Enchanted River and Hinatuan may be the poster boys of Surigao del Sur but there’s a gem in the province that many people don’t know much about: Barobo.
![barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&ssl=1)
![barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&ssl=1)
I joined a one-day tour in this third class municipality, a five-hour road trip via private vehicle from Davao City. Our first stop was this secluded beach, the name I wasn’t able to ask our guide, but I reckon it could be Turtle Island or the rear of Cabgan Island.
![ferry waiting at the shore](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![ferry waiting at the shore](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![view of the ocean from the top of the hill](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![view of the ocean from the top of the hill](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
This island was a forty-five minute banca ride from Barobo Port. There’s a small house atop the entrance where a local family resides.
![a cute kid sitting](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![a cute kid sitting](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![view from the top of the hill](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![view from the top of the hill](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![shy kid](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-8.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![shy kid](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-8.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
What made this place memorable was the climb to the top of a hill where you pass by several statues of Sto. Niño, most of them headless. I expected to see a small church but on top was a lighthouse where you can have a beautiful view of Barobo.
![headless santo niño statue barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![headless santo niño statue barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![headless santo nino statues](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![headless santo nino statues](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![local kids in front of headless statues](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![local kids in front of headless statues](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1)
![the lighthouse overlooking barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-11.jpg?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1)
![the lighthouse overlooking barobo surigao del sur philippines](https://i0.wp.com/bebsisms.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/barobo2-1-11.jpg?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1)
I wanted to know the story behind these headless statues because as I climbed up the hill, they look creepy and amusing at the same time but I didn’t have anyone to ask. At eight in the morning, it was a low tide so we didn’t have the chance to plunge in the water. We did that at our next stop anyway, the Vanishing Island, which I will write about in different entry.