Manila and Its Spokes
|
Cebu and its Spokes
Laoag / Baguio and its Spokes
|
Davao and its Spokes
Clark/Subic and its Spokes |
Others and its Spokes
Bohol
The island province of Bohol has much to offer in terms
of history and natural attractions. One of the loveliest
islands in the Visayas, Bohol's coastline is skimmed by
gentle coves and white sand beaches Many highways snake
along pristine beaches and rustic rivers where the tourist
can stop at any point and jump in. The province's dive
spots, of which there are about a dozen, are said to be
among the world’s best. Bohol is located in the central
portion of the Visayas lying between Cebu to the northwest
and Leyte to the northeast. The province is about 700
kilometers south of Manila and 70 kilometers southeast of
Mactan Island.
Bohol is like a jade brooch set on a velvet-blue sea. Its
fertile land has hills that roll gently around lush forests
and grassy meadows. Marine life - from schools of tiny reef
fish to bigger pods of dolphins and whales - teem in the
surrounding waters. The province is the perfect arena for
scuba diving, kayaking, trekking and cave exploration. For
the less adventurous, it offers leisurely pursuits like
cruising, swimming, snorkeling or, simply, collecting
seashells by the seashore.
A WHIFF OF HISTORY
During the 16th century, a "Treaty of Friendship" was
forged between the brown and white races, sealed by the
blood compact of the Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna and
the Spanish Captain Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Some 302 years
of Spanish rule followed after the treaty. It was a rule
bathed with sweat and tears, as native sons plodded in hard
labor building massive fortresses and grand colonial
churches. More blood was also shed in the many attempts to
free the motherland from the shackles of Spanish domination.
To this day, there still stands in Bohol many structures
that serve as mute testimonials to its rich historic past.
Baclayon Church, is the best preserved Jesuit-built church
in the region, although its facade and most of the stone
structures surrounding it were built by the Augustininan
Recollects in the late 19th century. The Christian community
organized by the Jesuits on November 17, 1596 and thereafter
a visita was erected on the site. Baclayon was canonically
raised to the status of a parish only in 1717, the present
stone church was completed in 1727. The Casa parroquial was
built by the Augustinian recollects in 1872. An
ecclesiastical museum was established in 1969/70. Its
narthex has the cuadro paintings of the historically
acllaimed Filipino painter Liberato Gatchalian. Paintings
were executed in 1859. Declared a national historical
landmark in 1995 by the National Historical Institute. Its
convent has been transformed into a museum and houses
priceless religious artifacts.
Other mission churches of architectural distinction include
Dauis Church with its beautiful frescoes, Loboc Church with
its three-story convent, Panglao Church with its ornate
antiquities and ceiling murals, Loon Church, the most
stunning church built by the Recollect Friars, and the 19th
century Maribojoc Church.
Also found in the town of Maribojoc is the ancient Punta
Cruz watchtower which used to serve as a look-out for
marauding pirates. It now serves as a view deck and offers a
picturesque vista of the Mindanao Sea and the provinces of
Cebu and Siquijor. Other watchtowers of note can be found in
the towns of Loay, Balilihan and Pamilacan Island
