The roro in Matnog, Sorsogon
Travelers ready to board the Santa Clara roro ferry in Matnog, Sorsogon.
1300H and I was just at the nick of time that I arrived at the pier after a long journey. I was still able to catch the roro ferry in Matnog, Sorsogon bound for Allen, Samar and was thankful enough since I was spared of waiting another two hours for the next trip.
What I like about the Matnog – Allen route is that its just short: one hour and a half compared to longer roro trips (about 4 hours and more) that I had before like the Palompon (Leyte) – Danao City (Cebu), the Argao (Cebu) – Loon (Bohol) or even later, if you’re lucky to clock in at 4 hours the Caticlan (Aklan) – Roxas (Mindoro Oriental) routes. Here, you just sit, or watch the seascape or ruminate on the historic San Bernardino Strait, eat some snack and, BANG, your already at your destination!
Get your tickets here!
What I just don’t like about these ports is that there are just too many fees to pay. It would have been acceptable if they just charge you one rate inclusive of the ticket, terminal fee and insurance but they do not:
- tickets (P90)
- insurance (P15), and
- terminal fee of P11.20
Now, do you know why the 20 centavo rump? When I headed to the teller’s booth, the one collecting is a lady guard dressed with her uniform but doing the function of a collector. She will ask for P12 and if you don’t ask for your change, she won’t give it to you. If you do bug her, she’ll frown, makes this unpleasant expression and hesitantly give what she really owes you! To think that there are so many passengers paying this insurance and most of these people are just too shy or are intimidated to ask for their change.
In other places, like what I experienced before in Oslob, Cebu, once the pump boat from Amlan in Negros Oriental arrives, you are charged a fee for using their wharf! Its just so annoying and inane. But I’m digressing. 
A Davao bound bus getting into position.
The roro and ferries that make what the government recently has been proclaiming as the nautical highway is really a blessing. Just hop on a bus in Pasay or Cubao and after a couple of stops, sleeps and many many hours later, you’re in Davao. No boring sea and horizon scapes. Instead, you get to see places even from your window only. But just be prepared to forgo some comforts.
Looking at the pier, she’s unmindful of the sea gypsies asking for coins below.
There is no lack of sea gypsies who will incessantly beg you for coins. It seems everywhere in big ports. Its in the piers of Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and even in Tabaco Albay bound for Catanduanes.
A passenger gobbling up a quick snack to tame hunger pangs.
The ferry was quite crowded since it was 30 December. But fortunately, I was still able to find a seat to rest and gather my bags. Many were standing along the sides.
With nothing to do while the roro is on its way, why not doze off?
Doze off even for just a catnap. Or enjoy overpriced snacks offered at the canteen or from itinerant vendors selling native rice cakes, balut, or barbecued pork and chicken. Or even get some magazines or newspapers from another.
Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.
What I like in your pictures is that you caught daily life as it is. Not the touristic images most people would take. It is a very interesting documentary.
Sidney, I think, there are just too many websites dealing with tourist images. What I don’t find are accounts and photos that in some way or the other show how these places really look like with its people, environment, customs, etc. especially to one that is geared on Philippine travel along the not so known path.
Also, I don’t want this website to be a travel information blog where the latest offerings, promos and the usual sponsored posts will be featured. There are too many Philippine travel blogs that are covering it. I guess, being an avid traveler, this is the next best thing on how I can share the joys and travails of being on the road.
Thanx for the comment.
Hey Estan, guess what I saw today: http://www.planetbicol.com/category/estan/
nina, thanx. i’ll check the link later as it doesn’t seem to work right now.
Well basically, it’s a site that used your photos tagged with Bicol from flickr.
well, the downsides of tagging and rss. its here to stay.
hi, can you possibly tell me the schedule of roro from allen to matnog and vice versa…
thanks!
chai, i’m not sure about the schedule. try googling for it.
ah ok. thanks anyway…
are the ferries new? it’s going to be our first land trip here in Manila going to Gensan.. tnx
sana maenjoy ko paguwi ko papuntang davao this coming may 15, 2010…
this could be my first time to travel alone….. hope i can meet new friends while in travel,,,, make sure it will be safe ha,,,
I would like to know how much is the freight charge for an Isuzu Elf unit from Allen to Matnog & vice versa. Is the driver already free of charge?
@jojo, sorry, i don’t have any info. better check at the pier na. typically, the driver is free.
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I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails, both the trip itself and the destination, revelling in the many things that the act of travel offers: the sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors.
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