When I think of my childhood, one of the places I remember most is Bongon Spring. It is found in Barangay Bongon, Tabuelan, Cebu. This spring is not just a place, it holds so many special memories for me. I grew up playing and swimming there, and it was a big part of my life.
The Road to the Spring
From Cebu City, you need to ride a bus going to the north specifically in Tabuelan. When you get there, at the terminal you can ride a motorcycle going to the spring, but the road is also dangerous. The first photo shows this road. Before, there's no road going to the spring we just walk going to it in the middle of the woods and trees. As time passes by, the municipality created an accessible road going to the spring. Now, at the new road, it's surrounded by trees and greenery, and the air feels fresh and cool. I remember feeling excited every time we travelled this road because I knew we were heading to a place that brought so much fun and happiness.
Before, I walked with my friends and cousins, and we would talk and laugh along the way. Other times, I was with my family. The closer we got, the more eager I felt to jump into the clear water.
The Old Bongon Spring
The photo below shows how Bongon Spring looked when I was a child. It was simple, surrounded by nature, with no cement or walls. The water was crystal clear, and it was always cool, no matter how hot the day was. The water came from a mouth of a stone, above the big stone is a big tree standing.
This is the spring where I learned to swim at the age of 4. I spent so many hours swimming in the spring. I love to splash at the water, and even pretend to be an explorer. The water was shallow in some parts and deep in others, so it was perfect for a kid like me.
I didn't have fancy toys or gadgets, but I didn't need them. The spring gave me all the fun I could ask for. I remember lying on my back, floating on the water, and staring the sky and trees. It felt peaceful and free.
A Place for Everyone
Bongon Spring was not just for kids. Families came here to wash their clothes. I remember my family bringing big basins and buckets. While the grown-ups washed clothes, we kids would swim and play. Sometimes, we helped rinse the clothes, but mostly we just enjoyed the water.
The spring was also a place where people talked and laughed. I can still hear the sound of women chatting as they did their laundry and the laughter of children playing nearby. It was a place where the community came together.
The spring got its name from the "Boongon" fruit, which used to grow near it. The fruit was big and round, and its presence added a unique charm to the place.
The New Bongon Spring
Years later, Bong Spring was renovated, and it changes a lot. The photo below shows how it looks now. Cement was added around the spring to make it more organized. It looks different from how I remember it, but the water is still as clear and inviting as before.
The renovation made the spring easier for people to use. Families still come here to enjoy the cool water, and it remains a favorite spot in the barangay. I am happy that it continues to be part of the community.
Why Bongon Spring Matters
Bongon Spring is not just my memory, it is part of the story of our barangay. It shows how nature can bring people closer. It reminds me of the beauty of simple things.
If you ever visit Tabuelan, I hpe you can take the time to see Bongon spring. Walk along the quiet road, and let the spring welcome you its clear, cool water. Swim, relax, or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
For me, it will always be more than just a place. It is my childhood playground, a place full of love and laughter. Even now, as I look at the photos, I can feel the joy it gave me.
Bongon Spring taught me that the best memories are not made with expensive things, they are made in simple places, with the people you care about. It is a treasure that I will always carry in my heart.
Visit Bongon Spring, and maybe it will become a special place for you too!