Argao at 400

An agta is a Philippine mythical creature described as tall, brown, and hairy, and usually portrayed as smoking a big tobacco pipe. As to why a cave in the southeastern town of Argao in Cebu should be named “Balay sa Agta” (House of the Agta) would soon get clear when one gets to the very end of the structure. (View photos of the Balay sa Agta)

The Balay sa Agta in the village of Conalum is 475 meters long while its height varies along the whole length of the cave.

At one point near the middle, or in the spot where there is a large circular hole in the roof of the cave, the height has been measured to be 175 feet.

Traversing the whole length of the Balay sa Agta is not for the faint-hearted. The intense darkness of the cave that not even the strongest flashlight of Argao’s tour guardians can dispel could serve to discourage prospective visitors.

Then there are the bat droppings and water droplets falling from the roof that simply prohibit any looking up with your mouth open. The trail is also rocky, uneven, and slippery and sometimes requires climbing up some rocks only to go down again.

Going to the cave in bad weather could also be dangerous because rains in the mountains could suddenly inundate the dry riverbed inside the structure.

While all these scenarios could argue against a visit to the cave, the thrill of new discovery and the wonders inside might actually advocate for a contrary view.

Although nothing could be done about the darkness, tour guardians have designated areas all along the length of the cave where visitors could seek refuge in case of a sudden water flow.

Visiting the cave without the tour guardians is also simply not done. So far, though, no one has dared venture into the cave without them, said Rainerio “Eryong” Alcarez, head of the Argao Tourism Commission’s eco-tour guardians. He also explained that they are called tour guardians and not tour guides because they not only guide, they also guard.

Swallows nest on rocks inside the cave but near its entrance and their song can hearten a timid spirit.

Early one, the cave branches to smaller chambers—a Guano deposit can be found at the end of the first chamber and rock phosphate at the end of the second chamber.

Visitors will be asked to follow the main chamber that will lead to a large circular hole in the roof that they call the skylight near the middle of the cave. Guardians said the best time to visit the cave would be when it’s sunny and at 11 a.m. It is at this time of the day that the sun’s rays move through the skylight and enter the cave like blessing from heaven. The movement of the sunlight is not replicated at any other time.

Along the cave, guardians point to places where the water flow will sometimes form a waterfall. Since visits are timed when there is no rain, what visitors see is the formation on the rock wall.

These formations are called calcium carbonate speleothems and they are produced through slow precipitation. In Argao’s cave, the speleothems are of the flowstone type that takes the form of stone waterfall formations simulating glittering frozen cascades.

Further on, the shadow created on the cave wall when light is shone on a group of stalagmite appears like a grotto.

Near the end of the cave, where it is darkest dark, is a stretch that bats consider their home. Beware anyone who looks up while talking there.

Finally, at the end of the Balay sa Agta is dry lakebed that appears as a depression on the cave floor. This is where the water flows to when there is rain.

Here, also, the mystery of the Balay sa Agta is finally revealed. Visit the cave to learn its secrets and how it got its name.

(The Argao Tourism Commission arranges tours and visits to the Balay sa Agta and other places of interest in the town for a minimal fee.)