After getting a glimpse of the province last year when I visited Ticao Island for a couple of days, I immediately regarded Masbate as vastly underrated despite its central geographical location as a gateway to Luzon and the Visayas. That brief tryst had me making a vow to return soon. As good fortune would have it, I was able to go back recently for a more extensive journey that took me to the mainland of Masbate, Burias Island, and Ticao once again.

It has been over a decade since my ex-girlfriend, a friend, and I embarked on a memorable long weekend castaway trip to Calaguas Islands’ Mahabang Buhangin. During that time, the island was known only to avid backpackers. I vividly recall the confused expression on the fisherman's face when we approached him in the town of Paracale and shared our plan to journey to the island.