Moalboal

Moalboal is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 23,402 people in 4,790 households.

Extending as a peninsula in the Southwestern tip of Cebu, Moalboal is bordered to the west by the Tañon Strait. From the western shoreline, the island of Negros can be seen. Moalboal is located 89 kilometers from Cebu City, about 2.5 hours by bus.

Moalboal is nestled between the towns of Alcantara and Badian. From the tulay, an unfinished bridge located in Moalboal's town proper, Badian Island can be clearly seen, as well as the popular tourist attraction, Pescador Island.

Demographics

The people of Moalboal are members of the Cebuano linguistic group, which is a mix of Austronesian, Spanish, and Chinese ancestry. Locals often call themselves Moalboalanons, taken from the name of their town. The "Moalboalanons" said they came from the "Boholanon" decscents.

Though majority of the people in Moalboal are Cebuanos, a few members of cultural minorities have found their way in her shores. Bajaus who are similar to Muslim nomads, are often seen in the streets, especially during the holiday season, as some of them make their living by begging. There is no evidence though that the badjaos have taken their permanent residence in the town. The first settlers was said to be a legendary Boholano fugitive named Laguno Sabanal.

The dominant language of the town is Cebuano. However, being separated by several mountain ranges from their Northern neighbors, the Cebuano in Moalboal has some subtle differences from that spoken in the city. For instance, terms such as asgad, which means salty, is not used by many Cebuanos in the city, using the more common term of parat instead. The intonation is also different from that of the city dwelling Cebuanos. They start at a low range voice and ends in a high range tone, similar to Boholanon.

Tourism

Since the 1970s, Moalboal has developed a tourism industry based on diving and beaches. The municipality had the sole two white sand beaches on the western shore of Cebu Island, but in the 70s the Panagsama Beach in Basdiot was washed away during a typhoon although some excellent dive spots remain. The remaining beach, Basdako Beach (meaning Big Sand), is located in the barangay of Saavedra. Interestingly enough, Basdiot where Panagsama Beach is located means Little Sand.

Though the beach in Panagsama is practically gone, cottages and resorts dot the shoreline, mostly catering to tourists who come to the town to scuba dive and engage in watersports.

Basdako Beach, which used to be a quieter beach that locals frequent, has only recently developed, due perhaps to the overcrowding that resulted in the other beach. Basdako now has a number of resorts and several cottages where tourists can stay.

Tourists wanting to stay in Moalboal can easily take a taxi from Cebu Intl. airport. It should cost less than 2000 Pesos. Other ways to get to Moalboal would be to take a taxi to the Liberando bus terminal and then bus 3h.

In Moalboal all tourists stay at Panagsama Beach. There is plenty of accommodation on the beach. The tri-cycle drivers normally drop you off at the main square. At the main square you will find Eve’s kiosk, a bungalow hotel and Nelsons Dive Shop. Both are high class and you can always leave your baggage at the safe dive shop to look for other accommodation.

Some of the best diving in the world can be had in Moalboal. Do NOT leave before you have done a dive at Pescador Island.

Entertainment is laid back and not for clubbers. The most popular bar at the moment is ‘’Chili Bar’’, you can have a beer for less than 50 Cent US there.

Other than diving there’s White Beach for a tan. Planet Action Adventure will take you for mountain climbing, river climbing, horse back riding or just a bit of mountain biking.

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