''BALAY SA AGTA ARGAO''

 

 

 

 

Cebu, though a bustling metropolis has still many hidden secrets and surprises.

Many are still waiting to be discovered and developed. In the sleepy town of Argao,

 who would think that it would be a best place for those who are looking for

 a real taste of adventure? Well, specially carved for cavers and spelunkers, a trek in

 “Balay Sa Agta” (House of Agta) is really a bold undertaking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balay Sa Agta is one of the largest cave system in the entire province of Cebu.

 It is surrounded by luxuriant vegetation of the Argao Lantoy National Park,

 making its one of the most exciting places to be seen in visiting Argao.

The gigantic vertical opening of the cave impressed even the most experienced cavers.

 Its massiveness inside can accommodate two buildings like that of.

 St. Michael Parish Church. That is how the cave got its name

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the folks, the cave is the abode of the giants because of its enormity

 in size thus gaining the name “Balay Sa Agta”. In Cebuano dialect,

Balay means “house” and Agta referred to a mythical creature, believed to be

 gigantic in size, brown in color and hairy in most part of the body. In Filipino

folklore, it is synonymous with Kapre and smokes a big tobacco pipe.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cave domes can not only accommodate giants but also thousands

bats in different species. Some of them are found only in the cave.

Another species of strange snakelike creatures are found in the cave.

Some called it the “Flying Rods” which drawn the tourists to pay a visit.

Once you reach the very end of the cave, you will soon get clear

picture on how the cave got its name.

The cave is located in the remote barangay of Conalum.

A 40-minute travel by a four-wheel vehicle or a motorcycle locally known

 as “habal-habal” from the barangay Poblacion, one will reach the Balay Sa Agta.

The cave is measured 475 meters long while its height varies from the

opening to the very end of the structure. At the certain point in the

middle where there is a large circular hole, the height is measures

 175 feet from the roof to the ground. It has seven (7) chambers and

some of which are still unexplored.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The darkness of the cave is so penetrating that not even the strongest

flashlight could chase it away. This adventure is only for those people who has

 the go-for-it attitude and not afraid of heights. Faint-hearted are not advisable

to continue the quest. However, a tour without a guardian is not recommended.

Well, so far, no one dared to enter the cave without a tour guardian.

According to Rainerio Alcarez of Argao Tourism Commission,

they are not just tour guides but guardians because they not

 only guide but guard as well.

The trail is slippery especially when it’s raining, rocky and uneven.

One has to climb some rock only to go down again.

Bats are hovering overhead.

There are some bat droppings and water droplets

that prohibit looking up with the mouth open.

There is a dry riverbed where the water flows when it rains.

 It is dangerous going into the cave for it could suddenly floods

the riverbed inside the cave. However, the guardians are

 ready when such cases happen.

There are already designated areas where the cavers could seek refuge.

 

 

 

 

 

All these scenarios may discourage visitors to continue but the mystery

of what lies ahead and the thrill of new discoveries may encourage

 for a contrary view. The swallows near the entrance and their songs

can lighten one’s spirit and urge you to go on.

In one of the small chambers, a Guano or dung deposit can

be found in the first chamber and rock phosphate at the end

of the second chamber.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the certain spot in the main chamber, a large circular

hole in roof is another spectacle. They call it the “skylight”

 at the middle of the cave. The rays of the sun replicate at 11 a.m.

when it’s sunny. No other time in the day that you can

see the rays of the sun enter the cave like a blessing from above.

 

 

 

Aside from the stalagmites and the stalactites which are common sightings

inside the cave, the formation on the rock wall called the calcium

 carbonate speleothems are produced through slow precipitation and

 visible when there is no rain. This resembles a waterfall in its glittering frozen cascades.

Undeniably, Balay Sa Agta is a destination for those who want to

experience a real taste of adventure. If you want to tour Argao,

don’t forget to pay a tribute to the largest cave in Cebu.