It was October 15, 2013, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Bohol bringing down several important historical landmarks that has been there for centuries and damaging other natural tourist spots. here are some of the churches that I saw when I visited Bohol last year.
The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon
The Church of San Pedro in Loboc
According to our tour guide who is a local there, the said incident greatly affected the number of Bohol’s tourism census. Now, little by little, Bohol is in the process of recuperation. Standing up after the great challenge,Bohol shows how it defiantly rose from the rubbles as it introduces Visit Bohol 2015, a year-round tourism campaign that aims to revitalize its image and entice more visitors to come to Bohol.
Launched under the leadership of Gov. Edgar Chatto, Visit Bohol 2015 seeks to position the province as a top-notch tourist destination with its amazing natural attractions and its friendly and honest people.
Starting today January 9 until January 11, 2015, anyone can visit the Bohol Travel Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City where all major players in the Bohol tourism sector gathered together with a single-minded objective of providing a strong boost to Bohol’s tourism industry.
The Bohol Travel Fair, is organized by the Bohol provincial government in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBPHL), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), dignitaries and special guests from the province, the national government, the diplomatic corps, and other important stakeholders in the Philippine tourism scene.
Shown in photo during the opening ceremonies are (from left to right) L-R: Mr. Reed Aeschliman (Deputy Mission Director, USAID Philippines); Hon. Rene L. Relampagos (Congressman 1st district. Chairman of the Committee on Tourism of the House of Representatives); Hon. Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. (DOT Secretary); Hon. Benjie Arcamo (Board Member of Provincial Govt of Bohol); Hon. Edgar M. Chatto (Governor of Bohol); Atty. Lucas M. Nunag (Bohol Provincial Tourism Council Chairman); Hon. Arthur Yap (Congressman 3rd District) ; Hon. John Geesnell Yap II (City Mayor of Tagbilaran).
“For years, Bohol has always been in the hearts of every Filipino, not only as an eco-cultural tourism landmark but as a home to a number of our country’s pride. As we felt how our kababayans share our grief during the devastating catastrophe that hit our province, we now feel the surge of support as we pave the road to recovery and come back in the tourism map. With Visit Bohol 2015, expect a much better and bolder Bohol – ready to welcome all of you to our beautiful province. We invite you to visit and be awed not just by the wonderful sites Bohol has to offer, but also by the endearing graciousness, hospitality and trustworthiness of Boholanos,” says Governor Chatto during the opening ceremonies of the Bohol Travel Fair.
Bohol is known for its awe-inspiring “Chocolate Hills,” rustic and centuries-old churches in Baclayon and Loboc, the ever-lovable “tarsier,” and of course, the never-ending smiles and hospitable culture of its people. Aside from that, Bohol boasts of having some of the best white-sand beaches in the world like those in Panglao and Anda, and is fast gaining ground as a top eco-cultural tourism spot because of its numerous mystical cave sites, serene rivers, enchanting waterfalls and mangroves, spellbinding marine sanctuaries and diving sites, and adventure-oriented attractions.
“Our dream is to make Bohol a tourism superpower and top holiday destination. With the help of our partners and other significant stakeholders from the public and private sectors, we believe this is
achievable,” adds Governor Chatto.
Visit Bohol 2015 travel fair offers at least 60 percent discount in accommodations, tour packages and other travel essentials, plus various indigenous Boholano products. Plus you get to be serenaded by the heavenly voices of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir who will sing popular and classic music for the duration of the three-day event.
So take advantage of these huge discounts and Visit Bohol this year!
