Welcome to Sibale Island

The Island of Sibale --- From Top of the World
Photographs by Vicente Fajutagana, Authored  by Limuel Cipriano, Layout by Jose Rafols

      A total of 12 sequential and successive shots were made in capturing the panoramic and breathtaking view of the whole island of Sibale. Vicente "Enteng" Fajutagana using an ordinary instimatic camera willingly risked his life in doing so.

     Without any safety belt, Enteng, as friends call him,  bravely scaled the wind-swept 120 ft. guyed-wire telecommunication tower of Sibale Telecom. The all steel structural tower is firmly planted at the peak of Mt. Banderahan, the highest mountain in Sibale, with an approximate height of 1,160 ft. above sea level.

     Enteng is the tower/communication technician of the Sibale Telecom. He is responsible in attending and connecting telephone calls coming from and to Sibale. A very dedicated and hardworking employee that even calls made on unholy hours, Enteng attended to it without any hint of complain. His role is very important that without his involvement successful calls are hardly possible.

     On June 30,2001, at 3:30 p.m., with inclement weather hovering over the island, Enteng secured his feet in the topmost portion of the tower. At that position with the wind blowing in fluctuating speed and frequency, Enteng knew fully the danger he is facing. One false move and it is goodbye to Sibale, goodbye to all of us. But he has great resolve in facing many danger in his life. Dangers that steeled his determination to do things which in his assessment would in return contribute for the accomplishment of things benificial to all of us.

     Racing against time, he carefully clutched and focused his camera and made the following dramatic photographs. He started from Barangay Poblacion going right passing Barangay San Pedro, Calabasahan, Sampong, Bakhawan, Masudusud, Masadya, Dalajican and San Vicente. He ended his shots from
where he started.

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1. The crater-like appearance of Concepcion Bay, encircled by Mt. Batariya from the left and the rolling hills of Quebrada and the mountainous area of Hamtik, Felisa, Tabok and Binagong.

    It looks like the Concepcion Bay is a giant caldera or opening of a dormant volcano and thru optical illusion it seems it is a land-locked lake. But no, in between Mt. Batariya and Quebrada is wide expanse of water serving as an opening for different seacrafts in gaining access inside the wondeful Concepcion Bay. Judging from this picture, probably the island of Sibale is a product of volcanic eruption.
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2. San Pedro Bay, located at Barangay San Pedro surrounded by the imposing rugged terrain of Bagulayag, Talon and Cambilog. San Pedro Bay has deep interior, also an ideal haven for a variety of fish species.
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3. Mountain ranges of Cambilog, Talisay connecting Barangay San Pedro and Calabasahan.
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4. At the base of this coconut and tree-covered mountains is the coastal town of Barangay Calabasahan. At left is the rolling hills separating sitio Cantano from the barangay proper. At right is the Mt. Grand China, favorite place of treasures hunter in search for famous chinese antiques and wares artifacts.
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5. The coastal barangay of Sampong is located deep down below this rugged, windblown mountain ranges.
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6. Mt. Monte Cristo, another majestic heights of Sibale shields barangay Bakhawan from harsh weather conditions. Barangay Bakahawan is located over
this mountain. It is also a coastal barangay. From afar are the sitios of Gobon, Banilad and Monte de Oro. They are not part of Barangay Bakahawan but of Barangay Masudsud. Deep down below is Barangay Masudusd.

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7. The coastal barangay of Masudsud is located in the corridor of Banilad and Monte de Oro, the deep interior in between Gobon and portion of Mt. Banderahan. In some months of the year, strong winds from the north translates the serene waters into a raging waves making it very difficult to make a port of call.
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8. The sleepy coastal barangay of Masadya and its famous beach "Maisuting Baybay".
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9. The mountain ranges of Salinraban famous for its beachfront that serve as sanctuary for sea-turtle (pawikan). This magnificent mountin formation is equally shared by both barangay Masadya and Dalajican in their territorial composition.
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10. Barangay Dalajican is nestled in this foothold of Mt. Banderahan.
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11. This imposing mountain ranges of Sampiro,Molo and Buyo are parts and parcel of Barangay San Vicente.
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12. Barangay San Vicente is situated between Mt. Batariya and the elevated portion of Sampiro.

     Observe one more time the crater-like formation of the Concepcion Bay. Enteng started from this point and ended from this wonderful work of nature. The series of photographs undertaken by Enteng has now come full
circle.

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Date Created:
    July 30, 2001
Date Updated:    February 14, 2003