Hot Philippine Destinations

Bantayan Island, Cebu

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Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. The island can be reached by ferry from Hagnaya Wharf in San Remigio, Cebu, or from Cebu City, or from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.

The island is composed of three municipalities:

As of the 2000 census, the island has a total population of 120,101.

Mactan Island

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Mactan is an island located a few kilometers to the southeast of Cebu in the Philippine Islands. The island is part of the Province of Cebu, and is divided into Lapu-Lapu City, and the municipality of Cordova. The island is connected to Cebu by the two bridges one of which is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, and the Mactan Bridge.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country's second busiest airport, is located on Mactan Island.

History

Europeans first arrived in Mactan Island in 1521 led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Spain colonized the island in the 16th century.

Today, the island is known for its mass productions of guitars, ukeleles, and other musical instruments.

Panglao Island

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Panglao is an island in the Philippines located in the Central Visayas. Politically, it is divided into two municipalities: Dauis and Panglao, both of Bohol Province. Panglao is located southwest of the island of Bohol and east of Cebu.

Historical background

In early history, Panglao was known to Chinese, Malay, Siamese and Indonesian traders. In 1803, Spanish explorers came to the shores of Panglao in search of fresh water. At the time a couple of natives on the seashore were making fishing devices called "panggaw". One of the Spaniards asked what the name of the island was. The natives--who thought the visitors were asking what they were making--then replied "panggaw". Hence, from that term, was derived the name Panglao. Currently Panglao is the one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. The muncipality of Panglao have ten barangays. These are Danao, Tawala, Bolod, Libaong, Lourdes, Tangnan, Bil-isan, Looc, Doljo and East and West Poblacion. The famous Balicasag Island belongs to East Poblacion. At present Balicasag Island is being famous in its beautiful and wonderful dive spots and the entire coral reef of Panglao as well have many several islet that pocess serenity for beach bathing like the islet of Gak-ang and Pontod.Then, the municipality of Dauis have 12 barangays. These, are Biking, Bingag, San Isidro (Canlongon), Catarman, Dao, Mayacabac, Poblacion, Songculan, Tabalong, Tinago, Totolan and Mariveles

Camiguin Island

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Camiguin is a small island province of the Philippines off the northern coast of Mindanao. It belongs to the Northern Mindanao region.

Its capital is Mambajao and it is the second-smallest province both in population and land area. Only Batanes is smaller. The island of Camiguin is in the Bohol Sea about ten kilometers north of Misamis Oriental.

Accessibility

Camiguin is accessible by air and sea from Cebu City however trips are limited only. Most fly in to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental Province, the gateway to Northern Min

danao. One would then take 2 more or less hours bus

or hired van from Cagayan de Oro City to the port of Balingoan. Ferries leave Balingoan to Camiguin Island every hour from 6:00 am until 5:00 pm.

CAMIGUIN is a pear-shaped volcanic island with a total land area of 238 sq. kilometers. It lies 10 kilometers off the coast of the Province of Misamis Oriental. Along with the Provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, CAMIGUIN forms part of a geopolitical grouping of provinces comprising Region X or Northern Mindanao. In terms of land area, CAMIGUIN is only around 2 percent of Region X.

CAMIGUIN ISLAND is said to be "Born of Fire". It has seven volcanoes unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectacular island full of natural wonders and historical riches.

As an island of varied ecosystem, CAMIGUIN'S uniqueness lies in its varied terrain, pristine natural environment and rustic setting. As a matter of fact, the Province has been identified by the Department of Tourism as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines, and No. 7 diving spot in the world.

CAMIGUIN almost defies description, I should say. It is a tiny island of lush forests, volcanic splendor, eternal hot and cold natural springs, pristine patches of black and white beaches, majestic waterfalls, exotic marine life, blue-ridge mountains, serene surroundings, idyllic lifestyle; it has a glorious past, and is inhabited with jovial people. The truth is, CAMIGUIN is best experienced than described as one gets enchanted by her mystical charm. It really has amazing natural resources and peaceful atmosphere that stir and baffle the minds of everyone.

CAMIGUIN is believed to be one of the Philippines's most beautiful island - a virtual paradise - as the island allows visitors to experience a sample of untouched beauty in its entirety. Locked in the eternal embrace of the sea, CAMIGUIN continues its simple existence sheltered from and unfazed by the virulent pressures of today's accelerated lifestyles.

CAMIGUIN generally has good weather with seasonal rain showers enhancing its fresh green environment. Fine weather is guaranteed from April to June, while the coolest is from November to January.

To get to CAMIGUIN, one has to travel one and a half hours from Cagayan de Oro City to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental, and take any of the hourly scheduled ferries across the channels of Mindanao Sea, which dock in either ports of Guinsiliban or Benoni. There is a regular sea and air transportation from Cebu to CAMIGUIN and vice versa. Once in CAMICUIN, one can go around the 64-kilometer circumferential road in just one hour and a half time through public or private transportation.

The people of CAMIGUIN are friendly, fun-loving, and very hospitable. Camiguingnons are also hardworking. The main occupation of the people is fishing and farming. Coconut is the major production as far as sources of income is concerned. Other plantations are abaca, rice, mangoes, lanzones and other fruit trees. Small cottage industries are increasing in number to accommodate the influx of visitors. Cebuano is the main language while a few speak Kinamiguin, an ancient dialect. Nearly everyone speaks English fairly.

CAMIGUIN beckons you to come, savor and discover the many ways anyone can unwind and joyfully dwell on the island's offerings.

Catarman, Northern Samar

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Catarman is a second class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 67,671 people in 12,437 households. In recent years, the growth of the municipality has been rapid - new business firms mushrooming in its business district.

Catarman is on the shoulder of Samar Island. The town is in the process of renewing its image as a poor and underdeveloped town in the 1980s. Its cityhood was put to a halt (in 2003) after the mayors of neighboring towns Mondragon and Bobon declined the Catarman mayor's offer to include the said towns under the proposed Catarman City conglomeration.

Borongan, Eastern Samar

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Borongan (Filipino: Bayan ng Borongan, is a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. It is the and the largest municipality in both land area and population of the Philippine province of Eastern Samar.

Location

Borongan is found in the Eastern Visayas Region (Region VIII) in Eastern Samar, Philippines.

History

Its development into a municipality is traced back since the early 1600 from the scattered hamlets settled on the banks of Guiborongani (Borongan or Sabang) River and Loom River. Guiborongani was the bigger settlement and was lat

er on called Borongan because of heavy fogs that covered the place. The name Borongan was taken from the word "Borong", the local term for fog, which in the Waray-Waray language means 'fog'. The people along the eastern coast of Samar were called "Ibabao" during the pre-Spanish period. 75 years after Ferdinand Magellan's landing in Homonhon, Eastern Samar, Spanish Jesuit missionary priests began to evangelize the whole island of Samar. The first missions were first established in Tinago, Western Samar and gradually occupied Palapag, a town in the eastern coast of the island.

The development of Borongan was greatly influenced by the religious missions of the Jesuits during the period 1604–1768, and the Franciscans from 1768–1868. Borongan was established as a pueblo on September 8, 1619. On this date, the Commandancia and the Very Reverend Father Superior of the Jesuits from Palapag, which is now a town of Northern Samar, went to Ibabao to install the first priest of Borongan, Fr. Manuel Martinez, who served up to 1627.

At the outbreak of revolution in 1898, Borongan was the site of uprising led by the pulahans. The first public officials were Sr. Magno Abenis, President, and Andres Hipe, Vice-President, who held office in 1899 to 1903. After the Japanese occupation, the place was led by a mayor and a vice-mayor. Hilarion Basada and Ignacio Brozas were the first mayor and vice-mayor, respectively in 1945 to 1947.

Borongan was legally made as a capital town when Eastern Samar was created as a province under Republic Act No. 4221 which was enacted on June 19, 1965.

On June 21, 2007, Borongan became the first city in Eastern Samar. However, it recently lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9394) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional. The said cities, the court ruled, did not meet the requirements for cityhood.

Palawan

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Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the southeast. The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island, measuring 450 kilometers (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometers (31 mi) wide.^[3]^[4]

Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamianes Group of Islands, to the northwest consists of Busuanga Island, Culion Island, and Coron Island. Durangan Island almost touches the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balabac Island is located off the southern tip, separated from Borneo by the Balabac Strait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea. The disputed Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometers to the west is considered part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted with 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches. It also harbors a vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of mountain ranges. The mountain heights average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, with the highest peak rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m)^[4] at Mount Matalingahan. The vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is a mix of coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest interspersed with riverine arteries that serve as irrigation.

Boracay Island

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Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

History

The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956.^[2] Formerly undiscovered, it wasn't till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay,^[3] and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s.^[2]

Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence.

It was only in the 70's when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveller, Jens Peters' book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world.

Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travellers hangout and eventually became a favourite tourist destination in the Philippines. In a span of a mere 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, discovered Boracay and the once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a teeming vacation and leisure spot for upscale tourists from all parts of the world.

Geography

Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers.

South-facing Cagban Beach is located across a small strait from the jetty port at Caticlan on Panay island, and the Cagban jetty port serves as Boracay's main entry and exit point during most of the year. When wind and sea conditions dictate, east-facing Tambisaan Beach serves as an alternative entry and exit point.

Boracay's two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island's narrow central area. White Beach faces westwards and Bulabog Beach faces eastwards. The island also has several other beaches.

White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is a bit over four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay's Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach.

Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is a secondary tourism beach and Boracay's main windsurfing and kiteboarding area.

Boracay is divided, for land use and conservation purposes, into 400 hectares of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares of agricultural Land.

Kalibo, Aklan

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Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines.

Kalibo is best known as the venue of the Ati-atihan festival, normally held during the 3rd Sunday of January. The term Kalibo comes from the Aklanon word "sangka libo", ("one thousand"), the number of native (Ati aka aeta) people who attended the first Catholic Mass there. After this very first Mass, a celebration was held that was continued annually as the Ati-atihan festival.

From the time of the Spanish colonial administration until the institution of Pilipino as the national language in 1946, Kalibo was spelled as "Calivo".

The municipality has already reached the requirements to be a city but certain issues prevent the municipality from reaching cityhood.

Access

Kalibo is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Manila by plane or 1 day's sailing time by ship through the Dumaguit or New Washington Ports on the northern tip of Aklan.

Kalibo Airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Kalibo Airport serve direct flights to and fro Incheon, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan through international flights served by Asian Spirit, Mandarin Airlines and Pacific Pearl Airways. More air links will soon be offered with Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing direct flights in the pipeline establishing and cementing Kalibo's reputation as the international gateway to the Western Visayas region.

The nearest cities are Roxas City in Capiz, and Iloilo City in Iloilo. Both are accessible by bus and minivans.

Kalibo is usually known as a jump-off point to the World-famous island resort of Boracay island via the port of Caticlan, just 90 minutes away by land.

Public transportation around the city is by tricycle, multicab and jeepneys.

Roxas City

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Roxas City is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Philippines. It is the capital and component city of Capiz. The current city mayor is former provincial governor Vicente Bermejo who was elected during the 2007 election.

It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice, coconut, fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.

The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country.^{[citation needed]} Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world.^[1] The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.

Ormoc City

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The City of Ormoc is a 1st class city in the province of Leyte, Philippines. The city's name is derived from ogmok, an old Visayan term for lowland or depressed plain. It is the first non-provincial city of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 177,524 people. Ormoc is the economic, cultural, commercial and transportation hub of western Leyte.

Ormoc City is an independent component city, not subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of Leyte. However, the city is part of the congressional district IV of Leyte together with Albuera, Kananga, Merida, and Isabel towns.

In November 1991, the Ormoc region was inundated by Tropical Storm Thelma (local name: Uring). Flash floods and landslides killed an estimated 6,000 people, mostly in Ormoc itself.

Geography

Ormoc City is a port city and is the largest city by land area in Leyte and second largest in Eastern Visayas after Calbayog City in Samar. Fronting Ormoc Bay, the city's terrain is mostly of gently rolling plains. It is bounded on the northwest by the towns of Matag-ob and Merida, in the north by Kananga, in the northeast by the towns of Jaro, Pastrana and Dagami, and in the south by the town of Albuera. High mountain ranges separate Ormoc from the eastern portion of Leyte. Numerous rivers and streams traverse Ormoc. Among them are the Bao River in the north, Pagsangahan River in the east, the Bagong-bong River in the south, the Panilahan River also in the south and the Anilao and Malbasag Rivers which border the eastern and western flanks of Ormoc City Proper

Guimaras Island

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Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros. To the northwest is the province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental.

The province is located on the islands of Guimaras and Inampulugan.

Guimaras was a sub-province of Iloilo until it was made an independent province on May 22, 1992.

People and culture

The people of Guimaras are considered as Guimarasnon and their languages are Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a as it was once a sub-province of Iloilo. Hiligaynon is the major language spoken although the people can understand and speak Tagalog and English.

Many foreigners are known to own big lands, ships and major businesses. Many Indians are known to have the biggest lands in Guimaras. Charmaine Claire Carayo known as the richest person in Guimaras owns 3/4 of the land.

Economy

The province is basically agricultural with palay, coconut, mango, vegetables, livestock, poultry and fishing as major products. Its major industries are tourism, fruit processing, coconut processing, fish farming, handicrafts making, mining, quarrying and lime production.

Guimaras is well-known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. The Guimaras Island is famous for producing the sweetest mangoes in the world. Guimaras mangos are reportedly served at the White House and Buckingham Palace^{[citation needed]}. Guimaras' largest event of the year is The Manggahan Festival (the Mango Festival). The variety of mangoes produced are also best for making dried mangoes, jam and other delicacies.

Bacolod City

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Bacolod City is the capital and largest highly urbanized mid-size Philippine city of the province of Negros Occidental. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region.^[2] It is notable for its MassKara Festival held during October. Known for being a relatively friendly city, it bears the nickname "City of Smiles." Bacolod City recently topped a survey by MoneySense Magazine as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines".

History

The city's name is derived from the Hiligaynon word bakolod – meaning "stonehill" – since the settlement was founded in 1770 on a stony, hilly area, now the district of Granada.

Due to Muslim raids in 1787, Bacolod was transferred towards the shoreline. The old site was called Da-an Banwa, meaning "old town".

In 1894, by order of Governor General Claveria, through Negros Island Governor Manuel Valdevieso Morquecho, Bacolod was made the capital of the Province of Negros. Bernardino de los Santos became the first gobernadorcillo and Fray Julian Gonzaga the first parish priest.

The success of the revolution in Bacolod was attributed to the low morale of the local Spanish detachment, due to its defeat in Panay and Luzon and to the psychological warfare waged by Generals Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta. In 1897, a battle in Bacolod was fought at Matab-ang River. A year later, on November 5, 1898, the Negrense "Revolucionarios," armed with knives, bolos, spears, and rifle-like nipa stems, and pieces of sawali or amakan mounted on carts, captured the convento where Coronel Isidro de Castro y Cisneros, well-armed cazadores and platoons of civil guards, surrendered. Two days later, on the 7th, most of the revolutionary army gathered together to establish a Provisional Junta and to confirm the elections of Aniceto Lacson as president, Juan Araneta as war-delegate, as well as the other officials.

On March 1899, the American forces led by Colonel James G. Smith occupied Bacolod, the revolutionary capital of the Provisional Republic of Negros.

By virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 326, enacted by the National Assembly, Bacolod was made a chartered city on October 19, 1938.

In World War II, Bacolod City was occupied by Japanese forces on May 21, 1942. The Japanese commanding general seized the Mariano Ramos Ancestral House, home of the first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod, which served as the seat of power and a watchtower over city. The city was liberated by joint Filipino and American forces on May 29, 1945. It took time to rebuild Bacolod after liberation. The city's public markets and slaughterhouses were rebuilt during the administration of former mayor Vicente Remitio from 1947 to 1949.

On February 20, 1981, Pope John Paul II visited Bacolod City as part of his historical first journey to Asia.

Siquijor Island

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Siquijor is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the municipality also named Siquijor. To the northwest of Siquijor are Cebu and Negros, to the northeast is Bohol and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.

Siquijor is the third smallest province in the country both in terms of population and land area, after Camiguin and Batanes. For a time it was sub-province of Negros Oriental. Called Isla del Fuego of the “Island of Fire” by the Spanish before, Siquijor is considered by many Filipinos to be a mystical island, full of witches and other supernatural phenomena.

Dumaguete

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The City of Dumaguete is a city in the Philippine province of Negros Oriental. It is the capital, principal seaport, and largest city of the province. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 116,392 people. A person from Dumaguete is called a "Dumagueteño". The city is nicknamed The City of Gentle People.

Dumaguete is referred to as a university town because of the presence of seven universities and colleges, where students of the province converge to enroll for tertiary education. The city is also a popular educational destination for students of surrounding provinces and cities in Visayas and Mindanao. The city is best known for Silliman University, the country's first Protestant university and the first American university in Asia. There are also 12 elementary schools and 9 high schools. The city's student population is estimated at 30,000.

The city attracts a considerable number of foreign tourists, particularly Europeans, because of easy ferry access from Cebu City, the availability of beach resorts and dive sites, and the attraction of dolphin and whale watching in nearby Bais Bay. It is also becoming one of the country's retirement hubs because of its quiet, rustic and laid-back atmosphere, numerous medical facilities and other urban amenities which are comparable to, if not better than, those found in the metropolitan areas.

The city has a domestic airport which provides daily flights to and from Manila and Cebu City through Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, and Philippine Airlines.

Dumaguete is considered one of the fastest developing cities in the Philippines.

Iloilo

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The City of Iloilo (Filipino: Lungsod ng Iloilo, Hiligaynon: Ciudad sang Iloilo) is the capital of, but independent from, the province of Iloilo. It is the economic hub of the Western Visayas region, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area.

In the 2007 census, Iloilo City had a population of 418,710 households with a 2.0% annual growth rate. It is the ninth most populous city in the Philippines. Average population density is 5981 people per square kilometer, one of the most dense in the country.[

Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival

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The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-making event lasting a whole month, highlights of which include the Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the 17th Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the "Pagrayhak'' Grand Parade. These festivals are said to have began from the feast day of Señor Santo Niño, held every June 29th. The Leyteños celebrate a religious festival in a unique and colorful way. Since the Visayans are experienced in the art of body tattooing, men and women are fond of tattooing themselves.

The Pintados Festival displays the rich cultural heritage, incorporating native music and dances, of the people of Leyte and Samar. The Leyte Kasadya-an Festival of Festivals, meanwhile, showcases the unique culture and colorful history of the Province of Leyte. Started by former Leyte Governor Remedios Loreto-Petilla, the celebration was first held on May 12, 1996. The festivities weren't always held every June 29th; the first three years saw different dates. It was only in 1999 that it was fixed to June 29, the Feast of the Señor Santo Niño de Leyte.

"Kasadyaan'' in the Visayan tongue means merriment and jollity. Various municipal festivals of Leyte gather together in the original capital of Tacloban City for the celebration. There, lively dance-drama parade of many colors takes place. There is an important role that the festival plays, and it is strengthening the Leyteños' sense of pride. Every municipality mounts a storyline all their own to portray with pride their local folklore and legends.

The Festival

The Pintados festival of Tacloban City is a Filipino festival with its own unique flavor. This Pintados festival recalls Pre-Spanish history of the native Leytenos from wars, epics and folk religions. The most expected aspect of the Pintados festival are the festive dancers, painted from head to toe with designs that look like armor to resemble the tattooed warriors of old. During the course of the Pintados festival, dancers whose bodies are painted in an amazing array of colors fill the streets of Tacloban city. At first sight, they may seem outrageous as grown men pour into the streets decorated in such dazzling colors as luminous blue or neon green. But as one gets used to this and sees the dances depicted, one gets a glimpse of the history of the people that once lived on the islands of Leyte so long ago.

The folk dances presented by the dancers portray the many traditions that flourished before the Spaniards came. These include worship of idols, indigenous music and epic stories. The hypnotic rhythms of native instruments beat through the air accompanying the dances performed on the streets as the Pintados festival goes. Aside from the folk dances, is the much likely parade, which crisscrosses the avenues of Tacloban city. The parade traditionally begins at the Balayuan Towers and proceeds throughout tacloban leyte city. The surprised spectators follow the procession of dancing colors from the beginning to end. The Pintados festival concludes in much merrymaking with a signature traditional Filipino fiesta, where everyone is invited to join the fun and celebrate the Pintados Festival.

History

In 1668, the Spaniards came to the Visayas and found in the islands heavily tattooed men and women, whom they called Pintados. These people had a culture of their own, commemorating victories by holding festivals and honoring their gods after a bountiful harvest.

It was in 1888 that missionaries from Spain brought the Child Jesus image known as "El Capitan" to the island. It had a rich and colorful background that draw out the devotion and worship of the Leyte natives to the Santo Niño.

Then in 1986, the Pintados Foundation, Inc. was founded by civic-minded businessmen and entrepreneurs based in Tacloban City. They began organizing religious cultural activities for the city fiesta in honor of Señor Santo Niño. This marked the advent of the Pintados Festival, which was first celebrated June 29th of the year 1987. Today, it is called the Leyte Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival and is called as the "Festival of Festivals."

The name “pintados” is derived from what the native warriors, whose bodies were adorned with tattoos, were called. In those times, and even in some places today, tattoos were a mark of courage and beauty. Since tattoo-making was not yet as precise as it is today, they were rather painful and one risked the chance of contracting an infection. Therefore, a man who faced the dangers of tattooing and lived was considered to be both strong and brave. But even before the tattoo process itself, one would have to earn them after fighting heroically in wars.

Tattoos (pintados) served as a status symbol; much like a general’s badge would today. It was the mark of courage, rank and strength. The bravest warriors were heavily adorned in tattoos which covered every inch of their bodies, head to foot. Indeed, these men were in fact such an unusual sight that western missionaries considered them frightening and uncivilized upon their first glimpses of these warriors. But as time passed, they learned to see the tattoos as a part of the life of native peoples and even as a sign of beauty for them. With the passing of time, as the story is with all things, the old made way for the new. The traditions of tattooing (pintados) and worshiping earth spirits were replaced as modernization came. But these traditions are still remembered with the celebration of the Pintados festival.

This Pintados festival helps us to see the worth and beauty of the traditions of the country’s ancestors. It gives us the opportunity to feel a rare first-hand experience, the experience of culture

Kadayawan Sa Dabaw Festival

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It is a celebration of Good Harvest! This globally famous festival is a weeklong celebration and thanksgiving for nature’s bountiful harvest. Kadayawan Festival is being celebrated every 3rd Week of August. A celebration of the plentiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season. Kadayawan is derived from the prehistoric word “madayaw,” a warm and friendly greeting also used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good, or profitable, “Kadayawan” in Mandaya means anything that brings fortune, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. Ethnic tribes around Mt. Apo usually gathered during the harvest-time when they had a bountiful harvest to give thanks to their gods particularly the all-powerful Bathala (supreme God). According to legend, the occasion is noticeable by happiness, singing, and dancing, as well as offerings to their divine protectors.

T he festival is celebrated in the month of August with floats of fresh flowers and fruits, and indak-indak sa kadalanan or street dancing in colorful costumes. A variety of tribes parade the streets with their tribal costumes and jewelry. The city of Davao comes alive every year in August when it holds it yearly harvest festival. The streets are adorned with local fruit & vegetables while people hold street dances with abandon for four days. The harbour is the venue for native & power boat races. Everybody fights for seats to watch the Horse Fighting wherein stallions fight each other over the rights to mate with a mare. The crowd is sometimes tracked by the horses if they get too close. The last day the street is full of costumed dancers dancing to the local beat & decorated floats with glamorous Mindanao girls as eye candy. It's a time of fun & abandon. The festivity is not complete without the Bya'Neng ng Kadayawan or the Miss Kadayawan beauty contest. There is also the horsefight, a tribal animal show similar to the bullfight in Spain.

History

The festival began from a government-initiated program called “Unlad Proyekto Davao” in 1986, planned to unite the Davaoeños after the chaotic martial law years and to showcase the city as a peaceful and colorful place to visit and do business in. At the time, it was called “Apo Duwaling,”a name created from the icons Davao was famous for: Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak; durian, the king of fruits; and waling-waling. The queen of orchids. Davao is also home of the majestic Philippine eagle, the national bird. In 1988, the festival was renamed “Kadayawan sa Dabaw” by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to celebrate the city's unique wealth in flowers, fruits, and ethnic culture.

Today, Kadayawan has transformed into a festival of festivals, the mother of may other festivals in the region as it honors Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage, its past personified by the ancestral “lumads”, its people as they celebrate on the streets, and its floral industry as they parade in full regalia in thanksgiving for the blessings granted on the city.

“Kadayawan sa Dabaw” is an enriching experience with a difference as its explores the past, present and future of the Davaoeños, the Mindanaoans, the Filipinos. Its sights and sounds remain supreme. Be part of the experience.

“Du-aw na sa Dabaw! Duyog sa Kadayawan! Maglingaw-lingaw ta!”

Sinulog Festival

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The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The major festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). It is fundamentally a dance ritual which remembers the Filipino people's pagan past and their recognition of Christianity.

The festival features some the country's most colorful displays of ceremony and pageantry: participants clothe in bright-colored costumes dance to the rhythm of drums and native gongs. The streets are generally lined with vendors and pedestrians all wanting to witness the street-dancing. Smaller versions of the festival are also held in different parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a Sinulog sa Kabataan, which is performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the Grand Parade.

Recently, the cultural event has been commercialized as a tourist attraction and instead of traditional street-dancing from locals, Sinulog also came to mean a contest highlighting groups from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is traditionally held in the Cebu City Sports Complex, where most of Cebu's major provincial events are held.

The Festival

The celebration traditionally lasts for nine days, ending on the ninth day when the Sinulog Grand Parade reveals. The day before the parade, the Fluvial Procession, a water-parade, held at dawn from the Mandaue City wharf to Cebu City wharf with the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat decorated with hundreds of flowers and candles. The procession ends at the Basilica where a re-enactment of the Christianizing of Cebu follows. In the afternoon, a more formal procession takes place along the major streets of the city, which last for hours due to large crowd participating in the religious event.

On the feast day, at the Basilica, a Pontifical Mass is held, given by the Cardinal with the assistance of several bishops of Cebu. The majority of the city’s population and devotees would flock to the Basilica to attend the mass before heading out to the streets to watch the Parade.

Background

'Sinulog' comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which is "like water current movement," which proficiently describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. Traditionally, the dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of the drums. The dance is classified into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and recently a Latin Category, which most people have argued that it had nothing to do with Sinulog tradition. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language.

History of Sinulog

Pre-Spanish and the First Wave of Spaniards

Historians have renowned that before the first Spaniards came to Cebu, the Sinulog was already danced by the natives in respect of their wooden god called anitos. Then, on April 7, 1521, the Portuguese navigator, Fernando de Magallanes arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory in the name of the King of Spain. He then offered the image of the child Jesus, the Santo Niño, as baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Cebu's Rajah Humabon. Hara Amihan was later named, Queen Juana in honor of Juana, Carlos I's mother. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptized to the Christian faith.

This event is often used as foundation for most Sinulog dances, which presents the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A famous theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often worried by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits.

The Coming of Legazpi

After Magellan met his death on April 27, 1521 on the shores of Mactan (ruled by Muslim Rajah Lapu-Lapu), the bits and pieces of his men returned to Spain. However, it took 44 years before the Spaniards accomplished some measure of success in colonizing the islands and finally the whole Philippines.

The explorer, Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in Cebu on April 28, 1565 and destroyed the village ruled by Rajah Tupas. In one of the huts of the burning village, one of Legazpi's soldiers named Juan Camus found a wooden box containing the image of the Santo Niño lying in the middle of several native statue. Historians later said that during the 44 years between the coming of Magellan and Legazpi, the natives of Cebu continued to dance the Sinulog but no longer to worship their anitos but to show their worship to the Santo Niño.

The Augustinian friars that accompanied Legazpi in his expedition proclaimed the statue miraculous and built a church on the site where it was found. Th e church was called San Agustin Church but was later renamed to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Letter to the King

After Juan Camus found the Santo Niño in the burning village, Legazpi was said to have included the event in his report, entitled "Relation of Voyage to the Philippine Islands." It went as follows:
"… Your Excellency should know that on that day when we entered this village (Cebu), one of the soldiers went into a large and well-built house of an indio where he found an image of the Child Jesus (whose most holy name I pray may be universally worshipped). This was kept in its cradle, all covered with gold, just as if it were brought from Spain: and only the little cross, which is generally placed upon the globe in his hands, was lacking. The image was well kept in that house, and many flowers were found before it, and no one knows for what object or purpose. The soldier bowed down before it with all reverence and wonder, and brought the image to the place where the other soldiers were. I pray to the Holy Name of his image, which we found here, to help us and to grant us victory, in order that these lost people who are unaware of the precious and rich treasure, which was in their custody, may come to a knowledge of Him."

The Present

Since 1521, loyalty to the Santo Niño has grown and has taken root in Filipino popular holiness, particularly in the Visayas; pilgrims from different parts of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines make their yearly journey to the Basilica to take part in the procession and fiesta. Starting in 1980, the Cebu City government organized the Sinulog Mardi Gras and eventually gave incentives to dance groups.

It was David S. Odilao, Jr., then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development (MYSD), who organized the first ever Sinulog Parade. The year was 1980 and Odilao gathered a group of students, dressed them up in moro-moro costumes and taught them the Sinulog to the beating of the drums.

The idea caught and thus, under the direction of the Cebu City Mayor Florentino S. Solon with the help of several influential Cebuanos, Odilao turned over the Sinulog project to the Cebu City Historical Committee under Kagawad Jesus B. Garcia, Jr.. It was the task of the Committee to conceptualize the Sinulog festival and make it into a yearly event from then on.
In 1981 the following year, the concept of the Sinulog Parade was actualized, involving practically every sector in the Cebuano community. Marking its difference from another popular festival, the Ati-Atihan in Aklan, the Sinulog focuses not on the ritual itself but on the historical aspects of the dance, which, as it has been said, represents the link between the country's pagan past and Christian present.

Sandugo Festival

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The Festival

The annual celebration of the Sandugo Festivities begins in the month of March. However the street dancing competitions have been changed to July to coincide with the annual TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan) translated into English, literally or otherwise - a gathering of Boholanos (the people of Bohol) from around the world. Tagbilaran City not only rejoices its Charter Day on the month of July but also the Province of Bohol which became a separate politico-military province on July 22, 1854, thereby creating a festive mood for the whole month.

Hundreds and thousands of People from around the Philippines and the world gather for this special event which involves colorful costumes and loud drum beats, street parades, church services, fireworks, beauty pageants, cockfighting tournaments and sport tournaments.

Today, the highlight of the Sandugo Festival is a street dancing competition held in Tagbilaran City. Each local high school develops its own dance custom with special costumes and choreography. A small marching band follows each group of dancers to provide the music. The bands consist only of xylophones, drums, and trumpets. Some of the dancing was very good, and the costumes were very colorful. The parade also integrated the customary entourage of local officials, police department, local businesses and associations - and, of course, the local beauty queens, Miss Bohol and Miss Tagbilaran.

A big surprise to us was the last parade entry, which was a large flat bed truck carrying 9 or 10 very flamboyant and attractive transvestites. There were no banners on the truck, just a few white ballons attached to the cab and printed, "Miss Gay 2001". This entry was a real crowd pleaser and received more of a reaction than any other parade event. They were met with howls and hollers and cheers all along the parade route. We were told that the transvestites traditionally work as beauticians in the local beauty parlors, and are readily accepted in the community.

Sandugo Festival

2009-02-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

Sandugo Festival is a yearly historical event that takes place every year on the month of March, in the island of Bohol. This festival honors the celebration of a local Philippine leader Datu Sikatuna's blood compact and association or treaty of friendship with the Spanish king conquistador, Captain General Miguel López de Legazpi in March 16, 1565.

History

It began with the arrival of Miguel López de Legazpi in the shores of Tagbilaran, Bohol in 1565 and the swearing of commitment of Datu Sikatuna to the Spanish crown. The two people were believed to have made a cut on their left arms with a dagger and sprinkled their blood into a cup filled with wine, which both drunk in honor of their friendship and brotherhood. The treaty was signed on the SW coast of Bohol Island in March of 1565. This was 44 years after Ferdinand Magellan was killed attacking a Philippine village on Mactan Island about 50 miles north of here.

The Sandugo treaty is called a blood compact because the participants each drink a small amount of the other's blood. ("Dugo" means blood in the Visayan language.) This was a traditional way to formalize treaties of friendship in the Philippines. Magellan himself took part in several of these ceremonies before attacking Mactan Island.

The Blood Compact preserved the ties of friendship between two people once different in religion, nationality, culture and civilization. The Tagbilaran native chieftain who swore by his ancestral Anito and Bathala, and the Spanish courageous explorer and colonizer, who sought New World with the sword and the cross, drank to the common cause - friendship. It was the first international treaty of friendship and comity between the Filipinos and Spaniards.

Boracay Island, Philippines

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Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines

2009-01-11T23:35:00.002-08:00

The City of Tacloban (Waray: Siyudad han Tacloban , Tagalog: Lungsod ng Tacloban , Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Tacloban) is a port city approximately 360 miles southeast of Manila. It is the first in Eastern Visayas to be classified as a Highly Urbanized City. It is the capital of Philippine province of Leyte. It is the largest city in terms of population ^[3] and considered as the regional center of Eastern Visayas or Region VIII. With an annual income of over PhP500 million, it is classified as a first class city. Tacloban is one of the cities with the lowest poverty incidence in the Philippines. It briefly became the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government from October 20, 1944 to February 27, 1945.

Davao City, Philippines

2009-01-11T23:35:00.001-08:00

The City of Davao (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Dabaw; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dabaw) is the largest city on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is the country's largest city in terms of land area, occupying 2,444 square kilometers (recently the city of Puerto Princesa with a total land area of 2,539 square kilometers has been disputing this title). It is also one of the Philippines' most progressive cities. Its international airport and seaport are among the busiest cargo hubs in the southern Philippines.

Davao City is also one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province, though it is usually grouped with Davao del Sur for statistical purposes. The city is also the regional center for Davao Region (Region XI). Davao City has a population of 1,650,337 (2007 census). Metro Davao can also be dubbed as The City of Royalties or The Royal City, because of the presence of the kings and queens of nature present in Davao. The Queen of Philippine Orchids which is Waling-waling, the King of Exotic Fruits, which is Durian, The King and Grandfather of Philippine mountains, Mt. Apo, the largest eagle in the world and the King of Philippine skies which is the Philippine Eagle, and the City itself which is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of land area.

In recent years, the sprawling urban Metropolis of Davao has emerged as the business, investment and tourism hub for the entire southern Philippines. The city boasts of some of the finest beaches and mountain resorts in the country, and proximity to the Philippines’ most captivating diving spots as well as its highest peak, Mount Apo.

Asiaweek ranked Metro Davao among the 20 Most Livable Cities in Asia, above Metro Manila and Metro Cebu and the number one most livable city in the country. Foreign Direct Investment Magazine conducted a study which named Davao City as the 10th "Asian City of the Future".

Metropolitan Davao
Metropolitan Davao is one of the three recognized Metro areas in the Philippines together with Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Metro Davao comprises the following cities and municipalities: Davao City, Tagum City, Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal, Digos City, and the Municipalities of Carmen and Sta. Cruz.

Cebu City

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The City of Cebu (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Sugbo; Spanish: Ciudad de Cebú; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Cebu), is the capital city of Cebu in the Philippines, and is the second most significant metropolitan center in the Philippine Islands. The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu, and is the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port, and is home to more than 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippine Islands, and is a significant center of commerce, trade, and industry in the Visayas, and Mindanao region. According to the 2007 Philippine census, the city has a population of 798,809 people.

Cebu City is the center of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Naga. Metro Cebu has a total population of about 2 million people. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City, and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City, the towns of Balamban, and Asturias, to the south are Talisay City, and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City is located.

Where to stay in Bohol, Philippines

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Resorts and Hotels

Anda

Anda, a peaceful municipality on a peninsula with the same name at the north-east of Bohol, about 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran (2 hours by bus), is so-far mostly unaffected by tourism, but this is likely to change once more people discover its wonderful beaches, and the attractive environment of the peninsula. So far, only a few resorts have opened their doors to visitors, but a few more are in development.

Bituon Beach Resort
Contact Person: Markus Hohmann
Address: Basdio, 6310 Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines
Email: Bituon@wtal.de
Website: http://www.bituon.com/

Bituon Beach Resort, under German and Filipino management is located on top of some very nice cliffs in Basdio, Guindulman. It consists of a number of nicely maintained bungalows in native style with a terrific sight across the Bohol Sea. The bungalows are provided with basic facilities, and are clean and spacious. They lack an aircon, but, given the normally cool breeze that blows from the see, you won't miss it. The restaurant serves excellent food, but is not a-la carte, although they will adjust to special dietary wishes, and is one of the few places in Bohol able to prepare a good vegetarian meal. Bituon Beach Resorts has its own complete diving facilities. The resort also has its own tiny patch of beach at the feet of the cliffs. A concrete stair will lead you to a very small beach, from which the resort's dive-boats leads you to a number of dive-sites along the coast of the Anda peninsula.

Bungalow at Bituon Beach Resort

This resort caters mostly to German speaking scuba divers who arrive here on fully pre-arranged tours. The rate starts at EUR 34 per person (not per bungalow) per night, including all meals. Given the location on top of high cliffs, the place is less suitable for small children.

Cocowhite-Beach Resort, also in Basdio, but Swiss owned, opened its door on 4 May 2002. It has a small private beach, and includes all facilities for diving, including courses. The resort also is mainly oriented to German speaking guests on fully arranged tours. Cocowhite Beach resort has its own patch of beach underneath some nice cliffs. Rates are in the order of USD 30 per person per night, including all meals.

Dapdap Beach Resort
Contact Person: Grace Tinio Lim
Address: Candabong, Anda, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 528 2011
Email: info@boholdapdapresort.com
Website: http://www.boholdapdapresort.com/

Dapdap Beach Resort, in Candabong, Anda, lies at the western end of Anda's stretch of wonderful beaches. Under Filipino management, this resort offers aircon rooms up to PHP 1500, and family rooms for PHP 600. Simple nipa huts can be had for PHP 400. It also offers shelters for picnics.

Flower-Beach Resort, in Virgen, Anda, provides airconditioned guestrooms in duplex houses. Build in traditional materials, but designed to western comfort standards. The resort has its own diving facilities, with access to some of the better, but less visited diving spots near Anda.

Balicasag Island

Balicasag island is a small island south of Panglao island and belongs to the municipality of Panglao. It is the home to a small barangay with the same name, two light-houses (an old, American build one, and a modern one build with British aid), and one resort. Around the island are some of the best diving spots in the Philippines. A world-class overhanging wall, going from about 7 to more than 60 meters deep, and some wonderful coral reefs that are worth the trip alone. Balicasag Island Dive Resort has a number of okay cottages straight on the beach at the southern side of the island, and its own restaurant. The restaurant suffers somewhat from the fact that it has no competition on the island what-so-ever.

Cabilao Island

Cabilao Island is an island to the west of Bohol, part of the municipality of Loon. Unlike the nearby islands of Sandingan and Pangangan it is not connected with the main land of Bohol, so you'll need to go there by boat, which is possible from Barangay Mocpoc in Loon. On the island are three resorts, and some of the best diving locations of the Philippines. The dive-site north-west of Cabilao Island is a favorite spot for shark enthusiasts, as hammerhead sharks can be seen here regularly. On the island itself, birds are protected, which means that you can see more of these feathered friends than you are used to on the main-land.

Polaris Beach and Dive Resort
Contact Person: Franz and Maria Baumann
Address: Pantudlan, Cabilao Island, 6327 Loon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 505 4118
Phone: +63 918 903 7187
Email: info@polaris-dive.com
Website: http://www.polaris-dive.com/

Probably the best value for money is Polaris Beach and Dive Resort, run by the German-Filipino couple Franz and and Maria Baumann. Franz is one of the few German resort owners who speaks fluent Cebuano, and is also active to build up the

Polaris Dive Center and Resort

local community and preserve the islands natural beauty. They offer nice air-conditioned rooms with hot shower at about USD 32 per night. Considering that everything has to be brought from the mainland by boat, this is a fair deal. On their resort, that lies directly near the beach, they have a nice swimming-pool and restaurant.

La Estrella Beach Resort, located directly at the sea, has a number of neat luxury bungalows in native style, a restaurant and a bar. The resorts is close to the Sea Explorers diving school, which has its own compressor, boats, and equipment to offer diving trips and (PADI) dive courses. The smaller bungalows are 10.40 euros (PHP 600) and 13.50 euros (PHP 800) per night, and can house two persons; the larger bungalows are 20 euros (PHP 1200) per night, but can house four guests. If you come here for diving, they have some interesting package deals, such as 1 week stay and 12 dives for 389 euros (PHP 24,500).

La Estrella Beach Resort
Contact Person: Estrella Zagorski
Address: Cabilao Island, 6327 Loon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 505 4114
Phone: +63 38 505 4151
Fax: SMS +63 918 904 4859
Email: info@laestrella.ph
Website: http://www.laestrella.ph/

The third resort on Cabilao is Cabilao Beach Club on the North-Eastern side of the island, close to the barangay Cambaquiz. Run under German-Swiss management. This resort, in operation since January 2004 and has four bungalows with all facilities, and a restaurant plus bar.

Cabilao Beach Club
Contact Person: Henry Firlay
Address: Cambaquiz, 6327 Loon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 917 4545 897
Phone: +49 341 21 24 341
Email: cabilao@skyinet.net
Website: http://www.cabilao.com/

Carmen

Carmen is a municipality in the interior of the Bohol. It is the home of the world-famous Chocolate Hills, an amazing geological curiosity that can only be found on Bohol. The Chocolate Hills, which only turn to their characteristic brown color that gives them their name at the end of the summer, consist of nearly two thousand highly regularly shaped hills, between 30 to 50 meters above a mainly flat land. It will take most people some time to accept that these hills are not man-made.

If you would like to stay in the Chocolate Hills overnight, you have very little choice. The only facility is the Government run Chocolate Hills Resort. A couple of years ago, they started to extend and renovate the place, but, since funds have run out, work on this is suspended, and you'll have to deal with the mess of a half-completed resort. The rooms are somewhat run-down, but if you stay here, you'll be rewarded with a very nice sunrise over these eerie hills partly covered by fog the next morning. The same place can also be used as a base for exploring the Sikatuna National Park, not far away from here.

Panglao Island

Panglao Island lies just opposite Tagbilaran city, and is connected with Bohol with two bridges. It consists of two municipalities, Dauis in the north and Panglao in the south. The island is easy to reach and has a number of wonderful white beaches, which means that on this island most of Bohol's hotels and resorts can be found. The larger part of these are concentrated around Alona Beach, a very nice stretch of white sand at the South-Eastern end of the island, but numerous are also spread along other parts of the island. If you arrive on Bohol without any reservation, it is probably best to go to Alona beach, and walk along a few of the hotels to find one that suits you and has place available. If you do so, don't forget to have a look at the places not directly at the beach, as they often have much better rooms to offer for less money. If you arrive late and plan to stay for a longer time, find an acceptable place for the night, and look for a good location the next morning - often the bungalows or nipa huts somewhat away from the beach can be rented for weekly or monthly rates, which are much cheaper than staying straight on the beach.

Dumaluan Beach, also on the eastern side of the island houses some of the more expensive resorts of the island, and along the other beaches are also a number of resorts, all listed here below.

Alona Kew
Address: Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9042
Phone: +63 38 502 9027
Fax: +63 38 502 9029
Email: info@alonakew.com
Website: http://www.alonakew.com/

Alona Kew White Beach Straight on the middle of Alona beach offers standard rooms starting from about PHP 1500.

Alona Palm Beach Resort
Contact Person: Angie & Marcel Brunner
Address: Alona Beach, Tawala, 6340 Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 91 41
Fax: +63 38 502 91 42
Email: info@alonapalmbeach.com
Website: http://www.alonapalmbeach.com/

Alona Palm Beach Resort, under Swiss management, is the most luxurious resort on Alona Beach itself. Opened in 2001, this resort is spaciously arranged in a nicely landscaped garden, directly bordering Alona Beach, but with care to keep some distance from the beach -- a good example of a nicely planned resort

Alona Palm Beach Resort

development. It consists of 12 luxurious villas, each good for two guest, and a main building with restaurant and facilities. The big swimming pool, which appears to join with the sea is nicely lay-out. Prices here are from 90 to 120 US dollars (4800-6500 Pesos) per night, depending on the season.

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa
Contact Person: Phoebe B. Lim
Address: Tawala, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502 9516
Email: reservations@eskayabeach.com
Website: http://www.eskayabeach.com/

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, is a recently (2007) opened resort in the top luxury class with corresponding prices. It provides neatly designed cottages, some with private swimming pool, which blends local architecture with modern facilities. This resort is located directly at the beach, on a 16 hectares area.

Alona Tropical Resort, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9024, Fax: +63 38 411 2244

Alonaville Beach Resort, Alona Beach

The Ananyana Beach Resort is a lovely designed resort in traditional Balinese style. Rooms here start at about USD 140.

Aquatica Beach Resort, Alona Beach

Banana Land, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9068

Beach Rock Cafe & Lodge, Alona Beach, Tel. & Fax: +63 38 502 9034

Blue Sky-Sea Resort Bolod

Bohol Beach Club is one of the older and best-known resorts in Bohol, on its own stretch of beach a little north of Alona Beach.

Bohol Bee Farm
Contact Person: Vicky Wallace
Address: Dao, Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 2288
Phone: +63 917 304 1491
Email: vickywallace@boholbeefarm.com
Website: http://www.boholbeefarm.com/

The Bohol Bee Farm is a very cozy and relaxing place on Panglao island. Owner and Chef Vicky Wallace prepares delicious meals from organically-grown vegetables on her farm--from squash muffins, vegetable lasagna to her specially-brewed coffee from roasted corn and wild berries. She rents her chalet-styled home to guests who want to enjoy the peace and serenity of having the entire farm to themselves...

Bohol Island Dive Resort Alona Beach, Tel. & Fax: +63 38 502 9005

Bohol Plaza is build against Dayo Hill in Dauis on Panglao Island. It is the large building you can easily see from Tagbilaran City. This resort has a great view of Tagbilaran City and the sea.

Bohol Sea Resort Danao

Flower Garden Resort
Contact Person: Erwin & Hampi Dürig
Address: Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9012
Email: fgr@flowergarden-resort.com
Website: http://www.flowergarden-resort.com/

Flower Garden Resort, run by two Swiss, Erwin and Hampi, who take turns in managing this nice little friendly resort. This place consists of three neatly designed houses and a duplex bungalow in a peaceful garden about 150 meters from the beach, just behind Alona Palm Beach Resort. The places include a fully equipped kitchen, so that you can do your own cooking -- very practical if you have special dietary wishes or want to save money if you are a long-term traveler. One of the houses is in use by the management, and the others are often rented out to long-term visitors, so if you want to stay here, it is advisable to make reservations. Prices per night are 22 euros for the houses, and 18 euros for the duplex; reduced rates are available on a weekly or monthly base.

Oasis Resort Alona Beach, Tel. & Fax: +63 38 502 9083

Panglao Island Nature Resort Bingag, Tel. +63 38 411 2599, Fax: +63 38 411 5866

Peter's House, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9056, Fax: +63 38 502 9107

Playa Blanca, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9015

Rene's Place, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9149

Sun Apartelle Corporation
Contact Person: Irena and Boris Heberer
Address: Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 90 63
Fax: +63 38 502 90 64
Email: info@sunapartelle.com
Website: http://www.sunapartelle.com/

Sun Apartelle, run by the friendly German couple Irena and Boris Heberer, offers very neatly designed and well maintained apartments in a wonderful garden about 200 meters from Alona beach. All apartments are fully equipped with air conditioning, a large bed, bathroom, and kitchen imported from Germany, which means you can do your own cooking as you do at home - but you don't have to, as they also have an excellent restaurant. The apartments are located in the garden, to which much care has been given. Some huge trees provide ample shade, and in the garden are a few cozy corners where you can retreat if you do not wish to stay in your room. You'll especially love the swimming pool here, which lies about three meters below the garden in a natural depression, connected to some caves. Both Irena and Boris are divers, and have made most of the wonderful underwater photographs available on this site (and on their own site are many more, certainly worth a visit!). The apartments cost about EUR 55 per night.

Loboc

Cottages at Nuts Huts

Loboc, a friendly town on the Loboc River, and home of the world-famous Loboc Children's Choir, is a friendly place, mostly visited for its ancient church, and a river cruise on one of the floating restaurants.

Nuts Huts
Contact Person: Walter Laureys, Rita Laureys, Chris Schaerlaecken
Address: Gotozon, 6316 Loboc
Phone: +63 920 846 1559 (cell)
Email: walterken@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.nutshuts.com/

A little north of Loboc town, you will find Nuts Huts, one of the more unconventional resorts in Bohol. Located on the river side, you can stay here in nicely furniced nipa huts in a relaxed atmosphere.

Pamilacan Island

Pamilacan island is a small island half-way between Alona beach and the municipality of Baclayon, of which it is a part. On the island is a small barangay with a church - its cross is said to have washed ashore - and an old triangular Spanish watchtower in a rather dipilated state. Eighty percent of the island is surrounded by a nice white beach, the remainder of the coast line is rocky. On the island is just one small resort, run by a local Filipino, who has constructed a number of small nipa huts almost on the beach. It lacks all except the most basic facilities, but is very peaceful -- without cars, motorbikes or jeepneys, the only sound you'll hear is that of the local poultry, and some fishermen with load motor-bankas. Including all meals, staying here will cost you 300 pesos per person. The owner will cook fish caught by the local fishermen. If you arrive here un-announced, you may wish to bring some food for yourself, as there is no shop on the island. This place was recently re-named Pueblo de Pamilacan.

Pueblo de Pamilacan
Contact Person: William F. Soriano
Address: Pamilacan Island, Baclayon, Bohol
Phone: +63 2 714 3541
Phone: +63 927 796 7759
Email: william.soriano@goldenabc.com

To get there, you'll have to ask some of the inhabitants of Pamilacan to bring you there in a banka. They can be found on the pier of Baclayon, a 15 minute ride from Tagbilaran city.

Tagbilaran City

Tagbilaran City, the capital and main port of Bohol houses the main shops (including the department stores Bohol Quality and Plaza Marcela), banks with ATMs, money changers, and several attractions, such as the Bohol Museum and a few cinemas. However, unless you're here on business, during the fiesta or Sandugo festival, or arrive late or have to depart early in the next morning, there is little reason to stay here, as nicer places to stay can be found on Panglao. Still, the city has a good number of hotels and a few resorts.

Bohol Tropics Resort Club is one of the best known places on Bohol. Home to many official and semi-official functions, such as miss elections, it is the first place most Boholano's will point visitors too. Located a little to the west of Tagbilaran, directly at the coast, you can escape much of the hectic here. Graham Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3510, Fax: +63 38 411 3019

Casa Juana Lodging House, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3331

Coralandia Resort, Graham Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3445

Chriscent Ville Pension House, Gallares Street, Tel. +63 38 411 4029, Fax: +63 38 411 4028

Gie Garden Hotel, M.H. del Pilar Street, Tel. +63 38 411 3182

Hotel La Roca Graham Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3797, Fax. +63 38 411 3009

Island Leisure Inn, Ilaw International Center, Bool, Tel. +63 38 411 2482

LTS Lodge, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3310

Meridian Hotel, Martig-a Street, Tel. +63 38 411 3060, Fax: +63 38 235 5793

The Metro Centre Hotel is the islands business hotel. In the heart of Tagbilaran City, this hotel is one of the better places to stay if you want to stay right in the middle of the city. At walking distance from the Bohol Quality Mall, with it's many shops, food-plaza, restaurants, and cinemas.

Nisa Travelers Inn, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3731

Taver's Pension, Remolador Street, Tel. +63 38 411 4896, Fax: +63 38 411 4790

The East Coast Tourist Inn, Miguel Parras Street, Cellphone +63 916 416 1793

Villa Camilla, Maria Clara Street, Tel. +63 38 411 4966

Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn V.P. Inting Street, Tel. +63 38 411 3893, Fax: +63 38 411 4143

Wregent Plaza Hotel, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3144

Tubigon

Tubigon, a friendly little town on the west coast of Bohol, is about 45 minutes by V-hire, or 90 minutes by bus from Tagbilaran City. It is also the place where boats from Cebu arrive. A fast boat gets you to Cebu in 45 minutes from here, and a slow boat cost about 60 pesos, so both the fastest and cheapest way to Bohol lead you through Tubigon. From here, you can also catch a direct V-hire to Carmen, for the famous Chocolate Hills. If pass through this place, don't forget to visit the church, which has some wonderful murals.

Apart from staying with locals, the only place you can stay here for the night is Ligayas Pension House, which has rooms starting at PHP 500 / USD 9 per night (email: ligayas@tubigon.com).

The Inanuran Beach Resort, which used on an island nearby, closed in 2001.

Valencia

Villa Tarcela
Contact Person: Alicia Andersson
Address: Valencia, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 532 0182
Phone: +63 921 282 4794
Email: alicia@itpedagogen.com
Website: http://www.villatarcela.com/

Valencia, a nice town on the south-eastern coast of Bohol is about 40 kilometres from Tagbilaran. The Villa Tarcela Resort here makes it into an excellent base to explore the inland and eastern parts of the island. This resort is not far from Badiang springs, and from it you can reach the Chocolate hills through a winding road that goes through one of Bohol's lesser known attractions: the rice terasses near Bilar town.

Villa Tarcela

Rooms here start at PHP 1495. All full air-con. The site further has its own private swimming pool, and can assist with tours through the country side.

On Bohol, you can find a number of resorts. The following list is by no means exhaustive. We are still working on reviews of the hotels and resorts on Bohol, so that we can change this alphabetical list with a more helpful overview. If you have experiences with a hotel or resort on Bohol, or we've missed a place that should be on this list, please mail the webmaster.

Resorts & Hotels

Alberto's Place
Contact Person: Mrs. Olivia Chiu
Address: Sta. Cruz, Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: (+63)(38) - 5017162
Phone: (+63) 9178547647
Email: bebsy091169@yahoo.com
Website: http://boholano1.tripod.com/index.html

Alona Kew
Address: Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9042
Phone: +63 38 502 9027
Fax: +63 38 502 9029
Email: info@alonakew.com
Website: http://www.alonakew.com/

Alumbung Resort
Contact Person: Sid
Address: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 5528
Phone: +63 927 443 1769
Email: info@alumbungbohol.com
Website: http://www.alumbungbohol.com/

Amarela
Contact Person: Lucas M. Nunag
Address: Libaong, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 5029497 to 99
Fax: +63 38 5029499
Email: reservations@amarelaresort.com
Website: http://www.amarelaresort.com/

Amorita Resort
Address: Alona Beach, Barangay Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9001 and -03
Fax: +63 038 502 9002
Email: inquiries@amoritaresort.com
Website: http://www.amoritaresort.com/index.html

Ananyana Beach Resort
Contact Person: Patrick Ritter
Address: Lot 2-C, Doljo Beach, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502 8101
Fax: +63 38 502 8101
Email: info@ananyana.com
Website: http://www.ananyana.com/

Badiang Spring Resort Cottages
Address: Anas, 6306 Valencia, Bohol, Philippines

Balicasag Island Dive Resort
Address: Balicasag Island, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: +63 32 211 440
Phone: +63 2 812 1984
Fax: +63 2 812 1164
Email: inquiries@divephil.com
Website: http://www.divephil.com/bohol/balicasa/

Banlasan Resort
Address: Lapaz, 6319 Carmen, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 525 9145

BelleviewRock Resort
Address: Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Email: info@belleviewrock.com
Website: http://www.belleviewrock.com/

Beracha Inland Resort
Address: Santo Nino, 6325 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 515 0293
Phone: +63 919 809 8676

Bituon Beach Resort
Contact Person: Markus Hohmann
Address: Basdio, 6310 Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines
Email: Bituon@wtal.de
Website: http://www.bituon.com/

Bohol Beach Club
Contact Person: Mr. Redentor Durano
Address: Bolod, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 5222
Phone: Toll free 1800 1888 2227
Fax: +63 38 411 5226
Email: bbclub@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.tambuli.com/bohol.htm

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort
Contact Person: Glenn Mark Blasques
Address: Laya, Baclayon, Bohol
Phone: 038 540 9250
Phone: 0919 820 7346
Email: boholcoconutpalmsresort@yahoo.com

Bohol Divers Lodge Dive Center
Address: Alona Beach, Danao, 6340 Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9050
Phone: +63 917 320 19
Fax: +63 38 502 9048
Email: stay@boholdivers.com

Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant
Address: Dayo Hill, Mayacabac, Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 5000 882, 5001-019
Phone: +63 912 711 8442
Fax: +63 38 5000 970
Email: boholplaza@bohol-online.com.ph
Website: http://www.boholplazaresort.com/

Bohol Tropics Resort
Contact Person: Geesnel Yap (Owner)
Address: Graham Avenue, Cogon, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3510 to 14
Phone: +63 38 411 2529
Fax: +63 38 411 3019; 501 8992
Email: info@boholtropics.com
Website: http://www.boholtropics.com/

C and T Lodge
Address: Poblacion, 6308 Jagna, Bohol, Philippines

CACA Pension House
Address: Sentro, 6329 Tubigon, Bohol, Philippines

Casa Besas
Address: Poblacion, 6315 Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 518 0986

Casa Juana
Address: 2nd Floor JJ's Foodstream CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3331
Fax: +63 38 411 3170

Casa Santa Barbara
Contact Person: Brian Luce
Address: Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: 0917-696-2310
Phone: 0928-318-2730
Email: brian.luce@mailcity.com
Website: http://www.panglaobeachvilla.com/

Casa Villa Tourist Inn
Address: Laya, 6301 Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines

Casanova Garden
Address: Alona Beach, Tawala, 6340 Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9109

Cebu Sea Explorer Water Sports Inc.
Address: Alona Beach, Panglao
Phone: +63 918 740 1668
Fax: +63 28 17 5410

Charisma Lodge
Address: 2nd Floor E. Butalid Building CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 4113094
Fax: +63 38 411 4460

Cherry's Home
Contact Person: Cherry Hegfors
Address: Danao Tawala, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 5029 167
Phone: +63 918 2217 679
Email: cherryshm@yahoo.com.sg
Website: http://www.cherryshome.com/index.html

Chocolate Hills Complex
Address: Buenos Aires, 6319 Carmen, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 919 680 0492

Chriscent Ville Pension House
Contact Person: Ponciano Mercado Jr. (owner/manager)
Address: Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City
Phone: +63 38 411 4029; 235 4365
Phone: +63 38 4113070
Fax: +63 38 411 4028

City Lodge II
Address: Miguel Parras street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2140

City Lodge III
Address: Lesage street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3251

Coco Grove Tourist Inn
Address: Circulado street, 6339 Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4904
Email: info@cocogrovebohol.com; doryppenales@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.cocogrovebohol.com/

Cocowhite-Beach Resort
Address: Basdio, 6310 Guindulman, Bohol
Email: coco@freesurf.ch
Website: http://www.cocowhite-beach.com/cms/index.php

Coral Point Dive Resort
Address: Bil-isan, 6301 Panglao
Fax: +63 38 411 3433
Website: http://members.tripod.com/coralpoint/

Coralandia Resort and Restaurant
Contact Person: Jonathan Asunto (manager)
Address: Graham Avenue 45, Tagbilaran City
Phone: +63 38 411 3445
Fax: +63 38 411 4222

Dao Diamond Bed and Breakfast
Address: Dao, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3683
Phone: +63 38 235 5836
Fax: +63 38 411 5568
Email: diamondc@mozcom.com

Domene Kaw
Address: Pangdan, 6308 Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 238 2127
Email: domene_kaw@yahoo.com.ph
Website: http://www.domenekaw.com/

Dumaluan Beach Resort
Address: Bolod, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9081
Phone: +63 38 502 9082
Website: http://dumaluanbeachresort.tripod.com/home.html

East Coast Tourist Inn
Address: Miguel Parras Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 501 7210

El Portal Inn
Contact Person: Pamela Gallardo (owner/manager)
Address: Belderol Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2124
Phone: +63 38 411 3579
Fax: +63 38 235 6689
Email: elportalinn@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.elportalinn.net/

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa
Contact Person: Phoebe B. Lim
Address: Tawala, Panglao, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502 9516
Email: reservations@eskayabeach.com
Website: http://www.eskayabeach.com/

Everglory Lodge
Address: Gallares street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4969

Executive Inn
Address: J.S Torralba street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3254

Flower-Beach Resort
Contact Person: Werner Moeller
Address: Virgen, Anda, Bohol
Phone: +49 6126 990806
Phone: +63 918 579 6166
Fax: +49 (0) 61 26 225 937 9
Email: requests@flower-beach.com
Website: http://www.flower-beach.com/

Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground
Contact Person: Ms. Mavic Mercado
Address: Dao, Dauis, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 502-2480
Phone: +63 917 8191363
Fax: +63 38 502-2122
Email: info@flushingmeadows.com.ph
Website: http://www.flushingmeadows.com.ph/

Goody Goody Lodge
Address: 6315 Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 331 1149

GV Pension House
Address: 6315 Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 918 770 3514

Hacienda Hervasio Mountain Resort
Address: Sitio Kan-ocson, Cambugasan, 6308 Jagna, Bohol, Philippines

Hats Inn
Address: Corner Mendoza street and CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2427
Email: pgo@skyinet.net

Hotel La Roca
Contact Person: Jerry Joseph Lim (owner)
Address: Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3796 to 98
Phone: +63 38 411 3179
Fax: +63 38 411 3009

HTS Lodge
Address: Laya, 6301 Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 540 9261

Idea Pension House
Address: Tejero, 6308 Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 531 0030

Isis Bunglalows
Address: Alona Beach, 6340 Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 90 49
Fax: +63 38 502 90 49
Email: cbolotaulo@hotmail.com
Website: http://isis.port5.com/

Isla Hayahay Beach Resort & Restaurant
Address: Lomboy, Pangangan Island, Calape, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +639274965421
Phone: +639194884594
Fax: +630385079001
Email: islahayahay@merseymail.com
Website: http://www.islahayahay.com/

J and N Lodge
Address: Poblacion, 6315 Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 518 0048

Jagna Lodge
Contact Person: Bhonnie Ellivera
Address: Can-uba Beach, Jagna
Phone: +63 920 567 0847
Email: admin@jagnalodge.com
Website: http://www.jagnalodge.com/index.html

JCR Inn
Address: 6315 Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 518 0088

Jed Lodge
Address: Sun-oc, Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 916 241 4160

Kode Inn
Address: 57 Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 235 7251
Phone: +63 38 501 8029
Email: Kodeinn@yahoo.com

La Consorcia Cottage
Address: 6309 Duero, Bohol, Philippines

La Vicenta Lodge
Address: 6325 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 928 247 5355

Ladaga Inn
Address: Totulan, 6339 Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 2280
Email: ladagainn_2006@yahoo.com

Le Pensione De San Jose
Address: San Jose street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2572; 235 6857
Phone: +63 38 500 1339

LGU-Roxas Park
Address: Calma, 6307 Garcia Hernandez, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 523 5035
Phone: +63 38 918 464 2395

Ligaya's Pension House
Address: Cogon, Pooc Oriental, 6329 Tubigon, Bohol, Philippines

Loboc Tour Park Carabao Riding and Restaurant
Address: National Highway, Candabong, 6316 Loboc, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2197

Lost Horizon
Contact Person: Minnie Blumenshein (Owner)
Address: Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 502 9099
Phone: +63 38 502 9088
Fax: +63 917 321 1666
Email: losthorizonresort@gmail.com
Website: http://www.losthorizonresort.net/

LTS Lodge
Address: CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3310

Matig-a Lodge
Address: 26 Burgos street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2068

Mellow Apartelle and Tourist Inn
Address: Dampas Binayran, Dampas district, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2211
Phone: +63 38 411 5378
Email: whaltzer@yahoo.com

Nissa Traveller's Inn
Address: CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3731

Olman's View Resort
Address: Riverside, Totolan, Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 500 0978; 411 3421
Phone: +63 916 745 0869
Fax: +63 38 500 0829
Email: info@olmansview.com
Website: http://www.olmansview.com/home.html

Panglao Island Nature Resort
Address: Bingag, Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2599
Fax: +63 38 411 5866
Email: metroctr@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.panglaoisland.com/

Philippine Islands Divers
Contact Person: Holger Horn
Address: Alona Beach, Danao, 6340 Panglao
Phone: +63 38 502 9048
Phone: +63 0918 335 0842
Fax: +63 38 502 9048
Email: dive@phildivers.com
Website: http://www.phildivers.com/index.html

Pueblo de Pamilacan
Contact Person: William F. Soriano
Address: Pamilacan Island, Baclayon, Bohol
Phone: +63 2 714 3541
Phone: +63 927 796 7759
Email: william.soriano@goldenabc.com

Sagbayan Peak
Address: 6331 Sagbayan, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 511 9167
Phone: +63 921 3233 0866
Email: info@sagbayanpeak.com
Website: http://www.sagbayanpeak.com.ph/index.html

Sea View Lodge
Address: CPG Avenue, 6325 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines

Shores Apartelle
Address: Mansasa district, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4734
Email: doy_yap@yahoo.com

Sky High Lodge
Address: CPG Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 501 7955

Slim Pension House
Contact Person: Nathaniel M. Lim (owner/manager)
Address: 35 F.R. Ingles St., Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4858, 411 5907
Fax: +63 38 411 4367

Soledad Suites
Contact Person: Lou Square
Address: J.C. Borja cor. M. Parras Sts., 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3074
Phone: +63 38 501 7421
Fax: +63 38 411 2117
Email: soledad@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.soledad-suites.com/

Tagbilaran Uptown Lodge
Address: Corner Miguel Parras street and H. del Pilar street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 235 3166

Talibon Pension House
Address: Poblacion, 6325 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 515 0010

Tamblot Pension House 1
Address: 30 Tamblot street, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2254

Tamblot Pension House 2
Address: Totulan, 6339 Dauis, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3180

Taver's Pension House
Contact Person: Jun Calope (manager)
Address: Remolador Street, Cogon district, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4896; 411 3983
Phone: +63 38 411 4790
Email: tavers@mozcom.com
Website: http://taverspensionhouse.tripod.com/

The Meridian Hotel
Contact Person: Rolando Butalid (owner)
Address: 4 S. Matig-a Street, Tagbilaran City
Phone: +63 38 411 3060; 3123
Fax: +63 38 411 4524; 3615
Email: meridian@mozcom.com

The Metro Centre
Contact Person: Frederick Ong (owner)
Address: Pres. Carlos Garcia Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2599
Fax: +63 38 411 5866
Email: metroctr@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.metrocentrehotel.com/

TMR Pension House
Address: Pooc Occidental, 6329 Tubigon, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 918 770 3514

Vest Pension House
Address: Tamblot Extention, Cogon district, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 501 8079
Phone: +63 38 235 6246
Email: vestpension@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.vestpension.com/

Via Bohol Tourist Inn
Address: Graham Avenue, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 5334
Email: via_bohol@yahoo.com.ph
Website: www.viabohol.com/

Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant
Contact Person: Judith Bomediano (manager)
Address: V.P. Inting st. Mansasa Seaside 162, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3893, 411 3883
Fax: +63 38 411 4143
Website: http://hotel.bookings.org/alzhun.ph.en.html

Villa Camilla Pension Haus
Contact Person: Victoria Maluenda (owner/manager)
Address: Ma. Clara Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 4966
Fax: +63 38 411 2868

Villa Tarcela
Contact Person: Alicia Andersson
Address: Valencia, Bohol
Phone: +63 38 532 0182
Phone: +63 921 282 4794
Email: alicia@itpedagogen.com
Website: http://www.villatarcela.com/

Vista Lodge
Address: 12 A Lesage sreet, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3072

Water Gate Tourist Inn
Address: Poblacion, 6325 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines

Water Paradise Resort
Address: Peñaflor street, Taloto district, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 2122; 500 1860
Fax: +63 38 411 2309
Email: waterparadise_resort@bohol-online.com.ph
Website: www.waterparadise.com.ph/

Winward Pension House
Contact Person: Eddie Uy (manager)
Address: Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3599

WRegent Plaza Hotel
Address: CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Phone: +63 38 411 3144; 411 3951
Phone: +63 38 411 3971
Email: info@wregent.com
Website: http://www.wregent.com/

Smallest primate on earth found in Bohol

2009-01-03T23:04:00.001-08:00

In Bohol, one can find the smallest primate on earth,

the Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a diet of insects. Folk traditions sometimes has it that tarsiers eat charcoal, but actually they retrieve the insects from (sometimes burned) wood. It can be found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines

Bohol Dive spots

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Panglao Island Diving

Panglao Island is a small coralline island located near the south western tip of Bohol. The north and western section of the reef are noteworthy, with a reef platform that is relatively narrow and shallow (15-20ft/5-6m) that has an edge terminating into perpendicular submarine cliffs, plunging down to depths 100-170 ft/33-56m.

The reef is thickly covered with hard and soft corals, branching table, sacrophyton and lobophyton varieties. Near the cliff are schools of tuna, mackerel and surgeonfish. At 90-100 ft/30-33m depths are big snappers, groupers, and occasional black-tip sharks.

Farther seawards are schools of dolphins and pilot whales. Its coral gardens welcome you near the surface which is great for snorkeling. Its best assets are its steep walls with caves, overhangs and crevices home to abundant fish and invertebrate life. Listed below are the most famous among the dive spots in Panglao Island.

Wonders of nature..Bohol's chocolate hills

2009-01-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills, or as some say, women's breasts, and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make.

Beaches in Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

2009-01-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

Some of the scenic white beaches of Panglao Island, Bohol particularly the Alona Beach front. It is a long stretch of powdery white sand.......

An aerial view of Alona beachfront in Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. You may have mistaken that you are in paradise once you have set foot on this island.

A typical romantic view of sunset at the beach of Panglao island, Bohol, Philippines.

Bohol Island, Philipines

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BEACHES & RESORTS

Panglao Island's powdery white sand beaches will captivate you with its beauty especially during sunrise and sunsets as you relax after a day's activity in the sun.

TARSIER

Would you believe that the tarsier, the smallest living primate, measuring 4 to 5 inches and a tail longer than its body, can easily fit snugly in the human hand and is 36 million years old? Being endemic in limited forest pockets in Bohol and having the status of an endangered species, the tarsier has generated substantial interest.

DIVE SPOTS
There are a number of Bohol Diving spots that offer excellent diving. Balicasag, long known for its exotic seashells, (the natives net-fish the deeper waters for rare specimens), and its cascading coral walls is considered one of the best dive spots in the country.

The waters off Pamilacan Island teem with schools of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish. Dolphins and pilot whales can also be viewed from the distance.

The Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef, located off northern Bohol Island, is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines and is 1 of only 3 such sites in the Indo-Pacific. The reef is spread across almost 130 kms and consists of 3 large reefs.

CHOCOLATE HILLS

The world-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is Nature's expression of beauty, mystery and romance. Spread over the Municipalities of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan, the Chocolate Hills is the province's signature attraction. It consists of approximately 1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters. Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the hills are considered as a National Geologic Movement. During the summers, the dome-shaped grass covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown, transforming the area into seemingly endless rows of chocolate “kisses”.

Two of the highest hills have been developed and provided with facilities such as a restaurant, hostel and viewdeck.