Far enough from the noise and pollution of the urban areas yet close enough to experience anytime the benefits of the capital city. This is the balance being enjoyed by the people of Pinamungajan, a captivating and unspoiled haven in mid-western Cebu. The town offers the best setting of magnificent waterfalls, over a hundred breathtaking caves, a strip of white sand bar, vast and scenic rice field and mangrove forests. It has a trail of beach resorts in Barangay Tajao, a mountain resort against the backdrop of grandiose limestone cliffs in Barangay Lamac, two winding rivers that empty into the Tañon Strait, and some pockets of fresh water springs.
Campalabo Sandbar
A strip of white sand 20 minutes away from the mainland, Pinamungajan is proud of this marine resource. The islet spans one hectare during
low tide and is smaller during high tide. It sits in the middle of a municipal sea rich in marine life, and holds a spectacular view of the beauty of the town’s coastline and the Mt. Kanlaon in neighboring Negros province.The islet is near the marine sanctuary so the area is best for snorkeling. A few meters away from the Campalabo islet is a two-kilometer long rock formation protruding from under the sea locally called “paril”, which was formed in 1951 after typhoon Amy, one of the worst typhoons on record to hit the Philippines before supertyphoon Yolanda.
Hidden Valley Mountain Resort and Wavepool
Travelling to this mountain resort is an adventure in itself as the road winds its way up over scenic rice fields and mountains. Located 14 kilometers away from the town proper, the Hidden Valley Mountain Resort is owned and managed by the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC). It is a perfect place for relaxation, swimming, conferences, seminars, meetings, weddings, parties, reunions and other such gathering or celebrations. The mountain resort – which has two big pools for adults and two small pools for the kids – is one of the best places to commune with nature and enjoy its serenity.
Beach Resorts in Barangay Tajao
A trail of various resorts line up the coastline of barangay Tajao, accommodating residents and visitors for fun and relaxation. Aside from its fresh breeze, fine sand, and a spectacular view of the sunset, staying in any of Tajao’s resorts will give one the relaxing experience of a rural early morning setting wherein fishing boats line up the beach with their catch. The resorts include the Park Place Beach Resort, the Hidden Valley Mountain Resort, the Tajao Seaside Haven Beach Resort and the Louie Beach Resort. There is also the Tauhai Garden Beach Resort & Spa which offers water sports and beach activities, as well as diving and snorkeling. Because the resorts sit practically next to each other, this makes Pinamungajan an ideal place not just for fun and relaxation but also for holding huge gatherings like fun runs and the like.
Caves
As one experienced spelunker attests, Pinamungajan is a glorious place for caving enthusiasts. Its 118 caves serve as a honeycomb of adventures for those who like caving. Most of them are alive and still growing, and had sheltered Cebuanos during the second world war. Awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites abound in the depths of Pinamungajan’s caves. Some of the caves have a pool of fresh water to swim in, while others remain unexplored. Most visited is Kamangon cave in barangay Lamac, where 108 of the 118 caves can be found. Its name has the Cebuano root word kamang which means to crawl. This is because one really has to crawl on the ground for a few feet to get inside. The cave’s magnificent ceiling and walls are all worth it. The others in Pinamungajan’s list of popular caves to visit are Pangi, Limod, Udlom, Kabyaw, Sinungkulan, Nagkawa & Naglapus. After a grueling exploration, visitors can trek to Udlom and Sinungkulan Falls which are both a walk away from Kamangon Cave to have a refreshing treat. The Pulta Mayor Cave is also a popular spot for birdwatching. Because of the huge number of its caves, barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan was picked as venue for the 2004 National Mounting Climbing Congress spearheaded by the Philippine Speleological Society.
Twin Falls (Sinungkulan and Udlom Falls)
Pinamungajan has two majestic waterfalls capping the beauty of its mountain ranges: the Sinungkulan Falls and Udlom Falls in barangay Lamac. Whether at sunrise or sunset, or anytime in between, the two waterfalls of Pinamungajan simply take your breath away. The sound of nning water, the cool breeze from the nearby forest, the sparkling limestone cliffs and the endless green fields under the expanse of the blue sky all make a trip to Pinamungajan’s waterfalls worthwhile. The trek to the waterfalls is in itself a journey full of stories: the valley that leads to the falls was where it rained ice in 2012 and 2013. The solid rains, like ice cubes bigger than marbles, was something rarely seen in the history of this tropical country. For 2015 Regional Distribution of travellers by volume of guests by Cebu Province, Pinamungajan ranked 18th out of 44 municipalities and 6 component cities.
Mangrove Forest
Proof of a rich marine ecosystem in Pinamungajan’s coast is its lush mangrove forests where land intersects with the sea. The already rich forest is made even more massive with the recent planting of mangrove trees initiated by Mayor Glenn Baricuatro. The tidal forest is teeming with life and protects the coastal barangays from erosion and storm surges while at the same time providing an avenue for a river cruise.
Pinamuohan Festival
The town festival is a celebration of bountiful harvests from land and sea, as well as the hardwork of its people. It was started in 2008 in line with the thrust of then governor and now Congresswoman Gwendolyn Garcia, who pushed for each Cebu town and city to hold a festival as part of local culture and heritage. The Pinamuohan Festival is one of the highlights of the annual fiesta celebration every May 4, in honor of Sta. Monica.
Various elementary and secondary schools help the town come alive during the festival by sending in their best dancers in their colorful costumes and props. In 2009, the Pinamuohan Festival placed seventh in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals which was participated in by over 40 towns and cities. With some barangays grouping together as clusters in joining the festival, the annual event has proven to be a vehicle for camaraderie and unity among its people.
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Be captivated by the beauty of this humble yet progressive town set against the perfect backdrop of blue sea and sky, and the verdant mountains in between.
