Exploring Philippines 60 - Pandan, Antique (Post 3 - Bugang River)

At last, we reached the source of the river under 20 minutes of trekking. When we got there, the place seemed like on a standstill. I was expecting that there would be some form of waterfalls or a noisy stream from the mountain but to our total amazement there is only a total serenity, a dead silence. The whole place echos with silence and it is like a setting in a fantasy movie. From time to time, the tranquility of the place is being disturb by the blowing of the wind that causes the trees to make some noise. In addition, the birds are flying freely and every time I hear them sing, it was like they own the place and they can sing to their heart's content. Well, of course, visitors like us disturb the place as well.

Several meters before the edge of the source of the river, we were greeted by a quiet blue lagoon with rich vegetation in its center. I thought from the start that the lush green vegetation is growing in a shallow area of the lagoon but our guide told us that the vegetation in the middle of the lagoon is actually growing from the bottom of the lagoon which is more than 20 meters deep. Wow. The looks could be deceiving but a closer look at the lagoon tells only one thing, the depth of the blue water is something you've got to respect.

As we approached closer to the source of Bugang River, our footsteps and voices disturbed the serenity of the place. The moment we saw the source of the river, we could not help asking where exactly all the waters come from that supplies the river. We could not see any small stream nor falls that directly flow towards the lagoon. And the lagoon in its stillness is like an enchantment in this part of the forest.



On top of the lagoon, there is a smaller pool. And just like the water in the lagoon, the water in the smaller pool is likewise deep blue in color. According to our guide, a foreigner actually dived once with complete diving equipment in order to fully explore the depth of the smaller pool. He found out that there is a small channel connecting the smaller pool to the lagoon but the channel proved to be too small for the diver to squeeze himself.


Anyway, we stayed there for some time. It was one relaxing experience, simply killing some time with no worries to think about. The beauty of the place, its tranquility, and the feeling of being free makes a good getaway which I found in this place. Though there is nothing fancy about the river, just it is is already a wonder beyond the ordinary.