Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
To travellers who are constantly on the hunt for underrated gems, the is no stranger. As Asia’s third-largest dam, the site boasts of its tranquil beauty. Nowadays, locals and tourists alike visit the spot for water activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, and rafting.
On 26 Jul 2020, Pantabangeño Krystha Recio found the site in a completely different light. Evident in their photos that quickly went viral, Krystha and her sister Kashiee captured a dry . Its low water levels paved the way for the re-emergence of the sunken old town of Pantabangan.
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During summertime, the water level of the Pantabangan Dam decreases enough to reveal the cross of a sunken Catholic church. “Dati po, yung lumilitaw lang is yung krus,” Kashiee confirms. “Pero ngayon, lumitaw na rin po yung lumang sementeryo, bantayog ni Rizal, gate ng lumang school, at iba pa.”
When the water level of the Pantabangan Dam is normal, the destination can look quite scenic. You can visit a number of Nueva Ecija hotels, like the nature-crafted Farm Ridge by Desmond Farm and the luxurious Highland Bali Villas.
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In 1973, the government announced the submersion of the old Pantabangan town to create one of the largest dams in Asia. The new has since supplied hydroelectric power and water irrigation to the farmlands of Central Luzon.
Along with the construction of the , the town centre and seven other barangays were submerged. Submitting to this development, thousands of residents were forced to relocate to higher ground.
As El Niño hit Nueva Ecija a decade later, some areas of the old town reappeared. But over the past few years, the old Pantabangan has remained sunken.
All photos credited to Kashiee and Krystha Recio.
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Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
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