Loboc River

The Loboc River is now one of the major destinations of tourists, local and foreigners alike. Located in the Municipality of Loboc, a mere 24 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, the winding river plays host to cruisers on board small bancas or floating restaurants. Visitors are treated to a vista of lush tropical vegetation such as nipa palms, coconut trees, banana groves, and bushes.

A cruise along the river starts either from the Loay Bridge (a neighboring town) or at the town’s Poblacion. The Loay Bridge is 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City while the Poblacion is about 25 kilometers away. Small motorized bancas can be availed of for a minimal fee yet for those who want to eat while cruising, floating restaurants are available offering Filipino cuisine buffet that costs P280 per head or more and local delicacies.

With the tourism fever, the floating restaurants were envisioned providing tourists with a 1st class dining experience on board floating restaurants. The floating vessels are made up of a covered platform on top of two large outrigger boats which are joined together. The boats can accommodate up to 50 people.

Most of the floating restaurants treat their guests with Boholano songs played by in-boat bands during the cruise. The trip winds up the river and ends at the Busay Falls which is only one and a half meter at most. Here, the guests are treated to rondalla music by a local rondalla group housed under a floating cottage.

Local folks usually take a dip in the waters and enjoy bathing under the falls. Guests who have brought with them extra clothes are welcome to swim and bathe and experience the heady feeling of a refreshing swim in the river’s unpolluted waters.

Going to and from the Busay falls, visitors are treated to a spectacle of children diving from a large coconut tree that is leaning out towards the river. One will feel a bit tense seeing the children climbing up the tree and then plunging towards the deep waters. From the looks of it, the part of the tree where the children usually dive from is more than 10 feet from the river.

Along the way, one can see children swimming and people passing by in small bancas or canoes. Upstream, and located on the eastern bank of the river, the Nuts Huts Resort is seen. This resort is a favorite hang-out for bikers and hikers who prefer the peaceful and scenic surroundings of the river bank rather than the majestic allure of the sea.

Another area worth visiting is where wild chickens, turtles, and pythons are kept in captivity. On this trips, visitors are given the time to marvel at the surrounding landscape. After a while, the return trip starts. Since the trip is going downstream, it takes a shorter time for the boats to arrive at the starting point.

How to Get There

Many buses, jeepneys, and multicabs ply the interior route to and from Tagbilaran City. It is a lot cheaper if you avail of this local transport. However, vans and taxis are also available but usually charges 50% more if traveling outside Tagbilaran City. It is not hard to locate the Municipality of Loboc for it lies along the river banks. The old and massive stone church of Loboc is your landmark. The church is right beside the road, and at the opposite side of the road, you will see the Loboc River.

About the Town

Loboc is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines that is a mere 24.1 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital of Bohol. The town was founded by Fr. Juan de Torres and established in the year 1602 and politically subdivided into 28 barangays.

The town was once the temporary capital of the province during World War II yet transferred to Carmen when the mopping operation of the Japanese took place. During the Japanese occupation, the chief means of livelihood of the people of Loboc were farming, sinamay weaving, soap making, tuba gathering and wine making.

At present, farming and agriculture is the most important industry together with copra making, basketry and furniture making. It is now the greatest producer of wood and rattan furniture which has gained recognition, not only in the Philippines, but also outside the country.

Aside from the river cruises that have established a niche in the tourism industry, people also come to Loboc to see the tarsier, the smallest nocturnal primate in the world. They are held in captivity and kept in large cages with plants and bushes in it. The little animals are so tame that you can handle them and allow them to go up and down your arms and shoulder.

The tarsiers can be observed in the Tarsier Sanctuary established by the Bohol government in Corella. Visitors prefer Loboc, though, for it is very accessible and one has the chance of experiencing a river cruise at the same time. The home of the tarsiers can be found along the interior road, near the river.

Loboc is also proud to present to visitors the massive stone church of St. Peter, which is considered as the second oldest church of the province. The three-storey convent at the back now houses also a museum.

Not only that, the town’s own Loboc Children’s Choir has gained recognition, both locally and abroad. The choir won numerous awards including the 1st place during a festival competition in Barcelona, Spain titled “Europe and Its Songs” last September 17-21, 2003. Visitors can come and hear them sing especially during their practice sessions.

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