A Guide to Bohol’s Magnificent Churches

Bohol is one of the first islands that were evangelized by the Spanish missionaries. Through Polo or forced labor imposed by the friars, the people were able to build many churches around the province. These churches were, to date, preserved to its original structure and is known worldwide for its amazing architectural design. It also has the tendency of bringing the spectator to the olden times and sending them back to its history.

Weddings in the bohol churches are unquestionably at the top of its league. Soon-to-be weds can expect the kind of ambiance that will make them feel the solemnity and elegance of their wedding. Weddings in the bohol churches will surely not fall out of place.

More @ Bohol Weddings

Read more...

Diving in Bohol

Here are some of my favorite photos from the dives on Balicasag Island near Bohol. There was great visibility, almost no current, and really healthy corals and fish populations. These photos are here especially for my sister, to keep her satisfied until her next dive trip.

With amateur equipment, it’s difficult to adequately capture the abundance of life on coral reefs- the water filters the light and obscures vivid colors and teeming schools of fish. This picture, though, begins to describe what it was like at Balicasag Island.

More Photos @ Back to the Sea

Read more...

Visit Bohol

Scenic Bohol casts an enigmatic charm drawn from the many archaic mementos spread throughout the oval-shaped island - from unique rock formations to a 45-million-year-old mammal species, from massive stone watchtowers built by the Spaniards in the 18th century. Surrounding the mainland are 73 other smaller offshore islands and islets whose palm-fringed coastlines are rimmed by white sand and sheltering coves. Serpentine coastal highways wind along unsullied beaches and rustic rivers where the tourist can stop at any point and jump in for a dip.

Bohol is the perfect arena for scuba diving, kayaking, trekking and cave exploration. For the less adventurous, it offers leisurely pursuits like cruising, swimming, snorkeling or, simply, collecting seashells by the seashore.

More @ Paradise Philippines

Read more...

Who is Francisco Dagohoy?

I would like to tell you about one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Boholano icons of all time. Francisco Dagohoy led the longest revolt in Philippine history against the Spanish colonial government. This took place in Bohol from 1744 to 1829, roughly 85 years.

Here are some less known facts/trivia about the man:

* His real name was Francisco Sendrijas and he was a native of Inabanga, Bohol. He was actually a cabeza de barangay or one of the barangay captains of the town.
* The name Dagohoy was derived from his local alias “dagon sa hoyohoy” translated in English as "amulet or charm of the gentle wind" that people believed he possessed.

More @ Bol-anon

Read more...

Prawn Farm Restaurant, Tagbilaran, Bohol

After morning of meetings with our lawyer in Tagbilaran, I asked him where we could eat a good lunch and he immediately said we should go to the Prawn Farm. My initial reaction was “wow, cool, I want to eat just above the fishponds”… and off we went. And then I realized that the restaurant “Prawn Farm” was located on the ground floor of the Island City Mall, the largest airconditioned structure in the city… But any apprehensions about a mall lunch were laid to rest when the dishes started arriving at the table…

More @ Market Manila

Read more...

Jose Rizal in Bohol

Last June 19, the Philippines observed the 147th birth anniversary of its national hero, Dr Jose P Rizal. Did you know that Dr Rizal went to Bohol once when he was still alive? According to Jes Tirol, a prominent local historian, Dr Rizal went to Bohol sometime in the last week of June 1895.

A certain Felipe Dolotina in Bilar, Bohol told Tirol that he had met Dr Rizal, who stayed in their house during his visit. This incident prompted Tirol to conduct research to confirm this information.

In 1892, Dr Rizal was exiled to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. There he continued his medical practice. While there, he wrote a letter to the Governor General to ask permission to search for an agricultural colony. This was granted.

More @ Bohol On My Mind

Read more...

Osang’s Pastries, Baclayon, Bohol

Osang’s is a home based business that is located behind or on the side of the Baclayon church in Bohol. I think they have been in the same spot for the last 40 years, though they may have moved once in that period. They used to hand mix all of their batters, the slow mixing motion a key to the consistency of their baked goods… but today they have a commercial looking mixer that they use on (and this is one of their secrets) very small batches of dough, using a maximum of only 6 eggs at a time! They can make up to 30 batches or so of dough on a given morning and only bake up until lunchtime, after which the goods are wrapped then picked up by those who previously placed orders. They don’t cook that much if there are no big orders, so visiting them unannounced can lead to a huge disappointment if they have nothing to sell you.

More @ Market Manila

Read more...

Bohol - Philippines: More Than the Usual Tourist Spot

Bohol, a small island in central Philippines, is known for the world famous and unique Chocolate Hills. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist spots. It’s true though that when most people think of Bohol, almost nothing else comes to mind. It might surprise you that it is more than the usual tourist spot and that there’s more to explore and to see in this island than those limestone hill formations.

Bohol is home to pristine beach shores. Panglao Island, just minutes away from the capital Tagbilaran, is increasingly gaining more popularity among local and foreign tourists as a more laid-back and tranquil beach destination alternative to Boracay.

More @ isnare

Read more...