Bohol

Before the arrival of the Spanish, Bohol already had contact with traders from China and other civilizations. In 1565, the Blood Compact between local chieftain Rajah Sikatuna and Legazpi was made and the population generally converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Although peace loving, the Boholanos revolted against the friars abuses. The most significant revolts were the Revolt of Tamblot during 1621 - 1622 and the Dagohoy Rebellion during 1744 - 1829 resulting in 85 years of Bohol independence within a colonial Philippines. The Legazpi-Sikatuna Blood Compact is perhaps the first international peace treaty while the Dagohoy Rebellion was the longest recorded Filipino insurrection. The Chocolate Hills are Bohol's most well known attraction.

Baclayon

Baclayon is the oldest town in Bohol. Founded in 1595 by the Spanish, it is well known for the Baclayon Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines. The name derives from baclay meaning to walk and bacay meaning to detour. This is because early travellers used to detour around a rocky cliff area rather than have to go over it. In World War II, Baclayon was chosen by Filipino guerrillas to be the centre of operations against the Japanese in Tagbilaran. The guerrillas controlled Baclayon until the last few months of 1943.

Baclayon Church

Built in 1596, the Baclayon Church is oldest stone church in the Philippines (some historians argue that San Agustin Church in Intramuros is). (May 2004)

Originally a small chapel, Baclayon Church is a well preserved Jesuit-built church in its original state. (May 2004)

Bilar

Bilar is an inland town in Bohol. When the Spanish were exploring the area, they came across women drying palay. The Spanish asked the women the name of the place. The women not understanding replied nagbilad referring to their activity. Due to pronunciation difficulties, the Spanish dropped this to bilad and then later bilar; the official name of the town.

Bilar Man-Made Forest

The man-made forest of Bilar is the largest man-made forest in the country. It covers an area of 8.574 square kilometres. (May 2004)

A national reforestation program was launched in the early 1960s. Thousands of Mahogany seeds were planted in Bilar and Loboc. (May 2004)

Carmen

Formerly called Imbaya while it was a part of Bilar, it was renamed Carmen when it became an independent town. It is supposedly named after a woman who was a popular figure in the community.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are Bohol's most famous attraction. There are 1,268 of these perfectly cone-shaped hills located in central Bohol. (May 2004)

This marker and look-out point are on the top of the tallest Chocolate Hill. There are stairs to the very top of the hill and a resort lower down. (May 2004)

The Chocolate Hills are called so because they are brown in colour during dry periods (evidently, this is not a dry period). (May 2004)

The Chocolate Hills are a national geographic monument. They are made of lime and each hill was uniquely formed at a time when Bohol was still submerged beneath the ocean. (May 2004)

Dauis

Dauis is located on Panglao Island and is one of the oldest towns in Bohol. A parish was established in 1697 and it is thought that the founding of the town must be around this time. All municipal records were destroyed by fire during World War II.

Hinagdanan Cave

Inside the Hinagdanan Cave. There is a fresh water bathing pool within this underground cave. (May 2004)

Loboc

It is believed that Loboc was founded in 1602, making it one of the oldest towns in Bohol. The town is located in a valley in which the Loboc River runs through.

Loboc River

This old former church, now museum is the starting point of the Loboc River trip. (May 2004)

One way to take the Loboc River trip is on one of these floating restaurants. (May 2004)

Taking the Loboc River trip aboard a floating restaurant where one can enjoy good food with good scenery. (May 2004)

Tropical flora is found on both sides of the Loboc River. (May 2004)

The boats travel upstream to the final destination which is the Busay Falls. (May 2004)

The other option is to take a smaller motor boat upstream to the Busay Falls which are 12 metres wide and 4 metres deep. (May 2004)

After a short stop at the Busay Falls, the restaurant boat turns around and begins the trip back to the starting point. (May 2004)

Once known as the smallest monkey in the world, the Tarsier is an endangered species. (May 2004)

Tagbilaran City

Tagbiliran was as settlement that dated back to the 15th century and was known as Bool Kingdom. The origins of the name are thought to come from tinabilan, meaning screened; a reference to the fact that the area is shielded by Pangalo Island. It is also thought to derive from tagubilaan which means a place hidden from Muslim raiders (tagu; to hide and bilaan; a Muslim raider tribe). Because of past encounters with the Portuguese, the Visayans were aggressive towards the white men with beards. However, General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made a blood pact of peace with Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna in 1565. This was the first "Peace Treaty" between the Filipino natives and the Spanish. Tagbilaran was once part of Baclayon but because of the size of the population, it had become difficult to administer the town. On February 9, 1742, an executive decree was signed separating San Jose de Tagbiliran from Baclayon. Tagbilaran became a chartered city on July 1, 1966. Tagbiliran is the birthplace of late President Carlos P. Garcia.

Blood Compact Site

The Blood Compact Site Monument identifies the place where Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi forged a Blood Compact on March 16, 1565. (May 2004)

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