5 THINGS TO DO AT THE BEAUTIFUL PROVINCE OF BOHOL

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Bohol is the heart of the islands. It is the home province of Carlos P. Garcia, the eighth president of the Republic of the Philippines. It is the tenth largest island in the country, famous for its diving locations and characteristically one of the top ten diving sites in the world. Chocolate Hills remained to be the most famous attraction of the province and The Philippine Tarsier is the second smallest primate in the world. Its more fun just an adventure and destination.

Please join me to revisit the exquisiteness of Bohol province. We all know what happened in the province last October, where most of the famous attractions were totally ruined by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. I’m glad that I was able to visit those places last July on my birthday before the disaster happened. Nevertheless, the purpose of this column is not to remember how badly it was but to show the world the real beauty of Bohol. The cheerful Boholanos will absolutely stand again and the places will be restored to original magnificence.

I'm not sure what the situation now is but when we were there, there are travel agencies that offers countryside tour with inclusions. Our hotel (Vista Pension House) also offered an eight-hour countryside tour. Check the itinerary below and prices. Rates are inclusive of Driver's Fee, Gasoline, and all entrance fee with lunch buffet at Loboc River.

Itinerary:                                                                          Package per Head:

1. Blood Compact Shrine                                                 P3195 1pax

2. Baclayon Church and Museum                                   P1945 2pax/head

3. Python Sanctuary                                                         P1530 3pax/head  

4. Tarsiers                                                                           P1320 4pax/head

5. Loboc River Cruise                                                         P1295 5pax/head

6. Hanging Bridge                                                             P1195 6pax/head   

7. Man-made Forest                                                         P1125 7pax/head

8. Butterfly Sanctuary                                                      P1070 8pax/head 

9. Chocolate Hills                                                              P1030 9pax/head

10. Souvenir Shops                                                            P995 10pax/head

So the countryside is ready to make the tour, although there are more places to go but I will be featuring only those places I have been to during my visit. Please follow this link for more tourist attractions – www.boholtourism.com. Join me for the first part of our tour.

BLOOD COMPACT SHRINE
Also known as Sandugo, this is considered as the first treaty of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos. The blood compact happened between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol. Spain has the longest occupation in the country for 377 years (1521 – 1898). 

The monument is located in Tagbilaran East Rd., Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION CENTER

It is a wide collection of unique and colourful butterflies found in the Philippines. This said to be the first ever rehabilitation program for the butterfly species established in the island and now supported by the Local Government Unit and also one the favourite stopover of the visitors coming to Bohol. We were greeted by the cheerful lady who gave us an extensive lecture about the life cycle of Butterflies.

We all know the cycle of Butterfly way back from our science subject in grade school – it started in a Eggs – Caterpillar – Pupa – Adult Emerging from Chrysalis – Butterfly. Well I must say history repeats itself while the lady gave us a speech about them. I was actually hesitant to touch them because I was once victimized by “higad”. So I have this phobia already. And now I know that only those hairy caterpillars are dangerous.

WORLD FAMOUS CHOCOLATE HILLS

The Chocolate Hills is a famous tourist attraction of Bohol. Not just in the province but also one of the icons of Philippine Tourism. In fact they have been declared the country’s third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of 50 square kilometres.

On our way to the site the driver shared us different story behind tiny mountains spread all over the places. He said there were two giants playing stones and sand balls that lasted for a day. Then the messed they left now turns into mole hills that look like women’s breasts. Urgh! I’m just kidding. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of dry season, turns chocolate brown. So the hills derive from their name because of the color.

MAN-MADE FOREST

The driver told us to proceed first to Chocolate hills while few people arrived. So after our Chocolate Hills as promised, we stopped by on this shadier part of 2-kilometer stretch of towering Mahogany trees with wild bushes and ferns. Inside the man-made forest, you can feel the chilly breeze of tranquility and that attracts the by-passers on their way to the Chocolate hills. So even on the hottest day of temperature, when you set foot into this mind-blowing territory, you instantly feel the change of temperature. No wonder we are encouraged to plant more trees to fight against global warming that is heating up the earth. So it’s kinda dim because the sunlight barely reaches the ground because of thick leaves of the trees.

However, I understand that we are all excited to take a unique shot but we need extra precaution. This is a highway so vehicles are passing by in both directions. And guess what I had the time to do “planking” in the middle of this stretch and that is my first time ever. Scary though because car might hit me while taking pictures.

THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER

The Philippine Tarsier – this is one of the reasons why we visit Bohol. Although considered as the smallest primate in earth but I can say that this is the second smallest after I saw the one in Ocean Park Hongkong. The Tarsier is another icon of the country as being used in postal stamps and official mascot of the Philippines in international sporting meet. Sadly though because there are only I guess 15 tarsiers that are available for public and at that are not allowed to touch. Caretaker said that there are more tarsiers on a separate forest that are not open for public.

The Philippine tarsier is a shy nocturnal. They are asleep during the day and only active to look for food during the night.

And that is the first part of my Bohol countryside tour. Next is the second part, we will just need to take our lunch at the famous Loboc River cruise.