INTRODUCTION
Bohol, in the heart of Central Visayas, is the 10th largest
island in the country. Approx. 803 km south of Manila and
79 km southeast of Cebu, Bohol is the Heritage Province,
the eco-cultural tourism destination of the new millenium.
An oval-shaped island dotted with 72 small islets comprising
an area of 4,117 sq. km., it has 47 towns and the capital
city of Tagbilaran. It has roughly a million people.
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BOHOL'S 6 PILLARS OF
TOURISM
Bohol boasts of six pillars of tourism. Where can you ever
find this generous package of ALL six tourism attractions
in just one island? Only in Bohol...
Chocolate Hills
The world-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is Nature's expression
of beauty, mystery and romance. Spread over the Municipalities
of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan, the Chocolate Hills is the
province's signature attraction. It consists of approximately
1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120
meters. Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the hills
are considered as a National Geologic Movement. During the
summers, 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 have been developed and provided
with facilities such as a restaurant, hostel and viewdeck.
Tarsier
Would
you believe that the tarsier, the smallest living primate,
measuring 4 to 5 inches and a tail longer than its body,
can easily fit snugly in the human hand and is 36 million
years old? Being endemic in limited forest pockets in Bohol
and having the status of an endangered species, the tarsier
has generated substantial interest.
Dive Sites
A1
dive sites in Balicasag and Cabilao Islands enable one to
marvel at one of the most colorful and exotic display of
marine life comparable to Tubattaha of Palawan, a world
heritage site. Three words describe diving in Bohol: deep,
steep wall. The undersea terrain is predominantly limestone
and there are overhangs, crevices and declivitous walls
that contribute to the underwater beauty of the province's
dive sites.
Marine life is abundant even in the off-season. The steep
walls provide permanent niches for moray eels, lionfish,
coral stalactites, sponges and a lot of other species.
Beaches
& Resorts
Panglao Island and the southeastern tip of Anda indulges
one with soft, powdery white sand beaches.
Heritage Sites
Without
doubt, Bohol is also blessed with the most number of well-preserved,
although deteriorating, heritage structures built during
the Spanish colonial era. These structures, made of coraline
limestones, include the churches, conventos, watchtowers,
escuelas de niños y niñas, cabildos and presidencias,
and old bridges.
Arts & Culture
Bohol's
sixth pillar of tourism is our people's dynamic arts, artistic
traditions, and cultural expressions.
In music, painting, dance, literature, theatre, sculpture,
and most recently the movies, Boholanos have reared both
artistic talents and exceptional artists who rose to national
stature and international distinction.
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CULTURAL TOURISM
Come
to Bohol - and experience the imaginative expressions of
the Boholano spirit, the vitality of its culture, and the
beauty of its artistic world.
The echoes of history resound in Bohol. Bohol is also a
land of history, a land of heroes. The Blood Compact between
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, the Longest Revolt
against Spanish Colonialism led by Francisco Dagohoy - these
are just but two important historical chapters in Philippine
history, contributing to the shaping of Filipino nationhood
through the courage, patriotism, creativity, sense of brotherhood,
and commitment of our Boholano heroes and statesmen.
Sandugo Festival
And these virtues and values have been celebrated
in many a cultural event, through the efforts of a lot of
artists and cultural works.
The most festive of all is the SANDUGO FESTIVAL SEASON,
celebrated every July.
Loboc Children's Choir
Be
enthralled with the angelic voices of the famous Children's
Choir from Loboc, twice National Champion in the NAMCYA
Competition for Children's Choirs.
Dimiao
Children's Rondalla
Listen in awe and rapture to the haunting melodies
played by the CHILDREN'S RONDALLA from Dimiao, the current
national champion in the NAMCYA Competition for Children's
Rondallas.
Teatro Bol-anon
Be
magnetized by the dramatic power of Teatro Bol-anon, the
first repertory theater company in Bohol.
Baclayon and Loboc Churches
The
Christian community of Baclayon was founded by the Jesuits
on November 17, 1596. The present church was built in 1727,
10 years after Baclayon was raised to the status of a parish
. In 1995, the National Historical Institute declared the
Baclayon Church a national historical landmark. The Loboc
Church became the Jesuit residence in the island in 1600.
The church was effectively established as a parish in 1602.
It has the only three-storey convento in the entire country.
In 1998, the National Historical Institute declared the
church a national historical landmark and nominated it to
the UNESCO World Heritage Watch List of 100 Endangered Sites.
Loay
Pipe Organ
The Province of Bohol boasts of 10 pipe organs. Of late,
only one has been fully restored, that of the Loay parish
church. A successful inaugural concert was held last May
30 with the Benedictine monk, Fr. Benildus Ma. Maramba performing.
Heritage Sites
Most
of the colonial structures still existing on the island
were erected at the instigation of the Spanish friars. The
structures served well during their time, and even today,
their utilization speaks well of their adaptation and usefulness.
Cottage Industries
Our
Culture Tourism in Bohol also includes a visit to the folk
craft and cottage industries obtaining in several towns.
Make a culturally enriching observation of village life
as it throbs with the gentle activity of family-based village
crafts and industries. Like loom weaving in Tubigon and
Inabanga.
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ECO-TOURISM
Eco-Treks
Experience
the thrill of venturing towards natural heights and behold
the world of green fields and blue waters . . . Discover
unfamiliar trails where leaves are brown and crisp under
your feet; or just plain camp out and commune with Mother
Nature.
Mangroves
Banacon
is one of the islets along the Danajon Bank, the only
double barrier reef in the country and rich in marine
life.
Go kayaking, canoeing or the simple pleasure of rowing
along the bakauan plantation , probably the first and
biggest in Asia.
Trek to sitio Pandayan for buri product demonstration
tour, loom weaving of raffia, nipa thatches making and
other local crafts.
Spelunking
Or
seek hidden adventures as you discover eerie formations,
hidden springs of cool waters, or bats and insects that
thrive in the beautifully mysterious caves of Bohol
Rajah Sikatuna National Park
Discover
life within the Rajah Sikatuna National Park through its
flora, fauna, and wild life. It has a land area of 9,023
hectares, covering seven municipalities. The park could
offer multi-faceted ecological tours due to its biological
diversity.
Bilar Man-Made Forest
Witness
the tingling shaft of sunlight that penetrates through
lush canopies of teak and mahogany in the man-made forest
of Loboc and Bilar.
Dolphin & Whale-Watching
Or just sit and stare in awe at the spinner and spotted
dolphins during their early morning frolic.
Nestled in the heart of the Bohol Sea is the island of
Pamilacan - home of the different species of dolphins
and whales. A fishing village, this island paradise is
surrounded by pearly-white sand beaches and crystal clear
waters where nature’s bounty and absolute beauty
meet.
The
name Pamilacan comes from the word “pilak” which
is a local term denoted to a large hook implement created
and used by the local fisher folks in hunting whale sharks,
manta rays and other marine creatures which abound in
the area. Already a marine sanctuary, the island is now
fast emerging into one of Asia’s finest dolphin and
whale watching sites. With the expertise and experience
of the one time whale hunters who are now employed as
spotters and guides, the visitors will surely experience
the thrill of observing different kinds of dolphins and
whales in their natural habitat. Get the chance to take
your family and friends to a more personal view of our
marine bounties. Take this opportunity to keep in touch
with nature and relive our spirit for the protection and
conservation of our marine life. You can also visit an
ancient fort which stands at the northeast side of Pamilacan
built 200 years ago during the Spanish Era as fortress
against the invasion of Muslim pirates and other enemies
of the Spanish colonizers. The long stretch of beaches,
the succulent tropical cuisine and the frolicking dolphins
and whales will certainly be an experience to remember.
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