Aloguinsan: Cebu’s Paradise Rediscovered

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Cebu? For some who have frequented the Queen City of the South, the lively, boisterous and busy life similar to that of Metro Manila is easily recalled.

But there is more to Cebu than its hustling-and-bustling urban life. Three hours away from the city, you will find a quiet respite, where you can claim the much-needed peace and be finally one with nature.

Welcome to Aloguinsan, an ecological gem waiting to be rediscovered.

Organic and Natural Beauty

The Aloguinsan Eco Tour begins in a place they call “The Farm House.” True to its name, the Farm House boasts of a full-feature setup where a variety of vegetables and fruits are sowed and animals are herded.

Owners and workers of the farm take pride in the fact that their harvests and their animal produce are purely organic. The farm animals are given organic feeds, while their plants are nurtured with natural fertilizers through vermiculture.

With help from a guide, our Biyaheros can experience farm life – harvest the fruits and vegetables and feed the animals.

After communing with nature at the Farm House, on to the next adventure – the Bojo River Cruise.

The 15-minute journey begins with a quick orientation about the cruise and a traditional ritual believed to keep Biyaheros away from harm. After that, they can behold the breathtaking beauty of Bojo River.

Bojo River is truly a natural wonder. On the surface, it is a mild and calming body of water with thick mangroves on the side, making it appear mystical. Underwater, Bojo River boasts of rich and colorful corals. Tourists can either take the glass bottom boat or they can snorkel their way around the corals, with the local tour guides, of course.

The River takes the Biyaheros directly to Aloguinsan’s best-kept secret – the Hermit’s Cove.

Local stories say that an old hermit once lived in Hermit’s Cove and that there have been unexplained mysteries surrounding the remote place. What a lucky hermit was he for having lived in such a paradise!

Hermit’s Cove is Biyaheros’ dream beach, a solitary place where they can bask under the sun, take long quiet walks along the shoreline and commune with nature.

Delicious respite

Just like any other tourist spot, Aloguinsan boasts of delicacies that will surely whet your appetite.

Biyaheros’ can take their hands on making “Puto Buli,” a local kakanin (much like the popular puto bumbong) made from buri or buri palm. But making this kakanin is not without fanfare, as they are cooked with locals’ traditional song and dance.

Perfect partner for Puto Buli is Aloguinsan’s “Binisayaang Manok,” which is cooked with “tuba” or coconut wine.

Another favorite made from tuba is the local bread “Salboros.” The tuba in Salbaros takes the place of yeast as the leavening or raising agent.

And finally, a must-try in Aloguinsan are their “Taro Balls” or grated purple yam cooked with coconut cream.

Side trips

Aside from the Eco Tour, Biyaheros can also try the Aloguinsan Heritage Tour where they get to visit the St. Raphael the Archangel Parish along with its century-old Acacia tree.

Local story has it that centuries ago, the Acacia tree once served as the church’s “bell tower,” pealing to warn the villagers of pirates.

A few meters from the Church is the Baluarte Park, where an old watchtower is still erected, used by the villagers against Moro slave raiders during the 18th century. Baluarte Park is now a well-landscaped park that is a good picnic place for the whole family.

Biyaheros can also take a side trip to a nearby town in Barili where the Mantayupan Falls is nestled. There are also spring resorts nearby, where Biyaheros and residents alike can dip in the waters for free!

Getting and staying there

Though secluded and away from the city life, Aloguinsan is quite easy to locate. From the Mactan International Airport, Biyaheros can take a one-hour cab ride to Cebu South Bus Terminal.

From the terminal, a yellow Sepo Bus is already waiting to take visitors to the Aloguinsan's hidden paradise. The bus ride, which costs around P80, is a two-hour ride to Aloguinsan Public Market.

For Biyaheros who want to save time and effort, they can rent out private vans for about P3,500 to P4,000 a day, to take them to their desired destinations.

At Aloguinsan, Biyaheros can choose to stay at a resort, with accommodations ranging from P300 to P600 a night. Also available are apartment and apartelle rooms costing around P800 to P800 a night. For a more private stay, they can opt to rent private villas at P3,000 a night. --- CARLO P. ISLA / BMS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS