Bohol: My Classmate's Ancestral Homeland

Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Virgin Island, Panglao, Bohol

View from the other side of Virgin Island where motorized boats are allowed to anchor on shallow waters.

My former classmate traces his family roots from the Island Province of Bohol. He did not grew up in Bohol and so he always wanted to visit there. This trip was his only second visit to his ancestors' homeland.

He always had this deep feeling and connection in his thoughts about Bohol. He admits that it's hard to put it exactly in words. But he always said to himself and to others: If only he had the money and resources, he will definitely live in Bohol.

Well there is this saying from among the Boholanos (people of Bohol) and let me quote, "If all the children and descendants of the people of Bohol will come home to the island, then the island would sink on the other side and rise on the opposite side (facing Cebu)".

We really don't know who have thought of it first, but for sure he really had a very good imagination way back then.

The Island Province of Bohol has a length of around 100 kms across and 60 kms wide.

The islands isn't exacty that big though, yet the island has the smallest monkey that could fit enough in your pocket; the Tarsiers.

This kind of monkey is generally shy. They don't need that much attention, at least that's what we know of during the day when it is suppose to sleep. Yes, that is right, it is suppose to sleep during the day. It's a nocturnal animal. It hunts for insects for food during the night. But for some demand and much needed appearances from the many tourists that flocks the island just to have pictures of the Tarsiers and many of these were are caught from the wild had to work extra hours during the day to pose for the cameras.

Poor monkey? Well, my classmate never thought so. You know what he meant.

These are called Chocolate Hills found at Carmen, Bohol. It is worth a travel towards the center of the island. But most certainly, Bohol has its own green chocolate hills most of the time during the rainy months. But, during dry months during summer or most likely when there is an El Niño dry weather spell, during long dry months, the grass dies and only then you see only brown chocolate hills.

Now, traveling around the islands will make hot and you wanna eat something cold. The best and ideal way is to eat the locally made ice cream from Bohol Bee Farm. My classmate's favorite is the spicy ginger. It's not that hot as compared to the volcanic hot ice cream from Legaspi City near Mayon Volcano. But, thats for another story.

Now, we are really getting hungry. Well my classmate can certainly assure you what is written about the Pizza, the words are correctly spelled.

If you like some local delicacy, then you could always try some sea urchins? Yes, you can eat that raw with some locally made vinegar.

Then if you happen to live where plenty of bears around, Bohol Bee Farm Honey is a perfect pasalubong for them. (pasalubong means gift/presents from the place you've visited, if you have Pilipino friends, they love pasalubong and it is part of Pilipino culture).

Balicasag Island, a few kilometers away west of the main Bohol island. Here you can swim with sea turtles. My classmate isn't a good swimmer and sorry no photos of sea turtles. The island is a protected area, no fishing is allowed. But, only swimming with the sea creatures are allowed.

The boatman as approaching the Balicasag Island. My classmate isn't a good swimmer, but here, he went for a swim as if the sea enticed him to.

On the shores of Panglao Island. There are dive sites near here. On the shores of Panglao, Siquijor Island cam be found from afar. Siquijor is near Bohol. There are ferries that travel to Siquijor from Bohol.

Bars on the pool, it common here in this resort.

A guest could choose an accommodation like the local Bohol Bahay Kubo (traditional local house) or the regular hotel rooms.

A good view of the coconut trees

A breadfruit. When cooked with some sugar, it can satisfy an empty stomach. My classmate loves to eat breadfruit or locally named Kolo fruit.

Boholanos aren't financially rich but they sure know how to live with their island's abundance of food to satisfy their needs. Simplicity of life is what made the Boholanos unique.

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Photos taken with an Iphone 6.

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