Taytay Boni, Miagao
Taytay Boni, is a stone bridge built in 1854. Taytay Boni lies just off the Miagao – Guimbal road on the junction to Bgy.Guibongan. It took its name from the Illongo word, Taytay, meaning bridge and Boni taken from the name of its Spanish construction foreman Bonifacio Neular.
Taytay Boni was built using large yellow coral stone slabs called tablea , which came from the mountains of Igbaras. They were transported the 6 km there using filipino forced labour on bamboo sleds pulled by carabao. The blocks were held together using lime.
It is a small narrow bridge and originally only meant to be used by horse drawn carriages. The bridge was still passable before and after the Second World War and was partly damaged during an earthquake in 1948. The creek it crossed has disappeared since then.
The route of the old Spanish road can be seen disappearing into distance at the end of the bridge, across fields of green.
Although in a state of disrepair it is still worth stopping and taking a look at some Spanish era history. If you visit on a rainy day like i did, then there is a shelter on the junction near the main road where you can sort of keep dry.
Once you finish looking at the bridge you can make a side trip and continue down the road to Guibongan and visit the Budbud – traditional Miag-ao Salt farms that are found on the beach there. If you are walking it is an easy 15 minute stroll.
View of Guibongan Junction from Taytay Boni
Getting to Taytay Boni
From Miagao – Take any tricycle beside the Cultural Hall. Ask the driver to take you to Taytay Boni or junction to Brgy.Guibongan which is really the same thing.
You could also take a jeepney or bus going to Iloilo and ask to be dropped off at Taytay Boni or junction to Brgy.Guibongan
I spent four years traveling to and fro Iloilo City and Miagao in the late 1990’s. I am not from the Iloilo province but I attended the university in Miag-ao. I had always been fascinated with Taytay Boni and the small cemetery next to this Spanish structure. I don’t know, I never had the chance to see check theplace every time I pass by … until I have forgotten about it. It’s kinda nice to see someone wrote a blog article about this place. Maybe I will take the time to come here the next time I visit Miagao again.
I found Miagao to be a fascinating town. There is so much to see there.Taytay Boni was really interesting.I don’t remember seeing any centetery near there though. I did visit the cemetery in Miagao that was damaged by an earthquake. I am amazed that you didn’t visit it in the time you spent in Miagao.Hope you are able to return there soon.