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Tourism Info
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LOCAL
ATTRACTION
The Batungay Cave
A yet unexplored wonder in the island of Bohol is the Batungay Cave, located
in the interior part of the town of Trinidad.
Trinidad is 98 kilometers through the interior route, 128 kilometers through
the northern route, 138 kilometers through the eastern route from the capital
city of Tagbilaran and became a separate municipality from the larger Talibon
town on September 1, 1947.
The Batungay Cave is in the forested area of barangay Sto. Tomas, 8 kms. from
the town proper. It spans more than 700 meters within the Batungay Twin Peak.
Batungay is derived from the word BATO, meaning rock, and NGAY, meaning twins.
The cave is beneath two solid rocks.
During the 1970s, wild monkeys, tarsiers, rare bird species such as kalaw and
lapay, and wild deer, pig, chicken, and ducks abound inside the cave and within
its vicinity.
Massive hunting for wild life and kaingin have caused the decline of these animal
species.
The Trinidad local government has done its part in preserving the cave. Through
Municipal Ordinance No. 97-01, passed during the incumbency of Mayor Filadelfo
A. Garcia in January 1997, hunting and poaching of its flora and fauna are prohibited
and penalized.
Hence, ensuring the protection and preservation of the cave.
Getting inside the Batungay Cave is exhilarating. A flowing stream of crystal
clear water would definitely make your trek cooler, and yes, more enchanting.
Add to that the awesome stalactites and stalagmites shaped like chandeliers,
curtains, altars, and tables.
Adventurous explorers will find out that the cave has enough room for the wildlife.
The LANGUB SA HAS or the cave of the snakes literally have snakes in there. The
LANGUB SA KABYAW is the habitat for bats. This crevice is in fact a rich depository
of guano or bat manure, a natural fertilizer.
In Batungay, you will also find the LANGUB SA SIMBAHAN, which has magnificent
coralline stalactites that glitter in the dark, like huge chandeliers that hang
in cathedrals.
There is also the LANGUB SA BINLANAN. This is where the traditional healers or
the tambalans prepare their medicinal herbs and do their oraciones, or rituals.
They leave portions of their concoctions in this cave, as well as food, as an
offering to the apo of the cave.
The tambalans go through the cave’s natural canals
to reach a yet another cave called Ilihan in the town
of Alicia. Ilihan cave is regarded as the sister
cave of Batungay.
Outside the Batungay Cave, you will find the Batungay Peak which is 150 feet
above the ground. It is a perfect place for mountain climbing.
Like any other cave, Batungay has its myth to tell. According to the late Pantaleon
Cajes, the first Barangay Captain in Sto. Tomas, there was a diwata in Batungay
who was very generous to the residents.
This diwata would lend a wedding dress to a lady who is about to get married.
She would also lend them pots, plates, and glasses for the banquet.
But because the residents did not return these things back, the diwata has ceased
to let them borrow anything.
Another popular myth about the Batungay is that it is a large plantation of cacao,
and that these goods are transported to the Inabanga River on board the vessel
of Magkaban, an enchanted merchant.
These myths have been passed on through word of mouth by residents. Yet the cave
has a more functional value than just a source of magical stories. During World
War II, Batungay became a refuge for locals from the onslaught of the Japanese
soldiers. The cave was lucky enough to have been spared from the bombs during
the war.
Now, local and foreign guests can simply add Batungay Cave to their list of wonderful
sites to visit in the island of Bohol. Visit the Batungay Cave today!
The Kawasan Falls
Another potential for tourist attraction is the Kawasan
Falls. It is located in barangay San Isidro which is
13 kilometers away from the Poblacion proper
and is 5 kilometers away from the Batungay Cave. |
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SOCIO-CULTURAL
ACTIVITIES
Boholanos are known for their devout and pious religiousness, and in Trinidad
where 97% of the population are Roman Catholics, this religiousness tinges activities
that are social and cultural in nature and strengthen relationships among kinsfolk.
Town and Barangay anniversaries, schools and business foundation days, birthday
parties and wedding anniversaries are begun and ended with prayers or the celebration
of the Holy Mass or “pamisa”. Cornerstones of houses and buildings,
motor vehicles and front or backyards of homes are sprinkled with holy water
for blessing. Church bells ring to alert the faithful for the 6:00 A.M., 12:00
noon, 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. prayers.
Fiestas are not only commemorations of feasts of Jesus Christ and all the saints
but also occasions for happy reunions with families and friends and lavish entertainment.
Sumptuous food preparations and the financial encumbrances attendant to such
sort of preparation are offerings of thanksgiving for good harvest and fortune.
Not so sumptuous offering of cups of steaming hot coffee and pan de sal are made
for churchgoers during the novena and mass for 9 days at dawn before Christmas
or the Mesa de Gallo.
Offerings of food as well as services are Filipino traits prevailing among townsfolk
even in these times of cellular phones. Houses are built and farms are worked
and harvested by “ajunay”and “bulhon” where neighbors
take turns in helping and being helped.
Mutual cooperation exists not only in the economic life of the people but also
in the private lives of townspeople. Foods and drinks during parties and fiestas
are happily shared but in times of sorrow-grief is shared as well. People flock
to weddings and parties but they also gather for each other in vigils and wakes
for friends and neighbors who have died.
Cultural presentations depicting Filipino life expressed in songs, dances, poetry
and plays are made periodically especially during town’s anniversary celebration
in the month of September. |
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