Guiuan is known for its white sand beaches and big waves from the Pacific Ocean. But who would have thought that this major town, which is also composed of several islands and islets, in Eastern Samar is hiding a gem of nature? At the seaside facing the Pacific Ocean, we can spot the huge waves that delight the surfers. At the opposite side, we can see the rocky forest that will challenge anyone into a great adventure.
The day before I went to ABCD beach in Calicoan Island to try surfing for the first time, me and my cousins went to Linao Cave, a hidden cave in the tropical forest located just a thrilling walk away from Calicoan and Brgy. Sulangan.
Also read: Surfing in Calicoan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar: Tips and Photos
The name Linao Cave is derived from the word Linao or Linaw, a Waray-waray term (the local dialect of Samareños) which means clear. The locals called the cave as such because of the cold, fresh and clear waters that it houses.
So are the waters in Linao Cave really clear?
Here are some photos and the stories of our journey into Linao Cave.
Our journey started at Sulangan Bridge.
Tourists need to have a local tour guide to go to Linao Cave. My tour guide was Jayson. He’s a member of Yes Organization, a youth organization that’s responsible for promoting environmental awareness in that area. We met with Jayson at Sulangan Church and started our journey to Linao Cave at Sulangan Bridge.
The main road to Linao Cave.
The start of our rough journey to Linao Cave.
Going to Linao Cave involves trekking.
The journey will challenge your feet and stamina.
It involves ascending.
Then descending…
You have to get pass through the roots of this big tree.
After about 30 minutes of trekking from Sulangan Bridge, we arrived at Linao Cave.
This is the view of Linao cave from above. Some people enter into the cave by rappelling from this spot.
Another way to go inside the cave is to get through this small opening. This is the option we chose since rappelling is risky without the proper gears.
Entering this way required us to swim. We also needed to use a flashlight since the tunnel is dark. Good thing all of us are swimmers.
We can already see the main chamber of Linao Cave.
A little more climbing and we can finally see the beauty of this cave.
And we are finally inside the cave…
Linao Cave is a treasure of nature. We have to protect and preserve the beauty of this cave.
Caves are protected by Republic Act No. 9072 or otherwise known as the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.” Irresponsible acts inside the caves, such as harming the speleogem or speleothem inside any cave is prohibited by such law. Hence, avoid touching the stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave.
These are the trees and plants at the top opening of Linao Cave. It is also prohibited by the law to harm these living things, as they are part of the cave’s ecosystem.
We tried to get into the waters of Linao Cave.
Who would not want to try swimming in this cold and clear waters?
After an exhausting trekking, we deserve to relax and feel the coolness of this place.
It’s a natural pool with fresh, cold, and blue waters.
Swimming to the other side can be challenging. It’s quite far and your camera lens needs to zoom to capture a good picture of you there.
If you’re wondering if the waters in Linao Cave are indeed clear. Well, behold this picture.
It’s already getting dark so we already need to go out of the cave.
We can already see the sunset going back to Sulangan.
It was already dark when we get to the miraculous Church of Sulangan or the St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
Our Journey to Linao Cave from Sulangan and back only lasted for 3 hours from 3PM to 6PM. We did not bring any food but only a bottle of mineral water.
How to get there
1. From Manila or Cebu, you can fly to Tacloban City in Leyte with your favorite airline. Travel time from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is around 1 hour, while it takes around 40 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
2. From Tacloban City, you can ride a bus or van to Guiuan. Travel time is around 3 hours for a 150-kilometer journey. The fare for an air-conditioned van is P160 per pax. This trip will also let you experience crossing the infamous San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar.
3. From Guiuan town proper, you can get to Sulangan by riding a Multicab parking near Guiuan plaza. Travel time is around 30 minutes. Fare is P30. Another option is to hire a tricycle driver for a fixed rate to bring you to Sulangan and get you back to Guiuan for a fixed rate, since there might not be multicabs anymore going back to Guiuan after 4PM.
Important tips and reminders
1. Before getting to Linao Cave, it’s advisable to contact a local tour guide first. You may contact Jayson of Yes Org at 09056038451. Yes Org currently charges P150 per person.
2. Wear proper gears and apparels for trekking and swimming. The journey can be exhausting so make sure you are in a healthy condition when you visit the cave.
3. There are two ways to get inside the cave. It’s either you rappel from the opening above the cave or pass through a small dark tunnel with waters.
4. The latter choice above requires swimming. Hence, bring a dry bag if you are bringing a camera and other gadgets. Also bring a flashlight since the cave tunnel is dark.
5. Please don’t leave your garbage inside the cave or near its perimeter. Don’t bring alcoholic beverages and too much food – it’s not a beach or a picnic ground. Caves are delicate natural formations that must be taken with extra care.
6. Don’t harm the living things inside and near the cave, including lizards, bats, plants and trees. Harming them is against the law according to Republic Act No. 9072.
7. Don’t visit the cave late afternoon so you won’t be in a hurry to go out because it’s already getting dark.
Suggestions for the government, the local community, and other stakeholders
I observed that there were no rules and policies that are strictly enforced to protect and preserve the cave. When we get there, I saw garbage left by some tourists. If this will continue, I’m afraid that the natural beauty of Linao Cave will be gone in the nearest future. To preserve this gem of nature, I suggest the following:
1. The government should provide free caving training for the local tour guides. And if possible donate proper caving gears, such as caving hats, life jackets, and equipment to improve their caving tour services and ensure the safety of the tourists. These will also help them improve their livelihood and boost the local economy.
2. Tourists should first obtain a permit from the local government before they can visit the cave. Securing the permit should also require orientation so that tourists will be aware of their responsibilities when they’re inside the cave.
3. The number of visitors at Linao Cave should be limited only to a certain number per day to reduce crowd, noise pollution, contamination, and disturbance of the cave’s ecosystem.
4. Guards should be stationed near the cave during visiting hours to strongly enforce the law and rules that are aimed to protect and preserve the cave.
5. Alcoholic beverages should be banned inside the cave.
6. Tourists should be required to bring a garbage bag with them so they can also bring their garbage with them when they leave the cave. Violators should be punished or be banned from visiting the cave again to enforce discipline.
Remember that it takes thousands or even millions of years for Mother Nature to shape and form a cave. Should we allow some people to destroy it in just a year? Of course not!
Getting to Linao Cave is not only a journey to have some enjoyment for ourselves but it is also a wonderful expedition to be aware of our responsibilities with our environment. Therefore, visit Linao Cave and be closer with our Mother Nature.
Linao Cave is only one of the many amazing caves in the island of Samar, the caving center of the Philippines.
For more information about tourism in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Eastern Visayas, you may contact the office of the Department of Tourism Region VIII at Magsaysay Blvd, Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City with phone numbers +63(53)832-0901, +63918-8976225, and +63916-6184280.
Have a wonderful caving experience!
About Victorino Q. Abrugar
Vic promotes tourism-related businesses, brands and places. He's the marketing strategist of FAQ.PH. He believes that the key to success is to always do what to do next. Want to promote your business? Contact him at mail@optixor.com.
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