Fats, Vitamins and Minerals

I returned to Bohol a few days ago to take photographs for Sandy’s book. It has been 9 years since I was last there, in Baclayon particularly, for a research. I told Trevor that he would love it there, and he really fell in love with the place.

Why did I take so long to return to what many call “Paradise”?

Well, as the old cliche goes, “if you love someone, set them free.”

In other words, I knew that I would be going back to Bohol without my even trying. Trevor and I might even settle there. To complete the cliche, “if they come back again, it was meant to be.”

Bohol is very different now. Tagbilaran now has a big shopping mall called Island City Mall. Rows and rows of single to two-storey concrete houses and small beach-front resorts now line the road to Baclayon from Tagbilaran City. There are now small public buildings and cultivated park areas across the road in front of Baclayon church. The market near the church now has a brightly colored concrete facade, occupied by small private offices (mostly tourist offices) complete with air conditioning, and the eateries at the back of the market now have new walls and Coca-cola sponsored signages.

I remember there was only one telephone in Baclayon 9 years ago, and whenever I had to call Manila (and especially my cousin Grace who always wanted to call her friends in Manila), I needed to go to that small place at the market. Now there are mobile phones, aircon offices with telephones and fax machines.

After taking the photos for my friend’s book, Trevor and I went through the usual tourist paths just to see what it was all like.

So we went to see the Hinagdanan cave.

Then the Blood Compact Site in Tagbilaran. There’s Edward, me, Datu Sikatuna and the invading Spaniards.

Then we had the Loboc River Cruise with lunch. Below is the amazing Loboc barangay band!

Then a visit to the Tarsier Sanctuary. Below is one of 3 tarsiers, obviously irritated by all the attention and, as Trevor described, a guide who keeps shouting at it and waking it up to say “it’s nocturnal, you know!”

And to see the famous Chocolate Hills, of course. Below is Trevor’s photo of me, with one hill visible at the back.

The place now has a new hotel, Chocolate Hills Hotel, about a year old - still quite cheap (i.e. 400/night for fan room good for two people) unlike Panglao island which has incredibly high prices and yet, according to what we were told, local workers are paid below minimum city wages …

Anyway, below are some moths Trevor and I saw on the glass doors of the hotel.

Earlier, we had dinner at the Bohol Bee Farm with Sandy and Guy. Here is Edward looking at my spareribs dinner and the salad of colorful flowers. Trevor thought Bee farm resort was a bit over-the-top, though, unlike Dao Diamond.

On the way back to our hotel (Dao Diamond Bed and Breakfast), we passed by the Python Sanctuary. The python was amazing but what was even more amazing was the woman (actually a very nicely dressed gay) who could speak 25 languages. He asked each guest which country they come from and talked about the python and the sanctuary in the language of that country. I was absolutely amazed by him!

At the Python Sanctuary, I took photos of the lovely birds kept there.

But the most beautiful part of our stay in Bohol was the chance to go fishing for dilis (anchovies) with Guy, Dadong and Evelyn. Not a tourist thing but more an authentic experience of the place thanks to Sandy’s friend Evelyn. It was truly a privilege to have met Evelyn’s family and to be invited to go fishing.

We started at around 6PM. Below are Dadong and Guy, both looking for a good spot to cast the net, and then lighting the petromax lamps to provide light for the boat and to attract the dilis.

When they found the right spot, the motor was stopped, they cast the net and we just waited for 2 hours. It started to get dark and it was really beautiful.

When I stayed in Baclayon church in 1999, I could see these boats through the window, the beautiful lights dotting the sea. It was such a thrill to think that now I am in one of such boats!

According to Guy and Dadong, our catch wasn’t bad at all. It could be better as it is a god season for dilis, but we did quite well (some 4 large buckets of dilis). Below is a photo of the net with dilis caught in it.

Then afterwards, we got back to shore and saw Evelyn’s mom helping out in selling dilis right there along the baywalk. Fresh dilis!

The next day, we would get back to work again - this time to take photos of the famous Loboc Children’s Choir! It would turn out to be again another wonderful experience - will write about that later!

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