Bohol

Panglao Island is a wondrous island found in the north Bohol sea that is situated in the Central Visayas area. Basking in the radiant sun is one of the things this island is best known for. In the nighttime, the island transforms into a party place central where Filipinos and foreigners alike mingle.Though its name “panglao” means “sadness” or “low spirits” in Filipino, it is anything but a sad island. However, it did get its name for this reason. According to history, Panglao Island was the destination of Spaniards who encountered an unfavorable experience in Cebu. Upon arriving at the island in 1803, they found it to be lonesome. Thus, it was named Panglao after “mapanglao” which means a “lonesome area”.Being one of the oldest towns of Bohol, Panglao Island continues to shine in its own light as a tourist favorite. This is due to its white sand, calming blue waters, and world-renowned diving spots. It also has a serene ambiance to boot!Nowadays, the previously sleepy island does not even have to try to pull in visitors. It has a charm of its own, making some people even stay for good. Its local government continues to develop and preserve the island’s beauty by allowing nothing to harm its natural resources.

If you're visiting Bohol, you definitely should not pass up the chance to visit the Loboc River. This clean river is amongst the unfinished Loboc Bridge and the Church of San Pedro or Loboc Church, the second oldest church next to Baclayon. The Loboc Church was originally constructed in 1602 but renovated 35 years later, which resulted in it having two sides: one a Baroque facade (from the Jesuits) and the other a neoclassical porch (by the Recollects).Loboc River, sometimes called the Loay River, is one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines. It has seemingly green waters, but some locals stated that its color is from the reflection of leaves, and it has originally brown waters.

Known for its uniquely shaped group of hills, Chocolate Hills offers an extraordinary landscape on the island of Bohol. Because of this, it has earned a spot as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Chocolate Hills have estimated thousands of hills spread across the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan, and Batuan. It covers roughly an area of 50 square kilometers, with each hill varying in size—from 100 up to 395 feet tall.Aside from its Hershey’s Kisses-like symmetry, the name “Chocolate Hills” roots from its changing color depending on the season. During the rainy season, the hills offer a majestic green color from their grass. But during the dry season, they uniformly turn into a brown color mimicking that of chocolate.

Whenever you’re visiting Panglao, it’s a must to first spend your first days on its pristine beaches. They cater to a long list of must-see beaches, from Virgin Island to Alona Beach, which definitely are picturesque places that will perfectly fit your Instagram profile. Other than the satisfaction it gives to the eye, it also provides a soothing feeling to the soul.However, there’s one hidden gem that most people fail to include in their itinerary, and that’s Balicasag Island. What makes it special is that its natural resources are richer than its surrounding island - from the unique marine creatures found in the area to the coral gardens that will make you in awe. Because of these features, this 600-meter in diameter island has been declared a marine sanctuary starting in 1985.