Tour Commentary – Countryside Tour

INTRODUCTION:

MABUHAY! MAAJONG PAG-ABOT DIRI SA BOHOL. MAAJONG BUNTAG. MAAJONG PAG-ABOT

MEANS WELCOME AND MAAJONG BUNTAG MEANS GOOD MORNING, THAT IS OUR LOCAL DIALECT –
BISAYA NGA BINOL-ANON. I AM ANIN, YOUR TOURGUIDE FOR TODAY AND THIS IS MY VERY RELIABLE
DRIVER JIN. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CMC TRAVEL AND TOURS, WITH CMC, TRAVELLING IS EASY!
SO, I HAVE SOME FRIENDLY REMINDERS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW
SO THAT WE WILL HAVE A SMOOTH AND HASSLE-FREE TOUR. FIRST, PLEASE BE MINDFUL WITH ALL
YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS SPECIALLY AS WE GO TO CROWDED SPOTS. SECOND, AVOID LITTERING
YOUR TRASH EVERYWHERE IF YOU CAN’T SEE ANY THRASH BIN FEEL FREE TO GIVE IT TO ME AND LASTLY
BUT VERY IMPORTANTEE, PLEASE ALWAYS FOLLOW OUR ITINERARY AND ALLOCATED TIME IN EACH
SPOTS PLEASE ALWAYS STAY WITH THE GROUP WE COULDN’T AFFORD TO LEAVE ANYONE SOMEWHERE
BECAUSE ONE OF OUR MOTTO IN EVERY TOUR IS “NO GUESTS LEFT BEHIND!”
AS WE START OUR TOUR PROPER ALLOW ME TO DISCUSS WITH YOU OUR ITINERARY FOR OUR
COUNTRYSIDE TOUR. SO AS FOR YOUR PICK UP HERE IN TAGBILARAN CITY PORT, WE WILL THEN
PROCEED TO THE FIRST STOP, THE BLOOD COMPACT SHRINE. THEN THE BACLAYON CHURCH AND
MUSEUM, THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER FOUNDATION INC. THEN WE WILL HAVE OUR LUNCH IN LOBOC RIVER
CRUISE, AFTER THE LUNCH WE WILL THEN PROCEED TO BILAR MANMADE FOREST AND THEN THE LAST
SPOT WHICH IS THE CHOCOLATE HILLS. I WILL BE GIVING YOU ENOUGH TIME IN EVERY SPOTS BUT
PLEASE DO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A TIME FRAME TO BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED. SO ARE YOU
READY? LET’S GO, ARIBA!!

FIRST STOP – BLOOD COMPACT SHRINE – TAGBILARAN

AS WE APPROACH NEAR OUR FIRST STOP, THE HISTORICAL MONUMENT BETWEEN DATU
SIKATUNA, A LOCAL NATIVE CHIEFTAIN AND CAPTAIN LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI, A SPANISH EXPLORER AND
COLONIZER. THE MONUMENT IS MADE UP OF BRONZE BY OUR NATIONAL ARTIST NAPOLEON ABUEVA
WHO HAILED FROM DUERO TOWN HERE IN BOHOL. THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP
WAS HELD IN THE COAST OF LOAY ON MARCH 1565. IT WAS CALLED PACTO DE SANGRE, THE BLOOD
COMPACT WAS DONE BY CUTTING A SMALL PORTION ON THE PECHO AND 2-3 DROPLETS OF BLOOD
MIXED INTO A CUP OF WINE AND THEY DRANK FROM IT. FROM THEN ON, THEY BECAME BLOOD
BROTHERS AND ETERNAL FRIENDS. IN COMMEMORATION TO THE BLOOD COMPACT, WE CELEBRATED
SANDUGO FESTIVAL EVERY MONTH OF JULY.
IN FACT WE ARE CELEBRATING THE SANDUGO FESTIVAL WITH LOTS OF EVENTS THIS MONTH,
THERE IS AN ONGOING SANDUGO TRADE FAIR IN ISLAND CITY MALL UNTIL THIS JULY 23, THERE YOU
CAN TRY AND CHECK BOHOL’S OTOP AND EVEN DELEGATES FROM OTHER PLACES WERE ALSO PRESENT
TO SHOWCASE THEIR PRODUCT. AND ON THE 30TH OF JULY YOU CAN WITNESS THE SANDUGO STREET
DANCING AND RITUAL SHOWDOWN WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SANDUGO
CELEBRATION.
SO WE WILL BE STAYING HERE FOR 10MINS TO DO SOME PICTURE TAKING OR YOU CAN BUY
SOME SOUVENIRS WHATEVER YOU LIKE AND THEN WE WILL PROCEED TO OUR NEXT STOP THE
BACLAYON CHURCH AND MUSEUM.
BACLAYON WAS THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN BOHOL BY THE SPANIARDS.
BACLAYON COMES FROM THE WORD BACLAY WHICH MEANS TO WALK. BEING THE FIRST MUNICIPALITY
IN BOHOL YOU WILL NOYICE HOW THIS TOWN PRESERVED ITS HISTORICAL FEATURES. ALONG THE WAY
YOU CAN SEE SOME HERITAGE HOUSES STILL PRESENT INT HIS TOWN. THE BAHANDI IS A
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE BACLAYON ANCESTRAL HOMES ASSOCIATION. THE
ASSOCIATION IS COMPOSED OF HOME-OWNERS OF SPANISH COLONIAL HOUSES IN BACLAYON WHO
BANDED TOGETHER TO SPARE THEIR HOMES FROM DEMOLITION IN A PROVINCE-WIDE ROAD-
WIDENING PROJECT SOMETIME IN 2002.
SO FROM HERE YOU CAN ALREADY SEE THE BACLAYON CHURCH, IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST
CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE OLDEST HERE IN BOHOL. IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE JESUITS ON
1590s.
**KINDLY WAIT AND SETTLE ON YOUR SEATS PLEASE SO WE CAN FIND A SPACE TO PARK THE BUS
BEFORE WE GO DOWN. WE WILL BE STAYING HERE FOR 20-30MINS. SO PLEASE STAY WITH THE GROUP.

2ND STOP - BACLAYON CHURCH AND MUSEUM

WE ARE NOW IN BACLAYON COMPLEX IN WHICH THE BACLAYON CHURCH AND BACLAYON
MUSEUM IS LOCATED. THE BACLAYON CHURCH OR ALSO KNOWN AS CHURCH OF IMMACULADA
CONCEPCION IS A STONE CHURCH MADE UP OF CORAL STONES. LABOURERS GATHER CORAL STONES
FROM THE SEA AND COMPACT IT INTO BLOCKS, THEY ALSO USED LIMESTONES, SAND WATER AND
EGGWHITES FOR THE PALITADA.
DURING THE 2013 BOHOL EARTHQUAKE A PART OF THE CHURCH WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED AND
WAS THEN RESTORED.
BACLAYON MUSEUM
NEXT TO THE BACLAYON CHURCH STANDS THE OLD CONVENT, A HISTORIC BUILDING THAT NOW
SERVES AS A SMALL MUSEUM. INSIDE THIS MUSEUM, VISITORS CAN EXPLORE A FASCINATING
COLLECTION OF RELIGIOUS RELICS, ARTIFACTS, AND ANTIQUITIES THAT DATE BACK TO THE 16TH
CENTURY. THERE IS A LOCAL GUIDE INSIDE WHO WILL GUIDE YOU.
BACLAYON PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN INITIATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PARISH
MUSEUMS IN BOHOL, SHOWCASING THE REGION'S RICH CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE. THE
MUSEUM'S COLLECTION IS PARTICULARLY NOTABLE FOR ITS EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF LITURGICAL
MATERIALS, WHICH PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS OF THE
CHURCH.
THE CHURCH INVENTORY BOOKS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DATING MANY OF THE
PRESERVED ITEMS, SHEDDING LIGHT ON THEIR HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. AMONG THE NOTABLE
DISCOVERIES FOUND WITHIN THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION ARE THE BACLAYANA MASS, A MUSICAL
COMPOSITION FOR THE MASS THAT WAS FOUND IN THE CANTORALS (LARGE HANDWRITTEN MUSIC
BOOKS) OF BACLAYON. THIS COMPOSITION HAS BEEN REVIVED AND IS NOW PART OF THE REPERTOIRE
PERFORMED BY THE RENOWNED LOBOC CHILDREN'S CHOIR.
THE MUSEUM ALSO HOUSES AN ARRAY OF REMARKABLE ARTIFACTS, INCLUDING AN IVORY
STATUE OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST GAZING HEAVENWARD, A STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN PRESENTED BY QUEEN CATHERINE OF ARAGON, RELICS OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,
OPULENT GOLD-EMBROIDERED ECCLESIASTICAL VESTMENTS, BOOKS WITH COVERS MADE OF CARABAO
SKIN, AND LIBRETTOS OF CHURCH MUSIC INSCRIBED IN LATIN ON SHEEPSKINS.

***SO WE WILL GO BACK ANYONE WHO WANT TO USE THE RESTROOM PLEASE DO BECAUSE OUR NEXT
STOP WILL BE AROUND 30-45MINS, THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER FOUNDATION INC.

HELLO? SO FOR NOW WE ARE HEADING TO CORELLA FOR OUR NEXT STOP, THE PHIL. TARSIER
FOUNDATION INC. HOW WAS YOUR VISIT IN BACLAYON COMPLEX? IT IS INDEED INTERESTING HOW OUR
OLD CHURCHES WAS BUILT RIGHT AND ALSO HOW AMAZING OUR ANCESTORS. SO HERE IN BACLAYON
THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN FOR THEIR PASTRIES, HSVE YOU HEARD ABOUT BROAS OR THE LADYFINGERS?
AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH IS A ROW OF PASTRY SHOPS SELLING THE FAMED “BROAS,” OR
LADYFINGERS, FOR WHICH BACLAYON, 8 KILOMETERS FROM THE CAPITAL CITY OF TAGBILARAN, HAS
BEEN CALLED THE THE COUNTRY’S “BROAS CAPITAL.” BROAS IS A LOCAL VERSION OF THE WEST’S
LADYFINGERS. UNLIKE THOSE SOLD ELSEWHERE, BACLAYON’S BROAS ARE LIGHT, SWEET, CRISP AND
MELT IN THE MOUTH. THE PASTRY’S ORIGIN DATES BACK TO SPANISH TIMES. ACCORDING TO STORIES
TOLD TO OLD-TIME RESIDENTS, THE SPANIARDS USED A LOT OF EGG WHITES AS BINDING MATERIALS
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF BACLAYON CHURCH. SO THE YOLKS WOULD NOT GO TO WASTE, THE
SPANIARDS TAUGHT THE LOCALS HOW TO MAKE COOKIES AND OTHER PASTRIES USING THE YOLK AS
INGREDIENT. ASIDE FROM BROAS THEY ALSO HAVE EGG COOKIES, TORTA’S PASTEL AND OTHER PASTRIES
BUT THE BEST SELLER IS STILL THE BROAS. THE TOWN OF BACLAYON IS INDEED A HERITAGE HAVEN IN
BOHOL.
WE ARE GOING TO THE INTERIOR PART OF BOHOL. ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE TO YOU OUR
PROVINCE,BOHOL. BOHOL PROVINCE, THE 10TH LARGEST ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINES, IS SITUATED IN
THE CENTER OF VISAYAS REGION AND BETWEEN THE SOUTHEASTERN CEBU AND THE SOUTHWESTERN
LEYTE. IT IS THE PROVINCE WITH THE SHORTEST DISTANCE TO CEBU CITY, WHICH CAN BE COVERED IN
JUST ONE AND A HALF HOURS BY FERRY AND 20 MINUTES BY AIR. AND IS MADE UP OF THE OVAL MAIN
ISLAND AND APPROX 73 SMALL ISLANDS. ITS TERRAIN IS SLIGHTLY ROLLING, SO IT IS SUITABLE FOR
DEVELOPING INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE. INSIDE THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OF THE ISLAND, THERE
EXIST MANY RARE SPECIES OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS AND PLANTS. THE HIGHER LAND IS FIT FOR
DEVELOPING FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. THE LOWER LAND IN THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PART
HAS FERTILE SOIL AND ENJOYS SUFFICIENT WATER. OVER 100 CAVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN BOHOL,
WITH THE LARGEST ONE IN THE EAST, SO THE PROVINCE US AN IDEAL PLACE FOR CAVE ADVENTURE.
THERE ARE AFFLUENT NONMETALLIC RESOURCES LIKE LIMESTONE, GUANO, SILICA AND CLAY. THE
PROVINCE HAS A LARGE VOLUME OF SURFACE WATER, WITH A LOT OF RIVERS, STREAMS AND SPRINGS.
TOURISM INDUSTRY ALSO CONTRIBUTES A BIG PART FOR BOHOL’S ECONOMY GROWTH WHICH
INCREASE THE PROVINCE INCOME AND THE LOCAL’S LIVELIHOOD. BUT THE MAIN INDUSTRY IN BOHOL IS
AGRICULTURE.
OPTIONAL ADD ON SPIEL {THIS PROVINCIAL ROAD WE ARE TRAVERSING IS A GOVERNMENT
PROJECT WHICH SHOWS A GREAT SUPPORT TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY FOR THE COMFORT AND
SAFETY OF ALL THE COMMUTERS SPECIALLY THE TOURIST. AIMING TO PROVIDE THE BEST COMFORT
AND ACCESIBILITY TO OUR BELOVED GUESTS NEEDS.}
SO WE ARE NOW IN THE TOWN OF CORELLA DO YOU KNOW THAT CORELLA IS THE SMALLEST
TOWN IN BOHOL WITH ONLY 8 BARANGAYS. THIS IS A SMALL TOWN THAT DEPENDS MAINLY ON SMALL
SCALE AGRICULTURE BUT BEING NEAR TO THE CAPITAL CITY WHICH IS TAGBILARAN. CORELLA IS
CONSIDERED TO BE A GOOD SPOT FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS. BUT ONE THING THAT THIS TOWN IS
KNOWN FOR IS THAT THIS IS THE HOME OF THE ENDEMIC PHILIPPINE TARSIER, THE SMALLEST PRIMATE
IN THE WORLD. IT IS JUST A SIZE OF OUR FIST AND A BABY TARSIER IS MEASURED TO BE THE SIZE OF
OUR THUMB. THEY ARE NOCTURNAL BEINGS AND THEIR BODY STRUCTURES IS SO AMAZING. THEY HAVE
BIG EYES THE SIZE OF THEIR BRAIN SO THEY CANNOT MOVE THEIR EYES THUS ENABLING THEM TO JUST
ROTATE THEIR HEAD 180 DEGREES TO THE LEFT AND 180 DEGRESS TO THE RIGHT. THEY ARE FED WITH
INSECTS TOO.
WE ARE ARRIVING ON OUR NEXT STOP,

3RD THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER FOUNDATION INC.

THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IS A 167- HECTARE FORESTED LAND WITHIN
THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CORELLA, SIKATUNA AND LOBOC ESTABLISHED BY THE PHILIPPINE TARSIER
FOUNDATION. THE SANCTUARY IS MOSTLY OF SECONDARY GROWTH FOREST SOME PORTIONS OF
WHICH ARE OPEN AND RELATIVELY BARE YET MAJORITY HAS LUSH VEGETATION MOSTLY OF SECOND-
GROWTH TREES, BAMBOO CLUMPS, TALL GRASS PATCHES AND THICK BUSHES THAT TARSIERS PREFER.
ONE CAN ALSO OBSERVE DIFFERENT FAUNA AND FLORA IN THE FORESTED AREAS. THE LATER HAS
SIGNAGE WITH THEIR SCIENTIFIC NAME, PLACE OF ORIGIN, GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, AND A BRIEF
EXPLANATION OF THEIR PROPERTIES AND TRADITIONAL APPLICATIONS. I HAVE TO SAY SOME NO-NOs
INSIDE THE CENTER. PLEASE AVOID DOING NOISE INSIDE BECAUSE TARSIERS ARE SLEEPING DURING THE
DAY AND THEY HUNT FOODS DURING THE NIGHT, AND PLEASE DO NOT USE FLASH IN PICTURE TAKING
BECAUSE THEY HAVE SENSITIVE EYES. WE WILL BE STAYING HERE FOR 30MINS SO PLEASE AWARE OF
OUR TIME LIMIT AND ENJOY YOUR SIGHTSEEING WITH OUR BELOVED TARSIER.

***SO PLEASE SETTLE YOURSELF AS WE HEAD TO OUR EARLY LUNCH IN LOBOC. WE WILL DO
OUR LOBOC RIVER CRUISE AND WE WILL HAVE OUR SUMPTOUS LUNCH THERE.
 {WHILE MOBILING TO LOBOC} TRAVERSING THE CORELLA -SIKATUNA -LOBOC ROAD
SO WE ARE NOW HEADING TO LOBOC FOR OUR EARLY LUNCH. WE WILL BE TRAVERSING THE
CORELLA-SIKATUNA-LOBOC ROAD. FROM CORELLA WE WILL BE PASSING BY THE TOWN OF SIKATUNA,
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME? YES! THIS TOWN IS ACTUALLY NAMES AFTER DATU SIKATUNA, THE
LOCAL CHIEFTAIN WHO MADE A BLOOD COMPACT WITH LEGAZPI IN THE 1560s. BUT THERE IS NO
EVIDENCE THAT DATU SIKATUNA LIVED IN THIS TOWN. THIS TOWN IS PART OF BACLAYON AND
ALBURQUERQUE BEFORE.THIS IS JUST A SMALL TOWN WITH ONLY 10 BARANGAYS AND RELY ON
AGRICULTURE AS MAIN INDUSTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A NEWLY OPENED ATTRACTION HERE IN SIKATUNA,
THE SIKATUNA MIRROR OF THE WORLD IS A THEME PARK AND A BOTANICAL GARDEN LOCATED IN
LIBJO, SIKATUNA, BAHOL, PHILIPPINES. THE PLACE EXHIBITS SOME OF THE ICONIC LANDMARKS IN THE
WORLD IN A SCALED-DOWN VERSION IN ONE PLACE. IT ALSO FEATURES A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE
GARDEN WITH VARIOUS SCULPTURES AND FIGURINES, A JAPANESE KOI POND, AND A CAFE WITH A
PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE WHOLE PARK. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR ITINERARY FOR
TODAY BUT YOU COULD ADD THIS ON YOUR LIST FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT HERE IN BOHOL. YOU KNOW WE
HAVE THIS FAMOUS LINE FROM A SONG, BALIK SA BOHOL BALIK WHICH MEANS COME BACK TO BOHOL,
COMEBACK. IT’S A SPELL NOBODY CAN RESIST THO, I BELIEVED BEHOLD BOHOL, BEDAZZLE WITH
BOHOL.
SO WE ARE NOW NEAR LOBOC RIVER IN WHERE WE WILL HAVE OUR LUNCH. ARE YOU HUNGRY?
DON’T WORRY A FEW MINUTES YOU WILL BE SITTING ON A CRUISE ENJOYING THE FOODS AND THE
VIEW OF LOBOC RIVER.
WE ARE HERE IN THE TOWN OF LOBOC. IT IS SAID THAT LOBOC WAS DERIVED FROM THE WORD
LOBOG WHICH MEANS MURKY WATER. THIS IS PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE WATER IN THE LOBOC RIVER
WHICH QUICKLY TRASNFORMED FROM GREEN TO BROWN AT THE SLIGHTEST DOWNPOUR OF RAIN IN
THE MOUNTAIN WHERE THE WATER OF THE RIVER ORIGINATES. SOME ALSO SAY THAT LOBOC COMES
FROM THE WORD “GA LOBOC” MEANING “POUNDING PALAY”. WHEN THE JESUIT MISSIONARIES
ARRIVED AT THE VILLAGE, THEY PASSED BY A FAMILY POUNDING RICE. THEY ASKED FOR THE NAME OF
THE PLACE AND THINKING THAT THEY WERE ASKING WHAT THEY WERE DOING, THE HEAD OF THE
FAMILY ANSWERED: “GA LOBOC”. THE NAME STUCK AND TO THIS DAY, THE PLACE, AND EVENTUALLY THE
TOWN, WAS NAMED LOBOC.

4TH STOP - LOBOC RIVER CRUISE FOR THE EARLY LUNCH

AS WE ARRIVED IN LOBOC RIVER CRUISE COMPLEX YOU CAN SETTLE TO WAIT IN THE WAITING
AREA AS I PREPARE OUR BOARDING, YOU CAN ALSO TAKE TIME TO USE THE POWDER ROOM TO
FRESHEN UP OR YOU COULD CHECK THE EXHIBIT INSIDE, THERE YOU WILL SEE THE DIFFERENT
ARTWORKS SOME ARE MADE OF LABOD OR THE MUD OR DIRT FROM THE TYPHOON ODETTE WHICH
DEVASTATED THE PROVINCE ON 2021. ACTUALLY THIS BUILDING WAS SUBMERGED WITH WATER AND
MUD DURING THE SUPERTYPHOON, YOU WILL NOTICE SOME MARKS INSIDE THIS BUILDING ABOUT
HOW METERS THE FLOOD WATER REACHED.
{ASSIST AND PREPARED THE NECESSARY TICKETS FOR THE BOARDING IN THE CRUISE ONCE
DONE GATHER EVERYONE FOR THE BOARDING}
 ***HELLO EVERYONE, I HAVE ALREADY WITH ME THE TICKET AND WE WILL BE BOARDING BY
NOW, HERE IS YOUR POSTCARD. WE WILL BE BOARDING ON GATE 4, BOAT NUMBER AMORE 3, TAKE
NOTE GATE 4, BOAT NUMBER AMORE 3. SO FOLLOW ME EVERYONE.
{AS WE ARRIVED IN THE DESIGNATED BOAT, MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE GUEST IF THEY ARE
COMFORTABLE AND SETTLED}
ANY MOMENT FROM NOW YOU CAN START EATING YOUR LUNCH, AGAIN PLEASE BE MINDFUL IF
YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES WITH THE FOOD IN THE SERVING AREA, DO NOT HESITATE TO INFORM ME OR
ASK ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTION. WE WILL BE CRUISING THE LOBOC RIVER FOR AN HOUR SO ENJOY
YOUR MEAL, ENJOY THE VIEW AND VIBE WITH THE MUSIC FROM OUR LIVE BAND.
{AFTER THE CRUISE CHECK THE GUESTS BELONGINGS BEFORE DISEMBARKING THE BOAT, ASSIST
GUESTS TO THE EXIT AREA AND PROCEED TO THE EXIT AND WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE}
***WE WILL BE WAITING HERE FOR OUR DRIVER TO PICK US FOR NOW YOU MAY GO TO THE
RESTROOM YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THE SOUVENIR SHOPS IF YOU WANT TO BUY SOMETHING.
10MINS THE DRIVER WILL BE OUTSIDE.

{MOBILING GOING TO NEXT STOP}

DID YOU ENJOY YOUR LUNCH? HOW ABOUT THE CRUISE? DID YOU HAVE FUN DANCING AND
SINGING WITH THE LOCALS? THAT’S GOOD A VISIT TO BOHOL IS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT TRYING THE
LOBOC RIVER CRUISE, SURELY IT WILL BE AN UNFORGETTABLE MEMORY YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO
AGAIN AND AGAIN, REMEMBER OUR SONG, BALIK SA BOHOL BALIK.
OPTIONAL SPIEL/REQUESTED COMMENTARY IF GUESTS ASK QUESTIONS FOR A CERTAIN
TOPIC-
*THE UNFINISHED BRIDGE NEAR THE LOBOC CHURCH, KNOWN TO BE THE "BRIDGE TO
NOWHERE," BUT IS YET TO BE FINISHED DUE TO THE ALLEGED OPPOSITION FROM THE LOBOC
PARISHIONERS BECAUSE IT MIGHT DESTROY THE TOWN'S 400-YEAR-OLD CHURCH, ONE OF THE FAMOUS
LANDMARKS OF THE PROVINCE. BUT AVILA SAID HE BELIEVES THE PARISHIONERS' OPPOSITION WAS
NOT THE ONLY REASON WHY THE BRIDGE'S CONSTRUCTION WAS STOPPED. LOBOC BRIDGE IS A
MODERN STEEL AND CONCRETE STRUCTURE SPANNING THE LOBOC RIVER. IF FINISHED, IT IS SAID TO DO
WONDERS FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT IT COULD ALSO RUN SMACK INTO THE SIDE OF THE TOWN'S
FAMOUS CHURCH
*THE LOBOC CHURCH IS KNOWN TO BE THE SECOND OLDEST CHURCH ESTABLSIHED BY THE
JESUITS AFTER BACLAYON CHURCH. IT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY THE 2013 EARTHQUAKE THAT HIT
BOHOL, THE RESTORATION PROCESS, WHICH STARTED IN DECEMBER 2017, BEGAN WITH THE RETRIEVAL
OF ITEMS BURIED IN THE RUBBLE.
*LOBOC ACCLAIMED AS THE MUSIC CAPITAL OF BOHOL. IT IS HOME TO THE FAMOUS LOBOC
CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
*THE LOBOC RIVER HAS AN AVERAGE DEEP OF APPROX 5-6 METERS DURING HIGH TIDE APPROX
4-5 METERS DURING LOW TIDE.
 *** GOING TO OUR NEXT STOP THE BOHOL MAHOGANY FOREST OF ALSO KNOWN AS THE BILAR MAN-
MADE FOREST, WE WILL PASS IN THIS UPHILL ZIGZAG ROAD GOING TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION LOCALS
ALSO CALL THIS ROAD ‘’TINAEG MANOK’’ WHICH MEANS CHICKEN INTESTINE BECAUSE OF THE ZIGZAG
ROAD THAT WE WILL PASS. THERE ARE ALSO ACTIVITES HERE IN LOBOC THAT YOU CAN ENJOY SOON IN
YOUR NEXT VISIT, YOU CAN TRY THE LOBOC ZIPLINE OR RIDE IN A CABLE CAR OVERLOOKING THE LOBOC
RIVER.
WE ARE NEAR OUR NEXT STOP THE BILAR MANMADE FOREST, IT IS APPROX 2KILOMETERS
STRETCH OF MAHOGANY TREES IN THE BORDERS OF LOBOC AND BILAR. THE FOREST IS MAINLY MADE
UP OF WHITE AND RED MAHOGANY TREES. IT IS PART OF A REFORESTATION PROJECT STARTED OVER 50
YEARS AGO. THIS MAN-MADE FOREST WAS PART OF A BIGGER REFORESTATION PROJECT THAT WAS
CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THE ALARMING DEFORESTATION IN THE LOBOC WATERSHED.

5TH DESTINATION THE BOHOL MANMADE FOREST

WE ARE HERE IN THE LOBOC-BILAR MANMADE FOREST. ONCE YOU ARE UNDER THE SHADE OF
THE TREES YOU WILL NOTICE A DROP OF TEMPERATURE BECAUSE SUNRAYS CANNOT GO THROUGH DUE
TO THE TREES TALL BRANCHES AND LEAVES COVERING THE SUNRAYS. TOURISTS LOVE TO POSE FOR
CAMERAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH THE FOREST AS THE BACKDROP BUT PERSONALLY I WILL
NOT ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT. THIS IS A NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND BIG BUS AND TRUCKS WILL PASS
IN THESE AREA AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE PICTURES WE CAN JUST SETTLE
ON THE SIDE AND WILL MANAGED TO GET SOME NICE PHOTOS WITH NTHE TREES ON THE
BACKGROUND.

***SO AFTER THIS WE WILL BE GOING TO CARMEN FOR OUR LAST DESTINATION, THE ONE AND
ONLY CHOCOLATE HILLS. WE WILL BE TRAVELLING FOR APPROX 15MINS BEFORE WE REACH OUR
DESTINATION.
WE ARE APPROACHING THE MUNICIPALTY OF BILAR. THE NAME “BILAR” IS A NATIVE WORD
FROM THE INFINITIVE “NAGBILAD”. DURING THE SPANISH REGIME, THE SPANIARDS, IN THEIR EFFORT TO
SPREAD CHRISTIANITY, TOURED THE INTERIOR VILLAGES AND SOMEHOW CHANCED TO PASS A PLATEAU
WHERE A GROUP OF WOMEN WERE DRYING PALAY.WHEN THE WOMEN WERE ASKED AS TO THE NAME
OF THE PLACE, THE IMMEDIATE REPLY WAS “NAGBILAD”, MEANING DRYING, THINKING THAT THE
FOREIGNERS WERE ASKING THEIR ACTIVITY. THE SPANIARDS SHORTEN THE TERM TO “BILAD” AND LATER
ON TO “BILAR” DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY IN PRONOUNCING THE TERM. BY VIRTUE OF A ROYAL DECREE,
THE NAME BILAR WAS ADOPTED AS THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE MUNICIPALITY. BILAR IS AN
AGRICULTURAL TOWN. THEY HAVE A WIDE AREA FOR FARMING AND RICE AS THEIR TOP PRODUCE. THEY
ARE RICH IN WATER SOURCE SO THEY PLANT RICE 2-3 TIMES A YEAR. AS WE PASS YOU WILL NOTICE
HOW WIDE THE RICE PADDIES THEY HAVE.
NOT ONLY THAT, BILAR IS ALSO KNOW FOR THEIR VERSION OF THE DELICACY, THE ALUPI. ALUPI
IS A FAMOUS KAKANIN IN BILAR. IN SOME VISAYAN ISLANDS LIKE ILOILO THE MAIN INGREDIENTS OF
THIS RECIPE IS CASSAVA AND COCONUT. BUT THE BILAR VERSION IS MADE UP OF ‘’GINALING NA
BUGAS/PILIT’’ OR GROUNDED RICE/GLUTINOUS RICE, GRATED ‘’AMBAJON” OR THE BUTONG OR YOUNG
COCONUT AND SUGAR. MIXED WITH TUNO OR COCONUT MILK AND WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES
THEN BOILED.
OPTIONAL SPIEL:
*** HOW TO PLANT RICE / THE PROCESS
*** EVEN IF TECHNOLOGY IS VERY USEFUL IN AGRICULTURE YOU CAN STILL NOTICE HOW SOME
FARMERS USED THE OLD STYLE OR TRADITIONAL WAY OF FARMING. YOU CAN STILL SEE SOME CARABAO
BEING USED TO PLOW RICE FIELDS. IN FACT SOME IN THE REMOTE BARANGAYS HERE IN BOHOL EVEN
USED THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF GROUNDING RICE USED IN PREPARING FOR THEIR MEALS. THIS
SHOWS THAT AMIDST THE TECHNOLOGY BOHOLANO’S STILL ARE LAIDBACK AND PREFER THE
TRADITIONAL WAY.
ON OUR LAST STOP, THE CHOCOLATE HILLS COMPLEX. THIS IS MORE OR LESS 1,776 HILLS. IT WAS
MADE UP OF KARST LIMESTOINE. THESE LIMESTONES CONTAIN THE ABUNDANT FOSSILS OF SHALLOW
MARINE FORAMINIFERA, CORAL, MOLLUSKS, AND ALGAE.IT IS CALLED CHOCOLATE HILLS BECAUSE
DURING DRY SEASON THE HILLS ARE BROWN IN COLOR RESEMBLING TO THAT OF CHOCOLATE. BUT
WHEN IT RAINS THE BROWN COLORED HILLS TURNED GREEN.THERE ARE DIFFERENT FUNNY STORIES
ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE CHOCOLATE HILLS. ACCORDING TO ONE MYTH FROM THE LOCALS,
THESE HILLS WERE FORMED BECAUSE THERE IS A BORKENHEARTED GIANT AND HE WAS SO
DISAAPOINTED BECAUSE THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE WAS KILLED BY THE CUREL PEOPLE. HE WEPT AND ALL
THE TEARS DROP WERE FORMED INTO HILLS THUS IT BECAME CHOCOLATE HILLS TODAY. BUT FOR THE
SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION THE UNIQUE LAND FORM KNOWN AS THE CHOCOLATE HILLS OF BOHOL WAS
FORMED AGES AGO BY THE UPLIFT OF CORAL DEPOSITS AND THE ACTION OF RAIN WATER AND EROSION
***WE ARE NOW NEAR THE CHOCOLATE HILLS COMPLEX. ARE YOU READY? PLEASE BE READY
TO CLIMB UP THOSE 200 STEPS FOR YOU TO BE AMAZED OF THE 360 DEGREES VIEW OF THOSE
MAGNIFICENT HILLS. A MINUTE WE WILL BE ASCENDING THE ROAD TO THE COMPLEX. JUST A SIMPLE
REMINDER AGAIN I WILL BE GIVING YOU 30MINS TO ENJOY THE HILLS AND WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER
AFTER 30MINS IN THE PAVILLION.
GOING BACK HOME AFTER THE LAST STOP
OPTIONAL SPIELS AND COOMENTARIES