Unspoiled beaches with ivory sand and clear waters, a warm people, verdant seaweed farms and delectable coconut crabs. These make the Caluya group of islands rich.
Text/Article written by Harthwell C. Capistrano
Caluya, A hidden gem in Antique
The absence of high-rises further makes the islands a perfect getaway for nature trippers who want a respite from the pains of city life. There, they can go snorkeling, diving, boating or swimming alongside playful dolphins.
White Sand Beach in Sibato Island
Situated in the northernmost tip of the province of Antique in Western Visayas, the island-municipality of Caluya has seven more islands: Semirara, Sibay, Sibato, Sibolo, Liwagao, Nagubat and Panagatan.
Caluya is 4 hours away by boat from Libertad, Antique and 6 hours from Pandan, Antique
“Caluya has a lot to offer. It’s an excellent place for hibernation,” said Roderick C. Javier, public relations officer of the municipality of Caluya.
Its over 20,000 people are among its greatest assets.
Fish Sellers in Caluya
“People here are very cooperative in social activities of the municipality, and most of the time, they are very hospitable. They smile at you and greet you, even if you are a stranger,” said town councilor Linda Aguilar-Arrido.
Caluya is also known for tatus, a coconut crab with bluish streaks on its back. Its raw meat sells for P500 a kilo.
Coconut Crab locally known as “Tatus”
“This crab eats leaves, rotting fruits, small animals and turtle eggs but it thrives on coconut, thus its name,” Ms. Arrido said.
The coconut crab is related to the hermit crab. But unlike the hermit crab that spends most of its life in water, tatus cannot survive underwater.
They can grow up to 40 centimeters, weigh up to four kilograms and live for more than 30 years. Its powerful claws can lift objects almost seven times its weight.
These elusive crustaceans are hunted at night when they forage for food. Hunters use flashlights and grilled coconut as bait.
Sea urchins locally known as “Tirik” is another exotic delicacy of Caluya
The islanders celebrate the annual Tatusan Festival in April as a thanksgiving for the bounty that they receive. Colorful crab-shaped floats, street-dancing and displays of various sizes of tatus are among the highlights of the festival.
“Yes, people gather here, especially from the mainland Antique. We invite them to join us in our yearly celebration. More people are coming over not only to witness the festival, but also to see what the tatus look like and taste how delicious they are,” Mr. Javier said.
Caluya is also known for seaweeds. Mr. Javier said they are the fifth largest seaweeds producer in the country. Styrofoam floaters of the monolines that anchor the seaweeds dot the surrounding waters of the island.
“Here, people work very hard to earn a living. Seaweed farming is more popular than rice farming. It takes only about three to four weeks or a month to harvest the seaweed. There is no need for fertilizers or expensive enhancers unlike in rice farming,” Mr. Javier said.
The seaweed is sent to Cebu where it is processed into carrageenan, a gum that is used as stabilizer or thickener in jellies and dairy products, processed meat, toothpaste and pharmaceutical products.
To improve accessibility to the island, town Mayor Reynante J. Lim, Sr. said there was a proposal to open a 1,200-meter landing strip and construct a port at the town center. A port in Barangay Masanag, about 30 minutes away by motorcycle from the poblacion, now serves Caluya and its 18 villages.
Except for the Caluya Lodging House that charges P150 per head per night and arranges for meals depending on the day’s catch, there are no other accommodations yet. But the islanders are willing to take some visitors in for a minimal fee.
The island has electricity from 8 a.m. until midnight from a diesel-powered generating plant operated by the Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO). For emergencies, the island has a health center with a physician, nurses and midwives. The Semirara Island nearby has a 25-bed hospital owned and managed by the Semirara Coal Corporation.
To get to the island from Iloilo City, one can take a two-hour land trip to San Jose de Buenavista, capital town of Antique province followed by a four-hour bus ride to the Libertad port. There, a ferry can take visitors on the four-hour trip to Caluya. The trip is estimated to cost a little over P500.
Too tiring? The island’s unspoiled natural resources, friendly people and exotic dishes might be worth it. Caluya can also serve as a jump-off point for the seven other islands. Pumpboats are available for island hopping and Boracay in Malay, Aklan is just two hours away.
Caluya is a great place to unwind in its peaceful and beautiful environment
For more inquiries contact the Caluya Liaison Office
Address: San Nicolas Bldg. T. Fornier St., San Jose, Antique
Landline: (036) 540-7024
Email: municipalityofcaluya@yahoo.com
i was never been there, hope to meet relatives, YSUG & BAJALA clan. reply me.
1993 when my parents decided to leave the Coal islet. (cluster 1)( Groceries store ‘minis mini mart’ sa Market ng Semirara-1 of the biggest store sa market 1990-1993) (Mini cinema sa campsite)hay those were the days… if we can turn back the time. life is indeed UPS AND DOWN ..19yrs, hope to land my feet again next year SEMIRARA.
na miss ko tuloy ang semirara.sana makapunta ako uli jan. april 2006 ng lumipat kami ng tirahan.divine word school batch 2006 ,kelan ang reunion?
woww.. namisss ko tuloy ung caluya its a long time i cant visit my home town.. i miss all of them espicially maligo sa dagat napaganda.. c u soon caluya
Hi!
Masadya mga december makauli jan….
kby…p makauli tah jah nga tatusan…duro gid bay obra…
hahaha nami maglantaw ulit kang mga saot b…ai kapurungaw gid tana… marapit dun da…pira dun lng ka simana…
cge,,… uli lng kamu tnan… ja lng ko.. jeje..
kruhayyy caluya…ganda pla ng caluya..sana makapunta kmi dyan…..
hey yah its so nice to go back again in our very own place….wish to attend again the so called tatusan festival…
hahahahaha kruhayyyy ka tahom sang antique….
Proud to be caluyanhon..,I really Love that place,so much…:) maybe next week I’ll be their na..,I’m so excited!!!!!!! Last uwi ko jn 3 years ago,,then Last week my father ask me if I want to go back their, then I answer him to send me my pamasahe then next week expect my presence their,,,..
I really miss that place and those people who live their. my past friend,my family and all of my relatives..,hmmmf…my own place, were I live before..,But now I finally decide to live their again,,I’m so excited to back home,,.:)
What a beautiful island!!!!!!!
Jenna, when is Tatusan Festival? I’m planning to go there, where can I stay? thanks
Guys diz is my very own place,.. come and enjoy the white beaches, experience your unforgettable moment while ur here in caluya island,really love this island… The CALUYA ISLAND…
Proud gd aqoh..nga tga caluya nmi gd tna ang view noh…!ayan kmu bla dge every Tatusan festival ma enjoy kw gd tna…mkta mu gd ang mga produkto kang tga Caluya parehas kang tatus,tirik(sea urchin) kag tambalang(seaweeds)dali kmu ron saksihan ta ang gna kuon nga tatusan festival…!!
……..KRUHAAAAAYYYY..CALUYANHON…!
hai..proud aq gd nga tga Caluya ako..bongga ang mga beach kg mga foods…manamit…enjoy gid pag TAtusan…love 8… sa mga ante ko jan sa U.S.A namely: auntie neng and auntie diding hello.. mzz u.. kya kyo jan go na sa CAluya and experience d ankabogable beauty kng amon nga isla..ma amaze kw gid….8s more fun in d Philippines esp.here in CALUYA…KRHUHHAY CAluya…..
wow!!! bongga gd tna ang CALUYA…pag ayan kmo bla dge ma swimming tah… duro dge white beach.. ma njoy gd kmo..namit ang TAtus kag tirik(sea Urchin) .. go na!!! sa CAluya..KRuhhayyy CAluya…
mr. de san jose,,,,dun k dn b nag aral ng elementary? sna nga me grand reunion tau….kht anung batch….i really miz my place…xobra….
yah super ganda tlaga ng hometown nmin..kht d n aq nkauwi over 7 years dhl sa studies,,,hopefully mkalipat kmi ult…hahahahaha sna nga me alumni homecoming ang mga caluya central school..
i love caluya……its really a paradise.
hi, when i was young, lagi ko naiisip kong bakit tatusan ang tawag sa festival nila,kala ko ung mga tao dun puro nakatatoo kaya un ung tawag, lagi ko naiisip ang white sand na sinasabi nila. totoo pala na ung lugar na hinahangad mo dun ka ilalapit nang tadhana.hnd ko inakala na mapapamahal ako sa isang taga caluya, binigay ni lord sakin ang lugar na minimithi kong matirhan habang buhay, kahit long distance kami, kc sa main land ako at isla xa. na handle namin nang mabuti ang relasyon namin, ngayon 7 years na kami at 2 times ko nang napuntahan ang isla, nung minahal ko xa kasama kong minahal ang caluya,ang mga tao at ang mga isla,SANA MAGING caluyanhon na din ako..salamat sa nag post napasaya mo ako sa mga pic. na to kahit hnd pa ako taga caluya,anu pa kaya ung mga taga caluya talaga, thank you very much sa pag bisita sa paraiso namin….
ANG GANDA NMAN ISLAND YAN I HOPE SOMEDAY MARATING Q YANG BUETIFULL ISLAND N YAN
I believe this is a very very very lonely place
I was born in Imba, Caluya but now lives here in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I work here at the Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice. I really have cherished memories of that place. Hi..to my relatives there, the Lorenzo, Placido & Francisco families. Manong Ireneo Franciso, kumusta na kayo diyan…?
totoo,yan!ang nktagong paraiso…sa filipinas yan!ang caluya island…kkaiba wlng ktulad…bugal ko nga taga caluya ako.mabuhay!!!!!!!!!salmat.
nice place…
daw kanami sang lugar haw??? pwede ka upod kung cnu man da may plan magkad2 to??? by the way ang 500 peso na fare, is that the bangka fare from libertad going to caluya??? if you were to compare the sands of boracay to caluya anu mahambal mu??? thanks
den, been there… i actually work there sa ila health center… nami to sa caluya… from libertad the boat leaves at 3AM then arrives at 6AM 300Php ang fare…
bongga ang caluya kdya..kaso luya mn toh ky wra gd kw lagawan..hehe..pro nami ghapon ahh..wafa by tnah amun mayor..
I’m planning to visit Caluya this April. I’ll be arriving in Caticlan on April 15 at 1 pm. Are there ferry rides there to Caluya or do I have to go to Libertad first? Do you have estimates on the costs and travel time.
Btw we also have coconut crab in my hometown (Batanes) and the odd thing is that we also call it tatus.
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Jong Navarro
0917-7935836
Simple living, fresh air, upland view, white sand, sanctuary and harmony thats what I discribe Caluya in general. lapit ron lang ang tatusan ba, duro naman bisita ta, mag uli ron kamo digi, gahulat kami kanindo. Sa mga bisita set back, relax & enjoy the hospitality & accomodation of Caluyanhon. I hope and pray nga mag-mayad ang panahon kag mangin matawhay ang dya nga Festival, Krruhhay!!!
….?grvi ged gali ang caluya noh?? shitsss!!!! excited ako ged tana mag uli dutu… super kasadya ang tatusan,, maka blik pa kaya ako sa caluya,,? gina pungaw ako man? basta caluya masadya.. come and join the tatusan festival in caluya.. musta kamu run lang jan ah???
attention all Caluya Central School (Caluya Pilot Elem. School) alumni, we are planning to have a grand reunion, every alumni is invited, we just need a organizer who is currently in Caluya, any volunteer please let me know thanks!
Hidlaw ko ron gali kay sir painaga hehehe!!! hope he is still there!
ja tana! ako taga caluya ra! miss ko ran man ang caluya 5 yrs ako ron medyo nga ara ka bakasyon sa caluya, mabakasyon ako dadi nga tatusan, nahidlaw ron ako kay lola neneng ko na nanay ni sir panoy, sin o matawas pamana kag pamante!
ito pala name ng friend ko..( MARK DEXTER JOHN YSUG )meg idol ko gid ang lugar mo..!hagaron ko si Darwin nga taga san jose, kag si tudija nga taga sibalom,matabok kami da sa caluya..more power….
auz meg ah,hulaton ta kmu d
taga sibay ako kag proud ako mahambal nga taga isla ako.ang isla kang Caluya…The jewel of Antique,
napaka ganda talaga ng caluya, sence i was in college gusto knang pumunta jan, pecture out lng sakon sang mego ko ang ila lugar, my frnd name ( MARK ).Mark kon ara kapa da sa lugar mo kitaay kita da sa April, makadto gid ko da mag puli ko..
Pwede po ba malaman family name ng friend mo? u are very welcome here in Caluya…I’m sure u will njoy the festival..People here are very hospitable and accommodating..see you…
hope i find relatives of nanay PRUDENCIA YSUG-BAJALA from Caluya,anybody pls.reply. we have migrated to Capiz
i’m so proud to be a Caluyanhon…Pls. visit this coming April for our Annual Activity the TATUSAN FESTIVAL….KRUHAYYYYYYY, cALUYA
hi! thanks for your post. i would like to ask what route is the best to take if I’m coming from Manila? Is it via Iloilo, or Aklan, or San Jose? Thanks! I’m planning to go there this Feb.
elow kei..Pwede ka dumaan sa san jose mdo.mejo malayo kasi ang way pag sa iloilo ka dumaan..hope to see you on april during our tatusan festival..
caluya indeed is a paradise island.
helow ma`am musta kamu run rah jan? c jonnah kris ga skwela nga mayad? hehehe,,,, alig sadya ra ged gali ang caluya? noh.. hahaha,,, gina excted ako mag uli jan dadi,, mag tatusan,,, muzta run lang kay sir arnel ah….
ang ganda tlga…i’m so proud na taga Caluya aq…
grAvEE..aliG sAdyA giD tAnA aNg cAluyA..cOMe aNd jOin uS dUriNg tAtusAn fEstivAl… .mAeenjOy indO giD tAna..
Wow ang ganda ng mga photos. Meron pala coconut crab. Nakakatakot naman, pag kinagat ka niyan siguro ang mamamaga ung balat mo haha. Thanks for sharing
Tanya Gemarin
im one of you guys!
and im proud to be a caluyanhon!!
@shiryln domngo– i’m the grandson of Francisco Calinog whom cousin of Lolo CLimaco Calinog,, pde po b mlmn if cno parents u??? email add ko po ito,, sharkche_2009@yahoo.com.. from pob. caluya antique,, 17 years old..
hi..just want to ask a permission to use the content of your blog.. i will also acknowledge as the source..thanks ;)
how do you get to semirara (by plane or boat)? can you easily book a flight?
miss my hometown soo much….it’s been 5 long years.so many memories to be cherished.my friends,neighboors,my relatives….OUR HOME.ang balay namun,mga bulak kag orchids,ang duyan,ang baybay.makabalik pa bala ako duto sa caluya?????? for 28 years ko sa Caluya,how could I forget? hay……….thanks fo the pix.
gusto ko makarating ng caluya island….maganda siguro jan
ai snu kby liwat ang tatusan man,,,kpurungaw ara aq gd kaaatend ky my summer klaz b q,,,ang k d malas,khrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuhaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy caluyanhon aton ini………………
hay nami gd yah ang caluya,its a nce place to unwined,,kag miz q ang magkaon tirik,,,its yyuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyy,,nami man magpakinas….alibog sadya gd tna…promizzzz,,….
i am checking on beach resorts in san jose wala naman.meron nga matagal na.please post pictures ng mga beach resorts in san jose. kasi lagi nalang na i feature ang sa heart of town.thank u.
sana naman mga beach resorts sa san jose u’ll feature it like kamea. Kooralbyn(aloha),danilo’s etc. to help promoye tourism of san jose and antique.thank u.
Hello to everybody here.Malapit ng Pasko nnman super saya nnman ng mga fiesta-fiesta doon sa Semirara,Caluya at iba pang mga locals area.Pinagkaiba dito sa Finland na palagi nalang white christmas kasi makapal ng snow and freezing cold that days…anyway super ganda nman po ng Finland during Summer season napakaraming flowers everywhere..parang carpets hihi.
Culture is amazing and shocking haha..kya gulat na gulat yung swap na pinay from PBB to FBB house…Godbless you guys..whatever it is masayang nasa sariling bansa..tara na uwi na tayo sa mga isla natin..Thanks to everyone…Neng,Nelma,thanks you guys that we are now emailing…sooooooo excited!! bye muna..mabuhay ang lahat:)
To Neng,
Naku pasinsya kana ha..busy sa work..salamat sa messages mo.Opo sabi nga ng mga pinsan ko sa Semirara ang baluarte daw ng mga Calinog ay nasa parteng Dawis..Yung lawyer na kilalang lolo Pingko sa poblacion ay lolo nmin sa father side..gosshh bka nga kamag anak tayo..anyway bakasyon ulit ako next year April and 3 months ako ulit doon..sa Semirara ako nakabili ng farmland and right now pinatataniman ko na para sa improvements.Punta din ako ulit sa Caluya magbayad ng bwis.
Chat tayo sometimes add me: shy_viitanen@yahoo.com
Address: Kalastajanmäki 3A25
02230 Espoo City FINLAND
+358 503652849
My mother Beatrice Escultor Bello,solong anak ni Francisco Bello ng Bro.Tinogboc Semirara
My father Angelito Abalon Domingo,anak ni Luis Calinog ( na naging Domingo) dahil adopted si lolo Luis ng Domingo.
My cousin Catherine Domingo Hatulan,nakapag asawa sa taga Dawis..
Naku im looking forward to meet you..Godbless and regards..
gud day miss arnaez,prang familiar po kyo sa akin,batch 2000 po C.N.H.S.god bless!
franziz_22@yahoo.com
hi guys! im from sibay island,thanks po 4 posting some pics from caluya island i appreciate nkakawala ng homesick d2 abroad hehe.. sana more pics pa,great job and god bless!!
nami gid ya ang caluya compare sa mga places na naagtunan ko..,thank you sa pag post ng mga pictures….mauli ko gid ya sa caluya…mre power and god bless…
ive been to this place 13 years ago… it’s really beautiful… its a nice place!! looking forward to visit this place again and again!!!
To, Shirlyn Bello Domingo Viitanen, hi my name is Neng and i’m from Caluya, Barrio, Dawis. i think you are related to us, Tatay Wellie, is my uncle, my father, the Alarcon,family, my mother is Magan, and yes she’s a close relative, with Domingo, i made my home in the USA. for over 30 years. i visited, Caluya, 2 years ago. i would to get to know you us my kababayan. here is my e-mail add N49poblacion@hotmail.com our home add, is
108 Buchanan Ave.
State College, PA, 16801
home,phone, 814-861-4219
These pictures of Caluya,are very splendid!! I showed these pix to my Japanese students and let them explained! They really love the views! Please post some more pix.
Thank you!
I would love to post more pics, but I have to visit Caluya again for that. I really enjoyed my first visit and am always wondering when I will be able to come back..hmm.. last time I was only able to visit the main poblacion area, I was hoping to be able to visit Semirara Island also but we weren’t able to :(
pwede ko kaupod when mkabalik kmo? seryoso ako :-D
Hi! to everyone!
Yes,i been visited Caluya island this April 2009.Nainvited ng pinsan ko na taga Semirara to be a part of their ( lungkas) there.Caluya,having a lot of improvements really.The beaches,white sands,warm sea water,and plenty of beautiful creatures that you can find in the sand beach…oh i miss the days when im there:) Im also away 23 years from Semirara island where i was born and grew up.Kahit pala gaanu ka-stable ang buhay natin sa ibang bansa,totoo yung kanta ni Gary V.na ( babalik ka din) you know why? kasi halos lahat ng siblings ntin are there in our home town.Thats why mas masaya di ba pagkasama natin sila.Next year probably pupunta ulit ako sa Caluya,sana mas matagal ako doon ng konti para nman makilala ko yung original naming kamag-anak na mga Calinog daw hehe.Sorry im only 13 years old ng umalis na kami sa Semirara,kya hahanapin ko din someday yung mga kapamilya namin.Godbless to everyone..and if i have find some more time marami akong photographs of Caluya,Semirara,Mindoro,to put up here for everybody to see.
Greetings from FINLAND!
Shirlyn Viitanen
+358 503652849
PS.Thank you sa Mayor Reynante Lim Sr.sa pagkakaroon ng maraming improvements all over the islands na nasasakupan ng Antique.Ganun din sa lahat ng mga kasali sa pag buo ng batas dyan at kaayusan pra sa pakinabang ng lahat.Sa Semirara nman thank you sa kapitan ng barrio Tinogboc na si Mr Romy Malixe,and sa wife nya sa improvements din doon.Thank you din sa pinsan ko Mrs Liberty Hatulan Erodias,sa accomodation nila sa aming vacation there and sa sisters ko Merlyn Swenin and Zeny Varon.I will see you all again in my next vacation.Enjoy the life…All the best!
@ Shirlyn Domingo- apo po ako ni Francisco Calinog na cousin ni Climaco Calinog. pde po b mlman if cno parents you?? you can contact me po sa email add ko. sharkche_2009@yahoo.com
To,Albert Caluya! i read your comment, my name is Neng, and residents of Caluya, Island, i was born, grow up there, i came to USA, when i was 20, years old, now live in Pennssylvania, were the PENNSTATE UNIVERSITY, is if you want to know more about Caluya? here is my e-mail add n49poblacion@gmail.com Caluya, is about 3 hours away from boracay, by pam boat, Neng,
I was looking up the origins of my last name, and came across this site, and I have to admit it’s a beatiful island. I was wondering if their are alot of island residents with the last name caluya? Reason being is that I’m actually going to the P.I in October and if there was a large presence of caluyas there I would like to visit and maybe tryin and trace my roots,/ enjoy the islands since we plan on visiting baracay anyway. Well thanks for the information and beatiful pictures, and hope to get a reply.
Aloha
Albert caluya
Albert Caluya- do you happen to be from the Bay area of CA? If you happen to be this Albert Caluya & have a son named Joseph, he is & has been looking for you.
if so, please email him at joecaluya760@gmail.com
marc, nag email ko sa trippers…tani maread nila…hihi
wow, i will put this on my list in my honeymoon trip, hehehe so nice and wala ko pa matilawan ang sea urchin, hehehe
pre Marcus Good job, Congrats Gid,
it’s nice to hear & see some beautiful places in northern part of antique. do hope u can post some from other towns aswell. keep up the great job!
hi guys i love my place
pag-ayan kamu sa caluya
lilil! it’s me, remember? kamusta run ang tatusan dyan? hopefully makaagto ako dyan next year sa bakasyon.
hi guys!
i love my place
mag-ayan kamu sa caluya.
hello!!
this is my email add calinogpresly@yahoo.com
maganda di ba yong caluya.! Inggit kayo noH
Dear Mr Marcos C.
I thank you so much, again for putting the Caluya, on the internet. I’m sure many people all over the world will see sometime.very nice pictures, of the star fish, cucunot crab,seaweed,and tirik, wow yummy,my husband love the crab, last time we visited.
Neng
I was shock when we found the Caluya, website. its been more than 33 years since i made my home in USA. looking back i might go and visit more often.Yes i miss my hometown Barrio Dawis. and of course i miss my family and blue water. Many to the person who put this on the website.
Neng Magan Alarcon Mckeon
You’re hometown is a true paradise in Panay Island. You’re welcome, I hope many people will be able to appreciate Caluya too.
hidlaw run gid ako sa caluya! makabalik pa ako ayhan?
if you wanted it why not? never never say “ayhan” my friend, its looks like no more hope in this world, think positive my friend. you can have it if you want it.
i had been there long time ago. hindi madali ang pagpunta. and my last trip was a nightmare, our ferry boat was hit by typhoon. we almost lost our lives, that’s why i say “ayhan” but my heart belongs to caluya. thank u for giving hope,hehe…
nami gid tana ang caluya.. ilabi ron gid ang sibay..hope na mag posed u pa uli ng article ’bout sibay
Hi marjorie, di lang ako cgrdo kung ikaw kilala ko nga marjorie taga sibay man ako.
Marc,
I really missed Seaweed Salad! YUMMM! with kamatis, sibuyas bombay bilog kag dahon, kinihad nga linaga nga itlog kag may langaw nga makahang. Lord have mercy, daw sa mapauli akon dayon ba!
ya right….namit gid man ran tana…sus ginoo, san-o pa man tana ako matugroan sang long vacation, para makauli man tana ako sa harigue…
another pride of Panay island. i remmbr my relatives der. tnx 4 da pics.
great job.
AWESOME!
haha..c alpha jean man dan..bo myad pa nka post kw sa internet…..hahahaha,,,gud job..