LEGEND OF BONTOC CAVE
Very long time ago there was a mystical Cave named Bontoc Cave present in the high of Hindang Leyte Philippines. It's generally known as the legend of Maria Cacao a fairy which lived within the cave and also lends wedding dress and utensils to the poor within the village. Bontoc Give was known to the belief healers and also witches throughout Holy Thursday night or Beneficial Friday to commune using them and purchase powers to heal illness and fight evil mood.
This is one of the lowland villages with the town regarding Hindang. Situated within this village is the greater part of Install Bontoc, a big forested rock home to monkeys and various birds. additionally, it have an intricate cave system that the more substantial ones tend to be Pandayan and also Cathedral Caves. This rock is developed being a tourist getaway.
THE INDIGENOUS TRIBE
Yes, you must know by now that your not alone in this place, not even if you go there all by yourself. Your social skills will be put to test because you need to mingle with not just one but a tribe of our distant relatives- the monkeys. But not because they're relatives would mean they'll treat you nicely all the time.In fact, some may not, and you're in for some trouble if you don't know how to properly interact with these untamed creatures.The briefing you've had back at the registration area should have given you some helpful tips.
REMEMBER, never feed them or give them anything, even if its against our customary belief that guests should always bring gifts to the hosts. Beside, these host don't know anything about gratitude. Give them what they want and they'll only ask for more , and when you tell them they've had enough , you might find yourself in harm's way. Don't bring plastic bags as well as they associate the rustling sound with food. Avoid seeking unwanted attention by turning off you camera's flash and not making too much noise. Also don't look them in the eye as it cold prompt aggression. Just leave them be- scampering through the trees, picking lice off each other, or having sex right in front of you.
ABOUT THE CAVES
What is lesser known are the awesome caves inhabited with wild monkeys located at Mt Bontok (also spelled Buntok and Bontoc) at Brgy Buntok, Hindang.
Hindang Caves is relatively more accessible compared to other caves I have visited. There is an access road which is a mere 300 meters from the national highway to the park entrance. Before reaching the poblacion (coming from the town of Inopacan) a road sign on the left side of the highway shows you the way to the access road. This leads you up to the mountains right up to the park entrance where one begins to climb some 100-odd concrete steps up the winding stairway into the forested area where the caves are hidden by the thick foliage.
The climb up is also not as strenuous compared to others. It’s like going up, say, a 5-6-storey building. Manageable.
Upon reaching the area where the pathway branches off to lead to the several caves, one is met with “representatives” of a monkey tribe now a bit spoiled and expecting to be fed with bananas by visitors. The tribe, we were informed by the caretaker, numbers about a hundred!
There are several caves in the area but the more prominent ones are the Cathedral Cave and the Pandayan Cave. These caves served as refuge for the guerillas during WWII and survived heavy bombardment by the Japanese invaders.
Unlike other caves I’ve seen, the caves of Hindang have a more “colorful” look with greenish to orangey hues.
A must-see for those visiting Hindang, the park has picnic areas where one can relax, enjoy the scenic views and savor nature up close.
Many people usually think of caves as cramped and obscure corners found deep within the entrails of the earth. While it's true a lot of caves are hardly accessible and oftentimes require expert spelunking skills and special equipment, there are some which are easily navigate and only require a pair of flip-tops. Take Hindang Caves for instance.Bontoc caves, as what others refer to the cave system, is located in a village of the same name in the sleepy town of Hindang, about 3 hours south of Leyte's capital. It is only 300 meters from the highway and accessible by foot or by car. At least seven caves make up what has become Hindang's main tourist draw. The two biggest - cathedral and pandayan - are actually also the most prominent of the Hindang Caves. A complex of seven caves seems rather huge and hard to explore at first, but thanks to well - maintained pathways and handrails, going around Hindang Caves is a walk in the park. Set amidst a sprawling forest inhabited by a handful of playful primates, Hindang Caves beckons visitors to commune with nature.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are different transit points in getting to Leyte, and also in getting to the town of Hindang. This section guides you on how to get to the town's main attraction from various points of entry and also from other nearby tourist destinations.
FROM TACLOBAN CITY
Get to the terminals of vans servicing the Tacloban - Maasin or Tacloban - Hilongos routes such as Duptours and Van-Vans at the Tacloban City proper. Make sure you the trip you'll take is via Baybay City. Tell the driver to drop you off at the junction leading to Hindang Caves. Travel time is more of less 3 hours. You may also ride a Van to Baybay City first and then take a jeep or van to Hindang.
FROM ORMOC CITY
There are commuter vans that pass by or are bound for Hindang at the Ormoc terminal located near the City pier. Take an almost 2-hour trip to Hindang and alight at the junction leading to the caves. Baybay City is also a good transit point if there are no trips from Ormoc that go to or pass by Hindang.
FROM CEBU CITY
Go to Cebu City pier where boats bound for different points in Leyte can be found docked in different piers. Best if you can get a ride to Hilongos, which is a next town after Hindang or to Baybay City less than an hour away from Hindang. Although, the most common are trips to Ormoc, less than 2 hours away from Hindang Travel time from Cebu City to either Hilongos , Baybay , or Ormoc is between 2.5 to 4 hours depending on your choice of vessel, faster if fast craft and obviously slower if not. If you choose Ormoc as your transit point, follow my instruction above on how to go to Hindang from Ormoc.
CONTACTS
Ms.Kimverly A. Dellosa #09100921429
Ms.Jellibie D. Abenoja #09462280667
Ms.Alliah Jane Supino #09105515956