Planning to visit Bohol or recreate memories while you were there? May this post featuring our adventures in touring Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol help you. The following enumerates the tourist attractions we have been to during our second and third day of visits in the province. If you’re interested to know about our itinerary on the first day, click here and hopefully you’ll enjoy reading as well. π
Our 3D2N Bohol Itinerary (Continuation)
Day 2
We woke up at 6AM, still tired from the previous day’s lineup of activities but in a good mood. We were ready to conquer the day with healthy outlook starting from the complimentary meal served for breakfast. In the hotel’s restaurant, we had plates of grilled pancakes with maple syrup and butter, bangus, sausages, bacon, eggs, rice, toasted bread, mangoes, bananas, coffee and hot chocolate.
Two hours later, our tour guide fetched us from Bohol Plaza Resort and our adventure took off with seeing the smallest man in the Philippines. We dropped by the house of Bayoyoy the Dwarfman, a very small old man with very young looks, in Dauis, Panglao. We saw pictures of him and Korina Sanchez posted around his house as his story was featured before in Rated K in ABS-CBN years ago.
Now at 66 years old, Bayoyoy has been suffering from dwarfism since birth. He is blind and mute. He also has limited range of motion; he can’t walk, fold or stretch his arms and legs because he has no joints. He eats only baby food (soft food) and does not allow touching; else he’ll be disturbed and will act like mad. He habitually moves his head right and left as this is his only exercise. We begged the question, what caused him to carry dwarfism?
The reason his relatives/care-takers gave was that his parents were third cousins. There may be a problem in blood compatibility thus producing six out of the 15 children that had the same genetic disorder. All others had already passed away; the eldest died at 48 years old in 1988.
I didn’t see the purpose of their relatives opening their house to tourists except for wanting donations or telling the moral that thou should not be married and/or should not make a child with third cousins.
Because of this new learning, I became more curious and I found that there’s no cure or treatment to this disease. Administering of any medication would not do any help and the real cause is unknown. Tsk tsk. How unfortunate. I pity Bayoyoy and his other siblings for having average-size parents who didn’t stop producing children when they already know they can cause much suffering to the lives of their offspring with the genetic condition. So much for being a “perfect couple.”
Looking forward for the βmiraculous wellβ that’s said to cure/heal the sick and also make dreams or prayers come true, we headed to Our Lady of Assumption Church.
The well is located near the altar of the church, and bottles of water from this well were found at a small kiosk at the back of the church.
I wondered, why not give some of these bottles to Bayoyoy the Dwarfman regularly so miracles can maybe happen with the whole world standing as witness? π Anyway, they might think it’s not possible and so do I.
Not so far from the church was Hinagdanan Cave in Bingag, Dauis, Panglao, Bohol. Overall, the entire cave was majestic. It has mystical formations of stalagmites and stalactites, a lagoon where tourists can swim, and nests of swallows on the ceiling. When you intend to go to Hinagdanan Cave, make sure to bring a camera with flash and flashlight and arrange a visit there at daytime because darkness envelops inside and you can’t get proper lighting when you take photos.
Our fourth destination was the Nova Shell Museum where we met Mr. Quirino Hora, a renowned sea explorer for over 30 years. We saw displays of unusual types of shells in varying sizes as part of his collection. At present, this shell museum showcases one of the biggest shell collections in the world. Because I’m no enthusiast or collector of any kind, I’m not particularly interested in shells. My key takeaway was this wonderful trivia Mr. Hora shared: “Pearls are freak shells.” Pearls are formed as by-products of an adaptive immune system-like function of certain mollusks and natural pearls (round ones without human intervention) are rare.
The Shell Museum is a must-visit indeed if you’re curious of the beautiful sea life. You can also find teeth of sharks preserved by injecting formaldehyde.
The last stop that was part of the packaged tour was Bohol Bee Farm. There we learned about the smell, taste, uses and benefits of their different “homegrown” organic herbs and spices such as oregano, dill, peppermint, lemongrass, etc.
We also had our first-hand experience on weaving raffia and buri as each of us took turns to maneuver their machine set up to create fabric that’s certainly what Bohol is proud of. Aside from curtains and place mats, the end-products shown to us consisted in baskets, wine holder, wall organizer, table runner, bags, slippers, tissue holders, table napkin holder and wall decorations.
Stepping into the highlight of the Bohol Bee Farm (the bees, what else?), we listened intently to the safety instructions of our guide and introduction to bees. The guide elaborately explained about the life and nature of honeybees including their job and duties of bees (depending on the sex) and answered our burning questions about bees. It was a good interaction we had and a fun learning outside of the classroom. π
He added that it would be better for visitors not to wear floral or citrus scents of perfumes or colognes when getting close to the bees because the smell would only provoke the bees to think that they are flowers and hence start buzzing around their bodies. When visitors attack a bee, other bees would join forces to put the person down. Very dangerous! So once he took out a frame of honeybees from the box where they are being cultured, we were hesitant to go near him even when we already were wearing netted mesh straw hats to protect our heads and face from being bitten accidentally by bees.
Bohol Bee Farm houses a resort where guests can stay in and a restaurant apart from a shop selling souvenir items and organic food and drinks made from ingredients harvested from the farm. We dined in their restaurant and were left deeply sated with the freshness and harmony of flavors of the food.
It was hard to order because everything on the menu seemed to be a delight. At last, we agreed on: Cabcab (cassava paste dried and made into taco-like crackers) with pesto and green tomato dips (PHp 190), Organic Garden Salad with Honey Mustard dressing (PHp 190) , Buko Pasta (spaghetti pasta with herbs and tomato sauce mixed with fresh buko) and Vegetarian Pizza (homemade tomato sauce topped with organic veggies). Complimentary appetizer given was Camote Bread with Honey, Mango and Pesto spreads. The bread had a steamy middle, utilitarian in the tastiest way possible. For the beverage, instead of choosing to drink only water, this time I had one of Bee Farm’s specialties: Bee Fi (Camote, Mango and Pineapple drink).
All were delicious and were of superb quality! With the strange contrast of flavors, I felt like my mouth was tad confused. Each had a distinct taste that fared differently from other food from restaurants we’re used to. I loved the feeling because it meant that I had sampled another totally new combo that my taste buds welcomed and I wish they can’t forget. π
As a side note, service was attentive and prompt, something one should never take for granted.
After lunch, we went to Bohol’s city proper and checked out BQ (Bohol Quality) Superstore. Although it’s far from SM malls and Ayala malls, this four-storey mall’s grocery store, department store and few independent stalls are enough to cater to the locals’ shopping needs. BQ Superstore also has a food court with limited stalls at the top floor. Cost of a movie ticket sold in cinemas is only PHp 100! Whoa! π― That is relatively super cheap as compared to the price here in Manila that starts from PHp 180 for regular 2D films.
To continue our mall visits, we rode a tricycle to Marcela Discount Store.Β Why is it called a discount store when prices are not that discounted or lower than expected? Something is wrong with the brand name because it confuses people. :S Mom walked to the market opposite Marcela “Discount Store”: Cogon Public Market. Here, prices of vegetables and fruits are way more expensive than those in Divisoria. The tour guide said that this is because the produce are transported from Cebu.
For dinner, we bought food from STK (Sugba Tula Kilaw) Foodhaus and Chicken Ati-Atihan (Sinugba at Abdul) near the market. We took the food to our hotel room where we had a modern and fancy form of picnic. π
Day 3
We had this assumption that we’d be staying in a hotel where there’s a swimming pool. But because we had another layer of assumptionβthat our schedules would be too packed, we won’t have time to swim anymore. (Also, we can always just swim at home.) With this reason, we did not bring any swimsuit, goggles and extra towels. And this we regretted.
Bohol Plaza Resort’s swimming pool and jacuzzi were too much to miss out. We could not pass the chance to soak ourselves in the water, so we ended up buying swimming attire and goggles. Wahaha. When sunshine has broken on Day 3, we went for another set of complimentary breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, rested shortly and then swam on the pool!
After bathing, we took pictures of the entire resort then proceeded to the dining table once again for lunch. At 1PM, we were sent by the hotel’s van service to Tagbilaran City Airport and waited till departure time.
β Bohol β Wrap Up of Day 2 and Day 3
Here are the places we’ve been on those two days:
- House of Bayoyoy the Dwarfman
- Our Lady of Assumption Church
- Hinagdanan Cave
- Nova Shell Museum
- Bohol Bee Farm
- BQ (Bohol Quality) Mall
- Marcela Discount Store
- Cogon Public Market
- Bohol Plaza Resort
- Tagbilaran City Airport
As mentioned in a comment to a fellow blogger, expenses / budget per person was PHp 6,500. This included roundtrip airfare (Manila – Bohol), transfer service, van rental and driver’s fee, entrance fee to all sites, hotel accommodation, breakfast in the hotel and lunch in the river cruise (on Day 1). Price for value was decent.
Although we’re not funded by super-affluence, we take the time to breathe and embrace life by doing what we love, and one of them is traveling. Working in the office, staying at home, and watching others live their lives should not be the end-all and be-all of our life’s itinerary. The world is an enormous place where we can learn lots of stuff. We can start discovering customs, food, history, people and landscapes within our own country. There’s a copious amount of contrast in all aspects, and let’s realize: Oh, what a charming place we have. π
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Wow! you surely covered the most visited places in Bohol in short given time. Sutukil or STK is food not to miss in Cebu/Bohol, and now we’re craving for it.
We had the grilled tuna panga from STK Food Haus and it was delicious with sauce. Oh, it has a branch in Cebu? Cool. π
Great travel adventure you got in here..
Yeah, after a hard day’s work, I believe I deserve to have a nice rest such as traveling to a great place and experience smooth-sailing adventures like these. π
Seems like you had so much fun during your 2nd and 3rd day in Bohol! And wow, I love the garnishing of that green salad! =)
Hi Kim! Yes, we had so much fun actually on all the days we were in Bohol.
Garnishing sprinkled on the organic salad was composed of real flower petals. Trivia mentioned by our tour guide in Bohol Bee Farm: Flowers like rose, sunflower and gumamela from where bees pollinate and take honey are edible. π I can’t remember the names of other flowers, but they tasted a little bland to me, almost like nothing. It’s just a kind of different feeling when you know you’re eating flowers. π
Haha, yeah, I’d be puking my brains out had I known I was eating raw flowers! Hahaha =)
Whaha puking? Grabe naman. π Hey, some flowers even have medicinal values and they have real health benefits. They have also been used as potent remedies for thousands of years, containing medical secrets for everything from broken bones to heart failure.
Oh Bohol. So near yet so far. Panglao is one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit. I just never have the time. But one of these days I’ll get there. π
There’s so much tourist attractions in Panglao Island. Better research about the plan now and get more excited for later. π To get started, you may want to read on the tourism information published by the local government of the province here.
the place looks amazing! totally wanted to visit bohol someday! those bees and foods looks so cool and yummy for me!!
Hi Jane! π Maybe you’d want to book a flight to the Philippines and visit its awesome provinces next time when you come back.
I didn’t know Bohol has got this place until I read your post. Now that make Bohol into my list for future trips. Just like in Cebu, they also got the STK huh! Seafood galore for sure!
You’re not called “the urban walker” for nothing. π I will await for your post on your future trip here. I’m sure I’d be able to get juicy ideas about other exotic findings.
I wasn’t able to visit the cave and the bee farm because I spent most of my time in the beach in Panglao.
Aw, maybe sometime in the future I will return to Bohol and visit its white-sand beaches. People there say that they are just like the beach in Boracay. Clean. Pristine. Quiet.
Yes, the wind sands in Panglao are as fine as the ones in Boracay. They also have several islands with a very wide sand bar.
Hehe I believe that. Some people are even calling Bohol as the “NEW BORACAY” with its fine beach sands and clear waters.
I remember seeing a small sari-sari store in Bayoyoy’s house when I went there about 2 years ago. I assumed that the income would never be enough to support the family and Bayoyoy, thus prompted opening the house for viewing and donations.
I wasn’t able to go to Nova Shell Museum and did not know about it until now. Well, that would be one of my reasons to go back to Bohol. Panglao has been and will always be one of my top 3 destinations in the Philippines and I want to go back there in the near future.
More than Boracay, Palawan and other hotter spots? Whoa, then Bohol must be really something! I haven’t quite realized that after going to this place. People are warm and friendly, and they are also hospitable and helpful. That’s one other reason you can add to your list. π
Panglao is such a glamorous place filled with food and luxury which can be matched with the beautiful natural sceneries particularly the blue sea.
We noted that entrance fees to tourist destinations are cheap (less than PHp 100 per head, mostly). Probably this can be a booming destination for more people who have not been introduced to the beauty of Bohol.
You have a wholesome activities for two days in Bohol. So far, you have visited 10 places in a matter of two days travel. It is a great place hopping.
Combining Days 1 and 2, there’s a total of about 18 unique places we visited and so the price we paid was worth it. π
I can see how you enjoyed that trip. When we went to Bohol, I will never forget every places we’ve been and all the foods we had. One of my favorite trips, I think.
The wet season is already in and we’re fortunate that our trip was not ruined by the rains. In fact, it didn’t rain at all when we were there. Else we couldn’t get to enjoy these places as much.
Bohol plaza looks really cozy for a vacation spot and it shows that you really enjoyed the place.
We weren’t supposed to be staying there originally. Our first options were: Dao Diamond Hotel, Cherrys Home and Muro Ami Beach Resort. However, our local guide told us that these hotels/resorts were fully booked, so we had no choice but to check in at Bohol Plaza Resort. Anyway, the place was really cool and I liked it there. π
wow, bohol really have a lot to offer aside from the chocolate hills and tarsiers… hope to go there someday. ipon na muna ako… hehehe. Yahweh bless.
Don’t but unnecessary expensive stuff and just save more for traveling! Hehe nag-lecture anoh, π That’s me also talking to myself. ^_^
Seems like you had tons of fun! The food looks very yummy, great pics! π
The food were all fresh and yummy, thanks to organic ingredients. When you go there, resist not to order anything meat because the really highly recommended ones are the vegetables. π
It really shows on the pictures that your family had lots of fun together, i hope we can also go out and have time to bond and travel, our schedules dont meet kaya ang hirap mag plan ng ganitong activity. Where do you plan to travel next?
Ohh. Yup sa amin din mahirap mag-plan kasi I don’t have vacation leaves yet kaya kailangan matapat sa legal holidays mga family trips else authorized absence na lang with negative credits haha. Before the end of the year I might visit La Union and Bataan. Next year, I want to go to other countries… where to? Maybe roam around my “second home” – Singapore, go shopping in Bangkok, Thailand, or be lost in Hong Kong Disneyland! π We’ll have to start planning by November.
i have just seen this church featured on the telly the other week, which makes me all the more excited to visit Bohol. i will surely include the other places you mentioned here in our itinerary! π
This is a good lineup of places because they are just near each other. You can ask your tour guide for more suggestions because they would know better for sure. π
I’ve never been in Bohol. Baka target namin to by next year. Naawa naman ako kay Bayoyoy, sana maraming tumulong.
Hi Jade, you have a good heart. I hope more people would be like you.
For good deals, you can search for travel packages posted on Sulit.com.ph or abang abang lang sa mga online deals sites. π
Bohol, my dad’s hometown..but never been there. ha..ha.ha.. But the province has lots to offer its visitors. Another memorable experience sa iyo and your family.
Why never been? Sayang naman haha. Bohol is just near Manila (in fact, only an hour and 10 minutes flight away). If you have the time, you should pay it a visit and it’s also good to know your roots. π
I can still recall about the the life story of Bayoyoy. His already 66 years old now and other siblings did not survive that long. I really pity him and knowing from a distant relatives living in Bohol that “PINAGKWKWARTAHAN LANG DAW SI BAYOYOY NG MGA RELATIVES NIYA”, so sad but I don’t know how true this accusations.
The rumor may not be far from reality. I mean, even if I haven’t heard those petty sayings going around, I would have thought that exactly. It’s a pity that he can’t talk or express himself verbally for us to know if he still wants to continue his struggles and sufferings in this lifetime.
From all of the places that you’ve been to, I’ve only visited Bohol Bee Farm. We actually stayed there last year, and loved everything that the resort offered. Anyhow, at least there’s more for me to explore, should I see myself traveling back to Bohol (especially the chance to meet Bayoyoy the Dwarfman).
The life expectancy for dwarfism is very much like a normal person. Bayoyoy eats healthy food and he’s not exposed to any harm/injuries, living in a well-protected shelter with family members. If you intend to visit him there in the next three or five years, I’m more positive that he’d still be there.
Nice place. I’d love to go there as well.
It’s good to tour around your own country and visit places that are being promoted by the Philippine tourism.
now that’s an itinerary~!! so many places you have been to.. More than the famous Chocolate Hills, I really think that Bohol has more than to offer.. π
When we were there, I thought Bohol is only a small place but then after researching for more spots, I then discovered that we barely made it to even like 20% of the entire province. There’s really more that it can offer. π
Sayang. When I visited Bohol last summer, we were only there for a day tour kaya di ako nakapag-Panglao π But I’ll be back there next summer!
Every summer doon? Haha. You can maybe spend a day in Panglao then visit some other areas nearby. π
Your post reminded me that among my siblings, I’m the only one who hasn’t visited Bohol, haha. Oh my, would really need to visit π
Love the photos! (food especially eehehhe)
Your siblings stay in Bohol? π It’s good to visit places in your home country first before going foreign, although this is not the case for most. I’m guilty of this myself, but now I’ve learned. π
I’ve never been to Bohol, but we’re planning to go there soon. Great photos and your detailed experience would really help people to plan their vacation wisely.
My goal is really to share my experience and educate people to make their own itineraries for an organized trip. Glad to hear that I’m successful at doing so. Thanks, Jo-anne. π
Never been to this wow place yet.. I want to experience that bees encounter. . .
The bees encounter was great. It was informative and entertaining at the same time. π
Bohol is on my list of places to visit, will finally get to that beautiful island next year summer π
Aw. By next summer I think the tourist attractions there would still not be fully renovated and restored. But you will still see a lot of great finds.
Aside from this nice place and good food I much like about your visit for Bayoyoy which I saw few years ago on TV and I also like the Bee Farm – I wish I can visit there because I have been searching for Pure Honey Bee and if I will be here then for sure I will be getting the only real and genuine honey bee.
Yeah, it’s hard to find authentic honey nowadays when you’re in Manila.