A D.A.T.E. with Catigbian

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Part 7 of Rediscovering Bohol.

After our enriching Beyond Bohol Tour, we were off to Catigbian. It was actually the first time I heard of the said town and we didn’t know what to expect. We were practically in for a surprise.

From the Baclayon Church, we passed through a secondary road which went through the mountains of Corella. The ride was mostly bumpy as the road was still being developed from its mostly dirt road state to glorious concrete. It wasn’t even on Google Maps.

Wonderful view somewhere off the radar in Corella, Bohol. The tarsiers might be hiding behind those trees!

After around thirty minutes, we were in the town proper of Corella.

Corella Church

Thirty minutes more and we found ourselves at DATE (Dagook Adventure Tour Experience) in the 4th class municipality of Catigbian. While the town of Danao has established itself as the extreme eco-adventure destination in Bohol, this new attraction in Catigbian was not made to complete with its sister. It is on a level of its own, providing thrill-seekers a moderate level of heart-pumping adventures.

Catigbian’s D.A.T.E. Park is the flagship project of the town’s own tourism campaign: G.R.E.A.T. (Green Recreational Eco-Adventure Tour) Catigbian

D.A.T.E. Park is nestled in a 20 hectare area amid mountains and rolling terrain. Located 1.5 km from the highway, the park can be accessed by all types of vehicles. It already has established facilities, trained guides and high-end equipment (sourced from abroad) to offer. The cables, harnesses and ropes are of the highest-standards with tensile strength to ensure the safety of each adventurer. It is not for the faint of heart. I wasn’t really ready for it so I said pass and just served as the photographer of my colleagues.

The activities at D.A.T.E. Park come in a four-level course, designed to test your courage.

LEVEL ONE: Canopy Walk
A 60-meter canopy walk suspended over some 20 meters of seven high tension steel cables lashed against each other to contribute to a staggering load capacity of 91.3 tons that can easily accommodate 60 persons per meter ratio. With a depth of approximately 60 feet above the ground, the negotiator could feel the thrill and excitement while enjoying the diverse species of vegetation.The canopy walk is designed to teach you to recognize the vast wealth of vegetation and tree species around Dagook Falls which benefit the lives of Catigbianons.

LEVEL TWO: Monkey Bridge
The 45-meter bridge with a load capacity of 66.1 tons is a combination of four cables one of which is wherein your safety harness: your lifeline is attached in case the shaking knees betray the stern faces. A main cable is strung to two more cables which act as an adventurist’s handrail all 3 lashed at equal distance to minimize the sag and the sway. The first few steps traversing along the 90-120 feet depth bridge overlooking the magnificent Dagook Falls are terrifying yet fulfilling once you succeed.

LEVEL THREE: Mountain Slide
A mini-zip line locally called mountain slide with a load capacity of 15.7 tons produces the exhilarating experience with the 200 meters distance traversed in about 20-30 seconds across the Dagook Falls and Sampilangon River that showcases a spectacular view of hills and the green and bountiful environment.

Since it was already sunset, they weren’t able to proceed to level four.

LEVEL FOUR: Trekking
The ascending trail about half kilometer that gets through stone steps carved out from the moss covered limestone offers a healthy walk in a pristine and fresh environment to the super Dagook Falls.

Snacks: Puto, Sikwate and Gabi Cakes

Coconut Juice is the perfect for re-hydration after an hour of nerve-wrecking challenges.

Cebu Bloggers and Journalists ready to take the Mountain Slide

Trained local men manning the Mountain Slide to ensure a safe and pleasant ride

200-meters through lush forests

Clockwise from 2nd row, center: Ms. Kristin Aldana-Lerin of Sun.Star Cebu, Angeli, Ruben, Ms. Jules Veloso, Mark, Miong, Ms. Jen Vega of The Freeman, Ms. Vea Alvaro, and Gael The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Even though I didn’t get to experience the adrenaline rush, it still felt good to be one of the first few to discover this top tourist destination of the future and share it with you. I can tell my friends really enjoyed since they had ear-to-ear wide smiles after the whole “ordeal”. It’s summertime and it’s the perfect time to visit D.A.T.E. Park with your family and friends. The four-level course is worth P700 per head. 50% discount is offered to students with valid student ID. Lunch and snacks are also offered at P150 and P60, respectively.

Dinner is up next!

(…to be continued)

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2 Comments

1. 

   titus

   May 26, 2012 at 10:58 am

   BOhol is a very nice place… dami eco adventures na ma try…hop[e makabalik kami dyan soon and ma try yang Catigbian.

   Reply
   • 

     Sinjin

     May 26, 2012 at 3:31 pm

     True. Bohol is an under-rated destination!
     (P.S.: I was reading your Sinulog 2012 entry last night. hehe)

     Reply