The Adventure in Lamanok Island

The Adventure in Lamanok Island
By: Allen Dave Gultiano

Lamanok Island is a mysterious place located in Badiang, Anda, Bohol. The island is famous for its unique rock formations, spirits, and ancient rituals associated with it. Visiting Lamanok Island on January 6, 2026, was an adventurous experience for me, as it was my first time visiting a place rich in both history and natural beauty.

Lamanok Island offers three main activities: a mangrove tour, snorkeling, and an island tour. However, I chose to explore and discover the island itself. Upon arrival, the tour guide reminded us to remain calm, avoid shouting, and show respect to the island. With this reminder, I felt ready for a meaningful experience.

My adventure at Lamanok Island began as I boarded a boat and paddled my way toward the island. Along the way, strong waves appeared, causing the boat to shake. Despite this, I reached the island safely. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the beauty of my surroundings, which encouraged me to proceed to my next destination.

My first destination on Lamanok Island was a cave that served as an ancient burial site. Inside, I saw bones placed in coffins and large clam shells along the right side of the cave. According to our tour guide, these were the remains of early humans who once inhabited the area and were buried there after death. Next, we visited the Red Rock Hematite Painting Cave, where a large cross and ancient paintings could be seen on the rock wall. The paintings symbolized “here” or “we are here” and were created using a paste made from plants and animal fat mixed with water. The native people used their fingers or animal tails to apply the pigment onto the cave walls.

We then proceeded to the Ca Iska Rock Shelter and Bat Cave. On the way, I saw small monkeys hanging from the trees, unaware of our presence, which surprised me. Upon arriving at the cave, I was astonished to see many bats resting on the ceiling. The cave was said to have been inhabited by a woman who lived alone in the early 1880s. People feared her because they believed she was a witch who killed infants and young children. No one dared to visit the island until she reportedly died. After hearing this story, I felt a chill run down my spine and the hairs on my neck stood up. Because of my fear, we decided not to proceed further and instead moved on to another cave.

Afterward, I felt calmer when we visited the Shaman Cave, where rituals were performed during Holy Week. Roosters were commonly offered, while some shamans also sacrificed pigs, cows, or other animals depending on their requests. Many visitors had also left money and personal belongings in the cave as offerings. Another interesting fact about Lamanok Island is that it remains rich in wildlife. Bohol’s tarsier, known as mawmag in our dialect, can be found there, and flying lemurs or kagwang may also be seen if one is lucky enough. Finally, we returned home safely, and I felt grateful that our trip ended without incident.

Overall, my experience on Lamanok Island was truly memorable. I learned many things and experienced emotions such as fear, curiosity, and deep respect for the island. I realized the importance of respecting other cultures, nature, and the traditions passed down by our ancestors. Lamanok Island taught me that a place should not only be visited, but also respected and cared for.