MAUBAN: Gateway to Cagbalete Island

I planned so many times to visit this place because I heard that there is an amazing island existing just nearby, however I was not able to do it because of other priorities. But when I finally set foot to the hidden paradise, there is an exhilarating feeling of fulfillment...I have discovered why MAUBAN and CAGBALETE ISLAND are worthy to be included in the pages of my journey...and if you search the location of this island, it is within the vicinity of a controversial parcel of paradise that once hugged the headlines of the entertainment news...I am referring to BALESIN ISLAND, yes the venue of the wedding of SENATOR CHIZ ESCUDERO and actress HEART EVANGELISTA....so it is not surprising that CAGBALETE is with the same quality of BALESIN...let us enjoy this exciting GIFT of NATURE...and add it in the pages of our exciting JOURNEY in LIFE...

Location map of the town of MAUBAN
in QUEZON PROVINCE

Let us discover MAUBAN...

MAUBAN is one of the MUNICIPALITIES in QUEZON PROVINCE.

It is about 147 kilometers from Metro Manila and about 40 kilometers from LUCENA CITY, the Capital City of Quezon Province, .

The place is accessible by PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION such as bus and van. There are numerous bus terminals in Metro Manila bound to LUCENA CITY. Then from LUCENA CITY, there are available ordinary buses and air-conditioned vans bound to MAUBAN.

From Metro Manila, the travel time to LUCENA CITY is about 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic flow. There are available buses from the following locations:

1. If you are from MAKATI, PASAY, MANILA area - it is advisable to go to the BUS STATION bound to LUCENA CITY at Taft Ave. Corner Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia). There are 3 bus terminals in that area (JAC LINER, JAM LINER and DLTB) - For AIRCON BUS - the fare is P 210 /passenger

    *you can have your meal or take-out from the following restaurants and convenience stores in the vicinity - JOLLIBEE, MCDO, KFC, WENDYS, GOLDILOCKS, CHOWKING, 7-11 and MINISTOP.

2. If you are QUEZON CITY, CALOOCAN and northern part of Manila, you can go to the BUS TERMINAL bound to LUCENA CITY at EDSA corner TIMOG ave. (JAM LINER and JAC LINER) - For AIRCON BUS - P220/passenger.

3. If you are from CUBAO area - you can go to the ARANETA CENTER BUS TERMINAL -CUBAO (Lucena Lines) For AirCon bus - P 220/passenger.

4. If you are from MUNTINLUPA, LAS PINAS and PARANAQUE area - you can go to ALABANG BUS TERMINAL, regular trip for different bus companies are also bound to LUCENA CITY.

Arriving at LUCENA CITY, there are options where to take public trasnportation going to MAUBAN.

@ LUCENA CITY GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

1. First option is the LUCENA CITY GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL where there are also JOLLIBEE and CHOWKING branches to take your meals or take out. From GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, there are available bus bound to MAUBAN.The estimated time of travel from Lucena to Mauban is about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. The bus fare is 54 pesos.
  * For an additional info, the LUCENA Grand Central Terminal is also where the offices of PAG-IBIG, SSS, DTI, and LTO are located.

2. Second Option is at SM CITY LUCENA especially if the bus is bound for LUCENA/DALAHICAN PORT. If the mall is still open, you can have your meal at SM CITY LUCENA where are many choices to have your lunch, snacks of dinner (according to order of location from the entrance of the mall - CHOWKING, PIZZA HUT, SAVORY, TOKYO TOKYO, JOLLIBEE, MC DO, KFC, GREENWICH, ADOBO CONNECTION, RED RIBBON, MANG INASAL at the first floor) and at the second floor (GILIGAN, BUDDY'S PIZZA).
There are air-conditioned vans at SM CITY terminal bound to MAUBAN. The fare is about 60 pesos.

The trip from Lucena to Mauban will be thru the City proper of TAYABAS CITY before reaching the town proper of Mauban.

The refreshing view along the way going to the
 town of MAUBAN

a refreshing view of a river in MAUBAN

At the town proper of MAUBAN, there is only one familiar establishment for the people from Metro Manila, the 7-11 convenience store which is actually beside the MAUBAN BUS TERMINAL with buses bound to LUCENA CITY. A good landmark if you get lost.

@NCR BUS TERMINAL IN MAUBAN, beside 7-11 store

@MAUBAN PUBLIC MARKET, about 500 meters from the PORT going to CAGBALETE ISLAND

@ MAUBAN town proper

My first and only meal when I visited MAUBAN

Some of the attractions at  Mauban are the Rizal Hill, Mauban Seawall, old houses, Museo ng Mauban, the HAGDAN-HAGDAN Falls, the DAHOYHOY Falls and the BISIBIS Falls. But the most important and exciting destination at MAUBAN is the CAGBALETE ISLAND.

GAT UBAN MONUMENT near MAUBAN SEAWALL

MAUBAN SHORELINE, near the PORT
going to CAGBALETE ISLAND

beautiful shoreline of MAUBAN, walking distance
 from BUS TERMINAL and PUBLIC MARKET

The pristine island of CAGBALETE is about 6 kilometers offshore from the town proper of Mauban with an area of 1,640 hectares.

One of the resorts @ CAGBALETE ISLAND with BILLBOARD at MAUBAN town proper

PORT going to CAGBALETE ISLAND

 some of the boats ferrying passengers to and
from CAGBALETE ISLAND

The travel time by boat is about 1 hour for 50 pesos fare per passenger. Private boats can also be hired ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 pesos rate for round trip. The advantage of the private boat is you can have your own schedule in going to the Island and coming back to the mainland in Mauban. 

The rates of private boat for 1 way and 2 way to and fromCAGBALETE Island

According to my brief interview with the personnel from the Office of the Tourism of Mauban, there are only 2 scheduled trips from Mauban to Cagbalete, 10am and 3pm. While from trips from Cagbalete Island to Mauban, the schedule trips are 7am and 1pm. An overnight stay is advisable to compensate for the travel especially if you are from Manila.

There are numerous resorts in the island at present such as the GREENVIEW BEACH RESORT, PANSACOLA BEACH RESORT, DONA CHOLENG BEACH RESORT, VILLA NOE SEA BEACH RESORT, JOVEN'S BLUE SEA BEACH RESORT, MVT STO. NINO BEACH RESORT AND NILANDINGAN COVE.

MAUBANOG FESTIVAL is being celebrated from July 9 to 15 every year. I have to witness and experience this FESTIVAL.

LET'S GO TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAUBAN in QUEZON PROVINCE...