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BOHOL LANDMARKS AND ATTRACTIONS
Bohol is now one of the most visited provinces in the Philippines. It is getting to be popular not only among foreign tourists but local visitors as well. The Department of Tourism and the government of Bohol are promoting the province as "a land of history and natural beauty." Even Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol Province, is being advertised as "The City of Friendship." This oval-shaped province is located in the central part of the Visayas lying between Cebu in the northwest and Leyte in the northeast. To the south is Mindanao which is separated from Bohol by the wide Mindanao Sea. Bohol is about 700 kilometers directly south of Manila and about an hour and fifty minutes by commercial jet.
Aside from the mainland, Bohol has 61 smaller offshore islands and islets. The island of Panglao is the most visited being known for its unpolluted waters which are rated among the best diving sites in the world. Here you wil find long stretches of fine white sand set against an idyllic backdrop of coconut trees. The island is home to the prestigious Bohol Beach Club, the Crystal Coast Resort, Alona Beach Resort, and many other smaller resorts. Bohol's land area is 4,117.26 square kilometers and is the tenth largest island in the Philippines. As of the year 2000, Bohol had a population of about 1,139,130 and is growing at an average rate of 2.78 percent. It is essentially an agricultural province and rice, coconut, and corn are its main products. Most fishing towns are found in the northern part of the island, particularly those facing the Camotes Sea. Among the minerals the province produces are manganese, iron and tin.
The island province has an incomparable world of wonders to offer its visitors. Many tourists seeking the simple charm of a rustic retreat have found this in Bohol. The province is a tropical haven of natural beauty and its coastline is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. It is becoming a popular tourist destination since it is endowed with natural and historical attractions. With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, Bohol is a picturesque island replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. The devotion of the people to religion gave rise to numerous old stone churches which are the most antiquated in the country. And most of these churches have their adjacent museums containing various interesting relics, religious art and artifacts.
For many years Bohol, despite its potential for social and economic growth, has occupied a slot among the 20 poorest provinces in the Philippines. Due to the strong determination and clarity of purpose of the provincial government, Bohol made a big leap from being in No. 7 to No. 16 in a span of just a few years. The present provincial administration is striving to get Bohol out of the poverty pit. Since tourism and agriculture are Bohol's two economic drivers, the province is expected to anchor their poverty towards a better quality of life for its residents. I spent a good 5 days in Bohol, exploring and discovering its many beautiful and interesting landmarks and attractions which included the following:
CHOCOLATE HILLS
Bohol is one of the island provinces in the Philippines which has the Chocolate Hills as its signature attraction. The hills are spread over municipalities of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan and consists of approximately 1,268 hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters. Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the Chocolate Hills are considered as a Philippine National Geological Monument. During the summer, the dome-shaped grass covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown, transforming the area into seemingly endless rows of chocolate "kisses". Two of the highest hills in the vicinity of Carmen, some 55 kms from Tagbilaran City, have been developed into a resort with cottages and amenities. It has a viewing deck where one can have a panoramic view of the similarly shaped mounds of hills around. I had the chance to visit the Chocolate Hills for the third time last Sept 2005 and took some photographs which I would like to share with everyone.
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LOBOC RIVER CRUISE
During my visit to the Island Province of Bohol (Philippines) last September of 2005, I had the opportunity to try out the Loboc River Cruise. The cruise along the river starts from Loay Bridge which is 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. A motorized boat or a floating restaurant will take passengers upstream passing by nipa (palm tree) vegetations, coconuts and other tropical flora. There is a brief stop at Busai Falls before returning downstream to the Loboc bridge. The floating restaurant is basically a platform mounted on two "bancas" (canoe) with a roof and pushed from behind by a small motor boat. Fresh seafood and other tasty native dishes are served. The entire boat ride takes 45 minutes and is a relaxing and cool ride which usually starts at noon time. On board is a male entertainer who has a repertoire which includes Spanish, Visayan, and other popular songs of the 60's, 70's and 80's.
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BLOOD COMPACT SITE
On March 16, 1565, Spanish Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi entered into a blood compact with Rajah Sikatuna, a local chieftain of Bool, Bohol for the purpose of insuring friendly relations between the Spaniards and the natives. A few drops of blood drawn from a small incision in the arm of each of the two chiefs were placed in separate cups containing wine, and in the presence of their followers, each chief drank the potion containing the blood of the other. This sealed a bond in accordance with native practice and it was to be the first treaty of friendship and alliance between the Spaniards and Filipinos. The sculpture which now stands at the blood compact site in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, was made by National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano. And just nearby is a marker.
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BACLAYON CHURCH
Also known as the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, it was built by the Jesuits in 1596 and is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It is located in the town of Baclayon, six kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The massive edifice still retains its century-old architectural design. The external and internal portions of the church used to have various interesting relics and artifacts, but most of which have now been placed at the Baclayon Museum. The museum is located inside the convent on the right side of the church. It contains a rich collection of religious art, ecclesiastical vestments, librettos of Church music printed in Latin on animal skins, and other priceless relics and artifacts dating back to the early 16th Century. The Church was declared as a National Historical Landmark in 1994. The attached 17 photos were taken during my visit in Sept 2005.
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THE TARSIERS
The tarsier is an unusual mammal that lives in southeast Asia, in rainforests and bamboo forests in the Philippines and Indonesia. Bohol is best known for its tarsiers and can also be found in Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The tarsier is very small animal and is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than an adult man's hand. The species is believed to be about 45 million years old and is perhaps one of the oldest land species. It is arboreal, spending its entire life in trees and travels by leaping from tree to tree. It sleeps and gives birth clinging to a tree trunk. Tarsiers cannot walk on land and they hop when on the ground. Tarsiers range from 3" to 6" long but their long tail adds another 5" to 11" of length. The tarsier's eye is bigger than its entire brain. It can rotate its head almost 180 degrees in each direction and has pads at the ends of each finger and toe that allow them to climb trees. Their diet includes insects, reptiles, and birds.
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CLARIN ANCESTRAL HOME
Built in 1840, this antiquated home of Aniceto Clarin and his family has coral stone foundation, wooden walls, flooring made of Philippine hardwood, thatched nipa roof and a receiving hall with a high vaulted ceiling. Clarin was the first governor of Bohol and he later became a member of the Philippine Senate. The ancestral home is located at the poblacion of Loay which is about 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Visitors are in for a nostalgic trip as they enter the house which is replete with interesting antique jars, lamps, kitchenware, furniture, and personal memorabilia of the Clarin family. The National Historical Institute declared Clarin's home a heritage site. I had the chance to visit this ancestral home in September 2005 on my Way back to Tagbilaran after taking the Loboc River Cruise. The acccompanying photos should give you a good idea of what I saw.
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PANGLAO ISLAND NATURE RESORT
The Panglao Island Nature Resort in Panglao Island was one of the 4 most beautiful resorts I saw when I visited the island province of Bohol (located in the Visayan Region which is in the central part of the Philippines) in September of 2005. The resort is located in the northern shores of the island of Panglao and is just a few minutes away from downtown Tagbilaran City. Panglao Island is accessible by land transportation since it is connected to the main island of Bohol by two bridges. The resort has airconditioned cottages, swimming pools, a restaurant & bar, function rooms, a beach, and a nearby man-made islet where you can order fresh seafood for lunch or dinner. If you haven't been there yet, the place is really worth visiting.
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BOHOL BEACH CLUB
The Bohol Beach Club is located in the island of Panglao and just about 30 minutes by land from Tagbilaran City. It was one of the beach resorts I visited in September 2005 when I took a tour of the different resorts on the island. This beach resort has a number of facilities and amenities designed to satisfy its visitors and guests. It has a restaurant, swimming pools, beach bar, outdoor jacuzzi, tennis court, billiards, etc. They also provide scuba diving facilities, boat tours, and even have a glass bottom boat for those who enjoy going out to the sea. For accommodations they have standard and superior rooms as well as executive and family suites which all have individual airconditioning, television sets, private bathrooms, and comfortable bedrooms. Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant and enjoy a drink at the bar. Conference facilities are also available for business meetings.
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ALONA PALM BEACH RESORT
The Alona Palm Beach Resort is located in Barangay Tawala, Panglao Island, Bohol. It was one of the four luxurious beach resorts I visited when I took a whole day tour of Panglao Island in September of 2005. The resort is the latest addition to several beach resorts already existing on the island where you will find pristine white beaches & clean seawater. Its site is on a slightly elevated area in the middle of a beautifully landscaped tropical garden with a wide coconut palm groove which divides the 12 cottages from the nearby beach. The resort's open restaurant overlooks the pool and sea and offers Filipino and International cuisine. The resort claims to cater to the demanding traveler who looks for the best in infrastructure, amenities and service. It is no doubt a fine place to stay, relax, and enjoy one's vacation. You can access their Website at: www.alonapalmbeach.com
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