Allure Them All, Bohol!

Bohol is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is two-hour away from Cebu by a fast craft or five-hour travel by a ship. If you are from Cebu, Leyte or any neighboring town, you can explore Bohol for one whole day.

Several transportations are offered in Bohol so you can tour around the place and see all its enticing tourist spots. You can have fun travelling around Bohol by riding a habal-habal (motorcycle), tricycle, car or van.

The mode of transportation you are going to use is up to the number of the travelers. For a single person or two, I suggest you rent a habal-habal. However, habal-habal is only available in Carmen (the place of Chocolate Hills). From Tagbilaran, you ride a tricycle to Dao terminal for 10 pesos fare. Then from there, ride a bus that will take you to Carmen for a fare of 50 pesos. Don’t be shy to tell the driver or the bus fare collector your destination. The bus will stop right there and then as what you have wished for. You can take a habal-habal again going to the Chocolate Hills or you can just walk if you want. You are going to pay 50 pesos for the Chocolate Hills entrance fee.

For the travelers of three, you can rent a tricycle in Tagbilaran for your tour with a rental fee of 1200 pesos. If you are going to travel in a group of four or up, you can rent a car or van. The rental fee of the car is 1800 to 2200 pesos and 2000 to 2500 pesos for the van.

Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, Loboc River, Man-made Forest and Panglao Island are the five main destinations you should visit and experience.


Chocolate Hills is the number one pride of Bohol. All tourists should not miss visiting this wonderful site. This is called Chocolate Hills for its color turns to brown during the dry season. Chocolate Hills is found in Carmen, Bohol which is a two-hour away from Tagbilaran City, the province’s capital.


Tarsier is the smallest monkey in the world. It is a nocturnal animal. The camera flash is being turned off if you are going to take pictures since it can affect the primate’s eyesight.


Loboc River is the famous river in Bohol. You can see the beauty of this river if you are going to cruise. In Loboc River, there is a Floating Restaurant where you can enjoy a sumptuous buffet meal as you sail amounting to 350 pesos including the entrance fee.


Man-made Forest is also one of the attractions in Bohol. It is planted with Mahogany trees. This forest serves as the habitat of the wild pigs, snakes and many other forest animals. When you pass by this forest, you will feel the coldness of the atmosphere.


Panglao Island is found at the other side of Bohol. From Tagbilaran City, you can reach Panglao for a minimum of 45 minutes. You need to take a tricycle to Bohol Museum and ride a jeep that will take you to Panglao Island. In the island, there are many beaches you can choose from. If you are on a tight budget, Dumaluan Beach Resort is a good choice. You will savor the clear water and white sand for a payment of 25 pesos as entrance fee.



If you still have time, you can also explore other beautiful places and experience the fun adventure in Hinagdanan Cave, Simply Butterflies, Forest Camp, Hanging Bridge, Blood Compact, and Baclayon Church.

Bohol, Philippines
June 2010
With Mama and Alma

The Island of Olango

Olango Island is an island found in Cebu. The place is famous because of its bird sanctuary. However, when we visited the place, we were not able to see the sanctuary.

It was April 2010 when the faculty had a year-ender trip to Olango Island. It was unplanned, or maybe a trip that was really not planned well due to other circumstances. But still, we pushed through with the plan.

From Lapu-lapu, we rode a boat going to Olango Island. When we reached their port, we took a tricycle going to the beach resort. I enjoyed the trip because of the delicious food we brought and due to the good company I was with. Yet, I did not have fun swimming because the water and the sand frustrated me.

Olango Island, Cebu, Philippines
April 2010
With CIE Cebu Teachers

Discover the Beauty of Malapascua Island

Malapascua Island is an unexplored island in Cebu. You need to take a boat to reach the place. You will be more excited when you feel that the boat goes like a coast ride because of the waves.

Though it is not yet fully developed (like the other two islands Camotes and Bantayan), the beauty of this place already manifests. It possesses great white sand and clear blue water.

The sea in this part is wild. When we went there, we needed to transfer in the other side of the beach because we could not swim as the sea waves were really strong. In the place where we transferred, we as if owned the area for no one was there. We had so much fun swimming and taking photos.

Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines
June 2009
With Teacher Halzi, Des and Alex

"Falls" In Love in Badian

Badian is near to Moalboal, Cebu. I recommend this place for someone who loves nature like me. You need to trek in order for you to reach the famous Kawasan Falls. On your way to the falls, you will see green things that will make you feel good. You will also smell and breathe the soothing fresh air.

When you reach Kawasan Falls, you will see two or three levels of the waterfalls. You need to trek again to see all those falls. You can enjoy swimming here and riding a raft.

Badian, Cebu
April 2008
With some CIE Cebu Teachers

Feel the Spirit of Boracay in Moalboal

Moalboal is located at the southern part of Cebu. I have visited the place when the whole faculty decided to have a year-ender outing.

Moalboal is blessed with wonderful nature. I was stunned by how lovely its beach is. That time, I felt like I was in Boracay.

Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
April 2008
With CIE Cebu Teachers

Superb Bantayan!

Bantayan Island is one of the three wonderful islands in Cebu. This place is superb! The beach is really nice. It is considered as the small Boracay in Cebu since it has also white sand and clear water.

Usually, people visit Bantayan on April because this is the fiesta of the place. In our case, we visited Bantayan on November 2007. We stayed in Sugar Beach Resort. As far as I could remember, the rest house we rented is affordable.

While we were in the island, we enjoyed island hopping and snorkeling. We as well savored the good taste of their seafood.

Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
November 2007
With some CIE teachers

See-bu!

Cebu is probably one of the nicest places in the Philippines. Truly indeed that it is the “Queen City of the South”!

I moved to Cebu right after my graduation for a job offer. I accepted it just for purely adventure reasons.

It is enjoyable to be in this place. I like it because it is peaceful. The people are welcoming, except for the fact that they always battle with the people from Manila. I have encountered more Cebuanos who are nice to be with, but it is inevitable for them not to insert their ill feelings for the Tagalas (term they used for people from Manila) during our conversations.

On my first year in Cebu, I have seen how beautiful the place is. When you are in the city, you should not miss to visit the Basilica del Sto. Nino. Many devotees come to the church to pray and to thank the patron for the blessings He showered. Also, other people visit the church to ask for some help and guidance. When you are at the outside part of the church, you will see some old woman dancing while holding a candle. This is what they call as “Sinulog”, and this is done so that whatever you wish and pray for will come true. I have tried this when I was about to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers. When the result was released, I passed the test.

Fort San Pedro is another attraction in Cebu City. It was built long time ago during the Spanish conquest in the Philippines. You can see some old weapons here including the canons that were used before during the war.

Taoist Temple is also a great place to visit. This is where some of the Chinese in Cebu worship their God. As this is a sacred place, you must observe silence and proper decorum. There are some areas in the temple where taking of pictures is prohibited. You will see a miniature of “Great Wall of China” once you are inside the temple.

Mactan Shrine is a well-known spot in Cebu as (according to Philippine History) this is the place where Magellan and Lapu-lapu fought. In the shrine, you will find Lapu-lapu’s monument.

Near Mactan Shrine is the world famous Shangrila Mactan Resort and Spa. This is a five-star hotel so it is really a wonderful place. A night of stay in the hotel costs at around 11,000 php. The beach has white sand and very clear water. They also have pools, spa, restaurant, and other amenities. The place is truly magnificent and incomparable!

If you are the type of a person who likes nature, perhaps you can visit Mountain’s View Park. This is a highland place in Cebu, and the best time to go there is during the night because you can see the lights of the whole city.

Cebu City, Philippines
April 2007
With Corey, Jang and Marian