An emerging seafood capital

THE Jintotolo Channel, connecting the Visayan Sea and Sibuyan Sea, is an important shipping route between Luzon and the Visayas. It is also a rich fishing ground that has made Roxas City, located south of the channel, the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. However, there's an emerging seafood capital north of the channel where you can get the freshest seafood from the local market and have them cooked while enjoying kilometers of empty white sand beaches. This is the town of Balud, on the southern tip of Masbate.

Palani white sand beach Bus going to Manila from Balud. Lumawig River Fresh snails from Lumawig River Lumawig river adventure

Named after «balud,» the wild doves that once populated the area, the place started as a settlement for fishermen from neighboring Panay Island. They brought their families, cleared the forest, planted coconut palms and crops, and continued to enjoy its rich fishing ground. The settlement soon became a barrio, and in 1949, it became an independent municipality now called Balud.

Tourists have recently discovered Balud through the power of social media. The long white sand beaches of Barangay Palani are attracting intrepid travelers and vloggers to explore this hidden paradise. People are discovering Jintotolo Island and its old Spanish lighthouse. The opening of ferry services connecting Masbate with mainland Luzon and Panay Island has allowed travelers to bring home Balud's freshest catch.

Jintotolo Ligthouse

How to get there

The quickest way to reach Balud is to take the daily flight from Manila to Masbate City and, from there, take a two-hour van or bus to Balud. There are also buses from PITX and Cubao that head straight to Balud. Those coming from Roxas City can take a twice-weekly ferry (three hours) from the port of Culasi to Calumpang in Balud. It is also possible to bring your vehicle directly to Balud. Drive south to Bicol for 10 hours to the port of Pio Duran, Albay, and from there, take a RoRo ferry either to Aroroy (3.5 hours via Montenegro Shipping) or Mobo (4 hours via Kho Shipping). Balud is another two- to three-hour drive upon landing in Masbate.

Lumawig river adventure Fresh fish at the market Calumpang Beach