CEBU, Philippines – Who would have thought that a sleeping town has a lot of potential to rake in the millions?
Aloguinsan, a fourth class municipality, used to make waves for its anti-environmental stand when it welcomed the destructive oil exploration by JAPEX along its seas. There intention was good – to generate jobs for its people and increase the town’s income for its eventual cityhood or at least to become more than just what it was, a place that’s never been heard of.
All that is in the past.
Since the withdrawal of the oil exploration in Tañon Strait, Aloguinsan has come a long way, turning 180 degrees to become an environmental advocate from an environmental fiend.
A paradise for eco-tours
With the provincial government’s Suroy Suroy sa Sugbo program, it has learned to value its heritage and take pride in the town’s own resources and natural beauty. Today, the municipal government is exerting all its effort to explore all possible green tours that it can offer to the growing number of eco-tourists.
From bird watching along the mystical Bojo River to snorkeling and diving in its breathtaking coral wonderland, Aloguinsan is indeed a paradise for eco-tourists.
Adventure seekers are also welcome in this booming town. You can kayak along the mangrove forests of Bojo River or along the town’s coast to the hidden white sand beach of Kantabogon; or you can trek the trail to Beloria Hill where the Pulahans (warriors believed to be indestructible because of their amulets) took its last stand against the American invaders.
Let us not forget its mystical mountains that hide extensive cave formations that would tickle every spelunker’s interest. Indeed, Aloguinsan is bigger that what it is.
Getting there and where to stay
Literally a small town where every place that would matter can be reached 15 minutes max, Aloguinsan serves as a major route from Cebu City to the industrial city of Toledo, the very reason why large trucks and buses frequent its one and only main road. From this, one would gather that coming to Aloguinsan would be a breeze. The best route to take at the moment is the Awayan, Carcar via Valencia route. Most of the road is well paved, and on your way you can take in the wonderful sights including the perfect view of the Bohol Strait. There are buses and vans-for-hire at the South Bus Terminal and Citilink, respectively, taking this route. Travel time from Cebu City is two-hours.
Aloguinsan has only one lodging house, Al Maxi, and at P800 per night, it is virtually cheap considering that each room is basically a house with two air-conditioned large rooms with queen-sized beds, a living area, a kitchen (should you stay longer than a month, try requesting for the kitchen to be furnished, or you can opt to buy home cooked meals at the many karenderia near the market), and a dining area.
Other than that, accommodation is taken cared of by the locals through the home-stay program. Just book in advance so that the host family could prepare for your arrival. This can be arranged with the local tourism office (Phone: 032-4695604).
A word of caution, Aloguinsan is deceptively quite. By day, people are busy doing their business, gathering the day’s catch and transporting it to the main trading centers of Pinamungajan, Toledo City, Carcar, and even to Cebu City.
In the evening, the town comes alive with the locals belting their voices, outdoing each other with karaoke machines on full volume until around 10 p.m. After that, is peace and you will finally realize that you are not in the city after all.
Around town
Going around the town center, the first thing that you would see is the pink church and then your interest would wander to the plaza on top of a hill at the back of the newly constructed Municipal Hall. And that’s when you would notice the watchtower which gives away the town’s Spanish origins. However, it is believed that even before the Spanish arrived, settlers have already found its way in the town’s rich and exhilarating land and seascapes.
The watchtower was used to protect the residents from marauding Moro pirates who suddenly would have that spur of the moment urge to abduct some pretty villagers. Now, on the grounds surrounding the tower, hidden among the many bushes and tall growths in the beautiful plaza, one would not be surprised to see ogling lovers satisfying their spur of the moment desires. It is not their fault, as who could resist the romantic view of Tañon Strait as the sun sets to end the day.
Legends and history
Considered a fishing village, the town is said to be named after the kinsan, a kind of grouper abundant during the months of May to July. It is from this fish that the town named its newly formed festival, the Kinsan Festival, happening every second Sunday of June.
Delving on its history, Aloguinsan was formerly a village of Pinamungajan before it was converted into a town by virtue of a Royal Decree by the King of Spain in 1886. Despite Spanish intervention, the townspeople amazingly preserved its own traditions including their beliefs on the spirits and the inherent power of the mananambal or shamans who can ward off evil spirits and give strength and invulnerability to the believer.
Now, this is an opportunity that one would experience as the town plans to include their rich cultural beliefs and traditions in their eco-tours. We should remember that the beliefs of the ancient Filipinos are more in touch with Inahang Kinaiyahan, making it a priceless experience for eco-tours.
So, are you ready for Aloguinsan?
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For more information on the eco-tours of Aloguinsan, you may contact the Municipal Tourism Office at (032) 469-5604.