It's More Fun In Bohol This Summer

Bohol is an island province of the Philippines strategically located in the heart of the Visayas islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City.

The iconic Chocolate Hills

Caramel Hills

Dimiao Peak

Morning Hills

Bohol, home of the world- famous Chocolate Hills, is currently one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations not only for its powdery white sandy beaches and posh resorts but also for its eco- adventure tours , rich cultural heritage and varied attractions

stunning underwater scene in Balicasag Island

a typical beach in Anda for a quiet getaway

white pebbles in Jagna overlooking Mindanao Sea

relaxing retreat  somewhere in Panglao Island

postcard- pretty secluded beach in Panglao Island

whale & dolphin watching in Pamilacan & Balicasag islands

virginal Puntod Island

A devastating 7.2 earthquake struck the province some months back. It took only seconds to topple down centuries- old churches and stone towers that have withstood other forces and ravages of nature

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Tagbilaran City

The resilient and deeply spiritual Boholanos have stood up once again and are rebuilding their houses as well as their lives 

Lola teaches her grandson how to weave coconut frond for "puso"
Photo Credit: Dennis Saco

traditional pottery industry in Bohol

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012 Idy Casenas Cagas of Jagna 

a lazy summer afternoon in rural Bohol

Maydan Duma with daughter Danica brave the zipline in Danao

One of the best reasons why you should visit Bohol are the Boholanos themselves. Very warm, friendly, hospitable and accommodating to visitors and guests 

in the tourist town of Panglao, the "bayanihan" or community spirit thrives

some of the world's best handwoven baskets
& handicrafts can be sourced at Antequera, Bohol

Bohol offers some of the best food there is

Spain’s heavy religious influence in Bohol is evident in some of its historic and magnificent stone churches which survived the quake. Palatial ancestral homes all over the province instantly bring you back to the past.

The Philippine Tarsier, considered by some to be one of the smallest primate, is indigenous to the island.

Bohol’s population of approximately one million who are called as Boholanos or Bol- anons speaks Boholano, the main language spoken in Bohol. 

Like Cebuano, its close neighbor, Boholano is a Visayan speech variety. Tagalog, Chinese, and English are also spoken by many of the residents.

tranquility in Inabanga River

eerily enchanting & beautiful mid- morning in Maribojoc

Sipatan hanging bridge

lush foliage in Loboc River

Inambacan Falls is one of Bohol's best- kept secrets

Sierra Bullones does have its own rice terraces

Bilar Man- Made Forest

Bohol is blessed with sunshine practically all year through with maximum rainfall between the months of June and October. The interior is cooler than the coast. Typhoons rarely visit the island province

turn-of-the-century museum in Loboc, Bohol

Balicasag Island off Panglao, Bohol

seclusion, serenity & solitude in a secret cove somewhere in Panglao

stunning skyline during sunset in Ubay

This summer, make it to Bohol!

Photos:

Roger Gatal

Judd Gesite

Ryan Macalandag

Sunset at Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol

Visions of the perfect vacation moment continue to swirl inside my head as we near summer 

The sweet and sexy Maria Camella Lusterio is being sandwiched!

Conjure images of gently swaying palm trees and the reassuring sounds of warm water lapping up the soles of your feet while you’re traipsing along the stretch of white sand in Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol just as the fiery red orange & yellow hues of the setting sun glimmers along the horizon 

All of these in the company of people who matter the most 

And oh, by the way, did I mention a bottle of warm red wine and some random Café Del Mar chill out tracks to go with this wishful reverie? 

Photo Credits: aljo inting

Uly Dolojol of Oops Bar is Remembered Today

REMEMBERING ULY

It has been a year since Uly Dolojol of  legendary Oops Bar in Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol  passed away

For ten years and with Uly at the helm, Oops Bar stood tall as the hottest and the most hip among the rows and rows of nightspots in the six kilometer stretch of white sand collectively known as Alona Beach.

It was the place to see and be seen.

Celebrities from Manila and Boholano newsmakers as well trooped to his annual celebrations  

THE LIFE OF THE PARTY

Everybody looked forward to his fabulous and spectacular theme parties and was known for his flamboyant ways, colorful personality and outlandish visions

It was a shock then to everyone when news of his untimely demise broke out.

Uly who was larger than life and who lived with passion in his veins and with music in his heart simply couldn't be gone  

A PRAYER FOR ULY

Today on his first death anniversary, I am going to dedicate this post to Ulysses Dolojol, event planner extraordinaire, with some photos that will forever capture those magical moments in Oops Bar

Let us mourn not but instead celebrate the life of an iconic Panglao Island denizen who at one point brought some excitement into our drab existence and put a smile on our faces

Thank you for the gift of friendship Uly. You certainly are one of the best reasons why people keep coming back to Alona Beach, Bohol

His partner Martin said it all with a poignant "Uly, you were one in a billion"  

The lights may have gone out and the music may have been silenced from one of the best- known landmarks in Alona Beach but the memories will forever linger

You are sorely missed Uly