A Cruise on Loboc River

IJsselstein, Thursday, 27 July 2006 03:14:07

For many years, it has been on our wish-list, and this time our program would finally include a trip on one of the well-known floating restaurants on Loboc River.

Casa Rocha-Suarez Heritage Center
Address: Galle Franklin 3, Sitio Ubos, Tagbilaran City
Phone: +63 920 950 3799
Phone: +63 2 888 6951
Email: rocha.suarez@gmail.com

We arrived in Tagbilaran early in the morning to meet with some guests arriving from Manila. Their flight got delayed somewhat, so we took the opportunity to first visit the Casa Rocha-Suarez, an ancestral family house in Tagbilaran, which was recently (April 2005) opened as a museum. This house, over a century old, had been restored, and now houses several historical artifacts that relate about the previous owners, and give an impression of upper-middle class life in the late Spanish and early American era. Particularly nice are the window shades, carefully made from shells in a wooden frame. These frames can slide aside to let in fresh air, or block sunlight, as the time of the day dictates.

After some time, our guests arrived, and we left for Loboc, where the floating restaurant would depart. This is a easy 30 minute ride, which passes through Barangay Bool, where you can see the Sandugo Monument, and Baclayon, which has one of the nicest old churches in Bohol, and a small museum with old church relics. If you look at your right hand side while driving to Baclayon, you can also see a very big Balite tree.

In Loboc we first visited the church. The parish church of Loboc is certainly worth the visit, and has several attractive murals on the its ceilings. Attached to the church is the old convent, which is unique in its three-story design. Nowadays, the convent serves as the parish office, but also houses a small museum, and, when lucky, you can hear the famous Loboc Childrens Choir practice here. The basement of the convent houses a small exhibition dedicated to the musical history of Loboc, and the various prizes won by the Choir are on display here as well. You can buy CDs of the choir at the entrance of the museum.

The Loboc church lies adjacent to the Loboc River, close to a concrete bridge to nowhere that has become a monument to wasteful planning and corruption in Bohol. The bridge is not complete, and to complete it, the centuries old Loboc church will need to be demolished. Luckily, that has been avoided. Rumour has it that this bridge was actually never to be build at all, but should serve as a cover-up for some scheme to funnel public money to private hands. Somehow, the scheme was thwarted, and the bridge got actually build... The best thing that can be done is demolish it, but that would again cost another 50 million pesos of public money.

Near the church is also the departure place of the floating restaurants. These floating restaurants consists of two banka-hulls, over which a large wooden platform is placed. On this platform, numerous tables are placed, and a band plays music. Different boats play different styles of music, so, if you make a careful choice, you can dine with your favourite music. On our boat, they were playing mostly popular jazz and blues style music, which, although you would expect it on the Mississippi, was definitely not out of place here as well.

As the boat takes of, the buffet begins. On the middle table all kinds of Philippine delicacies are presented, and while eating, you can enjoy the lush green landscape slowly sliding along your table. The small outboard engine works hard to move the vessel against the current. Life along the river side goes on as it must have done for centuries, with children swimming, people passing by in small bankas or canoes. On certain points along the trip, daring kids climb in a large coconut tree overhanging the river, and jump in the water very close to the floating restaurant.

Children jumping into Loboc River

The end of the trip, which takes about an hour is Busay falls. The falls are not high, about one and a half meter at most, but mark the point where the floating restaurant cannot go any further, so here they stay for a while to allow the guest to look at the landscape. After some time, the return trip starts. Going downstream, we return much faster to our point of return.

Nuts Huts
Contact Person: Walter Laureys, Rita Laureys, Chris Schaerlaecken
Address: Gotozon, 6316 Loboc
Phone: +63 920 846 1559 (cell)
Email: walterken@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.nutshuts.com/

Not far from Loboc, we pass the Nuts Huts Resort, a small resort located on the eastern bank of the River. This idyllic spot would make a great base for futher exploring the environment, or to just relax.

During the final part of our trip, we where astonished to hear one of the tourists joining the musical band, as some old Platter songs where being played... Had we heard that voice before? It sounded familiar. After an applause, the mystery singer revealed that he was Bobby Soul, one of the original members of the Platters, now also visiting Bohol!

On our way back, we passed by a large cage holding some tarsiers: these small primates are a symbol and trademark for Bohol. Before, there used to be a number of small ugly cages, where these animals where kept where kept in appalling conditions. No way should people treat those interesting but shy nocturnal creatures in such a bad way! Now, these cages have been replaced by one larger one and a DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) permit has been obtained. However, we still feel that this large cage is actually harmful for the tarsier: too many people come too close to the animals, constantly use flash-photography, and they are still touched and handled many times a day, in spite of the conditions of the permit. We advise all visitors to skip this 'attraction' and visit the Tarsier Information Center in Corella instead. Although still in a segregated area, here you can see tarsiers in their natural environment! You won't be allowed to touch them, but that is actually much better for the animal.

After completing our river cruise, we continue our tour of Bohol with a visit to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen. Here you can actually climb on of the higher trees, and have a great view of these eyrie hills, that cover much of the central part of Bohol.

On our way back, we pass through the Man-Made Forest of Bilar. This is a thick forest, started about 50 years ago, and still being expanded. Under the trees, it is surprizingly dark and cool.

After a short visit to the Baclayon Church, we returned to Tagbilaran about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, satisfied with a day well spend. The Loboc River Cruise can certainly be recommended.

Jeroen Hellingman

What readers think...

Jessica Rule wrote:

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 21:28:04 PHT

Last May to June we are there in Bohol,particularly in Loboc..we ride the River Cruise its fun and the food is good its like "lutong bahay talaga" and the hospitality of the owner/manager of Loboc River Cruise "Iya Sonia and the receptionist Okie,. I hope we can visit Bohol again..soon..

Paterno R. Ruaya Jr. wrote:

Sunday, 15 June 2008 10:59:49 PHT

The Loboc River cruise is an overexposed destination. There is not much about the river, except it is calm. There are no other attractions along the river except the nipa palms and coconut trees. Why not promote the old church and its historic bell tower, which is near the old church. When I was a student at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, I used to spend my weekends in Bohol. I have attended mass in the old church in Loboc with the mural on the ceiling. There are other attractions near Loboc, which are worth the visit than the cruise on the river. For instance there's the famous Loboc choir. I had taken a dip in that river near the bridge during one of the my visits to Loboc. I fact I have some relatives there, like the Rebosuras, others.

John wrote:

Friday, 04 January 2008 14:03:16 PHT

I thank God for an overwhelming response to the first post, especially to the Webmaster of this site, thank YOU! To the first time visitors of Bohol, we actually offer 3 days package for the different spots in the province. The first post that I wrote was for the first day. *Dauis Church visit – this visit is optional since it is not part of the tour, but for Catholics and believers, we would like to share to you that inside the main altar of the our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, directly on our Blessed Mother’s Gaze is a well with healing water, the water has never gone dry and it is 101% potable and doesn’t even have a brackish taste or salty taste even if its just meters away from the surrounding seas of Dauis. The water is free just bring with you empty plastic bottle. *Panglao Island visit- it is where you can see kilometre stretch of white sand beach, clear coast and beautiful surroundings. *Hinagdanan Cave visit- it is a beautiful cave that has fresh water inside it where you can take a good bath found in Dauis. These places are located in Panglao Island. The island only has two towns namely: Dauis and Panglao herself. These visits may be included on the first day yet there’s a small additional charge for the van since it is a different route from the Choco Tour. Now, these are the next visits which include the second day tour in Bohol. * Mag-aso Falls visit- found in Antequera, these falls is called such from the word “a-so” smoking or umu- usok. Because the fall of the water is like smoking per se and the water itself is clear and very enticing, so better bring with swimming gears because one thing is for sure! You’d really be lured by the water  * Punta Cruz Watch Tower visit- it is found in Maribojoc and surrounding it is coastline where you can also splash and enjoy the clean and enticing sea water. * Sagbayan Peek visit- have you experienced a pinch of Hollywood here in the Philippines with life size statues, huge dinosaur figure and etc… and at the same time seeing the beautiful chocolate hills in another view? Not just that you can also play with the butterflies in their mini sanctuary, and at night or at the late afternoon, you can visibly see the island of Cebu and Negros. Isn’t that one kind of a place you should visit? * Maribojoc and Loon Church visit- another old stone churches. Ever wonder why there are a lot of churches here in Bohol and most of it is Old? It is because Bol-anons are pious and are so much dedicated to the Blessed Mother. There are times in the past were typhoons are directed to Bohol yet thru prayer and Strong faith the typhoons suddenly change their direction while it’s already in the borders of Bohol. Bohol is also blessed with a Bio diverse sea waters in the islands of Balicasag you can go diving and see the different colors and beauty of the corals and fishes which you can only see in pictures now, it will come into reality! And not just that! While on the way to the island you’ll see the spectacular dolphins jumping and joyfully joining you in your way to the island. This is on the third day in your trip. You’ll surely enjoy your stay here in Bohol and that is one thing for sure as you’ll experience our Bol-anon hospitability you’ll bring with you memories that you’ll never forget. For more information please do contact us in these numbers 09167471474 (globe) and our landline #’s (038) 411-5755 (PLDT), 501-8745 (Globelines) my e-mail add john-philip@lycos.com. We also do hotel reservations just give us a call. God bless you and see you soon! ;)

Nadia wrote:

Friday, 05 October 2007 23:40:17 PHT

I was in Loboc River last weekend, I really enjoy the scenery and how I wish to ride again the Floating Restaurant!

Trij wrote:

Wednesday, 03 October 2007 00:31:30 PHT

How can we find the following data on Loboc river for our project in biology? -physical characteristics -species composition -abundance of plankton -management practices undertaken by the management team to preserve loboc river -turbidity(color of the water) -water source -average width of the river -river flow(slow,moderate,fast,stagnant) -fringe vegetation -associated organisms(shrimps,fish,etc.) -management practices -agencies supporting the project -other relevant information

Read all 35 comments by readers.

Also give your comments on this article

We reserve the right to remove or edit comments posted on this website. Please read our conditions of use for details. You can use italics, bold, new paragraph, <a href="url">link</a>. Other markup will be removed. Use of the forums for advertising is prohibited. Enterprises located in Bohol can request to be added to the business directory.