Wrong Timing in Masbate City

“You are two weeks early for the rodeo!” This is the greeting made by our guide when we met him outside of the Masbate City airport. Indeed we are too early and I was saddened by that fact.

I was surprised the first time our guide told us about the Rodeo Festival. I thought that the Filipino cowboys can only be found in Bukidnon. We passed by a statue of a man ahorsed while we were going to the guide's house. The statue confirmed that Masbateño cowboys are real.
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(Photo by: Scott Stevenson)

Masbate City is the capital of Masbate, which is the southernmost province of Bicolandia. Our guide said that Masbateños are more Visayan than Bicolanos. I think that what he said is true since Masbate Island is close to the Visayan islands of Samar and Leyte.
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How to Reach Masbate City

Visitors can reach Masbate City by sea or by air. There are RoRo vessels and ferry boats that connect Masbate City to other ports in Bicolandia and the Visayas. People from Metro Manila can ride the RoRo bus that will cross sea on a RoRo ship from Pilar, Sorsogon. Another alternative is to ride a boat from Bulan, Sorsogon to reach Masbate City. I just did that but on the reverse route when I traveled from Masbate City to Bulan.
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The boat Kulafu about to leave Masbate Port for Bulan.

I reached Masbate City by riding a Manila-Masbate flight of AirPhil Express in the early morning. Our guide said that AirPhil Express has one flight in the morning. Zest Air, he said, uses the Masbate Airport in the afternoon.

Very Short Tour around Masbate City

I went to Masbate City for some office errands. What I like with Masbate City is that it still has clear seas, which should be envied by inhabitants of Manila. Clear seas means that the city also has plenty of beach resorts. It is sad that I went to city of clear sea but have no time to swim because of work. Sobs!
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I just made a short tour around the poblacion just to ease my “itchy” feet.

Visitors who reached Masbate City by the sea route will be welcomed by this arch outside of Masbate Port:
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My tour was uneventful. The only interesting place that I visited is the Masbate Cathedral.
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The cathedral was established Spanish missonaries in 1578, which made it one of the oldest structure in the whole island. It was re-constructed in 1954. Masbate Cathedral was dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.
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Aisle and altar of Masbate Cathedral.

I went to the Masbate City hall, their city park and markets but I was not able to shoot some photos. I will do it the next time I will visit Masbate City. I will take photos of the sea, beaches, and of course the action-packed Masbate Rodeo:
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Bull riding during the Masbate Rodeo. (Source: Masbate.com)

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