A few weeks ago, my mountaineering buddies and I went up to Osmena Peak in Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu to spend the night at the top of Cebu (I’ll tell you about the experience some time). When we went down the mountain the morning of the following day, one of my friends suggested that, since we have a private vehicle, we may want to go to Obong Spring to have a dip. Since no one of us has ever gone to that place, we eagerly agreed to go. After a quick breakfast, we drove to the southernmost part of Dalaguete where Obong Spring is located. We went down from Mantalongon, turned right south of Cebu at the Mantalongon-Dalaguete intersection, and proceeded down the highway until we saw the Obong Spring signboard, which is just right before another sign with the words “Alcoy Ahead.” Turn left and you should see a guardhouse beside a small dirt road that leads to the spring itself.

Obong Spring is a freshwater spring which flows toward the beach.  Thus, it is one of those unusual places where fresh water meets salt water, where mountain springs meet the sea. Are you worried about the combination of salt water and sun at the beach or the chlorinated water in a swimming pool will damage your sensitive skin? Then go to Obong Spring where the caress of cool, fresh water is gentle and soothing. Since there is a steady outpour of water, the water becomes brackish. Rest assured though that the water is clean and very refreshing.

We paid the entrance free of P5 per person and P20 for the car—since there were 6 of us, that would total P50. There is a parking space above the spring that charges P20 for cars and P5 for motorcycles and tricycles. From the parking lot, you can see the tranquil shores of Dalaguete. Just a few paces ahead of the parking area and resting on a rocky outcropping is a perfectly preserved ruin of a Bantayan sa Hari, an old outpost that was once used by villagers to warn their community of sea pirates. On any given day, you can see amateur and professional photographers taking pictures of the Bantayan sa Hari and the beach.

From the parking lot, you can go down to Obong Spring via a couple of stairs. Similar to a resort, Obong Spring has a small store, several dressing rooms, a lifeguard station, and a few other amenities at the sides of the pool. Enterprising locals also set up plastic tables where they display their wares such as fish, veggies, eggs, snacks, cigarettes, etc. There is also a nice waiting-shed-like area in which the floor becomes submerged during high tide! Very cool! You can also rent tables and cottages for very low prices. Personally, I prefer setting up a mat, place your food and belongings there, and enjoy the place picnic style.

At the eastern side of the pool are gigantic rocks which people can climb on (and mountaineers can practice their bouldering skills). You can also see the lord of the pool, an immense century-old dalakit tree that provides shelter from the sun. The main spring flows underneath the tree, and smaller springs flow from smaller dalakit trees.

We changed into our bathing clothes and immediately jumped into the inviting waters. The water is so cold! It’s like water that is chilled from the refrigerator! In fact, if you have a bottle of wine or beer, just dip it in the pool and leave it there for a half hour. When you take it out, you will have a refreshingly chilled beverage! Of course, on a hot day, the cold water would a most welcome elixir.

Locals are very friendly; I once asked an old lady vendor to watch for my cigarettes. When I came back, my cigs are still there. Hehe! You can bring your own food, but if you didn’t bring any, you can buy freshly caught fish from the vendors and passing fishermen and have them cook your selection for you. Of course, the nearby sari-sari stores also offer snacks, cigarettes, toiletries, etc. Sari-sari stores, after all, are the Wall-Mart of the Philippines.

The place gets really busy during the weekends; we were there Sunday and Obong Spring was packed with people. This is a great time and place to socialize, but if you want relaxation and peace, schedule your visit to a weekday. Or you can hit the beach instead; it’s less populated there.

If you are the adventurous type and would want to ride public transportation to Obong Spring, just head out to the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. Look for the bus going to Bato and Oslob, and stop at the sign I mentioned above. Or simply tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Obong Spring. Along the long drive, you will pass scenic towns and municipalities such as Carcar, San Fernando, and Argao that you can take pictures of along the way.