“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”
I’ve always consider myself blessed in almost all aspects of life – except for Music. HAHA. I know you know why. We’ll not let the rain and broken glasses prove my point. Aside from having been duly supported by my parents on this so called “travel addiction”, I have set of good friends and colleagues who are more than eager to get updates on where I have been and where will I be.
I was browsing over Instagram when I came across a post regarding a spring in Sibonga. Knowing that one of my seasoned colleagues came from the aforementioned municipality, I immediately asked her on the details regarding the said spring. It was during this conversation that she mentioned that the nearby municipality – Argao – has also lots of springs that served as water source for the locales. But what really intrigued me was when she mentioned about a certain mountain which her husband has climbed during his teenage years. According to her, this peak seemed to be a remnant of an extinct volcano for it seemed to have a crater and the boulders found in the area looked like the hardened rocks coming from a volcano. Upon hearing this, I immediately remembered Sir Jing’s hypothesis on Cebu’s extinct volcanoes – Mt. Manunggal and Mt. Lanipga – during the Basic Mountaineering Course I attended months back. Totally intrigued with these details, I instantly sent a private message to my comrades during the trailblazing we had on Mt. Hambubuyog and planned for another weekend escapade.
Though the weather seemed odd because of the typhoon that recently entered the premise of the country, we pushed through with our plan and met at Cebu’s South Bus Terminal. We rode a bus bound for Argao and spent the entire trip talking about our political views, conspiracies in the government, and labor laws. Yes, I am with a law student. HAHA. Of course, our topic eventually directed to the mountains. It is in this discussion that the fellow passenger beside us joined the conversation. (It’s either he has been secretly eavesdropping or we are just talking so loud. HAHA). We were so delighted by each other’s interest in the mountains that we came passing by already on the area where were supposed to stop. No worries though. Again, I am blessed. Why? Because a tricycle passed by and happily brought us to our jump-off area – Liki Sping, saving us from walking several kilometers from the actual jumpoff – Taloot Wharf.
As instructed by my colleague, we headed to Liki Spring. Liki is the Visayan translation of cracked. The water used by locals for drinking, taking a bath, and washing the clothes comes from a cracked rock. So was the term Liki Spring was derived.
We didn’t get a guide because the locals said that the peak that we are looking for is just in the nearby barangay and that there are a lot of household that we can go and ask directions to. And so began our trailblazing activity.
Going to Tiposo Peak requires traversing mountain ranges. But since the weather was not too hot and that there are plenty of vegetations along the way, we didn’t get bored and frightened with what we were doing. We met several farmers, children, and families along the way and happily exchange greetings and information with them.
Then came the most challenging part of the journey. Upon arriving at Barangay Tiposo, we asked the locals the details on how to get to the peak that’s located in the area. They were just pointing at a certain peak but according to them, no one has made a stable trail to the peak. True indeed, on our way up, there were no marks of a recent visit. We just made our way to the top under the scorching heat of the sun while dueling with the loose soil, sharp rocks and boulders, and thorny plants.
At last, we arrived at the peak and were ultimately rewarded by the magnificent sight of the blue skies kissing the infinite stretch of the seas. From the top, we saw the extents of Argao and the loving view of two fish ponds – one owned by Racal Motors – directly below where we were standing. Across the peak also shows the picture perfect image of the province of Bohol. It was truly breathtaking and worth the sweat!
After spending sometime at the peak, we decided to follow the other trail, which leads back to the main road. There were few habal-habal drivers that offered us a ride but we decided to just walk to the main road since it’s not that late and we would like to make the most of our trip.
When we reached the highway, our hydration bottles are almost empty. Good thing, we were reminded by the woman who lives on the base of Tiposo Peak to visit the nearby spring – Lala-an Spring.
Lala-an Spring is located in Sitio Lala-an, Barangay Taloot. Just like Liki Spring, it has been a water source in the locale and has been providing cold and clean water for drinking, taking a bath, washing of clothes and dishes.
We then proceed to Taloot Seaside Park where the Wharf to Bohol is located, took lunch, drenched into the music played in the park, and then strolled to the boardwalk leading to Bienmar Sutukil.
Indeed, I am truly blessed. We are all blessed. It just depends on what perspective we choose to look our lives into.
Do you feel blessed too? Feel free to comment below or chitchat with me on Facebook or Instagram (@dakilanglaagan).
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Dakilanglaagan 