Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” As a metaphor, it implies using the ideas of thinkers who came before us to advance our own intellectual progress. Nevertheless, when I found myself exploring Islas de Gigantes for the second time and had the opportunity to stand on its slopes and take in more of its magnificent scenery, I was reminded of the phrase—this time, simply to immerse myself further in its beauty. Coming back to Carles, Iloilo, as part of a media familiarization trip organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines (TPB), had me feeling excited to the hilt at the prospect of once again standing on the shoulders of the Gigantes Islands.
Standing Again on the Shoulders of Gigantes Islands | Iloilo
Our first stop of the morning was Tangke Lagoon. It is a natural saltwater pool enclosed by the towering, jagged cliffs of Gigantes Sur—one of the chain's two main islands along with Gigantes Norte. Visiting Tangke Lagoon is quite tricky. You must dock your boat beside a razor-sharp cliff passageway, as the journey requires a favorable wind direction, a manageable current, and a tidal level that allows you to maneuver through it securely.
Jagged Not-So-Little Cliffs
Due to the high waves at Gigantes during my first trip in 2017, we were unable to visit it. This time, the conditions were just right for us to enter the lagoon. Inside, we found ourselves scrambling over thirty feet of craggy, uneven walls into a wide natural pool that submerged us up to our waists. We spent a little more than an hour here simply marveling at the sight of the massive rocky walls covered in patches by dense foliage.
Lunch of Champions at Cabugao Gamay
We docked at the white powdery shore of Cabugao Gamay—the most visited island in the Islas de Gigantes chain—just before lunchtime. After our lunch table had been set up, the sun quickly disappeared, giving way to gathering dark storm clouds that dumped heavy rain on us. While we were running for cover, each carrying a casserole and a plateful of seafood dishes, the sky cleared up as if playing a trick on us, revealing the sun once more.
Having devoured the freshest seafood catch of prawns, giant crabs, grilled fish, squid, and, of course, the famous one-peso scallops, I hurriedly climbed the hill on Cabugao Gamay, a known photo-sharing hub spot in the Gigantes Islands, to enjoy the cool breeze and breathtaking scenery.
Afterward, I plunged into a refreshing dip in the warm waters of the island. The experience of being here a second time never gets old. As our stay drew to a close, I practiced my breath-hold in the crystal-clear waters of Cabugao Gamay for the remaining hour.
Quickie Stops at Antonia’s Beach and Bantigue Sandbar
We made two brief stops at Antonia's Beach and the Bantigue Sandbar before returning to Bancal Port on the Carles mainland. The beach at Antonia is situated on the eastern side of Gigantes Sur. It features characteristics similar to those of Cabugao Gamay, highlighted by a beachhead encircled by a steep limestone cliff and covered in snow-white sand.
In the course of a beautiful afternoon, we arrived at the Bantigue Sandbar just in time to witness it glisten with golden hues under the kiss of the scorching sun. Long and slender, it extends like a frog's tongue about to seize its prey. Only the significantly larger waves and strong sea currents prevented us from taking a dip. Notwithstanding, it was the perfect sight to bookend our Islas de Gigantes island-hopping exploration.
Writer’s Note — Not to miss: Gigantes Norte
While we skipped Gigantes Norte on this trip, it was here, however, that I spent a night with friends during my first visit in 2017. This small, populated island with two barangays and a few small resorts still bears an 1895 Spanish lighthouse on its northern tip.
