Area Attractions in Bohol, Philippines
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 will find long stretches of fine white sand set against
an idyllic backdrop of coconut trees. The island is home to the
prestigious Dumaluan 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.
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.
LOBOC RIVER CRUISE
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.
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.
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 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.
Dolphin Watching
Bohol is also famous for Dolphin watching tours and Island Hopping
