Archive for March, 2009

The Chocolate Hills consist of 1268 cone-shaped hills that extend over the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan and Sierra Bullones. This remarkable tourist spot’s origin were unknown yet scientific investigations claim that it sprouted from the ocean bed through evidences of decayed coral reefs, shells and marine life. Local legend claims that two giants who were lovers lived in the place and when they the male was killed, it brought utmost grief to the giant woman. Her tears became the Chocolate Hills now. Another story tells about two giants quarrelling, they then throw mud at each other which later form the Chocolate Hills.

It is one of a kind and nothing the same can be found anywhere else in the globe, thus, gaining popularity among tourists and distinct recognition from both local and foreign award-giving bodies.  The Philippine Tourism Authority declared it as the country’s 3rd National Geological Monument. The latest nomination of Chocolate Hills as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature proves that the hills’ fame has gone far beyond its local boundaries out into the vast global attention.

[View with PicLens]

An Attraction within an Attraction (from a signboard in the Chocolate Hills Complex)

An Attraction within an Attraction is the Chocolate Hills Complex. Nested in between a twin Chocolate Hill, the complex offers the most beautiful view of the other hills. Its double tiered view deck is perched at the apex of a 214-step hill that gives the viewer a panoramic vista of the exquisite beauty strewn like chocolate drops in an intricate manner by the magic hands of nature.

Climb the 214 (not February 14) steps towards the apex of the Hill

Chocolate Hills of Bohol: a National Geological Monument

The unique landform known as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol was formed ages ago by the uplift of Coral Deposits and the action of rainwater and erosion.

These hills are scattered throughout the towns of Carmen,Batuan and Sagbayan and consist of 1,268 mounds of the same general shape.

In Recognition of its special characteristics, scientific importance, uniqueness and high scenic value, the National Committee on Geological Sciences declares the Chocolate Hills of Bohol a National Geological Monument.

18 June 1988

The hidden marvels of Bohol
The word Bohol has become so synonymous with the world’s famous Chocolate hills that when you speak of Bohol, these hills are instantly attached to it. The province’s signature attraction is composed of 1268 hills that stretch into a similar massive pile of delicious Hershey-like chocolates during summer and into a blissful sight of green contours during rainy seasons. The beauty of these hills captured the world’s awe at the unique nature that God has given to the country. Beyond these hills, though, lie the other Nature’s gifts of Bohol that equally gained tourists’ acquiescent at the rising realization that Chocolate Hills is just an icing to the cake; there is more to Bohol!
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History
Local tribes have been living in Bohol before Magellan arrived on the shores of Bohol. It is believed that around 1200, the Lutaos arrived from northern Mindanao. They built their residences in the mainland Bohol and in the island of Panglao. The town then was named “Kingdom of Dapitan” and became progressive until it was abandoned in 1563.

Geography
Bohol nestles on the southern east coast of the Philippines and below the province of Cebu. It is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. Its capital is Tagbilaran city. Surrounding this island are the waters of Camotes Sea and Bohol Sea. The province has 47 towns, has the size of 4117.3 km² and outlines the shape of Ube, a local root crop wherein the Ube Festival celebrated by the locals every year, is exactly inspired from. The province’s power and forte immensely traces to the Tourism Industry being recently praised by Joseph Ace Durano, Secretary at the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines by this statement: “Even at a time when eco-tourism was not crafted yet, the Boholanos were able to define it.”

How to get to Bohol

Bohol Island is accessible by air and sea travel. In Tagbilaran City Airport, flights from Manila are available daily, thanks to Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines. If you are from other provinces, like Cebu, you can take fastcrafts, like Weesam Express, Ocean Jet and Super Cat, which travels to and from the province on several trips daily. Slow craft, ROROs and ferries are available also in the ports of Tagbilaran City, Tubigon, Jagna and Ubay. You can trasport your vehicles also using the barge bound for Loon, Clarin or Tubigon.