Pandan - Paradise of North Catanduanes

I was born in this northermost town of Catanduanes. A place i never thought would notice a place in the tourism world.

I have always loved its natural beauty long before the advent of internet or even friendster before the social Media FACEBOOK (FB) has gained worldwide use.

Hiyop, located at the northern most part of of this kidney shaped small island facing the pacific has always fascinated me that it has become the conception area of the 1st ever Mountaineering Group, GREENCAT in 1994 after the First Dinahit Festival, hte 1st ever Festival in the island. The Festival born from the Maritime tradition masteral thesis of Prof.  Efren Isorena from UP who was my neighbor, a batchmate and a friend, a concept that saw its birth with my effort together with the then Kaibigan ng Kalikasan or KAKA led by Sarge Colambo and the newly organized Pandanon Student Association headed by Ungo Rodriguez and made known thru the efforts of our media partner the then Catanduanes Islander thru its publisher, the then DZGB anchor Mel Rima both pandananons with the full support of the former CEO of DYR-Alcantara and former Vice-Governor and Governor of the Province.

Hiyop and  I think Pandan's first taste of people from different parts  flocking its soil was in this year, 1994.

This year today, Pandan started to open its doors both to local and international visitors.

Hiyop Highlands at Daytime

Hiyop Highland - a grazing land

Hiyop at Night - Astro Wonders

Hiyop Sunset

Hiyop Highlands is now a must-see place. It is a 25-minute rough road drive from the town proper and is best during sunset from 4 pm until its is fianlly set and during clear skies, it is a wonderful showcase of the galaxy.                                                                                                                  

Cagnipa rolling  Hills

Before reaching Pandan proper, a turn in Catamban will take you to the Cagnipa rolling Hills, taking a boat ride from barangay Balagnonan taking you to a short sugar brown beach area via a 5 to minute trek leading to the Cagnipa Rolling Hills .

You can also take a motorbike Ride via Barangay Oga for a 20 minute rough ride (that's where the thrill of it ) to the top of the hill.

Habal habal service at P100.00 is available near the town plaza.

Taking you forward for a five-minute walk will be the wondrous Tuwad-Tuwadan Blue Lagoon...
It is called tuwad tuwadan because you have to do some "tuwad-tuwad" or crawling act going down the lagoon.

It is where the FUN of it!

LOLITA CARBON of ASIN fame taking a dip at the Tuwad tuwadan Blue Lagoon before their concert for saving Pandan Waters.

You can also directly reach the lagoon via boatride costing you P500.00  to and from the lagoon. Pictures shows the ASIN Band on their trip courtesy of the ISLAND ESCAPE Travel and Tours.

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Mayor Raul "Takoy" Tabirara, the newly elected mayor of this town believed in the same belief i had before that Pandan will soon be a new destination. Thru his initiatives, the Municipal Tourism Development Plan has started to be drawn and sooner will have it realized.

Hardly driven to care for the environment, and an advocate for a clean waters, air and healthy flora and fauna, Mayor Takoy ensured that the environment is looked after.


DISCOVER PANDAN visit us now!

 Pandan is a fourth class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 20,516 people.Pandan is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. It can now be reached via a 2 and a half hour bus/Van ride from Virac travelling a 98km stretch.