean)…
When Death is The Destination or better yet
5 must-visit places that makes death a main feature:
1. Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province. I’m starting with a spot that I have never been to yet. A lot of opportunities on going here has passed but I still can’t find the time to really see what makes tourist keep coming back to Sagada.
The famous Burial cave of Sagada
2. Mummies and Opdas Cave, Kabayan, Benguet. I was not yet blogging when I foolishly climbed Tinongchol Burial Rock which is off-limits to anyone. It almost took my life when going down because the rock was so steep. The burial sites of the mummified leaders of the town (long ago) are placed in an elevated rock to serve as a seer and guide over the community.
Tinongchol burial rocks
Also found in Kabayan, but walking distance from the municipal building is the Opdas cave. This cave has been the resting place for about 200 skulls and bones that are not yet IDied till this time. Some say that some skulls are not Asians. Find out if you are in the area.
Opdas Cave, Kabayan, Benguet
That ladies and gentlemen is the Philippines, so rich and so unusual. Check the this post from my archives: Not Your Ordinary Philippines
3. Manunggul Jar, Palawan. Palawan’s culture, archaeological inheritance that dates from the time of the Tabon Man is so rich. I was amazed by the replica of the Manunggul Jar the last time I was in the city. It was actually made during the Neolithic period (710-890 BC). The most significant feature are the two figures on the jar cover- these two represent the journey of the soul to the after life.
Manunggul Jar Replica, Palawan
My friend Wiki says that, “The Manunggul Jar is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest Philippine pre-colonial artwork ever produced and is a considered as a masterpiece. It is considered as a national treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.”
If you are in Palawan maybe this DIY Puerto Princesa City tour can be of help.
4. Campo Santo, San Joaquin, Iloilo. Literally, “Field of Saints” a 19th century cemetery build on a hill over-looking the sea. I love this cemetery because its kinda freaky and heavenly inside and as I always say, a perfect spot for a pre-nup session.
Campo Santo, San Joaquin, Iloilo
You can check my San Joaquin, Iloilo Trip Guide if you are planning to visit.
5. Giant Cross, Camiguin. I came to Camiguin just to see the Old Volcano which devasted most of the town of Catarman, including the Cemetery and the Church. The grim natural disaster was started by an earthquake which happened more than two centuries ago, 1871. As a result the cemetery was swallowed by the sea and the magnificent church was turned into ruins.
The Giant White Cross is grounded on the Sunken Cemetery, feels kinda spooky. When I tried to explore down under, the thought of seeing white-washed tombs gave me creeps. But a minute below made me wish to stay forever. Just about 1.5 meters below I saw 3 Nemos (clown fish), steadily moving their fins inside a soft coral.
Snorkeling under the Giant Cross, Camiguin
Plus I climbed the top too!
On the top of the Giant Cross, see me?
You can check the previous post: Giant Cross of Camiguin, Up and Under
_____ _____ _____
This is my entry to the Blog Carnival “Tales from the Dark Side of Travel” which is hosted by Gael of The Pinay Solo Backpacker.
Other PTB blog carnival collections can also be viewed at Langyaw.com’s Blog Carnival Page.
i’ve never been to Sagada too… 🙁
yung original na manunggul jar na naka-display sa National Museum pa lang ang nakita ko sa mga minention mo.. gusto ko na puntahan ang sagada!
sagada was one of the best place i traveled this 2011, if you need a little info in going there via banaue-bontoc from manila, i will be posting my i.t. there in the next few days, you can check this site http://www.islandboyacapades.blogspot.com
link not working. thanks in advance
I’ll visit San joaquin Cementery this December, I was able to visit the Cross at the Sunken Cementery, at least I have 1 in your list……..to more travels……
more places to visit mai! 🙂
do visit the church too and say my reagrds to ms.erlyn, the tourism officer in san joaquin. the tourism office is just near the church
the cave with all the skulls is pretty fascinating.
do they allow climbing up the top of the sunken cross?
yes, they allow but please be safe if you are planning too. it took me about 15 minutes to read the top.
Hanging Coffins is interesting. And how did you climb up on that cross? may hagdanan po o ladder??
Astig! Parang ung Camiguin lang ata napuntahan ko dito. Paano mo naakyat ung cross!?haha
secret! hahaha
there’s a ladder inside but its really hard to get up
your picture on the giant cross was amazing! super love it hehehe hay nku ang daming magagandang lugar s pilinas!
thanks to the locals who took my camera when i began swimming towards the cross. its really hard when you travel solo
astig yung opdas. di ko pa napuntahan yan.
time to plan your next trip sir dong. off-the-beaten-path ang kabayan bec everyone is so focused sa mt.pulag
Been to the last two. Yung San Joaquin Cemetery creepy, pero maganda siya na setting for glamour shots. Yung Giant Cross naman nakakatempt nun mag-snorkel kung hindi lang sana kami late dumating hehe
sana pwede mag shoot sa campo santo sa san joaquin noh?
you should go back and snorkle sa camiguin mica!
hi james, i really, really like these.. :D) ..of course you can, we’ll be happy to have you here… let me know so we can arrange things for you … thanks…ingat..
o ayan mica, ms.erlyn, the tourism officer of san joaquin is telling that its okay.
start planning na for the trip. you will love san joaquin
OMG, how did u get up there? Parang ako ang nahilo! Nice piece, james. You got me with that title!
there is a ladder inside the cross, its actually hollow. its just hard bec they dont want visitors to get up.
sagada and camiguin- really interesting! more power james
thanks morion! i appreciate the comment!
Nakakatakot naman yong mga bungo. 😀
at first it was freaky, creepy! but then they are just bones and skulls.
This post is timely as well for upcoming Halloween and Undas celebration at the end of October. I remember the Giant Cross, I ‘m still amazed how braved you are climbing the steep structure… by the way, where is original Manunggul Jar?
just wanna make my adventure out of the trip.
the original manunggul jar is in National Musuem, i think i also saw that when i was still in highschool (during educational trip)
Ang creepy, di yata kaya ng powers ko magpose dyan ….
pikit ka nalang, then ask someone to take a photo of you.
James, i’m updating it na. thanks for joining. grabeh yung mga skulls. talo pa sa dame yung mga skulls na nakita ko sa KK. i wanna visit that too!
thanks gael, my pleasure to join! nahirapan kaba mag-compile?
of course, anu ba naman ang say ng KK sa pinas? i wanted to go back nga next year
Pingback: Tales from the Dark Side of Travel in the Philippines
wow..our society went to Opdas Burial Caves too.
weeeeeeeeeeeeee. went there too – Opdas Burial cave
amazing site right? cant believe there is something like that in the Philippines.
may i ask if there will be ferry trips from Benoni Camiguin to Balingoan on Holy Thursday April 1, Good Friday April 2 and Black Saturday April 3, 2010,I will be bringing my car to cauimgin on March 30 and hope to be back to Cagayan de oro by saturday am. pls provide me telephone numbers of ferry companies in Benoni Camiguin. thanks a lot.