Bohol Historical Tourist Attractions

by Robert S. Gardner

BLOOD CAMPACT SITE
Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City
An historical marker marks the location where Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftan, forged a blood compact with Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi representing the King of Spain, for the purpose of fostering friendly relations between the two nations. The Blood Compact on March 16, 1565 is considered as the first "Treaty of Friendship" between Europe and Asia.

PRESIDENT CARLOS P. GARCIA MEMORIAL PARK
Tagbilaran City
A joint undertaking of Boholanos from all over the country and abroad have erected a park in loving memory of the greatest Bohoano -- Carlos Polistico Garcia, the fourth President of the Republic of the Philippines. It sits on a rolling site with an area of 11 hectares chosen by Garcia himself in 1939 when he was governor of Bohol. Here, one can see the exquisite monument of marble base and a life-size bronze statue by Bohol's famous scuptor, National Artist Napolean Abueva. In the background is the provincial capitol.

MT. CARMEL HILL
Balilihan -- 24-km from Tagbilaran City
Atop the Mt. Carmel Hill right in the heart of Balilihan town, is an historical tower of adobe and limestone. These materials were hauled from the town of Baclayon. It was built to serve as a belfry of a church which was burned down during the Philippine revolution. Like a sentinel, the tower stands as guard over the town. Concrete stairways were built to make the tower more accessible.

BEHIND THE CLOUDS
Catigbian -- 38 km from Tagbilaran City
This is the cradle of the resistence movement in Bohol during the Japanese occupation when a group of courageous men composed of disbanded soldiers and ordiary citizens started guerilla operations to liberate the island. The encampment nestles in a deep ravine hidden from the enemy. When opposition headquarters were transferred to Carmen, the encampment was used to hold enemy prisoners.

DAGOHOY MARKER
Danao -- 92 km from Tagbilaran City
The Dagohoy historical marker in Magtangtang, Danao town was installed by the Philippine Historical Comission tko honor the heroic deeds of Francisco Dagohoy who led the longest revolt in the country against the Spaniards which lasted for 84 years. Magtangtang was Dagohoy's headquarters or hideout during the revolt. Hundreds of Dagohoy's followers preferred death inside the cave than surrender. Their skeletons still remain.

PUNTA CRUZ
Maribijoc -- 14 km from Tagbilaran City
The is an ancient stone watchtower built by the townspeople as a lookout for incoming pirates. On a rock lip that juts out into the sea fronting the tower stands a wooden cross. Legend has it that by extending a mysterious spell over the sea, the cross has saved many people from the ravages of pirates and marauders. The tower holds a commanding view of the sea facing Cebu, Siquijor and Mindanao and has been officially designated as a historical tourist spot. The area surrounding the tower has been developed into a park.

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