Batungay Cave

Batungay Cave is located in the municipality of Trinidad, a town situated in the northeastern part of the province of Bohol. From the province’s capital city, the town is about 98 kilometers away through the interior route and 128 and 138 kilometers from the northern and eastern route.

A yet unexplored wonder in the island of Bohol, the cave can be found in the forested area of barangay Sto. Tomas. The barangay is 8 kilometers away from the town proper. The cave’s name was taken from the word BATO, which means rock, and from the word NGAY, which means twins. The cave is beneath two solid rocks, thus called BATUNGAY (bato-ngay).

The cave spans more than 700 meters within the Batungay Twin Peak. The Batungay Peak is 150 feet above the ground. It is a perfect place for mountain climbing.

Exhilarating! It is the best word to describe when you are inside the cave. A stream of crystal-clear water flows inside that would definitely make your trek cooler than you expected. The breathtaking shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites make the cave more enchanting.

Explorers who already ventured inside the cave could say that the cave offers enough room for wildlife. Wild monkeys, tarsiers, birds that are rare in species, wild deer, pigs, chickens, and ducks are said to have once abound inside the cave and around its surrounding area. Yet due to massive hunting for this wild life, the species of these animals declined.

There is Langub sa Has, Langub sa Kabyaw, Langub sa Simbahan, and Langub sa Binlanan which are part or crevice of the cave.

Langub sa Has (cave of the snakes) literally meant that snakes abound there.

Langub sa Kabyaw served as the habitat for bats. This crevice is found out to be a rich depository of guano (bat manure), a natural fertilizer.

Langub sa Simbahan is where you can find the stalactites that looks like giant chandeliers that can be found in cathedrals. These magnificent coralline stalactites glitter in the dark.

Langub sa Binlanan is the part of the cave where tambalans (traditional healers) prepare their medicinal herbs. Here, they also do and practice their orasyon (rituals). Some of these tambalans leave some of their concoctions or potions in the cave that served as an offering to the “apo” of the cave.

Myths

Caves became a source of myths. And like any other cave, Batungay also has its own myths to tell. These myths have been passed from generation to generation through words of mouth by the elders. There are two popular myths about the cave.

According to the late Pantaleon Cajes, the first Barangay Captain in barangay Santo Tomas, a diwata resided in Batungay. This diwata was very generous to the residents.

As to his belief, this diwata would lend a wedding dress to a lady who is about to get married and also pots, plates, and glasses for the banquet of the wedding.

When the residents or the borrowers did not return these things back to her, the diwata ceased in letting them borrow anything from her.

Another popular myth about the Batungay is that it is a large plantation of cacao. Then these goods are transported to the Inabanga River on board the vessel of Magkaban, an enchanted merchant.

Myths are only stories that are somewhat magical in nature. Yet the cave offers more than just a source of these myths. Batungay became a sanctuary for locals during the World War II. They seek refuge in the cave from the onslaught of the Japanese soldiers. Luckily, the cave was spared from the bombings during the war.

The Trinidad local government has done its part in preserving the cave. Through Municipal Ordinance No. 97-01, passed during the incumbency of Mayor Filadelfo A. Garcia in January 1997, hunting and poaching of its flora and fauna are prohibited and penalized.

Hence, protection and preservation of the cave is ensured.

Now, locals and foreign guest can simply add Batungay Cave to their list of wonderful sites to visit in Bohol. Visit Now!

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