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Country > Philippines > Bohol > Loboc
Date > 2017 > Nov
Activity > Traveling

Mountaineering

Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring...on Foot Nov 11, 2017

Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring...on Foot

Location Google Map: Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring, Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines
Adventure Guide, Pictures and Video by: Jeffrey Huerte Jeffrey Huerte

Busay Falls

Busay Falls Access
To begin with, Busay Falls is only seen, not experienced. You either see it from the floating restaurant before it turns back or view it from the top while doing the zipline or cable car. For the more daring, you can actually go near Busay Falls on an SUP - but you usually take refuge in a tame eddy where you are safe from the strong current.

In a Nutshell
What we did was to trek down the slippery trail from the zipline station into the river bank, jump into the raging river, swim to the falls and go behind it! I'm not recommending this to anyone - specially not this rainy season when the river is high and the current is strong.

Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring
one slip and it will hurt

The Details
The trek down to the river from the zipline was too slippery with hardly anything to hold on to - best if you can get a disposable walking stick. It wasn't designed for people to go down to as it's not part of the tourism offering. Parts of the trail were gone and we had to blaze what seemed like the old trail - the forest already took over. From the elevated river bank, we jumped butt-and-back first so we don't go too deep and hit some rocks. And then we had to swim across the river against the strong current. My dive mask was only for eye protection - visibility was 2 inches! On the foot of the falls, we had to hang dearly on some rocks to get near the falls. And then we had to go behind the falls itself amid its pounding force pressing down on you.

5-Seater Cave
Jeffrey told me that while being on the inner side of the falls, you could actually dive down and enter a zero-visibility underwater cave and emerge on a clearing right inside the falls. Diving underwater in zero -visibility to enter a cave underneath a waterfall? This is fucked-up crazy! Inside the cave is pitch black except for the outside light underneath the water. This light illuminates your path back - so going back is easier than coming in. Jeffrey has done it and told me that inside, weird as it sounds, are 5 chairs for 5 people. Apparently, some strange people that been hanging out there in the past. No one in town know who these people are. In this current age, only Jeffrey went inside the cave even though locals have long known about it. I thought we would go inside as well - afterall, we already went on the inner side of the falls. But Jeffrey deemed the water too aggressive to attempt the dive under. In a way, I was relieved.

Busay Instik
An inner section of Busay Falls, hardly seen by anyone, with water more violent, is what the locals commonly call Busay Instik (Chinese Falls). Apparently, it has a penchant for Chinese tourists. How? Sorry, my lips are sealed (or ask me in private). Ask a local - you might get the story.

Cave behind Busay Instik
Underneath this waterfall is another cave - a bigger one. This cave has a fascinating story. I've heard 2 versions of it so far:

  1. The Woodsman and the Cave - Jeffrey's version has been handed down from great grandfather to grandfather, to modern times. It goes that a local harvesting wood for fuel, fell into the plunge pool of Busay Instik. The strong water pushed him down and inside the falls and into a cave where he was trapped for 3 days! The water coming down the falls was so strong it would push him back in whenever he attempts to go out. Finally, fearing he would simply die inside without anyone knowing where he is, he carried a heavy rock with him as he took steps outside the cave and into the avalanche of water from the falls. The weight of the rock kept him from being thrown inside. Finally, he was able to get out.
  2. Francisco Dagohoy the Rebel (1724-1800) - a more historical and romanticized version by former tourism officer, Dodette Bernaldez, takes us back to the rebellion against the Spaniards. Story goes that Francisco Dagohoy himself was running away from the enemies. To avoid capture, he jumped from the falls and hid underneath the cave for 4-5 days. Perhaps the revolutionaries knew about the underwater cave or perhaps Dagohoy, fearing for his life, simply jumped and discovered it. His pursuers took him for dead.

No one ever attempted to venture inside this bigger cave - or to even verify that there is really a big cave under Busay Instik. The pummeling water is simply too strong and the plunge pool is too deep for anyone to brave it.

Jimili-an Spring

Beaching ourselves on the other side of the river, we walked the riverside trail to Jimili-an Spring. The spring is occasionally dammed to irrigate the rice field. Mothers often take their kids to bath while they do laundry. For us, we simply took a short bath where the water plunges down into a pool with fortified rock walls. The plunge point makes for a good back massage. The water was cold with visibility at 2 feet.

Loktob Spring

Continuing with our trek along the river bank, we again jumped into the shallow part of the river from an elevated bank, butt/back first to cross the river to Loktob Spring. At this point, I was fatigued so swimming across the river and defying the strong current nearly wiped me out. The river at this point is about 5 meters deep.

Finally, we entered into Loktob Spring directly from the river. The inside of the spring area was full of submerged plants. It felt creepy swimming on it towards the water source as the plants grazed our chests and tangled with our arms. The water coming out of the spring was strong and cold. There is one deep section about 7ft-deep where you slide down your body on a small opening between some rocks. You could feel the spring water push you up. Still, visibility was around 1 foot.

Eskaya, the luxury resort in Panglao has already purchased the land in and around Loktob Spring and is already slowly developing the area. It is not clear what fate awaits this spring area, but their policy in Panglao should be a good benchmark.

We walked back home on foot - barefeet on my part as my flip-flop was mangled.

Ending Thoughts
This was an amazing adventure - not for the frail-hearted though. You can even go more extreme on this like venturing inside the small cave underneath Busay Falls in the summer when the river isn't raging. But save the big cave at Busay Instik to the professionals. This is not an offering by the tourism office or any private resort. Only Jeffrey can take you on this one. Feeling a little like Tarzan? Give this a try!

Thank you for another amazing adventure, Jeffrey!!!

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

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Reader Comments:

Maria Adelina Acuna Arocha-TorresMaria Adelina Acuna Arocha-Torres Philippines
(Nov 11, 2017) Taga Loboc din ako...from Gotozon. Once a child whose summer bathroom was LOCTOB SPRING.... I also went to busay with my cousin on a boat with just 1katig and it capsized, good thing we both knew how to swim.... But stories like these, with caves underneath busay falls truly amazed me....it's a surprise, a good one, of course, as I learned to Love these places as a child.... In fact, I miss it right now. Thanks for sharing this! God bless you, Sir, on your next adventures.... (From Daylin Acuña Arocha of Gotozon, Loboc, Bohol). :)

Carling VarquezCarling Varquez Philippines
(Nov 11, 2017) Hi ! Adeline, you might not know me personally cause most of my life I'm living outside of Loboc.Not because I'm not really present at all time in Loboc that I could not recall some weird stories about Busay Falls. Reaching about your story inside a cave portion under the waterfall is really a fascinating adventure.Anyway according to some rumor that this cave have been used by some Pob.Sawang folks during the world war II. They hide those ladies inside this cave so that when the Japanese soldiers came into our town, they were safe from being captives by the enemy.There was also a story that a woman from this barrio next to Busay Falls have a pet crocodile and that the place of where this pet stayed during daytime is inside this cave.Only few residence here have knowledge of the crocodile existence.This is all I could add in this partiular cave...You don't have to believe me.but I'm just relating to you stories about this partiular cave under the Busay Falls.

Dodette BernaldezDodette Bernaldez Philippines
(Nov 11, 2017) I am soooo happy Sir that you did not come back to me and tell me to eat my words with regards to choosing Loboc. Congrats Jeff for being a very good host. You really are a true blue Loboc Tourism staff. Cheers to all Lobocanons. Mabuhay ka Sir! Good luck and blessings to your next endeavour.

Karen HuerteKaren Philippines
(Nov 15, 2017) your stories are always engaging and entertaining to read

Juan HuerteJuan Philippines
(Nov 15, 2017) Thanks Git

Jeffrey HuerteJeffrey Philippines
Lyn's Backpackers Inn  Lyn's Backpackers Inn
(Nov 14, 2017) Thank you sir!

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Loboc Google Map
Google Map

Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions in Bohol tourist attractions hotels in Bohol hotel
  • 
Fox & The Firefly Cottages Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
    Brgy. Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
restaurant in Loboc restaurant
  • 
Villagio's Pizza Villagio's Pizza - wood burning oven, hand-tossed pizza
    Loboc Town Plaza, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
  • the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
  • Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,
  1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
  2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule
  1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

  1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km2 area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
  2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
  3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
  4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.
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