I am deeply saddened by the recent disaster that had hit Bohol. I was there less than a month ago.
I have been wanting to visit this place for a long time but that perfect timing did not come up until two months ago when my bf and I are planning his birthday celebration.
Booking a trip to Tagbilaran city is a bit expensive as compared to Cebu or even Palawan during that time, however, I had a strong feeling that Bohol will be worth it.
And it did not disappoint.
Bohol's such a picturesque place! While I was browsing all our pictures, almost all our shots are perfect. The place embodies true beauty of nature with such a rich history.
We availed a tour package and was a bit surprised that the 'tour package' is an exclusive one - apparently, the travel agency did not want a 'group package' where they would gather groups of tourists who availed at the same time reason being each and every individual may have different points of interest. So there were just the 3 of us, the driver, me and my bf. It's like a personal tour actually.
As we were talking with our driver/tour guide on the way, I remember him saying that Bohol is not a typical target of natural disasters such as typhoon or even earthquakes - not knowing that less than month after - a tragedy will hit the place.
It's heartbreaking for me because I was just there and I loved every moment I was in Bohol.
It was also really sad for me knowing that the two old churches that I had the privilege of visiting were destroyed by the earthquake. Dauis(Church of Our Lady of Assumption) church and Baclayon(Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) church. Baclayon church has been there since the 1500s and Dauis 1600s.
I have been wanting to visit this place for a long time but that perfect timing did not come up until two months ago when my bf and I are planning his birthday celebration.
Booking a trip to Tagbilaran city is a bit expensive as compared to Cebu or even Palawan during that time, however, I had a strong feeling that Bohol will be worth it.
And it did not disappoint.
Bohol's such a picturesque place! While I was browsing all our pictures, almost all our shots are perfect. The place embodies true beauty of nature with such a rich history.
We availed a tour package and was a bit surprised that the 'tour package' is an exclusive one - apparently, the travel agency did not want a 'group package' where they would gather groups of tourists who availed at the same time reason being each and every individual may have different points of interest. So there were just the 3 of us, the driver, me and my bf. It's like a personal tour actually.
As we were talking with our driver/tour guide on the way, I remember him saying that Bohol is not a typical target of natural disasters such as typhoon or even earthquakes - not knowing that less than month after - a tragedy will hit the place.
It's heartbreaking for me because I was just there and I loved every moment I was in Bohol.
It was also really sad for me knowing that the two old churches that I had the privilege of visiting were destroyed by the earthquake. Dauis(Church of Our Lady of Assumption) church and Baclayon(Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) church. Baclayon church has been there since the 1500s and Dauis 1600s.
Touring Bohol, apart from it's natural beauty and rich history, I noticed that a lot of locals had built their livelihood around it's tourism. Just one example is the tourist/driver I mentioned - he had recently bought 2 brand new cars for his tours. I remember those tour guides in Hinagdanan cave - they were actually trained to take pictures inside a poorly lighted environment - canon? nikon? they know the works... the owner and the staff of the simple pension house we stayed in, those persistent boys selling their pearl jewelries.. the passionate caretakers of Bohol bee farm and so on.. These people will definitely be affected by this tragedy.
Filipinos are no stranger to these kind of tragedies. We have been struck a couple of times - and each time we were able to rise up and be stronger after.
I know and I pray that Boholanos will continue to stay strong amidst all these adversties. It's more than rebuilding destroyed structures, its rebuilding lives.
And hopefully after all of these come to pass, other people who were not able to see how beautiful this place is, will get a chance to see it's beauty sometime soon.
Bangon Bohol!
Filipinos are no stranger to these kind of tragedies. We have been struck a couple of times - and each time we were able to rise up and be stronger after.
I know and I pray that Boholanos will continue to stay strong amidst all these adversties. It's more than rebuilding destroyed structures, its rebuilding lives.
And hopefully after all of these come to pass, other people who were not able to see how beautiful this place is, will get a chance to see it's beauty sometime soon.
Bangon Bohol!