One fine Saturday of January, I embarked on a journey which made me realize that nature indeed has a lot to offer most especially when it is willfully protected and carefully preserved. Aloguinsan River is wonderfully a great example. A group of local fisher folks and their families guided by the Local Government Unit (LGU) is actively preserving and protecting the beautiful Bojo River in Aloguinsan while they earn concurrently. It is indeed an awesome Saturday of journey towards ecology and culture ̶ an exploration that is not only brimming with beauty and wonders but is also loaded with knowledge and enlightenment. You will surely come out of the journey with your mind and heart filled deeper with love and understanding of the Mother Nature.
To start with, Bojo River Cruise is a part of Aloguinsan River Eco-cultural Tour. Bojo River is a long, sea-green trail snaking through the mangrove-filled land until it opens into the wide blue sea. As one might have guessed, you certainly will not be tedious during the trip for you will be enraptured with all the beauty that nature brings around you while the tour guide/s knowledgeably fills you in about what you are seeing.
How To Get There
From Cebu City
- From Cebu City South Bus Terminal, ride in a bus or van bound to Aloguinsan.
- Ride in a bus bound to San Carlos City.
- Roro/fast craft ride from San Carlos City to Toledo City, then;
From Toledo City (or if you are from this city)
- Hire a multicab (if in group, it’s cheaper). I recommend Manong Toting─ 09276477087, or;
- Hire a habal─ habal that will directly bring you to the spot, or;
- Ride in public utility jeepney bound to Aloguinsan (much cheaper but you have to wait for other passengers),
From Aloguinsan Terminal
- Hire a habal─ habal (single motorcycle) that will take you to the jump─ off point (less than 10 minutes travel).
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| a short walk going to the registration area |
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| orientation before the river cruise |
Travel Notes
- For those who would like to avail their buffet snack and lunch, a 2 days reservation (with advance deposit) is required. Menu includes ampalaya salad, humba, sikwate and other local dishes. Healthily, ingredients are all─ organic and sourced from their own demo farm.
- Aloguinsan Eco─ cultural River Cruise is open from Mondays to Sundays, 8:00Am to 5:00PM. Better check and refer to a Chinese calendar (for low and high tide schedules) since river cruise is available only during high tide.
- February to May is the best season for snorkeling.
The River Cruise
We were introduced to the mangrove trees of various species and their vital functions in the environment. They certainly have numbers of important roles for the ecosystem but one that was greatly emphasized is its function as a marine life protector. With the life it promotes, both the government and non-government environmental organizations met and took the initiative to implement policies and laws concerning the preservation of such lives. In here, you will discover that the true beauty of these mangrove trees lies not in the lush green leaves or the strong wooden trunks but on the protection they partake in the intricate workings of nature ̶ where everything is interconnected.
Of course, with hundreds of healthy trees in the place which making sure that the waters are teeming with life, you may also imagine the birds flapping their wings around and above you! It has been identified that there are around sixty-one (61) bird species within the area. To better appreciate the whole trip, you can bring additional materials with you, say binoculars, cameras, and such.
The lengthy river cruise lasts for approximately 3 hours of amazement while learning in enjoyment!
Thinking about your stomach or the foods maybe? You may want to bring some snacks with you, in case you get hungry but this will hardly be a problem at all. This cruise palatably prepares snacks and buffet lunch that await you! Seriously, you really cannot miss this one!
With the scenery close to perfection, the protection, preservation and maintenance is utmost necessary, thus, the proceeds from this cruise packages are used to fund such local community’s wildlife protection projects. Moreover, the whole river cruise is not just about introducing it to people, encouraging them to proactively care for the nature and educating them with the importance of nurturing and protecting the environment but purposively providing livelihood and earnings for the local families. Can anything be more beautiful than this?
Hence, you are taking a big step forward in helping the environment just by participating in the Bojo River Cruise. Spread the word and help the movement in the name of Mother Nature. See you there!
Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association
Address: Barangay Bojo, Aloguinsan, Cebu City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (+63) 32-583-6797
Email: baetas@aloguinsan.gov.ph
Address: Barangay Bojo, Aloguinsan, Cebu City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (+63) 32-583-6797
Email: baetas@aloguinsan.gov.ph
Aloguinsan Tourism Office
Telephone Numbers: 032-469-9042; 0933-120-9480
Mobile Phone Number: 0997-371-5698
Email: aloguinsantourism@gmail.com
PS: I would like to say thank you to Mira, Rodel, Joyce, Sol, Alice, Felchie, Dionel, Ivan, Airen, Mary Joy, Carlo and Renalyn for joining me in this weekend adventure!
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