White sands of Candabong, Anda, Bohol

No doubt it was the highlight of our vacation in Bohol. Last December 30, we trooped from the mountains of Sudlon, Alicia, Bohol, where my wife hails, to the enchanting white sands of Candabong, Anda, a nearby town, for a cool Rizal Day splash.

The beach was public. We paid absolutely nothing to get in. The sand was creamy white and not artificial, unlike those in other private resorts in the province. At the farthest end of the semi-oval stretch of white sand is a small rock/island shaped like a soldier's helmet. Along the shore were lines of boats and huts lying idly, as if time has stopped in that corner of the world.

When we arrived (at around 9am) there was nobody there. We had the whole place to ourselves. When my 5-year old son saw the place, he smiled all the way up to his ears. Then he plunged and spent the whole day on the water. A few other groups arrived later, but there was still plenty of space run around. In fact, there was plenty of space to do our barbecue and some cooking.

Our biggest expense that day was the transportation going there. All other expenses were minimal. The rent for the hut was only P150. The rent for the floats (inflated tire interiors) ranged only from P20 to P50 for unlimited use. Incidentally, we were told that you can take a pump boat ride, from one point to another, for only P150.

I was totally enchanted by the place. I didn't know that there was any other place in Bohol with beaches that can rival those in Dauis and Panglao. There is. Anda, a fifth class municipality located 100km from Tagbilaran, is home to a lot of white-sand beaches which have been described as "better than...".

In fact, aside from the beaches, I learned that the town also has a waterfalls (Anda Falls at Barangay Casica) and a "mountain paradise" at Barangay Tanod and Linawan. And not only that. I also learned that Anda has a rich history as shown by primitive burial caves (Candabong, Bacong, Virgen, Casica and Talisay) and rock paintings (Lamanok Point, Barangay Badiang) located on cliffs beside the sea.

Its rich history flourished through the years. The town was officially created during the Spanish era and named after Governor General Simon de Anda y Salazar. Its church had Spanish priests up to as late as 1937, the last one being Fr. Luis Llorente, who left long after Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States.

As if these were not enough trivia, Anda is home to the mysterious (some say miraculous) remains/tomb of Potenciana Saranza (Inday Pontenciana), a teacher from Gingoog City, who after her death in 1953, had allegedly performed miracles by healing the sick. A lot of people now go to her shrine and consider her a "saint".

With all these, wouldn't you want to visit Anda?