By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

Known as the "land of the howling wind," Catanduanes is an island province thrusting into the Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Luzon by the Maqueda Channel, which across lies the Caramoan Peninsula of Camarines Sur. Catanduanes is chiefly mountainous with few coastal plains. Rain falls here throughout the year and falls heaviest in between the months of November and January.

During the early Spanish period, Catanduanes was known as the center for shipbuilding. Its name was believed to have been derived from the Catandungan River, along whose banks tango trees used extensively for shipbuilding.

The people of Catanduanes are called Bicolanos whose dialect indicates a strong Visayan influence.

More than its famed reputation as "the land of the howling wind" because of the incessant typhoon visits, Catanduanes has positioned itself as an emerging tourist destination that boasts of myriad attractions and offers exciting possibilities for a traveler who wants to test his endurance and ingenuity.

Did you know that world class waves can be found in Catanduanes? In case you didn't, the 4th Leandro Vercelles International Surfing Competition showcased some of the best surfers from around the world.

Puraran is the home of the world-renowned "Majestic" waves. Its breathtaking long-barrel-type surf is perfect for both the serious surfers and the novice. Offshore waves are in their greatest shape during the months of September to November. The surfing area also exhibits magnificent views of mountains and coves. Photo enthusiasts can get a perfect view of sunrise here.

If you like to surf on challenging waves, pack your board and surf up in Catanduanes! Surfers say that the waves here are not necessarily bigger but definitely stronger because of the natural rock bottom of this beach. When it comes to waves, bigger does not mean better. Stronger waves mean a great raw adventure because once these waves get going, nothing can stop them.

The waves of Catanduanes impressed all the international surfers who came for the international surfing contest. They instantly fell in love with Catanduanes. But who wouldn’t? The province has challenging waves and add to that a buffet with the freshest seafood it has to offer.

I guess my partner Marc and his pretty lady love Priscilla were feeling a bit raw and rustic. They decided to take a break from surfing and spend some intimate time with each other. For holiday seekers, this is a place for total relaxation, a place for communing with nature and simply a place for rejuvenation and serenity.

Catanduanes celebrates its Catandungan Festival every 6th of October 6 to 24th of the same month yearly. Governor Vercelles, who became a good friend of Sports Unlimited for his love of extreme sports, invited models and celebrities like the very sexy Gwen Garci. The deal was that everyone should try wakeboarding.

When Governor Vercelles throws a celebration, wakeboarding is surely guaranteed. There was wakeboarding at night, right at the pier! It was a big hit for the crowd. The governor wants to pass on his passion for wakeboarding to his constituents. The crowd went wild when Gwen Garci shed her sexy image to get sporty. We all liked that!

At the time when the party in Catanduanes was over, the wakeboarding was not. The gang headed to Camarines sur in a four-hour ferry ride and another 11 and a half hours travel by land. Alas, we were in one of the best cable wakeboard parks in the world-- the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex! Everyone who tried cable wakeboarding for the first time, got hooked on it.

Camarines Sur Governor El Ray Villafuerte is also a wakeboard enthusiast. He constantly invites everyone to come on down to the province so he can introduce them to wakeboarding. If you happen to be in Camarines Sur, Sports Unlimited urges you to try this great sport.

Wushu
This girl who did wushu was amazing. Listening to her and watching her perform was a wonderful experience. A daughter really gives her best for her mom to be proud.

Arnis
You may recognize the name, Roland Dantes. Sports Unlimited got the chance to discover a different side of him aside from his being a great action star. Dantes is the grandmaster of arnis. He has great passion for the martial arts. He travels all over the world to promote arnis. Every Pinoy should learn this martial art because it can really save lives.