Back to Bohol

In light of the Sandugo Festival, a major event held in Bohol every year, the organizers of the said event have created the ‘Creative Industries Trade Fair’ for the very first time-a venue to showcase the beauty and the craftsmanship of each towns of Bohol. My good friend, Bianca, was assigned to design one of the booths. Bianca have invited Marty, also our good friend, and I to help her out with the design of the booth. They flew from Manila, while I took a ferry from Cebu.

This is going to be exciting, I thought to myself while on the ferry to Cebu. It was like being in highschool all over again. In our highschool, cheering competitions are big events so we really plan ahead and designate tasks. Most of the time Bianca and Marty are assigned to handle the design of the bleachers while I’m in-charge to lead our batchmates during cheering practices.

When we attended the first meeting along with the organizers and other ‘artists’, we felt so intimidated as most of them have concrete concepts already and have actually blueprinted their designs, while Bianca, Marty and I were still trying to grasp what the event was really for. Bianca and I kept glancing at each other, asking what we were doing here. And to add to that, we were the only ones in the group who didn’t grow up in Bohol--let alone speak the dialect fluently. There was this meeting once when Marty and I had to represent in behalf of Bianca because she had to do some errands for the resort. First few minutes of the meeting, we understood a word or two since most of them tried to speak in ‘taglish’ but they probably got tired of it and spoke in bisaya. We sat there, smiling and trying to look like we get what they mean. It was hilarious. I was actually nodding most times especially when they looked at me, though I don’t really understand half of what they’re trying to say. Hahaha!

Bianca was assigned to design the booth for Cluster 3. Cluster 3 is composed of 6 towns situated along the Abatan River.We spent the first week going around the towns assigned to us, gathered information we needed and took photos of tourist spots of each towns. We need to highlight each town in our booth, so we needed a lot of information. Thankfully, Bianca and her family had the right connections. We were able to get information from the government officials of some towns that definitely made our research easier. Marty and I felt like we toured around Bohol and took a different route, not the touristy route. It was another great experience for me as I came to know more about Bohol.













The next few days, we spent afternoons frequenting hardware shops buying the materials we needed. And we’d burn hours and hours of sleepless nights working on each of our projects.

You wouldn't believe how fast 'team antiquera' was able to put up our booth.
Finished Product!






Cluster 1- this one is nice too, I liked the underwater theme.
This one is pretty cool, the artist had a diorama of the hanging bridge found in Loboc River.

Marty kept telling us confidently that we’d have the best booth and true to his words, we did have the best booth and the only ones who finished just before the deadline. Our greatest gratitude to the ‘Team Antiquera’, who helped put up our booth. They were the same team who helped build Amarela Resort, so we were rest assured that we’d have a very competent and efficient team. Also, to Bianca’s Dad, Uncle and Auntie who helped us in each way possible. I remembered Tito Doy telling Bianca not to get too stressed as she has a very strong support system- her family and friends are with her to help. And that’s absolutely true, we breezed through the whole project. One day we were brainstorming and the next thing we know it’s all over and done with.

Congratulations to our team! Job well done guys!



Of course, we couldn’t leave Bohol without enjoying the beach of Bohol, especially for Marty who has never been to Bohol. Bianca gave us a treat, a trip to Balicasag Beach for a bit of snorkelling and to the enigmatic Virgin Beach. I’m sure Marty’s happy now since he got the tan he’s been wanting since the day he arrived. We also got to spend time with our other friends, Mila, Bags and Kaye. To cap our 2 weeks stay in Bohol, we celebrated Bianca’s 25th birthday. Marty and I bought Bianca’s favourite chocolate roll from Goldilocks and ate it for lunch on her birthday. At night, Bianca had a simple dinner for her family, friends and staff of Amarela.















The time I’ve spent in Bohol for the 5th time now for me, was again worth while. Thanks Bianx for the nth time!

Til Then,

The Lost Sputnik.

Bohol, here I come again!

View from the Tagbilaran-Panglao Bridge

If there were a place that I sought the most for my holiday destinations, it would be no other than Bohol. I was first introduced to this beautiful island through a very good friend of mine, Bianca. Her family owns a quaint boutique beach resort in the east of Panglao Island called, “Amarela”. I was invited to visit Bohol sometime July of 2006 and from then on I’ve frequented the island. Each time I went for a visit I have never failed to discover so many new things about the place and people of Bohol.






Bianca with the Lost Sputnik

And true enough; in my fourth visit to Bohol, I finally went pass the stage of what most tourists do. I came to understand a bit more about Bohol, its people and its heritage.

Tina and I were lucky to have been accommodated by Bianca and her Dad, Tito Doy. We could not thank them enough for having us stayed in Amarela for almost a week. Learning a bit about the culture and heritage of Bohol was easy, as Tito Doy loved his hometown so much; the insights shared to us about his childhood in Bohol flowed naturally. Staying in Amarela was the best place to be for our purpose. The beach resort itself tells so much about Bohol.





Amarela could easily be given a 5-star rating for its facilities and amenities, but more than that I believe that it deserves such rating as it showcases the heritage of Bohol. It’s more than just a beach resort. All he intricate details in the resort has its own story to tell, which makes the place even more special. The paintings that were nicely hung on the walls are from Tito Doy’s collection of many years, some of the paintings were given to them by some guests in exchange for few nights in the resort, or painted by local boholano artirts, or either by Bianca or her artist friends. Also, on the foyer table, an old wooden eggbeater is neatly placed. It came from Tito Doy’s old home in Antiquera and was used by his family back when he was still young. The big solid doors in the entrance and some latices in the resort were from old houses around Bohol. Most of the wood-carved furniture such as dining tables and chairs, bed frames and even beach chairs were made in Tito Doy’s hometown, Antiquera, a small town in Bohol popular for wood carving and hand woven things.









It was a must for us to visit Antiquera, but unfortunately I’ve fallen sick the day we were scheduled to go, so I wasn’t able to join them. It would’ve been nice to see the workshop and meet the people behind all these fantastic furniture. Tito Doy shared to us that some of the guys in the workshop used to be ‘habal-habal’ drivers and now have developed a talent for woodcarving. Thanks to the photos taken by Tina, Margaux and Bianca. At least I was able to see the gist of Antiquera even through photos.

I’m always awed each time I come to Amarela as I have witnessed how it had blossomed to its full splendour. And now that I’ve learnt more about the stories behind the resort, I felt like I was also able to learn more about Bohol and its people as well.

Also, while in Bohol, we visited the Bohol Deaf Academy. It’s an institution ran majority by Americans that provides primary and secondary education and most importantly livelihood for the deaf and mute people of Bohol. In the earlier days before the Academy was built, the deaf and mute kids are treated like they were autistic, as the family members didn’t know that they were either deaf or mute. So, there were neither proper guidance nor care given to these kids at that time. Thanks to the Academy, these kids are now given the equal chance to live their own lives and are given opportunities they deserve. They are given the education to better equip them in the future. Most graduates of the Academy rightfully belong to the workforce already, making them feel that they do have a part in this world to partake. Some of them work for the Academy, the garden café and restaurant and hotel diamond. These structures were all built by the Academy to provide jobs for their graduates.







Apparently, majority of the sponsors of the academy are Americans. We were even able to meet 30-40 volunteers from America who stays in Bohol for two weeks building more dormitories and facilities for the academy. I was moved to see how sincere the volunteers were in helping these people. At the same time, it was sad to find out that there isn’t much Filipinos involved with their projects. I think as fellow Filipinos, we ought to help them like these American do. There isn’t enough awareness and importance given to the deaf and mute people in the Philippines despite their growing number. I think it’s about time for us to do our share and help them in whatever way we can.

This Bohol trip was truly unforgettable, not only that it was part of my sputnik adventure but because it has opened my mind to things I have never thought of or even gave importance to. I’m definitely looking forward to my next Bohol trip as I know that there are more to learn and love about this place.


Bianca, Marguax, Tina and I at the Alona Beach

Til then,

The Lost Spuntik

How to get there?

There are daily flights via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines that goes straight to Tagbilaran (Bohol) from Manila. It will only take an hour to get to Tagbilaran by plane. Be sure to book a few weeks ahead to avail the cheaper airfares (1,200-2,000 pesos with tax already for one way). If you’re coming form Cebu or Dumaguete, there are daily ferry rides that go straight to Tagbilaran. The ferry ride would only take about an hour and a half from either Cebu or Dumaguete. Fares are 500 pesos from Cebu, 520 pesos from Dumaguete.

Where to Stay?

Amarela Resort, Panglao Island

To book or to check room rates visit www.amarelaresort.com

Dao Diamond Bed and Breakfast (owned by the Bohol Deaf Academy)

Room Rates
$14-$20 for standard/double
They also have dorm types for 300 pesos a night

Contact Numbers:

Tel: (63)(38) 411-5568
Fax: (63)(38) 411-5568

Email:
ideaphil@bohol-online.com

Website:
http://hosted.ase.net/5090382.html


What to do?

Bohol has got almost everything one would fancy in a much-deserved vacation. The island has an abundance of white sand beaches and clear blue water for those who love to bask in the sun or just frolic in the beach. It also has a number of rich marine sanctuaries for the divers and snorklers to enjoy. For those who love river cruises, the long stretch of Loboc River is something to be experienced as it offers a very relaxing and enjoyable ride. For the animal lovers, the tarsiers (the smallest primates in the world) can easily be seen in their natural habitat near the Loboc River. A visit to the famous chocolate hills is something awe-inspiring as it’s just amazing to see hundreds of them right in front of you. A swim in the basin of Mag-aso waterfalls would be something worthwhile to do if you’ve never done that yet. Lastly, a barrio tour would be an awesome thing to do while in Bohol. You’d be able to see how people live their lives. It’s a new and enriching experience especially for those who have lived all their lives in the city.

Crashing in a First-Class Resort

Traveling with a very limited budget can be such a drag. For Ron and I, this meant getting only the cheapest accommodations available. We have stayed in a motel still fresh from the tryst of its last short time clients, with an air conditioning unit blowing a gush of dust mites by the second, because it only costs P380 a night. We have bumped rumps trying to fit ourselves in single beds that many hotel owners seem to have taken as double. And we’ve had bathrooms without window or any kind of exhaust system, floods when you take a shower, with broken wooden curtains as doors, and with faucets and showers too rusted to make way for an abundant flow of fresh running water.

So just imagine my sigh of relief and disbelief, when after all the scrimping, the wall-hugging attempts for a fresh shower, and the many allergy attacks I had to suffer in what had only been a two-week low-budget travel, Ron and I finally got to stay in a fully air-conditioned twin-bed suite, that is elegantly designed, with cable TV, Wi-Fi, soft cushions and duvets you wouldn’t want to get out of, real paintings by the bed and even inside the bathroom, and customized toiletries in a first class hotel, with a great view, warm pool, and white-sand beach—ALL FOR FREE.







We owe this sudden change of luck to Ron’s friend, Bianca, and her dad, Doy Nunag, who happens to own Amarela in Panglao Island. The resort had only been operational for a year but exudes the charm of old Bohol and stands as the only resort in the area that truly represents everything good about the province. Thanks to its owner who has always taken pride in his Boholano roots.



The massive wooden doors in the entrance as well as those in the lobby, the lattices, the railings, and the floorings in the resort were from an old house Tito Doy had fond memories of while he was growing up. The house usually had the biggest wooden belen, which many locals go out to see during Christmas time. He saw the house’s rundown state during one of his visits to the province and decided to save and preserve its charm by taking what’s left of it and use the pieces to compliment the resort he was then still conceptualising.





He collected antique furniture from everywhere around the province and employed former habal-habal drivers from his hometown, Antiquera, to refurbish his finds or create faithful replicas using old logs and scraps of wood found for him by his many friends and workers. The ladies of the town, which is also known to be the basket-weaving capital of Bohol, also added their ingenious touch to the lamps and other small fixtures in the resort by wrapping them with woven nito strips.

Tito Doy then commissioned his old high school classmate, Tonio Indino, to make wooden carvings of interesting decorative pieces, such as Bohol’s very own tarsier and the resort’s longest-staying guests, the geckos. Soon, his mom also started to bring in an old eggbeater and other interesting antiques that his father used to randomly collect when Tito Doy was growing up.





Paintings of local Boholano artists also get their much-deserved space in the resort’s many walls, along with the many paintings that the owner have collected all these years, the many pieces freely given by friends who visit the resort, and those that were painted by Bianca, who has obviously inherited her dad’s appreciation of art.



The resort also serves good old Boholano comfort foods such as the unbeatable combinations of suman and ripe mangoes and champorado and dilis; hot chocolate from melted cacao tableas; halo-halo; and stingray in coconut sauce.

The best advantage of our stay here is to actually meet most of the people who were involved in making Bohol look truly a first-rate province through this first-class resort. We visited the town of Antiquera, and saw the make-shift work area where the hired carpenters work on their make-shift machines; met Tonio, who was then busy making wooden souvenir pieces for the resort in the shape of seahorses and geckos; and met Tito Doy’s mom, who I assume, was the person responsible for developing in him the appetite of a true Boholano.







After a couple of nights, Ron and I had to transfer to the Presidential Suite with Bianca and her very amiable cousin, Margaux, since all of the other rooms will be occupied by a touring group of Taiwanese. We stayed there for three nights. From the balcony, we’d stare at the beach that gets very inviting for a swim during high tide and truly interesting to watch-- with locals fishing for sea urchins-- during low tide.



We’d swim in the pool after every dip in the beach. Then we’d either watch TV, write, take our pick from the resort’s wide collection of books and DVDs, or share meals with our hosts.



In the afternoons, either Bianca or Tito Doy would take us for a drive to neighbouring towns: We had Halo-halo in a Montana Cowboy-style restaurant serviced by deaf and mute locals in Tagbilaran. We visited the school for the deaf and the pension house that helps fund it.





We took in the rustic charm of the nearly 200 year-old Casa Rocha_Suarez at the heritage town of Sitio Ubos. We marvelled at the hand-painted ceiling, elegant detailings, and coral stone walls of the cebnturies-old church and convent in Dauin. We watched the birds flock to nest on the bare branches of the old trees in the plaza at dusk.





We had good barbecued liempo at Leopoldo’s and had a saccharine feast at the Bee Farm. We had some drinks at the touristy strip of Alona Beach. And went on a trek to the very secluded Pangpang Habog falls in Antiquera and watched the kids dive into the cold pool of the more popular Mag-aso Falls in the same town.





After our six-day stay in Amarela, Ron and I felt pampered and rejuvenated. Our stomachs were constantly filled with sumptuous food, our body de-stressed in the comforts of great accommodation, and our mind continuously stimulated by new learnings and discoveries. We left Bohol with a renewed enthusiasm and energy for further travels, and sincere gratitude to Bianca, Tito Doy, Margaux, Jojo, Yaya Ida and everyone who made our five-star complimentary stay in Amarela truly worth the detour from our supposedly lowbrow trip. It was everything we thought we truly needed, and more.