My Top 3 Favorites from the Bohol That Was
Bohol is one of the loveliest places I've ever been to in the Philippines.
It had so much to offer in terms of nature and sights. And if you read this blog a lot, you'd know that Your City Promdi loves its provincial feel. Bohol has a lot of that. It offered a leisurely lifestyle, fun, friendly locals, and a lot of fresh food. And for urban dwellers who want to get away from their usual pace in the city.
Unfortunately, the 2013 earthquake had greatly affected it--claimed many lives and destroyed properties, including some of its famous natural and man-made landmarks. There had been a lot of efforts from the government, from the private sector, from even the international community to help rebuild Bohol (ULAP, for example). Still it would take many years for the province to regain its footing. Some may never be regained, as in the case of the centuries-old landmarks that had been lost.
In any case, I know there are a lot of Bohol-lovers and visitors who would treasure a lot of the Bohol that was. Your City Promdi was one of the millions of people lucky enough to see the province's treasures before the earthquake. Together with my sisters and my mom, I visited Bohol almost a year ago, just a few months before the catastrophe.
Here's my little down-memory-lane thing, with my top three picks--my favorites of what Bohol had to offer.
There's nothing quite like finally seeing in person what you've always seen in Sibika books as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. (Maybe like seeing your lifelong dream boy actor crush? LOL!).
We came on a hot summer day, and so the little hilly mounds have lost all of their green grass and brown--they looked like great chocolate kisses glimmering in the sun! We had to go walk a little bit to the top, to the viewing deck strategically positioned to offer an almost 360-degree view of the It was a fun way to
When I look back at my photos from five years ago, it's the photos of the Baclayon Church that truly get me. Back then, it was already an antique cathedral--standing since the time of the Spaniards in the Philippines. I remember being amazed that it was one of the very few coral stone churches left from that era. I felt close to it, too, because of the Jesuit connection.
I'm glad, of course, that the church has already been restored five years after the earthquake that damaged it--and doubly glad that parts of the retablo (part of the old altar) had been salvaged and brought to the Philippine National Museum--its artistry to be forever admired there.
I'm adding this here because Baclayon Church is really a place of beauty and history--a must-visit for anyone who wants to delve a little bit more into the heart of Bohol.
If you drop by the church, don't just explore the ground floor. Also try to see if the museum, which used to be housed at the second floor, is open. Their collection includes a collection of missals, priestly robes, and Eucharistic items. They carry so much history with them, and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the church as well as the inner lives of the friars and priests that lived and served the church throughout the decades. The collections also carry with them a glimpse of the artistry of the men and women who created the vestments used in the mass in the past.
When we finally caught sight of a family of them, maybe 20 meters away from our boat, I wanted to cry! They looked so majestic diving in and out of the water. Early in the morning, with the tropical sun beating down on us, they looked like creatures from myths.
From what I've heard in the news, these giants seemed to not have been affected by the earthquake at all. However--and even as I feel very selfish putting this as my top Bohol experience while saying what I will say--please don't visit the butandings. I have matured in the past five years, and have learned about the negative effects that human encroachment into their territory are making them dependent on us and, therefore, more vulnerable.
If those three things does not appeal to you, you can also check out the other Bohol staples: the butterfly garden, the tarsier conservation center, the man-made forest, the excellent snorkeling spots, and the Loboc river. There is a lot to appreciate in this place, and you should check it out!
Hotels - All sorts of hotels at different price points are available throughout the island. I recommend using this site to look for budget, but well-reviewed hotels, while also getting rebates: http://bit.ly/EarnViaAgoda.
It had so much to offer in terms of nature and sights. And if you read this blog a lot, you'd know that Your City Promdi loves its provincial feel. Bohol has a lot of that. It offered a leisurely lifestyle, fun, friendly locals, and a lot of fresh food. And for urban dwellers who want to get away from their usual pace in the city.
 |
| Lobor River and the Bohol River Cruise. "Everything's so green! So relaxing!" said my sister. (Photo by Your City Promdi) |
Unfortunately, the 2013 earthquake had greatly affected it--claimed many lives and destroyed properties, including some of its famous natural and man-made landmarks. There had been a lot of efforts from the government, from the private sector, from even the international community to help rebuild Bohol (ULAP, for example). Still it would take many years for the province to regain its footing. Some may never be regained, as in the case of the centuries-old landmarks that had been lost.
In any case, I know there are a lot of Bohol-lovers and visitors who would treasure a lot of the Bohol that was. Your City Promdi was one of the millions of people lucky enough to see the province's treasures before the earthquake. Together with my sisters and my mom, I visited Bohol almost a year ago, just a few months before the catastrophe.
Here's my little down-memory-lane thing, with my top three picks--my favorites of what Bohol had to offer.
Top 3. CHOCOLATE HILLS
 |
| What else to do with the chocolate |
There's nothing quite like finally seeing in person what you've always seen in Sibika books as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. (Maybe like seeing your lifelong dream boy actor crush? LOL!).
We came on a hot summer day, and so the little hilly mounds have lost all of their green grass and brown--they looked like great chocolate kisses glimmering in the sun! We had to go walk a little bit to the top, to the viewing deck strategically positioned to offer an almost 360-degree view of the It was a fun way to
Top 2. BACLAYON CHURCH
When I look back at my photos from five years ago, it's the photos of the Baclayon Church that truly get me. Back then, it was already an antique cathedral--standing since the time of the Spaniards in the Philippines. I remember being amazed that it was one of the very few coral stone churches left from that era. I felt close to it, too, because of the Jesuit connection.I'm glad, of course, that the church has already been restored five years after the earthquake that damaged it--and doubly glad that parts of the retablo (part of the old altar) had been salvaged and brought to the Philippine National Museum--its artistry to be forever admired there.
I'm adding this here because Baclayon Church is really a place of beauty and history--a must-visit for anyone who wants to delve a little bit more into the heart of Bohol.
If you drop by the church, don't just explore the ground floor. Also try to see if the museum, which used to be housed at the second floor, is open. Their collection includes a collection of missals, priestly robes, and Eucharistic items. They carry so much history with them, and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the church as well as the inner lives of the friars and priests that lived and served the church throughout the decades. The collections also carry with them a glimpse of the artistry of the men and women who created the vestments used in the mass in the past.
Top 1. BUTANDINGS
To see the butandings, we had to get out to sea super early. Our hotel packed our breakfast for us, so we don't go hungry when trying to catch a glimpse of the butandings. Our boatmen were all very experienced and knew all the places where they usually congregate. When we got there, they turned off the boat engine, to prevent the loud whirring from scaring away the butandings.When we finally caught sight of a family of them, maybe 20 meters away from our boat, I wanted to cry! They looked so majestic diving in and out of the water. Early in the morning, with the tropical sun beating down on us, they looked like creatures from myths.
From what I've heard in the news, these giants seemed to not have been affected by the earthquake at all. However--and even as I feel very selfish putting this as my top Bohol experience while saying what I will say--please don't visit the butandings. I have matured in the past five years, and have learned about the negative effects that human encroachment into their territory are making them dependent on us and, therefore, more vulnerable.
If those three things does not appeal to you, you can also check out the other Bohol staples: the butterfly garden, the tarsier conservation center, the man-made forest, the excellent snorkeling spots, and the Loboc river. There is a lot to appreciate in this place, and you should check it out!
Notes on logistics:
Transport - Bohol can be reached through very affordable budget flights (CebuPac or PAL) or through RoRo.Hotels - All sorts of hotels at different price points are available throughout the island. I recommend using this site to look for budget, but well-reviewed hotels, while also getting rebates: http://bit.ly/EarnViaAgoda.
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