The Cave Where The Wind Blows

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"The cave you fear to enter, holds the hidden wonders of the world..."

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave. April 04, 2018.

When I was a kid, I am not very fond of caves. I've watched in cartoons that caves are home of wild grizzly bears and blood-sucking bats. Guess most of them are fiction. First of all, grizzly bears do not exist in The Philippines. Second, bats do not suck blood of human. As I grew older, I become amazed in caves. How they are formed by certain processes such as weathering, tectonic activities, pressure, erosion from water and even by microorganisms. Lucky for me, I am able to explore a cave for the very first time, here at my home province, Albay. In barangay Cotmon of the municipality of Camalig, lies a cave called "Hoyop-Hoypan" Cave.


What is "Hoyop-Hoyopan"?

"Hoyop" is a Bicolano word which means "Blow". The cave got its name by the presence of wind blowing through the cave from the outside. This is possible due to the number of holes with varying sizes that surrounds the cave, enabling the wind to pass through even coming from different directions. It also helps to eliminate the stench that are usually experienced in caves. This is one of the tourism spots in the municipality of Camalig worth visiting, discovered during the Japanese Era in the country. If you are scared of the dark, good news for you then, the cave has light bulbs inside to lighten up your way through.


More like Holes in the wall.

How To Get There?

Upon reaching Legazpi City, you can ride a jeepney heading Camalig which usually has a travel time of 30 - 45 minutes. From Camalig town proper, you have to hire a tricycle to Brgy. Cotmon. Just say "Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave", and the tricycle driver will take you there for another 15 minutes. You can also request for the driver to wait for you and bring you back to Camalig town proper. It is highly recommended to do that, especially if you will just commute. From the parking area, you have to walk a few feet before reaching the cave's main entrance.


Warm-up trek before the cave exploration.

What Are The Pointers to Remember?

There is a signboard outside that tells you what to keep in mind during cave exploration. Make sure to read it before entering for your own safety. Here are some of the most important:


Main Entrance.

Shout-out to my "travel goals" buddies: France (left) and Tin (right)

  • Tour Guide. Make sure you have an official tour guide with you during exploration. Tour guides of the cave are hospitable and accommodating based on our experience. Listen to your tour guide and never go first or get left behind the group.
  • Do Not Litter. That is mandatory in all tourist spots.
  • Hands Off. There are certain rock crystals and formations that you are not allowed to touch. Oil from skin and other contaminants can cause irrepairable damage to them.

Things To Do:

  • Go "Dora The Explorer". Explore the path inside the cave. The cave is not that big and has a 300m walk-through. Explore stalactites and stalagmites throughout the cave. For your info, Stalactites are speleothems or formations that hang from the ceiling, formed by dripping mineral deposits. Stalagmites, on the other hand, are formations that rises from the cave floor, formed by drippings from from the cave ceiling.

The light before the cave's darkness.

Where are we going? Stairway to further darkness

Question: Which is Stalactite and which is Stalagmite?


Wild Zubats (bat pokemon) appeared.


  • Test of Imagination. Since the cave is filled with speleothems (formations), be creative and imaginative enough to identify formation that resembles an object.

Can I have a one piece chickenjoy?

Moses and his staff that slices through the sea

Dumbo, the flying elephant.

  • Get challenged. The walk-through is not that difficult. It is actually child-friendly, but expect some minor obstacles throughout the trip. These include different elevations of cave floor, crossing narrow stone bridges, watch out for water puddles, small cave openings and low cave ceilings. Be extra careful.

Water Puddles Under The Stone Bridge.

The path is getting smaller for me

Help! I'm Stuck.... Huhu

  • For The Gram. Isn't it obvious? The cave has plenty of instagrammable spots that will look amazing in your feed.

I will see you on the other side

The Beatles minus one member

...And at last I see the light!

Someday, we'll be together... <3

  • Entablado. This means "Dance Floor" or "Stage" in English. During the declaration of Proclamation No. 1081, or The Martial Law in the country last September 23, 1972, Filipinos are not allowed to do much freedom. The lot-owner where the cave is located had this small dance floor inside the cave where Filipinos can dance freely, hidden from the restrictions of President Marcos.

Baby I'm... Dancing in the dark...

  • Rest Time. At the 3/4 of the walk-through, there is an open spot where you can rest for a while and enjoy the cool breeze that blows through the cave. Or you can just take more pictures with beautiful stalactite arrangements.

Relax. Enjoy the cool, fresh breeze.

More insta-moments.

  • Cave exit. Upon reaching the exit, the cool wind blowing will greet you and if you are lucky, a view of Mayon Volcano outside. Unfortunately during our visit, it was very cloudy and Mayon is unable to show up. You will walk a path after from that point back to the main entrance. Don't worry, you will not enter the cave anymore. Back to the entrance, finish the whole cave exploration experience with a victorious swing on a thick vine.

Almost out

We Did It... Hooray!

Path back to the Main Entrance


I'm... Gonna Swiiiiiing.. From the Candelier... From the Chandelier!!!

What To Bring?
  • Good grip shoes. Better be safe, especially when it is raining. The cave floor just might get slippery.
  • Cameras. Duh?
  • Curiosity and Imagination. For a fun-filled cave exploration.
How Much?
  • Php 290.00 - Fare. (from Legazpi City - Hoyop-Hoyopan cave and vice versa). Jeepney from Legazpi City to Camalig is Php 20.00. Hiring a tricycle back and forth is Php 250.00.
  • Php 300.00 - Tour Guide,Entrance Fee, Environmental Fee. This is for 1-6 pax in a group. If more than 6 pax in a group, additional pax will cost Php 50.00 each.
  • *Php 25.00 - Parking Fee. This is actually applicable only for private vehicles.

The cave accepts tourist Mondays - Sundays, Usually 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM


Hope this helps! Have fun guys and I'm excited for you to enjoy the moments, just like I did.


Happy Cave Exploring!


-pauledwrd-


Instagram: @pauledwrd
Twitter: @pauledwrd




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