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Bohol |
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Bohol
province is the 10th largest
island in the Philippines
surrounded by Cebu on the east,
Camotes Sea on the north, Bohol
Strait on the west and Mindanao
Sea on the south.
It is the hometown of
Carlos P. Garcia, Philippines
4th President.
The
name Bohol was originally from a
barrio called Bo-ol,
found in Tagbilaran City. Its
first inhabitants were believed
to be from a group called Pintados.
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During the Spanish expedition, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and
Bohol Chieftain Sikatuna
performed blood compact, which
signified peace treaty among the
natives of the province and
Spain. This historical event is
commemorated in the province
each year in the Sandugo
Festival celebrated during the
month of June.
It
is basically an agriculture
province with rice, coconut, and
corn as its primary crops. The
natives, who are called Boholanos,
indulge themselves in hunting
whales, dolphins, sharks and
mantas around the area near
Northern Mindanao. They are also
known for their weaving skills
and their products are very
popular all over the country.
Their handicrafts include antequera
baskets, buntal hats, and
mats and sacks made from saguran
fibers.
Bohol
is one of the prominent tourist
spots in the country.
Known to be the home of
the famous "Chocolate
Hills", thousands of
perfect cone-shaped hills that
get its chocolate color during
the dry season from March to
May. It is also the home of the
Philippine tarsier, the smallest
monkey in the world measuring
only four or five inches with
its tail longer than its body.
Beautiful
beaches also surround the
island.
Panglao Island for
example, boasts of its white
sand beaches equal to those in
Boracay and is also popular for
its dive spots. Other famous
dive sites neighboring the
island are Balicasag and
Pamilacan, latter was recognized
as a prime site for whale
watching.
Bohol
may be reached by plane or by
sea.
Domestic airlines have
direct flights from Manila to
Bohol. You may also choose to
fly Manila to Cebu and from Cebu
a 90-minute craft boat will take
you to Tagbilaran City. Several
seaports in the city service
shipping lines that travel to
Visayas, Mindanao and Manila at
least twice a week.
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FACTS
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Region: 7
Capital: Tagbilaran City
City: Tagbilaran
Land Area: 4, 117.3 sq. km.
Number of Towns: 50 |
1. Albuquerque
2. Alicia
3. Arida
4. Antequera
5. Baclayon
6. Balilihan
7. Batuan
8. Bien Unido
9. Bilar
10. Buenavista
11. Calape
12. Candijay
13. Carmen
14. Catigbian
15. Clarin
16. Cogton
17. Corella |
18. Cortes
19. Dagohoy
20. Danao
21. Dauis
22. Dimiao
23. Duero
24. Garcia Hernandez
25. Guindulman
26. Inabangay
27. Jagna
28. Jetafe
29. Lila
30. Loay
31. Loboc
32. Loon
33.
Mabini
34. Maribojoc |
35.
Pres.
Carlos P. Garcia
36.
Panglao
37. Pilar
38. Sagbayan
39. San Isidro
40. San
Miguel
41. Sevilla
42. Sierra Bullones
43. Sikatuna
44. Tabuan
45. Talibon
46. Tangan
47. Trinidad
48. Tubigon
49. Ubay
50. Valencia
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CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS
SHRINES
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Baclayon Church
Known as the oldest stone church in the
Philippines. Built in 1595 by the Jesuits,
this ancient massive edifice still retains
its century-old architectural design. Both
in the external and internal portions of the
church, it contains various interesting
relics and artifacts dating back to the
early 16th century.
Dauis
Church
One of Bohol's beautiful churches, which
has retained its Spanish architecture
although it has a semi-modern facade. The
church interior has life-like murals painted
on the ceiling. Legend has it that when
pirates invaded the town, the townsfolk
locked themselves inside the church until
they ran out of provisions and water.
Loon Church
This church is a long flight of 154
stone steps, believed to be the longest
stairway in the country reminiscent of
Spanish forced labor. The stairway connects
Napo, the former seat of the town, to the
church.
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HISTORICAL SITES
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Blood
Compact Site In
the secluded barangay of Bohol, three
kilometers from Tagbilaran, is a marker that
marks the spot where Datu Sikatuna, a native
chieftain, forged a Blood Compact with
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi representing the
King of Spain, for the purpose of fostering
friendly relations between the two
countries.
Pres. Carlos P.
Garcia Memorial Park This
Park was erected by the Boholanos in
loving memory of
President Garcia. Located two
kilometers away from the heart of Tagbilaran
City,
Mt.
Carmel Hill
Nestled in the heart of Balilihan town,
atop this hill is a historical tower of
adobe and limestone. These materials were
hauled from the town of Baclayon. It was
built at the foot of a hill to serve as
belfry of the church.
Dagohoy Marker Located
in Magtangtang in the town of Danao,
it was built by the Philippine Historical
Commission to honor the heroic deeds of
Francisco Dagohoy, who led the longest
revolt in the country against the Spaniards
that lasted for 84 years.
Punta
Cruz This
is an ancient watchtower built of stones
many years back. In the slightly indented
place fronting the tower is where a wooden
cross is planted. Legend has it that its
mysterious spell had saved many people from
the ravages of pirates as the cross extended
its mysterious arms to the sea strait thus
preventing marauders.
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MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
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Kaingit Beach A
popular beach resort in Tagbilaran, which is
jam-packed by bathers during weekends. It is
situated in a cove, which leaves the bathers
undisturbed even during stormy weather. It
is located at the end of a side street from
Graham Avenue.
La Roca Beach Resort
Tourists and local bathers who desire
privacy during weekends take a dip at the La
Roca Beach Resort along Graham Avenue. Hotel
guests who prefer the sea than the hotel
swimming pool can enjoy the seawater anytime
during the day.
Banit-I
Hill
This hill commands a scenic view
overlooking the vast sea of Mindanao, Negros
and Siquijor province and the strait of
Panglao Island. Elevation is 145 meters
above sea level. It is a few minutes ride
from Tagbilaran proper.
Elly
Hill
Its formation is similar to that of the
famous Chocolate Hills. Elevation is 100
meters and it is situated in the northern
part of this city about 5 kilometers away.
Sta. Fe Beach One
of the favorite beaches covered by white
sand. Fronting the open sea of Mindanao.
This beach is visited by big numbers of
picnickers during holidays. It is located in
about one and one half kilometers from the
poblacion of Alburquerque.
Anda Beach
A beach along the poblacion covered with
white sand. It is noted for its cleanliness.
Town folks enjoy the unpolluted sea.
Inambacan
Falls
Commands
a beautiful view of cascading waterfalls.
This could be a potential source of water
supply for drinking and irrigation in
Antiquera town and even Tagbilaran. The
estimated output is about 8,000 gallons per
minute all drained to the Abatan River. It
is one kilometer from the poblacion of this
town.
Laya
Beach This is the most famous
tourist attraction in Bohol. Among the
thousands of perfectly cone-shaped hills,
which abound in Central Bohol, two of the
hills have become developed into a resort.
On top of the hill are two youth hostels
with a conference room, cozy cottages with
private rooms and accommodation, a swimming
pool and a tennis court.
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