Bohol Quick Facts
Geography
Mainland Bohol is oval-shaped surrounded by 72 smaller islands. It is about 626 kilometes south of Manila and about 72 kilometers southeast of Mactan Island. Its boundaries are Cebu to the northwest, Leyte to the northeast and Mindanao and the Mindanao Sea in the south.
Topography
The island province has gently-rolling terrain, ideal for commercial and industrial site developement. Its mountainous interior is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. At certain points, hills drop steeply to the coast from a maximum elevation of 870 meters above sea level. The interior uplands are fit for agro-forestry and high value agriculture production. The central and northern lowlands also have fertile grounds and abundant water supply. Over a hundred caves have been identified, the biggest of which is found in the eastern part.
Population/Language
As of the year 2000 Census, Bohol has a population of 1,137,268. It has 209,588 households with an average household size of 5.41. From 1995 to 2000, the annual growth rate in the province is 2.92 percent. Locals speak Boholano, English and Tagalog. Fookien is spoken within a fairly large Chinese community while Mandarin is taught in a widely-attended Chinese community while Mandarin is tuaght in a widely-attended Chinese school.
Climate
Climate in Bohol falls under the fourth type characterized by a not very pronounced maximum rain period and dry season. It is usually warm and dry along the coasts while cold and humid in the interior areas. Typhoons and earthquakes are rare. Maximum precipitation occurs in June to October. Average annual temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Philippine Time
Philippine standard time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Dress/What to Bring
It is advisable to wear natural-fibre, lightweight clothing when is in Bohol. Shorts, hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, insect repellant, flashlight, sun block, comfortable shoes for walking and rubber slippers for the beach are a must when visiting tourist attractions.
The Barong Tagalog is the acceptable formal wear for men. Shorts or sleeveless shirts should never be worn when visiting churches, mosques or temples.
Money
The Philippine currency is peso, divided into 100 centavos, Next to the peso, the US dollar enjoys wide acceptance. Most foreign currencies may be changed at banks, hotels, and authorized dealers. Foreign currency is not readily taken by the establishments in Bohol. Major foreign credit cards may be accepted only in major hotels, resorts, shops and restaurants. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient amount of change is small bills or coins.
Business Hours
Banks:
9am to 3pm
Monday to Friday
Government offices:
8am to 5pm
Monday to Friday
Private firms:
8am to 5pm Monday to Friday
9am to 12nn Saturday
Shops:
9am to 8pm
Monday to Saturday.
Most department stores stay open on Sunday and holidays.
Public Transport:
Getting around Bohol, one may take a colorful jeepney or a bus at a minimal fare. Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) and multicabs are popular in outlaying areas and in the suburbs, quite notably within Tagbilaran City. Metered taxicabs are widely available. Other means of transport: vehicles for hire- vans, cars, coasters.
An Eco-Cultural Destination
The island province of Bohol, the tenth largest island in the country, is an oval-shaped island located in Central Visayas. It is about 626 kilometers south of Manila and about 72 kilometers southeast of Mactan Island. Its boundaries are Cebu to the northwest, Leyte to the northeast and the Mindanao Sea in the south. The province's capital is the city of Tagbilaran. The mainland is surrounded by 72 smaller offshore islands and islets.
The people of Bohol are said to be descendants of the lasts group inhabitants who came to settle in the Philippines called pintados or the "tattooed ones." Artifacts bearing designs of the Ming Dynasty in China, which were found in Mansasa in Tagbilaran City and in the towns of Dauis and Panglao, indicate that Boholanos already had a culture of their own even before the Spaniards came to the island. They also had a system of writing but most of the materials they used were leaves and bamboo barks. The language spoken in the province is similar to that of the nearby provinces.
The name Bohol is said to come from the name of barrio Bo-ol, a barangay in Tagbilaran City, one of the first places visited by explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Locals also claim that the name is derived from Boho, which literally means holes, from the fact that there are many caves (holes) in the island.
Bohol is historically and culturally rich because it is where the first international treaty of peace and unity was forged. In 1565, Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in the island to look for spices and gold. He was, however, met with resistance after thought his group was Portuguese, who were believed to have raided neighboring islands. However, after convincing native chiedtain, Datu Sikatuna that they were Spaniards, the two forged a blood compact to foster friendly relations. The blood compact is celebrated every year in Bohol as the Sandugo (one blood) Festival. The Sandugo, which is also said to be the first treaty of friendship between the white and brown races, is also included in Bohol's provincial seal.
But not everyone in the island welcomed the Spaniards as two significant revolts occured in Bohol during the Spanish Era. One revolt was the Tamblot Uprising in 1621, which was led by a babaylan or native priest named Tamblot. Another famous uprising was the one led by Francisco Dagohoy, also known as Francisco Sendrijas, which ran from 1744 to 1829. The Dagohoy Rebellion, which ran from 1744 to 1829, is said to be the longest rebelion in the Philippine history. American forces seized the province in March 17, 1900. The Province of Bohol was created in March 10, 1917 by virtue of Act 2711. Among the famous Boholanos is Carlos Polostico Garcia, the fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines, who was born in the municipality of Talibon.
Apart from being a historical and cultural area, Bohol is also an island paradise, especially for nature lovers. The Chocolate Hills, mounds of limestone formation scattered through-out the municipalities of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan, are probably the most famous among the many tourist destinations in the province. White sand beaches also abound in the province. The island of Panglao, located southwest of Tagbilaran City, is home to come of the finest white sand beaches in the country.
The Philippine Tarsier, considered to be one of the smallest primates, is also indigenous to the island. Several destinations all over the province allow tourists to observe the tarsiers in their environment.
River cruises are also popular in Bohol. A cruise in the Loboc River, which runs from the southeastern coast to the center of the island, is the most popular. The largest river is the Inabanga River, which runs in the northern part of the province. Numerous waterfalls and caves are also scattered across the island.
Bohol's climate is generally dry, with maximim rainfall between the months of June and October. the interior portions of the island are generally cooler than the coastal areas.
