Our Sohoton Adventure

After we took our breakfast, we went directly to Basey/Basay Tourism Office, just at the back of Celbalor Lodging house. When we got there, the pump boats were not yet ready.

So, we waited for almost 30 minutes and the day tour kicked off at 10:00 am.

As we navigate along the river, we had a good sightseeing. We passed by a large vegetation of trees, some houses along the riverbank and three picturesque barrios.

There is a riverside barrio called "RAWIS" that houses the still unexplored Rawis Cave, which, according to the locals, is even better than Sohoton. There were children swimming, playing and some were waving to us. True enough, you really sometimes can be a real foreigner in your own native land. After almost 45 minutes to 1 hour of sailing, we reached the enchanting Sohoton Natural Park.

The long trip was worth it and we headed straight to the bridge.

The Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park is one of the most extensive cave system rich of cultural findings form Paleolithic, Neolithic and Stone Ages. It is one of the of the popular tourist destinations in Region VIII. It also focused in Biodiversity Conservation Program.

More pics...

Cool Slideshows

SOHOTON CAVE

Our family was divided into three groups. After a few minutes of briefing Manong Dong, our tour guide led us the way to the cave. But before we enter, he knocked first three times and said a little prayer. Maybe to pay respects for the 'spirits' that linger around the caves, since this place has ancient beginnings.


Our batch was the only one that brought two video cameras. Unfortunately, the rest of the group didn't have video footages.

While inside the cave exploring, we had to crawl twice in a single file through a narrow passage...

and there's a path that you had to squeeze yourself through sideways technique.

But I don't think my nieces recapture the feeling of physical inflexibility. Why? Because most of them are petite. Just as I am..... before. :)

The Unforgettable Organ Story:
The most laugh trip of all was that, Manong Dong asked us,

"Have you SEEN AN ARTIFICIAL MUSICAL ORGAN?

Of course everyone was curious and we chorused... "NOT YET"

Manong Dong informed us...

"YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN'T FIND THIS ORGAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN ONLY SEE IT HERE."

And my reaction was... "Wow! Really?" So, I eagerly got my digital camera ready.

Then Manong Dong said,

"LIGHT PLEEEASE...".

Then another manong holding with a 'gasera' lightened the dim area.

One, Two, Three... BUWALAAAH!!!

There we saw the grandeur of...

THE BIGGEST MAN'S SEX ORGAN SHAPE
attached to the ceiling.
Oooops... CENSORED!

Hahaha... It was a laugh a minute for all of us.

More Sohoton adventure... (please wait while the pictures load and click to expand it)

Cool Slideshows

Sohoton Cave

Sohoton Cave is a very large cave situated in the eastern portion of the natural bridge. It has a high cathedral-like dome with a parabolic arch-type entrance about 15 meters high.

On its ceiling hangs spike-shaped crytalline stalactites and rustic and cavernous walls and stalagmites on the cave's floor.

Inside are spectacular limestone formations that approximate the shapes of the following...

eagle's claw

Pig head,

Elephant

Alien hand shape

Stairway to Heaven,

Fanglike structure,

Bibingka (Rice cake),

St. Michael the Archangel,

Jellyfish,

the Natural Musical Organ,

OUR SOHOTON ADVENTURE >>>

Sohoton Natural Bridge & National Park

Basay is rich with historic past and beautiful spots, such as the renowned The Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park . It is a 8km² karst area with Caves, a subterranean river, waterfall, unique limestone formations and a picnic grove. Traces of early habitation date back to the Stone Age which were believed to have been used as burial sites. The caves were also used as a hideout of Filipino insurrectos during the Spanish-American War.

A magnificent bridge over the Sohoton River. The handrails are made of steel and floors made of wood. This bridge is the jewel in the crown of the Sohoton's park.

The surrounding scenery...

It was established as a national park on July 19, 1935 by virtue of Proclamation No. 831 primarily to preserve its geological features and natural wonders. It is one of the popular destinations now in Region 8.

Basay, Samar

BASAY is a 3rd class municipality in the province of SAMAR, PHILIPPINES, located at the southwestern part of Samar. The town's name is pronounced "Ba-SAY" not "Ba-SEY". This mispronounciation was propagated by American soldiers in the early days of the American colonial period. There is no "ey" sound in Waray. Basay is from the waray word "mabaysay," meaning beautiful. But some people and even the tourism office are still using the word "Basey".

It is practically near Tacloban City, the commercial and industrial center of Region VIII, which was once a daughter barrio of Basey. The two municipalities are linked through the famous San Juanico Bridge.

Getting there:
From the Tacloban terminal or "paradahan" in local term, there are mini buses and jeepneys (P15) and a non air-con FX car (P20) going to Basay for a 30 to 45-minute drive. (Fare as of 2007)

Basay is known for its handmade "Banig" (Mats) made of "tikog". Basay's climate is generally cool and invigorating emanating from the mountains and forest area. It is visible almost the year round. Natural resources include rice, coconut, banana, rootcrops and vegetables.

They have the Kawayan-Banigan Festival Parade where Basay's favorite local products bamboo and mat weaving is highlighted. The regular festival is celebrated yearly on the 28th of September.

Visitor can observe the mat weaving of the locals and shop for woven handicrafts like mats, baskets, bags, wallets and slippers.

Banig is a handwoven mat usually used for sleeping.

Walking or renting a bike is the best and cheapest way to get around the town. You can visit the 17th century old church also known as St. Michael the Archangel Church, one of the tourist attraction in the area. The place is located on top of a hill.

It is said that the church was a place for public meetings and stage plays during the Japanese occupation and a place for refuge during the liberation.

Inside the church features images of saints painted on the ceiling.

Basey Tourist Assistance Center...

Basay Pump Boat Station

A pump boat is an outrigger canoe powered by a small gasoline or diesel engine.

The town's river provide calming sensation and great scenery.

Life in Basay is pretty laid back and quiet. Shopping malls, restaurants, deluxe accommodations and nightlife to general public is practically nonexistent. The town has carenderias (small eatery) and one and only lodging house named 'Celbalor'.

In my view, a day tour would be enough to visit the town's area.

Visitors and sightseers who loves nature tripping & caves and just want to enjoy life minus the hassles & stress of city life... this is the place.