Bohol: “Heart of the Islands…Truly Philippines”

 

     September 2010, our group visited Bohol. Bohol is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Bohol is said to be the tenth largest island of the Philippines. 

 

 

From Tagbilaran Airport, we proceeded to Birhen Sa Barangay Parish-Shrine. Libot libot muna while waiting sa tatlo pa namin kasamahan na paalis pa lang sa Terminal 2.......

 

At pagdating nila, syempre kumpleto na kami. We're ready to explore Bohol...

 

 

   According to the articles I read, Bohol comes from the word "Bo'ol," which refers to the name of a place (the place thought of as the site of the Sikatuna-Legazpi blood compact) located a few kilometers away from Tagbilaran City. Some sources, however, claim that it actually comes from the Visayan term "boho" (hole) owing to the abundant caves, caverns, and holes in the island.

 

 

 

Next destination... Baclayon Church. This church is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines (the oldest is San Agustin Church, in Real Street, Intramuros, Manila, built in 1571). Baclayon Church was constructed in 1595 by the Jesuit priests.

 

Sad to say lang na this church was heavily damaged on October 15, 2013, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the province of Bohol.

 

      Inside Baclayon Church...

After Baclayon Church, tuloy ang paglilibot sa Bohol

 

     Stop over muna sa Man-made Forest. This forest is made up of mahogany trees. This  was part of a bigger reforestation project that was created in response to the alarming deforestation in the Loboc watershed (dahil daw sa kaingin, etc). The reforestation plan started in 1947.

 

           Hanging bridge...

 

 

     The famous Chocolate Hills. A one of a kind geological feature in the world. The hills range from 30 to 150 meters high and are covered in green grass, which turns to brown during dry season, making them look like chocolate mounds. Nagiging "Green Hills" siya pag di na dry season. hehe.

 

 

                                                  

    The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar small animal. It is one of the smallest known primates.Tarsier is known locally as mawmag in  Cebuano/Visayan and mamag in Luzon. Hindi po sya "kwago"  tarsier po sya. haha.

 

 

Cruise along Loboc River with buffet lunch was great! Naenjoy namin ang food and of course the view...  

 We were also entertained with a live band performing on the floating restaurant. Midway through the cruise, the floating restaurant stopped by a platform. A group (Rondalla) will do a series of song and dance performances for guests onboard the floating restaurant.

   

 

      At Panglao Beach.......

 

  

Another famous place to see in Bohol... The Bohol Bee Farm. 

   Bohol Bee Farm is an agriculture haven dedicated to bee cultivation, organic farming, and healthy eating. Bohol Bee Farm also houses a resort and a restaurant where visitors can take a time off from the city and find relaxation while providing livelihood to the local residents.

    must-try ice cream

        This looks more like a floral arrangement for some, pero food po ito, salad, salad...

           
        pizza...pizza...pizza...

    
         Bee cultivation.......

      
           Organic farming.......

 

 

Hinagdanan ("laddered" in Cebuano) Cave is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites. Makikita po sya sa Panglao, Bohol.

 

 

Inside the cave... 

    
         Large number of stalactites hanging from the sealing, and matching stalagmites sticking out of the earth below them. The cave leads to a large underground cavern, that contains a pond. Both ends of the cave are open but swimming in the pool is not advisable as the waters there are not clean.

 

The group with Bayoyoy the dwarf in Dauis, Panglao, Bohol. He is one of the smallest and oldest man in the Philippines.