Pilar, is a small sea port and a second class municpality in the province of Sorsogon, Bicol Region. According to the 2000 census the town has a population of 57,898 people in 10,883 households.

Pilar is well situated for easy voyage to Masbate, Cebu, Boracay and other good beach resorts found in the south.

Though whale shark sight seeing is popularly associated with the town of Donsol, whale sharks can also be seen in Pilay Bay near San Antonio.

Interaction with the whale sharks is regulated by the local department office. With the help of WWF strict guidelines were developed to protect the sharks. These include limiting the number of swimmers per boat (six), no scuba divers and staying further than three meters from the sharks. In practise this rule is almost never applied. As many as 14 boats at a time may 'mob' a shark, with up to 30 or 40 swimmers following the shark on the surface.

Trip to Bicol........the land of my birth.

While on board the ship I tried to spend our time surfing the internet using my Nokia N95 while the signal is still strong. My two kids were also too busy texting their brothers and sisters who were left behind and chatting on whatever comes into their minds. I downed two bottles of beer to make me sleep easily and comfortably.

Around midnight, my body and minde; can't handle anymore the drowsiness that I feel, so I slowly cover myself with the "malong " that I brought along with me. In a little while when I peek behind the sheet I am covered with, I also saw my kids slowly stretching themselves in the bed or cot assigned to them.

Around four in the morning my body clock woke me up and because I can't sleep anymore I just tried to spend my time looking at the beautiful island we passed by going to Masbate. We all know that the Philippines is composed of about 7,107 islands and many of them are seen in the Visayas.

Finally we left Masbate City at about 9 in the morning and arrived at Pilar Sorsogon 11 o'clock the same day.

Masbate by the way is famous for its rodeo....where men of no fear would ride the bull for the agreed minutes until he is bumped off by the bull or was able to withstand the rough running and kicking bull and declared as winner against the angry beast.;

The province is also famous for its white beaches and cheap, fresh and dried fish.

On the other hand, Sorsogon is famous not only for its white beaches but also for the world famous "butanding" or whale sharks.

Trip to Bicol - the land of my birth.

Third week of March 2009 when I received a text in my mobile phone that my mother passed away. Though I am expecting the sad news anytime because my mom refuses to eat any more, thinking that she is better off dead than continue suffering in her old age, we still brings her to the hospital as necessary.
I immediately decided to go home to the province when I learned that butrial will be held within five days.
So, I asked who among the members of my family would be willing to go with me.
Only two answered my call. The second and third of my children who are both available for a week's vacation.
We bought tickets from the Cokaliong Shipping Lines at the Port of Cebu, Cebu City for our trip to Masbate City, Masbate the next day and off we go............ .

Our trip is very nice because the weather cooperated. It was so calm and the breeze so cool which is so enticing and inviting for a very good night sleep.We decided to eat early at the vessel's lounge, bringing with us the food that we brought along with us knowing that the prices of goods sold on board is more than double if you will buy it on shore.

Trip to Bicol.....the land of my birth.

We arrived at the Port of Masbate, Masbate about seven (7am) in the morning. We took pictures of the islands surrounding Masbate under the shadow of the rising sun which several hours earlier we came to watch also the beautiful sunset enveloping everything before our very own eyes.
We did not disembark the vessel hurriedly because we know that the connecting trip to Pilar, Sorsogon on board an air conditioned fast ferry will be about 8:30 am.
After buying tickets for our connecting trip to Pilar, our next port, we decided to take a rest in the passenger lounge of the Montenegro Shipping Lines after which we were called to board the fast craft for Pilar.