About Bohol

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 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.

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.  Exploring and discovering Bohol’s many beautiful and interesting landmarks and attractions which included the following:

Chocolate Hills

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.

LOBOC RIVER CRUISE

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

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

BACLAYON CHURCH

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.

TARSIERS

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.

ALONA BEACH

Well known under Diver is the famous “Alona Beach” of Panglao Island with its famous diving spots and also regular Tourists visit Bohol and Panglao Island for relaxing and pleasure  during  holiday  times  more and more as well as here are already many permanent  residents  from foreign countries who enjoy living in Bohol and Panglao Island. So its easy, making  friends  here,  because   live goes easy  and still is very affordable.