Siempre Samboan: Three's a Charm

Our Samboan visit gave us a great opportunity to explore the southern town. For Dorell, it was his first time to see its beauty. Gracia has been there before but wasn't able to explore it as much. As it was the third time that I've been there, I thought I've seen everything, but it seems surprises always welcome me.

Chelan Beach House

The influx of tourists visiting the town has greatly increased in the past years. Since it is a good 4-5 hours drive from Cebu City, the demand for overnight facilities has increased as well. As much as we have hosts who wouldn't mind letting us sleep at their house, I opted that our group spend a night in a beach resort nearby.

The beautiful and rich Tañon Strait.

Gracia: Wait Crisch, pose sa bi.
LELS

Cause the girl at the back doesn't know how to paddle.

Kids - 2 Crisch- 0

This is how inviting the water in Samboan is - clear and refreshing.

Trio-trio.

Entrance to Chelan Beach House

Chelan Beach is in Sitio Ponong, a few meters away from the Belongilot's residence. It is easier to spot it compared to other nearby resorts Villa Isabella and Gorion Beach as it is just by the roadside. You know you've reached the resort when you see the signage leading to Kanshahan Falls.

Amenities:

Our room can accommodate a group of 4 or more (the occupants in the room beside ours were a whole brood of three families). The beds are big and comfy. The room also has the standard LED television and cable connection. The comfort room is also decent. Our problem though was that there weren't any available electric sockets for charging. Myla told us though that it was just because the room had been hastily readied to accommodate us. Granting these minor flaws would be corrected, I think the P2,000 charge for the room won't be as bad.

The beach has pebbles instead of sand so make sure to wear your slippers. The water is clean, clear, and inviting. The kids from the room beside ours never missed the chance to swim before they left.

What's so funny?

There are also kayaks for guests. I am not sure though if these are free of charge or we just weren't  caught. 😜

Ponong Lake

You will never miss Ponong Lake because of this signage on the roadside.

“Man-made” is a word that I wouldn't use to describe this hidden treasure. This body of water is the product of salt water intrusion in an area surrounded by land. The brackish water is home to fishes and shells that look similar to dawdaw (which to my knowledge live in muddy water).

It is said that the fishes serve as food for migratory birds. The manolong birds that frequent Ponong Lake are said to dive into the water to escape from predators (but I never saw one). When we asked the tourism officers in-charge of the lake if there were any crocodiles seen in the lake, they simply laughed it off. #FakeNews

The recently -developed attraction has water rafts with nipa roofing which can be navigated by pulling the ropes tied to the surrounding mangroves. We weren't able to explore the place as much but seeing the abundance of nipa and other mangroves is more than enough for me.

Do you know that Butuan has the local laksoy wine made from nipa sap? Maybe the locals of Ponong, with all the nipa plants in their area, can do the same.

This gastropod is abundant in the area but I am not sure if this can be eaten.

Nipa fruit.

Reminder: Do as the locals say. If they tell you not to navigate the water without registering first and most especially if no guide is available, trust that they only want what's best for you.

When we were there, a group of rowdy city and “sa California pa baya ko gikan” 30-somethings were insisting they be allowed to navigate without a guide. Thing is, if anything happens to you while cruising the lake, you will be the local's responsibility. Don't give the locals a headache (not even if you insist that you are a deck officer). LISTEN and FOLLOW.

Binalayan Falls

In the first and second time I visited Samboan, I marveled at the beauty of the multi-tiered Aguinid Falls. I've enjoyed its virgin state in 2009 and felt my heart race at the adventure it offered me in 2016. This time though, I wanted to do something different – Samboan has 12 falls after all!

We originally planned to visit Dao Falls but because we can't bring any friend with us, Blondelle suggested we go to Binalayan instead.

The tourist stop for Binalayan Falls is just beside the bridge. (I remember it was still a wooden bridge then). Local tourists need to pay P40? entrance and environmental fee and of course, there's the tip for the local guide.

Don't scrimp on the guide fee. It is an opportunity to help the locals love and preserve their natural assets more (as these become a source of income for them)  so more people will see and enjoy them.

Binalayan Falls is a three-drop falls that offer a breath-taking jump-point. Owh, never for the faint of heart. Dorell and Gracia never missed the chance to jump. I never missed the chance to take a photo of them. Hehe...😜😋

The Poblacion Historical Sites

For a history junkie like me, going out of town is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the place's history. While it isn't my first time in the town's center, revisiting it was still one for the books.

Saint Michael the Archangel Church

It was fiesta but there was also a wedding ceremony.

NHC marker.

Samboan was once part of the vista of Tanjay, Negros but eventually became a parish of the Archdiocese of Cebu in 1780. The coral stone church was built in 1842 during the term of Fr. Romualdo Avila.

Campanario de Antigua

The Campanario de Antigua was built in 1878 during the term of Fr. Toribio Gerzon. It serves as a watchtower as locals watched out for pirates that passed by the Tañon Strait.

Escala de Jacobe (Jacob's Ladder)

The 157-step manonggol stairs, gave the locals from the coastal areas an easy access to the church grounds. 

Samboan always has something to offer and I look forward to my next visit (10 waterfalls to go). In God's time. 

PS
Images taken by Crisch, Dorell, and Gracia