Bohol Day Tour 2013
It is the third time I am taking the “Supercat” now renamed “2GO Bohol Day Tour” with the following itineraries: (1) Tour to Baclayon Church; (2) Loay Backyard Industry; (3) Loboc River Cruise with lunch buffet; (4) Tarsier Viewing; (5) Billar Mahogany Man Made Forest; (6) Chocolate Hills; and (7) Blood Compact Monument.
We paid less than P3,000.00 per person for this tour inclusive of the following: (1) Round Trip Supercat Tickets to and from Bohol (tourist class); (2) Full day Guided Tour; (3) Air-conditioned Transportation in Bohol; (4) Services of a Professional DOT English Speaking Guide; (5) Loboc River Cruise with lunch; (6) Entrance and Terminal Fees.
There are several travel agencies in Cebu that offer a Day Trip to Bohol. But since I have enjoyed my previous day trip with Supercat, I decided to try this again.
We were at the Pier by 6 in the morning as the boat is scheduled to leave Cebu Port at 7 am. After complying with security procedures, we were able to conveniently enter the Pier. As July is an off-peak season, there were a manageable number of passengers compared during summer. We took a quick breakfast and prepared our ourselves for the tour.
At the waiting area inside the Pier, a representative of the travel agency met us. She handed “stickers” to be put in our clothes to identify us as part of the group taking the “2GO Bohol Day Tour”. We have foreign tourists in the group whom I think are Koreans and Germans. It is now common to see Koreans touring the Philippines.
By 7 am we left the Cebu port aboard the Supercat vessel bound for Bohol. As we traveled, my attention was caught by garbage and trash floating in the sea. I am really appalled seeing thrash and garbage floating around Cebu’s port. Perhaps it is because of the informal settlers that have invaded Cebu and aggravated by our utter neglect in caring for the sea. I really feel bad every time I see pieces of garbage floating in the sea. I can imagine how these plastics threaten the dolphins, whales and other sea creatures. I cannot help asking why we cannot stop throwing our garbage into our rivers and seas?
After almost two hours of travel, we reached the port of Tagbilaran. I noticed that the sea surrounding this port is still bluish and unpolluted. I took photos of the Port of Tagbilaran as I really appreciated how clean it was. Just imagine if the waters in Manila Bay are just like here in this port? But is there a way to transform the waters in Manila Bay similar to the sea surrounding the Port of Tagbilaran?
The last time we did this tour, we used a van as a mode of transport. This time we took a bus. I could have preferred a van as the bus with its tinted windows and curtains do not offer a good view of the roads and the scenery.
Before the start of the tour, our guide gave a short history of Bohol. She described the island as free from “red light districts”. According to her, the people of Bohol are typically conservative. She further said that Bohol protects local businesses by preventing the entry of gigantic malls on the island. I hope that the huge malls in Manila would spare Bohol. I really prefer that Bohol remains simple and with a very relaxing rural ambiance. Oftentimes, when those large malls are built in a municipality the area is instantaneously transformed into a commercial district.
Our tour guide really made an effort to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. But as I looked outside the bus, I immediately felt the changes that have happened on the island. There are more houses and structures compared before. Surprisingly, within just a few years notable changes had happened in Bohol.
With changes happening fast, now is the right time to visit Bohol. Travel while development has not fully taken over the simplicity of the Philippines’ countryside. As the bus traveled to our destination, I am really thankful to have seen Bohol during that time when its setting is mostly rural. In my previous trip to this island, I really felt that kind of simplicity and charm of a rural and provincial setting. I began to ask how long could Bohol prevent the entry of gigantic malls and red light districts?
Blood Compact Monument
During my previous tours, our first stop was at this monument. This time however we visited this monument almost after the tour has ended. When the bus passed at this place, I almost failed to recognize the area.
This monument was very beautiful before without any structures near it. During that time, I can imagine that this significant event in our history actually happened here. The Blood Compact Monument used to serve as a “welcoming memorial” for all travelers saying, “You have finally reached Bohol.” Now houses and other edifice have surrounded the monument. During our trip, a hotel was being built beside the monument.
When I first saw this church, I was really amazed at how scenic it was. While it has retained much of its “antique appeal”, Baclayon Church is not as it was before. An additional structure to serve as a residence for the priests has been constructed inside the church’s compound.
Baclayon Church is the second the oldest church in the Philippines built in 1595 by Jesuits after the San Agustin Church in Manila that was constructed in 1571. It has a rare and beautiful collection of religious antiques, paintings and sculptures.
Baclayon Church gives a clear idea of how churches looked like during Spanish times. It's flooring of hardwood and the old stones used in its edifice show that the church remained intact through the centuries.
Loboc River Cruise
This is one of the highlights of the tour. Each time I experience the Loboc River Cruise, I always think about the Pasig River. Just imagine if the Pasig River is as clean as Loboc? During Spanish times, the Pasig River may have looked like this – clean, refreshing and full of life.
Imagine further having river cruises in the Pasig River? If the Pasig were as clean as the Loboc, people in Metro Manila would have a good source of income. But how can this happen when the Pasig River is nothing but a tributary for Metro Manila’s sewage?
While there had been efforts to clean the Pasig, nothing seems to work. I really wished that the Loboc River would not turn out like the Pasig. I kept thinking about how long could the Boholanos prevent urbanization from polluting the Loboc River.
While the Loboc River Cruise lasts for just around thirty minutes, it is an experience that will always be remembered. While serenaded by songs and dances, we enjoyed a lunch buffet with overflowing drinks. The view along the riverbanks is very refreshing. The cruise usually ends upon reaching a small man-made “waterfalls” of the river.
Tarsiers of Bohol
Aside from the Chocolate Hills, these little creatures have placed Bohol on top of the tourist destination list. Eight years ago, when we visited these Tarsiers they were found in a residential house.
I am happy to learn that such practice of keeping Tarsiers as pets has been prohibited. Now the tarsiers are placed in a sanctuary for their protection with a better chance of survival. Experts say that Tarsiers should not be kept as pets as they are known to commit suicide when caught and they rarely survive in captivity due to stress.
This is the centerpiece the Bohol Day Trip. Our tourist guide told us different versions of the legend on how these hills were formed. Most of the legend involves a giant who fell in love with a beautiful human girl. Heartbreak caused the giant to shed tears that eventually formed the Chocolate Hills. I recall that there were only stairs in going up the hill that serve as a
viewing deck. During my recent visit, it is now more accessible for the differently abled and our Senior Citizens to climb the viewing deck and see the Chocolate Hills. I think however that it is better if a roof has not been constructed for the convenience of tourists. Likewise, vendors should not have been allowed to sell their wares at the foot of the viewing deck.
Our Bohol Day Tour 2013 was enjoyable. But it is not that fun as it was before. Urbanization and population increase are slowly conquering the island. It may be just a matter of time before modernity fully sets in in Bohol.
I hope that Bohol would be able to preserve what nature has given it. The “Billar Man Made Forest Project” should be replicated in all parts of the country to prevent landslides that have devastated other provinces.
While we cannot prevent progress from conquering Bohol, we can plan it in such a way that nature will be protected. Development has to work with nature and not against it.
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