Have you ever experience entering a place where you seem to be in another world?
The caves in Calbiga Samar will offer you another level of experience when you enter the biggest caves in the Philippines.
Samar is considered to be the caving capital of the Philippines as it is where you can find the biggest, deepest, and most beautiful caves in the country. One of these is located in Calbiga Samar. Samar Island Natural Park or SINP is the largest contiguous tract of old-growth forest in the country. It is the largest terrestrial protected area covering 3 provinces on the island of Samar - Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar. It is also the home of the most beautiful tourist destination on the island which includes Calbiga Caves Protected Landscape.
The Langun - Gobingob also known as Calbiga Caves is the biggest cave in the Philippines. It is composed of 12 caves which include Langun, Gobingob, Lurodpon, and Bitong Mahangin. Its main entrance is considered to be the biggest entrance of all caves in the Philippines.
According to Trexplore Blogs, the main chamber of Langun is huge measuring 340 by 140 meters at its widest points which takes 2-4 hours to explore.
Reference: https://trexplore.ph/langun-gobingob-caves/
How to get to Langun - Gobingob Cave:
Calbiga Samar is located between Catbalogan City and Tacloban City. Both cities have air travel for commercial flights. In Catbalogan Airport, the commercial flights of Philippine Airlines (PAL) are from Clark Pampanga going to Catbalogan City. There's only 1 flight schedule per day. While in Tacloban Airport, there's 3 commercial flight, the Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific and Air Asia from NAIA 3 going to Tacloban City. Some of these airlines offer a 2-3 flight schedule going to Tacloban.
(Photo by Ronaldo Torno Baloma Jr.)
Via Tacloban:
From Tacloban Airport, ride a jeep/taxi going to Tacloban downtown where several van travels companies like grand tours, van-vans, turbanada, and duptours offer ride going to Calbiga Samar. From the municipal proper, ride a local habal habal going to Bgy. Panayuran where you will meet local tourists who would tour you inside the cave as it is not allowed to go inside without any tourist guide.
Via Catbalogan:
From Catbalogan Airport, ride a van going to Calbiga Samar, travel is approximately 30-45 minutes. Once arrived in Calbiga proper, ride a habal habal going to Bgy. Panayuran.
Alternatively, you may also travel by land, if you are from Metro Manila ride a bus from Araneta center bus terminal in Cubao where there are many companies offer bus ride going to Samar. There is also plenty of bus travel schedule depending on the bus company you choose. Remember that upon arrival to Calbiga Samar, you will be needing to go to the municipal tourism office to pay the environmental fee. The locals also offer you to rent protective wearings like a helmet, headlamp, and a complete set of rappelling.
Common attraction inside Langun - Gobingob Cave:
Here are the things you wouldn't miss inside Langun - Gobingob Cave.
The Chandelier
Known to its attractive chandelier like display. The Chandelier is made of stalactite form by nature for over a hundred years. Stalactites are made of calcium salts formed by deposited dripping waters.
(Photo by Rio Martin Lansang)
The football field
The Football field is another attraction inside langun - gobingob due to its wide space that it can accomodate a number of airplanes. It is also where some tourists have some rest before going to the next destination.
(Photo by Rio Martin Lansang)
The Stage
The locals call this the stage due to its elegance. It is made of stalagmites shaped thousand of years ago. It is one of the main attractions when you enter the cave.
(Photo by Rio Martin Lansang)
Samar is never called the caving capital of the Philippines for nothing, the cave system of Langun Gobingob is the proof that the island of Samar is truly gifted in nature. The adventure of Langun Gobingob is not over yet as there are still many places that are unexplored by geologists and locals. It is also important to remember that upon visiting the place, we have to respect that it is not just a place to explore but also a home of many endangered species including bats and Samar cobra. We should always respect the animals who lived there by not destructing the place and remember to leave nothing but memories. I hope this inspires you to visit the place one day. What caving experience would you want us to go next?
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