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A photo that says that it was the tallest waterfall in the province of Cebu piqued my interest in visiting the place. It was just an hour away from the city and, since I had a day to spend, a little adventure would good on a Sunday. With a pinch of adventure, we chased the water trail in Barili.  A day is always enough for an adventure in Cebu. The town of Barili is the midpoint that connects the southwestern side of Cebu to rest of the province. Its landscape rolls from mountains to farmlands to the sea that gives the town a unique collection of attractions. However, most of these attractions fall under the shadows of the high-adrenaline adventures offered by its neighboring towns. It is more popular as a quick midway stop for buses to and from Cebu. Similarly, a quick stop in Barili will surely give you an adventure that will complement the thrilling adventures of Southern Cebu. Mayana Falls Mayana Falls was not in our radar until our habal-habal driver mentioned it to us. The falls is within a private compound that was converted into a resort that offers a peaceful nature escape. Our guide told us that it was also their first time to visit the resort and the falls as they have never been there because it was privately owned. The resort offers cottage accommodation along the downstream flow of the falls. Each cottage has its own spring pool.  Mayana Falls is located within the compound of a private resort in Barili. Mayana Falls is tucked well within the hinter area of the resort. You need to traverse down the resort’s pathways to get to the falls. Water cascades along a huge boulder creating a steady stream on the sides of its rock face into a series of shallow pools. One can enjoy a quick dip in its cold waters and enjoy communing with nature.
The falls itself is not as majestic but the overall ambiance of the place makes it a cool place to disconnect from the humdrum of city life. Mayana by Blue Space perfectly created a nature space. Since the place is private, expect to pay an entrance fee to access the waterfalls area. Oh… and don’t forget to interact with their resident monkey. Mantayupan Falls Mantayupan Falls is the tourism icon of Barili. Standing at a height of 98 meters, it is believed to be the highest waterfall in the province. The place was developed by the local government so access to the waterfalls is easy with its walkways and bridge. The hanging bridge form part of the attraction because of the added adrenaline thrill as you trek to the first waterfall.  Mantayupan Falls is believed to be the highest in Cebu, standing at 98 meters. There are two levels that are accessible to the public. The first level of Mantayupan is just a few meters walk from the entrance. Surrounded by dense foliage, three cascades break out from foliage into a shallow pool from a height of 14 meters. The hanging bridge on the left side give the spot that additional flair in pictures.  Standing at the entrance of the Mantayupan Falls park.
The main cascade of Mantayupan Falls can be accessed by crossing the hanging bridge. Water cascades from a height of 98 meters into a shallow basin. One can enjoy a cold dip in its waters at the designated swimming area. Visitors spends more time here because of the beauty of its cascade surrounded by greens, not to mention that it has more idyllic spot for photos.  Water cascades into a shallow pool where there is a designated area where guests can swim. It was good to see that Mantayupan Falls was developed for tourism. It offers complete facilities for its guests so visiting the falls is easy and convenient. This spot is a great spot to explore when you make a quick stop in Barili. You get to enjoy the beauty of nature in Barili that would complement your south west Cebu adventure. Sayaw Beach From the cascades of Barili’s mountains, we headed to enjoy the seawaters of Barili. Sayaw Beach is one of the popular beach spots in Barili. This beach spot can easily be accessed because it sits along the main highway and it is just a couple of minutes away from the bus stop.  Sayaw Beach is a great beach spot for a quick chill in Barili. The beach sits in a cove and has white sand shoreline. It is a private resort and there are available huts for day trips and cottages for those who want to spend the night in Barili. There is an adjacent beach cove that is connected by a concrete pathway. There is also a small port for small boats to dock on. There is a store in the resort where you can buy snacks and drinks.  Getting a little beach vibe at Sayaw Beach. Sayaw Beach was a peaceful sanctuary if you are looking for a quick beach escape. I enjoyed getting tanned while enjoying the afternoon sun by the shore. Unfortunately, the beach is a bit rocky so you need to wear the right footwear if you intend to swim. There are basic facilities that you can use in the resort. What I liked best is the chill vibe of Sayaw Beach as I enjoyed the afternoon sun and the cool sea breeze. POST TRAVEL NOTES More than just a bus stop for travelers, Barili is a destination that is worth a day or a few hours of visit. The town is also blessed with natural beauty that you can enjoy. These attractions may be under the shadows of the other famous attractions and activities in the area but it can definitely complement your planned adventures. I suggest that you travel early so you can enjoy a couple of hours to discover Barili.  From the highest falls to the highest peak of Cebu, this is going to be fun. There are a lot of pass-through or bus stop destinations in the Philippines that deserve a second look. These “stops”, if seen from a different angle, can give your trip a different vibe that can complement and even enhance your adventure. All we need is to make a stop, explore the area, and enjoy what the place has to offer. I guess, it is time for me to also start checking out these “quick stops”. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Getting there: Major local and international airlines have direct flights to Cebu. You can take a cab to the South Bus Terminal where you can take a Ceres bus to Bato via Barili. Tell the bus ticket teller that you will be going down the Poblacion of Barili. You can then hire a habal-habal to explore the waterfalls and the beach spots.
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A Spanish-period church once caught my attention to mark this town on my list. But it took a “dinosaur egg” to finally convince me to take a 2-hour ferry ride from Cebu to Bohol so I could meet an “asindero” who told me how an influencer managed to help revive the tradition of salt-making in Bohol. Yes, may asin pa din ang Alburquerque. Easter is still more than a month away but that did not stop me from egg hunting in Alburquerque in Bohol. Alburquerque, or more commonly referred to as Albur among Bol-anons, is a small town that is about 20 minutes away from Tagbilaran. It was once called Segunto when the parish was separated from Baclayon and was later renamed to Alburquerque in 1861. Although the town has its own attractions, it is often overshadowed by the more popular spots of the province. Let me share with you two heritage destinations that would make Albur a worthy stop when you visit Bohol. Sta. Monica Church and Convent (Simbahan ng Alburquerque) The church majestically catches one’s attention as you breeze through the circumferential highway of the province. Its stands out because it is not the usual look of a Spanish-period church here in the Philippines with its rectangular-shaped facade. It is not a tourist stop because it is often overshadowed by the more popular Baclayon Church in the nearby town. But the church has its own beauty and story to share to those who make a quick visit to the church.  The Sta Monica Parish Church is a recognized important cultural property of the Philippines. Initially established under the parish of Baclayon, it was in 1869 that the Sta. Monica Church was inaugurated under the stewardship of the Augustinian Recollects. The first church was like a shed that was made of wood and bamboo. The construction of the present-day church started in 1885 and the upper walls and tower was completed in the 1920s. The murals on the church were done in 1932.
The church stands out differently because of its box-type structure. An overhead bridge connecting the church to the convent is a unique feature that is absent in other Spanish-period churches in Bohol. The impressive structure looks unfinished and the coral foundation behind the grotto may support my observation. The adjacent kumbento is said to be one of the two similar structures built in the area that served as the “Escuela de Ninos”.  The marker recognizing the church as an important cultural property of Bohol and the Philippines. The interior of the church is grand and beautiful. The first to catch your attention are the painted ceilings of the church that depicts biblical narratives. These paintings were done by Ray Francia. The wood foundations that line the navel are also unique as this is the first time that I have seen this feature. The wooden altar stands elegantly with the image of Sta. Monica as its centerpiece. Two beautiful altar sits adjacent to the main altar.
The church was declared as an Important Cultural Property in 2013 and its historical marker was installed in August 27, 2014. It suffered minimal damage during the 2013 Bohol Earthquake making it one of the few intact churches after the tremors. It is worth a quick stop for those who are in Bohol to enjoy its beauty and its history. Asin Tibuok This was a story that brought me to Bohol even for a day. I was lucky enough to have met one of the few Bol-anon “asineros”, Kuya Resindo Datuy, who gladly shared with me how these “dinosaur eggs” are made. From his humble salt factory, we shared how he learned the century-old traditional way of making asin tibuok, why he stopped, and what made him comeback to this art.  This "dinosaur egg" was the reason why I visited Bohol for a day. Asin Tibuok is a product of a heritage tradition in Bohol that started during the Spanish period. The name translates to “unbroken salt” because it is whole piece of salt that resembles a dinosaur egg. This artisan salt is used as a final seasoning by dusting it over food and desserts to give it that added smokey salt taste. Kuya Resindo shares that he likes it over his chocolate and dessert. It is one of the rarest and expensive salts fetching around Php600 a piece in the market. Interestingly, it is a tradition that is being revived by the Bol-anon asineros like Kuya Resindo.  Kuya Resindo Datuy (left-most) is one of the few Bol-anons who continues the heritage of making Asin Tibuok. The process of making asin tibuok is tedious process that takes around 5-6 months. The first step is to soak coconut husks in saltwater. This is the longest step to process as it takes 4 to 5 months for the husks to be completely soaked. Asineros soak husks by layers to help them produce asin tibuok regularly.  The long process begins with coconut husks being soaked in salt water for 4 to 5 months. The soaked husks are then made into strips, sun-dried, piled, and fired using coconut wood. The furnace is controlled by pouring saltwater into the fire and the end product of the process is a crusted mix of salt and ash called “gasang”. The gasang is then loaded into large funnel-shaped bamboo storage and saltwater is then poured onto the gasang. The process would drain away the “burned” salt creating a brine called “tasik”. The tasik is then collected from underneath the funnels and it is now ready to be cooked.  This is the gasang - a crystalized mixture of ash and sea salt. The final step in making Asin Tibuok is cooking the salt over a furnace. Salt clay pots are lined by the furnace and the “tasik” is then slowly poured into these pots. The water evaporates leaving the salt crusted inside it. They continue pouring the “tasik” over the crusted salt until the bottom of the pots break indicating that the salt is already cooked. The final product is a crusted salt taking the shape of the bottom of the pot that resembles a dinosaur egg. The production of this artisan salt runs from December to May when the salinity of sea water is highest. Kuya Resindo shared with me that art of making Asin Tibuok is not for the lazy as cooking the salt takes months of preparation and about 4 to 5 hours just to bake it. He also said that he took a “break” from making this heritage product and only resumed the art after interest on Asin Tibuok picked up, thanks to a feature by Erwan Heussaf. This renewed attention to this artisan salt brought market prices up reviving a livelihood opportunity for the asineros and breathing new life to the century-old tradition of salt making in Bohol. POST TRAVEL NOTES Heritage is not just about century-old structures and cultures. It is also about products produced from century-old practices like the Asin Tibuok of Alburquerque in Bohol. It is a product that gives you a glimpse of the past, not for the product, but the arduous process of making this artisan salt that was and is passed on from generation to generation. Our support to these cottage industries would also mean being able to keep a century-old practice alive that would give our palate that extra flavor to enjoy.  Cheers to more adventures this 2024! Where are we heading to next? Talaga naman na may asin pa ang Alburquerque! It is a destination that would make you appreciate the hardwork and sweat that go with heritage and tradition. The long journey of building the Sta. Monica Church is similar to the long process of making the Asin Tibuok. It takes time and patience but the end product is one that can withstand time and calamities. It will remain strong and standing in the years to come to show us how unique and resilient Filipinos are. You can also watch my Youtube travel video on Albur here: #ByahengOffTheGrid Alburquerque #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas #SamaSamangBabangonMuli Getting there: There are direct flights to Panglao International Airport from Manila and other key cities in the country and Asian cities. In my case, I took an Oceanjet Fastcraft from Cebu City to Tagbilaran Port. The ferry ride takes two hours. From the airport or seaport, you can take a trike to the Tagbilaran City Square where you can find the jeepney terminal to Alburquerque. Travel time from Tagbilaran to Alburquerque is about 30 minutes. There are tricycles that you can rent to get around Alburquerque.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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