After the 7.2-magnitude killer earthquake hit Bohol in 2013, tourism in the province stood still. Tourists hastily left, scared of the aftershocks. Resorts and hotels had to endure power outages when the underwater electricity cables from the geothermal source in Leyte were damaged. To top it all, many centuries-old churches were also destroyed.
Today, a year and a half after, tourism is abuzz once more, supported by eight daily direct flights from Manila and 15 fast-craft boats from Cebu. Power is now stable. Roads and bridges are upgraded, and tourists are lured back in droves to Bohol’s top draws: Panglao white-sand beaches, the iconic Chocolate Hills, the Loboc river boat ride and the tarsiers.
The Bohol government had always encouraged the “One Town, One Tour Site” campaign and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica)-Sustainable Environment for Panglao program had encouraged the development of newfangled tour sites in other places in order to spread the benefits of tourism, according to Sinichiro Tanimoto of Jica. What’s the result of these initiatives?
Bohol has developed an alternative to Panglao, whose beachfronts are slowly being occupied by new big players, like the Hennan group, Bellevue and Bluewater Hotel, and resort operators in anticipation of the P7.3-billion New Panglao Bohol International Airport in 2017. This new draw is Anda town, just a two-hour ride from Tagbilaran City—a picturesque, rustic town, with an 8-kilometer stretch of white sand, complemented by diving sites and adventure trips to prehistoric caves, islands and mountains.
After the earthquake, some 400 hectares of “uplifted land” appeared between the towns of Loon and Maribojoc. Where there was once sea water, the uplifted land will be developed as a geological monument to house a museum with at least 10 hectares open for tourism amenities.
The 7-km land fault (caused by the earthquake) and the devastated churches have also become “stories in themselves” that invite many camera-bearing tourists.
In Loboc, while some of the river boats were destroyed, the townspeople have developed the “SUP” (stand-up paddle) ride, where a single individual, using wood or inflatable flats, can paddle his or her way through the river byways like a sturdy explorer of the wild.
The 200-km paved road that covers the entire outer periphery of Bohol and Panglao Island has become a bikers’ haven—where riders can view the breathtaking sculpture of the island against the clear blue Bohol seawater.
In Antequera, an interior town, foreign tourists can now enjoy the thrill of staying in a nipa hut, riding a carabao, ploughing the field and planting rice in the muddy ricefield, while sipping a cool coconut milk drink and finding out that “planting rice can also be fun.”
In the mountain tops of the towns of Duero, Pilar, Sierra Bullones and Candijay, live members of a tribe called Eskaya, whose descendants reportedly came to Bohol in 12th century AD, possibly from Sumatra.
The Eskayas have preserved their own culture, language, calligraphy and dance, one of which is called “Sinarliston,” which is uncannily similar to the old American dance from South Carolina called “Charlston.”
In the mid-province town of Danao, the earthquake had destroyed its famous “Extreme Adventure” rides, whose long ziplines and “The Plunge” activities used to rake in millions for the town every month. Today they have developed new treks inside two caves—the Kamira Cave and Baliho Cave.
Finally there is a new sandbar pilgrimage site near Panglao Island called “Isola de Fancesco” in honor of stigmata-bearing Saint Padre Pio, (10-minute boat ride) developed by millionaire Ramon Rodriguez. This is open to the public for free. It is greatly used for meditation and swimming.
The list goes on, even as the city is also developing a new tour site where the sculpted replica done by national artist Napoleon Abueva in Bool district of the famous Sikatuna-Legazpi blood compact rites now stands. On its shores will soon rise an exact replica of the galleon used by Admiral Legazpi, which will house souvenir shops, restaurants and a stage to run cultural shows.
The Boholanos’ ability to make lemonade when they were handed lemons is once again displayed.
****
(Bingo Dejaresco, a former banker, is a financial consultant, media practitioner and a political strategist. His opinions are personally his and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex. He can be reached at dejarescobingo@yahoo.com).