Cruising and Combing Maribojoc
Posted on July 29, 2008
Written by Arnoldo dela Cruz
Take a breeze flight to Bohol’s Tagbilaran airport. Then roll up a trip 14 kilometers going up north. It’s the opposite route from the world famous Chocolate hills, so that keeps you far from the maddening crowd.
The town of Maribojoc stands humble in its beauty and sits quietly in its majesty.
A bit of trivia: Maribojoc got its name from a tree that is abundant in the area. The tree is very much like the Pine tree… except that its needles are a bit thicker and firmer like wild hair. Thus in the ancient times they call it Maria Buhok, which literally translate to Maria’s Hair. Hence Maria Buhok uttered from generation to generation became Maribojoc.
Back on the road: It isn’t that long a trip, while you check out the eye-refreshing and spirit-energizing scenery. On the road, peek out the car window and check out the enticing Palm-tree-and-mangrove-lined Abatan River. The river’s calmness and quietness whispers sweet poetry to one’s ears. Going to Maribojoc is like receiving an RSVP invitation of quiet yet exciting adventure and amazing discoveries.
Check this out, at the edge of Maribojoc, in its last Barangay, is the Punta Cruz Watch Tower of “Castillo de San Vicente”. Built in 1796, the tower stands as a look out point for the inhabitants for pirates and other invaders. Today, it stands as a regal monument that withstood time and elements. Just beside it is the equally magnificent ancient cross that watches over the waters of Maribojoc. Boldly romantic is an understatement to describe its surroundings.
Move on and check in at the nice resorts tucked in at the seashore stretch of Maribojoc. From the beaches of Maribojoc, take a boat and proceed to enter Abatan River and cruise along five towns (Maribojoc, Cortes, Catigbian, Balilihan and Antequera). Inside the Abatan River stands the Postan mangrove forest barely touched by human feet and inhabited by exotic colorful birds and fauna… whoa… cruising inside Postan Forest makes you feel like canoeing along the Amazon River minus the anacondas. Truly it is totally a different encounter than paddling along the more known Loboc River also in Bohol. The Abatan River has its own personality… its own character and a peaceful attitude. The Abatan River has many traits all too inviting for one to discover and conquer its many possibilities.
Mesmerizing scenery
One travelling in this river can’t help but be mesmerized by the mirror reflections cast in its deep emerald green waters . The river water juxtaposes a mirror image of everything facing it, the skies, the palms, the trees, and even the boat. And the result is an artwork only nature can create. Go! Look straight at the river and greet your own reflection.
It is such, the river is littered by nature’s scraps justifying the abundance of growth all around the river. Various leaves, palms, bamboos, tree branches and fruits all add up to the river’s litters. Yet no matter how much of these you see around, the river has a totality of virgin cleanliness.
And the trip doesn’t end there…
Somewhere along deeper on the boat ride a traveller is welcomed by the roaring of the hidden Kawasan falls (Balilihan Town).
Experience and feel the energy as the crystal clear waters of Kawasan Falls powerfully cascades down and drops straight to a basin of equally crystal emerald green river water and burst into a mystic explosion of sound and colours reflected by sunlight.
Tranquil yet bursting with serene life… the Abatan River is a place to be. It lies waiting to be conquered and experienced.
Indeed discovering the Postan mangrove forest and the hidden Kawasan Falls and just relishing the sight of the abundance of growth and life along the Abatan River is enough to keep a traveller unmindful of time.
Maribojoc doesn’t run short of places to discover. The Maribojoc Church is one spot to visit. Its serenity is an open invitation for one to commune peacefully with the Creator. And tucked at the second floor of the ancient church is a modest museum. Yet, it has a great collection of antiques and religious artifacts. The museum is a one room affair. One can spend hours inside it just looking, scrutinizing, and admiring its collection.
Maribojoc is blessed with a variety of landscapes surrounding it. It has mountains both for trekking and climbing. Just moving around closely in the mountains one can hear the cries of monkeys fooling around criss-crossing tree branches.
Truth is, a day or two is a bit too short for one to explore and get acquainted with Maribojoc. It is a town gifted with a wonderful river full of surprises and with so many curves and bends that getting lost in it is a delightful experience. It is a town blessed with many breathtaking beaches shrouded with beautiful skies and graced with equally breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is a town whose people have warm smiles and honest hearts. It is a town waiting to be explored, discovered, and conquered.
Maribojoc is a town so graced with a God-sent Mayor whose simple lifestyle is emancipating… a mayor that has a heart open to its people and its visitors… a heart that loves his native Maribojoc and its people… the way any son would love his mother and his siblings. The Mayor? Who? Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. the Renaissance man. Believe me… I’ve been a visitor and I will keep on visiting.
Be there! Be an explorer. Be a conqueror. Rediscover ancient roots.
Get wet, wild, daring and start combing Maribojoc. <
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