By: Manuel Ferdinand Ramirez de Erio

Mahaba Island in Talibon town of this province has a longer range of adventures to offer than its name. The name of the island is a manifestation of its pride to host the long stretch powdery white sands crowned with flourishing emerald mangroves inhabited by a spectacle of sea shells and exotic tropical fishes—plus a regular visit of migrating birds that pay homage to the majesty—the island of Mahaba!

The island offers a splendor for everyone who so desires to seek refuge from the busy city life. Mahaba island is Bohol 's new tourism frontier and the host of a cozy resort, Jayveeh Long Beach Resort and peaceful both the shimmering sunrise and the nostalgic romantic sunset are both spectacles to sooth the soul. The long stretch of white beach is so blessed with sea shells of various kinds. One adventure that tourists can enjoy in the island is the opportunity to gather fresh sea shells from its abundant shores. One of the unique services in Jayveeh resort their indigenous way of cooking seafoods. This is the resort's genuine commitment to promote Boholano dishes. One can chose for tinowa, kinilaw, sinugba, nilabog, pinaisan or even steamed! Spending quality time in mahaba island wouldn't be complete if one does not experience a night in the island. Nighttime in Mahaba island is one of the best times to commune with the innocence of nature and appreciate the tranquile and soothing music of nature complimented by the carefree plashing bustle of the waves.

The mystique stories that abound the island are another worthy interest of a curious soul. The stories and accounts of unseen (dili ingun nato) inhabitants of the Mahaba island are passed from generations to generations. Today, these stories and accounts are still held and respected by the island's regular visitors and the people of Talibon. New wonder was discovered in the island when a top brass of a popular softdrink company enjoyed the waters of Mahaba forgot to remove his jewelries. To his surprise, the jewelries he wore which was accordingly scheduled for “dural” due to black spots was mystically oxidized and became more shiny after his swimming. One of the ecological wonders of the island is the fish sanctuary that is basically a few meters from Jayveeh resort. In the last two years since the birth of Jayvee resort, tropical fishes in the sanctuary have learned to appreciate the presence of humans. This was made possible thru the diligence of Talibon LGU led by town mayor Juanario Item and the Jayveeh resort management who led in protection and preservation of environment of talibon.

Talibon town mayor Juanario Item, who is involved in the management and operation of Jayveeh resort takes pride as he expressed his optimism of this new venture. The Local Government Unit (LGU) of the town of Talibon has been pressing to promote the tourism value of the town. While Talibon hosts the shrine of the illustrious Boholano, Philippine's former president Carlos P. Garcia, it has expanded its tourism potential to highlight nature's bounty of their fast growing town that includes the Mahaba island the exciting boardwalk in barangay San Augustin which is a nature park that introduce tourists wild monkeys and several species wild ducks. One spectacle of the island is the several flocks of migrating birds that dot the skyline and woops over the shoreline early in the morning and the indigenous birds that regularly visit the island.

Dining in Mahaba island is an experience unique in Bohol . It served a wide array of truly fresh seafoods. Either you ask the people at Jayveeh's gather sea shells perfect for soup or kinilaw or you can do the shell gathering yourself. It is the only resort in Bohol that offers the freshest seafoods, why not, they have the most sustainable food storage in Philippines —the waters and shoreline of the island itself! The nature adventure in Talibon does end in Mahaba island. Some fifteen to twenty minute ride from Mahaba will take you to a boardwalk in barangay San Agustin where a stretch of flourishing mangroves with wild monkeys and wild ducks. On the way to the boardwalk, one can marvel at the technology of shrimp culture. One might marvel at an array of old wood branches and bamboo pools along the shoreline that served as home of a clump of Talaba.

A trip to Talibon's islands and its barangays will surely take an adventurous soul to an ecological gateway to paradise. For certain, the most cozy and pleasant stay in the midst of nature's bounty in Talibon is Jayveeh Long Beach Resort which shall open seven cozy cottages very soon. This accommodation is perfect for honeymooners, group adventurers, and even for single soul who aspires to get acquainted with himself. The cozy rooms are addition to the existing exotic native huts excellent for picnicking along the shallow shoreline of the Mahaba Island. Paradise is found in Mahaba island…experience it yourself.

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