Masbate City, the capital of the province of the same name, is known as “The Rodeo Capital of the Philippines.” Mention Masbate and images of cowboys, rolling hills and the laid-back haciendero type ranch life come to mind. Largely agricultural, main activities here revolve around industries such as large farming, livestock and poultry raising.

The best time to experience the Wild West lifestyle is during their annual Rodeo Masbateño Festival held every April. Though I grew up in Bicol, I have never been to Masbate so I decided to go on a short visit to witness the festivities before visiting parents in my hometown of Naga City. It was pretty fun to take part in the festival on its 25th year and see how all the residents and visitors embrace the cowboy culture.

READ MORE: IN PHOTOS: Masbate Celebrates Rodeo Festival 2018

The Rodeo Masbateño is one of the most unique festivals in the Philippines I’ve been to. It kind of felt like being in a Western flick with everyone walking around in checkered shirts, leather vests, boots and cowboy hats. For the grand parade, locals were riding on horseback and floats were decked out in rodeo fashion. All the restaurants and resorts also play up the Western theme with their decor and details.

While my visit was limited to just the city mainly to cover the Rodeo Festival, I know there’s a lot more to discover in the underrated province. But for those who want to make the most out of a quick visit, here’s a look at what you can do there.

Where exactly is Masbate City?

Masbate City is the capital of the province of Masbate, an island province in the Philippines. Masbate City is the only city in the province, serving as the province’s main commercial center and chief seaport. Though Masbate is politically part of the Bicol Region, they are at the crossroads of two major island groups: Luzon and Visayas. Locals speak Minasbate or Bisakol, a mix of Bisaya and Bicol languages.

The province consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias which are scattered near the middle of the nation’s archipelago. Getting from one island to another requires careful planning given the available ferry schedules and long travel time, so make sure to allot several days for your trip if you plan to visit all three islands and not just the city especially if you are traveling by air.

How to get to Masbate City

By air

Direct flights are offered from Manila to Masbate City via Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific. Going there, I took a Cebu Pacific flight on a turbo prop plane departing from Terminal 3. Travel time was about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• Philippine Airlines – P4,000 – P7,000
• Cebu Pacific – P2,000 – P6,000

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS HERE

By land & sea (BUS)

• Those coming from the mainland of Luzon will have to take at least one boat crossing to get to Masbate City.
• If you’re coming from Manila, you can go all the way to Masbate from Quezon City by bus. Buses like the RoRo Bus and Bicol Isarog leave Cubao and are loaded onto roll-on-roll-off boats between Pilar port in Sorsogon and Masbate City. Travel time is from 16 to 18 hours.
• Bicol Isarog Bus
  – P2000 with toilet and reclining seat
  – P1200 Regular (with aircon)
  – P850 Economy (without aircon)

BOOK YOUR BUS TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Roro Bus
– P1150 with aircon
– P850 without aircon

(paid bus ticket is inclusive of sea travel)

Other available bus lines are Elavil, Raymond and Megabus
*Price may vary depending on availed discount/s (student, senior, etc. and town destination)

By private transportation (car/motorcycle)

• Visitors can also bring their cars or motorcycles and take the Ro-Ro so they can travel around Masbate at their own convenience.
• Those coming from Metro Manila need to make their way to the Pio Duran Port almost 500 km away to board the RoRo. Prepare for a long drive.

By public transportation

• If you’re coming from Naga City in Camarines Sur, ride a van or bus going to Daraga, Albay. Vans offer the quickest travel time. Travel time is about 2 hours. Fare is P190/person.
• From Daraga, take another van to Pilar, Sorsogon province. Travel time is another 1.5 hours. Fare is P70/person.
• Get down at the Pilar Port where you can buy tickets for either the fast-craft ferry or the roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships.

• The Ro-Ro ships are cheaper (P180-P230) but take about 4 hours. Trips aboard the fast crafts are more expensive at P540/one way but only takes about 2 hours. Both vessels depart only in the morning, from 1 a.m. to 11 a.m. docking at the Masbate City Port.
• I took the fastcraft back from Masbate City on my way to Naga. The main cabin was very clean, air-conditioned with comfy seats, a clean CR and a TV on board.
• Fast craft and Ro-Ro ships are safer than the smaller motorized boats that also offer transportation from Pilar to Masbate.
• From Masbate City Port, you can take a tricycle to your chosen hotel or resort.

Getting around

The tricycle is the main mode of transportation around Masbate City. Fare is P8 per person for short distances. During my recent visit (April 2018), I asked around from local contacts if there’s any place that offered motorbike rentals, but couldn’t find any leads. It may be possible to borrow units from locals. Just be sure you’re in the right get-up 🙂

NOTE: If you are planning to visit Burias Island, locals advice that it’s faster and safer to get there via Naga in Camarines Sur and not through Masbate City. Boat travel from Masbate City to Burias takes 8-9 hours while just 2 hours from the Port of Pasacao in Naga City.

Where to go / things to do in Masbate City

• Rodeo Masbateño: Said to be the only rodeo show in Asia, this festival celebrated annually in April showcases competitive rodeo events like cow wrestling, lassoing on horseback and carambola. Events are held all month long.

• Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary: This small islet and mangrove area just off the coast of Masbate City provides an ideal getaway for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and beach-bumming.
• Burubancaso Rock Formation: A small island in Monreal, Ticao Island with fine white sand and stunning rock formations.
• Catandayagan Falls: Also located in the town of Monreal in Ticao Island, this breathtaking waterfalls drops from 60 feet to its base into a pool of cool, clear water directly to the sea. You can visit both the rock formation and waterfall if you avail of the whole day island-hopping boat trip from Masbate City (P,8,000 for the whole trip)

• Sese Brahman’s Ranch: Experience being a haciendero for a day at Sese Brahman’s Ranch, a cattle farm and ranch located at San Juan, Mandaon, Masbate. They are open for ranch tours and visits.

Photo and video from Sese Brahman’s Facebook Page

• Fazenda de Esperanza: Also known as the Farm of Hope, this unique farm and rehab center located in the countryside offers hope to drug dependents and alcoholics. Residents undergoing rehab engage in farming, cattle raising and dairy and cheese production.
• Masbate City Hall & town landmarks: If you’re just in the city, you can pass by the Provincial Capitol and plaza right in front of it to spot some town landmarks.

• Mayong-Payong: Mayong Payong is one of the newer tourist spots in Masbate. The hilltop area about 20 minutes from the city proper is a popular spot for locals and visitors who want to enjoy the view overlooking the city. The best time to visit is late afternoon to watch the sunset.  You can also camp out overnight here (bring your own tent). Entrance fee: P30, Cottages for overnight stays cost P300.
• Mangrovetum: Stroll along the wooden walkway in front of a mangrove area near the coast. The viewdeck was still under construction during the time of my visit. The best time to go here would be early morning or late afternoon so that it’s not so hot. There’s no entrance fee to visit.

Where to stay in Masbate City

There are a few hotels, inns and resorts you can choose from in Masbate City. I stayed in Bambi Pension House which offers clean and affordable rooms for as little as P1,000 a night (single). Room stays come with free breakfast, complimentary pick up and drop off to airport or port terminals, free WiFi. They have a standby generator and you can pay by credit or debit card. Staff here are very friendly and accommodating. They accept reservations online and via Facebook

Bambi Pension House
Celestina Subd., Punta Nursery, Masbate City, Masbate, Philippines, 5400
Rates: P1,000 (single), P1,600 (double), P2,200 (triple), P600 (extra bed), P200 (extra person)
Contact: (056) 578-1345, 0999-8806200, 0919-7171070

CHECK ROOM AVAILABILITY & BOOK HERE 

Legacy Suites
Purok 8, Boulevard, Barangay Ibingay
Rates: P1,350 (single), P1,600 (twin), P1,650 – P3,000 (family)
Contact; (056) 5820210, (056) 5880423

Ranchelle Beach Resort and Hotel
Boulveard, Barangay Ibingay
Rates: P1,800 (De Luxe), P2,300 (Family), P2,600 (Premier), P3,300 (Suite)

Novo Hotel
Quezon St. Corner Ibanes St.
Rates: P900, P1,400 (Presidential Suite)
Contact: (056) 5780687

What / where to eat in Masbate City

You can find several dining places to eat in Masbate City from fastfood joints, homegrown restos and small eateries. I really liked the free breakfast of corned beef served at Bambi Pension House. As the ranch capital of the country, beef is very tender and tasty.

Ranchelle’s is a seaside beach resort with its own restaurant serving Filipino dishes. Unfortunately, because it was peak festival season with lots of customers when we visited, a lot of good dishes in restaurants were out of stock. We enjoyed the meal of Sizzling Squid, Gising Gising and buttered chicken.

Racknells is another restaurant along the boulevard specializing in Crispy Pata and other Pinoy fare.

One of the best places I got to eat in Masbate was Captains Pizza, a homegrown pizza parlor and cafe that serves pizza, pasta, potato wedges, chips, coffee, shakes and other beverages and even a few Japanese dishes. The Buffalo Chicken Wings and Captain’s Choice Pizza generously topped with cheese, pepperoni, beef, ham, pineapple, bacon, salami, bell pepper, mushroom and black olives were sure wins.

First time visitors to the region might also want to check out Bigg’s Diner, a popular homegrown fast food joint in the Bicol Region (which originated in Naga City). They serve mostly Western fare like burgers, pasta and rice meals and are always a safe choice.

What to buy in Masbate City

You can find a lot of souvenir products highlighting the province’s cowboy culture. Popular souvenirs include cowboy hats, high quality leather boots, leather belts, wallets and other rodeo-inspired accessories like necklaces and bracelets.

They also sell house decor and furniture. I found this light fixture made from a carved cow skull for sale bizarrely beautiful.

The best food product you can buy for pasalubong from Masbate is Carmelado, the local version of Pastillas de Leche made with carabao’s milk and sugar. A pack of 30 pcs usually costs about P100. It’s really creamy and one of the best pastillas I’ve ever tried. Flavored milk produced at Fazenda de Esperanza is also highly recommended by locals. The products are available at a store near Masbate Cathedral.

Video

Check out the highlights of the Rodeo Festival 2018 as captured by motovlogger Phillip / JT of Motour Pilipinas. I make a couple of cameos here.