Baclayon Church : Bohol Tour, Day 1

Photos: Kathang-isip Travelogue

By: Kathang-isip Travelogue Blog (24 September 2009)

Our second destination for the day is the second oldest church in the Philippines, and oldest church in Bohol: Baclayon church.

How to go there
Jeff and I took a rent-a-van to tour Bohol’s tourist spots.

What to see
According to Kuya Lito (Our tour guide/driver) Baclayon was supposedly the oldest church in the Philippines but San Agustin won that title after some historians disagreed with that claim. The claim is, the first Spanish settlers in the country was in Bohol therefore the first church was probably in Bohol, but I dont know, they’re both old that’s the only thing real at the moment, hehe.

From outside, Baclayon church isn’t all that impressive, it looks pretty boring actually, until you get to see the interiors of the church.

With just the sunlight lighting the interiors of Baclayon during the day, the church emits beautiful colors of red, yellow and blue with the help of the church’s stained glass windows. The main altar is enhanced with a warm color of yellow to emphasize it from the background.

Read more @ Kathang-isip Travelogue

Tourism Activity Centre

Photos and text: BEZO Initiatives

If you are a first time tourist in Baclayon, head on to the town's beautiful tourism activity centre.

The tourism centre is Baclayon's one-stop shop for tourists wanting to explore the town's cultural, man-made and natural sites. It also houses an office of Bezo Recreational and Aquatic Activities in Bohol (BRAABO) for its secretariat who provides technical assistance to the local government of Baclayon.

The tourism centre building's design adheres to Bol-anon architectural principles with its steep, sloping rooflines and intricate ventanillas (air vents) above doors and windows. Local Bol-anon craftsmen constructed and developed the tourism centre's decor, furniture and floor tiles.

The centre was inaugurated in May 2009. It is located behind the municipal hall near to Baluarte (lighthouse).

For more information read on the news article in BEZO Initiatives. Alternatively, this is how it is reported in the Bohol Chronicle.

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort

Photos: Bohol Coconut Palms Resort

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort is located in barangay Laya, Baclayon.

If I am not mistaken this hotel resort is located just beside the national highway. I seem to recall passing by it a few times during our family’s last visit to our native Bohol in 2007. My wife is also a Bol-anon – a native of the northeastern town of Alicia.

I have not been inside the resort so I cannot offer a personal review. Based on the photos from their website, Bohol Coconut Palms Resort seems to be a good place to go to.

Bohol Coconut Palms Resort is the second hotel resort located in barangay Laya. The other one is Peacock Garden Resort & Spa. Just like the latter, the former is a 15-minute ride from Tagbilaran city centre. It also offers van transfers from the airport or seaport.

For more information on Bohol Coconut Palms visit their website at http://www.boholcoconutpalmsresort.info/

Peacock Garden Luxury Resort & Spa

Text and photos: Peacock Garden

Peacock Garden Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel resort located in Upper Laya, Baclayon.

On its website, the welcome message pretty much describes Peacock Garden in a nutshell:

Welcome

A different world awaits at

The Peacock Garden

Resort & Spa

Nestled on a hilltop with a breathtaking view of the sea below, the resort offers only the finest from East and West.

European art and interiors meets Filipino warmth and hospitality.

Special events and gourmet dining options complete an unforgettable luxury experience.

Peacock Garden is conveniently located as it is only a 15-minute ride from Tagbilaran city centre. It also offers round trip car transfers from the airport or seaport.

I have not been to hotel resort myself so I cannot offer you my personal review of it. However, you can read from previous guests at the TripAdvisor website.

If you want to see the hotel resort personally Peacock Garden opens to the public on 9 February.

For more information on Peacock Garden visit their website at http://thepeacockgarden.com/.