An international expedition cruise brought travelers from Australia to two quiet island towns in eastern Quezon Province. I had the chance to witness how Patnanungan and Burdeos welcomed the visitors with local culture, island adventures, and genuine Filipino hospitality.
A Cruise Ship Arrival That Put Eastern Quezon on the Map
There is something exciting about seeing a cruise ship anchor off an island that many Filipinos have never visited.
That was exactly the scene when M/S Heritage Adventure arrived in the Polillo Group of Islands (POGI) after beginning its expedition cruise from Australia. Around 115 foreign guests came ashore for a day of carefully planned excursions across the municipalities of Patnanungan and Burdeos in Quezon Province.
The visit highlighted a different side of Philippine tourism. Instead of heading to the usual beach destinations, these travelers explored communities that remain largely untouched by mass tourism.
I had the opportunity to witness the warm reception firsthand, and it showed how small municipalities can leave a lasting impression through culture, nature, and sincere hospitality.
A Warm Welcome in Patnanungan
The first stop in CALABARZON region was the municipality of Patnanungan, one of the islands that form part of the Polillo Group.
As soon as the visitors arrived, the local government welcomed them with a colorful traditional Tagayan dance performance, introducing guests to local customs before their excursion even began.
Nothing says tropical Philippines quite like a freshly opened coconut. Visitors were also treated to fresh coconut juice, giving them an authentic taste of island life while escaping the tropical heat.
The highlight of their visit was an adventure inside Tinagong Pantay Twin Cave.
The cave offered an entirely different experience from the country’s usual beach attractions. Its natural rock formations and hidden chambers gave visitors a glimpse of one of Patnanungan’s lesser-known attractions. For many of the cruise passengers, cave spelunking became one of the day’s most memorable activities.
Burdeos Showcased the Best of Island Living
The adventure continued in the neighboring municipality of Burdeos, where the focus shifted from caves to the sea. Guests spent their excursion around Anilon Island, one of Burdeos’ scenic island destinations.
Activities included:
- Snorkeling in clear waters with live and colorful coral reefs
- Kayaking along the shoreline
- Relaxing on the beach
- Swimming and enjoying the island scenery
- Bought quality and real South Sea Pearls from Burdeos
The laid-back atmosphere gave visitors time to appreciate the natural beauty of eastern Quezon without large crowds.
The Burdeos Tourism Office, headed by Ms. Ma. Nivea Danne Dacillo, also introduced guests to local flavors by serving Sapin-Sapin, one of the Philippines’ best-loved native delicacies. Sharing local food remains one of the easiest ways to introduce visitors to Filipino culture, and it added another memorable touch to the excursion.
Present during the welcome were Mayor Gina Gonzales and Vice Mayor Puti Avila, who personally joined in receiving the international visitors.
A United Effort to Promote Eastern Quezon
The successful visit reflected the strong partnership between the local governments and the Department of Tourism CALABARZON.
Both municipalities warmly received the cruise passengers alongside DOT CALABARZON Regional Director Marites Castro, who emphasized that the eastern side of Quezon Province deserves greater attention from travelers.
According to Director Castro, this is an ideal time for both local and international tourists to visit the Polillo Group of Islands (POGI), which includes Patnanungan and Burdeos.
She also encouraged more Filipinos to explore emerging destinations across the country instead of limiting their trips to well-known tourist spots.
During the event, Director Castro also highlighted the Department of Tourism’s newest domestic tourism campaign, Discover More to Love.
The campaign encourages Filipinos to visit new destinations through the DOT’s updated tourism website, which features attractions, experiences, and travel ideas from different regions across the Philippines.
The message was simple.
The Philippines still has many places waiting to be explored, and the Burdeos plus Patnanungan towns are one of them.