April 13, 2006
It was our family's virgin outing to Bohol which we only knew then for its world-famous Chocolate Hills. But now, no longer.
To us, Bohol is where you find panoramic beaches, gentle tarsiers, awesome centuries-old churches and magnificent mahogany-lined paths.
Spent Holy Week in Panglao and it sure was a breather from the crowded beaches of Boracay as we enjoyed the white sands and blue surf all to ourselves. While Bohol Beach Club where we stayed didn't have a view of the famous Boracay sunset, it offered breath-taking sunrises -- picture a sunset in reverse, going from dark to bright.
And at 5pm, you could see the moon rising and a few hours later, you can still see the waves rushing to the shore under a bright moonlit sky.
And the stars -- you don't have to look up to see them although you'll be under a blanket of them on a clear night. They're right beneath your feet...as the beach is filled with starfish of all colors, kinds and sizes.
It definitely is BEACH HEAVEN.
BUT there's more to Bohol than chocolatte hills and sandy beaches.
Baclayon is home to the 2nd oldest church in the country. And equally majestic Loboc Church is our own Sistine Chapel. 
The town is also where a cruise can get you an all-you-can-eat lunch as you're treated to a guitar man singing anything from Bossa Nova to Barry Manilow songs to Sting to Pobreng Alindahaw and more...all while local kids swing from trees and jump into the river.
Then on the way to the Chocolate Hills, you go thru the tree-lined roads where mahogany trees stand tall 60 years after they were planted during the time of Pres. Magsaysay. 
There's more to Bohol than all these as we discovered in a little over 3 days. There's life's little ironies. Cuz in Panglao (which in Tagalog, is synonymous to sadness) I found JOY.
And in its fabulous waters lying on the sand on Holy Thursday, I found FAITH. 
(pic taken w/my phone-cam of an ice cream wrapper -- ice cream name was "Faith")
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