So we arrived at Loay from Lila. This stage of my joyride took us a little less than 20 minutes, probably because we had to slow down or stop to gaze at things along the way, like the "water glide" and so on! Otherwise, this could have been just a 10 minute joyride, had we rolled continuously, so said my driver.
Loay is a place that most visitors to Bohol pass-by, but few (include me, please) actually get to see. Its town center is well-known to travelers, drivers and tour-guides, as that corner along the scenic coastal circumferential road, where one must veer off going to Loboc, Bilar or onwards to the Chocolate Hills.
I myself had been breezing-by, yet longing to stop at least for a while, and see the surroundings of this town, for many years now. But circumstances in those many times were just not in my favor. So I said this was it! Yet, the guide made some kind of a "disclaimer" saying "it may not be how I want to see it"!
Argh! Bakit? He smilingly said "constructions constructions construction", that is the reason! Like this:
He explained that that was a nice grassy park, with flowers trees and shrubs, leading to that edifice in the middle which is the town hall. The structures at left are all temporary shelters, where some of the municipal units hold offices and/or conduct their daily business or services to their town constituents.
Curious, I still went a little forward for a closer look of this Municipal Hall of Loay, Bohol...
Then I saw it... oo nga... it really is still under construction. If you look at any window, especially on the second level, you could see the skies and the trees on the other side of the building. No roof there yet.
My guide says the most perplexing thing about that is: 'it has been like that, for more than a year now'. OMG heheh, Mr. Engineer, bakit? Wala kang awa! Di mo ba naisip gaano katagal magdudusa ang mga kasamahan mong siksikan dyan sa temporary shelters sa tabi? Wheh, surely it wasn't planned wisely.
Where we stood, by the way, is supposed to be the Municipal Plaza - for the moment, it has become a 'staging area' for construction workers, and at the same time, a parking area. I asked my driver/guide, why there are 2 monuments, and who they are. He said he has no idea yet, although we were sure the one in front (near the highway) is Jose Rizal, while that one standing by the flagpole, we can't identify!
So many repairs in town, and I saw big old wooden houses too. Guide said "sa likod mo pa, sir".
All I could say was "now that is a really big old wooden house, oh wow"!
It's a huge 'square' structure - meaning it is as deep as it is wide...
And most of it, in the upper level, seem to be still of the original material and build that it was...
So that is the "Clarin Ancestral House" built in the 1840s, now a government museum said my guide.
When I learned that it is now a museum, I really wanted to enter and have a look around. But, time was not on my side, as I said earlier. Nanaman? Yeah, it happens! I was to meet a 'kausap' at 2PM in Albur.
But even if I couldn't visit the Clarin Ancestral House this time, my guide was ever ready to pepper me with bits of info about it. Like: there's a cozy garden behind the house for café customers to hang-out at; that the garden is sometimes used as venue for special events like mini-concerts or parties; while the 'muebles' (furniture) are originals (18th century), most displays are from the American occupation.
Hmm, maybe I should make an effort to be back there sometime soon.
Anyway, we continued up that ascending road. Guide told me we were going to the church, and voila!
In fact, where we stood as I took that picture, was blocked with bricks and stones to signify "no entry" into that cobbled path, that looked like it was finished just today. He went on telling me, this was what he meant that "it may not be how I wanted to see it". Oo nga, constructions constructions everywhere!
But I saw people walking on the side path. I followed! He said "baka bawal" yet he followed too hehe!
I was sure we won't be 'excommunicated' from this path as I could see kids playing over at that end!
But one thing I immediately realized and appreciated, even while walking on that path was that, these reconstructions, restorations (whatever they're called) are not really simple as having a roofed church again. It looks like they're re-making the old composition of the compound, including other structures.
My guide laughed when I said "it feels like I'm walking in a Hollywood movie set"! Hmm, ngano kaha.
Look at this house... and the even newer thing inside it... my eyes grew real big this time!
A power plant? In a church? Seriously? So I said "dato-a diay ni padre 'no"?
While we were still in the area, a friendly priest passed-by and smilingly asked "can I help you"? I said we were just passing-by as we thought the church was already rebuilt. He chatted with us for a while.
Syempre, he told us how crazy the 2013 jolt was and they were thankful for the many generous souls that helped, etc. I did ask him if it was okay for us to be around. He said "just do not enter the church".
So we walked to take a peep at the main entrance, knowing we should not enter per the priest's advice (and advise). We could hear all the busy and noisy construction activities anyway. Then I saw this van:
He told me, the things that are now happening to Bohol churches that are being helped by this NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) are not just rebuilding, but more on restoring and reconstructing. Wah, that was deep ha! Malalalim na mga kataga! Almost nose bleed pero kaya ko pa!
He continued... that due to the NHCP's example, even other churches (plus other buildings or houses) that they are not even directly helping, are also being rebuilt with a consciousness at considering how these old memorable buildings looked-like in their original state of years ago. He further said that he was referring to this church when he said "wait 'til you see the next town" while we were in Dimiao.
Anyway, standing under the main door's archway, we saw the 'church insides', and I took this picture!
The bell tower which now stands full again, and the national historical marker...
And one last glance at the Most Holy Trinity Parish Church compound before we left the hill....
Down from the hill, we went to exit Loay, westward on the highway. It always passes by this bridge.
Not many know, that this bridge is straddling the Loboc River. Yep, that area (left) is already the mouth of Loboc River. If you ride a boat down there going upriver (right), it won't take long and you will reach the famed Loboc River Cruise area. There are such boats? Yep, those little ones are just down below!
Okay okay, I was not quick to take pics earlier. But at the foot of this bridge (behind camera on that pic above), you'll notice there would usually be many vehicles parked (on both sides). Why? Because, the usual tours are also offered at this place. You do not need to go and tow long lines in Loboc for those!
The "firefly experience" departs from the foot of that bridge. That's the reason why you will usually see so many vehicles before and below that bridge, during late afternoons up until the darkness of nights!
Hey, I even surprised my guide when I told him that in Loboc, it is hard to find the little boats (good for 2 to 6 people) to cruise the river. You find them here! If not at the foot of the bridge, at the seaport just beside it! That is if you don't (anymore) want to wait a long time for those big buffet-restaurant-boats!
Caution:
I don't recommend the tiny boats to first-timers. While the big buffet-restaurant-boats need a battalion to go, the tiny ones can be more expensive to charter, you bring your own food, BUT intimately private!
Lastly, I haven't done this (yet), but my guide says this is a better option nowadays: for those wanting to experience that buffet meal while cruising Loboc River, you do not even have to go to Loboc town. There is one such service at the foot of the above Clarin Bridge. Less queuing time, better food, daw!
Anyway, we crossed the bridge, and off we went ever westward to Albur.
That's next!
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