Top 10 Interesting Facts about Gigantes Island

Gigantes Island- Author; SIPAT- Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Gigantes Island

Also known as Islas de Gigantes, Gigantes island is an island chain within the larger Western Visayas archipelago in the Visayan Sea.

It is part of the municipality of Carles, Iloilo, Philippines, and the northernmost part of Iloilo province.

This island consists of about ten islands. The two largest are Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes).

According to the 2010 census, it has a population of about 12,224. There is also a lighthouse on Gigantes Norte.

1. Was named Gigantes afterwards due to the human bones found there

Human skull- Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

The Gigantes  used to be called Sabuluag, or Salauag. This is the name of a species of tree endemic to the islands. During the Spanish colonial era, however, the name was changed to Gigantes.

This is because local legend described coffins being found inside Bakwitan Cave that contained gigantic sets of human bones, thus constituting the name change.

For this reason, locals also believe the island is inhabited by ‘engkantos.’ That is, ancestors and nature spirits

2. Gigantes Island had a lighthouse that was built before 1895

A lighthouse- Photo by Andrew Charney on Unsplash

A lighthouse was built on Gigantes Norte sometime before 1895. Designated by Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS), the white 38-foot-high tower features a keeper’s house and a focal point 77 feet (23 m) in the air, which flashed once every ten seconds.

It served as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways

3. The typhoon Fengshen destroyed its original lighthouse

A storm- Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash

Typhoon Fengshen, known in the Philippines as ‘Frank,’  was the sixth named storm and the fourth typhoon recognised by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The typhoon Warning Center recognised Fengshen as the seventh tropical depression, the sixth tropical storm, and fifth typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season.

It struck the Gigantes  in June 2008 and ended up destroying the original lighthouse on Gigantes Norte, which was one of the original 27 lighthouses built by the Spanish in the Philippines.

Japan donated a replacement tower, which is made of iron and solar-powered. The brick keeper’s house is all that remains of the original structure.

4. Experienced another typhoon in 2013 that damaged a lot of property

Typhoon art- Image by 0fjd125gk87 from Pixabay

Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as “Yolanda”, passed over the Gigantes group, along with the rest of Panay, on November 8, 2013, damaging houses and boats.

Unofficial reports stated more than 90 % of the houses on Gigantes were destroyed.

The typhoon also tore the roof off of Lantangan Elementary School in Gigantes Sur. As of June 2014, the roof of the school had not yet been repaired.

Many groups conducted relief missions for the Gigantes group, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 6 (BFAR-6), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6), RockEd Philippines, the ABS-CBN Foundation, Loma Linda University Health (LLUH), and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

5. It has been a recipient of humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid- Author; Technical Sergeant Mike Buytas of the United States Air Force- Wikimedia

In June 2014, Save the Children donated more than a thousand bags of school supplies to students on the island.

Aside from food and clothing, the fishing community also asked relief organizations to help rebuild their livelihoods.

6. There is a lagoon located within Gigantes

A lagoon- Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Tangke is a saltwater lagoon located within Gigantes Sur. A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs and barrier islands.

The lagoon at Gigantes is surrounded by cliffs. One local myth surrounding Tangke states that the waters would magically rise every year on June 24 during the feast of Saint John the Baptist.

7. There is also a private beach at Gigantes

Photo by Sean Oulashin on Unsplash

The private beach which belongs to a resort (Antonia Resort) on the southeastern tip of Gigantes Sur, known for its 1 peso scallops.

The resort is a popular spot for tourist attraction thus making the place economically empowered.

8. Boats can be taken to get to Gigantes Island

Pump boats on Gigantes Island- Author; Iloilo Wanderer- Wikimedia

Boats can be chartered from Bancal Port in Carles. Public ferries leave daily from Bancal Port to either Gigantes Norte or Gigantes Sur.

Private boats can also be chartered to reach the islands. It takes approximately an hour from Bancal Port to Gigantes islands.

Daily trips are also available from the port of Estancia, which can be reached via point-to-point bus operated by Ceres from their terminal just outside Iloilo City.

The single trip leaves at approximately 1300 hours daily and takes about 1.5-2 hours to complete.

9. There is also a deep cave at Gigantes

A cave- Photo by Devon Janse van Rensburg on Unsplash

This island also boasts a deep cave known as Bakwitan Cave that requires a strict use of equipment due to its sharp-edged walls and uneven grounds.

It’s actually quite  exciting if you are into spelunking. That is exploration of cavess as a hobby. If this is something that interests you, then the cave at Gigantes might blow your mind.

The cave leads you to an exit on the other side. That is, further to the left. You will need a boat ride to see it if you’re facing the island.

There, you can see the view from around 30 ft above the water and then dive into the deep blue sea.

10. The best time to visit Gigantes is at noon

Gigantes Island- Author; Bait30- Wikimedia

Noon is the best time to visit Gigantes because at this time the tides are high. When this is so, then adventorous activities like diving and snorkelling will be possible thus making the whole experience even better.

You can further dive into the water and find a hole underwater that leads to the interior of the lagoon if you are much of a daring person.

Further, the floating decks will give you access to the entry point where you can do a little rock climbing.