Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

Hoyop-hoyopan Cave

From the series of must-go scenic spots in Bicol, Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave is (as for me) the farthest. From Sumlang Lake we went straight to Hoyop-Hoyopan cave. Our tricycle driver/guide told us that we were passing through a shortcut because passing through the normal route will take us 45 minutes in getting there. We got there 15 minutes early than the normal route! Good job Kuya! 

From the word "Hoyop" which means "to blow", this cave was called as such because you can literally feel the breeze of wind blowing to your skin in every entrance of the cave. Located in Cotmon, Albay, Hoyop-Hoyopan cave was now privately owned by 3 families, Nuylan, Guerrero, and Nieva families. Our tour guide told us that each opening (there are 3 openings) was owned by each of the family. 

Entrance to the cave

The Entrance here is 300 Php for the first 6 person. Best to go here in groups to save money, we are just a couple so we have to share 150 Php each for the whole tour. It will take you around maximum of 30 minutes going around and appreciating the stalactites/stalagmites and the different rock formation that when you use your wild imagination you can compare its structure to an actual thing like angel's wings, a head of a dinosaur, a dementor from Harry potter, and a fried chicken leg. 

A giant hole above!

The Hand

Dementors

Hoyop-Hoyopan cave, according to our guide is a place where the guerilla hides during the war. It was easy to roam around even for the elderly as the cave have staircase and mostly flat grounds. There is just one challenge going to the third opening. We need to pass through a very narrow path and our guide jokingly said that this area is called the "paseksihan challenge" (challenge for being sexy) for the tourist. Well, luckily I fit in and able to pass through with my current physique (but its not easy!), our guide told me to go back so that he can take a picture of me while passing through and I said no, LOL! He just recalled a story of Jessica Soho (a female broadcast journalist in the Philippines) upon promoting the cave, was not able to fit in there and need to go back around so that she can explore the third opening. 

after surviving paseksihan challenge!

Easy to go aroung there are stairs along the way

The third opening is interesting, this used to be the burial grounds of our ancestors, the early inhabitants of the cave. It was said that the area was dug a long time ago so that they can study the bones that was buried there. After the burial grounds, you can see a circular area that used to be a dance floor.

The Burial Grounds

The Dance Floor

Bicol Adventure Links:

Day 2: 
Where to Stay in Bicol : Mayon Lodging House
Lignon Hill
Foodtrip: 1st Colonial Grill
Embarcadero de Legazpi


Day 3: 
Cagsawa Ruins 
Cagsawa ATV Adventure
Sumlang Lake
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave
Daraga Church
Albay Pili Nut Candy
Foodtrip :  Bigg's Diner and DJC Halo Halo