Dubbed as "Mini Palawan of Cebu", Bojo River is the most visited tourist spot in the municipality of Aloguinsan. Situated in Midwest of Cebu, Bojo River is operated by Bojo Aloguinsan Eco-Tourism Association (BAETAS) who emerged as the winner of last year's Tourism InSPIRE Award for Best Community-based Tourism Initiative by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Together with other Travel and Style Bloggers of Cebu Bloggers Society, FaceCebu Author spent the weekend in this eco-friendly town in just less than 1,000 Pesos expense (each).

Bojo River Boardwalk. Photo by FaceCebu.Net

So why is it called Mini Palawan of Cebu? I asked some CBS Bloggers who experienced the River Cruise in Bojo and these are some amazing comments:

CBS Bloggers in Bojo River. Photo by SuperCebu.com

CBS Bloggers in the entrance going to Bojo River. Photo by SuperCebu.Com

"Bojo River is a reminiscence to Palawan's lofty rock formations surrounded by a clear and blue river." said CBS Style blogger, Lloyd Chua of lloydandbehold.com

"I don't necessarily have the luxury to travel all the time. So when I heard about Bojo River tagged as the mini Palawan of Cebu, I grabbed the opportunity to experience its Palawan-esque beauty through a 90-minute river cruise. It definitely did not disappoint.The lush greens of the mangroves, the clarity of the water and the rich flora and fauna of Bojo River seemingly mimicked the best of Palawan. Now, you don't have to spend much to get a glimpse of what the best island in the world (Palawan) has to offer. " said Philip Pinggoy of AlmostAblogger.com

CBS Bloggers ready to board. Photo by SuperCebu.com

CBS Bloggers (L-R) Philip Pinggoy of AlmostABlogger.com, FaceCebu.Net Author and Ian Limpangog of freedomwall.com

"It is tagged as mini palawan because aside from its rock formation similarity, you will get to enjoy the marine life by snorkeling and boat cruising. Bojo river also has 22 different mangrove species and 173 different residential birds." said SuperCebu.com Blogger, Guada Cuizon.

"It reminded me about El Nido's Big Lagoon where two verdant karst massifs form a spectacular passage. Both are testament to nature's stunning mix of complimenting colors and geography" said Ian Limpangog, freedomwall.net Blogger

Just like its meaning "River Ceiling", Bojo River indeed gives us a mini view of what it looks like to experience Palawan adventures. In the end of the less than an hour River Cruise is the horizon of Tañon Strait, which lies between the islands of Negros and Cebu. In this area of the cruise, you can see the beautiful Mt. Kanlaon of Negros with your naked eyes.

Siesta and Dip at Hermit's Cove



After Bojo River adventure, we then headed to the white sand spot of Aloguinsan, Hermit's Cove. Just like Bojo River, it is also managed by BAETAS which in fairness to the organization, they were able to maintain the beach in terms of cleanliness and tourists/visitors' management. There was an orientation before going down to the beach shore.  If you are going there solo, it's okay not to bring foods or baon since there is a mini-carenderia or store near the receiving area which you can buy foods and beverages. Note, you cannot bring alcoholic drinks inside the Beach premises. Generally, aside from the white sand (not fine) and clear blue water, Hermit's Cove suggests to Tourists to have chill session while enjoying your friends' company.

FaceCebu.Net Author

CebuFitnessBlog.com Author in Hermit's Cove

Hermit's Cove Receiving Area. Photo by SuperCebu.com

CBS Bloggers groufie. Photo by SuperCebu.com

MOOD: Summer in the Rain. ;) #FaceCebuTravels #LatePost #Cebu #CBSForever

A photo posted by Mark Monta (@mmonta) on Sep 18, 2016 at 9:02pm PDT

Launched in 2003, On Demand Community, IBM's flagship program for empowering volunteers, enables employees and retirees to find volunter activities and identify skills and expertise they can contribute to a specific cause. Last year, IBM volunteers worked on a Mangrove reforestation project in Olango Island at Lapu-Lapu but this time, the activity is focused in Poblacion, Aloguinsan, Cebu. As part of its 75th anniversary, IBM Philippines has collaborated with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) for a Mangrove plantation and maintenance project in the said province of Cebu on June 16, 2012.


Together with other CBSi and iLuvCebu Bloggers, FaceCebu.net author joined the environmentalism affair with IBM employees and volunteers. We met at IT Park Lahug and together we traveled for an estimated time of two to three hours before we arrived at the Municipality proper of the province of Aloguinsan. Aloguinsan, known as a fishing town in the Midwest of Cebu has over 5,000 households that depend on fishing for a living. It is said that 75% of all tropical commercial fisheries pass part of their lives through mangroves because it serve as nursery grounds, provide shelter and food.

Before the planting proper, we first visit Bojo river known to everybody as "Mini Palawan Of Cebu" and did a cruise. Hospitality was embraced while receiving a fresh Buko juice with a designed Gumamela flower in it paired witht heir native or home made bread. Smiling faces welcomed us and the volunteers. After a short break, one of the Natives gave us a lecture on the Mangrove detrital food chain and how Mangroves help in populating the fishes in that area.


Bojo River Nature Reserve, which includes the 1.4 kilometer long Bojo river and its riparian zone - home to about 61 bird specifies and remarkable native flora including the 22 species of Mangroves, was protected by local fishermen and natives. Local guides will paddle you down to the river in a traditional baroto, while they interpret the river's rich natural and cultural heritage including the famous Goddess Maria Tang-an. According to townsfolk, she was a nature spirit who took the form of a one-eyed, single-breasted female, a siren in the tradition of cyclops of Homeric epic and a protectress of the home that was a wilderness as natural as any primeval Eden (via Business Mirror)




The tour was organized by the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS). Here are the packages for the ECOTour.

Duration: 3 hours

Rates:
5 persons – Php800.00/head
6-10persons – Php550.00/head
11-15pax – Php530.00/head
16-20pax – Php500.00/head
20-30pax – Php480.00/head
30-50pax – Php450.00/head

Package includes orientation and lecture on mangroves,  ecology and bird wildlife lecture, handicraft (mat-weaving) demo, a buffet lunch and a snack (cool drink and freshly-baked salvaro, a native pastry) and a cruise down the river (via Lovely Philippines)

You can contact Rudney Carcuevas with the mobile numbers below.

TM/Globe: 0905-9133-055
Sun: 0922-4798-822








So much of the River Cruising, now back to the main goal of the visit - Mangrove Planting. The River cruise was initially done so that volunteers can understand and really appreciate what would be the fruit of their effort in planting Mangrove trees in the shores of Poblacion. "Planting and maintaining Mangrove forests greatly contribute not only in ensuring the balance in our ecosystem and the protection of our natural resources and people. It also helps in bringing back biodiversity, in developing eco-tourism, and sustaining socio-economic development in our country. Thus, community-based initiatives are crucial in the preservation and nurturance of the environent," RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz said.







IBM's deep commitment to drive progress through innovation resonates in the company's engagement with the industry, academe, government and communities that strategically employs IBM's technology and expertise to enhance the country's global competitiveness and help improve the lives of the citizens. "On July 20, 2012, IBM will mark a diamond milestone -- 75 years of operations and service in the Philippines, unmatched in the local technology industry," said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines. "This year will not simply be a milestone, rather it will be an opportunity to heighten IBM's commitment to the country. We have been in Cebu for five decades now and we will continue to engage in partnership with cebu to seize the opportunities and the promise of Cebu today and the years beyond," she added.

Complete Set of Photos at FaceCebu.Net Facebook Page