If you’re looking for a chill escape down south, Palanas Mangrove Tunnel (Gawas) in Ronda, Cebu, should be on your list.
Located near the New Palanas Multipurpose Hall and the Palanas Gym, this natural wonder is slowly becoming a favorite among travelers who crave a unique and refreshing view. The tunnel is formed by thriving mangroves arching gracefully above calm waters, creating a picture-perfect reflection best experienced during high tide. What makes it even better is that there’s no entrance fee for now, making it an accessible and budget-friendly spot for all.
A Call for Responsible Tourism
Photo from Sangguniang Kabataan – Palanas Ronda
The Palanas Mangrove Tunnel is more than just a pretty spot for photos, it is a thriving ecosystem that needs to be cared for. Visitors are reminded not to litter and to bring their trash home, to avoid cutting or damaging the mangroves, and to respect the boats docked in the area. Sand and stones should also be left untouched to preserve the natural balance of the site. Above all, travelers are encouraged to enjoy the beauty of Palanas while being mindful of their impact.
Photo from Sangguniang Kabataan – Palanas Ronda
Experience the Calm
Photo from Ronda Tourism Office
Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor in Ronda, the Palanas Mangrove Tunnel offers a glimpse of calmness that is rare to find. With its enchanting canopy of mangroves, mirrored waters, and refreshing breeze, it’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the best adventures are found in the simplest corners of Cebu. Be a responsible laagan, and let this paradise shine for generations to come.
How To Get There?
Location: Brgy. Palanas, Ronda, Cebu, Philippines
By Car: Traveling from Cebu City, the drive takes you through a southern coastline via the Cebu South Road. Passing by Carcar, Sibonga, and Dumanjug, you’ll eventually reach the quiet town of Ronda. From the town proper, head toward Barangay Palanas, where familiar landmarks such as the multipurpose hall and gym will guide your way. Navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps can easily bring you directly to the mangrove tunnel. Parking is available but limited, so arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends.
By Commute: Buses heading south from Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal provide a convenient option. Choose one bound for Ronda or towns further down like Moalboal, and ask the conductor to drop you off at Ronda town proper. From there, tricycles and habal-habal rides are available to take you closer to Barangay Palanas. Once you arrive, it’s just a short walk to the mangrove tunnel itself. Locals are friendly and always willing to help point you in the right direction.
Fiesta in Pardo is about to get louder, brighter, and more unforgettable with the highly anticipated Pardo Fiesta Concert happening on September 21, 2025, Sunday at 7:30 in the evening at the Poblacion Pardo Gymnasium.
Leading the celebration is JROA, whose signature sound and heartfelt lyrics will set the stage on fire. Joining him are Ferdinand Aragon and some of Cebu’s most talented homegrown bands such as Wetslipperz, Iping Amores, and Collaboration Band, along with surprise performers guaranteed to keep the crowd screaming with excitement.
Photo from Barangay Poblacion Pardo
Ticket Information
Photo from Barangay Poblacion Pardo
Tickets are available at the SK Office on the third floor of the Poblacion Pardo Barangay Hall. Admission is on a first come, first serve basis, so concert-goers are encouraged to purchase early before slots run out. VIP tickets are priced at one hundred pesos, offering closer access to the stage, while general admission tickets cost fifty pesos, ensuring the event remains open and enjoyable for everyone.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
Photo from Barangay Poblacion Pardo
This year’s Pardo Fiesta Concert is more than just a musical gathering, it is a showcase of talent, culture, and community. JROA’s live performance promises to deliver both energy and emotion, while Cebu’s local bands will bring hometown pride to the spotlight. It is a chance to sing, dance, and celebrate together under one roof, uniting residents and visitors in the true spirit of fiesta.
How To Get There?
Location: Gabuya Street, Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City, Philippines
By Car: For those driving to the venue, the most convenient route is through the Cebu South Road or SRP. From Cebu City proper, head southbound toward Talisay and make a right turn upon reaching the Poblacion Pardo area. Signages and festive decorations will help guide motorists to the gymnasium. Traffic is expected due to the fiesta crowd, so early arrival is highly recommended. Parking areas are available near the barangay hall and surrounding streets, but these spaces can quickly fill up.
By Commute: Commuting to the concert is just as simple. From downtown Cebu City, hop on a jeepney with route numbers 10H or 10M, and inform the driver that you will get off at Poblacion Pardo. Those traveling from Talisay or further south may ride any Cebu City-bound jeepney and alight in Pardo as well. From the main road, the gymnasium is only a short walk away.
Photo from Sangguniang Kabataan – Poblacion Pardo
Mark September 21, 2025, on your calendars and prepare to be part of a night filled with music and memories. The Poblacion Pardo Gymnasium will come alive with voices singing, hearts pounding, and a community celebrating together. The Pardo Fiesta Concert 2025 is set to be the highlight of the season, and all that is left is for you to be there.
An upgraded facility for a more comfortable commuting experience
Photo from Pam Baricuatro – The People’s Governor
The South Bus Terminal now features a newly renovated comfort room that provides travelers a hygienic, safe, and comfortable environment. This long-awaited improvement enhances the overall commuting experience, especially for the thousands of passengers who pass through the terminal daily.
Free and Accessible to All
Photo from Pam Baricuatro – The People’s Governor
With the new facilities now free of charge, passengers can enjoy hassle-free access to clean and proper sanitation. This move ensures inclusivity and shows genuine care for the needs of all commuters.
Leadership that Inspires
Photo from Pam Baricuatro – The People’s Governor
At the heart of this ambition is Pam Baricuatro, whose dedication and commitment to community welfare made the project possible. Her efforts with the initiative of Topline Foundation reflect a strong vision of service, proving that leadership rooted in compassion can bring meaningful change.
A Boost for Daily Commuters
Photo from Pam Baricuatro – The People’s Governor
By addressing a simple yet essential need, the renovated comfort room directly improves the day-to-day lives of regular travelers. This initiative uplifts the commuting experience, making trips to and from the province more pleasant.
A Model of Community Care
Photo from Pam Baricuatro – The People’s Governor
The project serves as a reminder that true progress starts with empathy and action. Thanks to Pam Baricuatro’s leadership, the South Bus Terminal now stands as a model of how public spaces can be transformed for the better.
A new Solana-based meme token, YSKA (yskaela), has burst onto the scene in the past 48 to 72 hours, a classic example of the explosive, high-stakes world of meme coins.Its introduction was characterized by a frenzy of activity, including quick price spikes, multi-million dollar trading volumes, and the abrupt formation of new liquidity pools on Solana-based exchanges.
This unexpected spike has created the perfect climate for a parabolic run, with early investors earning large profits and social chatter reaching fever pitch. However, this is also a textbook example of excessive danger.
The very conditions that can make a select few rich, rapid pumps, thin liquidity outside of concentrated trading windows, and a heavy dose of social hype, are the same ones that often precede a rug pull, a type of exit scam where developers abandon the project and drain its value.
As a result, many ordinary investors who jump in late are left holding tokens that are suddenly worthless. This article explores the warning signs of such a scheme, using the YSKA rally as a case study, and offers practical advice on how to spot red flags and protect your capital in this volatile market.
What Happened With YSKA
YSKA’s meteoric rise on Solana is a textbook case of how quickly meme coins can erupt and just as quickly collapse. In less than a week, the token went from obscurity to headline-making price spikes, with trading volumes in the millions and social chatter accelerating the frenzy.
For early buyers, the rapid ascent offered the chance for outsized gains, but for the broader market, it also raised immediate concerns about sustainability.\On-chain data highlights the mechanics behind the surge. Multiple liquidity pools were created almost overnight, giving the appearance of market depth while masking how fragile that liquidity actually was.
At the same time, speculative buying drove wild intraday swings, with prices rising and falling sharply within hours. Such patterns are often fueled more by hype than fundamentals, setting up the perfect backdrop for a “pump” phase of a pump-and-dump cycle.
For investors, this combination of sudden liquidity creation, disproportionate trading activity relative to the token’s age, and extreme price volatility is a glaring red flag. History shows that these conditions often precede swift crashes, leaving latecomers holding bags of near-worthless tokens.
While YSKA’s story is still unfolding, the structure of its rally strongly resembles past schemes that ended in brutal wipeouts for retail traders.
High Risk, Low Liquidity: Why YSKA Looks Like a Rug Pull Setup
One of the most harmful exit scams in cryptocurrency is a rug pull, in which developers or major holders drain the pool of liquidity for a token and disappear, leaving regular investors with tokens they are unable to sell. In the uncontrolled realm of meme currencies and microcaps, where project teams frequently maintain control over supply, liquidity, and listings, these scams flourish.
The likelihood of a rapid collapse increases significantly in the absence of accountability or transparency. Recent on-chain behavior from YSKA exhibits a number of the defining warning indicators. Sharp price spikes fueled by social media chatter, abrupt increases in trading volume, and the quick development of new liquidity pools all coincided with the token’s introduction.
Pump-and-dump cycles are frequently triggered by this type of forceful narrative, particularly when it is connected to meme culture or celebrity references. The dangers for late purchases are exacerbated when you consider that liquidity is still limited and concentrated in a small number of wallets.
To be clear, none of this proves that YSKA’s creators intend to abandon the project. However, the setup strongly resembles patterns analysts have flagged in past rug pulls. For potential investors, the takeaway is caution, verify whether the contract has been renounced, ensure liquidity is locked, and review wallet distribution closely.
Without these safeguards, YSKA should be treated as an extremely speculative play, where the probability of loss is at least as high as the chance of reward.
Staying Safe: How Traders Protect Themselves from Rug Pull
Traders frequently use a checklist of steps to lower risk when tokens like YSKA exhibit indicators that concern analysts. Following specific recommended practices can help spot warning indicators early and reduce possible losses, but no technique can ensure safety in meme-driven markets.
Take into account the following precautions if you’re tracking volatile coins like YSKA:
Verify the contract. Check on-chain for ownership renouncement or timelocked liquidity. If the project team still controls the liquidity pool, that’s a major red flag.
Analyze wallet distribution. Use reliable on-chain analytics (DEX trackers, blockchain explorers) to see who holds the largest balances and whether significant recent transfers suggest coordinated dumps.
Stay skeptical of hype. Social buzz tied to celebrities, memes, or coordinated “pump” calls often precedes sharp reversals.
Limit exposure. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. In meme-heavy markets, keep allocations small to protect your overall portfolio.
From YSKA to the Next Bet: Bitcoin Hyper and Maxi Doge in Focus
As tokens like YSKA experience explosive runs followed by sharp corrections, many retail traders look for the next opportunity to capture short-term gains. This often leads to “rotation plays,” where profits or attempts to recover losses are funneled into new projects generating buzz.
At the moment, two tokens stand out in presale chatter and “top picks” roundups: Bitcoin Hyper and Maxi Doge. This month, aggregator lists and cryptocurrency commentary sites have highlighted both, indicating an increase in interest from speculative traders looking for momentum.
The goal of Bitcoin Hyper, a utility-driven initiative, is to speed up and simplify Bitcoin payments for daily use. It pitches itself as an infrastructure play, with promises of streamlined transactions and network improvements.
However, claims of “faster payments” in the blockchain space are notoriously easy to market but difficult to deliver. Serious investors will need to dig into the technical side, the project’s whitepaper, testnet performance, and roadmap execution. Without tangible evidence of progress, these promises remain speculative marketing points rather than proven utility.
Maxi Doge, by contrast, leans heavily into the meme coin model but adds staking-style mechanics and community reward structures to keep holders engaged. This approach can extend hype cycles by incentivizing investors not to sell, but it also raises questions about sustainability.
Many meme projects that integrate staking do so as a way to artificially stretch out interest rather than to build genuine long-term value. Traders considering Maxi Doge should closely examine its tokenomics to see whether the staking rewards are supported by real utility or simply designed to delay inevitable sell pressure.
What Traders Should Remember Before Chasing the Next Hype
The rise of YSKA shows just how quickly meme-coin excitement can spiral into danger. Rapid price fluctuations, newly formed liquidity pools, and constant social media activity produced an environment that was conducive to both disastrous losses and windfall gains in a matter of days.
Historically, rug pulls and pump-and-dump cycles have been spurred by these identical circumstances, leaving latecomers with tokens whose value drops virtually overnight. For anyone still eyeing YSKA, the reality is clear, it’s an extremely high-risk play, and every decision should be backed by careful on-chain verification.
This lesson doesn’t stop with YSKA. New tokens like Bitcoin Hyper and Maxi Doge are now capturing trader attention in presale roundups and crypto commentary feeds. Both make appealing claims, such as quicker Bitcoin payments in one instance and staking mechanisms and community rewards in another, but they are still speculative pitches at this point.
These assertions carry the same risks that have characterized several short-lived ventures before them, unless they are backed up by demonstrable technical outcomes, real-world acceptance, or sustainable tokenomics.
Whether the hype centers on a new Solana meme coin or the latest presale “top pick,” the principle remains the same, do your due diligence. Scrutinize contracts, liquidity locks, and token distribution, and never allocate more than you can afford to lose.
In crypto’s high-velocity markets, hype nearly always outpaces fundamentals and traders who forget that lesson risk becoming the exit liquidity for someone else’s profit.
Bitcoin’s financial ecosystem reveals a striking paradox: despite hosting the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency, its financial layer remains significantly behind Ethereum (ETH), which has accumulated $64.6 billion in total value locked (TVL) compared to just $7.39 billion for Bitcoin. This disparity illustrates the colossal untapped potential of the BitcoinFi ecosystem.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) emerges as the architectural solution designed to fill this gap as the most performant Layer-2 Bitcoin ever developed. It thus creates the technological underpinnings required for programmability and scalable applications to ultimately flourish on Bitcoin by fusing the technical effectiveness of Solana (SOL) with the well-established security of Bitcoin.
By generating $16 million in pre-sale funds in just three months, the project has proven its legitimacy and established itself as one of the most important token launches of 2025. This outstanding financial performance successfully conveys institutional and individual investors’ strong belief in its revolutionary potential for the Bitcoin ecosystem.
For strategic investors, the current presale round is offering HYPER at $0.012925 per token for the next seven hours, after which the price will automatically increase as the presale moves to the next stage. This privileged window of opportunity, however, creates an allocation urgency for savvy participants.
BitcoinFi Q2 Report Shows Promising Growth and Market Momentum
Enterprise data platform Maestro released its comprehensive “State of BitcoinFi” report last month, meticulously documenting critical statistics on the rise of BitcoinFi, the equivalent of DeFi built specifically on Bitcoin. This analysis reveals particularly encouraging growth dynamics in the emerging Bitcoin financial ecosystem. The data reveals that staking has reached a remarkable $7.39 billion in TVL. While this figure is significant in its own right, it remains considerably smaller than Ethereum’s scale and is only about half of Solana’s $14.37 billion, further illustrating the considerable growth potential of Bitcoin’s infrastructure.
Stablecoins are rapidly growing in the Bitcoin ecosystem, with $860M secured across applications. This expansion is driven by Avalon’s USDa, a CDP-based stablecoin that lets users lock BTC as collateral to mint USDa, and by Hermetica’s synthetic dollar, which is supported by Bitcoin reserves and reinforced through advanced hedging strategies.
A particularly telling observation concerns the rise of programmability, with $5.52 billion, representing approximately 52,000 BTC now deployed in environments where it can be productively used in DeFi, lending protocols, stablecoin issuance, tokenization, and various sophisticated smart contract applications.
Breaking Through BRC-20 Limits with Bitcoin Hyper’s Advanced Architecture
If one innovation has definitively proven the massive user appetite for advanced features on Bitcoin, it is undeniably the spectacular rise of BRC-20 tokens. Initially launched as a relatively simple registration standard on top of the Ordinals protocol, BRC-20 was never conceptually intended to become a complete and functional financial layer.
Yet this rudimentary standard has literally exploded in popularity, generating daily trading volumes reaching peaks of $128 million according to data from the Maestro report. Users’ unquenchable desire for experimentation and creativity on the Bitcoin blockchain is further evidenced by the emergence of a whole new market segment driven by iconic meme tokens like ORDI and SATS.
Instead of supporting fruitful ecosystems like loan protocols, advanced stablecoins, or intricate decentralized apps, BRC-20 tokens are essentially restricted to pure speculation in the absence of actual smart contracts. A fully scalable and functional Bitcoin financial ecosystem is severely hampered by this inherent restriction.
The strategic opportunity for the upcoming generation of BitcoinFi projects is made clear and urgent in this exact environment. BRC-20 demonstrated a massive and undeniable demand for tokens and programmability on Bitcoin, but simultaneously exposed the critical limitations of building without a truly scalable technical foundation.
Bitcoin Hyper has been meticulously designed to provide this missing architectural foundation. As the highest-performing Layer-2 Bitcoin currently in development, it seamlessly combines Solana-level performance with Bitcoin’s legendary security, finally enabling smart contracts, sophisticated DeFi, and token ecosystems to operate efficiently at large industrial scale.
Bitcoin Hyper’s Superior Architecture Sets a New Industry Benchmark
This architecture delivers the strong technical base that earlier BitcoinFi projects struggled to achieve. By using zero-knowledge cryptographic proofs, its canonical bridge makes sure that each transaction is rooted to the tamper-resistant base layer of Bitcoin.
Meanwhile, scalability is made possible by the sophisticated integration of the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), resulting in a framework that combines outstanding performance with the highest level of security.
The system provides a Rust-based environment with enterprise-grade tools like Anchor for developers. Designing applications that are safe, scalable, and effective is much simpler with this configuration. It promotes more extensive innovation within the BitcoinFi ecosystem by reducing the technical obstacles.
End users also gain tangible advantages. They take advantage of lightning-fast parallel processing, incredibly cheap fees, and almost instantaneous confirmations, all while knowing that Bitcoin’s unbreakable cryptographic settlement layer protects their assets. A new benchmark for BitcoinFi adoption is set by this harmony of speed, cost, and security.
Rather than defaulting to the Ethereum Virtual Machine and its limiting serial processing constraints, Hyper’s innovative work with SVM demonstrates how sophisticated parallel transaction processing can seamlessly adapt to the Bitcoin settlement mechanism without compromising cryptographic trust.
This demonstrated commitment to transparent development thus stands in remarkable contrast to projects that promised revolutions but never delivered truly functional technical infrastructure.
The end result is a runtime environment where modern, parallelized applications can thrive, with Bitcoin serving as the final, undisputed settlement layer. This unique combination of exceptional speed, maximum security, and complete developer readiness establishes Bitcoin Hyper as the most credible technical foundation for BitcoinFi ‘s next major expansion phase.
HYPER’s Value Proposition and Strategic Acquisition Framework
The native HYPER token is the central building block that powers the entire sophisticated Bitcoin Hyper ecosystem. It simultaneously performs several critical functions: a gas token for all transactions on the network, a staking asset that cryptographically secures the chain, and a decentralized governance token that allows holders to strategically guide its future evolution. Secure purchases are made exclusively through the official Bitcoin Hyper website during the active privileged pre-sale period. Purchases can be made with maximum flexibility using SOL, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, or even directly with a traditional credit card, thus democratizing access for all investor profiles.
Bitcoin Hyper has officially endorsed Best Wallet, a platform widely regarded as one of the leading crypto wallets in today’s market. The project also stands out on the highly reliable screening tool, Upcoming Tokens, which streamlines the process of purchasing, tracking, and automatically claiming tokens once a project officially goes live.
The development of Bitcoin Hyper is heavily reliant on community involvement. Users have real-time access to major announcements, technical advancements, and exclusive information thanks to lively discussions on Twitter and Telegram. The community and the development team have a close relationship because of this open communication.
This interaction creates an important feedback loop. User insights help determine development priorities, forming new features and enhancements that fortify the ecosystem while preserving openness between the team and its backers. Bitcoin Hyper wants to be in the vanguard of a revolution in Bitcoin infrastructure, not just another project. In the rapidly changing BitcoinFi market, it presents a unique investment opportunity by fusing cutting-edge technology, an open development strategy, and substantial growth potential.
Business tycoon Fernando Zobel de Ayala, board member of the 187-year-old Ayala Corporation, has once again earned admiration online, this time for a quiet moment of kindness toward animals. A photo of him gently petting a stray dog at an Ayala Mall recently circulated on social media, drawing praise from netizens who were touched by the gesture.
Community Dogs at the Center
Photo from Unsplash
The dog is a familiar face to regular mall-goers. It is considered a community pet and has long been part of the mall’s landscape, often greeted and cared for by those who frequent the area. When the image of Zobel de Ayala interacting with the dog was shared online, it quickly resonated with people who saw it as a reflection of the Ayala family’s compassion.
A Family Known for Compassion
Photo from Wikipedia
Online discussions highlighted that this was not an isolated instance. Over the years, the Ayala family has quietly extended support to animal welfare groups and has shown care for strays across different settings. In 2022, Fernando was spotted at a PAWSsion Project event, again photographed spending time with rescue dogs. Known as a private figure rarely seen in public, he has nevertheless been captured in moments that consistently show his soft spot for animals.
Beyond Simple Gestures
Photo from Unsplash
His love for animals goes beyond casual encounters. As a supporter of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Fernando has welcomed multiple rescue dogs into his home, including Bonito and Charlie, adopted in 2020. He has since opened his doors to three more rescues, and even extended help to six displaced horses following the eruption of Taal Volcano. His continued support for PAWS has also helped bring visibility to animal welfare causes in the country.
A Lasting Impression of Kindness
Photo from Unsplash
What might seem like a simple act, stooping down to pet a stray dog, has carried significant weight among the public. For many, it underscored how compassion can inspire and influence others, especially when modeled by prominent figures. Fernando Zobel de Ayala’s gesture reminded people that kindness does not have to be grand to be meaningful, and that even small moments of care can leave a lasting impression.
Travelers, get ready, your next adventure just got a whole lot closer. Starting November 2025, Firefly is soaring to new heights with the launch of nonstop jet services from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 to three of Southeast Asia’s most coveted destinations. such as Krabi (KBV), Siem Reap (SAI), and Cebu (CEB).
Photo from Unsplash
What’s In It For You?
Photo from Unsplash
Think sun-drenched beaches in Krabi, the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, and the vibrant island energy of Cebu, all now within a single flight’s reach.
But that’s not all. The Firefly expansion is part of a wider strategy by Malaysia Aviation Group, with Malaysia Airlines also stepping up its game from October 2025. Expect more flights to Australia, New Zealand, China, India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh, strengthening connections to some of the world’s most dynamic hubs and dream escapes.
Meanwhile, Firefly is upping the tempo closer to home with extra services to Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Whether it’s a quick business hop or a spontaneous getaway, more options mean more freedom.
This bold expansion not only boosts tourism across the region but also transforms how travelers move for business, leisure, and everything in between. With new routes and increased frequencies, the skies over Asia have never felt more open.
More destinations. More flexibility. More reasons to pack your bags. Where will you fly first?
When the summer sun gets unbearable, nothing beats cooling off in a natural spring. Cantacoyan Spring, found right beside Cantacoyan Bridge along Tabuelan–Junction Lugo Road, is one of Tabuelan’s haven.
Unlike popular resorts, this spring stays simple and authentic, no gates, no commercial setup, and best of all, no entrance or corkage fee. It’s just pure nature waiting for anyone who wants to take a refreshing dip. The spring’s clear waters have been a go-to spot for locals, and now, more and more travelers are discovering it as a budget-friendly escape.
Nature’s Cold and Crystal-Clear Refreshment
Photo from MUDMAX CAMPERS
What makes Cantacoyan Spring special is its ice-cold, crystal-clear water that flows endlessly even in the hottest months. The place is surrounded by trees, giving visitors a shady retreat from the heat. It’s a simple swimming spot, no fancy cottages or big resorts, just a natural spring where you can fully relax. Families often come here for a quick swim, while some locals use the water for washing clothes.
The area is also breezy, making it perfect for picnics. Since there are only small stores nearby selling snacks, it’s best to bring your own food and drinks if you plan to stay longer. You can also bring mats, camping chairs, or portable tables since there are no cottages provided.
Travel Tips Before You Go
Photo from MUDMAX CAMPERS
A trip to Cantacoyan Spring is best enjoyed when you come prepared. Since the place does not collect any entrance fee, it is important to be a responsible visitor and clean as you go to help maintain the natural beauty of the spring. The area does not have cottages for rent, so bringing your own mats, chairs, or picnic gear is highly recommended. Small sari-sari stores nearby sell snacks, but for those planning to stay longer, it is better to bring full meals and drinks to enjoy by the water.
Parking is available for both motorcycles and cars, making it hassle-free for road trippers. Mobile signal can be weak in some parts of Tabuelan, so don’t expect strong reception and instead take it as an opportunity to enjoy a short digital detox.
By Car: Driving to Cantacoyan Spring is a road trip in itself. From Cebu City, you can either take the North Coastal Road through Danao or the National Highway via Lugo. Passing by Lugo Church, just keep following the main road toward Tabuelan until you reach Cantacoyan Bridge. Right before the bridge, look out for the signage pointing to the spring on the left side, it’s easy to spot if you drive slowly. From the signage, you’ll need to walk for about two to three minutes along a tree-covered path before you see the spring. The drive usually takes three to four hours, depending on traffic and stopovers. Parking won’t be a problem since there’s ample space for both cars and motorcycles.
By Commute: Head to the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City and ride a bus bound for Tabuelan via Lugo. Ask the conductor to drop you off at Cantacoyan Bridge, drivers and conductors are usually familiar with the spring. Once you get off, you’ll see the signage leading to the spring on the left side of the bridge. From there, it’s just a short two to three minute walk through a shaded, breezy trail. The walk itself adds to the charm of the trip, as you’re immediately greeted by greenery and the sound of flowing water before you even reach the swimming spot.
Photo from MUDMAX CAMPERS
Tabuelan may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a summer outing, but springs like Cantacoyan prove the town is overflowing with natural treasures. In fact, some travelers even stumble upon other nearby springs like Liki Spring, showing just how blessed this town is with freshwater sources. Whether you’re out with family, friends, or just looking for a solo adventure, Cantacoyan Spring is a spot you’ll want to return to again and again. Affordable, refreshing, and absolutely beautiful, this little pocket of nature is definitely worth the long drive north.
Located in Brgy. Bongon, Tabuelan, Bongon Spring is an attraction that invites travelers to pause and take a dip in its crystal-clear waters. The spring is small yet refreshing and flowing quietly under the shade of tall trees.
Its calm nature makes it a peaceful stop for anyone looking to cool down during a long drive up north. What makes it even better is that there is no entrance fee, making it an accessible and budget-friendly destination.
Photo from Choii captured
What to Expect
Photo from Choii captured
The moment you arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is the cold, clear water flowing freely from the spring. Its simplicity is part of its beauty, no fancy amenities, no crowds, just the relaxing sound of flowing water and the cool embrace of nature. Locals often stop by for a quick dip, and travelers passing through Tabuelan find it an ideal place to rest and recharge before heading to other tourist spots in the area.
Photo from Choii captured
Travel Tips
Photo from Choii captured
The best time to visit Bongon Spring is in the morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t too harsh. Since the spring is right along the road and does not have commercial facilities, it is wise to bring your own snacks, drinks, or mats if you plan to stay for a while. As with all natural attractions, leave no trace behind, help keep the spring clean and preserve its simple, natural beauty for visitors.
By Car: If you’re driving from Cebu City, the most recommended route is through the Transcentral Highway via Busay and Balamban. The drive takes around three hours and offers a scenic journey through rolling hills and mountain views. Once you reach the town proper of Tabuelan, you can simply pin “Bongon Spring” on Google Maps or ask locals for directions. Since the spring is located right along the road in Brgy. Bongon, it is easy to find and access even without a guide.
By Commute: For those commuting, there are two convenient options. From the North Bus Terminal, you can ride a bus bound for Tabuelan via Tuburan, which costs around ₱160 to ₱200 and takes three to four hours. From the Tabuelan bus terminal, take a habal-habal (motorbike taxi) to Brgy. Bongon where the spring is located. Another option is to ride a V-hire from Ayala Center Terminal bound for Tuburan, with a fare of about ₱200 one way. From Tuburan, transfer to a habal-habal going to Tabuelan and ask the driver to drop you off at Bongon Spring.
“Sometimes it’s the tiniest details that make the loudest statements.”
If you’ve noticed people’s bags jingling like wind chimes or water bottles looking more dressed up than the owners themselves, you’re not imagining it. The streets, the cafés, and especially TikTok feeds are buzzing with the return of anik-anik, that Filipino catch-all term for little trinkets, dangling accessories, and quirky add-ons that serve no real purpose other than to make life a little brighter. What was once a random assortment of knickknacks has now evolved into a full-blown aesthetic.
Photo from Bea Umacob
From Street Stalls to Style Staples
Photo from Gwyneth Cantillas
In the Philippines, anik-anik has always been part of everyday life. Street stalls in Divisoria, night markets in Cebu, or the counters of neighborhood sari-sari stores are filled with keychains, beads, plastic charms, and pins that cost as little as five pesos. They were often impulse buy “just because” or gifts from a friend, a keepsake from a trip, or even a freebie from fast-food chains. For years, these tiny objects were dismissed as clutter, the kind of thing parents would roll their eyes at and say, “Anik-anik lang ‘yan.”
But today, these little pieces of plastic, resin, and fabric have transformed into curated expressions of identity. What was once cheap filler is now part of a cultural movement, proof that fashion is not just about clothes, but about the small, playful details that make you unique.
Photo from Robyn Piper Del Rosario
The Y2K Comeback Effect
Photo from Ricca Palmer
It’s no coincidence that anik-anik resurfaced alongside the Y2K revival. The early 2000s were defined by maximalism, and nothing screamed “2003” more than phones covered in dangling straps, beaded charms, and sparkly baubles. That aesthetic has made a roaring comeback on TikTok and Instagram, where Gen Z reimagines the look with a modern twist.
Phone straps today are braided with names, cartoon figurines, or pastel beads. Tote bags are decorated with plushies clipped like trophies. Even water bottles are personalized with dangling resin charms. In an era obsessed with curating personal identity, these trinkets shout individuality louder than branded sneakers or designer watches ever could.
Small Joys in Big Times
Photo from Robyn Piper Del Rosario
Beyond fashion, anik-anik speaks to something deeper. Psychologists suggest that small objects bring comfort and nostalgia. They remind us of childhood, of simpler times, of things that once made us smile. In a world where young people are navigating economic struggles, pandemic aftershocks, and digital exhaustion, something as tiny as a keychain can spark a moment of joy.
There’s also the collector’s thrill. Hunting for a rare fast-food toy at a weekend market or scoring a handmade resin charm from a local seller scratches the same itch as sneaker collecting, but in a cuter, quirkier, and more accessible way. Each piece tells a story, whether it’s a gift from a best friend, a souvenir from a concert, or a DIY project made late at night.
Going Viral, One Charm at a Time
Photo from Bea Umacob
The digital world supercharged the trend. On TikTok, “What’s in my bag?” videos are practically showcases of anik-anik, with trinkets often stealing the spotlight from the actual items inside. Instagram feeds are filled with close-up shots of beaded straps, crochet fruits, and enamel pins carefully arranged on totes and jackets. The uniqueness of each collection fuels engagement: the rarer and quirkier the trinket, the more likes it racks up.
From Divisoria to the Runway
Photo from Ysabelle Leonardo
What began in sidewalk stalls has now climbed to the runway. International fashion houses like Prada and Marc Jacobs have leaned into charm culture, while local Filipino designers are experimenting with dangling embellishments in streetwear and accessories. Independent artisans, meanwhile, are carving out niches online by selling handmade beaded straps, crocheted mini plushies, and resin charms. The anik-anik once dismissed as cheap clutter now holds its place in both luxury fashion and grassroots creativity.
Will It Last?
Photo from Gwyneth Cantillas
Like all trends, anik-anik may fade, but its spirit feels timeless. People will always crave personalization, especially in a world that mass-produces everything. Trinkets are accessible, affordable, and endlessly customizable. No two collections are ever the same, and that uniqueness is what makes them special.
Filipinos, after all, have always embraced kaartehan, the playful, sometimes over-the-top flair that makes even ordinary objects feel extraordinary. And as long as people continue to clip, dangle, and bead their way through daily life, the age of anik-anik will keep swinging strong.