When one mentions Bohol, the first and second thing that comes to mind are Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers, the latter is considered an endangered species. In Bohol, a continually dwindling number of Philippine Tarsiers can be found. It is also found in a few places like Leyte, Samar and some parts of Mindanao.
The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is located in Baclayon, a fifth-class municipality in Bohol. Many people now refer to it as Baclayon Church, and it is considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The church has a rich history spanning centuries, standing as a quiet witness to the eventual emancipation of the Philippines from the Spanish colonizers who built the church sometime around 1727, following the settlement of a Spanish Jesuit mission in Baclayon around 1595.
"Shortly after their arrival, a visita was erected on the spot. Although Baclayon was the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries, fear of Moro marauders soon forced them to move their headquarters more inland, to Loboc. Only in 1717, Baclayon became a parish, and construction of a new church commenced. Some 200 native forced laborers constructed the church from coral stones, which they took from the sea, cut into square blocks, and piled onto each other. They used bamboo to move and lift the stones into position, and used the white of a million eggs as mortar to cement them together. The current building was completed in 1727. The church obtained a large bell in 1835. In the Baclayon church is a dungeon, which was used to punish natives who violated the rules of the Roman Catholic Church."
Present day, the church itself stands as one of the must-see landmarks in Bohol. Beside it is a museum that houses hundreds of years old artifacts, antiquities, relics, and other religious mementos. It is often said that "You've never been to Baclayon until you see the museum." The museum itself was among the earliest parish church museums established in the country and paved the way for other old and historical parishes all over the Philippines to erect their own archives.
After arriving at Tagbilaran port, I rode a rented van driven by a local guide. Baclayon Church was our second stop for the day, right after visiting the nearby Blood Compact Monument. I happened to arrive on a Sunday while a mass was actively being held, which meant the parish museum was closed for the day.
Not an avid churchgoer myself, I stood quietly at the back for a few minutes just watching the parishioners listen to the priest. At the same time, I couldn't help but admire the magnificent ceiling with its highly detailed murals, the array of religious statues, and the elevated stone platform known as the *pulpit* or *pulpito*.
Pulpit / Pulpito: A raised and enclosed platform in a church where the minister or preacher stands to conduct the sermon, designed historically to maximize acoustic projection.
The next day, I asked a tricycle driver to take me back to Baclayon Church one last time before heading to the Tagbilaran port for my ferry back to Cebu. On this visit, I found the church administering a massive community wedding to at least two dozen couples. Outside, the townspeople were busy preparing for the annual town fiesta, which occurs every December 8th to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
I took some photographs of the church exterior, the rough coral stones, the interior with its wonderful high arched ceilings, the weathered facade with its old stone inscriptions, and the majestic altar beaming with hypnotic lights reflecting from the statues of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other Roman Catholic saints.
Around the Philippines, towns, cities, and even whole provinces pride themselves on being the location of a historic church or a religious place of worship that defines and guides their inhabitants' way of life. Whether it is the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu, the Baclaran Church in Pasay, or the iconic Quiapo Church in Manila, it is unbelievable how a place of worship can withstand the test of time through hundreds of years, continually drawing people together to center their spiritual quests across generations.
I am not a deeply religious person nor a devoted Roman Catholic; sometimes I try to live as if I stand separate from any structured religion. However, seeing the faithful who congregate in various places of worship—regardless of whether it is a church, a temple, or a mosque—makes me realize that differences in dogma do not ultimately matter.
What truly matters is the universal human quest for spirituality through faith and devotion. It is about an internal leaning toward achieving peace of mind and enrichment of the soul. That, I think, is the most important takeaway.
I originally visited Baclayon Church with the simple thought that it was a historic building, but I left the place knowing and understanding far more than just standard textbook history.
It is not entirely far-fetched that I might find myself wandering into a confessional booth sometime soon.
The fort is triangular in shape, according to a 1739 report that was addressed to then Spanish King Philip II and was made of mortar and stones. The three bastions were called Ignacio de Loyola, San Miguel and Concepcion.
During our second day of island hopping in Coron, we sailed to Malcapuya Island located about an hour and a half away from the main town. We arrived there at around 10:00 AM giving us more than enough time to explore the island. My favorite part, aside from the long stretch of shoreline covered with fine white sands, was the viewing deck perched atop a 50-foot hill, wherein you’ll see the surrounding view of the island.
Kayangan Lake situated in Coron Island north of Palawan is said to be among the cleanest lakes in Asia. Surrounded by rocky mountains and lush green trees, it paints an image one used to seeing only in postcards and movies. If you're expecting the best the great outdoors can offer, then you cannot be more correct to get it here. Climbing the hiking trails leading to Kayangan lake already gift you with a jaw-dropping view of the Calamianes archipelago.
We spent 2 days island hopping in Coron, Palawan around the Calamian group of islands. This included a trip to paradise-like Kayangan Lake and went snorkeling in coral laden areas like Siete Picados — an area surrounded by 7 small rocky islands — and around it are some of the best snorkeling sites in the world where. The vibrant corals and fishes of different colors are clearly visible through the crystal clear waters.
Another place one should visit while in Coron, Palawan is the Maquinit Hot Springs. It is located in the hillside part of Coron, about 25 minutes from the town center. Visitors will be enchanted by circling pools filled with steaming water oozing from the bottom of the nearby mountain. It is said to come from an underground volcano thus explaining why the water’s temperature ranges from 38-40 degree Celsius.
