(Last of a Series)
CONTINUING our Bohol countryside tour, while we were at the site of the Blood Compact at Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol, we noticed that the tourist spot lacks maintenance. The doors were no longer attached to the frame, and a certain odor arises from the back of the wall serving as backdrop of the sculptures of Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.
I wonder who maintains the place. If it’s the local government unit (LGU) of Loay, I urge them to consider restoring the broken doors and assigning a staff to supervise its upkeep so tourists can enjoy the place sans the smell. After all, it took a tedious process to declare Hinawanan in Loay as the genuine site of the famous Blood Compact between Sikatuna and Legaspi. It deserves world-class care.
Moving forward and driving amidst a conversely capricious drizzle and downpour, we proceeded to Barangay Iwon, in Sevilla, Bohol, to encounter the Bamboo Hanging Bridge that blended effortlessly with the dark green waters of Loboc River.
Patrick, my millennial adventurer-friend, and Dr. Gal Daño-Yumang sauntered on both bridges not minding the shower. Gal explained that the dual bridges are designed for entry and exit. You cross one bridge and return using the other. By their accounts, it was not a scary episode, haha!
From Sevilla, we drove to the perpetually popular man-made forest in Bilar, Bohol. Here’s an interesting snippet about the Bilar forest:
Under then Diosdado Macapagal’s presidency, former Bohol Gov. Lino I. Chatto, Sr. organized the planting of thousands of Mahogany seedlings on 857.4 hectares of land in the municipalities of Bilar and Loboc in support of the nationwide reforestation program of the national government.
Over the years, the Loboc-Bilar Man-Made Forest has become a favorite destination among local and international tourists. Thus, we should applaud the visionary leadership of then Governor Lino I. Chatto, Sr. for this ageless landmark in Bohol.
After the customary photo sessions executed with caution because we didn’t want to get rammed by approaching vehicles, and with the accompanying sprinkle, we got into our ride, and advanced to the world-famous Chocolate Hills!
The last time I visited the hills was on June 16, 2012 — oh yes, I remember the date — when I joined the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran City personnel together with then vice mayor, Atty. Nuevas Tirol Montes.
Back then, the parking area was still up the hill but this time, the parking lot is suitably situated at the foot of the hill. Well, I believe it’s good housekeeping. You establish a system that makes it organized and orderly. Tourists are just driven up and after the sightseeing activity, vehicles are radioed to fetch the guests. So far, so good.
The only thing missing is kakanin to pair with sikwate. I wonder why our local resto which is managed by the LGU of Carmen doesn’t sell local refreshments. I understand that the clientele consists of global and local tourists, but still, offering our native food adds a distinctly native flavor to our global attraction. I hope the management considers offering local food in their menu.
On the hills, I have seen these hills ever since I was a kid — the first time in Grade 2 when photographs were printed in black and white — but boy, the hills are still breathtaking and ethereal! You can only gaze in amazement at God’s spectacular creation! How beautiful are these hills, invariably uniform in height, occupying a massive land area that captivate your soul! It still takes my breath away! And I’m once again reminded how blessed I am to be a native of Bohol!
Our last stop would have been in Sikatuna for the attraction there — we already reached the area and strolled to the entrance — but the rains were getting heavy, and we didn’t want to waste our entrance fee for a hurried delight, so we decided to reset it for another time. Anyways, Bohol is just one flight or one fast craft away from Manila or Cebu.
I can’t end the story without mentioning the centuries old Baclayon church which was close on the day we toured because it was the BSK elections but as providence would have it, the Loboc church was open! We got in and observed the solemnity of the place. Then we marveled at the unfinished bridge that would have hit the Loboc church decades ago. Until today, it’s still a blemish in the Poblacion — a monument of a project gone wrong — though it has been converted into a recreation stretch which I appreciate because it provides a beautiful panorama of the Loboc River—apart from a past memory also gone wrong, haha.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience. Thank you to my guests for visiting Bohol, enabling me to see my island-province once again with fresh lenses.
***
The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
