MANILA, Philippines - Bohol has long been considered as one of the country's main tourism hubs, capitalizing on its natural assets such as the Chocolate Hills, the pristine white beaches of Panglao island and the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates on earth.

And just when we thought that we've seen everything, the tropical sanctuary of natural beauty surprises us with yet another tourist attraction -- a cruise along the winding Abatan river.

Using a 27-seater local river boat or bandong, the Abatan river tour passes the rustic towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan and Catigbian.

The area is home to up to 38 tree species and 25 species of mangroves, making it the country's second most diverse mangrove forest.

"Going hand-in-hand with the provincial government's vision in making the province of Bohol as a prime eco-cultural tourism destination, the Abatan River Tour will indeed open numerous opportunities for the locals, such as jobs and possible new businesses," said then Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

For his part, former Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque said, "In the coming months and years, we can anticipate an increase in the number of eco-tourists visiting the area, which in turn would translate to growth in eco-tourism facilities and services, to help meet the province's growing demand."

An eco-cultural experience

The Abatan river tour provides a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere, a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of highly urbanized living.

Beyond the placid waters and the lush green scenery, however, is a glimpse of traditional rural life. In each pit stop, travelers get to interact with friendly locals who offer native delicacies (from cassava cakes to sweet potato rolls) and perform cultural dances.

"Initiatives like this show empowered communities. We laud the efforts of the people of Bohol province, along with the 5 municipalities, in putting up a unique eco- and cultural tourism experience, another inspiring story of a community-led tourism endeavor," Durano said.

"This is not only a tourism project. This is also geared towards a deeper understanding on how to protect nature. The river is also full of history, there are so many stories to be told," added Bohol Governor Eduardo Chatto.

The tour takes about 4 to 5 hours, including the 13.5-kilometer cruise via bandong and a land trip to the upstream tour in the town of Catigbian. All tours are facilitated by trained community guides.

DOT said other eco-tourism activities such as bird watching, kayaking, trekking and camping will soon be available to complement the Abatan river tour.

On tribes and bells

Abatan came from the Boholano word abat, which means "to converge" or "to meet." As one of Bohol's most ancient waterways, Abatan served as an alternative highway for the people.

Back in 600 A.D., the area is said to be home to the Eskayas, a tribe in Bohol. Their remnants are said to still exist today in the hinterlands of Bohol, from their language to their religious practices.

There is a lot of folklore about the Abatan river, and one of them involves lingganay nga ugis or a white bell. It was said that the bell, which is 1.5 meters in diameter and can be heard 50 kilometers away, was snatched by a small native bird from the Spaniards and thrown into the Abatan river.

Several attempts were made to recover the white bell, but all failed. Old folks believed that the Bitoon portion of the river, where the bell is buried, is guarded by the encantos (evil spirits).

To date, it is claimed that the bell still lies beneath the river, waiting for someone who's brave enough to take it. -- Text and photos by Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com.

For more information, contact the Abatan River Development Management Council at (038) 416-0067 or log on to www.processbohol.org.

Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/07/11/10/cruising-along-bohols-newest-crown-jewel