fEATURE | TOURisM
An Unforgotten Cerulean Water wriTTen by MDPN. JASHEM A. BARDIES and MDPN. LOWEEN JOHN H. SELOTERIO PHOTOS by MDPN. JAYLAND E. SINGUILLO
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alumpati, a famously known health spring and tourist resort popular for its eco-tourism destinations offering a cold-spring pools in a tropical forests. The resort is situated in Pandan, Antique and operates daily between 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Echoed in the row-by-row bodies of trees of greater heights is the quiet splashing` of water stretching from the lungs of natural conception where clouds meet the tip of her hair. In the birds eye is an incredible aesthetic carved by the origin. A flawless mirror of environmental evolution and deep within is an immeasurable mystery. “Malumpat ang Ati” that is how they fashioned when asked of Malumpati’s origin. ‘Atis’ is one of the indigenous people of Panay Island. Based on local stories, the atis used to take a bath and jump in the clean and crystal clear blue water of Malumpati. Along the way to Pandan, we were accompanied by towering mountains of Antique while the bus is dancing cautiously in steep and sloping roads. The flashes of waves are audible enough while the wandering sea breeze whirls slowly along our observing face. Adding to the enthusiasm of traveling adrenaline was the moist spelled out in the window
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VOL.59 nO.1 | The DOLPHIN
where heavy rains outrageously slap. From Pandan terminal, we arranged a tricycle adventure to Malumpati for Php 250. Amazed by the scenery positioned in front of us, we met one of the first residents of Malumpati. Nanay Diday brought us back to 1973 and most certainly allowed our minds to freeze for a while as to the first day she laid her eyes and indulged in the cold Malumpati spring. Her family was the first to settle just a few meters from the present Malumpati Health Spring in 1976. As she leaned her arms towards the wooden window of her old house, she could clearly remember how beautiful this place was. It was like a paradise of engagement. One can walk barefooted in the grass while the floras and faunas, as well as those large sharp rocks, are enjoying the symphony as mother nature sang. She was an eyewitness to the changes in the river ambiance and physical formation. In 1983, the diving site was erected. In 1992, cottages were
established. The color and coldness of the water are just the same since then. After listening to reminiscing stories of the folks, we go for a trek for 300 Pesos, one of the activities in Malumpati. The tour guide provided by Bugang Community Based Eco-Tourism Organization (BCTMO) introduced us to sceneries of nature that seem to have their free mutual connection. The river was noticeably blue along the way and the trekkers are advised to wear protective footwear since the journey includes crossing creeks, stepping over rocks of sharp edges and fallen branches. The first stop was an open area where one could have a nice human drone shot from a heart-shaped stone structure. The heart shape signifies that the trek is approaching the blue lagoon, the heart of the river. The next stop of our trek was the blue lagoon. From here, only the sounds of rushing winds tiptoeing in the leaves were perceptible. The sound of the water has an invigorating idea of solitude as it flows forcedly towards the river. Our main destination was to see the headspring, the origin of the water flowing through Malumpati Cold Spring
