MY ISLAND FOR A DAY - NOGAS ANTIQUE PHILIPPINES

 MY OWN ISLAND FOR A DAY

By Henry Libo-on
 

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Introduction

There are so many beautiful islands and islets in the Philippines that remained unexplored. One of them is the island of Nogas in the town of Anini-y, province of Antique, Philippines. 

One day, I decided to visit the island which is around two (2) hour bus ride from Iloilo City. Actually, I traveled all the way from Bacolod City, the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. So, I have to leave Bacolod on a six o'clock morning fast craft ride. 

After one hour, I arrived at Iloilo ferry terminal and right away took the taxi to the Molo Bus Terminal, and ride the Ceres bus for San Jose, Antique. I told the conductor or the bus assistant that I will disembark at Sira-an Hot Spring Resort. This resort is the jump-off point to Nogas Island. 

I rented the boat for P500.00 for round-trip boat ride. Perhaps, the rental will change at the time of your visit. You have to register with the Reception Clerk before going to Nogas Island. 

Nogas Island is 15-minute boat ride from Siraa-an Hot Springs Resort. 

This is the temporary docking area of the outrigger boat that service the Sira-an Hot Springs to Nogas Island. Photo by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre. 

Just docked at Nogas Island, Antique Province, Philippines.

The lone visitor to the island is a lonely traveling spirit, haha. 

Disclaimer: I do not own this video. The song A Traveling Spirit was uploaded on YiouTube by Epidemic Acoustic.

Artist-Singer is Daniel Kadawatha. 

Thanks guys. 

I'm a travelling spirit, I've seen many shores
From the west Pacific to the island of Caño
They treat me like a son anywhere I go
And even though no one can tell, I still feel that I'm alone

I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone
Leave me stranded, I know how
To handle it all on my own
On my own, hmm

I have learnt that no one else can carry this load
It's a train where I'm the only passenger onboard
Oh, there is beauty to enjoy on this road
But even so, I still feel that I'm alone

I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone
Leave me stranded, I know how
To handle it all on my own

I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone
Leave me stranded, I know how
To handle it all on my own
On my own, ooh

Songwriters: Daniel Gunnarsson. For non-commercial use only.

Nogas Island is a 24-hectare naval reservation island in the province of Antique (Wikipedia), a province on the island of Panay in the central part of the Philippines.

Because the island is only known to the locals and a few tourists from the neighboring provinces, it is not well developed. The local government, however, constructed a few cottages for the use of adventurous excursionists. 

It is accessible by boat from the shoreline of Sira-an Hot Springs Resort which is operated by the municipal government of Anini-y.  The boat ride takes about 20 minutes.

The best time of the year to visit Nogas Island is during summertime.  In the Philippines, this is known as the Dry Season which begins in March until May.  It is during these months that tourists can experience the sun, the sea and the beach of Nogas Island.

Touristang Pobre traveled to the island in July when the weather is a bit unpredictable - sometimes sunny and sometimes gloomy because the thick clouds cover the sun.  Sometimes it also rains in the afternoon.  This time, however, the sun shines the whole afternoon after the rain that night.  Thus, leaving some brown seagrasses on the shore.

The white beach of Nogas Island.  There are a few cottages on the island which can be rented by the few excursionists visiting the island. 

Crystal clear water is inviting.  The surrounding area is good for swimming and snorkeling.  

The Calachuchi forms like a tunnel that ends at the Lighthouse.

Visitors to the island can rent these cottages.  The arrangement can be done at the office at Sira-an Hot Springs Resort.  Renting the boats are also done in the reception office.  Tourists have to pay for the Entrance and Environmental Fees to go to the island.

Nogas Island is the sanctuary of giant bats and other species of birds.  There are friendly cats roaming around the island.  Despite the absence of food, the cats looked healthy.  The boatman told this blogger that the cats have learned how to fish.  This sounds funny but who will not learn how to fish if one will go hungry?  Lol.

 This is the staff house of the Philippines Coast Guard. PCG used to be the administrator of the island.   The personnel at the reception office said that the island is now being managed by the municipality.  The staff at the Reception Desk are employed by the municipal government. 

After last night's rain, the white beach is dotted with brown seaweeds. Touristang Pobre is the lone visitor to the island today.  This is his piece of paradise for the day.  

Balete trees grow at the center of the island.  Locals believe that "spirits" lived in these trees.  Touristang Pobre hopes these spirits are friendly ones. 

View of the mainland, Anini-y, Antique from Nogas Island.  

This is the reception area of Sira-an Hot Spring Resort, your jump-off point to Nogas Island.  Here, you can arrange for your boat with the boatman.  Boat rental is P500.00 round trip. Shown here is Aljohn Sican.  You can contact him on this cell phone number - 0905 8331-103. 

Lighthouse on Nogas Island. 

Waiting for some guests to dine or chat while at sea.  

HOW TO GET THERE

Nogas Island is accessible by bus or van. 

From Iloilo City

- Go to Molo Bus Terminal.  Ride the Ceres Bus going to Anini-y or San Jose (Antique)

  Fare varies from P80.00 - P95.00, or you take the Van.  

- If you are from Cebu, Negros Island, Mindanao or Manila.  Make Iloilo City your jump-off point and rent a van if you are a big group. If you are a solo backpacker, you can take the bus to Anini-y.  Just tell the driver you are going down in front of Sira-an Hot Springs Resort.  Make arrangements for your island tour at the reception area of the Sira-an HSR.  This resort has tourist accommodation like rooms, cottages, and a restaurant.  But the island is not yet ready to accept tourists for an overnight stay on the island.  The day tour is allowed and must be coordinated with the reception office at the Sira-an Hot Springs Resort.  You can also arrange for a cottage rental on the island.  

A Traveling Spirit

Performed by Daniel Kadawatha

Source: YouTube by Epidemic ...

Daniel Kadawatha is a Swedish Artist & Creator.

Thanks.

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All photos by Touristang Pobre.  July 16, 2017.

His photos are not photoshopped.  What you see is what you get.  TP is advocating for a non-photoshopped picture of places he visited because he had seen pictures of a few travel destinations which looked nice in the pictures but when he arrived in those few destinations, he was shocked to see a different looking place, so different from what he saw in those published pictures.

For example, while searching for a place to spend a weekend, he read a story about a beach where the water was blue.  It looked inviting in that picture.  When he finally arrived at that place and went to check the beach, TP was shocked to see the beach and the sea that looked like a pale version of coffee with less cream.  It was shocking.  So, he began advocating for the non-alteration of pictures through the use of photoshop.  What you see is what you get.


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Updated on June 23, 2018.
Updated on April 23, 2019.
January 21, 2020.

Reviewed on January 12, 2023.