Camiguin Flocked with Tourists to Join “Panaad”

April 8, 2009
by: striker_jem

Butuan – Historical and religious sites thay includes the Walkway for the Stations of the Cross of Camiguin Island has a facelift in time for the traditional “Panaad” – a 64 kilometer circumferential walks on the island this Holy Week, originated in 1981 with 16 group of friends from Cagayan de Oro City and Camiguin who decided to try something unique.

Based on records, last year’ Panaad in Camiguin attracted 25 thousand visitors. This year, the Provincial Governor Jesus Romualdo is expecting more local and foreign tourists that would be coming over and revealed that since last week, all hotels, inns, and resorts were already fully booked and urged people to bring their own sleeping mats or tents and even encouraged residents to open their homes for visitors.

Panaad which means “Promise” is held every Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and became a major tourism event in Camiguin. Tourism staff puts up a station at Binoni Port to welcome arriving tourists while members of the Philippine National Police have stepped up security around the island.

Camiguin Island is a pear-shaped volcanic island with a total land area of 238 sq. kilometers, and is said to be “Born of Fire”, it has seven volcanoes unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectacular island full of natural wonders and historical riches and the Province has been identified by the Department of Tourism as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines, and No. 7 diving spot in the world.