By SARWELL Q.MENIANO
Leyte Samar Daily Express
CAIBIRAN, Biliran -Rain or shine, it is worth a trip to the farming town of Caibiran in the province of Biliran, the home of Tinago Falls and Mainit Hot Spring.
The enchanting sound produced by 90-feet waterfalls blended with breathtaking scenery of trees, vines, and other exotic plants make the Tinago Falls ideal for swimming, sightseeing and mere relaxation.
“Tinago” is a Waray term for hidden. Although the site is close to the road, lush forest hides the waterfalls from passersby.
overflow from Tinago Falls
Going there from the town center is through a newly-concreted road in a middle of a vast rice fields with laborers who tirelessly harvest grains under the heat.
Situated in a rainforest in Cabibihan village, Tinago Falls is just four kilometers away from the town center and 40 minutes drive from the Naval, the capital town of Biliran.
The water falls from high stone ridge to a naturally-formed pool in a middle of boulders and verdant forest. To get a better view of the falls, a watchtower was built on top of a boulder.
Laughing out loud, tourists are unfazed of town folk’s myth about environmental spirits blamed for plotting some drowning incident.
“I always bring my children and grandchildren here. This is a very good place to spend time with my family,” said 70-year-old Alfredo Colipaopao, who was enjoying soaking himself in crystal clear, cool water from the falls.
Even locals are awed by Tinago Falls’ natural wonders. They come in and set up their own picnic place, using banana leaves instead of fabric and plastic. Taking advantage of fresh cool air, some even bring their own sleeping hammock for a nap.
a pool fed by hot water from a nearby hot spring
Mayor Eulalio Maderazo said Tinago Falls has been a priority of the local government for development. The government has invested about P5 million to build stairs, pathways, covered grandstand, and a lodging facility.
“We expect tourists to stay overnight near Tinago Falls with the completion of electrification project,” Maderazo said.
The site has been attracting 50,000 local tourists as well as visitors from United States, Australia, Korea, and Germany. Many of these foreign tourists are married to town folks of Caibiran, a predominantly agricultural municipality.
Since the site is managed by the local government, guest can access the area for only P10 but totally free for locals.
About 10 minutes drive from Tinago Falls is the Mainit Hot Spring in Barangay Villa Vicenta. It has a mini-swimming pool filled with lukewarm water from a sulfur spring-fed.
Concrete seats were also setup where warm water overflows, hence, giving soothing comfort to tourists and adventurers. Hot water temperature rejuvenates from stress and daily life.
“People have been coming here because of testimonials that the warm water’s sulfur content water can cure skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatism,” said Lolita Rosel, municipal tourism officer.
The town is surrounded by volcanic mountains – Kapingganan on the north, Sayaon on the west, and Suerro on the south. These sulfuric mountains are covered by ongoing exploration of the Biliran Geothermal, Inc. It was estimated to have a potential geothermal resource that can support a 50-megawatt power plant.
The most accessible to locals is the San Bernardino swimming pool along roadside in Barangay Manlabang. It is fed by cool underground spring, the source of the town’s water supply.
Caibiran is endowed with many rivers. Indeed these rivers had attracted immigrants to settle in the area, according to its history. The town derived its name from “ibid” – the local name of Philippine Sailfin Lizard. Before human settlers came, these excellent swimmers animals are commonly seen in the area because of the existence of rivers.
Today, Caibiran has a population of more than 20,000 inhabiting on its 17 villages. It is now considered as priority sites for the conservation of endangered lizards.
Caibiran can be reached through a three-hour ride from Tacloban through a 169-kilometer connecting Leyte and Biliran. The town has lodging houses for visitors who want to stay overnight. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)