How's Loon, Bohol after the 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake last October 2013?

Loon was one of the towns badly hit during the 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake that struck Bohol last October 15, 2013. It destroyed so many houses, bridges and churches in the island especially in Loon. Two bridges going in the town were wrecked and that was the most tragic thing for Loonanons because it was almost impossible to get help. I visited Loon a week after that tragic event and one thing I could say, "It's a trauma!" I have seen kids wept over there dead family members while collecting anything that they could still salvage from their homes. They put up tents in open areas to save their nights. And I should add, water was really scarce! Some got some water from neighboring towns through a very difficult means of transportation. They would rode a habal2x (a motorcycle for hire since the quake made the roads impassable for four-wheeled vehicles) and a small boat to pass the waters that isolated the town (since the bridges were wrecked). That was almost five years ago. Let's see how the Loonano's cope up with the tragedy that shook their faith.

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Loon is approximately 28 kilometers north of Port of Tagbilaran City and 32.4 kilometers south of Tubigon Port. Loon also has one secondary port and six fishing ports. The secondary port is being converted into a Loon Bohol International Cruise Ship Port yet currently it serves the Loon—Argao (Cebu) route. Loon is a 2nd class municipality and has 67 barangays. With its wide area, Loon composes of land mass, coastlines and natural waters and has a relatively rolling topography consisting of moderate hills, rolling plains, sparse plateaus interspersed with valleys, and some ravines. With these, Loon is an interesting travel destination especially for those people who want to enjoy the spoiled-free and almost-virgin tourist spots. Come on and join me as I unravel the beauty of Loon. Well, of course with a little tidbits of information of the town's history and various tales. Brace yourselves as this will be another jam-packed virtual tour!

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Historical Landmarks

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Loon Church

_Google

Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish Church (also Our Lady of Light Parish Church), commonly known as Loon Church is under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran. A resident of the town, Manang Tiring, told me that aside from crushed corals and eggs, there were several dead bodies and blood mixed to construct the church. It's a creepy story but Manang Tiring furthermore told me that those dead bodies were the bodies of the really ill people then died and some were laborers who died upon the construction. She emphasized that there were no intentionally killed for the said construction. Phew! That's a relief!

But there's even more interesting story she told me. The former church was initially built in a downtown (which was formerly the poblacion proper of the town) called Napo but because of pirate raids, the church was transferred to the upper portion called Moto. And in the year 1770s, the church complex was actually built with defensive stone walls and armed with cannonballs. Few alumni of the adjacent high school (Sacred Heart Academy) added that there were tunnels on the ground of their school which are connected to the armory of the church. But due to the earthquake, these tunnels were closed and left wit just debris and rubble.

Another story I heard from the former Mayor of the town was about the force labor. The first church built in Moto was burned except the facade so Father Jose Garcia commissioned Domingo de Escondrillas, Director of Public Works in Cebu to redesign the church. They wanted it to be the biggest and the finest church in the whole Visayas so they did built it through force labor for nine long years. And that was the once erected in Loon, the Sidlak Kasilak (as what the Loonanons call it) church!

In the year 2010, Loon Church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and also National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

But now, after the the 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake, Loon church is just a memory and couple of rubble.

_{An aerial photo right after the earthquake. Credits}

_Credits

_{When I visited Bohol last holy week, I got the chance to take a picture of the progress for the restoration of the Loon church. Not much but somehow a hope for the Loonanons.}

Inang-angan

Inang-angan is derived from a Boholano term ang-ang which means step for stairs. This was built from 1847 to 1849 to improve the transport of goods from Napo to the upper parts of the town. It has a total of five flights with 212 (two hundred twelve) steps and about six meters wide. As what I have shared with you earlier, Napo was the center of all tradings in Loon where the first church was built before it was transferred to Moto. This stairway helped a lot as it exponentially decreased the casualties from the people transporting goods. According to the residents of Napo, inang-angan (before it was constructed) used to be a steep and slippery mountain climbing experience to deliver goods back and forth the Napo Port.

Inang-angan was also declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in 2010 as it has a magnificent stairway made of coral stones, acquired from the nearby Bohol Sea.

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Cementerio de Mamposteria (1800-1860s)

Back in highschool, I was able to attend the declaration of the Cementerio de Mamposteria being one of the historical landmark of Loon and as far as I can remember, there used to have a circular perimeter wall with the ruins of the chapel in the east-end of the grounds. But unfortunately, during my recent visit, there's nothing left but the gate and some debris of the circular perimeter. There was also a pathway (somehow raised approximately 50cm) leading to the chapel ruins inside the complex. But again after 8 long years, it's sad that there were no trace of the once protected historical landmark. The place was full of overgrown shrubs, a number of palm trees and banana plants invading the area.

Yet my memory of the place is still vivid. There were six burial chambers within the structure of the chapel in which four of them were at the front while the rest were located one above the other on the either side of the arched doorway leading into the chapel. There was one among the six burial chambers which contained fragments of a human skull while another burial chamber contained fragments of plank wood most probably from a coffin. I can also remember how I was shocked why there were no traces of gravestones all over the place if it was once a cemetery. A government official answered the 13 years old curios me that people living that time probably had used wooden crosses and coffins that after so many years it decayed and eventually disappeared.

This place may not be much of a tourist destination but for me it still is. I was once there when the declaration of the National Cultural Treasure was given to Cementerio de Mamposteria of Loon by the National Museum in the year 2010.

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Danicop Hidden Valley and Spring

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Bohol is truly gifted with so many springs, cave pools and pristine beaches and in Loon approximately a two-hour travel from Cebu City, you'll find yourself enticed with the fresh summer ambiance of Loon specifically in Ticugan, Loon as this small barangay offers you the Danicop Spring!

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Going to the place is as easy as 1-2-3 because aside from a number of habal2x found in the Loon Poblacion Proper, residents of Loon will definitely help you where to go and where to stop. This hidden spring is accessible both via motorcycle and can also be walked from the highway of Basak going to the heart of Ticugan. It's almost a 15-minute walk so make sure you'll bring your jug of water with you. Upon entering Ticugan proper, you'll be greeted with a welcome signage shown above.

Danicop spring is also called Hidden Valley because it resembles a valley which seemingly hidden by the cold spring. But don't you guys know that this spring was only available after the earthquake? YES, you read it right. The 2013 earthquake shook the limestone ground and eventually changed some of its features creating a wider opening now enjoyed by tourists and locals.

For safety purposes, a reminder by the residents of Ticugan: "Don't swim or go to the spring when it's raining. It's very dangerous." That's not too hard to follow right? So guys, see you this summer! Also, don't forget to pray in your trip and don't be too loud because you might disturb the not-like-us creatures. Oooh!

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Kabantian and Piong Falls

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Kabantian Falls

_{My camera died when we reached the falls because I failed to charge it. Oh diba, antanga lang hahaha. Anyways, credits to littlelai}

Kabantian Falls isn't so popular even to the locals of Loon because out of the 67 barangays, this beautiful falls is snuggling in between Cantaongon and Canmaag which are too far from the other barangays heading to the mountains to Antequera, Bohol. Going to this falls is quite difficult but worth it. This is the most beautiful falls you could ever see and try in the town of Loon!

Kabantian Falls is not much for swimming but great for relaxation as the rapid downfall of water will surely relax you. But I personally won't suggest this to everybody as not all of us would be interested enough for a steep and slippery trail. So I'm calling for those adventure and hike lovers out there! You might wanna check this out.

And if I were to add my personal experience, hmmm, God knows how I cried for help during the trek! That line famous to Bisaya: "Di na jud ko muusab! Kausa na lang!" is what I repeatedly chanted on our way to the falls and even when we arrived there. Though I was truly relaxed by the lushing greenery all over the place and the sweet scent of the waters, I still surrendered to the trembling of my muscles and the palpitation of my heart! Hahaha! I was really scared! That was my first time to hike like that! And maybe my last.

But there's something interesting about the falls that captivated me. On our way back to the next destination, the habal2x driver told me a tale about the falls, the Grieving widower tale. Long time ago the giant of Bohol (probably the same giant in the Chocolate hills) once had a mortal wife living in the mountains of Antequera, Bohol. When his wife died, he went to the home of her dead spouse to inform her parents what had happened. While he was telling his dead spouse's parents the tragic news, he couldn't bear the pain and poured his tears. Hence, the Kabantian Falls! And up to now, there are cries heard in the area. Well, maybe just some imagination or could be another creature living into the woods and is no longer the ghost giant. What do you think?

Piong Falls

Just a few meters away from Kabantian falls lies a small falls with a light to emerald green waters perfect for dipping to fight off the humidity of the weather. I am referring to none other than Piong Falls.

_{One great lesson for this part of my tour is "preparedness". I was busy selecting pictures from the camera but I failed to charge it. Ugh! Thanks again LittleLai. I do miss so many stunning view but I leave it for your next exploration! Choss!}

I was really tired from the previous trekking but it didn't stop me to find Piong Falls. And I don't regret that decision because Piong is really wonderful plus the water is so cold and undeniably clean. It has three levels of falls you can choose from but the best is the third one where you can really enjoy the water and the ambiance. A truly relaxing feeling away from the toxic job in the city! Hahaha!

Nothing really much to say but "This is another hellovadventure in the middle of the verdant forest of Loon. Well, only the brave ones can really enjoy this gem. And maybe I'm that brave enough to get here!

I'm done and tired. So come on and let's try some..."

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Vitamin Sea

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The notable effect of the earthquake aside from the wrecked infrastructures are the reinvention of the beaches in a natural way. Yes, after the quake, the beach was stunningly reformed, creating more sand and sand bars showcasing the fine, white, clean and rich sands of Loon, Bohol! Two of the best beaches in Loon are absolutely FREE. These are the Lintuan and Basdacu Beach.

Lintuan Beach

Lintuan beach or somehow called Napo beach as it is situated in the borders of the two neighboring and very close barangays (Lintuan and Napo). This beach stretches towards the coastlines of both barangay and both are astonishingly amazing!

The green part you see is a mixture of grass, shrubs and young mangroves growing on the beach. That part used to be the sea already and has an average depth of one to one and a half meter when high tide. Now after the quake, that part is no longer reachable by the sea. According to the locals, it is better that way because it naturally enhanced the beach. Before, the beach used to be full of limestone rock formations stretching to the very beach itself making it not really the favorite beach of the locals. But now, surprisingly, many of the locals and tourists come to this beach and have some picnic under the sturdy mangrove trees and the shades of the cave-like limestone rock formations towards barangay Lintuan.

Just above the beach towards the highway, there is a very scenic view which can be a great spot for reflections and photo shoots. Take a look at these shots:

If you like that so much then save some of your appreciation as I'll take you to another beautiful beach with NO ENTRANCE FEE! Yes, another FREE beaching time here in Loon! So what are you waiting for? Get ready to get wet and tanned as we enjoy the...

Basdacu Beach

_{My cutie-patotie model is the son of my high school friend. Dzaa! Sila may anak na, ako single pa rin! Hahaha}

Basdacu even before the earthquake is already a destination for families and friends wanting to have some beach time. It has a very fine and white sand plus the whole beach is clean as the responsible locals promote cleanliness in their place. Really amazing for a FREE beach! But don't you know that the term Basdacu came from two Boholano terms bas and daku meaning sand and big or wide respectively. So, the name Basdacu means "a wide shoreline". Truly, the coastline of the barangay is a wide stretch of white, clean and fine sand! And after the earthquake, the beach has been improved! Making it the second to my top three favorite beaches in my lifetime! Aside from the shoreline, it has a clear water that's shining as the rays of the sun shines over the sea and a very healthy mangrove trees where you can see some fishes and crabs! That's not an exaggeration because Basdacu beach deserves my appreciation. You'll know that when you visit this by yourself!

There's so much Loon has to offer, indeed. From historical landmarks, to springs and falls, to beaches. But wait there's more! Another natural transformation made Tangnan, Loon one of the instagram-worthy destination because of its...

Coral Garden

The publicly known as Coral Garden is not really full of Corals but a lushing growth of red-orange that are believed to belong to a family of Aizoaceae.

It is a ground-creeping plant with succulent leaves in the genus Carpobrotus but its specie is not yet known at the moment of writing. The wide-spread of this creeping mat-forming begun after the 2013 earthquake as reported by the many locals in the area. The information I got from the LGU of Loon and from my own research were so little but I'm hoping to have a more in-depth research about it so the tourists and even the locals will not be misinformed again.

But then, since public had accepted the name "Coral Garden", I think the place will be called such. Here are some stunning photos we got from visiting the garden.

The place is beautiful, priceless, relaxing and it will leave you in awe! Truly E U P H O R I A ! But the way to this paradise is quite not a joke. From the highway of Tangnan, you'll have to walk a couple of meters. Meh! Not a struggle but when you leave the garden after the sunset, goodluck! You'll feel a different kind of thrill as you jump across the plants feeling like there's something really creepy crawling beneath its leaves. Then when you reached the stairs to the heart-pacing journey up the highway, it's gonna be soon dark and you will feel there's something sulking behind the trees around you. Hahaha! So, a piece of advice: Bring some flashlight, brave heart and silence! You don't wanna know who's or which's living into the woods.

Here's a collage of our journey towards the garden. We weren't able to take shots on our way back because it was already dark and we're really scared! Hahaha!

But there's more to this garden than just these plants alone. Because there is actually a gem hiding from the view.

See that? Hehehe.

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My Loon travel is one of my favorite travels so far. Wanna know why? Because this is actually my beloved hometown! Yeah! Hahaha, that's why I know much more than a newbie in the place because I have been visiting these places back in high school though I wasn't able to appreciate them not until the 2013 earthquake. The earthquake maybe a blessing in disguise, somehow. It may have wrecked so many homes and infrastructures but it had beautify and enhanced the tourist destinations of the town and most importantly it had strengthen the bond within families, churches and even in the bigger scale, the relationships of every Bol'anon (the term they usually used referring to Boholanos/Boholanas) around the globe. It was like a wake up call for every Bol-anon that despite our challenged faith, we rose again amidst the trouble and helped rekindle the hope in the hearts of every Bol'anon! I am a proud Bol-anon!

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This has been @nikkabomb saying "Only in the darkness, you'll appreciate the stars." Lovelots! XOXO!

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P.S. If you guys want to see and experience Loon, I'll be happy to tour you around. And if you're not that maarte, then you can stay at our house for FREE!