Bohol is one of my favorite destinations and in fact, this was the third time that I have been in this place. This time though, I was sponsored of my best friend, Teresa Santiago, who just had her vacation coming from the USA where she already works.
Enjoying a farm life with our host Nitz Dinorog
After our tour, we stayed in the farm in Barangay Bagtic in Catigbian, Bohol, with our host for 2 days and that made our vacation more meaningful and refreshing. The morning mist and dews from the leaves of the ornamental plants and trees around made it so cool far away from the hustle bustle of city life.
Day 1: From the airport to Tagbilaran City
While at the boarding gate at NAIA Terminal III
While on board the flight with Teresa Santiago
Aerial view of Metro Manila from our Cebu Pacific flight bound for Bohol
Fortunate to have been seated at the window side
We left Manila at around 4:30 P.M. and arrived at Tagbilaran Airport at around 5:30 P.M. and we were picked up by our host in Tagbilaran City. We stayed there for overnight.
A hosted sumptuous dinner for us
The place where we stayed was the sister of Nitz Dinorog. Her sister and husband are businessmen and they hosted us for our overnight stay in Barangay Taloto of Tagbilaran City.
Day 2 - Day Tour
While at the Loboc Bridge
The boat terminal for the Loboc River cruise
St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church, Loboc, Bohol
St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church, known as Loboc Church, is under the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Extremadura in Loboc, Bohol. This parish was established in 1602, and the present coral stone church was completed in 1734. Because of its strategic location, it became the center of the Jesuit mission in the Bohol area. In 1768, upon the expulsion of the Jesuits, the town was transferred to the Augustinian Recollects.
The church interior
Next stop: Busai Dream Falls
Busai Dream Falls is a stunning natural attraction also located in Bohol offering visitors a serene experience surrounded by lush greenery and crystal-clear waters. However, when we visited it, it ust rained heavily the other day, that's why the water turned to chocolate brown.
Next stop: Bilar Man-made forest
The Bilar Man-made Forest is a two-kilometer stretch of thousands of mahogany trees along Loay Interior Road between the municipalities of Loboc and Bilar.
Next stop: Bohollywood: Mirror of the World and Botanical Garden
Bohollywood is consist of six sections with miniatures of famous global tourists destinations like the: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Merlion of Singapore, USA's Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower of Paris, Greece Acropolis, Japanese Garden and Pagoda, Cambodia's Angkor Wat, Indonesia's Gate of Heaven and many more.
Tagbilaran Church
Tagbilaran Church and its vicinity
Tagbilaran Church: St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine
Getting inside the church for a short prayer
The altar of St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine
Tagbilaran Church was founded by the Jesuit Missionaries in 1595 and was turned over to the Recollects in 1768. The original church built by the Jesuits on this spot was burned on December 23, 1798 and was reconstructed and enlarged by Fr. Valero de San Pascual within the period of 1839 to 1855.
While at the town plaza
Part of the Bohol Capitol
The busy streets in the church vicinity
Day 3 - Panglao Island Tour
Early drive from Tagbilaran to Panglao Island
McDonalds Breakfast
Random beach resort inspection
No beach sand to enjoy with
Finally decided to stay at Dumaluan Beach Resort
Panglao Island is a part of Bohol province, renowned as a tropical destination famous for its powdery white sand beaches like Dumaluan Beach Resort. This island serves as a gateway to Bohol's natural wonders such as tarsiers and Chocolate Hills, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation for tourists.
Our host and guide, Nitz Dinorog
Our Panglao Island day tour was so short and it would have been better if we stayed here for overnight. We did not booked for a Panglao accommodation because we were after the island hopping. Our original plan was to have an island hopping but there was no boat available due to turbulent waters. The itinerary that we had were: (1) early morning dolphin watching; (2) Balicasag Island for its famous marine sanctuary, excellent snorkeling with turtles and fish, and vibrant coral reefs; and (3) Virgin Island which is a beautiful, crescent-shaped white sandbar that appears at low tide. The weather that day was unfavorable and all boat operators were not allowed to cater for boat tours that day.
As per advice of the boat operators, even for the next two days, the weather will not be good for island hopping and so we decided to just finish the day in Panglao island and early in the morning, we had a drive to Barangay Bagtic in Catigbian in the place of Nitz Dinorog.
The Blood Compact Sitei (Sandugo Shrine)
Before going back to Tagbilaran, we dropped by at the Blood Compact Site. This commemorates the historic 1565 blood pact between Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, symbolizing the first treaty of friendship in the Philippines, featuring a famous bronze sculpture by Napoleon Abueva depicting the ritual, offering a brief, meaningful historical stop for tourists often combined with countryside tours.
Day 4 and 5 - Farm Life in Brgy. Bagtic, Catigbian
While at Brgy. Bagtic in the municipality of Catigbian
Walking at the rice paddies
Feeding the chickens
Cooking at the dirty kitchen
Harvesting vegetables at the farm
Playing and teasing the carabao
Cleaning the pig's pen
Assisting in feeding the pigs
Day 6 - Flight back to Manila
While at the boarding gate waiting for our departure to Manila
Spacious and very clean airport of Tagbilaran Airport
Arriving NAIA Terminal at 9:40 P.M.
Since, it was too difficult for a grab to book, we opted to take the Runway Manila overpass to take a taxi cab while at the side of the Newport City.
