Bohol - History and Natural Wonders Combined
Another gem in the Visayas region is the province of Bohol. Blessed with white sand beaches, breathtaking dive sites, fertile lands, and rich history and culture, Bohol surely has something for everyone.
Among its prominent
tourist destinations are the Chocolate Hills, Blood
Compact Site, Baclayon Church, Panglao beaches, and
Tarsier sanctuary. These endangered species are indigenous
to the province and has been well protected by the government
and locals
Demographics
1.1. Population –
1,230,110 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 4, 821 sq. km
3. Capital – Tagbilaran City
4. Language/Dialect – Boholano, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (1)
Municipalities (47)
Chocolate
Hills
This UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonders of
the World Nominee is the pride of the province. The
landscape of Bohol is dotted by an estimated 1,268 to
1,776 cone-shaped hills.
Tarsier (Tarsius
syrichta)
This small haplorrhine (a specie related to apes and
monkeys) measures 4 to 6 inches in height and with a
tail twice its body length. These nocturnal creatures
are now endangered but local and national government
agencies have taken action to create a natural sanctuary
for these species.
Sandugo and Sandugo Festival
The blood compact or sandugo was done on March 15, 1565
between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish Conquistador Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi. The event is considered as the first
peace treaty between Spaniards and the native settlers
of the Philippine Islands. Every year, the Boholanos
celebrate this momentous event through the Sandugo Festival
Baclayon
Church
It is one of the oldest church in the Philippines. This
ancient massive edifice still retains its century-old
architectural design. It features a a church bell dating
back in 1835, convent, and a dungeon.
Delectable
Food
Ubi (purple yam) has become one of the staple food for
Boholanos and is the most famous root crop from Bohol.
Thus, it is a must to try Ubi Kinampay, a special variety
of purple yam. The “binignit”, a concoction
of sweet potato (kamote), saba banana, landang (processed
from the “boli” palm to serve as thickener),
purple yam, and coconut milk is a favorite delicacy.
Cultural
Baclayon Museum
Location: Baclayon Church, Baclayon, Bohol
It is found inside the premises of Church of Our Lady
of the Immaculate Conception. 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.
Bohol Museum
(Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Ancestral House)
Location: F. Rocha cor. Hontanosa streets, Tagbilaran
City, Bohol
The museum was once the residence of former President
Carlos P. Garcia, a native of Bohol. Now, it contains
the late President and family’s memorabilia, old
relics, plus a collection of shells found on Bohol’s
shore.
Clarin Ancestral
House
Location: Loay, Bohol
Built in 1840, this ancestral house was the residence
of Don Aniceto Velez (former governor of Bohol), and
his son Jose Butalid Clarin (former president of the
Senate). This heritage site, as declared by the National
Historical Institute, contains several memorabilia of
the family, antique jars and lamps, American era centavo
coins, old Filipiniana dresses and Barong, and copy
of Adolf Hitler's book, “Mein Kampf”.
Historical
Blood Compact
Site
Location: Brgy. Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
The site is where Datu Sikatuna and Spanish Conquistador
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi did the sandugo or blood compact
that signified the formation of a friendly relation
between Spain and the native settlers.
Behind the
Clouds
Location: Catigbian, Bohol
The area became a camp for a group of courageous men
composed of disbanded and surrendered soldiers and even
civilians started the organization of the guerilla to
liberate the people from oppression during World War
II.
Dagohoy Marker
Location: Brgy. Magtangtang, Danao, Bohol
It was installed by the National Historical Institute
to commemorate the heroic deeds of Francisco Dagohoy
(real name Francisco Sendrijas) who led Boholanos to
fight against the Spanish regime. The rebellion lasted
roughly 85 years (1744-1829) and is considered as the
longest in Philippine history.
Pres. Carlos
P. Garcia Memorial Park
Location: Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Build in memory of the 'greatest Boholano', Carlos Polistico
Garcia, the fourth President of the Republic of the
Philippines. It sits on a rolling site with an area
of 11 hectares, chosen by the late president himself
in 1939 when he was governor of Bohol. Here, one can
see the exquisite monument of marble base and a life-size
bronze statue of Garcia made by Bohol’s famous
sculptor, National Artist Napoleon Abueva.
Ubujan Marker
Location: Tagbilaran City, Bohol
The marker was erected in memory of another historic
event in the district of Ubuja, which was the battle
fought by the brave guerilla Captain Francisco Salazar
and his men against the superior forces of the Japanese
on October 22, 1942.
Ermita Ruins
Location: Dimiao, Bohol
The structure was allegedly used as a military fortress,
chapel, and final resting place of the members of the
Spanish clergy at the time. Questions about its mysterious
past, however, remained unanswered that even experts
from the National Museum have recommended its immediate
excavation.
Punta Cruz
Watchtower
Location: Punta Cruz, Maribojoc, Bohol
The watchtower was erected in the year 1796 by the Spaniards
and was dedicated to St. Vincent Ferrer, Maribojoc’s
patron saint. It served as a lookout area againsts Muslim
invaders.
Man-made
Magsaysay
Camp
Location: Bilar, Bohol
This is a Boy Scout Camp where tall trees make the camp
look cool and tranquil. It is located in the mountains
a few kilometers from the Poblacion of the town. The
campgrounds are one of the best in the area.
Bilarma Camp
Location: Bilar, Bohol
It is the provincial Girl Scout encampment. The area
boast of a swimming pool fed by an inexhaustible source
of fresh water even during summer.
Roxas Park
(Pres. Manuel Roxas Campsite)
Location: Garcia Hernandez, Bohol
The park is filled with tall mahogany trees, lush vegetation,
and rich fauna. An open cogon field is usually used
as a camping area. On the spot is the life-size statue
of the late President Manuel Roxas, whom the park was
named after.
Macas Orchids
and Farm
Location: Lindaville, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
The 6,000 sq. m. lot is stocked with various species
of Dendrobium and Vanda orchids in varying sizes. In
addition to the flowering orchids, a typical Filipino
native house is placed in the center overlooking the
Ubujan and Maribojoc Sea and is a favorite spot for
picture taking.
Bohol
Bee Farm
Location: Brgy. Dao, Dauis, Pangloa Island, Bohol
It offers charming accommodations,while at the same
time promoting an alternative lifestyle supportive of
agricultural development. Farm activities include, farm
tour, raffia making, furniture making, sewing/craft,
paddling, basket making, and organic farming
Natural
Chocolate
Hills
Location: Carmen – Sagbayan – Batuan, Bohol
Estimated from 1,268 to 1,776, these cone-shaped hills
are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the
dry season, these grass-covered hills dry up and turn
into chocolate brown, thus its name. Two of the hills
have been converted to a commercial resort. One is located
in Carmen known as Chocolate Hills Complex and the other
in Sagbayan called the Sagbayan Peak.
Himontagon
Hill
Location:Sitio Candaon, Brgy. Botoc Occidental, Loay,
Bohol
It is a very scenic place overlooking the Mindanao sea.
Visible from atop the12 hill are the sparkling evening
sceneries which portray a beautiful glittering city
mid-sea, the lights being provided by lamps of fishermen.
During clear weather, Mt. Hibok-Hibok volcano in Camiguin
Island is visible. The place also provides fascinating
scenes during sunrise and sunset. The hill was the site
of the area jamboree of the Boy Scouts.
Panglao Island
Beaches
Location: Panglao – Dauis, Bohol
The shores of the towns of Panglao and Dauis are gifted
with white sand beaches and world-class dive sites.
Panglao Beaches
Dauis Beaches
Anda Beach
Location: Anda, Bohol
It boasts of a long stretch of powdery white sand beach
fringe with coconut palm trees. It is gifted with a
crystal clear blue waters, and a seabed of powdery white
sand with no rock formations or marine flora whatsoever
for miles on end.
Mag-aso Falls
Location: Antequera, Bohol
With a height of 25 feet, the twin falls is picturesque
against a backdrop of tall trees, wild plants including
giant ferns, and deep ravines.
Kinahugan
Falls
Location: Jagna, Bohol
It is composed of three waterfalls that are trigonomial
in nature. The center fall is flanked by one on the
northern side of the cliff and the other on the southern
side, and all are covered with moss. Tall coconut groves
around the deep basin and the river bed give shade,
making the place invigorating. The mild temperature
and the cool water lure the visitors to take a cool
bath.
Loboc River
Location: Loboc, Bohol
The river is embraced by lush vegetation. Due to its
popularity, floating restaurants offering Filipino delicacies
are found in the area.
Eva Cave
Location: Odiong – Janga, Bohol
Wild orchids and tree ferns of the tropics grow abundantly
near the cave. Countless birds abound and these birds
build edible nests, which are gathered in large quantities
for sale. A stonewall covers the area with several compartments.
Pamilacan
Island
Location: Baclayon, Bohol
It is one of the country's richest scuba diving sites.
Beautiful small and big colored fish and the prized
Gloria Maris seashells abound in its surrounding waters.
Philippine
Tarsier Sanctuary
Location: Brgy. Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol
The 134-hectare forested sanctuary serves as the home
of numerous tarsies in Bohol. The area is relatively
isolated to allow tarsiers to grow and move naturally.
Still under development, the sanctuary will feature
specialized viewing decks for tourist who would like
to see tarsiers in their natural habitat.
Religious
Church of
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Baclayon Church)
Location: Baclayon, Bohol
Jesuit priests between the 16th and 18th century constructed
this stone church. It was constructed using coral stones
and millions of white eggs as binders. The current building
was completed in 1727. The church obtained a large bell
in 1835. In the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects
added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings
that now surround the church.
Church of
Our Lady of the Assumption (Dauis Church)
Location: Dauis, Bohol
Built in 1863, this is one of Bohol’s beautiful
churches that has retained its Spanish architecture
although it has a semi-modern façade. The church
interior has life-like murals painted on the ceiling.
The patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, is believed
to possess miraculous powers.
Mt. Carmel
Hill
Location: Balilihan, Bohol
On top of the hill towers the centuries-old Spanish
belfry, the only historical landmark left to shed light
on the past and the town’s history. Constructed
in 1835-1844 from materials gathered by foot from Baclayon,
its mother town, the belfry has withstood natural calamities
and the test of time.
Most Holy
Trinity Cathedral (Talibon Cathedral)
Location: Poblacion, Talibon, Bohol
Its most notable feature is the life-size Holy Trinity
image found in the center of the altar. The ceiling
is heavily decorated with paintings of heavenly beings.
Its construction started in 1852 and completed in 1899
Church of
San Pedro (Loboc Church)
Location: Laboc, Bohol
It is considered as the second oldest church in Bohol.
It was first built in 1602 but wasdestroyed by a fire.
It was rebuilt in 1638 to what it is now.
Sandugo
Festival
Place: Bohol Province
Date: July 1 - 31
The annual spectacular festival featuring an agro-industrial
fair, cultural and historical shows, sports events,
pageants, balls and dances, entertainment shows and
street-dancing which culminates in the re-enactment
of the blood compact or Sandugo of Datu Sikatuna and
Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
Ubi Festival
Place: Bohol Province
Date: Last week of January
The festival is celebrated to give honor to the ube
(purple yam) - a much revered root crop in Bohol. Various
activities are lined up to highlight the affair including
the display of different kinds of Ubi and their by-products.
The festival features an exhibit, ubi contest, an agri-business
investment opportunities seminar, and a cultural show
Suroy sa
Musikero
Place: Loboc, Bohol
Date: December 25 - February 2
During the festival, town musicians cover daily the
assigned areas to partake the food serve by the host
and to play music to the tune of Kuradang, Dalaga sa
Baybayon, etc. This is also the period that carollers
render Christmas songs to the families of the host area.
Bolibongkingking
Festival
Place: Loboc, Bohol
Date: May 23 - 24
This is a music and dance festivity depicting the history,
folklore and traditions of the Lobocanons. Bolibongkingking
is a term applied to the drums and gongs and their rhythm
used to accompany the supplication dance ritual in front
of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the second Patron
of Loboc.
Sambat Mascara
Y Regatta Festival
Place: Loay, Bohol
Date: First Saturday of December
The festival is celebrated in honor of Loay town's second
Patron Saint, St. Francis Xavier. Colorful activities
are lined up, like agro-industrial fair, group masked
street dancing, drum bugle competition, boat racing
along the river and many more. The event is highlighted
by a fluvial parade of the Image along the river.
Bohol Beach Club
Sitting on a 60-hectare beachshore property, Bohol Beach Club offers the longest stretch of fine, powdery white sand. And since its beach is exclusive to resort guests, I really had my much needed space and serenity. Read more ...
Bohol: All Year Paradise
It was raining very hard. Sitting in the airport lounge waiting for the first trip to Tagbilaran and hearing flights to other areas being cancelled, I'm beginning to be apprehensive of this trip. Read more ...
By Air
There are direct flights from Manila to Bohol, landing
at Tagbilaran Airport. There are also flights from
Cebu to Boho
By Air-Sea
One can take a flight from Manila to Cebu then take
a fast craft to Bohol or a direct flight to Cebu
the travel by boat to Bohol.
By Sea
Travel from Manila to Tagbilaran, Bohol via sea
takes about 25 hours. These vessels dock at Tagbilaran
City Wharf, now called the Tagbilaran City Tourist
Pier. There are daily fast craft ferry trips from
Cebu to Bohol.