B O H O L
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sarong around my waist
to cover my legs before
venturing inside.
This time, instead
of being greeted by
tapis-wielding church
association ladies, we’re
shown to a wooden
bench lined with hard
hats. No wraps over bare
legs required. Inside, we
find scaffolds and entire
cordoned-off areas where
repairs are ongoing,
but we are allowed to
explore. Still, it’s a little
bit surreal to be standing
here all decked out like a
construction worker.
We come across more
effects of the quake at the
Loboc River, where lunch
cruises aboard floating
restaurants, complete
with live music, have long
formed a key part of the
Bohol travel experience.
Four years ago, the place
was teeming with tourists.
Now our footsteps echo
in the emptiness. Andrea
tells us that before the
quake, the cruises would
serve 2,000 people on a
good day, 500 on a slow
one. Now it’s a stretch to
attract just 400 visitors,
even on weekends.
Before we embark, I
pass by the souvenir shops.
Aside from the adorable
stuffed tarsiers, I notice
brightly colored shirts on
display with the words:
“Bangon Bohol” in a bold,
proud font. The message
rings loud and clear: “Rise
up, Bohol”. It’s a battle cry
that the Boholanos have
embraced; everywhere we
turn, we’re greeted with
warm smiles and a can-do
spirit that can’t be broken.
We take a river cruise
upstream and enjoy a
relaxed lunch while a local
croons the Carpenters’
greatest hits. Our vessel
stops at a little nipa hut
where townsfolk dressed
Clockwise: With local
fishermen in Pamilacan Island;
an old house in Panglao;
horseback riding at Tarsier
Botanika; at a souvenir shop;
fresh seafood cooked to order
at Pamilacan
“Bangon Bohol”... Rise, up Bohol...
it’s a battle cry the Boholanos
have embraced
PHOTOS
PAOLO PINEDA; LESTER LEDESMA; JOREM CATILO; TATA MAPA
ON MODEL
(TOP) MINI-DRESS BY SE LA VI;
SHORTS BY REGATTA; (BOTTOM LEFT) PRINTED DRESS BY SE LA VI; TOTE BAG BY NOTHING BUT H20
