Binaliw Spring
in
Sogo Cebu, Philippines
Location: Sogod
Type: Spring/Nature
Details: A cool spring right at the foot of a mountain.
The spring feeds the awesome Bagatayam River and the
Bagatayam Falls.
Why Visit?: A religious shrine of the Our Lady of Lourdes
sits right at the top of the fresh-water spring.
The place is perfect for relaxation and meditation.
Since most Cebuanos have Christian religion (mostly Catholics) the place
where the waterfall is located lays a grotto of the Our Lady of Lourdes which
is built local authorities. This grotto now covers the source of the falls or spring water.
Healing Water
The combination of folk/traditional beliefs and modern Christian faith come
into play when we talk about the healing powers of this spring.
Some people use the water from this waterfall and spring to cure various sorts
of illnesses by drinking it, using as a mixture in ointment, as antiseptic, bathing in
the spring, or in every way the believer can use the water for the expected
healing effect.
Rules and restrictions are imposed to all visitors and locals in the area.
For example, there is a demarcation line (a rope) that marks the area
where you can dip in for a swim or wash you laundry. Specially, the area near
the source is highly watched to keep it as it is—clean and pure water from
the belly of nature.
Due to the popular belief of Binaliws healing effects, many dubbed it as the
priestess of nature.
FINDING BINALIW SPRING
From Cebu City Go to the North Bus Terminal and take any bus
(certainly Ceres Line) that traverses the route. Or, you can take a
V-hire (van for hire) that goes to that direction. The municipality is
Sogod that is located beside the other famous Catmon Municipality.
You can get off at Sogod Public Market and take a motorbike (habal-habal)
for hire to the falls itself. Another suggestion is to tell the bus/van driver
to drop you off by Bagatayam Bridge from where you can just walk for
a few minutes to the spring.
You can spend a great time at Binaliw Spring but not a centavo (or dime).
Leave nothing but only footprints take nothing but only great memories