A Visit to Asturias
Cebu is indeed an island where there is no room for boredom. There are a lot of interesting places to discover, and a lot of things to experience for fun and adventure. The only requirements perhaps are the curiosity and the drive to ‘dig’ a little to see what treasure lies beneath the plain surface.
Actually, it takes a little more than sheer physical energy and interest to discover a place. Of course, one would need some money to go around. But it certainly costs much, much less to explore one’s own province compared to how much it would cost to go somewhere else for the same exciting experience.
The northwestern town of Asturias is a good example. Since it has not been vigorously promoted as a tourist destination, visitors to the town are very likely to experience the place amazingly raw. And, for
sure, it would be quite an experience devoid of the cosmetic trappings common of the so-called resort towns.
Asturias is a third-class municipality. There are no 30-storey buildings to see there, and no notable major industries. It has a population of 47,857 people, as of the 2015 census.
The original name of Asturias is Naghalin, supposedly from the Cebuano word “lalin,” meaning “to settle in another place.” The word is said to refer to settlers in the town coming from far places. But this version of the origin story of Naghalin has since been contested.
Local history ‘experts’ assert that "Naghalin" is a mispronunciation of the Cebuano word “naghaling,” meaning "making fire" for cooking. The assertion makes sense considering that the adjacent municipality of Tuburan (to Asturias’ north border) used to be called Bagacawa, which means "fiery cauldron," from the Cebuano “baga” (ember) and “kawa” (cauldron).
The pioneering occupants of Asturias came from neighboring islands like Negros and Bohol. In those days one part of Naghalin belonged to Tuburan and another part to Balamban. As the population of Naghalin eventually grew – because of immigration and natural population growth – the inhabitants of the place petitioned to Spain to make their place a separate government unit. Spain granted the petition in 1888, thereby creating the pueblo of Asturias. The declaration of Asturias’ township was marked by the arrival of the ranking military official Antonio Alonso, uncle of Philippine national hero José Rizal.
The Freeman columnist Atty. Paul Oaminal quotes from the book "124 years of Asturias" by local chronicler Pedro Torion Manuel how the first settlement was built: “The place the pioneers chose as the site of their settlement was the area now occupied by the Poblacion right on the place where the present church and municipal hall with its adjoining plazas are located. Gregorio Delfin built his house on a spot close to where a road was later constructed, then called Calle Real or royal road (now the provincial road). The place where the house of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Completo now stands is the very place chosen by Gregorio Delfin as the place for his dwelling (the late Mrs. Veneranda T. Completo was a direct descendant of pioneer Gregorio Deflin). The two other pioneers built their houses in the nearby sitio of Buwagan Daan. The Casa Tribunal, corresponding to our present municipal hall, later constructed by the settlers, was built across the road from the chapel (now the parish church). The ruins of the Casa Tribunal can still be seen standing at the back of the residence of Lope Torion.”
The beauty of Asturias town does not rest only in its history. The place is endowed with natural beauty, attractions that not many have discovered yet. Thus, the few visitors that meander into the town are assured of the helpful attention of the local people, who are always ready to assist and make visitors comfortable.
A visit to the town’s tourism office is advised for those who come to explore the town. Among the many places in Asturias that visitors shall not miss are:
Buswang Lake. It is touted to be the biggest body of freshwater in Cebu, 20 hectares in surface area and navigable by paddle boats. There's a cave on one side of the lake. And the banks are a nice venue for celebrating special occasions.
Agtugop Cold Spring. It is perfect for those who want peace and quiet. The spring is unassumingly deep! The place is unpeopled most of the time, although it’s open for free to everyone. It is located in Barangay Agtugop.
San Roque de Montpellier Church. It is the town’s parish church, located in the Poblacion. The church is more than a century old, established by Diocesan decree of May 9, 1885 after earlier Royal approval on January 30 of the same year. The parish is under the patronage of San Roque de Montpellier.
Malabago Beach. Located in Barangay Sta. Lucia, the place is relaxing and calm. It is a good venue for retreat or camping. The beach takes after the name of the century-old Malabago tree that stands right in the middle of the place.
There’s a lot more to see and experience in Asturias. Also, there are now various accommodations available, for overnighters or vacationers.
The main thing to do for visitors is to get to the town. Visitors coming from Cebu City may take a V-Hire at Ayala Center Cebu, from where the road trip to Asturias town usually takes less than two hours, via the Transcentral Highway; it is the shorter route to Asturias. The other option, which is quite circuitous, is to take a bus at the South Bus Terminal going to Asturias, via Toledo or Tuburan; travel time is approximately three to four hours.