Luyang Cave Trail
This cave below the San Andres-Virac highway reveals an interesting episode in the history of this town. The historic cave served as a hiding place for locals during the Moro Raid in the early years of the 18th century. It was believed that a long time ago, the town of Calolbon (now San Andres) owned a very big bell at the belfry of their local church. Whenever this bell rings, it could be heard as far as Tabaco, Albay in mainland Bicol. There was an existing village (now called Lictin) on the southern part of the town which according to the old local folks, the natives residing in this village were called “Binanwahan.” During those days, the Moro pirates always attacked this village to enslave the male inhabitants.
Due to this constant threat, the village chieftain assigned two watchers near the shores to watch for any approaching Moro boats. One day, the watchers saw that there are Moro pirates coming. The watchers built a fire producing smoke as a warning to the villagers nearby. They then tolled the great bell and hid. When the pirates arrived in the village, they found no single inhabitant, only empty houses. They noticed embers on the inhabitant’s fireplaces. The Moro pirates suspected that the inhabitants were just hiding so they waited. Suddenly a woman came to the shore to catch fish and other seafood. The pirates followed her and waded to the river up to the jungle forest of Luyang. With a limping walk from one river rock to another, the woman was lost from their sights. The pirates kept on searching but did not find the woman. Instead, they came across a small opening on the mountain rocks, which was the Luyang Cave.
They presumed that was the villagers hiding place but did not dare get inside the dark cave. The Moro pirates then went back to their ships and headed somewhere else. The inhabitants later returned to their village. Thinking that the pirates will be coming back any time soon, they prepared their supplies of food and other belongings they could carry to their hiding place which was really the cave.
As for their protection, the people gathered some dried leaves, wood branches and twigs and hot chilies and filled up the entrance of the cave. When the Moro pirates came back, they went to the villagers' hiding place. The villagers then burned the heaps of wood branches, dried leaves, twigs and hot chilies at the cave entrance so that the pirates could not get inside. Inside the cave, the villagers’ jars were filled with water blended with dried chilies to be used as their “sumpit.” Unfortunately, the southwest wind blows towards the cave’s interiors. The smoke then went inside the cave and the villagers died of suffocation.
According to sources, some antique coins and broken earthen wares have been found inside the cave, but whether the big bell has been found or not, there is no account. Visitors can feel the cool damp air inside and wonder what’s in the other chambers that the locals fear. A mini-grotto and altar was built inside and a “requiem mass” is held every April 28 at the cave opening to appease the troubled souls of the inhabitants who died inside. Luyang Cave is considered as one of the province’s historical places in memoriam to the “Binanwahans” who died inside.
The adventurer could revel in the sight of the corridors of majestic and colossal stalactite and stalagmite pillars and rock formations. Plus hanging from the ceilings and walls of the cave are countless bats that reside in the cave.
List of accommodations around Catanduanes
- Catanduanes Midtown Inn - San Jose, Virac, Catanduanes
- Marem Pension House - Sta. Cruz, Virac, Catanduanes
- Kemji Resort and Restaurant - San Isidro Village, Virac, Catanduanes
- Rakdell Inn - San Pedro, Virac, Catanduanes
- Rhaj Apartelle and Executive Inn - Rizal Avenue, Gogon, Virac, Catanduanes
- Terrazas de Ponti Mansions - Real Street, Calatagan Proper, Virac, Catanduanes
- JM Pension House - Gogon, Virac, Catanduanes
- Villa Tolledo Travel Lodge - Sta. Elena, Virac, Catanduanes
- Monte Verde Lodge - Danicop, Virac, Catanduanes
- Nitto Lodge - Cavinitan, Virac, Catanduanes
- Moonwalk Villa Resort - Moonwalk, Virac, Catanduanes
Getting There
By Air
- Zest Air flies from Manila to Catanduanes and vice versa daily.
- Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Virac, Catanduanes vice versa every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
By Land and Water
Numerous bus lines operate air-conditioned coaches from Manila to Tabaco, Albay with trips running from 9 to 10 hours. Another option is to take RSL bus from Manila to Catanduanes which has ticketing stations at and pick-up stations at Alabang (near Metropolis) or Ermita (Ground Floor, Trade Center, Padre Faura St.)
From the seaport of Tabaco, hop on either at MV Calixta 2, 4 and 5 or MV Eugene Elson to reach the island of Catanduanes via San Andres or Virac seaport.
Getting Around the Island
Tricycle is the primary mode of transport within the capital town of Virac. PUJs and buses ply from Virac to the different municipalities daily on schedule time. For the more daring and adventurous, the entire province could be reached by motorcycle.