After more than two and a half years of being pastor of St. Alphonsus Mary De Liguori, I was finally able to go on a long vacation. Me, my parents, and a friend family packed our bags and flew to Bohol for a four day vacation. It was not the first time I would be going to Bohol. I was there in 1987, still a seminarian, for the ordination of Fr. Andy Ayco. We arrived at the Bohol Beach Club at about ten in the morning of the 16th of April.
What deeply impressed me about Bohol is its great awareness of taking care of its environment. Backed by a very long and meaningful history, one can never miss at how they had preserved their natural resources. The famous Chocolate Hills, though very inviting to be conquered (not by eating but by occupying or owning), was very much preserved. They had made a view deck in order for tourists and locals alike to be contented in appreciating and marveling its uniqueness and beauty. The owl-eyed and timid Tarsiers, tiny but long-tailed animals were “domesticated” so that tourists would have the rare benefit of watching and even lightly touching it in a special sanctuary somewhere in the island. The island boasts of being one of those places that gives great efforts to preserve this unique animal. In the early fifties, the officials of the island foreshadowed the need for more vegetation and trees in the island. Aside from protecting the vast and various mangroves along the shoreline, they had a man-made forest over hectares and hectares of land at the southern part of the island. Now, some fifty years later, we can appreciate the genius of that action. Bohol is blessed with a forest, though man-made, it still serves its purpose.
Known as the “Ilocanos of the Visayas”, they are proud of being ubiquitous. Although it is misunderstood as their being “individualistic”, they claim, it was just their way of caring for themselves first so that they can be of better service to others. Dagohoy, a known legendary hero, joined other groups to fight against invaders in order to protect his Kingdom of Bohol. Every Boholanon is taught to be self sufficient. He owns the land he tills. There were no haciendas in Bohol. They patronize their own. SM (ShoeMart) which is being established in every island or city here in the Philippines, could not find its way in Bohol. This is because the owner is not a Boholanon. Bohol is only for the Boholanons! Cesar Montano, a famous actor-director and a native of Bohol, now a candidate for Philippine senator, would surely find great support from his islandmates.
Our tourist guide also stressed the Catholicity of the people of Bohol. The Catholic Church is well regarded and respected all over the island. She has a say in all the concerns of the island. The issue of establishing a casino in this part of the Philippines will undergo a long and hard debate. The tricycle, one of the common ways of transportation in the island, would never run without a religious saying or quote painted on its car. The island boasts of the second oldest church in the Philippines (Immaculate Concepcion Church in Baclayon) and a number of other old and historical churches. And then you would have an opportunity to experience, though in a limited way, the Catholic life in the 17th and 18th century by touring the Baclayon church museum.
Fishing is the primary industry in the island. Farming comes second. Tourism is slowly coming to be a lucrative industry because of the presence of beautiful tourist attractions, long and pristine beaches, great people, and wonderful history. Though I am not a Boholanon, I am proud of it because they are a part of being a Filipino. There are still many more things to experience in Bohol. Next time will be a new experience but definitely it will always be vintage Bohol!
What deeply impressed me about Bohol is its great awareness of taking care of its environment. Backed by a very long and meaningful history, one can never miss at how they had preserved their natural resources. The famous Chocolate Hills, though very inviting to be conquered (not by eating but by occupying or owning), was very much preserved. They had made a view deck in order for tourists and locals alike to be contented in appreciating and marveling its uniqueness and beauty. The owl-eyed and timid Tarsiers, tiny but long-tailed animals were “domesticated” so that tourists would have the rare benefit of watching and even lightly touching it in a special sanctuary somewhere in the island. The island boasts of being one of those places that gives great efforts to preserve this unique animal. In the early fifties, the officials of the island foreshadowed the need for more vegetation and trees in the island. Aside from protecting the vast and various mangroves along the shoreline, they had a man-made forest over hectares and hectares of land at the southern part of the island. Now, some fifty years later, we can appreciate the genius of that action. Bohol is blessed with a forest, though man-made, it still serves its purpose.
Known as the “Ilocanos of the Visayas”, they are proud of being ubiquitous. Although it is misunderstood as their being “individualistic”, they claim, it was just their way of caring for themselves first so that they can be of better service to others. Dagohoy, a known legendary hero, joined other groups to fight against invaders in order to protect his Kingdom of Bohol. Every Boholanon is taught to be self sufficient. He owns the land he tills. There were no haciendas in Bohol. They patronize their own. SM (ShoeMart) which is being established in every island or city here in the Philippines, could not find its way in Bohol. This is because the owner is not a Boholanon. Bohol is only for the Boholanons! Cesar Montano, a famous actor-director and a native of Bohol, now a candidate for Philippine senator, would surely find great support from his islandmates.
Our tourist guide also stressed the Catholicity of the people of Bohol. The Catholic Church is well regarded and respected all over the island. She has a say in all the concerns of the island. The issue of establishing a casino in this part of the Philippines will undergo a long and hard debate. The tricycle, one of the common ways of transportation in the island, would never run without a religious saying or quote painted on its car. The island boasts of the second oldest church in the Philippines (Immaculate Concepcion Church in Baclayon) and a number of other old and historical churches. And then you would have an opportunity to experience, though in a limited way, the Catholic life in the 17th and 18th century by touring the Baclayon church museum.
Fishing is the primary industry in the island. Farming comes second. Tourism is slowly coming to be a lucrative industry because of the presence of beautiful tourist attractions, long and pristine beaches, great people, and wonderful history. Though I am not a Boholanon, I am proud of it because they are a part of being a Filipino. There are still many more things to experience in Bohol. Next time will be a new experience but definitely it will always be vintage Bohol!
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