Hoyop Hoyopan Cave: Blow of the Wind

If your looking for a natural place or attraction that doesn't need too much physical activity, head on to the historic cave in Camalig, Albay, the Hoyop Hoyopan Cave!

Interesting rock formations with various shapes and sizes that will definitely activate your imagination. This hidden gem in Camalig, Albay is fascinating and historical as well. The 280 square meter-cave was called Hoyop-hoyopan, a Bicolano term for “blow of the wind.” This huge and windy cave is filled with various shapes of rock formations, where you can use your imagination to formulate different figures inside the cave.

Going inside, the place can be wet because of the stalactite and stalagmite that emit water in the cave. It’s better to wear comfortable shoes and clothes as the cave may need you to crawl or squeeze yourself inside to see more of what the cave offers. Included in the entrance fee that you will have to pay for is a tour guide, who will be there to share funny anecdotes about the cave and valuable information. The whole cave experience will only take about 15 to 30 minutes to see the first phase of the whole Hoyop-Hoyopan cave.

The floor is slippery and wet. Some exit holes are very narrow, you’ll literally squeezed your way out. But it’s worth the adventure!

"STRICTLY NO DATING!" - rule inside the cave

During World War II, this cave was used by the locals and soldiers alike as a hiding place from the colonizing Japanese military.  For three consecutive years, the cave became a hideaway that was never discovered by the Japanese.

Inside the cave are very still and quiet, but well ventilated, pocket holes.  Throughout the years, water would seep through and flow within the cave walls.  Water will bring mineral deposits that form and harden through time.  Crystal deposits can be seen on the walls of the cave.  As centuries pass, these deposits continue to build extending from the ceiling to the floor. They eventually become hardened durable pillars that support the inside of the cave.

A tour takes around 30 minutes, you will see a dance floor where the local equivalents of raves were held in secret during the martial law era under Marcos and many rock formations including one that resembles the virgin mary of the devil depending on how you imagine it.

To make tour easy, lights were installed and cemented paths were built inside. There are some newly developing rock forms, but a lot of old rock formations have lost their glistening qualities and turned brownish mainly due to irresponsible humans. According to our guide the cave was used as shooting location of a horror movie during the 70’s, the remnants of destruction of the cave to accomodate the needs of set was still there.

Outside the cave, there are several stalls selling crystals as souvenirs. These minerals do not came from the cave but was mined from the mountains around Camalig. Selling of these items are prohibitted by DENR but we cannot blame the locals as they do not have any alternative income.

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How to get here : From Legazpi proper, ride a jeepney with route Legazpi – Camalig, legazpi – Guinobatan, Legazpi – Ligao or any jeepney with route to 3rd district cost Php20

Then head to Camalig Market. From here, you may ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Cotmon and tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave (fare is Php15) or you can hire a tricycle for Php100