TACLOBAN CITY- One can now enjoy watching the sunset while one is sitting in a hammock at Bantayan cliff off Ando Island in Borongan City.
“Welcome to the newest playground in Eastern Visayas, the Huplag Adventure in Ando Island off Borongan City,” said Butz Eguia, an expert tour guide in Eastern Visayas.
Eastern Samar provincial tourism officer Franklin Robedizo said the adventure activities at Bantayan cliff, Ando Island was opened since last year.
“The ‘duyan’ or hammock was opened for public since March last year but they have been doing rappelling activities before that,” said Robedizo.
Eleazar Labtic of Huplag adventure is its operator and event manager.
“The provincial tourism office is supporting Eleazar for his passion on his craft, the new tourism playground with its eco-friendly site,” Robedizo said.
He also said that Eastern Samar Governor Marcelo Picardal through the Provincial Tourism Office “regularly sponsors some of the events conducted thereat.”
Meanwhile, Eguia said they are also assessing the tourism services offered in the island being part of the Eastern Visayas Tourism Association (EVTA), a Department of Tourism (DOT)-recognized group which aims to strengthen the working relationships of allied tourism services in the region from tour guiding, training sectors, souvenirs, events, and conventions.
“The good thing is they are receptive to the improvement we offered,” said Eguia, the EVTA secretary.
“Their package deal is P2,200 per person with a boat ride to and fro mainland Borongan, then tent rental, hammock ride, rappelling, island food, and island survival skills training,” Eguia said.
Adventure seekers can also do some birding at the same time be amazed by a varied selection of sturdy coastal flora on the island, he said.
Rhoel Ladera, EVTA’s public information officer, said they will be helping Labtic in terms of marketing to better improve the tourism in Eastern Samar.
“We will offer a package for the hanging hammock,” said Ladera who also runs his own tour business.
The boat ride from Borongan to the island is approximately 30 minutes.
From Ando island port, one has to walk or trek to the Bantayan cliff for 15- 20 minutes.
(RONALD O. REYES)
