Bohol Getaway: A One-day Tour of God’s Little Paradise

The 294-year-old steafast Baclayon Church warmly welcomes tourists.

            This was my birthday getaway last January 2020. It means that there is no such thing as a pandemic during this tour. This is before the lockdowns and quarantines. Looking at the pictures, a wave of nostalgia and disappointment swept through me. I took a two-day off just to visit this place since it is a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu. My companion and I took the Cebu-Tagbilaran Ferry. The cost of the ferry ride varies depending on the carrier you choose. There are currently four shipping companies which are operating in Pier 1, namely, OceanJet, SuperCat, Lite Ferries, and Island Water.

The view of the parking area and souvenir shops  from the viewing deck of the Chocolate Hills.

        My first agenda in Bohol is the Chocolate Hills. The Chocolate Hills is the Philippines’ third National Geological Monument. Legend says that the formation of these hills were remnants of the stones and sand which were thrown by two giants when they were fighting. The giants decided to become friends and left the island where they fought The stones and sand formed the Chocolate Hills. From the scientific perspective, geological theories explain that these hills were the result of thousands of years of marine limestones. There are currently 1,268 visible hills in the area. Our guide told us that some of the hills were used as residential and agricultural space since two or more municipalities are covered with them. 

Magnificent Chocolate Hills are flaunting its God-given beauty and splendor. 

The viewing deck is filled with picturesque signages so that tourists may enjoy their picture taking.

Bohol Enchanted Zoological and Botanical Garden is one of the sanctuaries of the Philippine Tarsiers.

        Our next stop on our day tour was the Bohol Enchanted Zoological and Botanical Garden. The main purpose of our visit to this spot is to visit the Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsiers are locally known as “mawumag” in Bisaya and “mago” in Waray. They are the world’s second-smallest primates which measure from 85 to 160 mm in height. These primates are nocturnal in their habitats. They spent most of their sleeping time in the daytime. Sadly, tarsiers have stereotypy which is manifested by the banging of their heads against objects. Since their heads are relatively small, the skull breaks and leads to their death. This behavior is attributed to their suicidal instincts. Our guide in the botanical garden asked everyone to stay quiet when we reached the tarsier sanctuary so that we won't be able to wake up the tarsiers. 

I gently and silently took this photo during our tour.

Bohol Enchanted is also a home to a butterfly sanctuary. 

        One of the reasons I wanted to visit Bohol is the Bilar Man-made Forest. The 2-kilometer stretch borders Bilar and Loboc. The red and white mahogany trees are shading the highway with glorious leaves and branches. It is an amazing sight with the tranquil coolness of the blowing wind. The Bilar man-made forest is one of the biggest reforestation programs after World War II. This was planned during the administration of Governor Conrado Marapao in 1947 in response to the slash and burn farming system (also known as kaingin) in the area by the natives. The plan was called the Loboc Watershed Reforestation Project and came to life in 1953. It covered 19,410 hectares of forest land. 

The Bilar-meet-Loboc forest is a testimony of the great work and diligence of the natives of Bohol in preserving the wondrous gift of mother nature.

Note: This photo was taken with extreme caution. This was taken at noontime when the vehicles are fewer than the usual number during rush hour. 

       

    After feeding our eyes and minds with historical and amazing sceneries, it is time to fill our stomachs with refreshments. An amazing lunch in Bohol should be along the Loboc River. The famous Loboc River Cruise is a lunch date while floating in a buffet-filled boat accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. In our cruise in Loboc River, the ride featured a visitation and dancing with a group of indigenous people of Bohol. It was a delight to cruise and eat at the same time since we are breathing the fresh air and being warmed by nature’s beauty. 

We were seated in the front seats of the Loboc River Cruise that we are able to capture sceneries without photobombers. 

         Coconut trees are inviting guests to have a glimpse of the life of the natives.  

These are the floating restaurants which carries the guests to cruise in Loboc. 

    To end the one-day tour and to feed our spiritual being, we visited the Baclayon Church. I offered a thanksgiving prayer for the gift of another year. Baclayon Church is also known as La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church. It was built in 1596 by Jesuit priests and renovated by the Augustinians in 171. It is considered as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Baclayon church survived natural and man-made calamities throughout the years. It is a testament to God’s glory and goodness. 

Personifying a home to the devotees, the interior of Baclayon Church is artistically bright and splendid.

        My major takeaway from this one-day trip is that tourist sites whether is man-made or natural should be valued and preserved well. Bohol has so much more to offer that I didn't have enough time to visit since my work schedule was tight by that time. I hope the historical, natural, and man-made sites will be taken care of well so that many generations can enjoy them.