Abatan River Community Life Tour

15/11/2023

Nature has it all 💚💚💚

Book your trip now ✍️

14/11/2023

The man behind "CHITchat" 💚🤟 Chito Samontina 🤟

Thank you for visiting Abatan River 💚🌳

08/11/2023

Thank you for visiting Abatan River Firefly Tour Immy and Tani and Mark Lapid💚

A place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature 🚣🌳

Book your rides only with us ✍️📲
💚

08/11/2023

Enjoy the beauty of sunset, nature's farewell kiss for the night 🌄🌛 -Sharon Rene-

What are you waiting for❓

Book your sunset adventure only with us 🚣💚

31/08/2023

Magic does exist 🪄🧙‍♂️

The Amazing Light Show of Fireflies✨

Visit Us !!! 👇

The Abatan River Amazing Firefly Adventure Tour 💚🌴

BOOK NOW 🏄

30/08/2023

KAYAKING can be enjoyed by racing others or simply paddling for leisure or exercise 🛶🚣

Book your trips now 🚣🌴💚

30/08/2023

ABATAN RIVER COMMUNITY LIFE TOUR RATE 💚🌴

BOOK NOW 🛶🚣

07/12/2022

Throwback Thursday: Sr. Sto. Niño Parish, Cortes, Bohol. Photo taken circa 1950’s.

Original name – Malabago, in 1790 name changed to Pamingwitan and later changed to Cortes.

During the first two years of the Spanish regime, many friars were sent to the Philippines to Christianize the pagan natives. One of them was Rev. Father Jose Santa Maria, who upon his arrival in Manila was directed by the Bishop of Cebu to immediately proceed to Bohol to establish the parish of Malabago. By the year 1771, a parish of the Roman Catholic Church was established in the Camayaan-Bahian area, now Rosario. The legend of the Lingganay Ugis (Silver Bell) started there.

When Father Juan Barriero came to replace Father Santa Maria, he changed the name of Malabago to Pamingwitan, aroused his delight on the native’s way of fishing with pamingwit at the side of the Abatan River, the river cascading from the upstream of Kamayaan down to the open sea by the Dayhangan delta where the Municipal Wharf now stands.

There were times the seat of the local government was transferred to Dayhangan, in the highlands of Dihong, now Salvador, by the Bakong River. This was due to raids made by pirates from the south along the offshore lands of the Abatan River. But the permanent seat of government and the parish was at Pamingwitan.

Fishing and kaingin farming were the main occupation of the townspeople. The medium of communication was conglomeration of Ilonggo and Waray. Duro (sikapat) was the currency used. But the substantial parts of the trade and commerce was done through barter.

By the year 1850 the whole town was Christianized. A Church was built by the present site of the Cortes Catholic Church under the jurisdiction of Antequera. The burial grounds were moved on top of the hill “bangi.” A public market was built on top of the ridge overlooking the Liloan River.

After Father Barriero, Father Juan Ruiz took charge. The latter was responsible for the construction of the Cortes Parish church. From 1870 to 1896, carpenters, masons, artesans and ordinary laborers worked feverishly to fashion out of stone the living memento of the Spanish epoch.

It was during the construction of the church that the barangay of Malabago or Pamingwitan and Dayhangan were welded into one completely centralized township – the “Pueblo de Cortes”, derived from the Spanish “Cortesimo”, meaning most courteous. Father Ruiz was both a good ecclesiastic as well as civil administrator. He appointed prominent Cortesanons as gobernadorcillos to head the newly created pueblo. Among them were Tan Tobias Apat, Martin Miag-ao, Juan Ligan, Placido Pondoc and Bernabe Patos. Assisting them were lesser officials, to wit: “teniente mayor, teniente de policia, teniente de somettera, and teniente de ganado”. They held offices in the church convent.

It was during the time of these civil government that the lot owners within the church vicinity donated their landholdings for the construction of the church plaza and the “escuela de niños y niñas”. In the “cota”, a public school building was built by the town’s prominent men and women.

It must be noted that between the incumbencies of Fathers Barriero and Ruiz, the first town fiesta (January 16), in honor of the Patron Saint, Señor Santo Niño was held, following the traditional fiesta of Cebu, Cortes being a mandated parish by the Recollects of Cebu. The second feast was for San Roque, the second patron saint, held on August 14, 1898 by Father Mariano Baluyot. Father Baluyot was the first Filipino priest to be appointed as the parish priest of Cortes.

(©) Bohol Provincial Library

Viva Sr. Sto. Niño!

29/02/2020

The Asia Pacific Association of Bank Institute- APABI Meeting & Conference 2020 had a great dinner and time with the fireflies last February 27, 2020 at Abatan River Main Village Center.




(📸) Cristopher Boncales

27/02/2020

We are very happy to announce this!

You can now hangout with the Tarsiers, see the Chocolate Hills and relax with the Fireflies here in Bohol.and be worry free.

Come and visit Bohol!

21/02/2020

DID YOU KNOW???
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Did you know that there is a US Navy States ship named after Abatan River?

USS Abatan (AW-4) was a Pasig-class distilling ship built for the United States Navy during World War II, named after the Abatan River located in the southwestern part of Bohol Island in the Philippines.

Originally laid down as SS Mission San Lorenzo under a Maritime Commission contract on 9 June 1944 at Sausalito, California by the Marinship Corporation, she was renamed USS Abatan on 25 July 1944 in anticipation of her acquisition by the Navy and simultaneously designated AO-92 for naval service as an oiler, launched on 6 August 1944, sponsored by Mrs. John A. McCone, transferred to the Navy on 28 November 1944 at the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, converted there for naval service, completed as a distilling ship, redesignated USS Abatan (AW-4) on 24 August 1944 and placed in commission on 29 January 1945 Lieutenant Commander E. Norman Eriksen in command.

14/02/2020

Aside from Firefly Watching, Kayaking and Community Life Tour, Abatan River Main Village can also host your favorite occassions, be it a wedding reception, birthday party, family reunion, meetings and seminars.

For inquiries, you may call 503 9655, or you can message us here or email us at [email protected]





(📸) cr. Lijj Dayag

14/02/2020

Celebrated annually on the 2nd of February, this day aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and planet.

To celebrate the Worlds Wetlands Day in Bohol, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources organized a river clean-up and labeling of magrove species along Abatan River. Volunteers of Bluewater Panglao, Abatan River Community Life Tour staffs and different organizations joined the celebration.

Bluewater Panglao joins the celebration of the World Wetlands Day! Celebrated annually on the 2nd of February, this day aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and planet.

To celebrate the Worlds Wetlands Day in Bohol, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources organized a river clean-up and labeling of magrove species along Abatan River.

Volunteers from the staff and management of Bluewater Panglao joined the activity together with other volunteers from different organizations in Bohol province.

29/01/2020

Journeying Through Abatan River in Bohol

Long before the earthquake hit the province of Bohol, this was the typical Abatan River Community Life Tour.
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The amazing three-hour Abatan River Tour starts right at the designated Ecotourism Village Center in Cortes town, where the river’s languid tempo and lazy rhythm effortlessly lulls the passengers into a tranquil daze complemented by the soft breeze and the slow rhythmic dance of palms.

The tour, however, is not just about the river. It also exhibits the colourful history of the towns embracing the river, including Cortes, in each of the five- town pit stops. At Cortes, tourists are welcomed with theatrical ritual rites dubbed “Passage to the Abatan River”, where the legendary Princess Wadji, warrior and guardian of the river, gives her blessings to the sailing tourists.

When the ritual, played by local actors, is done the journey then begins, allowing one to admire the lush landscapes alongside one of the province’s main waterways, once a key transport route for natives traveling to the hinterlands centuries ago.......

FOR MORE OF THIS ARTICLE, YOU MAY VISIT:
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Journeying-Through-Abatan-River-in-Bohol

15/01/2020

ABATAN HISTORY
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According to local historian, when you take a cruise along Abatan River, you will be tracing the path traveled by the ancestors of the Boholanos. Before the coming of the Spaniards, large native ships are already cruising along the Abatan River. Those ships could reach Borneo, Thailand and Patan in Eastern India according to him.

07/01/2020

ABATAN FUN FACT
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DID YOU KNOW?

Long ago when the government still allowed sand extraction, Bandong Boats used to get sand for construction materials like asphalt or concrete. But after the government prohibited sand extraction, these boats were put to standby. Instead of waiting for it to get rot, the people used these boats for travel and transport.

Today, these boats travels the tourists along the river for day and night tours. These boats let the people witness the beauty of the river and mesmerizing fireflies.

07/01/2020

Our guests from Iceland last January 5,2020 wandered and enjoyed the pristine waters of Abatan River thru kayaking and swimming.

We hope to see you again!
Thank you!

06/01/2020

ABATAN INFO OF THE DAY
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One of the highlights of Abatan river community Life Tour is the Palina (Rite of Passage).

It is a welcome ritual which is an excerpt of a full show of Princess Wadji folklore.

Palina is a ritual believe to dispell or remove bad spirits or bad luck and protect tourists as they go along the tour.

(photo)ctto

27/12/2019

Your journey starts here!

Abatan River Community Life Tour and Firefly Tour is an hour long tour and will gentle take you up the beautiful Abatan River for an amazing show of river landscape and fireflies.

Guests may opt to take the bandong boat or kayak for the firefly tour.

Here are the rates for bandong boat:

27/12/2019

Your journey starts here!

Abatan River Community Life Tour and Firefly Tour is an hour long tour and will gentle take you up the beautiful Abatan River for an amazing show of river landscape and fireflies.

Guests may opt to take the bandong boat or kayak for the firefly tour.

Here are the rates for kayak tours:

26/12/2019

Throwback Thursday: The Beautiful Bridge of Abatan and its River.

Abatan Bridge serves as the natural boundary of Maribojoc and Cortes towns. Abatan River also serves as natural boundary of the barangays of Cortes and several barangays of Maribojoc.

Photo: This Bridge (originally made of wood) was built sometimes between 1870 to 1896 until it was destroyed by world war II during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. (photo is undated)

©® Bohol Provincial Library

24/12/2019

May this Christmas season brings you nothing but fond memories,happiness and laughter.

From all of us here at Abatan River Life Community Tour, we wish you a happy Christmas!

23/12/2019

Wanna spend the Christmas with your family and the fireflies?

We are glad to announce that you can hangout with us here on these dates~

You may call 503 9655 or email us at [email protected] for your bookings.

Merry Christmas everyone!

15/12/2019

Our visitors from ASEAN last December 11, 2019

We have visitors from Cambodia, Lao, PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. we also have our visitors form the World Bank Team and NEDA. We also have Assistant Secratery Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos

11/12/2019

26/11/2019

where the sunset kisses the river 🌥🌱
(📸) jgoonthego

15/11/2019

🍃 the life of a nipa farmers - the abundance of nipa palms in the Abatan River is truly a blessing to nipa farmers and nipa weavers

🌿in the community, the men harvest the nipa palms and the women weaves the leaves and make if into nipa roofs.

📍 Experience nature and more ...

14/11/2019

a throwback from our very own congressman 💫

14/11/2019

Our daytour guests from Lithuania last November 12, 2019 ❣️

We're glad that you enjoyed the tour!

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For more funfilled river experience, visit us here at Abatan River Life Tour located at Highway-Junction, Salavador , Cortes, Bohol.

📍 Experience nature and more ....

08/11/2019

"Hudyaka sa Abatan Shows the Importance of Community"

Hudyaka sa Abatan is a show composed of the towns where the Abatan River traverses. With 5 towns involved in the Abatan River, various communities have been involved in the production of this event. From the farthest town of Catigbian, followed by the towns of Balilihan and Antequera and the downstream towns of Cortes and Maribojoc, these towns were involved in the 4-day run of the Hudyaka sa Abatan. These towns were able to show us fascinating performances. Behind the spectacular show are stories of various communities involved in this project.

READ MORE HERE:
http://boholic.com/hudyaka-sa-abatan-shows-the-importance-of-community/?fbclid=IwAR3Y2RtuNfWxO-5aO-8jNabg_xu8HcX5rqpWgV9VoWgTHwq4bVrZAOJtAgI

(c) boholic.com

07/11/2019

Reposted from () - 🇵🇭 -

06/11/2019

Nature experience and more ......

experience a one of a kind river cruise while chasing sunsets to chasing fireflies, experience being interrupted by snatches of community life and most of all pamper yourself with landscapes and scenery of river waters crowned with thick foliage, untouched bushes, heavy vegetation with palms, mangroves and jungle.

WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2zGPg0cW-c

05/11/2019

nature experience and more .....

come and visit Abatan River and chase sunsets and fireflies as they glow in the dark

05/11/2019

Reposted from () - The horseshoe-shape part of the Abatan River - the upper left goes to its mouth while the upper right runs through 5 towns: Cortes, Maribojoc, Balilihan, Antequera and Catigbian. .
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22/04/2019

THE ABATAN RIVER

KINDLY CHECK THE FULL VIDEO BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2zGPg0cW-c&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0AUJ_s9kTuBHatXqCnYaYRyFi5NsWZ46ItLsjjo_qJaGi-_uxyyfhfOAE

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07/01/2019

BEHOLD!
Bohol's very own Amazon River!

ABATAN RIVER!



(pic)ctto