Bohol Getaway: Day 2, April 13, 2006

Birthday ko! Tita Helen and I woke up at 6am, took a bath, then had breakfast at the resort’s restaurant. The car driver, Mang Gerry, was on time so by 8:30, we were already on the road. Before we left the resort, I had a feeling it was going to be a beautiful day for me.

First stop was the Sanduguan statue. The statue represents the blood compact between the Filipino rajah and the Spaniard, Legazpi.

Next stop was Balai Bohol. It is a place where the different industries of Bohol are highlighted. There are small cottages where one can see how the many products of Bohol (like the kalamay, pottery and loom-weaved table runners and placemats) are made. I took a video shot ofthe old woman who was weaving. Ang sabi niya wala na raw gustong matuto mag-loomweaving among the younger people she knows. Wala na raw gustong magpatuloy sa isang matagal nang tradisyon.

3rd stop was the oldest stone church in the Philippines, the Baclayon Church. Sarado nga lang ang museum kasi Maunday Thursday. I sat in one corner and said a short prayer.

4th stop was the place where the tarsiers were taken care of. Ang cute-cute nila! If only the DENR will allow me to take one home, aalagaan ko siya. Promise! he he he he

5th stop was the Loboc River cruise! The river cruise was so much fun and relaxing. Imagine, makakakita ka ng isang nanay na naglalaba sa ilog. Then at the end of the river ay may dalawang maliliit na falls. Tapos, habang tumatakbo nang dahan-dahan ang floating restaurant, may kumakanta ng mga old songs. Mura lang ang cruise. At 260pesos, may food ka na, may kakanta sa yo at maaaliw ka pa sa pag-cruise sa river.

6th stop was Chocolate Hills! On our way there, we passed by the man-made forest in the town of Bilar. Sabi ni Mang Gerry, the man-made forest was a project of Imelda Marcos when she was still a first lady. Obviously, it was a successful project. Tall trees now blanket the road kaya pag dumaan ka dun kahit mataas ang sikat ng araw ay malamig. Talk about reforestration. I hope other local governments will also take the initiative to implement a project such as this. However, we passed by 3 groups of young men with guns. Namamaril sila ng mga ibon. Sabi ni Mang Gerry, bawal daw yun sa Bohol. Siguro nag-holiday ang mga nanghuhuli kaya naglipana ang mga namamaril ng ibon.

7th stop was a hanging bridge. Yaiks, katakot! Pinipilit ako ni Tita Helen to cross the river through the bridge pero I really couldn’t make it. I am afraid of high, open spaces. At may phobia talaga ako sa ganung klaseng bridge.

8th stop was the place of Phrony, the biggest snake in the Philippines in captivity. Opo, may pangalan ang snake. He was named after his owner, Mang Sofronio. Grabe, ang laki-laki niya talaga. 51 kilos daw ng baboy ang kinakain niya. Isang buwan naman bago siya kumain uli.

By 6 in the evening, we were back at the resort. Pagod pero masaya ako sa tour at enjoy talaga. We had our dinner. Some of the resort’s guests were already dining nang dumating kami dun ni Tita Helen. Nakakatuwa ang set up sa restaurant. There were candles on every table tapos dim ang lights. Ewan ko kung anong nakain ng staff ng resort at ginawang pang-Valentine’s Day ang set up sa restaurant (hhhmmnn, teka, baka naman alam nilang birthday ko he he he he he). Tita Helen and I ordered banana split for dessert. Yun ang special na handa sa birthday ko he he he he After that, tumambay muna near the pool at nag-star gazing he he he he he Iba kasi sa probinsya, madaling makita ang stars kasi hindi mausok ang himpapawid he he he he Ang ibang guests naman ay nag-swimming.

By 9 o’clock, bed na. Haaaaaay….sarap ng araw ko. Sarap ng birthday ko! Maraming nag-greet. May mga nag-text at may mga tumawag. Sa mga nagtext, salamat for sparing me a peso. Sa mga tumawag, salamat sa mas malaking gastos na inilaan ninyo. Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat!