Philippines – Manila Davao Borocay – Travel Food Entertainment

Bohol is found in the Visayas group of islands in the tropical country of the Philippines.  Known for its friendly people, beautiful beaches, and of course the most famous Chocolate Hills, Bohol is a tourist destination through and through.

The best time to visit Bohol is in the summer when it’s easier to go visit some of the country’s popular tourist spots.  When we say summer, it’s around March to May.  And no, Bohol isn’t just about going to the beach, there’s more to it than meets the eye.  So if you’re planning for a trip to this island, here are top 8 reasons to visit, mostly centered on the town of Panglao:

1.    Chocolate Hills

When we say hills, we really mean hills!  Hundreds of ‘em!  Visiting Bohol for the first time, I thought it was just hype but it’s NOT!  Chocolate-colored in the summer and green during the rainy months, the Chocolate Hills will astound you with their number (1268 hills according to experts).  Hills as far as your eyes can see atop the viewing deck. 

This is located at Carmen, Bohol.  From Tagbiliran City, go to Dao bus terminal and take a ride to the town of Carmen.  Get off at the Chocolate Hills complex and take a 10-minute walk up the viewing area.

2.    Beaches

Bohol is surrounded by beaches and not one should disappoint.  If you’re looking for a place to stay by the beach, Alona Beach is a good place to go.  Lots of resorts line this beach and during the night, the seemingly quiet shore turns into one big party place in the evening. 

3.    Dolphin and Whale Watching

While enjoying your stay by the beach and if you’re an early riser, catch the dolphin and whales during the wee hours of the morning around 5 am near Pamilican Island.  A local boatman will take you to see these great creatures.

4.    Tarsiers

Before whale watching, Bohol has already been known to be the home of the smallest mammal in the world, the tarsiers.  These wide-eyed creatures can be seen in viewing areas that dot the Panglao Island in Bohol.  Just words of caution though, do not by any means take pictures of these gentle creatures with the flash on.  They are actually nocturnal animals and get stressed out with sudden flashes of light.  According to experts, tarsiers can go into depression and do hara-kiri.

5.    Mahogany Forest

These 2 kilometer stretch of man-made Mahogany Forest is located at the border of the towns of Bilar and Loboc.  This is a sight to see while driving up to see the Chocolate Hills.  Mahogany trees flank the road left and right in perfect geometry. 

6.    Loboc River Ride

Tired from the sight seeing?  Relax, ride on one of the buffet boats along Loboc River and enjoy their lunch and snack buffet meals.  This floating restaurant goes downstream and back along the length of the Loboc River for an hour while you feast on Bohol’s dishes and listen to the band playing on the boat.

7.    Loboc Children’s Choir

Founded in 1980, the original Loboc Children’s Choir has done the country proud by winning in many competitions abroad, including winning the National Champion of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) – Children’s Choir Category, three times.  It began as a school choir of 30 elementary students.  Catch them in one of their practice sessions in the hall right across the dock where the Loboc River Ride begins.  Listen to the fantastic voices of these children and I bet you, you’ll weep.

8.    Adventure Tour

Now most of the activities are not just centered in the area of Panglao, Bohol.  If you’re looking for some real rough fun, visit the town of Danao and go, tubing, trekking, rappelling, and caving.  It currently has the longest and highest zipline in the country. 

There are a lot of activities for every tourist in Bohol, whether you’d just want to laze around, go on an adventure or want to explore what the island has to offer!

Above: The famous Belfry of Jaro Cathedral stands out against the Iloilo skyline

Tourists and locals never fail to flock to the Jaro Cathedral, one of Iloilo City’s attraction, to marvel at its unique historical and architectural value. The church’s belfry, distinctively unattached to the building itself and is just across the street, had once served as a lookout tower against foreign invaders many years ago. This Baroque style cathedral, combined with Gothic elements was destroyed by a quake in January 1948 but was restored in 1956.

Built in 1964, the Jaro Cathedral is the first and the only cathedral in Panay Island. Graciano Lopez-Jaena, a literary and oratorical spokesman for the cause of Filipino freedom who eventually became a Philippine national hero, was baptized here. The said event is stated on the church’s historical marker. Another major historical event that took place here was the mass officiated by Pope John Paul VI in 1982.

Above: View from the outside of Jaro Cathedral

The cathedral has a balcony at its front portion where a life-size icon of a Madonna and child is placed. Visitors can freely climb the balcony and gaze at the image which is believed to be miraculous. The local churchgoers say that the icon, dressed in cape and encased in glass, has grown larger through the years.

Above: A life-size statue of The Madonna and Child can be glanced at, at the balcony of Jaro Cathedral

Getting to Jaro Cathedral is easy and convenient. It only takes a taxi ride from Iloilo International Airport or from Iloilo Seaport or one could find “Jaro-bound” jeepneys from the main city area that make stops near the cathedral.