Hibok-Hibok Volcano, popularized by the Philippine classic movie "Anak ng Bulkan" where the giant bird Goliat came from is located in one of the famous island paradise here in the Philippines, Camiguin Island.

    Hibok-Hibok Volcano, also called Catarman, has a summit formed of loose ejectamenta. It has several craters at or near its crest, some representing shallow lakes. The present crater area at the northeast slope facing Mambajao was mined for sulfur before the volcano's activity in 1948. The first recorded eruption of Hibok-Hibok ocurred in 1827. This was followed by similar activity in 1862. Both eruptions caused destruction to arable lands. In January 1871, earthquakes and subterranean rumbling sounds disturbed the north end of Camiguin Island. Landslides and fissuring destroyed trees and plantations. When the swarm of earthquake ceased in April of the same year, an explosion followed accompanied by a shower of rocks, dust, and ashes. Destruction was complete within a radius of 3 km from the new vent. The eruption continued for a week, and a volcanic dome called Vulcan began to form 3.5 km from the general area of Hibok-Hibok. After four years of activity, the lava dome reached a height of 457 m with a base nearly 1.5 kilometers in diameter. Vulcan is quiet at present and appears to have been unaffected by the activity of the adjacent Hibok-Hibok. Vulcan's activity has been limited to emission of small amounts of steam from crevices at the top of the dome. In 1897, the area occupied by the present dome of Hibok-Hibok emitted white sulfurous vapors, which ruined agricultural lands. Sulfuric activity continued up to 1902 when a thunder storm occurred around the volcano and a new sulfur vent formed opposite the crest. Frequent subterranean sounds were noted during the activity, which lasted for 8 to 10 days. The last activity of Hibok-Hibok started in August 1948, with a series of earth tremors. In December of 1951, this mountain had a major eruption that killed 600 people. It was the culmination though of an eruptive episode which began in 1948. In its wake, the government created the Commission on Volcanology, which is the predecessor of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHILVOCS. The landslides and earthquakes were climaxed by the crater outburst in September 1953. Hibok-Hibok has been in more or less continuous activity punctuated by eruptive phases. Cold and hot mud flows, or lahars, had developed, especially after heavy rains, so that now they pose another hazard to inhabitants living near the drainage channels of the volcano.

    Climbing Mt. Hibok-Hibok is usually done in a single day (ascent and decent) though you can spend your night on a small campsite at the summit. Climbing Hibok Hibok is usually done as a side trip from exploring Camiguin Island. And while in Camiguin, you may also explore the other 6 mountains wherein some are being prepared by DENR-Camiguin as new hiking destinations.

LEGENDS

    Camiguin Island has a colorful legend as written on the Camiguin section of this book (see reference below). And as the locals put it, the volcanic activities particularly the loud explosions on the island is attributed to the Princess who became the Island of Camiguin, calling her lover.

WHEN AND HOW TO GO

    Camiguin can be visited anytime of the year but the best time to go there is during the Holy Week and the October festivities to experience the unique festivals of the island including the Panaad and Lanzones Festivals, respectively. Jump off point to Mt. Hibok-Hibok is at Ardent Hot Spring Resort. It is advisable to start trek before sunrise; be prepared to trudge through meter-high grass, crawl past rocky inclines, avoid loose rocks and stones, and brave the capricious clouds which roll in a blinding haze without warning. But when you reach the crater, which is a giddy 1,250 meters above sea level, you get your just desserts: a magnificent view of the whole island, plus ample glimpses of the Mindanao mainland- as well as neighboring isles of Bohol, Siquijor, even Limasawa in Leyte (December-March is rainy season though, where skies are not always clear). You may then descend to a moss circled crater if you really want to explore the place.

POINTS OF INTEREST

    The island province of Camiguin has more volcanos than municipalities- that is 7 vs. 5. It has the distinction of having the most number of volcanos per square kilometer than any island on earth, though only one is currently active. Camiguin's volcanic origin is responsible for the exciting landscape: hot springs, breath taking water falls, lush forests, rugged terrain, intriguing caves and exotic black beaches. The 7 volcanoes are namely: Mt. Vulcan Daan, Mt. Hibok-Hibok, Mt. Guinsiliban (Tres Marias), Mt. Mambajao, Mt. Timpoong, Mt. Karling and Mt. Ulay.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

    If you need services of guides, you can get one at the Ardent Hot Springs Resort. Water sources are not available along the trail so bring enough water. No permit is also required in climbing Hibok-Hibok. There are lots of foreign tourists who climb the mountain. If you don’t have a guide, you can just follow those groups since the trailhead is the only part needing guides. The latter portions of the trails are visible and easy to follow.