“If the historic scene of the church brings us back to the 19th century, the picturesque view of the bay walk makes us experience the summer in New Zealand” – that’s how I described the municipality of Dalaguete.

How to get there?

A Ceres or Sunrays bus will take you to Dalaguete from South Bus Terminal. You can ride the bus going to Bato Oslob or Alcoy as it will definitely pass the town of Dalaguete. Tricycle and habal-habal are the means of transportation when you reached the town of Dalaguete.

Heritage Trail

Simbahan ni San Guillermo de Aquitania

The church is located few meters from the hi-way of Brgy. Poblacion or town proper. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for direction as they are friendly and accommodating.

It was built on 1690 and became a parish on 1711. The paintings on the ceiling were made by Canuto Avila on 1935 which it has been used to express the remains of the Spanish era architecture.  On 2004, the church was declared as “Pambansang Palatandaang Makasaysayan.”

In front of the church, is the town’s plaza and beach park which was still under construction. Inside the town’s plaza, you can find the heritage well and statues of Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento as well as San Guillermo de Aquitania.

Obong Spring

 

Aside from the famous OsmenaPeak in Brgy. Mantalongon, Dalaguete is also well known because of the Obong Spring. It’s located in Brgy. Obong –  boundary between Dalaguete and the town of Alcoy.

Trivia: Obong Spring holds 400 year old dalakit tree which the name Dalaguete was derived from according to the legend.

It’s a cold spring which all walks of life both local and foreigners would visit to enjoy the ice cold water spring. I suggest that you visit the spring on weekdays as it might be crowded on weekends.

Where to eat?

Maria’s Batchoy Restaurant - is a recommended restaurant in Dalaguete that opens 24/7. Since we traveled early in the morning, we decided to have our breakfast there. Their specialty is “Batchoy”, but they also have wide array of menu. It’s easy to locate the restaurant as it’s located along in the hi-way and right across the corner of Brgy. Mantalongon.

Where to stay?

After our heritage trail and visit to Obong Spring, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Dakong Beach Resort located in Baranggay Coro. From Baranggay Obong, we take another tricycle ride going to the town proper then transfer to another tricycle that will take you to Baranggay Coro. Fare will cost you PHP 8.00 per ride, but good thing an old man at the hi-way helped us negotiate the tricycle driver and agreed to take us directly to Dakong Bato Beach Resort for PHP 40 fare (PHP 20 each).

It’s a private resort with two swimming pools, man made sea swimming pool, rooms for overnight stay as well as tables and cottages that can be rented for only PHP 300 for daytime use. I suggest that you’ll just rent their tables and chairs coz it’s less expensive and cottages are impractical.

You may visit Dakong Bato’s website www.dakongbato.com for more information in regards to their rates and amenities.

Expenses

Bus fare going to Dalaguete – PHP 101

Breakfast meal at Maria’s Batchoy Restaurant – Longsilog with Milo: Php 68 and hotsilog with Milo: Php 63. Their breakfast meal already includes Milo or coffee.

Tricycle fare from the town proper to Obong Spring: PHP 10 and PHP 5 entrance fee/person

Tricycle fare from Obong Spring to Dakong Bato Resort: PHP 20/person

Resort entrance fee: PHP 100/person

Cottage Fee: PHP 300

Lunch (fried pork belly good for two: PHP 120 + PHP 15 rice + PHP 30 mango shake):  PHP 105 each

Bus fare going to Cebu: PHP 97

Total expenses:  PHP 1212.00 or PHP 606 each

The Experience

It was a great way to spend Valentines Day by traveling instead of sulking or get jealous those couples as love is in the air. Julie (my travel buddy that day) and I shared the same sentiments as we are both single at that time until now. I gain new experience and a new friend. The trip draws us closer together and we found out that we have lots of similarities. It was my first time to travel with her and vice versa. In fact, it’s just the start of our journey together. When we got back to work the following day, we booked our flight to Caticlan and visited our dream destination – Boracay Island.