Originally posted last 2015

Nestled in the northern part of Cebu, the quiet town of Borbon may not be in glossy travel brochures, but trust me—it’s one of those places that finds a home in your heart. I lived here for a year while working with the community, and that experience changed me. It wasn’t just a destination—it was a home, a sanctuary, a teacher.

✨ Hello, Borbon!

If you’re the kind of traveler who craves solitude over the spotlight, and you’d rather hear the whisper of the sea breeze than the buzz of city traffic, Borbon might be your next soul stop. Here, time slows down, nature heals, and people greet you like family.

🌴 1. Campusong, Borbon

White sands stretch along a simple shoreline that still holds the promise of untouched charm. My workmate and I discovered this gem while looking for a quiet escape. It’s the kind of place that encourages silence, journaling, or simply breathing. The beach may need a little clean-up, but its serenity makes up for it tenfold.

A small seaside community where you can sit by the shore and watch life unfold slowly—locals fishing, children playing, waves lapping gently.

🌊 2. Laaw, Borbon

3. Sagay, Borbon. A peaceful barangay with panoramic rural landscapes and some of the warmest people I’ve ever met

4. Silmugi River, Poblacion, Borbon

🌊 4. Silmugi River, Poblacion

A river rich in history and soul. Legend says that during heavy rain, Silmugi swells big enough to carry boats from the mountain barangays to the sea. Its flow became a lifeline—and eventually, the name of Borbon’s cultural identity.

🌿 5. Clavera, Borbon

Small, simple, surrounded by nature. It’s the kind of place where the wind tells stories if you let it.

💃 Silmugi Festival

Colorful. Joyful. Rooted in faith and folklore. The Silmugi Festival captures the spirit of Borbon: grateful, proud, and full of life. The street dancing is a prayer in motion—a cultural dance asking the heavens for a bountiful year ahead.

📖 Did you know? The Silmugi Festival, held every January 20, celebrates this river and honors Borbon’s patron saint. Dancers fill the streets with prayer, joy, and rhythm—a heartfelt tribute to harvest and history.

🍃 6. Managase, Borbon – Home of the Takyong Snail

A quiet barangay famous for its takyong, a local delicacy of wild tree snails that thrive in the area. You’ll find them clinging to jackfruit trees, labnog shrubs, or hiding in the mist after a drizzle.

⛪ 7. San Sebastian Parish Church

Simple and sacred. The kind of place where you light a candle, whisper a prayer, and feel heard.

🌊 8. Pitogo, Poblacion

A charming seaside spot, perfect for late afternoon walks and quiet reflections.

Takyong

The “takyong” snail thrives in bushes and short trees like the local “labnog” tree, coffee bushes and jackfruit trees. They are most abundant in Barangay Managase, some 10 kilometers from Borbon town proper. 

💛 Final Thoughts

Borbon is not a tourist trap—it’s a treasure. It’s for those who value connection over convenience, gentleness over grandeur. It’s a place where strangers become family, and where your heart can breathe.

To the people of Borbon who welcomed me, thank you for your warmth. I left with more than just memories—I left with love.

– Anj Gabriel
“A traveler guided by gratitude.” ✨