Ticao Island, one of three major islands of Masbate, has always been a place where nature reveals its wonders quietly but magnificently. The body of water that separates the island from the Bicol Peninsula is Ticao Pass, a deep, fast-flowing strait. It is links Burias Pass in the north to Samar Sea in the south, characterized by strong, constant ocean currents that push plankton-rich water from the Pacific Ocean. Ticao Pass served as a crucial passage for Spanish Manila Galleon ships traveling between the Philippines and Mexico for over two and a half centuries.
The channel is known as a superhighway for large sea animals, including threshers, barracuda, whale sharks, and hammerheads. Located in the middle of the strait is a famous underwater seamount called Manta Bowl, home to oceanic manta rays with wingspans reaching eight meters. The Ticao Pass is a large protected seascape with rich coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Its waters are a living textbook for marine biologists.
The ports of Monreal, San Jacinto, Lagundi, and San Fernando connect Ticao with Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate. Beach resorts dot the coastline, but beyond that, island life is generally laid back. That changed when Silliman University, long respected for its environmental research, coastal resource management, and community development programs, accepted a remarkable gift: 467 hectares of land donated by Mrs. Elizabeth How in honor of her late husband Paulino and son Francis, a Sillimanian whose affection for the university endured throughout his life.
This is the story of how that donation — a legacy of social development that continues to shape Ticao Island today.
Making Tikaw‑Tikaw in Ticao
In 2007, the Silliman University Board of Trustees—then chaired by Liling Magtolis Briones—received an unexpected offer: a vast estate in Ticao Island, donated by the How family. The Board wondered how a property hundreds of miles away could be responsibly managed. A multidisciplinary team led by Dean Santiago Utzurrum was sent to Ticao to assess its potential. He is now the Director of the Off-Campus Property Development and Farm Operations.
Their findings were clear: Ticao was a rare convergence of marine richness, agricultural promise, and community need. It was a place where Silliman’s strengths—science, stewardship, and service—could flourish.
By May 21, during a Board meeting chaired by Juanita D. Amatong, Silliman reaffirmed its commitment to transform Ticao into a model for small-island agriculture.
A Three‑Pillar Strategy Emerges
Agriculture and Livelihood — The College of Agriculture began assisting residents in planting food and cash crops and managing the estate’s Brahman cattle. The goal: sustainable livelihood and increased household income.
Marine and Terrestrial Research — The Biology Department took the lead in mangrove rehabilitation and coastal resource protection. With guidance from Dr. Angel Alcala, internationally renowned biologist and environmental advocate, Ticao became a premier field site for students and researchers.
Community Empowerment — Around 55 families were organized not only as farmers but as guardians of Ticao’s coastal ecosystems. Through partnerships with TESDA, residents received training in various livelihood skills. Former Ambassador Tony Villamor, a native of Masbate, provided cultural and political insights that helped bridge the university’s initiatives with local leadership.
Despite limited financial resources, Silliman University invested time, expertise, and heart into Ticao. Trustees volunteered their skills; faculty members designed programs; researchers prepared for fieldwork. The island began to hum with purposeful activity.
In Bicolano culture, tikaw‑tikaw means bustling movement—people helping, planning, creating. Today, that spirit defines Ticao Island.
A Legacy Takes Shape: Honoring the How Family
Seven years after the How family entrusted Silliman University with its 467‑hectare estate in Ticao Island, the university formally honored the legacy behind the gift.
On August 23, 2014, Silliman unveiled the marker naming the property the:
“Paulino L. How and Francis Xavier F. How Field Research and Development Station.”
A concrete marker was installed in the estate, bearing the story of the donation and the family’s enduring commitment to education, community upliftment, and environmental stewardship. A set of Portals were also placed as symbolic gateways to learning and development.
Members of the How family—Telly Hidalgo How, Marie How Li, Herbert Li, and Mathew Tan—were present during the unveiling, reaffirming their connection to the university and to Ticao.
Transforming Lives Through Education and Skills Training
Since the donation, Silliman University has steadily built programs that uplift the families living on the property:
Scholarships for Farmers’ Children — Collaboration with resident farmers enabled Silliman to offer scholarships to their children. Scholars have already graduated from the College of Agriculture. More are currently pursuing agriculture degrees.
Technical-Vocational Training — Through a partnership with the Masbate Provincial TESDA, Silliman rolled out National Certificate training programs for out-of-school youth. Numerous graduates have benefited in Ticao since 2007. In 2024 alone, 196 students graduated from this training program.
A Hub for Research and Development
The property’s rich marine and terrestrial resources have made it a favorite site for research. It has also supported consultancy projects for international development organizations, including: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Asian Development Bank (ADB)
These engagements highlight Ticao’s value not only as a community development site but also as a regional center for scientific inquiry.
The Marker, the Mission, and the People Behind It
The unveiling of the marker was not only a ceremonial act—it was a reaffirmation of Silliman University’s long-term commitment to Ticao Island and a tribute to the How family’s generosity.
Representing Silliman University during the ceremony were Blanchie M. Utzurrum, Head of the Silliman University TEVEC (Technical-Vocational Education Center), and Vicpierre Morris Calunsag, office secretary. Their presence symbolized the university’s hands-on involvement in the island’s development, especially in technical-vocational training and community capacity-building.
A Station with Purpose
The Paulino L. How and Francis Xavier F. How Field Research and Development Station is envisioned as: a) living laboratory for agriculture, biology, and environmental science; b) community development hub for farmers and fisherfolk; c) training center for out-of-school youth; d) gateway for international research partnerships; e) model for sustainable small-island development.
The Human Story Beneath the Land
Behind the hectares of fields, mangroves, and coastline lies a human story:
A mother honoring her husband and son. A university embracing a challenge far from home. Farmers finding new opportunities. Youth gaining skills and confidence. Researchers discovering new frontiers. Communities learning to protect what sustains them.
The marker stands as a reminder that philanthropy, when rooted in love and memory, can transform landscapes and lives.
This is the heart of Ticao’s transformation.
A Legacy Still Unfolding
From the manta rays of Manta Bowl to the firefly-lit mangroves, from the farmers’ fields to the research stations, Ticao Island is becoming a place where science, community, and environment meet in harmony.
The How family’s generosity planted the seed. Silliman University nurtured it. And today, Ticao thrives with the unmistakable energy of tikaw‑tikaw—the purposeful movement of people building a better future together. We remember Francis How’s 21st death anniversary on September 25, 2026.
The header photo shows civil twilight at a Ticao coastline (photo: Santiago Utzurrum). This article was written by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon based on Silliman University references.