Time ticked to 1400H and the crowd, filling all available spaces in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, are already roused. Men are already standing while some are warning others who were wearing shoes to stay away or for women to go to the sides. Whistles are blown, the announcer at the stage is crying out instructions but already drowned out by the crowds’ chants of “lubid, lubid, lubid”

Other than the Spanish era stone church and Pusan Point, there is not much left to do in the town of Caraga. But on a clear and calm morning, at a promontory just near the church, this beautiful view of the coast and villages is just breathtaking. The sea is clean. Fishermen are coming back to land with their catch and a few waves slowly approaching the coastline draws a moving white line.

Caraga is not only famous for its century old, Spanish colonial era church but also, by reason of geography, its claim to be the easternmost point in the country which is punctuated by Pusan Point. This landmark is accessed in the town of Santiago but is still a few kilometers from town over rolling hills, coconut groves and small fields. One should ride a 4×4 vehicle but the best way to enjoy the trail is to hire a habalhabal, from the town or in Caraga but the latter entails a lot of expense as it’s quite distant.

The old town of Caraga is famed for its treasure: one of a few remaining Spanish colonial era churches in Mindanao. The 19th century church (not 16th or 17th century as some websites say) in the Parish of San Salvador located at the poblacion (town center) is just a small and simple structure founded by the Jesuits especially under Fr. Pablo Pastells, SJ.

The slow road to Caraga. If you want that, ride on a provincial jeepney. What usually takes 3 hours by van or four by bus can be an exasperating 6 hours by jeep. If you are short on patience, then forget about it. There are just too many stops, too many waits, too many bad roads coupled with a heavy downpour.