BOHOL

God’s Little Paradise

Plunge into the deep – clear blue water, complemented by verdant rolling hills and friendly and religious people that’s Bohol. Aptly called “God’s Little Paradise”, the island province of Bohol lies in the center of the Philippines, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte. The oval shape mainland comparable to that of proverbial yam “ubing kinampay” or purple yam has a total land area of 411,726 hectares including 73 other islands and islets. Tagbiliran City, it’s capital is 630 kilometers from Manila and 72 air kilometers from Cebu City. It consists of 47 municipalities, one city and 1,114 barangays. Bohol’s beauty lies in its explore depths of Bohol waters which are rated among the best diving haven in the world and famous not only for its richness in marine life and corals but also for its being the home of the Tarsier, the big-eyed insect eating monkey whose size is smaller than a body fist. Scientists regard the tarsier as the oldest mammal living mammal now inhabiting the earth. Other added attractions are waterfalls amidst untapped forests, caves with stalagmites and stalactites, natural parks, exotic wildlife, centuries – old churches and edifices and lot of historical landmarks.

Point of Interest

· Chocolate Hills – This the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol. Among the thousands of perfectly cone-shaped hills which abound in Central Bohol, two of the hills have been developed into resort. On top of the hill are two youth hostels with a conference room, cozy cottages with private rooms and accommodations, swimming pool, tennis court and restaurant. A climb up 213 concrete steps on the other hill is an observation deck where one can view God’s wondrous creations spread below as far as the eyes can see. The grasses which cover the hills turn brown in the cry season. Its uniqueness shows when the hills are wet, it turns into green and when the sun is up high, it turns brown.

· Tarsier (scientific name = Tarsius Syrichta) – The world’s smallest primate, which measures 4 to 5 inches and a tail longer than its body. Has brown eyes three times larger than any primates’s hairless ears and long claws. It is able to rotate its head nearly 360 degrees and is quick agile, leaping frog – like over several meters in qauick succession trees, shrubs and over ground. Tarsier lives in the forest of Corella, 10 kilometers from Tagbiliran City.

· Beach Resorts – Powdery white – sand beaches living sites are among the province’s best come – ons. Beach resorts with excellent facilities abound in Panglao Island where Tourism Estate taking shape.