Loboc: Churches, Festivals and River Cruise

Loboc combines church and cultural history with recurring festivals, a river cruise and other activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Loboc, you can plan your stay around these interests: Loboc Church offers historical connections, the Bolibongkingking Festival features music and dance, and the Loboc River Cruise offers a trip with dining and cultural entertainment. Market day and products made from Loboc Salabat also provide specific points of interest.

Loboc Church: Building History and Recognitions

Loboc Church and its adjoining convent were built in 1734. In 1998, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the church a National Historical Landmark. In 2001, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure and became the first cultural property of the National Museum of the Philippines on Bohol. On May 24, 2021, Loboc Church was granted a spiritual affiliation with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

The dates distinguish different historical reference points: the period of construction, later national recognitions and the spiritual affiliation with Rome. Those interested in church and cultural history will find more than one historical point of reference here.

Music and Dance at the Bolibongkingking Festival

Through music and dance, the Bolibongkingking Festival showcases the history, folklore and traditions of the Lobocanons. It is celebrated every year on May 23 and 24 in honor of the second patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. The festival thus combines fixed dates with a presentation of local history and traditions. If you’re planning to visit Loboc for the festival, it’s helpful to keep these dates in mind.

Loboc River Cruise: Trip, Buffet and Performances

The Loboc River Cruise round trip aboard a floating restaurant usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. A Filipino buffet is served during the trip, and a singer also entertains guests on board. The cruise includes a cultural performance by a local group. Guests can join in traditional folk dances on a floating stage.

The trip thus combines a manageable time commitment with food and cultural performances. The small Busay Falls is at the end of the Loboc River Cruise. The waterfall is described as part of the cruise; no separate access option is provided. If you’re considering including a visit to the waterfalls in your plans, you can treat the cruise and its duration as a single itinerary item.

More Activities and Concerts

Activities at the Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park include ziplining, cable car rides and rope courses. If you plan to try one of them, check the current hours before your visit. This will help you fit the park activities into your day without confusing them with the river cruise or the festival.

The Loboc Children’s Choir is known for its choral performances, and visitors can attend a concert. Check specific concert dates in advance if a performance is important during your travel period. This lets you include a possible concert as a separate part of your plans for Loboc.

Market Day and Loboc Salabat

Market day at Loboc Public Market is every Saturday. This fixed day of the week gives you a specific time to plan around if you’d like to include the market in your itinerary.

Products made from Loboc Salabat include ginger powder and candied ginger. These are two distinct product forms that give travelers interested in local foods a specific connection to Loboc.

Discover more destinations: Asturias, San Juan, Toledo City, Guindulman, Sibonga, Calape, Alegría, Sagbayan.

For the broader travel overview: Central Visayas.