Pamilacan Island Dolphin Watching
The small island of Pamilacan is nestled in the heart of the Bohol Sea, the Visayas Archipelagos in the Philippines. Its name is derived from the word pilak, which is a large hooked implement made and used by the islanders to capture manta rays, whale sharks and bryde's whale.
The Bohol Sea is said to be a breeding ground of these mysterious but beautiful creatures. The island in previous times, served as a watch station against the intrusion of pirates and enemies of the Spanish colony as evidenced by the 200-year-old Spanish fort on the northeast side of the island.
Today, 250 families live in the island. The people used to hunt dolphins, whales, whale sharks and manta rays but these animals are now fully protected by law in the Philippines.
The attractions on the island that may catch your interest is the ancient Spanish fort, the Santa Cruz at the chapel's altar, the life within the marine sanctuary and the white beaches around the island. Pamilacan is a coral island and fossilized seashells can be seen on the island's rocky hill.
At present, the jaws and bones of marine mammals and whale sharks still adorn a number of homes of the village. The blue waters surrounding the island teem with lush and colorful marine life.
Mag-aso Falls
Mag-aso Falls is located in the heart of Antequera, Bohol. from tagbilaran city, the province capital, there are buses and jeepneys that ply the tagbilaran-antequera route. In antequera, tricycles and motorcycles are available to bring tourists near the falls.
The surrounding area of the falls had been turned into a 'tourist-friendly' destination, with 197 concrete steps leading down towards the falls. Though the concrete steps may be a disappointment for adventure-seekers hoping to see an unexploited natural attraction, still, Mag-aso falls is a sight that one shouldn't pass up.
Mag-aso falls derived its name from the Visayan term 'aso,' meaning smoke, which refers to the smoke effect created by the cascading waters.
Hinagdanan Cave
Hinagdanan Cave is a cave on Panglao Island, in Bohol Province, in the Philippines. It is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites.
Ceilings dripping with stalactites, Hinagdanan Cave is a marvel in stonework. Its underground pools with their limestone bottoms glimmer clear and green, and are lit up dramatically by natural skylights that enters from two holes at the cave's roof creating an eerie and remarkably beautiful natural effect. It is situated two and a half kilometers from the Dauis town proper.
The cave is part of the Chocolate Hills, a large, geologically unique karst region and protected natural monument.
The cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot, but it has been known to test for high levels of various pollutants, since it is fed by ground runoff.
Sagbayan Peak
Sagbayan Peak is a mountain resort and recreation center located in the town of Sagbayan, about 45 miles northwest of Tagbilaran City. Offering a 360-degree perspective view of the famed Chocolate Hills plus the distant blue sea separating Bohol from the island of Cebu, the place has captured the interest of the nature loving tourists.
Punta Cruz Watch Tower
In Maribojoc, some 14 km west of Tagbilaran City, a curious triangular watch tower oversees the seas South of Bohol. From its windows at the top, you can see Cebu, Siquijor, and Mindanao. The Spanish had it build in 1796 as a look-out post against pirates and Muslim marauders, who at that time where a plague to the people of Bohol.
Loboc Hanging Bridge
It is a bamboo hanging bridge across the upper part of Loboc River which has become a major tourist attraction in Bohol. It sways back and forth as you walk across and at the end of it is a number of stalls selling Bohol souvenirs.
Biggest Bohol Python Snake - Prony
The python has caught the attention of many local and foreign tourists, not only for its size but particularly on how it has been fed. It even caught the attention of GMA 7 who sent a crew to document the procedure. Feeding is done during full moon. Alarmed by the reports, AKFI requested Mayor Efren Tungol to stop Salibay from feeding the python with dogs since it is a clear violation of Republic Act No. 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act. The Mayor agreed.
However, in order to preserve the python, which has become a tourist attraction, AKFI, represented by its Director Charles Wartenberg, sealed a memorandum of support and cooperation with the municipality creating the site as an animal sanctuary. The memorandum, aside from manifesting full implementation of RA 8485, also reiterates the improvement of the cage based on animal welfare standards and introduction of alternative feeding.
Baclayon Church
Baclayon Church is the oldest church in Bohol, dating back to 1596. Its present structure, however, as it stands, started in 1727. The church has been run by Jesuits and Agustinians, with Frs. Sanchez and Torres as the very first parish priests.
The Baclayon Church, just six kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines (the oldest is San Agustin Church, in Real Street, Intramuros, Manila, built in 1571). Constructed in 1595 by the Jesuit priests, it is still intact and houses important relics and images reminiscent of the historic Roman Catholic religion in the country. Among those displayed in the church museum are: crystal chandelier, silver tabernacle, altar with carvings inlaid with gold, life-size statues and more.
The term "baclay" means to walk - as the church is located a short distance from the coast. Its patroness is the Immaculate Conception and it is a coral stone church. Some parts of structure are made up of hard wood - like the molave, narra, kamagong - and not even termites can destroy the wood.
Bohol Man-Made Forest
The Bohol Forest is a man-made mahogany forest stretching in a two-kilometer stretch of densely planted Mahogany trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. Before and after this man-made forest are the naturally grown forests of Loboc and Bilar which are thick with a kaleidoscope of green foliage, different species of trees and giant ferns lining the road.
The man-made forest stands out because of the uniformity in height of the big trees, the spread of its branches, thickness and design of leaves. Seedlings abound around the older trees. Trunks, some thick and others just a few months old, grow resplendently straight up towards the sky which is obscured by the branches and the thick leaves.
When you enter the forest, one will feel the abrupt change in temperature, especially during summer or hot season. It is hot outside the forested area, but once under the overhanging trees, one is refreshed by the cool breeze. This mountain area seldom sees the sun shine and most often than not, it rains here. Local folks attribute these to the presence of the dense forest.
The Loboc-Bilar man-made forest plays host to many visitors, locals and foreigners alike who take time to view it from the road and take pictures. The Metro Manila filmmakers often use the forest as a backdrop for some of their action films. Other groups go hiking thru the woods and up the mountain. Mountain bikers often use the wide asphalt road that traverse the forest aside from the day-to-day buses and public transport that ply between the towns.
This rainforest is about 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Plying the interior road from the capital, one passes the town of Loboc and what the Boholanos call the “tina-i sa manok” (chicken’s intestines) which refers to the winding road up the mountain of Loboc going towards Bilar.
Blood Compact Site
The Sandugo is a blood compact, performed in native-Bohol style between the traveling Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol on March 16, 1565 in the Philippines to seal their friendship as part of the native customs. The pact was entered into by López de Legazpi for the purpose of insuring friendly relations between the Spaniards and the natives. This is considered as the first international treaty of friendship between two people of different races, a Filipino and a Spaniard. "Sandugo" is a Visayan amalgamation term "isang dugo" which means "one blood".
A hallmark of the Philippine province of Bohol, the Sandugo is depicted in both the provincial flag and seal as a symbol of the Boholanos' craving for peace. It also features in both the Tagbilaran City flag and seal; the lower portion depicts the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Captain General Miguel López de Legazpi at Bool District, Tagbilaran City. The top of the seal story tells the story behind the Sandugo event happened in Bohol, the ship and the location where López de Legazpi anchored and the place where the treaty of friendship was conducted which was dated on March 16, 1565. Furthermore, the seal signifies the City of Tagbilaran being a City of Peace and Friendship.
Philippine Tarsier
The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), known locally as the Maumag in Cebuano/Visayan, is an endangered tarsier species endemic to the Philippines. It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly in the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Its name is derived from its elongated "tarsus" or ankle bone.Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island. Tarsiers have also been reported in Sarangani, although they may be different subspecies. Being a member of a family that is about 45 million years old, it was only introduced to western biologists in the 18th century.
Panglao Beach Resort
Panglao is famous for its world class diving locations and is home to numerous tourist resorts. At the pristine Alona Beach, tours can be organized to world famous diving sites. The dive sites that can be found on the northwest tip of the Panglao Island are Doljo Beach, Napaling and Puntod. These sites are deep and the currents are strong.
Panglao Island is the site of Habitat for Humanity's "Tabalong Habitat Village". The village, still under construction, has capacity for 500 houses on land donated by local merchant Alturas. So far, around 200 houses had been built and inhabited. Tabalong Habitat Village is visited by Global Village Teams, international volunteer teams who travel to the area to assist in construction.
Loboc Floating Restaurant
One of the popular tourist activities in the province of Bohol is cruising down Loboc River while buffet dining on a floating restaurant. Emerald green because of the algae, Loboc River is 12 meters wide and 4 meters deep. You don't cruise down the whole river, but the ride is around 40 minutes. At the turning point, you'll find three mini waterfalls and a band of musicians on a floating raft playing folk tunes for the tourists.
Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name.
The Chocolate Hills is a famous tourist attraction of Bohol. It is featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attraction in the province. It is in the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the Philippines; it has been declared the country's 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.