To complete your visit in Liloan, one must pay a visit to its most enchanting part, the place where everything started, the Silot Bay. Situated at the heart of Liloan, its existence is very crucial to the lives of the people as the sources of work and play.
Silot Bay is a 100-hectare shallow tidal lagoon. Mangrove swamps, fishponds and two islets constitute the lagoon. Connected to the Camotes Sea through a channel which measure 20 meters wide, ample marine organisms thrive such as sea urchins and sea shells. Also, fishes are prolific in the area.
During low tide, huge mudflats can be seen, allowing locals to gather sea shells for consumption or for sale. Not only had the people derived their sources of sustenance in the lagoon, but it is also considered as the feeding area for herons, egrets and other winged animals.
Two of Liloan’s land mass is joined by a bridge, a bridge over troubled waters. True enough, under the bridge is the whirlpool phenomena or sometimes called in Cebuano dialect as “lilo”. That is how the town, Liloan got its name.
During weekends and holidays, many families take their vacation at the bay for a swim, even from the mountain barangays. For the adventurous-type of person, try to dive from the concrete bridge down to the whirling waters below. It is exhilarating. The bridge was once made of wood but was replaced by concrete which is present until now.
The strong current due to whirlpools is also useful for the water survival exercises of the military training. Exercises include crossing the river through a rope which is hung just above the waters.
The ambiance of the entire place is soothing to the souls. When you are the brink of giving up, the gracious sunrises and sunsets can uplift those sunken spirits and urge you to continue life. Very ironic indeed, because of the presence of the whirlpools may be the hindrance to full-blown enjoyment.
Many stories emerged about the place, some mythical while others are tragic love stories. But all these are mere stories and not proven to true. However, it makes Liloan more interesting to visit. History traces back to Silot Bay.
Here some of the stories collected:
Long time ago, a couple wanted to marry but being objected by their parents. The insubordinate couple boarded a boat and escaped. A storm struck them at the middle of the sea but they managed to live as they enter into a channel and proceeded to the interior.
The couple found the refuge for their love at the Silot Bay. The abundance of fishes in the bay enabled them to get into business. Their bountiful catch were sold to neighboring villages and when asked where the fishes were caught, the couple answered, “Sa my lilo” (near the whirlpool). Thus, the town was baptized as Liloan.
Another version with the same characters of the story above has more tragic finale. So, after they escaped, the families of the couple cursed and punished them. Accordingly, they were thrown into the sea and died on that instance. The whirlpool is the symbol of their undying love. Silot, which is the name of the place, is “punishment” when translated into English language.
The following story is more like imaginary. Mermaids were said to be true and were very friendly to humans. As a matter of fact, they mingled with them, played and even dined with them in special occasions. They were also very kind and attentive to the needs of the people.
These creatures possessed utensils made of jewels and pearls and willingly lend these to their human friends. When it comes to wealth, humans are very fragile. Lured by these wealthy possessions, some humans failed to return their borrowed plates. Though pleading for its return, the humans remained earless. This made the mermaids flew into rage, defy human race, cut the interactions with them and punished them by sending tidal waves which the whole community near the sea was wiped out. The whirlpools remain up to these days as ripples of those great waves.
Another mythical story is about the black fairies that used to live in Liloan. As humans settled in the place, they were forced to leave the place. As vengeance, the wicked claimed at least a life every year. Many reports about the mysterious disappearances of bathers though were very good in swimming. Few days after the incidents, the lifeless bodies of the victims were found somewhere far.
The final and the least to-be-believed story is the existence of a primordial fish, giant in nature and could swallow at least three people in one bite. Scary right? The fish was known as “cogtong” and have its cave in the underwater cave. Like the black fairies, the fish would claim a life too but the difference, the victim’s body would never be found.
So, all these legends formed part of the colorful history of Silot Bay.
