Loon: Festival, Harbor, and Coastal Landscapes

Travel highlights in Loon include the recurring Sidlak-Kasilak Festival, the seaport in Barangay Catagbacan Norte, and several distinct coastal areas. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the festival’s fixed date from the landscape and harbor attractions.

The Sidlak-Kasilak Festival

The recurring Sidlak-Kasilak Festival takes place on September 6 in honor of the patron saint Nuestra Señora de la Luz. The multi-day celebrations include a river procession and various competitions; one highlight is the Dance of Lights. The date provides a specific point of reference, although the program may vary.

Loon Seaport

Loon International Cruiseship Port is located in Barangay Catagbacan Norte and is an established seaport. It currently accommodates RORO vessels as well as other ships from Cebu Province via Argao and neighboring island barangays; these shipping connections may change. The idea of establishing a cruise port there arose during the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. RORO stands for Roll-on/Roll-off: vehicles can roll onto and off this type of vessel.

Coastal Landscape and Earthquake

Loon Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park covers 417 hectares and includes a coastal stretch that was uplifted by the earthquake of October 15, 2013. The area figure refers to the entire park, while the uplift affected the coastal stretch within it. The park thus combines a clearly stated total area with a specific feature of the landscape’s history.

Basdacu Beach in the municipality of Loon was also uplifted by the same earthquake. The quake measured magnitude 7.2 and occurred on October 15, 2013. Unlike the park, where part of the coastal area was affected, Basdacu Beach itself is the focus. Both references therefore relate to the same event, but concern differently defined landscape locations.

Rock Island Cove

Rock Island Cove is in Basdio on Sandingan Island in Loon. The small cove features a rocky islet, a short white-sand beach, and picnic huts on rock formations. Unlike the 417-hectare park, this is a description of a single cove: the rocky islet, beach, and huts make up its landscape. Check current access conditions before visiting.

Travel Timing and Focus

For travel planning, the dates have different significance: the festival returns on September 6, while October 15, 2013, records the historical context of the earthquake. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the program for your preferred date, as the order of events may vary. If your focus is the landscape, the features of the park, beach, and cove take center stage.

Discover more destinations: Candijay, Batuan, Tagbilaran, Panglao, Loay

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