^^ What a beautiful paradise! :) Now, I have to watch this film by Cesar Montano filmed entirely in Bohol.

^ You're referring to Panaghoy sa Suba right? Anyway, I'd really love to go to Bohol soon. There are these land trip services for as low as P1,300 :)

Part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines extended list:

3) Church complex of San Pedro Apostol, Loboc (Bohol)

The present church was first erected by the Jesuit Missionaries in the 18th century, then later taken over by the Augustinian Recollects who had there share of construction. The church complex is near the river and is composed of; the church structure, a three storey convent, a bell tower situated about 50 meters away from the front and a mortuary chapel at the complex's left side. The Jesuits designed the church with an intricately designed façade (though unfinished), every window has cherub designs under the opening. The Augustinian Recollects added a portico façade, buttresses, the bell tower and the mortuary chapel. The interior has; 18th and 19th centuries retablos, ceiling of the church is painted by indigenous artisans in the 1920's, a 19th century pipe organ (restored in 2001). In the 19th century, the roof of the church is made of clay roof tiles. The walls are made of coral stone.

The convent is L-shaped with three floors, and is located at the rear end of the church. The third floor of the convent is connected to the church. The convent shows different periods of construction. The main hall of the convent, located at the second floor, has a Victorian interior, the walls have paintings, the ceiling is made of fabricated tin panels. The third level of the convent is used as a museum of church artifacts. Numerous areas of the convent are dilapidated due to its non-use. Also found at the rear of the convent, resembling a pool.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:
3) Church complex of San Pedro Apostol, Loboc (Bohol)

The church complex of Loboc maintained most of its original features. Based on an early 20th century photograph, the church appeared the same. There appeared that no major works was done in the church except for the replacement of the roof. Generally, the features are intact, and most of the additions / repairs are reversible. With sensibilities of the Jesuit and Augustinian Recollects.

Comparison with other similar properties:
3) Church complex of San Pedro Apostol, Loboc (Bohol)

Reflective of Philippine 18th and 19th century Baroque architecture style. Philippine adaptation of Western Style with no similarities in the Orient.

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument
Property names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)


Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
Department of Environment and Natural resources (DENR) - Protected Areas and Wildfife Bureau

State, Province or Region:
Towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, Bohol
Coordinates: N124 10 E09 55
Criteria: (vii)
Ref.: 5024


Description

Chocolate Hills and its immediate environs are relatively flat to rolling topography with elevation ranges from 100 m to 500 m above sea level. It has been declared the country's 3rd National Geological Monument on June 18, 1988 in recognition of its scientific value and geomorphic uniqueness.

Similar to the formations found in Java, the conical and almost symmetrical and same-sized hills known as the "Chocolate Hills", are more aesthetically extensive. These were the uplift of coral deposits and the result of the action of rainwater and erosion. The hills are located throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan and consist of about 1,776 mounds of the same general shape. During the dry season when precipitation in inadequate, the grass-covered hills turn chocolate brown, hence the name in reference to a branded confection.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:

It has been declared the country's 3rd National Geological Monument on June 18, 1988.

The hills are in the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Comparison with other similar properties:

The only other known set of hills of similar configuration is that found in the island of Java in Indonesia. However, the hills found in Java are more irregular in shape and sizes, although these were in the generic conical forms.

Panglao Island, Bohol
Property names are listed in the language in wich they have been submitted by the State Party.
Philippines (Asia and the Pacific)


Date of Submission: 16/05/2006
Submission prepared by:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau

State, Province or Region:
Dauis, Balicasagand Panglao, Bohol
Coordinates: N09 40 40 E123 56 9
Criteria: (ix)(x)
Ref.: 5027

Description

Panglao was proclaimed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) by virtue of Pres. Proc. No. 426 on July 22, 2003

The terrain of Panglao Island ranges from plain, hilly to mountainous. Panglao Island is of Maribojoc Limestone which is youngest among the limestone units occurring extensively in the western portion of the Province of Bohol. It is flat, poorly bedded, cream to buff to brownish yellow. One of the geological features found in the protected area is the "Hinangdanan Cave" found in Bingag, Duis which features an underground water source. Panglao Island has no rivers and lakes and has this water source in the cave.

An estimated 1,500-2,500 mollusks are believed to be found in the waters of Panglao and Balicasag. Inventoried were about 1,200 decapods and 6,000 species of mollusks were identified in a study area of only about 15, 000 hectares. In comparison the Mediterranean Sea has yielded only 2,024 species in a 300 million hectare area.

Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity:
Because of the richness of the marine biodiversity, an International Research and Training Workshop was organized in Panglao in 2004. Involved are the sources French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Total Foundation for Biodiversity and the Sea and the Asean Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation

The composition of the research team involved in the field, in particular those from many other European countries were Italy, Sweden, Austria, Spain, Russia, United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, the USA, Australia, Costa Rica, and other South East Asian countries like Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Taiwan: over 60 specialists from 18 countries;

The site selected for the field study is Panglao, SW of Bohol in the central Philippines. Since the late 1980s, Panglao and nearby Dauis and Balicasag Island have been a source of precious deep-water specimens, collected with tangle nets by small-scale fishermen for the international shell trade. The site thus offers a unique opportunity to combine academic approaches on molluscan biodiversity and the social dynamics of the shell trade and its impact on the household economy.

Comparison with other similar properties:
Professors and students from the University of San Carlos work together with the world renowned scientists, and transmit to the French National Museum of Natural History, in Paris the data collection of specimens from Panglao for scientific analysis.

Once the Philippines sites have been investigated, there will be results of comparable nature, obtained by the same research team using the same techniques, for 5 sites: Koumac (west coast of New Caledonia), Touho (east coast of New Caledonia), Lifou (Loyalty Islands), Rapa (Australes archipelago), and a site still to be selected in the Philippines

Source: World Heritage Site UNESCO.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/?pattern=&type=&state=ph&theme=&region=&order=&date_start=&date_end=

question lng poh...

what is the cheeaper place to stay there in bohol??? and mga places na magandang puntahan...

After lunch, we went back to my hotel to get my stuff and go straight to the pier for my trip to Bohol. I had inquired with Fr. Ted Torralba the day before how to go about my trip to Bohol and its churches, particularly how to maximize my time. So he suggested that instead of going straight to Tagbilaran, I could take a ferry to Tubigon instead and with the half day I had left, pass by the towns of Calape, Loon and Maribojoc on the way to Tagbilaran City. For day 2, it was a trip to the chocolate hills passing by Loboc, Loay, Alburquerque and Baclayon. Hopefully I have enough time for Panglao and Dauis, and maybe the tarsier conservation project in Corella. The churches of Bohol are featured in the book of Regalado Trota Jose entitled Visita Iglesia Bohol.

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When we arrived at the terminal, I only had two minutes left to board the 12:45! It was a photo finish! I did not know what time exactly the ferries left since the guard a Pier 1 told me they left frequently. Good thing I asked around Pier 1 so we went straight to Pier 3. Had we been late for just a minute, the next ferry was at 3 p.m. and goodbye itinerary! Good thing I also had a UP ID so I was charged the student rate of PHP143.36 for the trip. Really cheap!

I arrived in Tubigon at about 2 p.m. if I remember it correctly. You could see the church from the pier but it was a short walk. And to exercise myself, I decided to walk instead of take a tricycle. The church exterior was not that striking but it had nice ceiling murals inside.

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After Tubigon, it was a ride to the next town, Calape. I was pointed to a jeepney terminal for Calape but passengers weren't riding and I didn't have the luxury of time to wait. So I asked what time it was leaving. Then one of the drivers offered PHP150 for a special trip. Was he out of his mind? I countered that I was on a tight budget. Then he offered PHP100. Grrrr! Do they really think tourists always have money. Not all! Hehe! I noticed buses passing by and knowing how it went in Cebu, boarded the bus to Tagbilaran. I ended up paying only PHP14 for the Calape trip!

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7662/1454/1600/DSC00194.jpg

Calape is supposedly a copy of the San Sebastian Church. It is actually. Hehe! Construction on the church started in 1933 and ended in 1948! The town also had a nice presidencia (town hall). The next stop was Loon. This I had high expectations for since I've seen it in books. So I waited for the next bus. But a van-for-hire passed by instead. Great! Aircon I said to myself. Hehe! But the fare pissed me off! When I gave a 50 peso bill to the conductor, nothing came back. Maybe he would give the change when I debarked I said to myself. So when I got down at Loon, I asked how much, and he replied PHP50, smiled and closed the door giving me only enough time to say it was expensive. Damn!

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But the Loon Church met my expectations. Marvelous coral and limestone church! And great murals inside! After Loon, it was off to Maribojoc. I got on a jeep and paid PHP20. Along the way was the Punta Cruz Watchtower in the same town but I didn't have enough time so I skipped it and went straight to the church.

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The jeep ride reminded me of Upsilon's Car Stuffing! How many people can you accomodate on a passenger jeepney? If I remember right, there were over 40 of us in the jeep. That was nine on either side so 18, plus three in front so that made 21. That did not include the six who were hanging on at the back making it 27.

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When I though we weren't going to get any more passengers, they brought out this contraption for the aisle that they called "extension" which was a small wooden bench that could seat two people one facing the front and the other facing the back. Hmmm, clever I said! But we still took in more and another extension was brought down from the roof. So we now had 31! And then we stopped to allow a group of teenagers to board. The two ladies sat on yet another extension so we were now 33. And the ten or so males went up the roof! God, that was 43 passengers! If they went out of their way to do this, transportation might be scarce so that is when I decided not to pass by the watchtower.

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I was greeted in Maribojoc by the tolling of its bells. The exterior was not impressive but the inside was a pleasant surprise. The ceiling was all carved wood painted in gold and other colors! It was just like in the old San Ignacio Church which the Americans bombed. Then I remembered, many of the churches in Bohol were Jesuit.

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Then I waited for the next ride. But the roads were close to empty! Unlike Cebu, transport in Bohol seemed to be scarcer and it took close to 30 minutes before a bus arrived. I paid PHP15 for Tagbilaran thinking that this was going straight to the poblacion. Well, we were dropped off right after the border of Cortes and we had to take a jeep to the town proper.

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In the town proper, I walked to my last stop for the day, the Cathedral of Tagbilaran. Facing it was an impressive Spanish colonial structure, the Provincial Capitol of Bohol! One attraction at the plaza was the arrival of swarms of black birds which filled up all the trees. And when I said swarms, I really meant swarms since thousands were coming out to greet the night! The photo of one of the trees is below. Those aren't leaves but birds.

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Just like in Maribojoc, I was greeted by the tolling of the church bells. I really like the sound of these big bells tolling. After taking photos, I looked for a place to stay.

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http://ivanhenares.blogspot.com/2006/03/visita-iglesia-bohol.html

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For some reason, I wake up earlier when I'm travelling. I guess the excitement pushes you to get out of bed. Hehe! I was up by 6:30 a.m., took a quick shower, then went to the place called the Garden Cafe right by the cathedral which Lonely Planet had suggested. A themed restaurant, I didn't have the chance to explore their food that much. But what surprised me was their staff. When I got in, I was given a menu, a piece of paper and a ballpen. Hmmmm, so they don't take the orders. It turns out, most of the staff are deaf and mute! At least we have establishments like these in the country. Good job!

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I then rushed to start my itinerary for the day. Took a minicab to the Integrated Central Terminal where jeeps and buses out of Tagbilaran are stationed. That was just PHP6. From the ICT, I took a jeep to the next town which was Baclayon. The Church of the Immaculate Concepcion there is a national historical landmark. That was PHP7.

Wow! Baclayon Church (http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_baclayon.html) is reputedly the best-preserved Jesuit church in the country and has the most intricately-carved retablos I've seen. When the Jesuits were expelled from the country, management was given to the Augustinian Recollects. One thing I like about Bohol's churches is they stand out like manificent fortresses facing the sea. And the space around it was preserved. No commercial establishments crowding out the churches themselves.

Outside the church was a nice tarpaulin billboard from Holy Name University reminding people to preserve Bohol's natural and cultural heritage. I'll suggest to the Center for Kapampangan Studies to do the same in Pampanga to increase awareness in the heritage sites themselves.

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Next town was Alburquerque which also had a heritage church. Waiting for a jeep took like forever. And the morning sun didn't make it any easier for me. But finally, one passed by and I was on my way.

Boholanos call the town Albur for short. The Church of Sta. Monica (http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_alburque.html) was another well-preserved church. I had to enter through the convent via a bridgeway that led to the choirloft. With all these antique thefts no thanks to unscrupulous dealers, churches have to keep close watch over their contents.

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Again, a long wait for the next jeep to the next town, Loay. The Church of Santissima Trinidad (http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_loay.html) of Loay is also a national historical landmark. I almost missed it since the church was up a hill, hidden from the national highway, had I not recognized the Clarin Ancestral Home which is a national heritage house. The church and its plaza were a stunning reminder of the grand architecture during the Spanish colonial period. The coral and limestone buildings around the church were still standing. Really nice!

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After that, it was off to Loboc. Again another wait. After a few or so minutes, a bus for Carmen passed by, and knowing how difficult it was to get a bus, I decided to go straight to Carmen and the Chocolate Hills and stop by Loboc on the way back. It was an hour away passing through the heart of Bohol island, a refreshing man-made Mahogany forest and stunning rural scenes.

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Before reaching the town of Carmen is the stop for the Chocolate Hills viewdeck. To get up there, you took a motorbike for PHP20. Wow! The view from the top was stunning. But the trek up so many steps was tiring. Pant! Pant!

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At the top, I got a pleasant surprise since I saw Mica Pineda, a friend from UP, who was touring with her family. She invited me to tag along since they were going to tour Loboc and go to Panglao Island after. Just great, that was my exact itinerary! So I joined them in the van. At least I was able to relax on the way down and the good thing was, I didn't have to wait for public transport!

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When we arrived in Loboc, we went straight to the Loboc River Cruise. This is something you have to try out. The river is clear and pristine. The views are stunning while you have lunch on a house boat and are being serenaded as you cruise along the river. The food is buffet! Hehe!

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At the end are small waterfalls where we were able to take some photos. Smaller boats could go further upstream to Busay Falls where one could take a dip. On both sides of the river, everything is green with flora. Really cool experience. It was a welcome respite to see things like these in the Philippines when media projects almost everything as dire.

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After the cruise, we visited the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul (http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_loboc.html) in Loboc which is a national cultural treasure. It is really great that they've preserved this much in Bohol. And I hope it stays that way. We have to safeguard what makes the Philippines unique.

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But talking about preservation, right beside the church is the biggest example of government stupidity! Notice the unfinished bridge on the left of the photo. Guess where it was headed? Yup, you guessed it, right smack into the church! Idiots! What was the DPWH thinking?! For them to even consider demolishing the church, that was the height of stupidity!

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Anyway, after Loboc, it was off to Panglao for the beach. Woohoo! On the way, we passed by the Sandugo Monument in Bool, Tagbilaran City which memorialized the blood compact between Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Although controversy hounds the site since research points that the actual site may have been in Loay at the mouth of the Loboc River.

We passed by the town of Dauis which is also on Panglao Island. It has a heritage church as well but it was nearing sunset so we went straight for the beach.

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Panglao is indeed a great beach, white sand, blue water, fascinating view! Watching the sunset from Pangalao was a perfect way to cap another day around the Philippines!

http://ivanhenares.blogspot.com/2006/03/more-churches-and-nature-in-bohol.html

Nice Pics Animo! muy hermosa! Love the Churches! esp The Sta. Monica Church,hope to visit Bohol too.

Bohol Baclayon Church

http://www.youtube.com/v/DQ9_CEjbPL8

Rizal Plaza, Tagbilaran City

http://www.youtube.com/v/ePL6yJ_Kl6g

Blood Compact Site, Bohol

http://www.youtube.com/v/ba95EL_y8Rk

Check out calape church its gothic architecture and vivid colors make it hands down the most beautiful church in bohol.

for those who will visit bohol i reccommend the ff alternate spots:

The 23-foot python named "Pronie" - Alburquerque
Calape Church - Calape
Magaso falls - Antiquera
Treasure Island - Calape
Sagbayan Peak (will have a swimming pool by 2007)
Tubigon locale and pier (closest harbor to cebu)
View of Maribojoc bay



If only i could post pictures... sigh

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i80/IAMME00/bohol/ChocolateHills-1.jpg
Still need a caption?:)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i80/IAMME00/bohol/100_7747.jpg
Man-made forest

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View from blood compact site

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Nice and clean port

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ICM

On the first day of PS Team Outing, our team went to the ff:

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Bilar Man-made Forest

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Need to say more?

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Sa Hanging Bridge Souvenier shop

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Loboc

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tarsier

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Baclayon Church

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0294.jpg
Alona Beach lowtide

how's bohol? i'm actually planning to go there anytime soon, that is if i manage to FORCE my classmate from bohol to invite me...lol

Its fine as of this moment. Di man overbook kay dili PA peak season. Pag-abot guro Xmas ug Summer.

Tsada!

^^ Is that a tarsier monkey? Beautiful shots of Bohol @bernie. :)

^^ Is that a tarsier monkey? Beautiful shots of Bohol @bernie. :)

Mas mukhang daga pa nga kaysa sa unggoy. Yup, that's tarsi. Unique kasi 180 degrees ang turn ng kanyang ulo.

Balicasag and Isla Virgen sa Panglao was the best! May kumpetisyon ang White Island ng Camiguin sa Panglao.

I'll upload the pix later when I arrived Cebu. I'm still here in Tagbilaran. :D

By the way, the streets in Tagbilaran are U/C. Downtown streets are all bumpy since there is "cementification" or constructing cement roads throughout downtown Tagbilaran is in progress. which will be due before summer next year I think.

OT. Cute ang logo sa BQ (Bohol Quality Mall), EQ sya na morag logo sa Pampers (tm), hehehe! :D
BQ and Island City Mall are all nice! Tsada! :D

http://www.storyal.de/weblog2006/bilder/april/tagbilaran03.jpg

My mom is from Bohol (Cortes). I also have relatives from Corella. I LOVE Panglao and I think it kicks Boracay's ass any day :) Howeve rI'm concerned that too much of a good thing can ruin it and Panglao will lose its serenity, isolation and cleanliness because of too many touristsm, too many developers and the typical poor planning seen in the Philippines. I would HATE to see the beautiful beaches of Panglao get as noisy with too many European tourists as Boracay has, and for the water to be bacteria-laden like in Boracay.

I also hope the whole Eco-Tourism philosophy can integrate itself into the daily lives of Boholanos, particularly in Tagbilaran, where the noise and pollution form trucks, buses, motorcycles, jeepneys and tricycles ruin the place.

Totally awesome! I hope that there would be many places here in the PHilippines with something like this..

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i80/IAMME00/bohol/100_7747.jpg

reccomended: boat ride from tubigon to cebu, the view is spectacular. Ilijan hill in tubigon is also worth mentioning in this thread. I'm surprised no posted some pics. Unfortunately i still cannot figure out why i can't post pics?! neep help here!

A friend of mine has just arrived from a speaking engagement in Bohol. As promised, he brought with him tons of pictures of the island. ang ganda talaga and I want to share them with you.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/Alingatong/bohola.jpg

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More to come...

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Photo by Jun Tiin of Creativeshots (http://www.creativeshots.org) in Iligan City

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Photo by Jun Tiin of Creativeshots (http://www.creativeshots.org) in Iligan City

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/Alingatong/bohol1.jpg

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Photo by Jun Tiin of Creativeshots (http://www.creativeshots.org) in Iligan City

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/Alingatong/bohol1.jpg



Nice pics but the last time I went to Bohol, I was very disappointed with Panglao Island Nature Resort... it's on the wrong side of Panglao and too close to Tagbilaran...you can still hear the noise from the city and especially the harbor there. The other side is much nicer, the water is cleaner, it's quieter, you can truly enjoy nature.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0290.jpg



You should have moved the camera a little more to the right...so you can get a shot of that horrible, awful bridge that some idiot congressman stuck in there...When my relatives told me the story about that stupid bridge and why it was put there, I truly felt ashamed to be Filipino...I couldn't believe people could be that stupid, especially for something that obviously does not fit the topography of the area.

You should have moved the camera a little more to the right...so you can get a shot of that horrible, awful bridge that some idiot congressman stuck in there...When my relatives told me the story about that stupid bridge and why it was put there, I truly felt ashamed to be Filipino...I couldn't believe people could be that stupid, especially for something that obviously does not fit the topography of the area.

The one with the hanging bridge?

The one with the hanging bridge?

No! Not rhe hanging bridge, it's the big ugly concrete bridge that looks like it's going to run right into the church. If you don't know the story, in the 70s(?) there was federal money allocated to building a bridge in Leyte or Bicol, one of those places. But some idiot congressman said that bridge should go to Bohol...So they built it in Bohol. But someone disregarded the engineering and design of the bridge and that it was incompatible with the landscape, not to mention with the character of the town. The bridge is too high on the church side of the river, that it just sits there up in the air, and in order to continue the bridge, the 400-year old church would figuratively have to be demolished! Human stupidity at its worst!

No! Not rhe hanging bridge, it's the big ugly concrete bridge that looks like it's going to run right into the church. If you don't know the story, in the 70s(?) there was federal money allocated to building a bridge in Leyte or Bicol, one of those places. But some idiot congressman said that bridge should go to Bohol...So they built it in Bohol. But someone disregarded the engineering and design of the bridge and that it was incompatible with the landscape, not to mention with the character of the town. The bridge is too high on the church side of the river, that it just sits there up in the air, and in order to continue the bridge, the 400-year old church would figuratively have to be demolished! Human stupidity at its worst!

Ahh. the one in which "Imbestigador" featured last year. Yup, its an amazing feat of engineering stupidity! Rumors had it that until now, it hasn't been solved yet. Where do you find a bridge that would go straight up to a Heritage treasure? Onli in da Pilipins! Yikes! Its really an eyesore in Loboc. I like the town except for that bridge.

Right now there is a bailey bridge that was built as a substitute of "stupidity at its finest".

Ikalawang kapitulo ng Bohol trip noong nakaraang Myerkules, Hwebes at Byernes

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0298.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0317.jpg
Maajong buntag Alona Beach!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0299.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0314.jpg
DolFIN watching (di pinalad na makakita ng maraming lumba-lumba pero nakakita ng iilan)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0302.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0305.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0306.jpg
Balicasag Island - Diver's Paradise! (scuba and snorkeling)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0307.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0310.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0311.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0312.jpg
Isla Puntod ("Virgin Island") Panglao and her long powdery white sandbar. (Walang katao-tao dito! Pero malapit lang sa Alona Beach! Paraiso!)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0315.jpg
Capitolio sa Bohol, Tagbilaran City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0319.jpg
Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0320.jpg
Tagbilaran City Waterfront

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0321.jpg
Tagbilaran City Port

[QUOTE=berniemacksouthcentr;10190563]Ikalawang kapitulo ng Bohol trip noong nakaraang Myerkules, Hwebes at Byernes

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0305.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0306.jpg
Balicasag Island - Diver's Paradise! (scuba and snorkeling)


That water's BEAUTIFUL! I wanna jump right in! (I know, it's pretty shallow there)

Most of the trees planted here are Mahogany trees

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i80/IAMME00/bohol/100_7747.jpg

Aside from Palawan and Davao, Bohol is also one of the Places, i'd really want to visit. Its really a tourist haven..wow

Here are some of the Churches

Church of the immaculate concepcion, Calape

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0174.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0175aa.jpg

Church in Loon

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0177.jpg

Church in Tubigon during nighttime

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0144.jpg

Congratulations to Bohol for being chosen as one of the "12 Unique Trips" of the World in the December 2006 issue of the ISLANDS MAGAZINE, the best island magazine in the world. The island is featured in pages 48-51. Inspiring!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

what were the first eleven? Why was bohol last? Can someone post the article and pictures. I guess that island magazine ran out of islands to write about. It would never have an article or mention about the PHilippine islands considering we have 7000+ islands.

Marites4, you are right, the Islands Magazine rarely features the Philippines despite our being the 2nd biggest archipelago. I wrote to them numerous times starting in 2003 when the UN declared RP as the Visit Philippines Year. I believe so many others wrote to them. They finally published my letter about my being an avid Philippine Islands fan. In 2004, they started to feature Palawan and every year thereafter they have not stopped featuring islands of the Philippines in the magazine be it for the unique festivals or the secluded undiscovered or sometimes exclusive islands of the Palawan group. I still have copies of the "historic issues" that included the Philippines.

Anyway, the other 11 Unique Trips are as follows:

Kuna Yaka, Panama
Svalbard, Norway
Cape Verde Islands
Kyushu, Japan
Kvarnel Islands, Croatia
Coiba National Parks, Panama
French Island, Australia
Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
Dao Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Jerba Island, Tunisia

BOHOL was actually mentioned THIRD among the 12 places and landed on the very front cover of the year-ending December 2006 ISLANDS issue!!!

http://www.islands.com/images/covers/cover_dec_06.jpg

Thats good news! Bohol is still relatively unknown in a relatively unvisited country like ours. Hopefully this and more exposure from other international media will bring more momentum to the current surge in Bohol's tourism

TAGBILARAN flights from Bacolod opened

Eleven connecting flights from Bacolod were opened by Cebu Pacific starting November 22, the airline company said.

Flights available are from Bacolod to Laoag for P799; to Dumaguete, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Davao (via Cebu) for P999; and to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog and Davao (via Manila) for P1,299.

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific marketing director, said that by adding more connecting routes, they are giving passengers more travel options.

Passengers can also avail of a check-through baggage connection service from the origin station to the end-destination of the guest. source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2006/November/24/businessnews1.htm)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/Exhibit032.jpg

here are some pics of ananyana resort i found in tripadvisor.com

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/jp_shaman/Images-b1150951S-a_caption.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/jp_shaman/Images-b1192936S-Just_on_the_beach.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/jp_shaman/Images-b1192938S-Lounge.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/jp_shaman/Images-b1192935S-Our_dinner_table.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j119/jp_shaman/Images-b1192941S-Beach.jpg

flickr pics

http://static.flickr.com/123/324270281_a9d4d278e2.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/142/325472635_dc9396b9cf.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/134/324272466_df530bafba.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/137/324271541_737f7cedc9.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/134/324270931_d2aba5cd2c.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/134/323317715_e2d8307834.jpg?v=0


http://static.flickr.com/126/321356434_dc17e754d1.jpg?v=0

Loboc Children's Choir

qTkOXQbiEu0

the last time i was in bohol was in 2003. this year i plan to be there again. i love bohol!

BOHOL PLAZA
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2044.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2035.jpg


Views from BOHOL PLAZA
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2036.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2034.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2039.jpg

Bohol, get ready for the SSC-Cebu Invasion!!!




http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

ALONA PALM BEACH
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1882.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1881.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1880.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1998.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1960.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1958.jpg

ALONA PALM BEACH
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1882.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1881.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1880.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1998.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1960.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1958.jpg

anhi ta! daghan chicks diri! powdery white sand pa jud. woohoo!

ALONA TROPICAL
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2016.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2051.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2050.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1922.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1914.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1821.jpg

OTHER ALONA RESORTS
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2009.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2008.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_2001.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1999.jpg

CHOCOLATE HILLS
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1790.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1789.jpg
Somewhere Over Ther Rainbow
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/bohol/IMG_1801.jpg

I will bring my gf here. Alona is perfect (its actually for) for honeymoons hehe

By the way for those who want to go to bohol on a strict budget, bathe at dimaluan beach, next door to bohol beach club, all you have to pay for is parking and the cottage, the entrance to the beach is free as it should be =)

I will bring my gf here. Alona is perfect (its actually for) for honeymoons hehe

Yah good choice. :) :) :)

Samples of new marine species turned over to National Museum

Rare specimens show RP’s rich biodiversity system
By Tina Santos
Inquirer
Last updated 01:20am (Mla time) 02/06/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Members of a scientific expedition team yesterday turned over to the National Museum samples of newly discovered marine species, including mollusks and crustaceans, found off Panglao Island in Bohol province.

The new discoveries were the product of the Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project, a research of fauna from the deep sea and coastal ecosystems conducted in the waters around the island from 2004 to 2005.

The project surveyed about 15,000 hectares of Bohol’s municipal waters and gathered 1,200 species of decapod crustacean and 6,000 species of mollusk specimens.

Dr. Philippe Bouchet of the French National Museum of Natural History, a member of the expedition team, said that around 150 to 250 of the crustaceans and 1,500 to 2,500 of the mollusks found in Bohol were new species.

“The result of the expedition once again proved the richness of the Philippines’ marine biodiversity system,” Bouchet said.

The team which conducted the research was composed of 80 participants from the Philippines, other Southeast Asian countries, Europe and the United States. The study, the most comprehensive survey of deep-sea invertebrates in the tropics, was conducted under the umbrella of the University of San Carlos and the French National Museum of Natural History. It was also supported by grants from the French government and the Paris-based Total Foundation.

The research team said it also gathered specimens previously regarded as rare to very rare, including those not previously known to exist in the Philippines.

The project also showed that Panglao alone is higher in diversity compared to Japan and the Mediterranean.

Japan’s marine fauna barely exceeds 1,600 species of decapods while the Mediterranean has 340 species of decapods and 2,024 species of mollusks, Bouchet said.

He added that coming out with a more detailed marine biodiversity map of Bohol Sea was important because it would add a new dimension to the knowledge about the Bohol Sea’s marine biology.

During the turnover, some 50 samples or “holotype” specimens of the newly found species were placed in the care of the National Museum.

“If future scientists need to check the identity of a specie (perhaps using new characters or new technologies), or suspect that the known species is mixed or have any doubts, etc., the holotype is the final determinant. As such, holotypes are required to be kept in museums or reputable institutions where they must be available to scientists worldwide,” the research team explained.

The Panglao 2005 expedition, a P5.4-million project, was sponsored by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, National Museum of Natural History in Paris, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National University of Singapore, and Total Corporate Foundation.


Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=47686

Photos soon.. :okay:

- Dauis Church
- Baclayon Church
- Baclayon Church Museum
- Loboc Church
- Loboc Church Museum
- Bohol Provincial Capitol
- Loon church

etc.. etc..

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4879/boholbannerpw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


more pictures soon






http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7010/markiiblacksiggyjg0.png

pristine waters, powdery white sand, clears skies... the paradise that is... Alona Beach.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona09.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona12.jpg

weeeeehhh, of all the churches in the Philippines that I've visited, I've found the best interiors in DAUIS CHURCH, Panglao, Bohol...

It's good to know that it's very well preserved.. :okay:




..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Dauis06.jpg

Some pics of Panglao Island Resort

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/panglao_resort_2.jpg

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/panglao_resort_1.jpg

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/panglao_resort_4.jpg

Loboc River

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/loboc_1.jpg

Baclayon Church

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/baclayon_1.jpg

Tarsiers

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/tarsier_1.jpg

http://marvelz.blogs.friendster.com/photos/bohol_2006/tarsier_2.jpg

weeeeehhh, of all the churches in the Philippines that I've visited, I've found the best interiors in DAUIS CHURCH, Panglao, Bohol...

It's good to know that it's very well preserved.. :okay:
..

If only they could also do the same thing for the exterior.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/restardo/Retrato/America/bohol.gif

we're going to Bohol this April. still contacting weesam though.

meantime, youtube vids of Rajah_Soliman :okay:

Bohol Plaza
ePL6yJ_Kl6g

Baclayon Church
DQ9_CEjbPL8

Blood Compact Site/Monument
ba95EL_y8Rk

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/BoholWildlife07.jpg

pristine waters, powdery white sand, clears skies... the paradise that is... Alona Beach.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/Alona21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical08.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical09.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/kenzo_214/bohol/AlonaTropical11.jpg

You should have moved the camera a little more to the right...so you can get a shot of that horrible, awful bridge that some idiot congressman stuck in there...When my relatives told me the story about that stupid bridge and why it was put there, I truly felt ashamed to be Filipino...I couldn't believe people could be that stupid, especially for something that obviously does not fit the topography of the area.

This is Boljoon Church.. The one with the unfinished bridge is in Loboc (Loboc Church).

I asked one of the guys there as to why such a bridge was built and he said that there were rumors about a buried treasure thus those in power devised a scheme to have the church demolished. Well, this was during the time of Marcos, hehehe.. Maybe the politicians before were really obsessed about finding gold bars..

Bohol irrigation project to cost government P132M

By Rommer M. Balaba
Reporter

TAGBILARAN CITY—The government will bear only P131.7 million as counterpart on the proposed P1.25-billion cost escalation of the P2.38-billion Stage 2 of the Bohol Irrigation Project, with the amount evenly spread over the project’s 7-year implementation period, said project manager Modesto Membreve on Saturday.

“The project will not entail any additional loans by government, just cover for the counterpart. . . . In fact we may even have up to P200 million in savings from the loan proceeds particularly if the Investment Coordination Committee allows a 2-year extension,” he said.

The irrigation project, funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation, has been under close scrutiny by ICC officials because of the supposed cost overrun and the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) failure to advise them early enough of the added expenditures.

Investment committee officials likewise tagged the project as the costliest of such kind because of development costs reaching P613,383 per hectare against the 1999 approved cost of P449,889 per hectare. The project was started in 2000 to be completed in 2005, but now it is supposed to be completed this year-end yet because of delays in implementation.

“What we just want is [a committee] nod for the cost adjustment and loan validity extension, to make any disbursement of the loan proceeds legal. We have not been remiss on this request. We even called the committee’s attention as early as 2004, noting the risks [of cost overrun], but received no formal response afterward until lately,” said Membreve.

He claimed the project was not the costliest. “The estimation did not consider the other developments particularly the roads, value engineering, and the water supply provision for the LGUs [located within the project.”

Membreve gave BusinessMirror a tour of the project including Bayongan Dam, the third-largest dam in the country, which is 98-percent complete and also other civil works under the project. The project is about 84-percent complete.

Bayongan Dam may open on April 21 to serve 500 hectares initially of the 5,300 hectares targeted.

The President will meet with Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri Monday to discuss the cost overrun. Neri had said the cost overrun violates the law.

“Actually, most of the P132 million have been used already for operational expenses. We cannot draw on the National Irrigation Administration for the salary of our personnel. . . . We just put on hold some costs like taxes, right-of-way payments, and some on environmental requirements,” said Membreve.

The project particularly needs the investment committee’s nod so that it may also pay contractual obligations of over P600 million, unpaid because of NIA’s inability to draw from the loan proceeds. “It is a good thing our contractor continues to work despite our nonpayment.”

South Korean construction firm Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction Co. Ltd. is undertaking the project.

Japan bank chief representative Hiroshi Togo in a letter to Irrigation administrator Arturo Lomibao warned that government’s lengthy process to settle outstanding obligations may result in “contractors’ legal action and claim of additional amount” for damages and cost of money. “We hope that this matter can be resolved within the first quarter of 2007.”

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2572.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2570.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2569.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2567.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2566.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2565.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2564.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2563.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2562.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2571.jpg

Have you tried eating here?:cheers:

LOON CHURCH
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2589.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2602.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2608.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2592.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2599.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2600.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2594.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2597.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2598.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2596.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2595.jpg

KIOSK
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2591.jpg

LOON'S OLD STAIRWAYS
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2604.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2605.jpg

LOON'S MUNICIPAL HALL
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2576.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2577.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2578.jpg

RURAL BANK OF LOON
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2582.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2583.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2586.jpg

ANCESTRAL HOUSE OF THE FERANDOS
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2587.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2593.jpg
This House was used as one of the Japanese Headquarters during the era of World War II.

^^

Wow ancestral palace ni Positive_Aura :D

Haha, sayang wa me kaadto diha.. But it's nice to go back to Bohol this summer, at least we already know how much to spend there.. :okay:




..



//

I learned that BOHOL was spared from the ravages of the World War II thus the many well-preserved churches that are still in its most original form...

Nuestra Señora dela Luz
(Loon Church)


Article below from Ateneo de Manila University's PANUBLION:
http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/index.html

The present town of Loon is located on a plateau about a fifty meters or more above the shore level. The older town of Loon, located at the shore was established by the Jesuits in 1753. The Recollects who took charge of the town in 1768 transferred it to its present site.

In 1853, they began building what is easily the most beautiful of the 19th century churches in Bohol. Designed by the Domingo Escondrillas, a government engineer, the church is a triple-naved structure made of finely cut coral. The central nave is separated from the laterals by stout piers of cut coral.

Heritage features: The central portion of the church facade surges forward giving it a dynamism more akin to Baroque than the Neoclassical style prevalent during this period. Delicately though inaccurately carved acanthus decorate the capitals of the twined columns of the facade. Between the twined columns are plaques incised with Biblical texts and dedicatory phrases. The facade's balanced composition is completed by twin towers that flank it.

The church's Neoclassical main altar fills the whole breadth of the sanctuary. Relief roundels portraying the life of the Virgin Mary flank the main niche where an image of the patroness is displayed. Devotion to the Virgin under the title Our Lady of Light or Kasilak in Visayan traces to 18th century Palermo where a vision of the Virgin rescuing souls from the maws of hell was reported. The church of Cainta in Rizal province, Luzon is also dedicated to Our Lady of Light. In the Bicol Region, this image of Mary is known as Consolación.

The convento built at the same time as the church is now a school.

To connect the older townsite with the newer, the Recollects built a wide flight of stairs, protected near the topmost landing by a watchtower, now in disrepair.


Photos below by Positive_Aura


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2589.jpg


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2608.jpg


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2592.jpg



http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2599.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2600.jpg


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2594.jpg

INTERIORS OF LOON CHURCH


Photos by Positive_Aura


Nave
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2597.jpg



Lateral Nave and Trompe l'oleil Ceiling
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2598.jpg



Crossing
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2596.jpg



Main altar
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2595.jpg

Old Stairs at LOON


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2604.jpg


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2605.jpg


An old MORADA, used during funeral wakes
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2591.jpg

^^

Wow ancestral palace ni Positive_Aura :D

Haha, sayang wa me kaadto diha.. But it's nice to go back to Bohol this summer, at least we already know how much to spend there.. :okay:


..



//



no probs anytime basta SSC Cebu is always welcome:)

^^

Bai pag post nya ug daghan photos sa mga simbahan dinhi, like katung sa DAUIS Church, etc..etc..

Mao ni nga thread ---> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=440452

^^

Bai pag post nya ug daghan photos sa mga simbahan dinhi, like katung sa DAUIS Church, etc..etc..

Mao ni nga thread ---> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=440452

ok no probs...:)

[QUOTE=arnold_carl;11925534]Old Stairs at LOON


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2604.jpg


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Loon/IMG_2605.jpg

A long flight of 174 stone steps believed to be the longest step stairway in the country, reminiscent of Spanish era forced labor. The stairway connects Napo, the former seat of the town, to the church.

me and my wife who's from bohol will visit the island this coming May in time for their fiesta in MARIBOJOC, BOHOL!!!see u panglao and chocolate hills!!!:banana:

^^

Flickr.com photos



The Spanish stairway at Loon
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church26.jpg


Bohol Provincial Capitol
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church07.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church08.jpg




..

looking forward to seeing pics of baclayon church, i remember before when i used to spend my summers in bohol (we have a house in Dimiao) my family would stop by the churches along the way, although i havent been to Loon (which i think is going north from tagbilaran and we usually head east) i have been to baclayon and loboc and they are both amazing , i think i have pictures of loboc but not baclayon though so it would be great to see how it looks like now

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc01.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc02.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc03.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc04.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc05.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc06.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc07.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc08.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc09.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc10.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc11.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc12.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc13.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc14.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc15.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc16.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc17.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc18.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc19.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc20.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Loboc21.jpg

Inmaculada Concepción Parish
(Baclayon Church)


Article from Ateneo de Manila University's PANUBLION:
http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_baclayon.html

The mission of Baclayon was established by two Jesuits Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez who arrived in Bohol on 17 November 1596. They came from Cebu. Torres reports that he could not find a decent place to celebrate Mass, there wasn't even a servicable table in the dwelling they stayed in. The Jesuit convinced the inhabitants to build a church, which they accomplished in no time. This was most likely a bamboo and thatch church.

Baclayon served at one time as the residentia or center of the Bohol missions, where the superior resided. Baclayon was one of two towns that did not join the Diwata revolt (1621), remaining steadfast in the Christian faith.

Despite claims that the present stone church in Baclayon is the oldest in the Philippines, evidence places the construction of the church to 1727. The belief that the church was built in 1595 may have come because of a 19th century report by the Recollects that the mission was founded in 1595; but the same report lists two other dates 1593 and 1594. The date 1595 inscribed on the church façade is a later addition.

The adjoining but separate tower may have been started by the Jesuits, but it was completed during the administration of the Recollects, ca. 1777 as a stone inscription on the tower indicates. The inscription was recently defaced. The church complex was fortified with a wall built by the Jesuits. The walls' coral stones were used by the Recollects when they built a new wing of the convento in 1872.

Heritage Features: The church has two facades: an inner one which is Classical in inspiration, and outer one built in the 19th century by the Recollects is a portico decorated by three arches. The addition of porticoes to the façade seems to have been a style prevalent in Bohol and Cebu during the 19th century. Porticoes are found in Loay, Loboc, Cortes churches in Bohol, and Talisay, Recolletos, in Cebu.

The green and gilded altars are the focal point of the interior. They are exuberant versions of Baroque popular during the 18th century. Although the main retablo displays saints of Recollect devotion, the retablo itself traces to the Jesuits whose emblem and motto "Ad majorem Dei gloriam" surmounts the main altar. In the nave are found two benches carved in low relief. One features genre scenes: a goat tied to a tree, a coconut, nipa grove, and a man in stocks. A painting of the Ascension, Church Fathers and San Vicente Ferrer are found in the nave. These date to the 19th century.

The church had a pipe organ installed in the 1800s but now in disrepair. The choir and organ loft are decorated with cut out designs. The painting on the stucco finish of the church is of recent vintage (1996) and does not conform to the style and period of the interior.

Behind the church and convento are remnants of a fortification. Oral lore identifies some structures as horse stables, a kitchen, and a jail.

Baclayon started the trend in Bohol of establishing parish museums. The amount of liturgical material preserved in Baclayon is impressive. The church inventory books have helped in dating some pieces. In Baclayon cantorals (large handwritten music books) was found the Misa Baclayana, a musical setting for the Mass which has been revived and is part of the repertoire of the Loboc Children's choir. Permission from the parish is needed to see the museum, which is generally locked for security reasons.


Photos below from FLICKR.COM


Exteriors
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church01.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church13.jpg



Interiors
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church18.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church16.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church15.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/Bohol_Heritage/Bohol_church12.jpg

^^i remember that during our field trip to bohol, my classmate who was in a hurry to venerate the image enshrined in the altar since mass was about to begin, ended up kissing the serpent at Mary's foot instead :)

^^

lol :lol:

Anyone got photos of Jagna, Bohol? I just talked to my grandfather and he said that is where my grandmothers ancestry comes from. I'd just like to see the place. :)

^^ hi animo! my hometown is jagna but i don't have photos to post right now... you can just access our town's official website: www.jagna.gov.ph i hope the site will be helpful enough of what you want to know about our place... have a good one...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/Doys%20Restu/IMG_2571.jpg

Have you tried eating here?:cheers:

I would love to try their seafood but not the grill, hehehe!

^^ hi animo! my hometown is jagna but i don't have photos to post right now... you can just access our town's official website: www.jagna.gov.ph i hope the site will be helpful enough of what you want to know about our place... have a good one...

I have a good friend from jagna. Have you known someone with a family name of Geromo?

^^ hi animo! my hometown is jagna but i don't have photos to post right now... you can just access our town's official website: www.jagna.gov.ph i hope the site will be helpful enough of what you want to know about our place... have a good one...

Thanks! I'll ask my grandpa again for the last name of a relative. He told me that the he [pariente] is in politics and known in Jagna. :)

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Bojol01.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Bojol02.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Bojol03.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Bojol04.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Bojol05.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon01.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon02.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon03.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon04.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon05.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon06.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon07.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon08.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon09.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon10.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon11.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s155/lorensgibb/bohol/Baclayon12.jpg

Yup, i know their family personally... i know joseph and conan geromo...:)

I have a good friend from jagna. Have you known someone with a family name of Geromo?

Hey, dive cebu do you know Bonifacio Go Virtudes Sr. or the family? Hehe, I have to go to that website because my lolo calls him 'Boni'. :)

ganda ng bohol. excited na akong pumunta jan next month. :)

hi there animo! yup, of course i know him... he's once a councilor of jagna :)

Hey, dive cebu do you know Bonifacio Go Virtudes Sr. or the family? Hehe, I have to go to that website because my lolo calls him 'Boni'. :)

Saudi prince plans to build Bohol resort
By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 03/11/2007
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200703110404.htm
President Arroyo announced yesterday that one of the world’s richest men, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, is planning to build one of his Raffles resorts in Panglao, Bohol.

In a speech at the Bohol Youth Day celebration, the President said that Prince Alwaleed intends to bring in another $150 million for the project. Earlier, Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Hotel Investments forged a tie-up with Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) for a $153-million hotel project at the Makati Central Business District.

Mrs. Arroyo said that the "decision of Prince Alwaleed to invest in Panglao was a result of her discussions with the heads of the oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during her state visit last year.

The President said the Saudi Prince has expressed interest in buying the entire property in Panglao held by the Fonaciers, with the help of ALI.

"They would like to buy the whole Fonacier property in Panglao to put up a six-star (luxury) resort," the President said.

The resort would carry the famous Raffles name of Kingdom Hotel Investments, which is chaired by Prince Alwaleed.

Panglao Island in Bohol is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, particularly for beach and diving enthusiasts.

The Arroyo administration has made the promotion and development of the tourism industry as among its priorities.

A bill that would provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for investments in tourism has been passed in the Senate but is still pending in the House of Representatives.

Once passed into law, the Tourism Act would pave the way for the establishment of tourist enterprise zones where investors would be given a package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

:eek: Wow, this is a big deal for Bohol:okay: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud is quite bullish in his investments into the Philippines. I'm excited about this as it will really promote Bohol as a worldwide destination (for its beaches, chocolate hills, old churches, etc). I'd say they should go for full development and the upgrade of essential infrastructure (such as airports, roads). As long as they manage this growth well and learn from Boracay's mistakes...and keep it from damaging Bohol's natural beauty and harming the environment.

:eek: Wow, this is a big deal for Bohol:okay: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud is quite bullish in his investments into the Philippines. I'm excited about this as it will really promote Bohol as a worldwide destination (for its beaches, chocolate hills, old churches, etc). I'd say they should go for full development and the upgrade of essential infrastructure (such as airports, roads). As long as they manage this growth well and learn from Boracay's mistakes...and keep it from damaging Bohol's natural beauty and harming the environment.

Eeek....As someone of Boholano heritage, I'm very cautious...I've been to Boracay and was NOT impressed. Too noisy, too crowded, too polluted. I fear it's just going to be another Boracay and will lose the beauty of scenes like these (Taken Jan 2001):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/elsongs/travel/Philippines/PDRM0078.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/elsongs/travel/Philippines/PDRM0079.jpg

^ I am of Boholano heritage too...my mom's family is all from Bohol. That is exactly why i said that I'm all for promoting tourism as long as they learn from Boracay's mistakes and turn to sustainable management. Tourism can be beneficial as long as they take care of the environment and local culture at the same time.

hmmm having a large resort will definitely entail large waste production, hope they could manage it well. And i really hope that they don't make bohol an exclusive place for the rich. Its rustic appeal and unfenced beaches gives bohol its charm over more developed areas

hmmm having a large resort will definitely entail large waste production, hope they could manage it well. And i really hope that they don't make bohol an exclusive place for the rich. Its rustic appeal and unfenced beaches gives bohol its charm over more developed areas

Amen.

waaa, my first post in Bohol thread..
just wanna share some of our vacation pix there last summer. (sorry, it was like long long time ago)
anyway,

BOHOL - an eco-cultural paradise

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321LobocRiver2.jpg
the very famous Loboc River

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321LobocRiver.jpg
another one

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321ManMadeForest.jpg
Manmade Forest

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321BoholMap.jpg
a very creative Bohol map

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321BoholShowroomMinizoo.jpg
@ the minizoo (shocks, forgot where it was located.. my apologies)

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321ParrotMinizoo.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321AnacondaMinizoo.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321SugbayanPeak.jpg
Sagbayan Peak

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h110/dabert/Bohol/2007_0321ButterflySanctuarySugbayan.jpg
Butterfly Sanctuary @ Sagbayan Peak

I like the man-made forest. Driving through it is quite an experience.

Saudi prince plans to build Bohol resort
By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 03/11/2007
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200703110404.htm
President Arroyo announced yesterday that one of the world’s richest men, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, is planning to build one of his Raffles resorts in Panglao, Bohol.

In a speech at the Bohol Youth Day celebration, the President said that Prince Alwaleed intends to bring in another $150 million for the project. Earlier, Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Hotel Investments forged a tie-up with Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) for a $153-million hotel project at the Makati Central Business District.

Mrs. Arroyo said that the "decision of Prince Alwaleed to invest in Panglao was a result of her discussions with the heads of the oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during her state visit last year.

The President said the Saudi Prince has expressed interest in buying the entire property in Panglao held by the Fonaciers, with the help of ALI.

"They would like to buy the whole Fonacier property in Panglao to put up a six-star (luxury) resort," the President said.

The resort would carry the famous Raffles name of Kingdom Hotel Investments, which is chaired by Prince Alwaleed.

Panglao Island in Bohol is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, particularly for beach and diving enthusiasts.

The Arroyo administration has made the promotion and development of the tourism industry as among its priorities.

A bill that would provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for investments in tourism has been passed in the Senate but is still pending in the House of Representatives.

Once passed into law, the Tourism Act would pave the way for the establishment of tourist enterprise zones where investors would be given a package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

correct me if im wrong. the fonacier property mentioned here refers to the Bohol Beach Club? so how will that work if ever the plan for this six-star will push through?

bohol truly needs a high-end resort. so far, the boutique style ananyana impressed me the most. i really prefer thos stylish boutique resorts to be built, like a Banyan Tree or perhaps an Aman. enuf tacky resorts plsss...:ohno:

wat happend to that tourism masterplan for bohol? sort of development patterned after the tourism plan in Bali and phuket.

@dabert,

it's sagbayan not sugbayan... hehe!

A "AAA" class resort offering world-class facilities and services are what you will expect of Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa. Set on a fully landscaped 16-hectare lot located at Barangay Tawala, Panglao Island in Bohol. Its 600 meters stretch of beach frontage is ideal for sunbathers. The powdery white sand beach and crystal clear waters make it perfect for tourists and vacationers. A fine and elegant restaurant offering all-day dining and specializing in the International and Filipino cuisine with emphasis on freshly grilled seafood caught in the waters of Panglao. A total of 16 single-detached villas with private garden will be constructed: 14 Executive Villas, 1 Family Villa with two rooms and a Presidential Villa, also with two rooms.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g231/cyrus_f78/eskaya_newlogo.jpg

@dabert,

it's sagbayan not sugbayan... hehe!

woops,. my bad.. hehe

We were in Bohol last week and I'm excited to post some pics. Problem is, I'm not yet finished uploading. :( Panglao is indeed on the of the best resorts in the Phils. sarap pa ng food. Loboc River is very clean. We really enjoyed our stay. I'll post some pics later or tomorrow. :)

Does anyone have a picture of "Prony" and her "beautiful caretaker":D of Albur? She was featured in Living Asia Channel.

@Mhe-ann. Feel free to post away. We'll be waiting for your pix. I miss Bohol! :cry:

hi. I have a picture of Prony + the gay entertainer. post ko din later. ito muna un Panglao pics ko...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p5f1be110d9e401d0a77527f81b7b9187/e9fa982d.jpg
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opppsss... flooding na. :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pb33a04845c1f11930c5882f6a3f5e1a3/e9fa9814.jpg


DENR was not pleased at all when the resort owner built these man made monstrosities, islet and pathways, a few meters from the beach. It's an eyesore and destroyed not only the scenery but the beach as well. It is so sad how some Filipinos are truly careless when it comes to nature and their environment.

Holy Thursday
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Holy Friday
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The Procesion
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Sugat
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DENR was not pleased at all when the resort owner built these man made monstrosities, islet and pathways, a few meters from the beach. It's an eyesore and destroyed not only the scenery but the beach as well. It is so sad how some Filipinos are truly careless when it comes to nature and their environment.

I got your point. But whoever authorized and approved the idea must be responsible for the eyesore. If it's built w/o a permit, then DENR should have the authority to bring it back to it's true form.

I have not been to Bohol, but now I realized why Prince Alwaleed would like to build a luxury resort hotel in Panglao Is. It is a very beautiful place!

The problem lie with the enforcement of laws in the Philippines. For sure DENR knew about this but the lack of will power amongst our government agencies to enforce the law has sent the wrong signal to the people of the Philippines.

The problem lie with the enforcement of laws in the Philippines. For sure DENR knew about this but the lack of will power amongst our government agencies to enforce the law has sent the wrong signal to the people of the Philippines.

That is too bad. One step forward and 3 steps backward.

Let's hope the Prince project will set a good example and offset the negative with a bright future moving forward.

@bernie, here's the pics of prony

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p41a8e38d2dd8759d5bf7c09345883ddb/e9f6aa66.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p87d5a5fad8c2be9815ae2e5469926e80/e9f6a8fb.jpg
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http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pa73dc1a3db0d0c288d5c00b90b717ed5/e9f6a714.jpg

That is too bad. One step forward and 3 steps backward.

Let's hope the Prince project will set a good example and offset the negative with a bright future moving forward.

If you're refering to the Bohol Beach Club property, I just hope if it pushes through the new developers will have the same respect for nature as the current owner. I have seen the owner while I was there and I believe he is in his 70's or 80's and seem to love walking around his property surrounded by beautiful landscaping and trees.

I am hoping the news below will not affect investors interest in Bohol's tourism industry. That is so sad.



German, Filipino wife killed in Bohol break-in

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:12pm (Mla time) 04/13/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- A German national and his wife were killed inside their house in Bohol province in an apparent robbery early Friday, police said.

Helmut Malinka and his wife, identified only as Tequia, suffered multiple stab wounds although the German also appeared to have been shot, Inspector John Basalo, chief investigator of the Bohol provincial police office, said.

Initial investigation reports said two still unidentified men armed with a revolver and hunting knife broke into the couple’s house in Laya village, Baclayon town, at around 2 a.m.

The intruders then hogtied the maid, Virginia Saluza, before going for the couple.

Saluza managed to untie herself after the killers left and reported the incident to police, Basalo said.

Investigators have still to determine what the robbers carted away from the house, the officer said.

There is crime all over the world!

There is crime all over the world!

Oh yes, I agree with you. There is no safe place anywhere. It's just bad publicity in a developing country like PI. Other foreign nationals may think twice before they even consider to visit what more to live. That is very disturbing.

Actually there are far more crime in the United States and they have way more travellers visiting the US. It is all about how our government agencies represent the country be it tourism or investment haven that makes a difference. It is only lately that the Philippines has been aggresively promoted by the Dept of Tourism as a destination. Tourism promotion has always been in the back burner in the past. As far as the Philippines being an investment site, our politicians are to blame for the lack of investors in the country. Instead of improving on infrastructure they would rather do mudslinging and play the blame game.

Gloria Arroyo has done wonders in bringing back investor confidence in the country and yet the opposition seem to focus more on dislodging her than help the incumbent president improve the business and political situation in the country.

^^

I can't disagree with you. Your point of view is right on target.

By Diana Uy

There’s a running joke in Bohol that goes, while the Cebuanos killed the first tourist (Ferdinand Magellan) in the Philippines, Boholanos welcomed him (Miguel Lopez de Legazpi).

Today, a solid testament of that unwavering ardor for visitors stands through the Blood Compact marble effigy of Datu Sikatuna and the Spanish explorer, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, in Baclayon along the national highway.

But that’s not what our story is all about.

There’s more to Bohol than a muted reminder of the almost forgotten past. For the land of Chocolate Hills and the world’s smallest primate, the tarsiers, do know how to welcome visitors and it is not called the island paradise for nothing.

Via the invitation of Bohol Beach Club, one of Bohol’s paradise secrets in Panglao Island, we boarded Cebu Pacific, at one unholy Friday morning, en route Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Welcome to Bohol

Our introduction to Bohol consisted of a quick tour of the island’s capital city, Tagbilaran, then straight to the countryside.

For first-timers and especially local tourists, Bohol’s countryside might seem uneventful for much of the Philippines’ rural areas look exactly the same—all fields of green, man-made fish ponds, canopies of trees and dotted houses (from landscaped two-story, private homes to humble farmer’s abodes) lost among its bucolic wonderland. Occasionally we’d see strips of mangroves, which Bohol is said to record the largest plantation in Asia.

Ube legends

Our tour guide, Tessie Mapute’s funny stories on foreign tourists’ many quirks and unique habits plus folk stories and urban legends, however, saved us from completely dozing off to dreamworld. One of which is the Boholanos sacred reverence to ube. According to legend, in the old days, the root crop was planted during full moon by voluptuous, naked Boholanas, especially those with big bosoms. The Boholana will then recite incantations that in layman’s term only meant the ube should grow as big as her bosoms.

The ritual is no longer practiced, though, and ube is now grown just like any other ube this side of the world.

We brought the story along with us to Inabangga Fishing Village, while we feasted on grilled pusit, mixed vegetables, fried shrimps, native crabs and the surprisingly tasty exotic lechon pugo.

Miraculous Dauis church

As scheduled, we finished our hearty meal by 2 p.m. and we decided it’s time to be on our way to Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island—a beautiful patch of land surrounded by clean, azure waters (you could literally make out the seabottom) dotted with fisherfolks and enveloped by a boundless, clear skyline.

Before crossing the bridge that connects Panglao to Bohol, we made another quick stop at the church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, located near the foot of the bridge.

Dauis church (as it is locally known) was built in the early 1900s and considered one of the most visited churches in Bohol (Bohol has preserved more than 30 old churches—each with their own legends and unique characteristics).

The church is popular because of its patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption. The Virgin is said to possess miraculous powers. Legend says that once, when the town was invaded by pirates, the people of Dauis locked themselves inside the church. When they ran out of water, a well appeared at the foot of the altar. The well still exists and amazingly holds fresh water considering that the church is only a few meters away from the sea. Since then, devotees, from far and wide, come to the church for a bottle or two. There is no evidence, however, of miraculous cures, yet, the water is definitely safe for drinking, as Tessie told us.

We finally decided to call it a day. Time to rest at Bohol Beach Club.

Dolphin paparazzi on the loose

Well rested and refreshed, we were able to keep our promise and wake up at 5:15 a.m. to prepare ourselves for our dolphin-watching adventure.

We met at the Club Aquasports of the resort and boarded a speedboat that would take us to the elusive dolphins around 6 a.m.

Most of us were first-timers in dolphin- watching, so one can just imagine our uncontained excitement and eagerness to catch a glimpse of Free Willy. Floating up and down the calm waves of Bohol Sea, we readied our cameras and waited, waited and waited.

Suddenly, we heard someone shout, “Ayun sila! [There they are!].” Our alert and ready boatman, expertly and immediately maneuvered the speedboat to the direction of the swimming dolphins. The rest of us struggled between keeping our balance and stretching our arms, with fingers ready to press our cameras’ shoot buttons, and all the while keeping our eyes on the prize.

The dolphins did not disappoint.

As the dolphins briskly swam, jumped, somersaulted and turned, all around us, including the riders of the nearby boats, were just too generous with our appreciation. Excited voices, cheers and even groans of disappointment filled the air.

Suffice it to say, we should have brought video cameras since the dolphins were just too quick for us to take a perfectly good picture worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.

We finally gave up on our cameras and instead settled in watching and running after the dolphins lest we miss more of their jumps and turns.

Back to land

After an hour or so, we were back on shore for breakfast, at one of the resorts two restaurants, and prepared for another tour of Bohol.

We breezed through the towns of Albuquerque and Loay and visited Albur Tourist Center, located in between the towns of Tagbi and Baclayon. The towns we visited introduced us to some of the cottage industries of Bohol such as bolo making and raffia weaving. While in Albur Tourist Center, we made a quick stop at the souvenir shop Bohol Balai and the Butterfly Farm, a pet project of Mayor Efren Tungol and which houses some 36 species of butterflies.

World’s smallest primate

In Loboc, we visited the tarsier sanctuary, where local and foreign tourists take turns feeding crickets to the stressed-looking tarsiers. Biologically, tarsiers are nocturnal creatures yet, they seem to have caught up with the tourism vibe of Bohol that they managed to be awake during daytime. How they do that? Your guess is as good as mine.

(We found the more relaxed tarsiers at Isla Tarsius, another tarsier sanctuary, just along Loboc River.)

After some picture taking and souvenir browsing, we went straight to Bilar, where a 3-km. stretch of man-made forest (also considered a tarsier sanctuary) formed a halo on the road to Chocolate Hills in Carmen.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills... nothing can truly describe the sheer beauty of THE REAL chocolate kisses on solid ground. All 1,268 of them, with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters, are just breathtaking.

Just a word of advice, better wear your most comfortable shoes when visiting the formerly Carmen Hills since you have to climb up the viewing deck that’s worth more than 200 small steps. There’s an alternative, paved walkway up, which is a lot easier but takes a lot longer.

River runs through it

Lunch, which consisted of Pinoy favorites such as grilled tilapia, grilled pusit, liempo, pinakbet, tortang talong, was served while we boarded the Loay River Watch cruise on Loboc River.

Our very own local minstrel, who strummed notes from Boholano folk songs to karaoke favorites such as The Platters’ “The Great Pretender,” matched the melancholic afternoon mood, the calm waters and the cool river breeze that there was nothing left to do but just enjoy the whole cruise.

After the cruise, we stopped at Clarin Ancestral House, declared a heritage landmark by the National Historical Institute, for some suman and a glass of buko juice. The original owners of the house still reside at the old house and have turned its ground floor into a café cum restaurant, which serves traditional Pinoy fare. To complete your experience at the ancestral home, try “unlocking” the mystery of the shut front door.

We made another Visita Iglesia at the church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon or Baclayon church. The Jesuit Church is considered the second oldest stone church in the Philippines. It is made of coral stones cut into square blocks and piled to each other using the white of a million eggs to cement the stones together. What’s amazing about the church is that it houses a dungeon, which was used to punish native heretics or blasphemers. It was also constructed facing the sea to watch out for Moro pirates.

(Some churches were built facing the mountains to watch out for Francisco Dagohoy’s men. Dagohoy is a local hero and leader of the country’s longest rebellion against the Spanish.)

It was already late afternoon when we arrived at the Blood Compact marker of Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. So we decided to make the tour and taking of photos quick and went straight to Tagbilaran market for some souvenir shopping. Instead of the usual pastries and local accessories, better take home Lim family’s delicious home-made ube jam.The ube is also known to be one of Bohol’s many hidden secrets.

The Lim residence is a bit hard to find since the house itself doesn’t have any signboard and you have to enter a narrow alley. So it is best to ask local vendors or your tour guide to take you there.

Downtime at Bohol Beach Club

Our last day in Bohol was spent enjoying some of Bohol Beach Club’s mix of amenities—each depending on the person’s preference and knack for adventure.

Some of us opted for the less extreme sports by renting a kayak and exploring the Bohol seas on shallow waters. Afterward, we boarded the glass bottom boat, which is free for guests billeted at the resort. The glass bottom boat took us to the resorts’ marine sanctuary teeming with huge corals and colorful sea creatures—from plate-size starfish to other miniature marine life. The ride took only 20 minutes so we still found time to wash off the salt-sea water at one of the resort’s three swimming pools.

There are also other activities that one can enjoy at the private resort. It boasts 1.5 km. stretch of natural white sand, which one can freely explore without bumping into throngs of people. Otherwise, one can go snorkeling, scuba diving or banana boat riding.

Or if one prefers to stay indoors, there are wide array of accommodations to suit every budget—from standard rooms to family suites complete with two bedrooms, a living room and a private outdoor Jacuzzi.

For inquiries, contact (02) 522-2301 to 04 or the local toll free number 1-800-1888-2302 or e-mail salesdirector@tambuli.com

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife1_april12_2007

is the NPA still active in bohol? im guessing theyre far from the touristy areas, hope they dont mess up the growing tourism industry

wow kdako sa bitinnnnnnnnnnnnnn,,,my fave gyd ng mga snakes,,,,,labi ng anaconda...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pdeace4389afcb6f8326f2949c251f591/e9f6c8f8.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p6a94eface605def42ceccd767492e623/e9f6c88b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p2809e72d1f22d9dcee01ab7090ece0ec/e9f6c8f5.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p357a71c10339ab46cd850d1ace951bb1/e9f6c3ac.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p19e00742f38c11dca3a2081d93e352d3/e9f6c2ff.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8793a0d38b354e23629a92a084f6eb5a/e9f6bf5e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pa65d1bedd6146648c2c0bfe719e52d96/e9f6bd6e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pc7a78bc2d5104d7bf5e97e23d42f4a42/e9f6bcb1.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p120b539120eee0efa55dc1ec41c31bde/e9f6bd29.jpg

singit lang...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p0a163a134d2cc1ba6d11506670ddee60/e9f6bbc1.jpg
these are the photos I took during our vacation to bohol.

Shimao Group turns to Bohol or Samar as investment site


By MA. ELISA OSORIO

The Philippine Star

SHANGHAI, China – The Shimao Group, the Chinese investor who vowed to invest $4 billion in the Philippines, is eyeing building a hotel in Bohol or Samar as the plan to build a high-end hotel in Manila has hit a snag.

In an interview, Jesus Yabes, consul general of the Philippines here, said the Shimao Group’s plan to build a high end hotel in a government-owned property in The Fort was stalled after the issue of bidding surfaced.

According to Philippine law, all contracts involving the government should be subject to a public bidding.

"The Shimao Group is a high end real estate developer and they are considering building facilities in Bohol or Samar," Yabes said.

In an earlier interview, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said the Shimao Group would like to sign the agreement to build $2 to $4 billion worth of high-end hotels and residential properties in Bases Conversion Development Authority properties located in Fort Bonifacio including the 35.5-hectare Jusmag property by this month.

However, it is not possible to fast-track the investment if the Shimao Group would like to build on BCDA properties. Being a government property, the long term lease would have to pass through a bidding process.

Last month, the Shimao Group and BCDA entered into a memorandum of understanding wherein the BCDA will be a lessor. According to Favila, the government is willing to provide the Shimao Group the longest term possible. This means that the lease would run for 50 years and renewable for another 25 years.

When Xu Rongmao, Shimao chairman and China’s second richest man met with President Arroyo, Xu said there is a huge market in the Philippines in terms of hotels.

In fact, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations where Chinese tourist arrivals registered at around 10 million, the Philippines hosted only 300,000. Favila said this implies that there is still a huge potential to develop the market.

The Shimao Group is one of the biggest real estate developers here, whose stock is listed in Hong Kong. The Shimao Group owns three listed companies namely the Shimao Property Hong Kong, Shimao Stock, Shanghai and the Shimao International Off-shore in Hong Kong. The firm is involved in the development of high-end residential and commercial properties and five-star hotels.

It owns hotels in Australia, Russia, China and other countries in Southeast Asia.

GANDA NAMAN NG PIC. pag nakapunta akong cebu mag side trip talaga ako bohol..........................

^^^ You definitely should. tubigon bohol is 2 hours from cebu, tagbilaran bohol is 2 1/2 hours.

Also guys tip try to explore bohol, there are a lot of pristine and virgin white sand beaches, waterfalls and caves, food and trekking awaiting to be discovered. Thats why everytime i visit bohol its always a new experience

Bohol is an additional perk, if ever new career opportunities are created in the central visayas region. Imagine all the best resorts and beaches oh so near your place of work!

Chocolate hills looks so yummy. :D

For anyone that may be interested May 15 is the Tubigon Fiesta @ Bohol

http://i6.tinypic.com/530efer.jpg

I never thought bohol is that beautiful until we went there last month. sobrang ganda talaga ng lugar. friendly pa ang mga tao. :)

Saturday, May 19, 2007
Bedazzling Bohol
By Janette Huang-Teves
Mom-about-town

WITH less than a month to go before school starts again, my family and I had an awesome "huling hirit" break in Bohol and discovered for ourselves why it has been considered as one of the Philippines' premier family destinations.

Getting to Bohol

From Cebu, we took one of the fast ferries (Ocean Jet) to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. There are also two other ferries, Weesam and Super Cat, which service this route.

We were able to avail of the promo round-trip fare of P520 by booking our return trip in advance. Normally, a one-way trip would cost P300.

Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage

The ferry to Bohol took two hours. Upon arriving at Tagbilaran's passenger terminal, we had to retrieve and carry our own bags as there were no porters or baggage carts available.

Prior to our arrival, we already made transportation arrangements with our efficient local driver cum tourist guide, Julius "Tabong" Tan who owns Bohol's Transport and Tours.

Tabong's fleet of vehicles includes a car, van, coaster (24-seater) and bus (55-seater). You may get in touch with him at cell phone number (0919)6655584. Van shuttle to Panglao Island costs P600 and whole day Bohol tour, P2,500.

Before heading off to our resort, we dropped by Plaza Marcella to stock up on bottled water and some essentials. Other big supermarkets are Bohol Quality Plaza, Island City Mall and Alturas Shopping Center.

In addition, we made sure to bring enough cash as there are no automated teller machines (ATM) in Panglao Island.

Panglao's resorts

Panglao Island, a divers' paradise, has a vast selection of major beach resorts with its pristine white beaches and clean seawater. It is approximately a thirty-minute ride from the ferry terminal.

Our hotel in Panglao, Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant, was one of the highlights of our trip. It has 12 luxury villas spread out all over its spacious tropical garden. Only a 60-meter wide coconut palm grove divided the villas from the beach.

We spent most of our time at the resort relaxing in the 450 square-meter swimming pool. The sweet-water pool has a fantastic ocean view and an integrated pool bar. And, good news especially for the daddies, happy hour is from 5-7 p.m., 30 percent off on drinks! Cheers, mate!

Every Saturday, the resort's open-air restaurant has a mouth-watering barbeque buffet (P690 adult/P345 kids) prepared by their German chef. The sumptuous feast includes rump steak, sausages, kebabs, grilled chicken and seafood. It's definitely value for money.

There is a variety of accommodations in Panglao like Alona Kew White Beach Resort, Alona Tropical Beach Resort, to name a few.

For budget-friendly meals, try Trudi's Place. Their Filipino breakfast (P95), for example, has tocino, longanisa or salted fish; with egg, rice, fruits and coffee. That's P100-200 savings compared to having your breakfast at the pricier resorts. Other popular restaurants include Hayahay, Coco Vida, Camalig and Jasz Restaurant.

Fun-filled day

With Tabong at the helm of our van, we were able to explore almost all of Bohol's must-see sights in one day.

Among these are the Blood Compact or Sandugo Shrine in Bool District, Tagbilaran; Baclayon Church, the oldest Catholic stone church of the country; the 1,268 perfectly-cone shaped Chocolate Hills; the delightful Simply Butterflies Conservation Center in Bilar; and the enchanting Loboc River Cruise with a delectable and stomach-filling Filipino buffet on board (Try Riverwatch Floating Restaurant; P280 for adults/P140 for kids 5 yrs. and below. According to Tabong, it's P30 more expensive than the other floating restos but the food is a lot better).

This was followed by a magical encounter with the adorable tarsiers at the nearby Dajon Loboc Tarsier.

We continued our afternoon tour at the mini zoo, Python Park; the stalactite and stalagmite-filled Hinagdanan Cave and lastly, the quaint and charming Bohol Bee Farm.

Bohol Bee Farm

Bohol Bee Farm was quite a pleasant surprise. Strategically located on a cliff overlooking the sea, the farm's Buzz Café serves healthy and heavenly organic food.

We immensely enjoyed the organic garden salad (P110) with freshly-picked assorted romaine lettuce, radish, turnips, mustard greens and indigenous flowers served with honeyed mustard salad dressing.

I ate the salad-bougainvillea, cosmos flowers and all--to my daughter's bewilderment. A friendly waitress explained to her that these flowers are edible and, as a matter of fact, all flowers that bees visit are edible.

I likewise recommend the honeyed halo-halo (P140) generously filled with fresh organic fruit langka, mango, pineapple, watermelon topped with homemade mango and cheese ice cream and the fresh herb pasta (P160) with fresh basil, sage, oregano, dill in olive oil and native garlic. This came with complimentary camote bread and pesto spread. Yum!

Dolphin delight

On our third day, the kids woke up early for our 5:30 a.m. dolphin-watching adventure. We were not disappointed as 45 minutes into our journey, a group of playful bottlenose dolphins swam past our boat.

It was such a sight to behold! The awe-inspiring experience was different from watching trained dolphins in ocean parks. Bohol Sea is part of the dolphins' migratory route and habitat.

We, then, proceeded to Balicasag Island where we went snorkeling in a marine sanctuary teeming with fishes of all shapes and colors.

Our final stop was Virgin Island where some of the scenes from the award-winning movie "Muro Ami" were shot. The kids had a fabulous time swimming in the shallow sparkling waters.

Bedazzling Bohol

They say Boholanos are a rare bunch. I used to wonder why during fiesta season, no matter where they may be in the country or even the world, they will make sure to return to their hometown.

This phenomenon has been wittingly referred to as some sort of a "renewal of passport" with the "Republic of Bohol."

Now, finally, I am in the know...this pride of place is no longer a mystery to me.

For your comments and suggestions, you may e-mail me at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com.

my wife is from BOHOL and i was there two weeks ago. i was so excited going there for the first time since 1987 when our boat docked at Tagbilaran City Port that time. Now, i really got the time to go around the island.

PUNTA CRUZ WATCHTOWER in Maribojoc, Bohol
built in 1796
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image027.jpg

OLD STONE CHURCH in MARIBOJOC, BOHOL
there are many old churches as we travel from CARMEN to LOAY and all the way back to Tagbilaran City
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image045.jpg

SAGBAYAN PEAK VIEW PARK in SAGBAYAN, BOHOL
overlooking the strait to CEBU CITY and also CHOCOLATE HILLS LIKE "hills" only 10 pesos entrance fee to view park
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/sagbayanpeak.jpg
and also TARSIERS
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image062.jpg


CHOCOLATE HILLS in CARMEN, BOHOL
10 pesos entrance fee
at the top view
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image105.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image108.jpg
going up the 375 step stairway
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image119.jpg
going way down
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image102.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image101.jpg

ISLAND CITY MALL in DAO, TAGBILARAN CITY

fronting the mall
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image166.jpg
way down the underground floor
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image169.jpg
mall at dusk
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image167.jpg
SAVEMA BOARDWALK at San Vicente, Maribojoc, Bohol
250 meter Bamboo Bridge walk by the Mangrove Forest to the Beach
2 peso entrance so u can ply the bridge
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image127.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image125.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image123.jpg

the sceneries in Bohol are one of a kind in the world and i cant wait to go there again next time.:)

^^^ Wow i never knew about that bamboo bridge, truly so many sights are waiting to be discovered!

2 major Bohol projects get nod (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2007052894765.html)


By JUNE S. BLANCO

TAGBILARAN CITY — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board approved Tuesday last week two major infrastructure projects for Bohol. Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, who as president of the 1.7-million strong Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) sits in the board, said these are the Panglao Bohol International Airport Development Project (PBIADP) and the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phase 3 (BCRIP 3).

He said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the immediate start of the airport project. She wants it finished in time for her birthday on April 5 by the year 2010.

Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay said the slow procurement of the lots for the runway due to resistance of the owners is slowing down the project. In these cases, Aumentado said, the provincial government has no recourse but to initiate expropriation proceedings, although only as a last resort.

He will convene the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Inter-Agency Task Force tomorrow at the boardroom of the Manila International Airport Authority in Pasay City to provide solutions to the problems. Funding is not a problem, he said, because Transportation and Communications Sec. Leandro Mendoza has already committed to President Arroyo the availability of funds from his department for the purpose.

The project will be in two packages: One for the runway and allied facilities, and the other for the terminal building and allied facilities. Because two contractors will undertake the project simultaneously, Aumentado is confident that they can beat President Arroyo’s birthday deadline.

While the BCRIP 3 anticipates the heavy traffic when the airport will already be operational.

PUNTA CRUZ WATCHTOWER in Maribojoc, Bohol
built in 1796
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n55/tonz_23_80/Image027.jpg
i remember my college days in UB-archi in our drawing subject, i forgot to bring my water colour......hehehehe

Shots of prony the famous phyton @ Albur

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0447.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0445.jpg

parang hindi ko kayang hawakan ang ulo ni prony. natakot ako sa nakita kong pics ni prony na kumakain ng buhay na baboy. pakiramdam ko anaconda kaharap ko. :runaway:

Shots of prony the famous phyton @ Albur

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0447.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0445.jpg

i see this one in actual and even touch ... Nice experience ,,, Prony is friendly

I'm really fear those snakes. I dare not to touch them :shocked:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/522806542_fc1e9ae3ea_o.jpg

Nice white sand pala doon sa Cabilao. If I remember correctly this is still accessible by land from mainland bohol. Anyways One breathtaking sight i was not able to take is the wonderful Maribojoc bay. From the maribojoc side you get good views of Tagbilaran, Panglao Island, and on a clear day Camiguin.

Nice white sand pala doon sa Cabilao. If I remember correctly this is still accessible by land from mainland bohol. Anyways One breathtaking sight i was not able to take is the wonderful Maribojoc bay. From the maribojoc side you get good views of Tagbilaran, Panglao Island, and on a clear day Camiguin.

Actualy we traveled by boat but only for about 10mins. ride. Its Sandingan Island that is connected to Mainland Loon but through there its a short ride to the next Island that is Cabilao. Be posting more pics on the island. Thanks:) :) :)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/522806528_f20b536907.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/522867655_4520422643.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/522867651_ea33753337.jpg

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/522806530_94f35bb311.jpg

Beautiful. Never been there yet so can't wait for the next summer to roll around!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/522806528_f20b536907.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/522867655_4520422643.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/522867651_ea33753337.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/522867647_0776c89816.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/522843096_e10d06da47.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/522843088_5cf5882334.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/235/522806530_94f35bb311.jpg

SIMPLY BOHOL

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/522867659_1d505553e2.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/522867657_921d525a4b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/522869792_3aec53e88e.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/522869798_0800879909.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/522869802_4398526e51.jpg

TO ALL Boholanos!!!


Hey check this website of DYRD-AM 1161KHz!!!!!!

It's from Bohol TAGBILARAN!!!!

DYRD-AM is operated by Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation and DYRD-AM Interactive! website is managed by Auza.Net. DYRD-AM broadcasts on the AM band at 1161KHz in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. DYRD-AM Interactive! uses media streaming technology to bring the radio broadcast to listeners world wide.

Live Radio » DYRD-AM 1161KHz

http://www.dyrdam.com/live-radio-dyrd-1161

by Jes Tirol

Proem

There is such a thing as philosophy of history. It generally deals with the purposes and uses of history and how to rationalize the historical event you are dealing with.

During the month of July, the people of Bohol celebrate the "Sandugo Festival." Its general purpose is attracting tourists but it also reminds us on a past event that happened in Bohol.

The original sandugo involves Boholanos and Spaniards. Let us try to analyze how both sides view the sandugo.

Philosophy of History

In the vast ocean of history, people and their historians select an event that they think will be useful or relevant. They interpret the event in ways that will profit or perhaps merely entertains them. In the province of Bohol, our favorite event is the sandugo.

One of the philosophies of history is to view the event in such a manner that it can teach as by example. In this manner, we can indulge our imagination and interpret the event so that it can influence our way of life.

Another philosophy of history is to view the event as it happened and would not mind whether it would satisfy our curiosity or not.

Boholano Viewpoint

The sandugo was an ancient Boholano ceremony of sealing an agreement by drinking a mixture of blood taken from the participants and wine. The Boholanos accepted the English translation "Blood Compact." The Boholanos give emphasis on the "friendship" aspect of the event. In fact we always refer to the Blood Compact as a treaty of friendship.

The Boholanos took the philosophy of history that teaches by example. Due to this viewpoint, the Boholanos did not care to investigate the true facts of the event but rather rode on their flights of fancy. This is the reason why, when the National Historical Institute finally determined that the sandugo actually occurred at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol, many people would not accept this historical fact.

Spanish Viewpoint

On July 10, 1991, the City of Tagbilaran and the City of Zumarraga, Spain had a sisterhood agreement between the two cities. During that time, it was yet the popular viewpoint that the sandugo between Si Katuna and Gen. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi occurred at Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City.

The officials of the City of Tagbilaran posited the opinion that the sandugo was a treaty or agreement of "friendship." The officials from Zumarraga, Spain insisted that it was an agreement of "alliance" and not of friendship. (Note: This writer, Jes B. Tirol, was one of the signatories of the agreement). In the end, the agreement was called an "alliance."

In effect, the Spaniards took the second viewpoint of the philosophy of history. They were technical about the event. They argued that the event signified only the collaboration and not the intimacy associated with friendship.

Comment

This writer would not say as to whose viewpoint is correct. I am just presenting the fact that there are two differing interpretations. These viewpoints are very much associated with the culture of the Boholanos and the Spaniards. The hospitality of the Boholanos is already legendary. So we took on the event of sandugo to emphasize the lesson of hospitality to visitors.

The Spaniards, with their history as colonizers, viewed the sandugo only as a tactical alliance with the Boholanos in order to carry out their purpose of colonizing the Philippines.

Fr. Urdaneta

One of the leaders of the Spanish expedition was Fr. Andres de Urdaneta. He was a co-leader with Gen. Legazpi. He lived in the Moluccas for nine years and became a captain of the Spanish infantry. He married a slave girl and had a daughter. That slave girl came from somewhere in the Philippines.

Later on he was captured by the Portuguese and brought back to Lisbon, Portugal. He escaped and went back to Spain. He wanted to marry a Spaniard but no one would accept him because he had a disfigured face caused by powder burns when his gun exploded on his face.

He went to Mexico and became a priest under the Augustinians. In Mexico, he was always dreaming of his slave-wife who lives in a caleta (small bay) somewhere in the Philippines. When he was ordered by the King of Spain to be the guide of the expedition, he accepted.

When he reached the caleta where the sandugo was held, he disembarked and celebrated a Holy Mass. If the caleta was indeed the home-place of his wife, what do you think would be his viewpoint of the sandugo? Would it be "friendship" or mere "alliance?"

http://www.theboholchronicle.com/opinion.php?issue=265&s1=3530&s2=3535&s3=3540&s4=&s5=3537&s6=939&s7=3546&s9=&s10=

Kakagulat naman yung phyton. I have fear of snakes, laki pa naman nung photo! :D Bohol has really nice secluded beaches. :)

here's my contribution taken last May from Bohol Beach Club...


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210499.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210506.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210505.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210508.jpg

^^^^^^^^ OH HELLZ YEAH, I AM GOING THERE NEXT

here's my contribution taken last May from Bohol Beach Club...


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210499.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210506.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210505.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210508.jpg

Sus... ABi nakog langit... Yuta pa diay nih? whew! :cheers:

@dancethingy

If you can do so now, book NOW already!!:cheers:


@Rasputin

Sa Mindanao daghan pud ana oi! Basta sa Pilipinas na gani, ana gyud kanindot!:cheers:


Below is a pic of Loboc River in that calming azure blue color. I think it was taken near that tarsier sanctuary, where I was lucky enough to be able to hand a hungry little tarsier a piece of cricket-on-a-stick. :)
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5200444.jpg

ang ganda nung beach nakakabaliw parang gusto ko nang pumunta diyan. Anong name ng beach na iyan?

^Di ko na matandaan ang pangalan eh, maybe our Boholano bros/sis can enlighten us. Basta yan yung beach fronting the resort.

Its bohol beach club, you could also check out the dimaluan beach which shares the same rates as bohol beach club, yet easier on the budget.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/10-1.jpg

here's my contribution taken last May from Bohol Beach Club...


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210499.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210506.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210505.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5210508.jpg



diffenetly ...this beach is it........hopefully next year will be there ..foo shoo!!!

I never thought bohol is that beautiful until we went there last month. sobrang ganda talaga ng lugar. friendly pa ang mga tao. :)

we also went there last month but unfortunately we only have a short time visiting all the tourist spots...:ohno:

My Recommendation: Stay for at least a week, especially if you have relatives there, they will show you all the spots that aren't usually shown in the media.

okay thanks maybe this coming summer! i'll visit the place that i haven't seen yet.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x261/stash1507/P5200444.jpg


Whoah... the last time we went to Loboc river, it was kinda dirty. How did it get so clean? :banana:

Anybody from Loay here? That is where my Dad grew up.

as far as i know, people are really encouraged to maintain the cleanliness of the river since it has become the source of income for a lot of locals... if they throw their shit there, sooner or later, their lives will also be in deep shit!

http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-08200227330717.jpg

BOHOLANO home cooking is served under the painted dome of the Dauis convento.

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 02:19am (Mla time) 08/20/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the growing campaign to save Philippine heritage, the honest truth is that a lot (or most) of the heritage structures we campaign to save are really white elephants.

What are we to do with those white elephants?

On the verge of becoming white elephants are our World Heritage-inscribed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera.

A site of incontestable beauty, the rice terraces are one of the few places on our planet where natural and cultural heritage combine to produce a landscape of such impact. Seeing the struggle for the place to keep up with the 21st century leads to the question, Is heritage enough?

Heritage might be enough for inanimate objects, stuff for display like empty architectural monuments or valuable objects locked up under glass in museums that are lifeless markers of the past.

A place like the rice terraces, unquestionably a marker of Philippine heritage, is far from being an inert monument to the past, enshrined in museum-like stillness.

For centuries the terraces’ traditional practices—cultural, religious, environmental, agricultural, hydrological and artistic—revolved around the rice- growing cycle, supporting the life of their inhabitants. Massive migration out of the terraces is proof that the traditional lifestyle has become extremely difficult to maintain today, leading to an endless search for solutions that will update the tough Cordillera lifestyle while maintaining cultural roots.

Unlike similar rice-growing mountain terraces in China that have long been abandoned, the terraces of the Philippine Cordillera aren’t relics. The terraces, however, search for ways to maintain their connection to human life.

Relics of the past deserve to continue living. Once it was thought that the best thing to do with an old Spanish colonial-era house was to turn it into a museum, so many houses stopped being homes and turned into excellent museums, each displaying exquisite collections of furniture and furnishings.

The museums as total nostalgia re-live past eras through collections of objects from a bygone era that make no connection to daily life today.

Bed-and-breakfast

There are heritage homes that now have recently learned to make use of their past as a resource to connect to their present. Owners develop their heritage homes as a resource not only to generate additional income to improve their way of living but also to provide financial means to continue conserving their heritage properties.

Through the bed-and-breakfast program, heritage houses continue to be used and be useful rather than stagnate into lifeless museum displays or fall into disrepair and decay.

Owners of a group of heritage homes in the historic town of Baclayon in Bohol have formed a bed-and-breakfast association, initially offering a total of over 20 rooms in neighboring houses. Converting unused bedrooms as guest lodgings uses heritage positively as an income-generating resource, as a source of pride and local identity, and, most important, keeps the heritage alive and up-to-date.

And as a tourism experience, the hospitality offered by the homeowners participating in the Baclayon bed-and-breakfast program brings travelers into personal contact with the gentle Boholano culture.

Heritage houses glow differently when occupied. Their glow becomes warmer when they continue usefulness, as lodging houses, schools, offices, or for whatever purpose. They also glow better because they are earning their keep.

Definitely with a glow that warms the heart is the Dauis convento in Bohol where, under a magnificently painted wooden cupola in the convento, a dinner of down-home Boholano cuisine is served by local youth trained as cooks and waiters.
They serve the regional Bisayá food of my youth on impeccable china and linen in unsurpassable convento surroundings, a great experience that combines tangible heritage (the splendid architecture of the convento) and intangible heritage (regional food, performances of traditional music).

Intangibles

The intangibles give life to heritage, connects heritage to people. Instead of the sites being lifeless and empty, think of the texture daily life adds to the rice terraces, the heritage houses of Baclayon, and the white elephant that would have been the Dauis convento.

In the three sites, heritage generates income through tourism, one of the more obvious uses for heritage-based resources.

The intangible, or the software, makes the heritage memorable. It is the stuff that makes for great tourism experiences.

It is the intangible that radiates life to a place, connects tourists to locals and their traditions.

The intangible is the “spirit of place” that makes the visitor part of the local life, even if just for a few hours or days.

Think of the rice terraces without inhabitants, the houses in Baclayon empty, the convento in Dauis continuing to decay.

Then see the benefits from judicious use of their heritage as resources for income-generation.

Heritage really should not produce more white elephants than we can handle. It should benefit people.

Baclayon bed-and-breakfast will be ready to receive visitors in the near future. Bookings are required at Dauis convento, call 0921-6643277 or (038) 502-2008.

E-mail the author at pride.place@gmail.com
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=83548

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wow just like the bridge to terabithat! ^^

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a monkey!:banana:

Amorita: an unspoiled paradise in Bohol
(http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0824&252007/economy05.html)
By Louise M. Francisco
Senior Researcher


BOHOL—After the successes of Microtel in Baguio in 2003 and in Boracay last year, the idea of venturing into a fully-owned, one-hectare cliff resort in Bohol under the brand name Amorita is the most strategic move for Hernandez-Del Pilar Group of Companies to continue its venture into the tourism and hospitality business with the support of Paramount Property Management Co., a Phinma company. Paramount is managing Amorita.

The idea of Amorita started a few years back when two children of the Hernandez family decided to strike it out on their own, independent from their parents, and asked permission to buy a lot and do business in Panglao, Bohol.

“I thought they will just buy 300 sq m of land, but when they brought us here, we can’t see the edge and told ourselves, ‘Who would live in this place?’” Amorita managing director Marivic del Pilar said in amazement.

Located on the balcony of Alona beach in barangay Tawala, Amorita offers a perfect site for hibernation and melting the stress from the busy lifestyles in the metropolis.

Since this unspoiled paradise is serviced by major flight carriers and travel and tour companies, how to come here is not much of a problem. Travel to this little haven takes an hour-and-a-half from Manila by plane and 30 minutes via land transport from the Tagbilaran airport.

Fine facilities

THE resort has six cosmopolitan-designed ocean-view villas and eight garden-view villas that will allow intimate visitors and honeymooners to feel the breeze from the sea while lying on a synthetic rattan recliner near a Jacuzzi.

Each room is fully air-conditioned with floor area of 150 sq m and boasts of a comfortable king-size bed, flat-screen television for entertainment, stock of wine in a minibar, a soothing veranda to gaze at the morning’s mesmerizing sunrise, a private landscape garden where colorful butterflies are fluttering and one can hear the chirping of birds from a distance, and other standard amenities.

For the excursionists in groups, 20 inviting de luxe rooms are provided.

Its infinity swimming pool is the most high-end facility loved by many of its occupants. Above the water is a platform of eight recliners that can soothe one’s back while tirelessly stargazing at nighttime, or it’s also an ideal site for watching the sunset in the afternoon amid the gentle flow of waves that kiss the shores.

Amorita’s cozy pavilion faces the long stretch of Alona Beach, where one can while away time sitting in rattan chairs and tables. Adjacent to it is a conference hall for business conferences and product presentations.

Healthy sumptuous food for the guests are masterly prepared by a chef and courteously served by the local community crews.

According to Rockly Jorolan, general manager, Amorita derived its name from the Spanish words amor, which means love, and rita, which means small. “For us, Amorita is like a baby, a small love, but its uppermost strategic site surrounded by numerable tourist spots in the entire Bohol will be its nurturer in order to grow.”

More than accommodation

Countryside tour, among Bohol’s main attractions, is also offered by Amorita to further lure visitors.

Among the finest views are the man-made forest, where small and huge mahogany trees are growing alongside roads; the Chocolate Hills called by Boholanos as their peanut Kisses; the Loboc Museam and Church; the stage of Loboc choir, which sings like angels in harmony; the Loboc River, where floating boat-restaurants cruise smoothly after diners have eaten and have been serenaded by local singers and musicians; the Baclayon Church, the second oldest church in the country; the blood compact site on top of a cliff side; and the Bohol Bee Farm, where European bees are cultured to get three times what the normal honey native bees can produce.

Though the scenic resort is not fully developed, Amorita’s dry-run operations have been very promising.

“We’re on soft operations and kept on adding more villas because it’s always not enough to accommodate all the bookings,” explained del Pilar.

“We’ll be having our phase-two operations next year to add 40 more de luxe rooms,” said del Pilar.

Adding more villas is carefully planned by its interior designer Lorrie Borja and its landscape artist Frank Borja. Amorita is targeting the European market, particularly the Germans and Russians, who travel in pairs and are fond of two-week stay.

In September this year, the resort will also offer its three-floor diving shop and school to amaze snorkelers and divers with the vast richness of sea creatures on Pamilacan and Balicasag islands, as well as the wellness spa to uplift the weary spirit of local and foreign visitors in October.

Meanwhile, the franchise holder of the Microtel Inn, the Phinma Group, enumerated its next expansion sites in the Philippines’ key major cities to continuously provide affordable and convenient accommodation to tourists and business travelers nationwide.

Microtel Davao is set to open on October 1 this year. Microtel Cebu and Cabanatuan will open on the first and second quarter of 2008, respectively. Mall of Asia will also have Microtel by 2009.

“We are now into location inquiry in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan, for a possible opening also in 2009,” said Microtel sales and marketing manager Hannah Yulo.

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/aug26/images/bee_farm.jpg

Bohol Bee Farm and Ananyana

By Rachelle C. Wenger

Bohol is perhaps the fastest growing tourist destination in the Philippines. It offers great diving sites, pristine beaches and of course the famous Chocolate Hills. And lest I forget, the tarsiers, cute little primates that the young and old cannot help but adore, and a host of old Spanish churches.

The popularity of Bohol has led to hotel shortages. And while planning a trip to Bohol, no rooms were found anywhere. By chance, a friend of mine called and I told him about my dilemma of having booked the flights but not having been able to find an accommodation. “Try these two,” he replied and sent me an email with two telephone numbers and web links to the Bohol Bee Farm and the Ananyana.

We decided to split our five-day trip to Bohol and stay a few nights in each of these places. The two boutique resorts could not have been any more different in approach and the clientele they wish to reach and yet, in terms of service and heartfelt sincere hospitality, they were second to none.

The Bohol Bee Farm

Having been fetched from the airport by a bright yellow van, there was no mistake that we were about to enter the world of honeybees. A short ride from Tagbilaran, over the bridge to Panglao Island, we arrived at the Bohol Bee Farm. It was nestled on top of a cliff overlooking the pristine waters of the Bohol Sea.

In the midst of pine and mango trees with lots of shady areas and a gorgeous massage corner right on the cliff, the resort consists of eight double rooms all facing the sea, two rooms for up to six people over the restaurant, a common area and what used to be the owners’ original rest house with a private terrace right on the edge of the cliff for up to 10 people. A small staircase leads down to a stony seaside where, at low tide, plenty of crabs, sea urchins and starfish can be seen just by walking through the jagged rocks and cliffs lining this part of the island.

Vicky Wallace the owner, entrepreneur and omnipresent personality behind the Bohol Bee Farm is also an avid organic farmer. Vicky is never too tired to make one more tour around the farm, showing off the various plants, vegetables, fruits and a multitude of beautiful flowers throughout the resort and the surrounding area. Tired of the tour around the farm we went back to the resort and were invited to learn more about the raffia products of the farm (raffia-making is an old tradition throughout the region and raffia-woven garments are made from the fiber of a tropical palm tree). There is also a house-owned bakery amidst the resort producing a daily array of organic muffins and very light and crusty kamote (sweet potato) bread. All served as merienda (snack) with the various homemade honey and herb spreads.

Our two young children thoroughly enjoyed the short horseback ride around the farm and they also learned about bee-farming and honey-making simply being kids, they ran around the garden without fear.

The Bee Farm is the perfect getaway for a completely different experience from what is regularly available in hotels, malls and shops around Manila. The Bee Farm educates the interested and will not intrude on those seeking privacy, togetherness and relaxation. These few days at the Bee Farm have taught our children different values, insights and experiences that they would simply miss out in the city they live in.

http://www.whatson-expat.com.ph/articles/2007/aug26/page2.htm

Proem

The official report of Major Manuel Sanz to Governor General Mariano Ricarfort stated that the Dagohoy Revolution in Bohol officially ended on August 31, 1829. That revolution was started by Francisco Sendrijas alias "Dagohoy" on July 4, 1744.

When the revolution was defeated the leader of the Boholanos was already Handog who was a son of Dagohoy. The co-leader was Awag or Cawag, another son of Dagohoy.

Legacy of Freedom

When we hear speeches about the Dagohoy Revolution, we always hear the political aspects such as the love of freedom, independence, and the fight against tyranny.

However, seldom can you hear being mentioned the legacies in the social and cultural aspects.

First Land Reform

According to the Year 2000 census, ninety-seven percent (97%) of Boholanos own or have owner-like possession of the house and lot they live in. In the province of Bohol, there are no big landed estates. This situation was brought about by the land reform made by Francisco Dagohoy. He confiscated the big Spanish haciendas and distributed it to the people.

However, the book "The Philippine Islands", authored by Blair and Robertson could only mention the Jesuit Estate known as the "San Xavier" hacienda. In my recent research conducted at the National Archives, I found in the records named Varias Provincias Cebu: 1761, another name, Hacienda de Pedro Garaycochea. Unfortunately, I could not pinpoint its definite location in Bohol.

Concept of Land Ownership

The present concept of land ownership by means of land titles is of western origin. It was first brought here by the Spaniards and followed by the Americans.

Our old concept was actual possession. You own the land where your house is being built and its immediate surroundings, usually evidenced by a fence. You own the land that you actually till. If a farm is left idle or not tilled for two successive years, it is deemed abandoned and anybody could go to the village council to be allowed to work the abandoned farm.

Any passerby can climb a coconut tree, if he is hunry or thirsty, and get a coconut. As evidence of hunger or thirst, you must leave the coconut husk at the base of the tree.

If you bring home the coconut, then it is considered as stealing.

In any camote or sweet potato farm, the farmer has the right of first harvest and the tubers from the sweet potato mounds. After the first harvest, anybody in the community can harvest any tuber found in the stringers (katay) of the sweet potato plant.

Division of Inheritance

Occasionally you will find a Boholano practice of land inheritance that is different from the one prescribed by our westernized laws.

The old practice was to divide the land among the heirs and the plants will be considered for a separate division. So occasionally you will find in Bohol that one heir owns the land but he does not own a particular plant growing in his land. It is even extended to the situation that the brother or sister who planted the tree owns the tree and not the heir who inherited the land.

Even though these practices are not generally honored by our present court of law, still the custom is practiced and honored by some Boholanos.

You Could Not Inherit a Mortgage

Our present laws about mortgages are of western origin. The laws of mortgages fostered by the Dagohoy Revolution are somewhat different.

The only type of mortgage practiced during the Dagohoy Government is what is presently called Dacion en pago, or to allow the use of something as a payment.

For example I owe you one thousand pesos. As a security of payment I will mortgage to you my coconut grove. I will allow you to harvest the fruits from my one hundred coconut trees for three harvest seasons and the debt will be extinguished. Unlike today when you mortgage you land to the bank and you will eventually lost your land because the bank will not be interested to take over the operation of your land. The bank will be interested only of their money and interest that you must pay out of the product of your land. In former times, you surrender you land for a period of time and then repossess it. It is up to the reader to conclude which is the better procedure.

Most of all, during the Dagohoy government, a mortgage is not subject to inheritance.

For example, Pedro owes P1,000 from your father and Pedro mortgaged his coconut grove for three years. Your father died, and you as the sole heir you could not inherit the privilege enjoyed by your father. You could not inherit the privilege of harvesting the coconuts because the mortgage was only to your father. The coconut grove will return to the ownership of Pedro even if the debt was not fully paid. This is a very pro-poor custom, which unfortunately is no longer practiced.

http://www.theboholchronicle.com/opinion.php?issue=277&s1=3693&s2=3696&s3=3703&s4=3710&s5=3709&s6=971&s7=&s9=&s10=

wow.... i am really fascinated by the beauties of bohol.....and the tarsier(i wud like to hear how it sounds hehe)... hmmm i would like to visit bohol... guys can u pls give me the most accomodating itinerary in bohol for 3 days.. lets say i'll be arriving in the capital saturday morning and leave for manila monday afternoon....

what cheap but quality hotels can u recommend?.. i'd like to stay in tagbilaran city.. where would i go if im going to the chocolate hills? i mean the nearest terminal in tagbilaran.... how much is the fare? then to loboc river, the blood compact and of course the tarsier sanctuary hehehe.... thanks guys

Hello, can anyone suggest a 2-day itinerary that can cover most, if not all, of the best places that Bohol can offer? Thanks in advance! :)

Hello, can anyone suggest a 2-day itinerary that can cover most, if not all, of the best places that Bohol can offer? Thanks in advance! :)

Stay somewhere in Tagbilaran City. Most of the good places are 2hrs max away.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007


Gov. Aumentado confident
in meeting airport deadline (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/05/yehey/prov/20070905pro1.html)
By Katrina Mennen A. Valdez Reporter

The provincial government of Bohol is set to expropriate the remaining land requirement for the Panglao-Bohol International Airport worth P3.8 billion, to meet an April 2010 deadline, Gov. Erico Aumentado told The Manila Times.

“The local government has already acquired 60 percent of the total land requirement, which is 220 hectares. We expect to complete the land acquisition by December 31 this year,” Aumentado said. He admitted there was difficulty convincing some landowners to sell their properties.

“If some [landowners] will not agree to sell their land despite [our] efforts, the government will expropriate their properties just to meet the completion date,” he said.

The total cost of the project stood at P3.8 billion, which is considered a “sure deal” after business tycoon Lucio Tan paid P3 billion as part of Philippine Airlines’ payables to the MIAA as rental fees of the Centennial Airport, the Bohol Chronicle, a local newspaper reported.

Governor Aumentado said that the airport will be divided into two phases, the first one being the construction of a 2.5-kilometer runway, the building of the terminal, and the installation of the equipment. Phase 2 targets the construction of a 1 km runway to accommodate the 747 airbus.

Aumentado said that the bidding will start in first quarter of next year. In the event that the bidding finishes by the third quarter of 2008 the construction will immediately commence before the last quarter of the same year.

“The construction of phase 1 and phase 2 will be done simultaneously so that we could finish sooner,” he said.

Aumentado revealed that they are acquiring Panglao Island for only P60 per square meter, saying, “PGMA has already assured that the provincial fund will be reimbursed as soon as the Department of Transportation and Communication releases the money.”

Aumentado confirmed that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, a member of the Saudi Royal family, who has the majority shares of CitiBank, is currently in talks with the Fonacier-family which owns one of the most popular resorts in the island, the Bohol Beach Club.

Other high-end hotel companies that have expressed interest in the island are the Boracay Regency Beach Resort, Belleview Hotel and Hilton Hotel.

Stay somewhere in Tagbilaran City. Most of the good places are 2hrs max away.

Can you recommend a good but affordable hotel? Thanks

I don't know if somebody already posted this video here.

tBtKQoQEgOc&mode=related&search=
part 1

Kb51oiX-aZI&mode=related&search
part 2

Can you recommend a good but affordable hotel? Thanks

MetroCentre Hotel

^^ Cy, nabanhaw lagi ka.:)

^^ Cy, nabanhaw lagi ka.:)

haha, still alive pa:lol:

kanus-a naman pudka mag organize ug Bohol tour? hehe.. mingaw nako sa view sa Alona beach.

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^^ open to the public na ba na, Cy? murag naa paman portion nga under construction.

US affirms partnership with Bohol (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20070911102694.html)

Launches health, environ projects



TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The United States of America reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Bohol when it launched here two major activities to enhance environmental governance, strengthen environment management, and promote sustainable tourism.


No less than US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney represented the people of America through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) when she personally graced the launching here of Linking Initiatives and Networking for the Control of Tuberculosis in Children (TBLINC) and Going Green, an environmental tool kit for the tourism sector.

Provincial Health Officer Rey Moses Cabagnot said the USAID choice to get to Bohol was based on Bohol’s track record in implementing health programs aside from the fact that it still rates high among the provinces with TB incidence in children.

In her keynote address at the double launch held at the Metrocenter, Ambassador Kenney who was visibly elated upon her first visit to Bohol, pointed out that her coming would be marked by significant partnerships, innovations, and celebrations for the future.

On the USAID assistance, she called it an innovation in partnership in getting to the problem of TB control coupled with Bohol’s commitment to protect the environment.

Moreover, she cited Bohol initiatives of giving better health as a key move to protect the children whom she considers as Bohol’s greatest resource for the future.

Gov. Erico Aumentado told the ambassador that all the Bohol initiatives were geared towards poverty alleviation, which he sees as the root of all social ills. He said the new partnership with the US government would without doubt propel Bohol to its vision of development through eco-cultural tourism.

Kenney also turned over the Going Green Toolkit, an environmental tool to guide tourism sector stakeholders in taking up the environmental responsibility.

"Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world. In Bohol, many of our tourist sites are famous for their outstanding natural beauty. Tourists come for the beautiful scenery and extraordinary experience, so it makes sense for the tourism sector to look after its lifeline — the natural environment," said David Valdez, president of the WWF Philippines.

Kenney also signed the memorandum of agreement for the US government to partner with Bohol in a Child TB control which the USAID funds. Signing the document with her were LMP president Exuperio Lloren and Governor Aumentado. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

^^ open to the public na ba na, Cy? murag naa paman portion nga under construction.

Yup its already open to the public but it's restaurant or club house is still under construction.

Bohol lures tourists (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view_article.php?article_id=89679)

Bohol plans to further develop five nature-based sites to attract more tourists in the province, a tourism official said.

According to Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chairperson Peter Dejaresco, they already identified “five product sites” located in different towns.

These are the mangrove plantation in Candijay, an oyster farm in Buenavista, the Rajah Sikatuna Park and the Magsaysay Camp in Bilar and Loboc River.

“It's about time Bohol wakes up and realizes that there is a great tourist boom,” said Dejaresco.

Department of Tourism data show that in 2005, more than 35,000 foreign tourists visited Bohol.

Early this month, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (Smedsep), a joint project of the German Technical Coordination and the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas, identified Bohol as an ecotourism destination.

PTC's plan to develop more nature-based sites came in response to a suggestion from international tourism consultant Gottfried Hilzward.

Hilzward said Bohol has to improve, if not, develop its nature sites since these are the province's strengths.

Hilzward was in Cebu as the head tourism consultant for the Smedsep project.

“At present, all these (nature sites) are not in place. Beach resorts do not give the competitive edge,” Hilzward told Cebu Daily News.

Based on survey interviews by Hilzward, Bohol can offer more attractive ecotourism packages based on strong tourist growth.

“Bohol has all the means and resources to let tourists experience the best of nature,” he said.

Hilzward cited marketing, product quality and diversity, and distribution as crucial factors which the province needs to address to draw more tourists.

“You need to provide more information on nature sites and create business opportunities for tour operators,” he advised tourism officials.

Aside from Bohol, the neighboring province of Siquijor is also a potential ecotourism destination, he said.

Hilzward said accessibility is “the biggest problem of tourism growth,” especially the need for air transport.

He also said that an active tourism association is needed for the province so that Siquijor's reputation of being a “mystical island” can be packaged well.

Unless these crucial factors are addressed, market demand will be low, he said.

Like Bohol, Hilzward said Siquijor can also develop into a topnotch ecotourism destination with the active involvement of all stakeholders. These include the tourism council, the business community, the government and residents.

Under the same project, Cebu will be marketed as the region's health and wellness destination while Negros Oriental will be developed as the educational tourism hub in Central Visayas.

WB funds Bohol one-stop shop (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20070929104327.html)

Project has technical support from Australian Aid agency



The World Bank, with technical support from the international Australian Aid agency (AusAid), is funding the construction of a one-stop shop (OSS) in Bohol to help streamline land administration and management transactions in the province.


The OSS will soon open in Bohol following its groundbreaking ceremony last week at the New Capitol Site in Tagbilaran City.

The groundbreaking ceremony in Bohol was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Jose L. Atienza, Governor Erico B. Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, and World Bank Acting Country Director Jehan Arulpragasam.

The shop will integrate several services in one location including land surveying, mapping and registration and is designed to increase efficiency by reducing duplication.

AusAID’s Counsellor in the Philippines Sam Zappia said the shop was an innovation of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP).

The shop is the result of a partnership between the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Justice and Finance.

The World Bank provided funding and Australia, through its international aid agency, AusAID, provided technical assistance for the project.

"LAMP is an A$ 48-million 10-year project aimed at helping the Philippine Government address hindrances to development and sustained economic growth by removing duplication and fostering uniformity – in laws, policies, institutions, information and data, and standards of its land administration system," Zappia said.

"An efficient land administration and management system has the potential to unlock development, stimulate business and improve the social and economic lives of millions in the Philippines."

In 2007-2008, Australia’s aid to the Philippines has increased to over A$ 100 million (P4 billion), making Australia one of the country’s top three aid donors.

Australia’s aid program to the Philippines has grown to be its fourth largest globally, with some A$ 570 million in grant contributions over the past decade alone.

Australia has supported governance and economic growth projects throughout the region for many years including in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Laos, East Timor and Solomon Islands.

Sagbayan Water Park: wow, it must really be cold up there...i remember visiting the place way back in 2004...it was raining and being on top of Sagbayan--although it's not that high--didnt feel like being in the philippines

That feeling Depends on the season... During the Rainy days or During December-February it does get quite cold there. After all, Sagbayan peak is actually the start of a plateau wherein the chocolate hills are situated at.

Group to build RP’s first seven star hotel (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2007100735)
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Monday, October 8, 2007

A joint partnership of Filipino and Chinese businessmen will build the country’s first seven star hotel possibly in The Fort or in the reclaimed area in Roxas Boulevard.

“The seven star hotel will be similar to the one in Dubai,” Susan Barlin, co-founder of the CEO Club Philippines, said in an interview.

The project dubbed as the Pentominium, will be a combination of retail outlets, offices and penthouses.

The 35-story luxury hotel is an exclusive hotel given that the occupants will mostly be members of the CEO club. “They will use the hotel whenever they visit here either for a vacation or business,” Barlin explained.

According to her, the group is in the process of choosing a possible location. “We are considering two areas but we prefer to build at The Fort,” she added.

In The Fort, Barlin said they are negotiating with two parties. One land they are eyeing is government owned while the other is owned by a private entity.

Barlin explained they would need at least 2,000 square meters for the seven-star hotel. If everything falls into place, she said ground breaking will be scheduled for the first quarter of 2008.

The Pentominium is one of the eight hotels the 13 man Chinese business delegation visiting the country is considering building.

The other hotels will be in tourist destinations like Bohol, Palawan, Tagaytay and Cebu. The rest of the hotels will be five star hotels.
Meanwhile, Barlin said the botched broadband deal between the government and China did not dampen the Chinese’s desire to invest in the Philippines.

“We are making new deals. We do not want to let politics interfere with progress,” she said.

Aside from hotels, Barlin said the visiting Chinese investors are also interested in developing a retirement destination for Chinese elderly in one of the islands.

“The Chinese would like to develop a retirement destination in the Philippines. They would like to build first class amenities in a beachfront property for their elderly,” she said.

She said in two years time, the country has the opportunity to earn $40 billion from the retirement industry which include income from tourism.”The children of the retirees will want to visit their parents and then take some time off themselves,” she said.

According to her, the infrastructure needed for the Chinese Village will take two years to build. However, the benefits from tourism will accrue immediately.

The amenities for the Chinese Village will be strictly first class. The island will have its own airport, hospital, hotel, nursing home and other facilities to make the retirees comfortable.

The Chinese only island will cater to the parents of the Chinese elite which makes up 10 percent of the entire population.

Beijing Capital City Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. is interested in building the project with a Filipino partner.

The airport is a good site for a hotel if it gets built in, say 3-5 years...

P1-B hotel to rise in Panglao

A P1-billion hotel, resort and spa will change the skyline in Panglao Island soon.

source: (http://www.mb.com.ph/SP_PROV20071102.html)

Panglao island
by: paul van leeuwen

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/p1.jpg http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/p2.jpg http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/p3.jpg

yes, bohol is beautiful. see you next year :D

Sokor funding eyed for Bohol projects
(http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20071113108495.html)
By JUNE S. BLANCO

South Korea is keen on funding the feasibility studies (FS) and advanced detailed engineering design (ADED) of the next batch of mega projects that Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado wants to implement.


Aumentado gave this observation on his recent return from a one-week trip to South Korea.

The governor was a resource person at the 15th East and Southeast Asia (ESEA) International Conference in Gumi City on November 1-3. But he flew to Seoul as early as October 28 to meet with top officials of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korea Export-Import Bank (Korea Eximbank) the following day.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) of Singapore and the Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) that organized the conference sponsored the governor’s trip.

In his meeting with KOICA Executive Director Lee Hae-kyoon, the latter agreed to grant Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding for the FS and ADED of the Bohol Port to Port Highway that goes from the Tubigon Port to Jagna Port through the Tubigon-Sagbayan-Carmen-Sierra Bullones-Jagna Road, the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 3, and the Bohol Agricultural Master Plan-Small Water Impounding (BAMPSWIM) Projects in Barangay Bonotbonot in Buenavista, Barangay Hibale in Danao town and in the Loboc Valley.

More importantly, Aumentado said, KOICA agreed in principle, and subject to compliance with requirements, to also fund the FS and ADED of the Panglao Island Sewerage and Drainage System.

On the other hand, EDCF director-general Hak Soo Kim agreed in principle also to fund the ambitious multi-access Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge to accelerate the development of Bohol and Cebu, the Central Visayas premier provinces.

"We have, however, to follow the requirements of KOICA and EDCF," the governor said.

Meanwhile, he said, Hanjin is considering setting up its shipyard for the Visayas in Bohol, subject to the requirement of a 200-megawatt power plant, and to fly Korean Airlines to Panglao Bohol International Airport once it will be operational in 2011.

Aumentado had met president and chief executive officer Kang-Rock Lee of Hanjin that owns Korean Airlines (KAL) and Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd.

Next to Subic in Luzon, Hanjin has been mulling the establishment of a shipyard in Villanueva and Tagoloan towns of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. While the plan has not miscarried, he said it is "on the rocks" as Hanjin has been apparently buffeted by bureaucratic red tape compounded by the rebels’ threat.

As such, he offered Bohol to be an alternative or additional shipyard site.

However, Hanjin needs a minimum of 200 megawatts for the shipyard. Aumentado will meet the senior vice president of the National Power Corp. next week to discuss details of getting additional power to meet the Hanjin shipyard requirements.

When the shipyard is operational, it will need around 30,000 welders, he said,

Meanwhile, the proposed chartered direct flights from Pusan and Incheon in December had met a snag. This, after tour operators in Pusan and Seoul reported that two GSAs have been monopolizing the Bohol tourist traffic from both airports to the Philippines, leaving the South Koreans with no choice but shell out fares at very expensive rates – almost equal to that of a trip from the Philippines to the United States.

They also reported the relatively high rates of accommodations, food and services of hotels and resorts here.

Tourism Director and Attache ******* Basco Ebron attended the Seoul meeting with PAL GSA Kim Ki Tae.

At the ESEA Conference, Aumentado spoke on the Role of Local Government Units in the Promotion of International Tourism and Foreign Investment.

He also acted as moderator during the presentation of Vietnam on its tourism and foreign investment program.

His invitation as paper writer for the conference forms part of his prize for bagging the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence (KAME) in 2006 for steering Bohol into the highly-performing province that it is now – "and in recognition of my humble role for Bohol’s peace initiatives and economic development."

i really like bohol...

Yeah nice place talaga. Sayang nga lang ma cancel yung plans namin to go back dito sa bohol. :ohno: :ohno:

Tropical Resort

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/ph_matrix/bohol_tropical_resort.jpg

WOW!!!

magkano ang reservation dito?

edit:

nevermind. i found it :D
http://www.travelph.com/resorts/Bohol/

Bohol, given the right management, promotion, and influx of investments would definitely give Cebu and even Boracay a good run for their money...Bohol has everything except for the huge investments pouring upon the other two destinations...but when the tide turns, Bohol would definitely be the biggest thing on this side of the country (although i'm praying just not yet, not until i'm rich enough to get a small piece of the island for my self)

i really like bohol. i was there three weeks ago and my family and i really enjoyed it. :) ....the only drawback...... walang golf course :(

i've no problem with that...golf is such a bring sport anyway (IMO)--what a waste of valuable real estate for something so dull--and only the rich folks get to enjoy it...Bohol's beauty is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, free of charge

i've no problem with that...golf is such a bring sport anyway (IMO)--what a waste of valuable real estate for something so dull--and only the rich folks get to enjoy it...Bohol's beauty is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, free of charge

Same here...:):):)

Hotels and Pension Houses
note: all rates are subject to change without prior notice. Prices may have changed kasi medyo previous pa ito. Kindly make corrections..

BOHOL TROPICS
Graham Avenue, Cogon, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-3510 to 14, 411-2529; fax nos. (038)411-3019, 501-8992
http://www.boholtropics.com (http://www.boholtropics.com/) | email: info@boholtropics.com
owner/manager: Geesnel Yap
Standard Class (78 rooms)


RATES ROOM TYPE
P 3,850.00 • Presidential Suite
2,035.00 • Ambassador Room
1,925.00 • Superior Room
1,815.00 • Executive De Luxe Room
1,595.00 • Super Twin Room
1,265.00 • Standard Twin Room
350.00 • (extra bed)


_______________________________________
THE METRO CENTRE HOTEL
CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-2599; fax no. (038)411-5866
http://www.metrocentrehotel.com (http://www.metrocentrehotel.com/) | email: metroctr@mozcom.com
owner: Frederick Ong
Standard Class (72 rooms)

RATES ROOM TYPE
P 6,150.00 • Presidential Suite
4,100.00 • Penthouse Suite
2,900.00 • Family Room (4 persons)
2,400.00 • De Luxe Double
1,960.00 • De Luxe
1,700.00 • Superior A
1,450.00 • Superior B
1,250.00 • Standard
400.00 • (extra bed)
550.00 • (extra bed, suite)

_______________________________________ _

Hotel La Roca
Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City
Tel. No. (038)411-3796 to 98, 411-3179; Fax No. (038)411-3009
http://www.larocagroup.com (http://www.larocagroup.com/) | email: laroca@larocagroup.com
owner: Jerry Joseph Lim
Economy Class (26 rooms)


RATES ROOM TYPE
P 3,240.00 • Penthouse Suite (4 persons)
1,200.00 • De Luxe Twin
1,080.00 • De Luxe Double
960.00 • Standard Twin
840.00 • Single Room
240.00 • (extra bed)
168.00 • (extra person)


_______________________________________ _


WREGENT Plaza Hotel
CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
Tel. No. (038)411-3144, 411-3951, 411-3971
http://www.wregent.com (http://www.wregent.com/) | email: info@wregent.com


RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,400.00 • Suite
1,200.00 • De Luxe Double
1,100.00 • De Luxe Single
900.00 • Standard Double
800.00 • Standard Single
250.00 • (extra bed/person)



_______________________________________ _

The Meridian Hotel
4 S. Matig-a Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-3060, 411-3123, fax nos. (038)411-4524, 411-3615
email: meridian@mozcom.com
Owner: Rolando Butalid
Economy Class (21 rooms) RATES ROOM TYPE
P 950.00 • De Luxe Suite
750.00 • Superior Single/Twin
650.00 • Standard Single/Twin
150.00 • (extra person)

_______________________________________ _

Gie Gardens Hotel
18 M.H. del Pilar Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-3182, 411-2031, fax no. (038)501-9750

Manager: Nicolas Lao
Economy Class (19 rooms)

RATES ROOM TYPE
P 600.00 • Double Room
490.00 • Single Room




_______________________________________ _

Chriscent Ville Pension House
Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-4029, 235-4365, fax no. (038)411-4028
owner/manager: Ponciano Mercado Jr.
Pension House (24 rooms) RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,200.00 • Suite
950.00 • Executive
850.00 • De Luxe Double
750.00 • De Luxe Single
650.00 • Standard Double
550.00 • Standard Single
150.00 • (extra bed)

_______________________________________ _

Coralandia Resort and Restaurant
45 Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3445, fax no. (038)411-3426
RATES ROOM TYPE
manager: Jonathan Asunto
Pension House/Cottage
(12 rooms) P 875.00
725.00
525.00 • Twin (aircon)
• Family (aircon)
• Single (aircon)
650.00
375.00 • Double (non-aircon)
• Single (non-aircon)
150.00 • (extra bed)

_______________________________________ _

East Coast Tourist Inn
Miguel Parras Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)501-7210
RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,200.00 • Penthouse
800.00 • Single De Luxe
650.00 • Single Standard
150.00 • (extra person)

_______________________________________ _

El Portal Inn
Belderol Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-2124, (038)411-3579, fax no. (038)235-6689
http://www.elportalinn.net (http://www.elportalinn.net/) | email: elportalinn@yahoo.com
owner/manager: Pamela Gallardo
Pension House (15 rooms)


RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,250.00 • Family Room
1,000.00 • Deluxe Double
850.00 • Standard Double
850.00 • Deluxe Single
700.00 • Standard Single
150.00 • (extra person/bed)


_______________________________________ _

Slim Pension House
35 F.R. Ingles Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-4858, 411-5907, fax no. (038)411-5908
owner/manager: Nathaniel Lim
Pension House (18 rooms)
_______________________________________ _

Taver's Pension House
Remolador Street, Cogon, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-4896, 411-3983, 411-4797
manager: Jun Calope
Pension House (24 rooms) RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,000.00 • De Luxe Double
800.00 • De Luxe Single
750.00 • Standard Double
600.00 • Standard Single
150.00 • (extra person)

_______________________________________ _

Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant
Mansasa Seaside, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3893
manager: Judith Bomediano
Inn (10 rooms) RATES ROOM TYPE
P 1,580.00 • Suite
1,200.00 • Superior
900.00 • Standard

_______________________________________ _

Villa Camilla Pension Haus
Ma. Clara Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-4966
owner/manager: Victoria Maluenda
Pension House (14 rooms)
_______________________________________ _

Winward Pension House
Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-3599
manager: Eddie Uy
Pension House (16 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Agricultural Promotions Center
J.A. Clarin Street, Dao, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-2436
Dormitory type (7 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Casa Juana
2nd flr., JJ's Dimsum & Restaurant, CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-3306, 411-3331, 411-2683
manager: Obdulio Caturza Jr.
Lodging House (10 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Charisma Lodge
2nd flr., E. Butalid Bldg., CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3094
manager: Timoteo Butalid Jr.
Lodging House (16 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
City Lodge 2
Miguel Parras Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-2190
manager: Corazon Odtohan
Lodging House (35 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
City Lodge 3
Lesage Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3251
manager: Corazon Odtohan
Lodging House (21 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
CVSCAFT Hometel
G/F CVSCAFT Tagbilaran City Campus, CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)235-3173
manager: Anaflor Rasonabe
Dormitory type (5 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Dumadag Farms
Taloto District, Tagbilaran City
manager: Charmaine Dumadag-Usares
Dormitory type (8 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Everglory Lodge & Restaurant
Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3200
manager: Zosimo R. Arbasto
Lodging House (18 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Executive Inn
J.S. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3254
manager: Tito Lim
Lodging House (21 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Hats Inn
CPG East Avenue corner Mendoza Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-2427
manager: Antonio Torralba
Lodging House (9 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
LTS Lodge
CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3310, 411-3082
manager: Conrado Jo
Lodging House (20 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Matig-a Lodge
26 P. Burgos Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-2068
manager: Roberto Villanueva
Lodging House (16 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Nisa Traveller's Inn
2nd flr., PCI Bank Bldg., CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3731
manager: Alejandro Sarmiento
Lodging House (14 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Shores Apartelle
Mansasa District, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-4734
manager: Becky Reynar
Lodging House (4 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Sky High Lodge
Co-Torralba Bldg, CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City
Lodging House
_______________________________________ _
Tamblot Pension House
30 Tamblot Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. nos. (038)411-2254
owner/manager: Dr. Manelo Timaan
Lodging House (9 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Uptown Lodge
M.H. del Pilar corner M. Parras Streets, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)235-3166
owner/manager: Dr. Simplicio Yap Jr.
Lodging House (16 rooms)
_______________________________________ _
Vista Lodge
12 A. Lesage Street, Tagbilaran City
tel. no. (038)411-3072
manager: Alejandro Uy
Lodging House (17 rooms)
_______________________________________ _

^^galing...the rates are uber-affordable

Travel site ranks Bohol as one of "best spots you've never heard of"
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=99506

Users of a leading travel website has rated Bohol as one of ten "best spots you've never heard of" in a poll.

In an article by Reuters Life, the members of the travel website IgoUgo (http://www.igougo.com) voted Bohol, Philippines as one of ten previously-unknown tourist spots that are ideal vacation places.

The article cited the Visayan province as "one of the Philippines' secrets." The place was described as having "numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores."

"Although people usually go to its highly urbanized neighboring island Cebu, Bohol holds a charm of its own makes it distinct from other Visayan islands," the article added.

Bohol was listed eighth in the poll.

The ten spots which made it to the list are:

1. Amarante, Portugal - a magnificent little city

"During my first time in Amarante, I found it such a nice town to visit, a pleasant 'discovery,' the only thing I could complain about was the weather... The lovely city is bathed by River Tamega and Amarante's beautiful architecture by its margins and green streets reflect on its water."

2. Sigulda, Latvia - a beautiful little town

"As the Gauja National Park gateway town closest to Riga, only 50 km southwest, Sigulda attracts its fair share of tourists, and deservedly so because it is one of the nicest small towns in Latvia. It is located on the banks of the Gauja river that winds through the forested hills."

3. Avebury, England - a Stonehenge alternative

"Avebury may be a lesser-known henge sibling to the massive stones of Stonehenge in the south, but it is certainly no less impressive. "Although Stonehenge's stones are so much bigger, the scale of the circle here at Avebury leaves the former well and truly in the shade."

4. Sorata, Bolivia - a mythical Shangri-La

"Bolivians mention Sorata (a small village of 2,000 people) as one of the most beautiful places in their country. They compare it to a mythical Shangri-La, placed in a narrow, faraway - almost lost - valley in the mountains. "

5. Camargue, France - for a Spanish/Gypsy flavor

"It's an unusual corner of France with many Spanish and Gypsy influences, worth a day or two for those who enjoy outdoor activities or a touch of the exotic ... The Camargue is a national and regional nature park of marshes and wetlands encompassing the Rhone River delta, just south of Arles."

6. Victoria, Argentina - the "City of the Seven Hills"

"Victoria is known as the "City of the Seven Hills" and the whole landscape is beautiful. The Parana Delta starts here, and goes all the way down to Buenos Aires."

7. Budva, Montenegro - on a dramatic coastline

"Budva is a 2,500-year-old seaside settlement about halfway along the dramatic Montenegrin coastline. The immaculately cared-for old town juts out into the Adriatic Sea on a small peninsula and is surrounded by tall stone walls."

8. Bohol, Philippines - one of Philippines' secrets

"Bohol has numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores. Although people usually go to its highly urbanized neighboring island Cebu, Bohol holds a charm of its own makes it distinct from other Visayan islands."

9.Cuyutlan, Mexico - black sand, green waves, sea turtles

"The beach is the reason to come to Cuyutlan. It is long and wide with black sand and rolling waves ... the seafood is fresh, abundant, and inexpensive."

10. Perthshire, Scotland - in the heart of highlands

"Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the dukes and earls of Atholl, has been awarded five stars as a visitor attraction by the Scottish tourist agency, its highest award. The castle enjoys one of Scotland's finest settings."

IgoUgo.com touts itself as "the world's leading online travel community" with 350,000 members who share opinions and experiences on destinations around the globe.

The users of the website voted for the list based on their experiences, and reader comments accompanied each place.

Panglao Tropical Villas at night

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/panglao.jpg

Loboc River


http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/loboc.jpg

Japanese seniors visit Bohol; DoT pushes health plan
(http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20071121109229.html)

A "Travel to the Philippines" program launched in Toyokawa City late last year has begun to yield fruits as a 22-man group, mostly active seniors, visited the Philippines and explored prospects of sisterhood ties with Tagbilaran, Bohol.


The group’s recent visit highlighted the increasing number of Japanese arrivals from Toyokawa and the rest of the Aichi Prefecture, site of the World Expo 2005, where Philippine tourism exhibits won awards.

Secretary Joseph Ace Durano of the Department of Tourism (DoT) said the group’s visit was part of the "World Expo 2005 Friendship City of the Philippines" program initiated by the DoT. The 2005 expo virtually "raised the curtain" for the 2006 year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Japan.

"In Bohol, the group from Toyokawa met with Mayor Dan Neri Lim of Tagbilaran to further study the possibility of their becoming sister cities," said DoT Team Japan head Benito C. Bengzon Jr.

"The Japanese seniors group, led by executive committee chairman Masaktasu Maruyama of the Toyokawa International Association, visited the Chocolate Hills, cruised the Loboc River, and interacted with the talented Loboc Church Children’s Choir," Bengzon added.

DoT Team Japan has stepped up efforts to promote the Philippines as a health and wellness destination for active seniors, a priority segment of the Japanese outbound market, according to Tourism Undersecretary Edu Jarque.

Earlier, Japan’s most influential women citizens’ group visited the Philippines on prospects of bringing in Japanese seniors for care and treatment in the country’s health and wellness facilities.

The four-day visit by members of the Women’s Association for Better Aging Society was facilitated by Team Japan, acting on Durano’s call for all marketing teams to intensify promoting the country’s health, wellness, and medical tourism worldwide.

The DoT Team Japan welcomed and brought the visiting Japanese group to various health and wellness destinations, including St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Tagaytay Highlands in Cavite.

Like most countries in various parts of the world, Japan has a big number of ageing baby boomers, or those born in 1946 and later years. A good number of them accounts for Japan’s 17.4-million outbound market and the more than 421,000 Japanese arrivals to the Philippines last year.

Balicasagan Island Resort, Bohol
by: Betsy Dy-Liacco


http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/balicasagan.jpg

Bohol Beach Club
by: Hartsord


http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/bh2.jpg




http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/bh1.jpg




http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/bh.jpg

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Bohol! See you in March '08 :D

bago lang po dito!

mag stay ka sa mga resorts sa panglao islands....tapos mag tour ka sa loboc river cruise, tarsier, chocolate hills, sagbayan peak, pamilacan and balikasag island for dolphin watching at scuba diving, tpos visit ka sa mga oldest church sa loboc, baclayon,loay,dauis at panglao. tpos dritso kana sa mga white beaches and caves.

^yeah, can't wait to see all of those next year, thanks :okay:

This picture is taken during my visit at Pangalo Nature's Park. This resort is GREAT! Kagagaling kulang noong October but I will be back with friends by February. :banana:

http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared/6/66/Panglao.JPG

Bridge proposed to
connect Cebu and Bohol

By Wilfredo Rodolfo III
Reporter

THE Central Visayas Regional Development Council (CVRDC) on Wednesday asked the national government to fund a P128.038-million feasibility project for a road bridge to connect the islands of Cebu and Bohol.
The Bohol-Cebu Multi-Access Friendship Bridge, which would connect Getafe town in northern Bohol and Cordova town on Mactan Island, has received the support of the provincial development councils in Bohol and Cebu province.

CVRDC chairman, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said the bridge would foster tourism in the two islands, as visitors to Cebu could not get easy access to the scenic destinations in Bohol.

“Tourists could now easily cross the two islands unlike before when they have to ride the boat,” Garcia said.

The CVRDC asked the Infrastructure Coordinating Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority to include the feasibility-study project for funding by the Korean government’s Economic Development Assistance Fund (EDCF).

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado said he personally met with officials of the EDCF on October 30 and he received a “very good response” on the prospect of the Korean government funding the feasibility study.

“They even encouraged me to get an endorsement from the CVRDC so they could process the project,” Aumentado said.

Aside from fostering tourism and trade, the bridge must also contain lines for water and power.

“Cebu would need excess water from Bohol, while Bohol needs excess power from Cebu,” he said.

Central Visayas governors in 2005 endorsed for feasibility study a bridge to connect the islands of Bohol, Cebu and Negros.

The Department of Public Works and Highways then drafted a concept paper and terms of reference on the project. Public works engineers then posted an estimate for the feasibility study.

The bridge is planned to hop over reefs and islets in Bohol Strait, between the islands of Bohol and Cebu. A bigger road would then connect Cordova to Lapu-Lapu City, which is then connected to mainland Cebu by the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

I found this while looking at Google Earth.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/louman84/kabundokangtsokolate.jpg

^^ nice ... nice... nice

ka gwapo sa akong pinalanggang bohol oist! :cheers:

Merry christmas!

Bohol pics

Island City Mall - Bohol's Largest Shopping Mall

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2140741105_883ca6b6e0_o.jpg

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Another ship in Tubigon's port
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2143312372_8f1c00a0f8_o.jpg

Baclayon Church (One of the oldest in the Philippines)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/2143315148_3eebd0f263.jpg?v=1198820206

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"Funny hill" says my sister
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2142525953_a6d70d21e6_o.jpg

Tubigon port, this one rivals Tagbilaran port in terms of domestic traffic
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2142526405_e2f0a288b9_o.jpg

hasta mañana Bohol!

during our bohol trip, my barkada nicknamed that funny hill as the "Prodigal Chocolate Hill" and the "Chocolate Hill na OP"

http://www.knittinginhollywood.org/photos/happy_new_year.gif

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:carrot::cucumber::pepper:From SSC-Iloilo:carrot::cucumber::pepper:

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bohol sceneries! we spent our new year there! :)

sunrise in Jagna...
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port of tagbilaran...
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bohol yacht club...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210528.jpg

tagbilaran city!
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loboc river...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210562.jpg

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loboc church...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210556.jpg

island city mall...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210584.jpg

tagbilaran city hall...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210585.jpg

st. joseph church..
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210589.jpg

CP Garcia ave...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210603.jpg

view from top of BQmall, Gerry's grill! also seen is panglao island!
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210605.jpg

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Duero...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210516.jpg

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tsunami warning sign...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1210511.jpg

based from the pics, bohol is really developing rapidly. am I right?

during our bohol trip, my barkada nicknamed that funny hill as the "Prodigal Chocolate Hill" and the "Chocolate Hill na OP"

That funny hill by the way is known as Ilijan Hill and its a 240 meter extinct volcanic plug. Its the only one of its kind in Bohol.

Upgrade of Panglao airport to
int’l gateway gets Neda’s nod


THE board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday approved the upgrade of an airport in Bohol into an international gateway.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Augusto B. Santos said the agency’s board, which is chaired by President Arroyo, approved the P4 billion Panglao Airport Development Project, which is aimed at boosting tourism and trade in that province and in surrounding areas.

“The total project cost will be funded by the government,” Santos said in a telephone interview.

The construction of the Panglao Airport will not only benefit the province of Bohol and Central Visayas, but will also impact positively on the regions belonging to Central Philippines whose primary economic driver is tourism, the NEDA said.

The agency said tourist arrivals in Bohol have considerably increased, as the province’s eco-cultural destinations have drawn both domestic and foreign visitors.

The construction of the Panglao Airport will facilitate travel in the different tourism loops within the Central Philippines region.

The planned 100-hectare airport can accommodate Boeing 737, or Airbus A320 jets.

The new Panglao Airport is expected to be completed by middle of 2010. It is one of the President’s priority projects, and is included in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan.
-- Darwin G. Amojelar

Hi Guys! Anyone here from Bohol? I'll be staying in Panglao this Friday until Tuesday. It would be nice to meet some of you while I'm there. :)

^^ maybe i would be there on friday. but i have a date. :) we can meet though.

Sure. Just PM me.

$1B airport project approved in Central Philippines
+ - 22:06, January 10, 2008

The Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved a 4.17-billion-peso (1.03-billion U.S. dollar) project to build an airport in the country's central island of Bohol, the authority said on Thursday.

The airport supports the government's thrust to make Central Philippines a major tourist destination, NEDA said in a press release.

The project envisions opening up Central Visayas to more economic activities as well as enhancing the tourism potential of Bohol, it said.

"This is expected to reduce travel time and cost of transporting goods and people. The project will also serve as a gateway for major tourist destinations in Bohol from other parts of the country and abroad," it added.

The proposed airport will be built on 216 hectares of land and will have a runway of 2,500 meters by 45 meters and passenger and cargo terminal buildings.

The project will be funded wholly by government funds from the Manila International Airport Authority, the Department of Transportation and Communication and some of its attached agencies, and the Department of Tourism, NEDA said.

The project is expected to start July this year and finish by April 2010.

Source: here (http://news.nabou.com/cgi-bin/newsframe/437892yks4328903Dnabou2BInews421789994asgw3798etys6787/18A8047A97056E4D9B2CDA039BFF5E58backheadline3DHow2Bdo2BI2Bcut2Ba2Boout3Fnews26o3D0/FrameIt.cgi?Url=http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r1249291478)

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Me really like to visit Bohol once someday. By the looks of the province from the photos that were posted, it really looks handsome. Looking forward to go there soon.:)

Cool :okay: Bohol is worth a visit!

Panglao Tropical Villas

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just came back from bohol again... just a span of 1week! love it!
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