Masbate, Island province between Luzon and Visayas, Philippines
Masbate includes three main islands lying between Luzon and the Visayas, forming a territory with rolling hills and stretches of coastline. The islands sit in the Samar Sea and are separated by shallow waters and narrow channels.
Spanish colonizers set up mining operations here in the 16th century to extract gold deposits. This early activity drew settlers and shaped the development of island communities for centuries.
The name comes from a Malay word meaning "beautiful", though locals today know the place mainly for its open ranch land and working livestock culture. Visitors passing through smaller towns often see cowboys on horseback moving herds along dusty roads in the early morning.
Flights from Manila or Cebu reach the island in about an hour, while ferries offer a slower option with more stops along the way. The dry season is the better time to travel, as unpaved roads inland become easier to navigate.
The waters around the islands are considered one of the best places in the world to see manta rays, especially in the channels between the three main islands. Divers often come here to watch the animals in shallow areas where they go to be cleaned.
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