Heritage buildings

One aspect of interest is that of Samboan's cultural heritage left by the

Spanish conquerors.
St. Michael Archangel Church is one of the oldest Spanish-built churches
in Cebu, made of coral stones. Today, it is a national protected heritage
structure by the National Historical Commission. It has now a NHC
permanent marker.
The Watch Tower is another Spanish structure, also made up of blocks of
coral stones. It was built on the side of the hill to watch out for Moro
invaders approaching the island. It is the tallest watch tower in the entire
island of Cebu, and best preserved.
Connecting the beach area with the Spanish Watch Tower is St. Jacob's
Ladder (Escala de Jacobe). It is a flight of 147 stone steps built in 1878,
which leads to the old watchtower on a plateau 65 metres (213 ft) above the
town. From here, one can get a view of the Tañon Strait.
The Museo de Samboan is the old municipal building of Samboan which
now housed items of Samboan's way of life during our history up to the
present. It was converted into a museum when the New Samboan Municipal
Hall was erected.
The Samboan WWII Volunteers Monument, at the center of Poblacion on
the National Highway, was built in honor of the many volunteers who fought
for the freedom of the Philippines.
The San Sebastian Stone Walls are old stone structures near San
Sebastian Parish Church. This may be why this barangay is popularly known
as 'Bato' (meaning "stone").
The Spanish Boundary Post. It stands along the highway in Tangbo beside
the Tangbo—Bonbon River Bridge. It was believed that it used to mark the
boundary limit of old Poblacion but now merely serves to mark the boundary
between Bonbon and Tangbo barangays.
Natural attractions[edit]

Samboan beach
Samboan is known for its beautiful crystal clear waters with a rich marine
ecosystem along its coastal barangays.
Colase Marine Sanctuary is managed by the municipality together with a
fisherfolks organization.Here one can visit the fish sanctuary or dive for a fee
to experience the most preserved marine ecosystem where sharks, dolphins
and whales in the shallowest part of the foreshore.
Aguinid Waterfalls in Tangbo comprises five different tiers along Tangbo
river. Each tier has a unique waterfall. One can never reach the peak or last
waterfall without climbing the limestone walls of each waterfall from the
lowest to highest.
Bonbon Binalayan Hidden Falls to the immediate south of Poblacion
which some visitors call the Triple Drop Falls.
Ponong Hidden Lake is a small enclosed lagoon with a brackish water. It is
unique in the sense that here is where a certain kind of bird – the
"manolong" – dives into its salty waters and stays under for a long time in
order to escape hunters. Today, it is perfect for relaxation, bird watching, fish
feeding and firefly watching.
Balay'g Sawa Falls has a waterfall located in the heart of Samboan covered
with lush forest greens. It is along the river shared by Poblacion and Bonbon.
It is home to protected species including bats and siloys not to mention some
local plants and trees.
Mt. Bartolina situated in between Bulangsuran and Canang (Oslob) is
where one can climb the peak and see both sides of Cebu, facing Bohol Strait
to the east and Tañon Strait to the west. Bartolina is the highest peak in the
south of Cebu where the panoramic view of north and south Bais Bay and the
rest of Negros, Siquijor, and Bohol islands can be seen.
Dau Falls is the highest waterfall in Samboan.[7]. It is located in Barangay
Suba.
Tabon Falls is a recently developed natural spot found between Tangbo and
Bonbon.
Town Fiesta[edit]
The town fiesta is celebrated each 29–30 September in honor of the patron
saint, Michael (San Miguel, ang Arkanghel).
Delicacies[edit]

 Torta Especial (with or without coco wine) and Samboan cookies, which
usually come out best during fiesta for visitors to try.
 Torta de Tangbo is said to be among the best in the locality.
 Manokhang is a native chicken cooked under coconut milk with hot
pepper and "ulang" (Freshwater Shrimp).
 Linubihang Kagang is a common specialty in town from "kagang" (Land
Crab) cooked with "tuno" (coconut milk).
 Tabanglang is a native dish made from sauteed "tabangka" (Snail) and
"Ulang" (Freshwater Shrimp). It is a good appetizer.
 Coco Maize Pudding is locally known as "kalo-kalo" with coconut meat
and corn flour (tiktik). It is a dessert served hot & cold.

Samboan attractions

Waterfalls

1. Aguinid Falls

In fact, what greets a weary traveler from an energy-draining ride from the
metro is water, specifically the waters of Aguinid Falls in Barangay Tangbo,
conveniently situated 200 meters from the national highway.
 First of the five tiers of Aguinid Falls.

Aguinid Falls is composed of five different tiers along the Tangbo River, with
each level having a unique cascade. One can only reach the other falls by
passing and climbing the limestone paths of the flowing waters up to the
highest level.

This is why Aguinid is described as the kind of falls that get a visitor really
wet, with its shallow waterbeds that also serve as the only pathway up, rocky
terrain, and fast-flowing waters.

Going up the falls to the water source, according to a hotel and travel
magazine, is like climbing Rapunzel’s long, long hair

Guess what you’ll find in the waterway’s surrounding canopies if you’re lucky
enough. Iguanas! (Read more about Aguinid Falls)

2. Da-o Falls

The tallest waterfall in Samboan, if not the whole of Cebu, is the one in
Barangay Suba. Da-o Falls is a 90 feet vertical drop of water in lush
surroundings of endemic and other tree and plant species.
 Da-o Falls is Samboan’s tallest waterfalls.

It’s a long trek on a narrow and winding trail to Da-o Falls but the sight of the
cascade that flows unbroken from a very high point set amid an untouched
environment is quite breathtaking.

The journey to Da-o begins with a walk on a hill followed by a trek that
traverses the riverside. The way is not very easy, especially as it involves a
steep ascent along a narrow walkway by the slopes holding on to makeshift
bamboo railings.

Da-o Falls require endurance and those with fear of heights may find the way
difficult.

The flowing water of Da-o drops into a wide pool that’s perfect for a dip on a
hot and humid day.
3. Hidden Falls (also called Triple Drop Falls and Binalayan Falls)

Just a 10-minute ride from Tangbo, which hosts Aguinid Falls, is the Barangay
of Bonbon. It is in Bonbon that the Hidden Falls is located. The journey to the
cascade requires a 15-minute walk along a difficult terrain and a stream
crossing.

The fifth or highest level of the five-tier Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Cebu.

The path down to the 47 feet-tall waterfalls is narrow and slippery and
located alongside a cliff. Like the other falls of Samboan, the one in Bonbon
has kept its pristine and unspoiled beauty.

4. Candayvic Falls

A product of wordplay, the name Candayvic is coined from “Kang Inday

Marivic,” the falls being named after the wife of the town’s incumbent mayor.
Candayvic is perched on a hill in Cañorong, a barangay adjacent to Suba.
Since the area is remote, it can be reached by motorcycles for hire for a fare
of P20. Visitors who plan to visit Candayvic should bring food and water
supplies as there are no stores in the vicinity.

Aside from its much deeper dive spots, Candayvic serves another very
important purpose: it’s the source of the water that flows down all the way to
the 90-foot Da-o Falls.

The Samboan coast with its unobstructed view of Tañon Strait and Negros
Island.

5. Balay’g Sawa Falls

It’s not clear how the waterfall got its name, but Balay’g Sawa – which means
“python’s nest” – is another beautiful waterform in Samboan where visitors
can plunge into the cool and clean water.

Balay’g Sawa is nestled in the woody portions of Sitio Calin-ay in Barangay

Poblacion. It’s small but its lagoon is wide and perfect for a swim.
To make the way to Balay’g Sawa more accessible, the town of Samboan has
recently placed makeshift railings to facilitate going up and down the slopes
leading to the area.

Samboan’s St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church dates back to Spanish
times.

Marine sanctuary
8. Colase Marine Sanctuary

There’s no better proof to Samboan’s effort to protect and preserve its

marine resources than the Colase Marine Sanctuary in Barangay Colase. It is
being managed by the municipality in partnership with a fisherfolk
organization.

To snorkel or dive at the marine sanctuary is to experience the town’s

unsullied marine ecosystem. Sharks, dolphins, and whales would often swim
close to shore at the marine sanctuary, according to town officials.

Diving and snorkeling activities are allowed at Colase for a certain fee.

Aside from Colase, other coastal barangays in Samboan include San

Sebastian (Bato), Dalahikan, Tangbo, Bonbon, Suba and Poblacion.
 A restored watchtower and belfry at the Samboan town center. It has the
best views of the town and surrounding islands.

Lake

9. Ponong Lake

Within the town center, there is a lagoon that is about a hectare wide and up
to three meters deep. It is named Ponong, after the sitio in Barangay
Poblacion where it is located.

More lagoon than lake, the water in Ponong is brackish. What makes it
interesting, according to locals, is the way the manolong bird dives into its
waters to escape hunters.

Mountain
11. Mt. Bartolina

In fact, the highest peak in Southern Cebu is located in Samboan. It’s called
Mt. Bartolina.

The mountain sits on Barangays Bulangsuran in Samboan and Barangay

Canang in Oslob. One can see both sides of the narrow island of Cebu, Bohol
Strait on the east and Tañon Strait on the west, from the apex of Mt.
Bartolina.

The way is not for the fainthearted but it is possible to scale the mountaintop
within 15 minutes using a motorcycle-for-hire or what locals call habal-habal.
Be warned though that the motorcycle path sometimes narrows to foot-wide
trails alongside sheer drops.
Heritage buildings

Samboan also boasts of a rich and colorful past and nowhere is this best
seen than in the town center where centuries-old Spanish structures dating
back to colonial times still stand.

During Spanish times, the central unit of the settlement of Samboan was
built on a plateau about 65 meters above sea level.

Within this perch, Spanish authorities constructed the church, municipal hall,
rectory and plaza.

14. St. Michael Archangel Church

Of these buildings that were central to Spanish administration of the towns,

the church still remains and continues to be used today. Construction of the
St. Michael Archangel Church dates back to 1842 under the stewardship of Fr.
Romualdo Avila.

The Cebu Archdiocese book Balaanong Bahandi said the church, made of
hardwood and coral stones, underwent reconstruction in 1915 but it wasn’t
clear what alterations were carried out in the structure.
15. Jacob’s Ladder (Escala de Jacob)

To make it easy for parishioners from the coastal communities to go to

church, Fr. Torebio Gerzon had a staircase built on the side of the hill leading
to the church in 1878. These steps number 147 and are made of manunggol
stones. The stairway is still the best path down to the town’s coastal area.

16. Campanario de Antigua (Ancient Watchtower)

Made from cut coral stones, the tower is three storeys high and was used in
olden times to watch out for and give warning of incoming pirate raiders.

The best views of the seas, surrounding islands, and picturesque town plaza
are from the campanario’s vantage point.
17. Samboan Museum

Still within the town center is the Samboan Museum with its galleries that
display the paintings of local artists as well as stoneware and pottery,
wooden implements and tools, religious artifacts and ceramics.

18. Boluntaryo Monument (World War II Volunteers Monument)

Found at the national highway in the center of the town, the monument pays
tribute to the many volunteers who fought for freedom during the war.