The upper floors of the tower offers a breathtaking view of the sea facing the provinces of Cebu, Siquijor and Mindanao. As one enters the tower, you will be welcomed by the image of St. Vincent Ferrer to whom this tower was dedicated. Beside the tower is a wooden cross that stands in a rock clip lip that sticks out into the sea. Townsfolk believes that the wooden cross is mysterious and believed to protect the island from teh invasion fo the cruel Moro pirates. Legend has it that whenever the pirates try to attack the province, a glaring light emanates from the wooden cross causing fear and difficulties for the pirates to sight the land.

At present, the local government and tourism office have transformed the surrounding area into a park to attract and orient local and foreign tourists to this historical landmark. Entrance free to the tower is PHP5.00 per head and a parking fee of PHP15.00. Maribojoc is located around 14 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.

One of the things the people of Bohol is proud of is the countless ancestral homes that can be found all around this island province. Some of them are centuries-old and were erected during the Spanish era. One of them is the Clarin Ancestral House which is a Spanish-style old homes that is converted to a museum and currently one of the tourist spots in Bohol.

Built in 1840s, it is situated in the town Laoay, about 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran. It was owned by a former governor of Bohol by the name Don Aniceto Velez Clarin. The house is now maintained by his descendants and converted into a museum filled with the family's collection of age-old possessions. It was recognized by the National Historical Institue as a heritate site.

The museum boasts a number of antique collections like intricately-designed wooden furnitures, Maria Clara-inspired gowns, Barong Tagalogs, jars, lamps, kitchen wares, and books. But more than these items, you can basically peek at how a typical house of the rich people during Spanish times looked-like. It's as if you are going back in time when even Jose Rizal isn't born yet.

Aside from the museum, the ground floor of the house was converted into a cafe called Cafe Olegario that serves its visitors with local cusuine. Torta Laoyan and hot chocolate are two of the favorites. It entertains walk-in and booked guests any time of the day. The pleasure of dining against a stunning backdrop is the major allure of Café Olegario.

A Must See Tourist Spot

Probably one of the most important sites in Bohol, the Blood Compact(Sandugo) site is said to be approximate spot where Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Rajah Sikatuna made a ritual to enter a pact of friendship and end the hostilities between them. It is located at Barangay Bool, a few kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The shrine, with the bronze statues of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Rajah Sikatuna and several other witnesses, was created by the national artist Napoleon Abueva. It overlooks the magnificent view of Bohol Sea.

The History Behind the Shrine

The pact between the two Boholano Kings(Sikatuna, Sigala) and Legazpi is a defining moment for the history of the Philippines as it paved the way for the colonization of the islands by the Spaniards. Officially, Bohol is the place where the first Spanish settlement was established after the expedition was turned-away in Cebu. Only the following month in April of 1565 when the conquistador decided to build a permanent settlement in Cebu with the assurance of help from Rajah Sikatuna and Rajah Sigala. And from there, the Spanish colonization of the Philippines started with the eventual establishment of Manila as the capital of the colony. It is also in Manila where Legazpi died.

A Little Controversy

There's another blood compact site several kilometers from the one in Loay. Unlike the current site which is high above the hills, the other "sandugo site" is near the shore of Bohol sea. And even the current site is not really the duly recognized actual site of the Sandugo. About a hundred meters from it, there's a marker inside the school that claims to be the actual site for the Sandugo in March of 1564. But whichever is the real one doesn't really matter as the Blood Compact site is just a representation of what has transpired five centuries ago.

In the 1960's, a nationwide reforestation program was launched by the Philippine government under then president Diosdado Macapagal. In Bohol, the program was spearheaded by then governor Lino Chatto thousands of Mahogany seedlings were planted on a cleared area of 857 hectares in Bilar and Loboc towns. Fast track to the 21st century, the mahogany seeds planted almost half a century ago has grown into a breathtaking man-made forest.

In your travel from Tagbilaran to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, you'll pass this man-made forest in Bilar town. It's a two-kilometer stretch densely planted with Mahogany trees. When you enter this area, you feel like you are entering another world, one that is refreshing and you can taste and feel the fresh air around you. But this man-made forest is just part of the larger Bohol Forest filled with naturally grown trees of different species and giant ferns lining the road.

Adding to the grandeur of the forest is the road Boholanos call the “tina-i sa manok” (chicken’s intestines) which refers to the winding road up the mountain of Loboc going towards Bilar. Leaving the populated barrios behind, the road up the mountain is steep and on one side, a deep ravine which are all densely forested. The steep and winding road plus the ravine does not hinder the local drivers. They maneuver the road with the agility and speed of experts; a feat acquired thru constant practice.

When you take the Bohol tour, make sure to tell your guide to stop here. When you make your stop here, you'll feel the abrupt change in temperature especially during summer or hot season. The overhanging trees provides a cool breeze even during the summer season. This mountain area seldom sees the sun shine and most often than not, it rains here. Local folks attribute these to the presence of the dense forest.

The patron saint, the Virgin of the Assumption, is believed to possess miraculous powers. It is the object of the faithful, who attend its annual festivities. Legend has it that when the town was invaded by pirates, the townfolk locked themselves inside the church until they ran out of water and provisions. Then suddenly a well appeared at the foot of the altar where people started drawing water. It is still the main source of water for the people living in the church vicinity. Surprisingly, the water is absolutely fresh even as the well is located only a few meters from the sea.

View of the church from the back (pier at the riverside)

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photos courtesy of Wikimedia.org under Creative Commons

The church is just six(6) kilometers away from Tagbilaran City and you can easily catch a bus or jeepney that will take you to the direction of Baclayon. Some tricycles are also willing tourists there bu of course, it will cost you more.