Baclayon (Bohol) Blog

Municipality of Baclayon blog

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:53:00 +0000

Baclayon Municipal Hall (Photo: Fats, Vitamins and Minerals)

My hometown Baclayon has its own Blogger blog. It contains basic information about the town.

Aside from the blog's homepage there are also the following pages:

Local government - explains the towns government structure, executive department, legislative branch and its vision and mission
Services - sets out the services delivered by the town government following the Citizen's Charter
Tourism - tells you what to see (attractions) and eat (local delicacies)
Contact - gives details on how and who to contact in the town government

Personally, I am more interested to know more on the town's tourist attractions in the Tourism page.

The blog's address is http://lgubaclayon.blogspot.com/

Biyahe Baclayon traveller reviews at TripAdvisor

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:34:00 +0000

Pamilacan island (Photo: InfoWise101.com)

The town's flagship Biyahe Baclayon tourism program had great raving reviews from travellers at the TripAdvisor website. The website features reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights, holiday rentals, holiday packages, travel guides, and lots more.

Biyahe Baclayon is composed of three tours designed for visitors who want to explore Baclayon's natural wonders and heritage and cultural sites:

Heritage Walk aims to promote Baclayon's culture by bringing visitors to the town's delicacy shops that sell unique Baclayon food such as broas (lady fingers), tableyas (local chocolate tablets) and ube kinampay (local root crop), and to workshops where crafts and souvenir items are designed and manufactured.
Adventure Trail covers almost the entire town of Baclayon. It includes hiking trails and trails for mountain bikes, dirt bikes and quads. The routes have been designed to pass by lakes, caves, springs and deep sinkholes. Several stops and points along the trail offer panoramic views of the town. Aside from these trails, there is a plan to offer kayaking in the lakes and to install zip lines for extreme adventurers.
Whale/dolphin watching and Pamilacan island tour involves an early morning boat ride from Baclayon town centre to the island of Pamilacan. The body of water between Baclayon and Pamilacan is frequented by butandings (whale sharks), dolphins and manta rays. Upon reaching Pamilacan, guest may opt to visit diving sites, swim in the beach or have a massage from the women members of the local cooperative.

If you want to know what travellers had said about Biyahe Baclayon check out TripAdvisor's website.

Ironwulf's adventure travel in Baclayon

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:18:00 +0000

Baluarte (Photo: TripAdvisor)

Ironwulf is multi-awarded Filipino photographer and blogger Ferdinand Decena. He chronicles his travels in the Philippines and the world through his travel blog, Ironwulf.net: En Route. This blog contains great stories and stunning vistas from the places Decena has visited.

One of these places is my home province of Bohol; particularly, my hometown of Baclayon. Because of his several visits to Bohol, he came out with a suggestion for a three-day itinenary for an adventure travel if you want to visit one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines today. Day 3 for the said itinerary is reserved for Baclayon, which Ironwulf visited last year, staying at the luxurious Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa.

Kick off your Day 3 travel adventure early in the morning to catch the frolicking dolphins near Pamilacan island. After that, dock off in the island for a nice morning stretch at the long white sandy beach. Or head off straight into the waters for some amazing snorkelling. Lunch will be great at the beach, too!

After lunch, head back towards the Baluarte to experience the thrill of the dune buggy trail ride and a bit of eco-tour afterwards. And if you are still up for some more adrenaline pumping adventure then challenge the dirt bike trails of Mango-ol, a sitio of barangay San Isidro. Incidentally, the Pamilacan tour and adventure trails are part of the Biyahe Baclayon tour package.

After the day’s adventure, chill out at the Baluarte for barbecue dinner while watching the sun set and just be awed by the simple beauty of the sea behind you.

Toponym of Baclayon

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 05:02:00 +0000

There are still many towns in Bohol that use folklore and fairytale to indicate the origin of the name of their town.

Toponymy

Toponymy or the study of the names of places indicates that since time immemorial people always give a name to the place where they live or stay. Sometimes the names are exonyms or given by the neighbors or outsiders and sometimes they are endonyms or names given by the residents themselves.

There are times when the names are given or designated by a person in authority. However, most of the time the names are cachetonyms or eponyms.

A cachetonym is a name derived from a prominent or distinguishing feature of the place. An eponym is a name taken from a name of a person whether real or legendary.

Town aspects

During the Spanish times a town has two aspects or jurisdictions. There was the religious aspect headed by the Parish Priest and the civil aspect headed by the Gobernadorcillo. It was possible that the religious aspect of the town will have two or more civil aspects. Since the religious aspect was always headed by a Spanish Priest, it was deemed superior to the civil aspect.

During the Jesuit era in Bohol, the name of the religious aspect was written first and followed by the civil aspect. Hence we had the name San Jose de Tagbilaran or San Miguel de Jagna. The San Jose or San Miguel was the name of the Parish and Tagbilaran or Jagna was the name of the place and the civil jurisdiction of the town.

Nowadays, since there is already a complete separation of church and state, the situation is already reversed. A civil town can have two or more parishes within it.

The name ‘Baclayon’

The dictionary Vocabulario De La Lengua Bisaya (1618) by Fr Mateo Sanchez defines Baclay; Baclayun as to transport something from one place to another; to take the risk of passing through rivers, mountains, etc.

The dictionary Bisaya-Español (1850) by Fr Juan Felix de la Encarnacion defines Baclay as, a.) Stole or cloth band worn across the breast. b.) To walk or to travel following the shoreline.

The Baclayun or Baclayon of Fr Sanchez means to pass through rivers, mountains, etc. The Baclay of Fr Felix, which means a stole cannot be made into Baclayon. However, Baclay, which means to walk or travel following the shoreline can be transformed into Baclayon, which means “to be hiked or trekked.”

The remnants of a long-house we discovered about 100 meters from the shoreline of Guiwanon, Baclayon indicated that the land portion extended far beyond the present shorelines of Baclayon. In the 1960s, the land portion of Layâ, Baclayon was still very far seaward than the present situation.

In all indications, the meaning of Baclayon is as defined by Fr Juan Felix de la Encarnacion, “to walk or to travel following the shoreline.”

The word bacayon, which means to be side-stepped, could not be the likely source of the word Baclayon. In the first place, where and what is to be side-stepped? Bear in mind that the most prevalent mode of transport during Spanish times was to travel by boat along the shoreline because there were no roads.

There was no competent authority that declared Baclayon a town. When Frs Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez arrived in Baclayon on Nov 17, 1596 the town was already existing with an estimated population of 10,000 inhabitants. The two Jesuit Priests just proceeded to evangelize the place and claimed it for Spain. Baclayon was the first town established in Bohol by the Spaniards.

Source: The Bohol Chronicle issues of January 9, 2011 and January 19, 2011

A haunted Balite tree

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:48:00 +0000

Centuries old balite tree in Guiwanon, Baclayon. (Photo: Tom's Blog)

In many places of Bohol grows the balite tree or dakit. Most of the people are afraid to get near it for to them the tree is a haunted place. According to the beliefs of the old people in the province, the balite tree was the favorite dwelling place of the fairies. There was a particular balite tree that grew in the cross-section of trails near Bali-out, a barrio of the town of Baclayon. Bali-out is a spring along the sea coast. This spring had never been short of water, not even in the worst drought. Persons tried to avoid being under the shade of this balite tree lest harm might fall upon them.

One day, a boy whose hobby was hunting birds, happened to be near this balite tree for he saw plenty of birds, perched on its branches. The boy shot the birds by means of a sling shot. After he caught some birds, he went home. A day later, the boy became sick. He could not move and could not talk. Later on, he became ensane. He disliked food and could not sleep. After two weeks, the parents were alarmed. A physician was consulted but there seemed to be no relief from the medicine that was administered. Quack doctors were asked to visit the sick boy. An old man, named Juan, came to the house and asked the cause of his malady. The parents related the story of how the boy shot some birds from the balite tree. Juan suggested that offerings should be made to appease the angry anitos who dwelt in the tree. These offerings are called diwata. He suggested to prepare the offerings which constituted a whole rooster, and buyo leaf that was not torn. The offerings were brought before the tree and were left there. The old man murmured something and walked around the tree three times. Finally, he shouted with joy and cried: “Thank God.” All left the tree and brought back the food silently, then, they went home.

When they arrived home, everyone was surprised to see the sick boy move to call his mother to give him food. So he was able to move, talk and eat again. Could you believe it?

Reference: Pajo, MC 1954. Bohol Folklore. Unpublished Master’s thesis. University of San Carlos, Cebu. 288 p.

This folklore was reported to MC Pajo by Santiago C Achacoso of Jagna, Bohol.

Diwata is the name for spirits. It is also the name given to ceremonies performed to appease or prevent the anger of the spirits.

Barangay Baclayon

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:51:00 +0000

While googling Baclayon on the internet, I came across an interesting piece of information. There is a barangay named Baclayon!

The barangay of Baclayon is one of the 58 barangays of the town of Bagacay, Albay province (Bicol region). It has a 2007 census population of 2,253. The town of Bagacay is a 2nd class municipality with a population of 61,574 (2007 census) living in an area of 11,220 hectares.

On the other hand, my hometown of Baclayon, Bohol (Central Visayas region) is a 4th class municipality with a population of 18, 015 (2007 census) spread over 17 barangays covering an area of 3,402 hectares.

All about.me

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 22:04:00 +0000

The website about.me enables you to make your own individual splash page to present your complete online identity to any visitor, be it your personal friends or professional colleagues.

Read more at Pinoyborian blog.

Pamilacan Island Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:57:00 +0000

Pamilacan Island Paradise is a beach villa located in the famous island barangay of Pamilacan.

If your idea of a perfect holiday is spending it in a private and exclusive beach villa in a small tropical island, then Pamilacan Island Paradise is for you.

The beach villa is located on a seven hectare property with a half kilometre beach front. In there you will experience the virgin white sand beaches and mini coves and the tranquillity and solitude of like being in your own island paradise.

Pamilacan Island is famous for dolphin watching and is a popular diving site for experienced divers. Other activities available in the island include fishing trips, snorkelling, kayaking, massage and a guided walking tour of the island.

I have not been to the beach villa and also cannot find any review online so if you want to know more visit their website at http://www.pamilacanislandparadise.com/

(Text and photo credits: Pamilacan Island Paradise)

Aproniana Gift Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Aproniana Giftshop is a one-stop souvenir shop along the National Highway in barangay Taguihon.

The giftshop welcomes tourists coming to Bohol. They are open seven days a week and even during holidays. They sell souvenir items, native handicrafts, postcards, shirts, bags, accessories and Bohol delicacies like ube jam, penyato, cookies and the very famous calamay.

Aproniana Giftshop also offers minivan and bus tours of the island. They also gives out Privilege Cards so you can get discounts once you purchase their products.

For more information on the giftshop, visit Bohol Super Pages website.

(Text and photo credits: Bohol Super Pages)

Baclayon Bed and Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:09:00 +0000

Photo: DiscoverPH.com

Baclayon Bed and Breakfast is a hotel resort located in N Lambo Street, barangay Guiwanon.

Baclayon Bed and Breakfast is one of Bohol’s newest hotel situated just 10 minutes from the city of Tagbilaran. It boasts of high quality services at just the right cost with its elegantly styled rooms that are complete with amenities.

This hotel offers a perfect getaway from all the hassles of the city life to families looking for a great vacation. And for couples wishing to spend a romantic escapade in Bohol, Baclayon Bed and Breakfast has a perfect view of the Bohol sunrise.

Baclayon Bed and Breakfast is located near to my home barangay of Santa Cruz. I have not been to the hotel yet so I cannot offer a personal review of it. However, you can read Ian Victor’s personal review at DiscoverPH.com.

For more information of the hotel visit their website at http://baclayonbedandbreakfast.com/.

(Text and other photos from Baclayon Bed and Breakfast)

Ancestral houses

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Living in history: Baclayon residents in Bohol band together to save the town’s ancestral houses*

Written by Marianne Tocmo (Business Mirror)
Saturday, 19 June 2010 17:30

Baclayon, in the eastern part of Bohol, is the first municipality established by the Spaniards where one can find the historic Baclayon Church, as well as many ancestral houses. Originally called Bacayan—because travelers used to detour (bacay) around a rocky cliff along the shore to avoid going over the top of the cliff—the town was founded in 1595 by two Jesuit priests, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, who also built a stone church, which is considered the oldest stone church in the country.

This sense of history isn’t lost on the town’s residents, who have formed a neighborhood organization, the Baclayon Ancestral Homes Association (Bahandi), which organizes various cultural events advocating the preservation of historical buildings in Baclayon. The group has found a supporter in philanthropist Bea Zobel de Ayala Jr. through the Ayala Foundation, which has helped mount these cultural events from traditional singing contests to fiestas.

The association’s name, which means “treasure” in the local dialect, is composed of homeowners of Spanish colonial houses in Baclayon, who banded together to save their homes from demolition when the province embarked on a road-widening project in 2002.

“Bahandi is more of an advocacy. We are focused on the homes. Ownership may change, but it is the home that we are protecting,” says Stelita Gonzaga Ocampo, the owner of the Villamor ancestral house.

“The organization started with a struggle,” she recalled. “When there were already heavy equipment in front of us, that’s when we jolted. That’s the time we realized we cannot live knowing that the ancestral houses would not be there. This was not built overnight; it is a legacy, and we must preserve this legacy,” she recalls. “You could not claim Baclayon as an old town if there are no ancestral houses.”

These ancestral houses, some constructed as early as 1853, are within walking distance of each other and the Baclayon Church. Bahandi has created a “home-stay” program that provides tourists not just with board and lodging but, more important, by working and living with a Boholano family, they get to know firsthand the Boholano lifestyle and culture.

“Iba talaga mga bahay dito compared to Pampanga or Bacolod. Mansion kasi ’yung sa kanila. What we have here are vernacular houses, the working man house,” Ocampo points out.

Built by a trader, Ciriaco Villamor, and his wife, Agrifina Buhion, the Villamor house in Bali-aut, Poblacion, Baclayon, Bohol, is one of the oldest ancestral houses in the town, having been built in 1895. With a rectangular geometric style, the two-story house was changed from nipa to galvanized iron because of a strong typhoon in 1986.

“The ground floor before was a store, a garage and a bodega. But when one of the couple had a stroke, he had to be transferred down, that’s why downstairs there’s a room and a kitchen. The sisters of the Workers for Christ are occupying the area today,” Ocampo says.

The entrance to the house is through a middle doorway and a wide wooden stairway—with steps, handrails and balusters all made of hardwood and top-floor rails with geometric designs—leads to the upper floor. The spacious living room is highlighted with wide windows with shutters that are made of wood and traditional capiz shells that allow light to come in even if closed.

On one side of the room is a framed painting of the original couple, showing the matriarch donning a Maria Clara gown and the husband in barong Tagalog. On a far corner and above an old plain cabinet is a large laminated picture of the couple in their younger days. Another piece that grabs your attention upon entering the living room is a six-sitter antique table with carved armchairs.

“The artifacts were preserved. As long as I can remember it’s already there except for the upholstered chair,” Ocampo says.

The house has three bedrooms; one has two single wooden beds minus the mattresses with carved bedposts that are designed for mosquito nets. Two big wooden cabinets—one with a full-length mirror—are on one side of the room with a wooden table in between. Another bedroom has a metal bed with a mattress and metal bedpost for the nets. The metal holders are intricately designed, while the headboard is decorated with rose etchings.

The dining room has a plain rectangular table and a side table with wooden trays and serving dishes. An open built-in cabinet displays the family’s white china collection. From the dining room, a doorway leads to the kitchen, with a beautiful floor of hardwood planks.

“Old wood has really its own glow. Local artisans ang gumawa ng mga bahay before. Most of these carpenters came from Loon and Dauis [in Bohol]. No read, no write; just pure talent. That’s what we call vernacular architecture,” Ocampo explains.

Indeed, Baclayon’s ancestral houses are living proofs of the Bol-anon ingenuity. The houses aren’t only witnesses of history but of Filipino talent.

For Ocampo, the houses provide the opportunity not just to look back on the good old days, but to also get to know one’s roots.

“With a fast-paced life, there will come a time that you would have to slow down. What is your story? This is my story. The ancestral home is my story,” she says.

-------------------------------------

*This news article was accessed from Business Mirror on 14 July 2010. I have an earlier post about Bahandi, if you want to read more.

A Poem On Pamilacan

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:03:00 +0000

Photo: Bohol.ph

PAMILACAN
Eleazar Tutor Acampado

Hagbay rang gibuslotan
Sa Amihan ug Habagat,
Sa parat, sa abog, sa ulan,
Sa pagpaabot sa mga pirata
Ang paril nga bato sa dagat.
Halos di ko na makita
Sa tore sa bantayan ang ihawan
Nga atop ang langit.
Gisalipdan kini
Sa mga palwag lukay
Sa limbahong lubi.

Kini ba ang hinungdan nganong gipanghambog
Nga milubad na ang pulang bulok sa imong bunbon
Ug mialisngaw na ang pulang tina sa tubig-dagat
Kay gihigop sa imong mga anak?

Apan nganong ania gitugaw ako
Sa kahilom sa tak-om nga mga baba
Sa putol nga mga ulo
Sa balilan, sanga, lumod ug iho —
Mga misteryosong linalang nga nanggilinya
Ingong mga sundalo nga nagbantay
Sa ngabil sa imong baybayon?
Ug nganong nagpalayo
Ang mga lumod sa Lores?
Nahadlok ba silang gukdon
Sa kidlap-kidlap sa akong kamera?

Hinaut, dili mapapas sa kanbas
Sa hunahuna ang gipintal nga hulagway
Sa imong pagginhawa.

I found this poem in my fellow Bol-anon Eleazar's website, BISAYA, You Are Number One. This poem is part of the anthology Pagpamilig Bato Ug Uban Pang Balak, which was awarded First Honorable Mention in the Gawad Komisyon 2007.

I am not into poems that much but I like this one. If you want to read more on Eleazar's winning poems just visit his website.

Dolphin watching in Pamilacan Island in Bohol

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:49:00 +0000

Photo: Manila Traveler

After the countryside tour of Bohol, you can also try island hopping and enjoy more surprises. Pamilacan Island is a marine sanctuary and home to many biodiversity. You need to leave at 5:30 in the morning to enjoy the sunrise and catch the dolphins as they usually come out and frolic in the surface at this time of the day.

The trip to Pamilacan Island costs P1,000 per head and this is inclusive of the bangka ride (outrigger), morning snack (of native root crops that you probably have missed a lot) lunch (of seafood, native dish which became more delicious after snorkeling, swimming and enjoying the sea) as well as for the "dolphin caller".

Read more @ Manila Traveler

Summer Camp at Camp Tara Na!

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:48:00 +0000

Summer Camp at Camp Tara Na! (Baclayon, Bohol)
Rochelle Bonifacio-Prado, Smart Parenting
(accessed 25 March 2010)

Want to give your kids a unique and memorable summer meeting new friends, having new adventures in a new place and learning new things? Why not go to summer camp?

CAMP TARA NA!

Camp Tara Na! is an ecology and culture camp in Baclayon, Bohol. Camp Tara Na! offers unique and enriching experiences to young people aged 8-13. Activities fuse discovery and adventure with learning of local Filipino culture and heritage.

The summer camp is centered on outdoor games and excursions—familiarizing kids with traditional Filipino games such as luksong tinik and tumbang preso, and showing them awesome local sites like the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the man-made forest in Bilar, Tarsiers in Corella, a fireflies tour in Loay, and dolphin and whale-watching in Pamilacan, among others. Professional guides lead the way for the safe and smooth running of activities.

Read more @ Smart Parenting

Baclayon Church: A Long Walk Away

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:35:00 +0000

Photo: StoicPassion

By: StoicPassion (27 February 2010)

If you’d go to Baclayon with no tourist guide, you wouldn’t be acquianted with the colorful history of the church. Baclayon Church is considered as one of the oldest church in the Philippines dating back to 1717.

The church was actually made by the locals, with the use of coral stones quarried from the sea, cut into square blocks and held together by a mixture of shells, lime, and egg whites to cement the blocks together.

The church also has an adjoining detached tower which serves as a bell tower. During the olden days, the tower also served as a vantage point overlooking the Bohol sea to warn the locals of marauding pirates.

Typical of any Spanish era church, Baclayon Church also has ornate ceilings, altar area and colorful stained glass windows.

Read more @ StoicPassion

Experience Pamilacan

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:37:00 +0000

This post is a collation of information by nodarcdam, apparently a Pamilacan island resident, which was shared in the website Virtual Tourist in December 2005.

Going to Pamilacan

Pamilacan Island can be reached by boat. You can hire a boat which will take you the island and back either at Baclayon or Panglao Island.

In Baclayon, there is a wharf near the Baclayon church. The boat ride going to the island is about 45 minutes and the regular charge is P1,200 to 1,500 depending on the size of the boat.

In Panglao Island, there are many boatment offering their services. The ride is about one hour and the regular charge is between P1,500 to P1,800.

The laidback western tip of Pamilacan

The western tip of Pamilacan Island is the more popular side of the island. The beach is somewhat undeveloped, though the white fine sand is evident despite the dried seaweeds covering it. It has no restaurant but the locals will cook for you and for P200 per person, you can have lunch along the shore complete with rice, vegetable, fish or chicken and bottled water.

There are some stores which display bones of dolphins and sharks, a reminder that once, the islander was engaged in catching those creatures. The marine sanctuary is the ideal place for snorkelling.

The old Spanish watchtower still stands.

Catching big fish

We all know that big fish like tuna, jackfish and snapper are caught through big nets. In Pamilacan Island, the locals could catch big fish even without a net and they do it by fish hooks. They make their own bait which resembles a squid.

Slaughter of the manta rays

The eastern tip of Pamilacan Island may not be included in the regular island hopping tour because of the seeming unpleasant sight and smell. The coast is lined with small huts where manta rays from Surigao are slaughtered. This is one of the big sources of income for the locals. Make sure that you can withstand the sight of mangled manta rays before venturing on this side of the island.

All photos by nodarcdam

Pamilacan Fort

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:30:00 +0000

Photo: Travelog Philippines

In Pamilacan is found a small triangular fort made of rubble with cut coral blocks lining its portal and windows.

Round buttresses support the three corners of the structure. Embedded trusses and a triangular pillar in the centre indicate that the fort may have had a second floor of wood. There is probably a balcony that ran around the second floor linking the buttresses which also served as lookouts.

Photo: Bohol Wonders

While no dates have been established for the fort, it may have been built in the 19th century. An indication is a large hardwood cross, now housed in a modern chapel nearby, with an 1800s date carved on it. This cross stood near the fort. The fort formed a network with the towers or forts at Loay, Baclayon, Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Text: Panubli-on

Pamilacan Island

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:19:00 +0000

Photo: Lakbai

Found almost a straight line from Baclayon’s wharf is the low coral island of Pamilacan.

The island’s name comes from the Cebuano-Visayan word “pilak”, or harpoon, which was used in the past by island residents when they went out whale and manta ray hunting.

Photo: Bohol.ph

Pamilacan is an island barangay (village) of Baclayon. There are three sitios (sub-villages) on the island – one facing Baclayon, another amid island, and the third on the southern coast. There are 242 families (2000 census) living in the island’s 140 hectares.

Pamilacan can be reached in 45 minutes from Baclayon wharf via a hired pumpboat. The island is famous for dolphin and whale watching, beaches and its marine sanctuary.

Text: Panubli-on

The Baclayon Stone Church

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:11:00 +0000

Photos: Artkitekto

By: Artkitekto Blog (11 December 2008)

Homecoming gave me a chance to do a round- bohol trip once again with my family. it was fun and I got tons of pictures with it too. Baclayon was our first stop.

The Baclayon Church is the oldest Catholic stone church building in the Philippines. It was constructed during the Spanish occupation and the first Spanish missionaries (called doctrineros) settled in the area in the late 15th century. Today you can still see the original stone structure of the Baclayon Church in the City of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines.

There are other preserved church buildings in the region but the Baclayon Church is the best preserved among them. The church itself is Jesuit, but the Baclayon Church (the one we see today) was completed in 1727. The erected church building known today as the Baclayon Church is formally known as The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The area where the Baclayon Church now stands was home to the Spanish Jesuit missionaries when they arrived in the Philippines. The Jesuits were forced to leave and move their headquarters to Loboc. This was due to fears of being mobbed by Moro marauders.

Read more @ Artkitekto

Baclayon Church : Bohol Tour, Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Photos: Kathang-isip Travelogue

By: Kathang-isip Travelogue Blog (24 September 2009)

Our second destination for the day is the second oldest church in the Philippines, and oldest church in Bohol: Baclayon church.

How to go there
Jeff and I took a rent-a-van to tour Bohol’s tourist spots.

What to see
According to Kuya Lito (Our tour guide/driver) Baclayon was supposedly the oldest church in the Philippines but San Agustin won that title after some historians disagreed with that claim. The claim is, the first Spanish settlers in the country was in Bohol therefore the first church was probably in Bohol, but I dont know, they’re both old that’s the only thing real at the moment, hehe.

From outside, Baclayon church isn’t all that impressive, it looks pretty boring actually, until you get to see the interiors of the church.

With just the sunlight lighting the interiors of Baclayon during the day, the church emits beautiful colors of red, yellow and blue with the help of the church’s stained glass windows. The main altar is enhanced with a warm color of yellow to emphasize it from the background.

Read more @ Kathang-isip Travelogue

Tourism Activity Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:15:00 +0000

Photos and text: BEZO Initiatives

If you are a first time tourist in Baclayon, head on to the town's beautiful tourism activity centre.

The tourism centre is Baclayon's one-stop shop for tourists wanting to explore the town's cultural, man-made and natural sites. It also houses an office of Bezo Recreational and Aquatic Activities in Bohol (BRAABO) for its secretariat who provides technical assistance to the local government of Baclayon.

The tourism centre building's design adheres to Bol-anon architectural principles with its steep, sloping rooflines and intricate ventanillas (air vents) above doors and windows. Local Bol-anon craftsmen constructed and developed the tourism centre's decor, furniture and floor tiles.

The centre was inaugurated in May 2009. It is located behind the municipal hall near to Baluarte (lighthouse).

For more information read on the news article in BEZO Initiatives. Alternatively, this is how it is reported in the Bohol Chronicle.

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Photos: Bohol Coconut Palms Resort

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort is located in barangay Laya, Baclayon.

If I am not mistaken this hotel resort is located just beside the national highway. I seem to recall passing by it a few times during our family’s last visit to our native Bohol in 2007. My wife is also a Bol-anon – a native of the northeastern town of Alicia.

I have not been inside the resort so I cannot offer a personal review. Based on the photos from their website, Bohol Coconut Palms Resort seems to be a good place to go to.

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort is the second hotel resort located in barangay Laya. The other one is Peacock Garden Resort & Spa. Just like the latter, the former is a 15-minute ride from Tagbilaran city centre. It also offers van transfers from the airport or seaport.

For more information on Bohol Coconut Palms visit their website at http://www.boholcoconutpalmsresort.info/

Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:15:00 +0000

Text and photos: Peacock Garden

Peacock Garden Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel resort located in Upper Laya, Baclayon.

On its website, the welcome message pretty much describes Peacock Garden in a nutshell:

Welcome

A different world awaits at

The Peacock Garden
Resort & Spa

Nestled on a hilltop with a breathtaking view of the sea below, the resort offers only the finest from East and West.

European art and interiors meets Filipino warmth and hospitality.

Special events and gourmet dining options complete an unforgettable luxury experience.

Peacock Garden is conveniently located as it is only a 15-minute ride from Tagbilaran city centre. It also offers round trip car transfers from the airport or seaport.

I have not been to hotel resort myself so I cannot offer you my personal review of it. However, you can read from previous guests at the TripAdvisor website.

If you want to see the hotel resort personally Peacock Garden opens to the public on 9 February.

For more information on Peacock Garden visit their website at http://thepeacockgarden.com/.

Happy Fiesta Baclayon

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:12:00 +0000

Photo: Bol-anon blog

Today the 8th of December is the fiesta of Baclayon.

The townspeople of Baclayon celebrate this day in honour of their patron saint, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

My parents are the only ones left in our family that still lives in Baclayon.

Today, they are one with the rest of Baclayon in celebrating this special day with a small "tinawo" (fiesta food preparation).

Normally, our celebration of the fiesta of Baclayon is not as big compared to that of our barangay fiesta.

Even more so nowadays after Mom suffered a mild stroke a couple of years back. My parents relies on relatives nearby for assistance on some household matters.

But there's not much help during fiesta as my relatives are also having their celebration.

Still, I'm sure my parents, relatives and rest of Baclayon are having a wonderful time today.

Happy Fiesta Baclayon!

A pilgrimage to Baclayon Church

noreply@blogger.com (Pinoyborian) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:06:00 +0000

(Today is the fiesta of Baclayon. I am sharing a post on Baclayon Church from a fellow Bol-anon blogger.)

Sometimes, when we are too close to something, we fail to see its beauty. This is probably the reason why there are still many Boholanos, especially those living at the coastal areas, who have yet to visit the viewing deck of the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol, or even the new one in Sagbayan, Bohol.

Because we know it is just nearby, we sort of miss out on how extraordinary the thing is. It is exactly the same with the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, Bohol, the second oldest stone Church in the Philippines. I don't think many really appreciate its place in the history of our country.

Read more at Bol-anon