Sunday, June 12, 2016

An Afternoon in Boljoon

From the side of the church
Yesterday, I was finally able to tick Boljoon off my list of towns to visit in Cebu. With my sister and our ever supportive father, we walked around town and even got to see a waterfall!

The Nuestra SeƱora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church  or better known as Boljoon Church was built in 1599 and served as a visita of Carcar until it was declared a parish in 1690 by the Augustinians. Administration of the church was transferred to the Jesuits in 1737 but the Augustinians returned in 1747 and claimed the church from the Jesuits. The church was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999, and was listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2001.  It is the only church in Cebu listed as a National Cultural Treasure. 

Escuela Catolica. The 4 PM sunlight gave the former school an eerie look
A few meters from the church was the Escuela Catolica. Built in 1940, it served as a dorm for children receiving instructions on taking their first communion. It served as a place for religious teaching and as a school. Currently, it served as a meeting place for various religious  groups of the parish. 
The door to El Gran Baluarte

Across Escuela Catolica is the El Gran Baluarte, the largest extant Spanish watchtower in the Philippines. Built in 1808, the watchtower served as command center of Fr. Julian Bermejo, OSA while he defended the Visayan seas.

After walking around the parish complex, we looked for Ili Rock as we read on one of the markers that Ili Rock can be seen looming over the horizon. When we found out where Ili Rock is, we were saddened by the damage done to the natural fortress in an effort to make better roads. :(

Driving deeper into Boljoon, we got to Sitio Ylaya, where the waters of Dayhag Falls refreshed our bodies after a long day of trekking, driving and getting lost. 

It was great seeing my sister and my father having fun. With our busy schedules, we don't go out together these days but I am glad that we made time to actually push through this short trip, rain or shine. :)

Where is Ili Rock? Boljoon's Vanishing Landmark

Ili rock :(
We visited the town of Boljoon with the intention of seeing the historic Boljoon Church and Escuela Catolica. As we were walking around the parish grounds, we read on one of the markers that Ili rock looms on the horizon of Boljoon. We looked around us and asked ourselves, "where is Ili rock?" After a little research, that's when we found out that Ili rock was once a huge rock formation until the local government decided to excavate and remove parts of it to make a road. We understand the intention of the government for better roads but seeing the damage done to Ili rock makes you think that there has to be other ways to improve roads and highways without the need to destroy nature. Ili rock has served as a natural fortress for many years. We should learn to protect and preserve what nature has provided to us.

Getting Lost and Finding Dayhag Falls

Rice Fields in Sitio Ylaya
Sister had fun. Mission accomplished.
The original plan was to visit Aguinid falls in Samboan but after talking to the caretaker in Escuela Catolica who said that they have a waterfall in Boljoon, we decided to visit Dayhag Falls instead. After asking for directions, we drove off to find Dayhag Falls. We kept on driving and after it seems like we're almost at the end of Boljoon, we asked for directions from one of the passersby. Big mistake. It seems like not everyone in Boljoon knows where Dayhag falls was and we've been given directions to Aguinid falls all along. When we've reached the end of Boljoon, we decided to ask for directions to the Boljoon public market instead (as the caretaker said the waterfall is near the public market). When we got to the public market, there were no signages that point to Dayhag falls so we asked around again. Luckily, one of the habal-habal drivers know where Dayhag falls was so we were finally on the right way. After 30 minutes of driving, we've finally reached Sitio Ylaya. 

The waterfall has five levels. Levels one to three have dipping pools where most kids stay and play in the water. Levels four and five is where the fun starts. Level four has calcium deposits that added to the beauty of the waterfall. It looked a bit like the top level of Aguinid falls and I understood why some people would mistake Dayhag falls for Aguinid. There were bats inside the crevices but nevertheless, we took a dip on the shallow water pool.  

Level five wasn't as picturesque  as level four but we had fun rappelling up and down the waterfall. It wasn't very high but it was a challenge for someone who last rappelled in 2014 and has a fear of drowning (aka me -.-).  I should really get over my fear of drowning one of these days.

Welcome to Dayhag Falls!
Level four of five.
Level five of five.

How to get there: From Boljoon public market, drive to the bridge. You will see a signage that says Palanas. Turn right and keep right whenever you see a fork in the road.  When lost, just ask for directions to Dayhag falls or Sitio Ylaya.

Entrance fees: None as of writing