Ang Kaanyag sa Isla sa Bantayan

BANTAYAN, CEBU

Bantayan island is composed of three towns threee towns, Sta. Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos. It is located 136 kilometres (85 miles) by road and sea from Cebu City. The municipality also includes numerous smaller islands, such as the Don Islands (Botigues, Doong, Lipayran), Hilotongan, Silion, and Yao. Bantayan is composed of 25 barangays. 

TRANSPORTATION

For short journeys within population centres, then trisikads are readily available. They can carry two or three adults plus goods, a total load in excess of 250 kg (550 lb).

For longer journeys, such as from the municipal centre to outlying barangays, then motor tricycles are available. Smaller ones are motorcycle-sidecar combinations, and can carry about 4 passengers. Larger ones, known as multis, have some sort of saloon behind the driver, and are usually shared between as many as eight passengers, plus some goods stowage.

For the longest journeys, such as from Santa Fe ferry pier into downtown Bantayan and onwards, there are larger jeepneys, which can carry around 16 passengers with rooftop goods stowage.

HERITAGE CHURCH

The main church stands on the principal plaza. Since the arrival of the Spanish there have been several buildings on its site: originally it was little more than a bamboo and nipa structure, which was burned down during one of the Moro raids. This was replaced by another wooden structure, which also burned down. Construction of the present building (the fifth on the site) started in 1839. The main driving force was the parish priest Padre Doroteo Andrade del Rosario and the maestro de obras (master of works) was his nephew Don Manuel Rubio y del Rosario (also known as Kapitan Tawi). Construction lasted about 24 years. The principal building material is coral, sawn to approximately parallelepiped shape and dressed like stone.Since mid–2012 refurbishment work has been in progress: the belfry has been restored to its former glory, and as at February 2013 there are plans to open it for tourist access.

The church also houses a small museum, visiting by appointment.

HERITAGE BUILDING SIGN

The D.C. Abello Theater was a Love Offering of Diego Abello and Candelaria Abello y Causing, parents of the late Mayor Remedios Abello Escario. Construction of the theater started in 1948 and was completed in 1952. It took four years before the theater could be fully operation as they had to source out a suitable projector and a quality screen that showed images clearly. Diego and Candelaria Abello built this theater to provide entertainment to the people of Bantayan. The building's architectural style harks back to the American period. The D.C. Abello Theater used to show double films and was the favorite rendezvous site of many young romantic Bantayanons at the time. Bantayanons from the neighboring islets and island barangays would flock to this theater especially when a Fernando Poe Jr film was showing. The theater was closed in the early 1980s with the advent of Betamax and, later the DVD era.

RECREATION

There are no longer any entertainment centers such as cinemas. Apart from religious fiestas and processions, the main Bantayanon enjoyment comes from karaoke (known as videoke). Many households have their own equipment, but for special occasions they hire equipment with truly prodigious output, especially with low frequency sound. This is likely to be placed in the street, for the enjoyment of all the neighborhood.

    BEST BEACHES IN THE ISLAND

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is a precious small jewel of Bantayan Island - this secluded and very beautiful little Beach (only accessible via boat)  is surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters, and groves of Wild Cactus and Aloe plants; truly a peaceful place to be. 

White Sand at Beach Placid Resort on Bantayan Island

Beach Placid is located on one of the best beaches on Bantayan Island. There is about 50 yard from the front door of your beach front room, to the edge of the water. The beach has a very gentle gradual slope into the water that does not increase in depth past your wast at over 100 yards into the surf.

At about 100 yards you will begin to feel the sea grasses and coral begin as the depth increases at a faster rate. It would be at this place that you would put your mask, snorkel and fins on and begin your exploration of the beautiful clear waters the exhibit fish, coral, sea vegetation and many other underwater features.

Ogtong Cave

When you make your reservation on line, you will most likely get a reply and further clarification of your needs and reservation from July Ann. She is a lovely girl who will do anything to help make your stay as pleasurable as possible. In fact I have found in my past stays at Beach Placid that all of the staff is not only very kind and friendly but they work extremely hard to insure you have a wonderful time on your vacation with Beach Placid.

If you desire a more luxurious room, the best on the island is the Resort at Ogtong Cave with it's five separate beach view bungalows for 3,500 Pesos per night, or about $85.00 dollars. You will be giving up the feel of walking out of your door and being right on the beach as with Beach Placid.  The beach itself at the resort at Ogtong cave is not a soft sandy bottom, but has coarse rocks and a very shallow surf.

Sugar Beach

One of the more popular beaches in the municipality of Santa Fe in Bantayan Island, Cebu is Sugar Beach because of its wide area of white-sand beach as well as its affordable room accommodations and services. They are the “go to” resort during the super peak season in the island of Bantayan – Holy Week. The island is allowed by the catholic church to eat pork meat during this season because according to history, it was during this time of the year where the fishermen of Bantayan could not find any fishes which makes them lose their main source of income as well as their main food.

Sugar Beach is located less than 10 minutes away from the sea port of Santa Fe which is the usual gateway of visitors coming from Hagnaya, Cebu. Because of the broad beach front encompassing the resort, most of the tourists prefer Sugar Beach as their place of stay and relaxation. Their rooms are not really the best quality and most of them are less maintained which makes it not very pleasing for those who are looking for decent rooms.

DELICACY

 Danggit. It is the most popular dried fish in the  province among tourists and locals. Other dried seafood products include Pusit, Dilis, Tapa, Buwad Pinikas — are all available in Taboan. These come from the Bantayan Island, the leading dried fish producer in the region.

                                                           PALAWOD FESTIVAL

Held every June 29, during the annual fiesta in honor of Sts. Peter & Paul, the Palawod Festival, has gained national and international acclaim.  It holds the singular honor of being the 3-time Grand Champion of the province-wide Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals Competition.

The street dancing and ritual showdown competitions are performed with the four basic steps: Sulo (Torch), Bugsay (Paddle), Silik (Fins) and Isda (Fish).  Touted as one of the most colorful and world-class festivals of Cebu, the Palawod depicts the unique fishing traditions of Bantayan. 

                                               SEMANA SANTA SA BANTAYAN 

The world-renowned Holy Week observance in Bantayan has attracted hordes of both local and foreign tourists. The highlight of the event is the solemn foot procession on Maundy Thursday and  Good Friday when life-size images and icons are mounted on elaborately-decorated carrozas that depict various tableaus of the Passion of Christ.

have meat during Good Friday.

Lantawan Sa Bantayan

Lantaw means “to watch from a distance”.  Strategically lining the seawall with a long stretch of benches interspersed with lamp posts and Ficus trees, the Lantawan is a mini park by the sea that offers a commanding view of awe-inspiring sunsets and of neighboring islets and the nearby Province of  Negros Occidental.

Late afternoon is an opportune time when one can stay there, alone or in company of friends and loved ones, to sit back, relax and muse over the day’s happenings or just commune with nature or simply appreciate the sunset on the horizon.

Town Plaza

The exotic Bantayan Town Plaza is arguably the biggest and widest in the Province of Cebu. Old Agoho trees stand impressively around the Plaza’s perimeter.  With a water fountain at its base, the Rizal Monument stand proudly and looks extraordinarily dramatic when night falls and the plaza lights are turned on.

Right across the church patio is the Kristo Rey Monument, while the Basketball and volleyball courts provide recreation and amusement.  Long benches with an extended over-head pergola is a favorite rendezvous for lovers and friends.
The plaza rotunda is a setting of many important public functions.  A water fountain at the center makes the place enchanting for evening gatherings.  Adjacent to this is the children’s park where kids and adults could spend leisure time together.

The Islets

Bantayan has five islet barangays with many other smaller islets. These emerald green patches of land are sporadically spread out in the blue green waters that embrace the town. One can travel from one islet to another via motorized bancas and savor the fun of an island-hopping adventure.

Obo-ob Mangrove Garden Ecotourism

A vast Mangrove park established by the residents of Barangay Obo-ob residents offers an enchanting tour into the Mangrove forest along an elevated bamboo trail that traverses through the thickets of the park.  A banca tour along the fringes of the Mangrove forest offers breathtaking encounters with migratory birds as well as marine creatures that abundantly cover the seabed.  A land tour may also be arranged to check out the various heritage resources of the barangay.