Bangon Bohol

I never knew life could be this fun after I survived the first sem in law school. Sem break made me a bummer for a week or two thinking about nothing but how to enjoy those limited stress-free days. While I ponder on how hubby and I will have a smashing Bohol trip, that's when 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Northern part of Bohol. It happened exactly on my sister's 27th birthday which was also on the feast of St. Therese. The sad news broke my heart. News on TV flashed reports about the situation of the Boholanos from Maribojoc, Loon, and Tubigon. There were those trapped inside the rubble of their houses. Drama floods the news. All the old stone churches built during the early years of Spanish occupation in the Philippines were not spared. Some crashed and turned into rubble like the Loon Church, while other churches were partially damaged but with no assurance of being restored. A part of the hill of the Chocolate Hills also eroded badly. It terrified me and Tope. And yet we pushed through with our trip barely a month after the earthquake.

Bohol remained a great tourist destination after suffering from the unfortunate force majeure. Arriving in Tagbilaran City made me feel like Tope and I never really left home. The streets remain noisy and busy doing their business. I looked for any building that crashed and found none in their poblacion. Our driver, Jonathan, is a friendly driver-tour guide. He shared stories about their experience during the earthquake, and was thankful that Tagbiliran, as well as the other areas in Bohol weren't badly hit. The news only made it appear worse. After buying some stuff at their newly opened Island Mall, bi & I headed to our resort situated in Panglao Island beside the famous Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa (PINRS). With nothing much to do for the rest of the afternoon, Bi and I decided to drop by in PINRS to play ping pong, billiards, swim, and eat dinner. Their beach boasts of crystal clear aquamarine waters crashing softly in their powdery white sand. I tried to get a handful of the sand but it was so fine that it easily trickled in between my fingers. The price to enter PINRS was pretty expensive but the experience is worth the money spent. Tired yet full from our day's adventure and scrumptious seafood dinner, we decided to retire early. We had to walk by the beach again to reach our quaint resort. It was pitch black, quiet, and a little creepy. After we passed by the unlit light house, that's when we realized we got lost. We were then forced to return to the boats until the resort's cook came to fetch us. Btw, Panglao beach faces the mysterious island of Siquijor. I definitely wouldn't want to be in a creepy situation like that again.

The day that followed was amazing. It was our country side tour. I definitely had fun.