Perhaps one of the most dramatic and breathtaking sunsets in this tropical Island of the Philippines is the sunset at the Sunken Cemetery of the Volcanic Island of Camiguin.
John Lubbock was right when he said, “Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven”. These were the same thoughts running in my head when a spectacular view of a glorious sunset was laid before my eyes. At that moment, I worshipped God for such a stunning view to behold. It was the most vivid sunset I’ve ever seen in my life. I called it “The Sunken Sunset”.
When I travelled to the Island Province of Camiguin, visiting the famed Sunken Cemetery topped my list. It is one of the Island’s most important and historic tourist spots. Remarkably, my visit to the Sunken Cemetery gave birth to my passion for sunset photography that until now I am so obsessed.
The Sunken Cemetery is located in Bonbon, Catarman. It is the greatest evidence of the fatal volcanic eruption of Mount Vulcan that happened many years ago in this volcanic island. According to history, the whole capital of Camiguin including its cemetery, sunk under the sea during the destructive volcanic eruption in 1871. Following that eruption, part of the sunken land and the gravestones were still visible when low tide. But in 1948, Mount Vulcan erupted yet again sinking the whole area deeper to around twenty feet. From then on, the gravestones can never be seen.
In 1982, the Provincial Government of Camiguin built a huge cross marker on the waters of the sunken cemetery to mark the site they considered the sunken graves of their ancestors. From then, it was called the “Sunken Cemetery”. Today, it is considered one of the most interesting diving sites in the Philippines.
Visiting the Sunken Cemetery allowed me to appreciate more the many interesting things about the whole Island of Camiguin. The history of the sunken cemetery is undoubtedly tragic but the way the people of Camiguin valued this historic site and its heritage made me see the kind of people they are. It truly defines their courage, resilience and faith to survive the challenging tests of times.
As a photography enthusiast, SUNSET IN THE SUNKEN CEMETERY by far is the most scenic amongst the sunsets I’ve seen in the many places I’ve been. Is it because of its history? Or because of what it is now? Whatever it is, until now, that Sunken Sunset still lures me to come back to the Island and once again capture its glorious scene. And I know I shall be coming back. Again.
Chronicling Every Single Worthy Travel.
indeed an awesome sunset. :-). Nice bai.
Thanks Bonz. 🙂 Mindanao Bliss is coming very soon. 🙂
nickname ko pa pala yong location na yon. Bonbon. hehehe. O nga pala, catching yong title ng post. Sunken Sunset in Camiguin Island. :-). BTW, wala d i ko nadayon bai. adtong nag pm ko nimo. regards na lang kang Dr. Francis Liston. He is my classmate. Dyan pala ako nag review ng aking broker sa Hotel niyo last 2009.
Sir Bonbon, salamat sa nice comment. 🙂 Yeah, napansin mo rin pala ang title. 🙂 “Sunken sunset”. Its okay Bon. 🙂 pag muadto kag davao, naa lang gyud ko sa work. 🙂 please find time to visit me ha murag gamay ra jud tang mga taga Mindanao ang naa sa Pinoy Travel Bloggers online community. 🙂 I’m always happy to see and meet fellow travel addicts. 🙂 Hehehe. 🙂
great sunset photos! love the clouds and their colors 🙂
GLORIOUS as i called it. 🙂
yup, that’s the word: glorious 🙂
Thanks Gladys. 🙂
I love the post Olan! Nice photos of the sunset and of course, great article. So proud of the beauty of Mindanao!
Thank you Doki. 🙂 hindi talaga mauubusan ng ganda ang ating MINDANAO. 🙂 kaya tara na! byahe na sa Mindanao. 🙂
this is fiery! when we went there it was noontime, didn’t see this scenic sunset.
Yeah, I was very lucky to catch that what i called now mt Sunset Sunset. 🙂 very captivating!
Lucky you, Olan. When I went there, it was raining hard and medyo malakas ang hangin and we were not allowed to ride the boat. From where we were, we could hardly see the cross. Gloomy and dark talaga and paligid 🙁
We were so lucky to get there by 5 and the sun was beginning to set. At first i thought i wont be able to appreciate it because it was getting darker but the I didn’t know it will be the perfect moment to experience the place. 🙂
breathtaking photos olan ^.^ never been to camiguin! would want to go there too!
Camiguin is a must-visit destination in MINDANAO. 🙂 you’ve been to too many places Leah, include our Camiguin in your bucket list. 🙂
noted sir! your photos just inspired me to do so 🙂
goodluck leah. 🙂
Awesome sunset!
Thanks thanks thanks. 🙂
A beautiful display of nature captured by your lens to share to the world. Thank you, Olan.
My pleasure Tita. 🙂 Thank you for your continued following. 🙂
the sunset view is really awesome! i missed this one… lunch time kc nung pumunta ako dyan…
THE NEXT time you visit Camiguin, come to this place by 5pm. 🙂
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WOW! Thank you so much. 🙂
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
Wow! awesome comment. 🙂 Thank you. 🙂
hi to all thetravelteller.comers this is my first post and thought i would say a big hello to yous –
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garry moore
awwww ang ganda ganda ng pagka-capture mo sa sunset. super dramatic! Love it!
BTW, congrats pala on winning the PBA Mindanao’s Best Travel blog ha! more power to you!
Thanks thanks thanks. 🙂 The recent achievement of the The Travel Teller inspires this blogger to travel hard and blog harder. 🙂
Very nice post and right to the point. I am not sure if this is actually the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thx 🙂
what niche?
ganda ng kuha mo! nakaanha mi diha,actually labay lang on our way to ardent hot springs
Nice to hear that. 🙂 I’m planning to go back early this year. 🙂
I got what you convey, thanks for putting up. Woh I am glad to conclude this website finished google. Thanks For Share THE SUNKEN SUNSET OF CAMIGUIN ISLAND | The Travel Teller.
thanks. 🙂
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THANKS A LOT. 🙂
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