Camugao Falls
The Camugao Falls is located at Barangay San Isidro in the municipality of Balilihan, about 22 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The falls has a beautiful backdrop of green and lush vegetation with lots of ferns and other tropical plants. The water cascades into a basin forming a natural pool where people can bathe and refresh themselves. To see the falls, one has to go thru a very slippery, mossy and rocky trail which is a challenge for climbers and trekkers.
Kawasan FallsThe Kawasan Falls in the municipality of Balilihan is situated about 5 kilometers from the Poblacion and likewise 22 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The falls is accentuated by a green backdrop of tropical plants and rugged cliffs which is beautiful to behold and cascades into a natural pool. The falls is much shorter compared to Camugao Falls but wider. The falls sits at the center of a network of hiking trails which poses a great challenge to trekkers.
Niluksoan Falls
The Niluksoan Falls can be found in Barangay Sal-ing of Balilihan Town and is situated at the foot of a hill with tilled lands at its sides looking so much different from that of Camugao and Kawasan. There are no cliffs or mountain sides to contend with. The thin and clear stream flows into a semi-spherical cone before cascading into a wide basin.
Although the falls is relatively short in terms of height, it is wide and looks like a white, transparent curtain as it falls into the basin. Local folks, especially little kids, jump into the pool using a makeshift diving board made from coconut lumber or jump into the water direct from the coconut trees that line the sides of the pool. “Lukso” means “to jump” and “Niluksuan” refers to a place jumped over. This may be the reason why the place got its name of “Niluksuan Falls”.
The trip to the town of Balilihan coming from Tagbilaran City is estimated at 45 minutes on a bus. At the Poblacion, motorcycles are available for hire to get you near the falls yet one has to walk for another 10 minutes to reach the area of the falls and the pool.
Magsija Swiming Pool
The Magsija Swimming Pool can be found in the municipality of Balilihan, about 24 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The pool is man-made yet the water is fresh and cool coming from a spring nearby. Rather than go trekking and climbing over rugged terrain to reach the falls of Balilihan, the barrio folks chose to bathe in this pool for a change. Mt. Carmel Hill
The Mt. Carmel Hill can be found right in the heart of Balilihan Town, about 24 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Atop the hill is a centuries-old Spanish belfry, a tower made from adobe and limestone. These materials were hauled from Baclayon, its mother town, on foot in the years 1835-1844. Withstanding natural calamities and the test of time, the belfry now towers on top of the hill like a sentinel guarding the whole town. Concrete stairways lead to the top of the hill where the belfry stands.
The town and parish of Balilihan were from Baclayon in 1829, to make room for Dagohoy's followers after the revolt, which lasted eight decades, were put to an end by a massive assault by Spanish troops from Cebu. The Recollects administered the parish until 1898. The present church was probably completed in the early 20th century. The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church stands in the heart of Balilihan Town, about 22 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. It is a place of worship, a center of faith, of the people of Balilihan which are very pious and religious. The church prides itself of decorative frescoes on its ceilings, replicas of famous ancient artworks that are wonderful to behold.
The Municipality of Balilihan is an interior town lying northeast of Tagbilaran City, about 22 kilometers away. Estimated travel time from Tagbilaran is 30 minutes via Cortes (thru CPG North Avenue) or Corella (thru JA Clarin St.). The town is blessed with a vista of rugged hills, mountains and verdant fields.
The Municipality of Balilihan has set its foundation day on September 29, 1828; supposedly the day when the town was separated from its mother town, Baclayon. The date is questionable though, for per historical records, its founding date was officially recorded on another date. How and why this is so is yet to be clarified.
The Camugao Falls has a beautiful backdrop of green and lush vegetation with lots of ferns and other tropical plants, about 22 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The Kawasan Falls is accentuated by a green backdrop of tropical plants and rugged cliffs which is beautiful to behold and cascades into a natural pool. Niluksoan Falls. Magsija Swiming Pool. Mt. Carmel Hill. Mt. Carmel Church.
For Balilihan, its name was derived from a grass called balili which grew in abundance in the locality. 'Balilihan" means a place where plenty of "balili" grows.