Cebu was selected as one of the best islands in the world in the 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards survey of Conde Nast. While the beaches are the main reason why Cebu landed on the list again, the island has a number of other natural attractions that can pique the interest of any traveler. One of these places is the Kabukalan Spring.
Kabukalan Spring – image source: thecebuano.com
Kabukalan Spring
The Kabukalan Spring is a cold water spring situated at the highest level of the Kawasan Falls system. While the name may have been derived from the Tagalog word “bukal,” which means source, it is interesting to note that the same word in Cebuano means boil. But, since it is also called the source, the name may have come from the Tagalog version of the word.
The Kabukalan Spring is a cold water spring situated at the highest level of the Kawasan Falls system. While the name may have been derived from the Tagalog word “bukal,” which means source, it is interesting to note that the same word in Cebuano means boil. But, since it is also called the source, the name may have come from the Tagalog version of the word.
Kabukalan Spring – image source: uploadandwin.com
The Kabukalan Spring is also connected to another natural tourist attraction, the Matutinao River. The river is around two kilometers away from the spring. The Matutinao River is also one of the places where canyoneering activities are held. Due to this, the spring is one of the exit points of people joining these activities. Trekkers also pass through the spring after hiking up Osmeña Peak. They would pass through the spring mainly due to the rich flora and fauna in the area.
Matutinao River – image source: pinterest.dk
Stories Surrounding the Kabukalan Spring
Similar to many natural attractions on the island, the Kabukalan Spring also has its share of stories of the supernatural kind. Locals say there are engkantos or nature spirits living in the area. A person supposedly dies every two years and these spirits are supposedly responsible for these deaths. Some resort operators in the area believe in these engkantos, but are not convinced that they are responsible for these tragedies. They say it is important to avoid disturbing these engkantos so they will not harm anyone.
Similar to many natural attractions on the island, the Kabukalan Spring also has its share of stories of the supernatural kind. Locals say there are engkantos or nature spirits living in the area. A person supposedly dies every two years and these spirits are supposedly responsible for these deaths. Some resort operators in the area believe in these engkantos, but are not convinced that they are responsible for these tragedies. They say it is important to avoid disturbing these engkantos so they will not harm anyone.
Kawasan Falls – image source: kawasanfalls.net
Getting to the Kabukalan Spring
You can reach the Kabukalan Spring by getting on a bus with the signboard Bato via Barili at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. The bus will take you to Badian. Just make sure to tell the driver of conductor that you want to get off at the jump off point for the Kawasan Falls. Once you reach Badian, you can trek to the Kawasan Falls and go up to the highest level of the waterfalls.
You can reach the Kabukalan Spring by getting on a bus with the signboard Bato via Barili at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. The bus will take you to Badian. Just make sure to tell the driver of conductor that you want to get off at the jump off point for the Kawasan Falls. Once you reach Badian, you can trek to the Kawasan Falls and go up to the highest level of the waterfalls.
Cebu South Bus Terminal – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
While the Kabukalan Spring may be a part of the Kawasan Falls, it did not gain as much attention as the falls itself in the past. But, with the increase in canyoneering activities in the area, many visitors are now starting to appreciate the beauty of the spring. It has also become one of the places where nature lovers can visit if they find themselves in the southern town of Badian.
Have you visited the Kabukalan Falls already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Have you visited the Kabukalan Falls already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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