Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet is frequented by visitors due to its natural hot springs the locals call Asin. There are at least five hot spring resorts in the area. Asin is more or less 18 kilometers from Baguio City. Since the roads had been cemented, the area is now merely a 30-minute drive from the city.
BY ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 10, April 13-19, 2008
During summer time when the children are having their vacation and seemed irritated because of the summer heat, it is the time when a family considers an outing. Destinations could either be to the white sand beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the pine cool weather in Sagada, Mountain Province, or the rice terraces in Banaue, Ifugao.
You need not go so far just to have fun or enjoy a vacation with your family. There are places near Baguio City, which are usually frequented by city residents and local tourists.
Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet is frequented by visitors due to its natural hot springs the locals call Asin. There are at least five hot spring resorts in the area. Asin is more or less 18 kilometers from Baguio City. Since the roads had been cemented, the area is now merely a 30-minute drive from the city.
My recent visit to the area has proven that Asin, with its hot spring resorts, is fast turning into a tourist destination.
The five resorts in Asin, Nangalisan have established bathrooms, some with steam bath, and pools complemented by the hot waters from the springs.
A staff of one of the resorts said even during cold season, the hot springs are utilized by visitors. He noted from visitors during this season that they complained of body pains due to arthritis and fatigue, among others.
“Even during lean season, visitors regularly go to the hot springs due to its natural therapeutic effects on body pains,” explained the staff.
Peak of visits
During summer, the area is frequented as the hot spring resorts use the cool waters coming from the natural springs to supply their pools and bathrooms. Summer in the area is hot due to its proximity to the lowlands but mountains balance the summer heat.
“The peak of the visits is during summer and holidays,” the staff added. In their resort alone, he claimed the resort receives more than 100 persons a day, not only visitors from Baguio, but also from other places. Even Koreans living in the city are among the notable regular visitors of the hot spring resorts in the area.
The resorts in Asin also cater to seminars and conferences. Seminar halls can accommodate at least 100 persons. Room rates depend on the space and capacity. Rooms have either an air conditioner or an electric fan, depending on the rate. Resort restaurants are usually open until 10:00 in the evening.
The entrance fee in the resort is considered cheap at P 80 ($1.92 at an exchange rate of $1=P41.595) per person but children are charged lower.
Hot springs
The natural hot water in Asin bubbles up from the below the ground continuously. In my last visit in the area, my daughter asked: “Why do they have the hot springs in Asin? Why do we not have it in Baguio?
These are questions from an innocent mind which force a father like me to seek answers. According to an environmentalist, hot springs in Asin and Klondykes in Kennon, also in Tuba, are believed to be a result of Mt. Cabuyao, a dormant volcano. Mt. Cabuyao is in Mt. Sto. Tomas, the highest peak in Tuba town. It is 7,000 feet above sea level and 12 kilometers away from Baguio City. You can view the La Union beaches when you are on top of that area.
There are natural beauties in Tuba, which have been discovered long ago but remained unpopular. There are natural waterfalls, caves and rivers in the area. The maintenance of their natural beauty is notably due to the local communities’ sense of natural resource conservation and protection. This is an area that can also be documented and published and shared to the public.
While hot springs in Asin contribute to the town’s income, local residents however expect local government officials also to adopt a project where they can utilize the natural hot springs. Nevertheless Asin is an alternative for family outings. These are natural beauties that can satisfy our love for nature. Nordis/posted by (Bulatlat.com)
