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This cave below the San Andres-Virac highway reveals interesting episode in the history of this town. The historic cave served as a hiding place for locals during the Moro Raid in the early years of the 18th century. It was believed that a long time ago the town of Calolbon (now San Andres) owned a very big bell at the belfry of their local church. Whenever this bell rings, it could be heard as far as Tabaco, Albay in the mainland Bicol. There was an existing village (now called Lictin) on the southern part of the town which according to the old local folks, the natives residing in this village were called “Binanwahan.” During those days, the Moro pirates always attacked this village to enslave the male inhabitants. Due to this constant threat, the village chieftain assigned two watchers near the shores to watch for any approaching Moro boats. One day, the watchers saw that there are Moro pirates coming. The watchers build a fire producing smoke as a warning to the villagers nearby. They then tolled the great bell and hide. When the pirates arrived in the village, they found no single inhabitant but only empty houses but they noticed embers on the inhabitant’s fireplaces. The Moro pirates suspected that the inhabitants were just hiding so they waited. Suddenly a woman comes to the shore to catch fish and other sea foods. The pirates followed her and waded to the river up to the jungle forest of Luyang. With limping walk from one river rock to another, the woman lost at their sight. The pirates keep on searching but did not find the woman. Instead, they came across a small opening on the mountain rocks, which was the Luyang Cave.

They presumed that was the villagers hiding place but did not dare get inside the dark cave. The Moro pirates then went back to their ships and headed somewhere else. The inhabitants later returned to their village. Thinking that the pirates will be coming back any time soon, they prepared their supplies of food and other belongings they could carry to their hiding place which was really the cave.

As for their protection, the people gathered some dried leaves, wood branches and twigs and hot chilies and filled up the entrance of the cave. When the Moro pirates came back, they went to the villagers hiding place. The villagers then burned the heaps of wood branches, dried leaves, twigs and hot chilies on the cave entrance so that the pirates could not get inside. Inside the cave, the villagers jars were filled with water blended with dried chilies to be used as their “sumpit.” Unfortunately, the southwest wind blows towards the cave’s interiors. The smoke then went inside the cave and the villagers died of suffocation.
According to sources, some antique coins and broken earthen wares have been found inside the cave. But whether the big bell has been found or not, there was no account. Visitors can feel the cool damp air inside and wonder what’s in the other chambers that the locals fear. A mini-grotto and altar was built inside and a “requiem mass” is held every April 28 in the cave opening to appease the troubled souls of the inhabitants who died inside. Luyang Cave is considered as one of the province’s historical places in memoriam to the “Binanwahans” who died inside.

The adventurer could revel in the sight of the corridors of majestic and colossal stalactite and stalagmite pillars and rock formations. Plus hanging from the ceilings and walls of the cave are countless bats who reign the whole length of the cave.

“Luyang Cave boasts of massive stalactites and stalagmites, and other rock formations. And hanging from the ceilings and walls of the cave are countless bats that inhabit the whole length of the cave.”
Feel the cool, damp air as you go inside this mute witness to and tomb of the massacred natives who fled from the Moro pirates during the 17th century. The natives sought refuge inside Luyang but the marauders traced them. The Moros uprooted sili (red pepper) plants growing near the cave, added dried leaves, stuffed them in the cave entrance and set the cave a fire, suffocating the hapless natives. To appease their troubled souls, a mini-grotto and altar was built inside in memory of this massacre, a “Requiem Mass” is said on April 28 of every year.

The adventurer could revel in the sight of the corridors of majestic and colossal stalactite and stalagmite pillars and rock formations. Plus hanging from the ceilings and wall of the cave are countless bats that inhabit the whole length of the cave.

Getting to Catanduanes Island Bicol Philippines

By Air
Cebu Pacific flies from Manila to Catanduanes and vice versa three times a week with a flying time of less than an hour (45-55 minutes).

By Land
Numerous bus lines operate air-conditioned coaches from Manila to Tabaco, Albay with trips running from 9 to 10 hours. From the seaport of Tabaco, hop on either at MV Calixta III, MV Calixta II, MV Penafrancia or MV Star Ferry to reach the island of Catanduanes via Virac or San Andres seaport.

Another option is to take RSL bus from Manila to Catanduanes which has ticketing station at Cubao (infront of Ali Mall) and pick-up station at Alabang (near Metropolis) or Ermita (Ground Floor, Trade Center, Padre Faura St.)

RSL Executive and ordinary bus departs Cubao to Catanduanes at 5:30 PM. From Tabaco, both buses board MV Calixta II which docks at San Andres port. The bus ferries its passengers to the capital town of Virac.

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