Nov 18, 2017
The Ride to Sinandigan Boardwalk and the Yamashita Treasure Hunt
Location : Sinandigan Boardwalk, Sinandigan (barangay), Ubay (municipality), Bohol (province), PhilippinesSinandigan Boardwalk
There isn't really a lot of note-worthy tourist attractions in Ubay. So far, the most promising I've heard of, is the Sinandigan Boardwalk - 3/4km of bamboo bridge on stilts across the mangroes that open up to the ocean. It's 10km away so it'll be a good saddle time for me as well.
The Ride
I started out at 9:30am on my bike and headed east on concrete pavement under the increasing heat of the sun. The road is hardly used so it didn't feel like I had to compete on road space vs big buses. It was mostly flat with a little hilly sections. The main challenge was really the heat. Despite my wide straw hat, it was still scorching.
Points of Interest
En route, I passed by the BFAR Multi-Species Hatchery along the coast. It aims to replenish the stocks of several species including the Blue Swimming Crabs, Red Snappers and Groupers. To rest from the heat, I stopped at a local beach resort in Sinandigan Beach. The beach was short with coarse brown sand. The water seemed rocky - you could see a few rock outcroppings from the surface. No, I didn't take a dip - but maybe I should have just to quench the heat. The owner was nice enough not to charge me for the use of the shaded table.
The Concrete Road
Finally, I reached the jump-off from the main road towards the boardwalk. The road was newly paved with concrete - impressive! It extended 3kms all the way to the start of the mangroves where the bamboo bridge begins. Where the good road ends is where the mystery begins.
The Rotting Boardwalk
The boardwalk was obviously neglected and left to rot. It wasn't usable. I tried to, but some sections had big gaping holes and no hand rails to hold on to. The flooring was suspect if they could still hold your weight or collapse. When a floor beam just collapsed on me, I decided it wasn't worth going all the way to the beach end. The concrete posts were already inserted into the hole but apparently not covered by reinforcement - as though the developers hurriedly left the place. In fact, at the end of the concrete road were still aggregates from unfinished construction - gravel, sand and more concrete stilts by their sides. It seemed like a scene from Twilight Zone. What happened here?
The Buried Yamashita Treasure Story
I've heard this story first in Ubay and one local in Sinandigan reluctantly nodded to it. The speculation goes that the group of Japanese developers who built the boardwalk project were actually treasure hunters. The boardwalk was simply a pretext for their treasure hunt to avoid suspicion. When they finally discovered the treasure, they took it and left the project dead on its tracks - which explains the state of unfinished disrepair.
Credibility Factor
I've heard so many buried-treasure stories in the Philippines to believe in one. Practically every town has a buried-treasure story. But this one has credence. First, it was a group of Japanese who initiated and funded the project. Why Ubay when it's not even on the tourism map? Secondly, why was construction of the project suddenly halted and the Japanese developers left without completing it? The turn of events simply added fuel to the speculation. In fact, my lingering thought is, just how big was that treasure to warrant a 3km concrete road construction?
Work Resumption
Now, the locals claim that work resumed, but none really volunteered the Yamashita treasure story. But now, it's the local government resuming the work - the Japanese are all gone. Now this makes sense for the LGU. Since the Japanese already forked-out most of the money for the project, why not complete it using tax-payers money and make a tourism attraction out of it? But seeing how dilapidated the bamboo bridge is, it will take a lot of work and time to finish it. I wouldn't plan on making a visit just yet if I were you.
Ending Thoughts
Okay, this trip turns out to be a dud. But hey, it wasn't all bad. I got my bike workout and I got a catchy Yamashita treasure story! When you travel, it's not so much the destination but the journey.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Reader Comments:
Lars Jensen(Nov 18, 2017) I'm the guy you met by the boardwalk today. I would like to show you a couple of places I find interesting, one of which is Cambugsay Healing Hills, a place good for hiking or biking. If you are interested contact me, we can meet on the bikes or I can pick you up in a car.
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More on Ubay:
Ubay Google Map
Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
- Camp Karis - area site used for camping, weddings, seminars, training, etc. specialize on christian camping ministry
- Ubay Green Park - former dump site turned into an eco-friendly park
- Henson Beach - public beach close to the port
- Sinandigan Boardwalk - do not go here, the boardwalk is neglected and rotting!
- Ubay Stock Farm - breeding farm for native pigs, native chickens, carabaos and other livestock
- Cambugsay Hills - also known as Malingin Dam, Mother Dam and Ilaya Reservoir. It's an irrigation dam with a park. The nearby hills are said to be healing
Ubay Travel Info / Tips
- Jewel's Nook is the only cafe in town - a/c, serving only espresso P50 but NO WIFI
- you can buy Bahalina (aged, decanted and alcoholic coconut sap) at the Public Market for P75/half gallon
- there are 2 stores serving good P10 sikwate (native chocolate drink) and P10 puto-maya at the Public Market...just ask around
- tricycle ride around the city is only P8/pax
- trisikad ride around the city is only P5/pax
- laundry is only P25/kilo, minimum of 3 kilos, for pick-up after 2 days
- Southern Buses at the Public Market leave Ubay for other parts of Bohol
- market day is Monday
- Ubay-ubay Festival is the town fiesta held every January 28-30
Ubay to Cebu City by boat (as of July 2017)
- M/V J&N Carrier - 10am Monday-Saturday, 12am Sunday
- M/V J&N Ferry - 10pm Sunday-Friday, no Saturday trip
Ubay to Leyte by boat (4-5 hours) (as of July 2017)
- Ubay to Bato
- M/V Lady of Smile (or Lady of Charity or Lady of Guadalupe) - 1pm daily
- MBCA Star Sirius (or Mama Mary or San Isidro 9) - 8:30am daily
- MBCA Neriboy Allen Rey (or Mama Mary Irvin or San Isidro 5 or San Isidro 6) - 10am daily
- Ubay to Hilongos - M/V Leopards Sea Runner or Leopards Adventurer 1, 9am daily
Ubay to Pitogo (Bohol) by boat (as of July 2017)
- MBCA Bobong B - 11am daily
- MBCA Bobong A - 4pm daily
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