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NATIONAL HEROES DAY REGATTA<br />
PGYC 25th ANNIVERSARY<br />
INDEPENDENCE DAY REGATTA<br />
CONQUERING DAVAO GULF<br />
FORERUNNERS IN WATER SAFETY<br />
THE HISTORY OF FISHING<br />
RESORT OF THE MONTH:<br />
BOHOL BEACH CLUB<br />
TRAVELLING WITH WHALES<br />
Destination<br />
BOHOL<br />
SEPT <strong>2016</strong> Vol. V Issue 3<br />
ACTIVE BOATING & WATERSPORTS<br />
1<br />
PhP120
2<br />
NOW AVAILABLE AT
3
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
Because of<br />
the adverse<br />
weather<br />
conditions<br />
it was only<br />
possible to<br />
complete 1<br />
race each day,<br />
and the second<br />
day was still<br />
continuing<br />
heavy rains all<br />
day, but with<br />
less wind and<br />
more rain some<br />
failed to finish<br />
through lack of<br />
wind.<br />
National He<br />
Bad weather is no deterrent to the adventurous<br />
sailors in Subic Bay where 7 yachts competed<br />
in the National Heroes Regatta over the Saturday<br />
and Sunday in August. Wild storms and heavy rain<br />
for most of the weekend did not dampen the<br />
enthusiasm of all involved, albeit to say the clothes<br />
were more than dampened as sailors returned to<br />
shore after the racing soaked to the skin and full of<br />
smiles. Competing in the event was Red Shift owned<br />
by Hans Woldring, Selma Star owned by Jun Avecilla,<br />
Cocobolo owned by Tan Van Hiender, Bugo-Bugo<br />
Owned by Harold Flaminia, Princess Arietta owned<br />
by Dale Godkin, Centennial II owned by Martin<br />
Tanco and the ever popular Kerida owned by Gary<br />
Kingshott.<br />
It is this type of enthusiasm and comradeship<br />
amongst sailors that is making Subic bay one of the<br />
best sailing venues on the Philippine sailing calendar.<br />
Again hosted by The Lighthouse Marina with Zed<br />
Avecilla, taking control, in the absence of his father,<br />
National H<br />
who is overseas at the moment. Ricky Sandoval<br />
of Watercraft Venture was there to also make sure<br />
everything went smoothly over the two day event.<br />
The first day, when able to see in the heavy rains<br />
went quite well, with heaps of drenched sailors<br />
fighting the adverse conditions which saw Red Shift<br />
take out line honors with a time of 2 hours 13 minutes<br />
and 47 seconds, followed by Centennial II with a<br />
time of 2 hours 17 minutes and 59 seconds, with<br />
Bugo-Bugo taking 3rd spot with a time of 2 hours<br />
23 minutes and 7 seconds.<br />
Because of the adverse weather conditions it was<br />
only possible to complete 1 race each day, and the<br />
second day was still continuing heavy rains all day,<br />
but with less wind and more rain some failed to finish<br />
through lack of wind. But after a well fought race in<br />
these conditions, Centennial II emerged victorious<br />
with a time of 2 hours 46 minutes 40 seconds, while<br />
coming in second was Red Shift with a recorded<br />
time of 3 hours 6 minutes and 24 seconds, with 3rd<br />
4
eroes Day<br />
Regatta<br />
5
6
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7
place going to Selma Star with a time of 3 hours 43<br />
minutes 37 seconds.<br />
The awards were held that evening at the 720 bar<br />
of the Lighthouse Marina after a sumptuous dinner<br />
sponsored by the Lighthouse was enjoyed by all.<br />
Ricky Sandoval thanked all for attending and<br />
supporting Subic Sailing before Zed Avecilla took<br />
over and gave out the awards for the first two days<br />
racing before awarding to the overall winners for the<br />
weekend, who were in 1st place was Centennial II<br />
who was tied at 3 points with Red Shift but won<br />
on the countback, so Red Shift came second overall<br />
with Selma Star with 7 points taking 3rd place. After<br />
the awarding it was party time till the wee small<br />
hours, lots of reminiscing and looking forward to the<br />
next Subic Sailing event, all coming events are listed<br />
on http://subicsailing.com/.<br />
8
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK<br />
Another quarter of the year has flown by, which has seen even more<br />
advancement the watersports activities of the Philippines. Subic bay,<br />
one of the forerunners promoting watersports through Subic Sailing,<br />
has continued to lead the way with events like the Independence Day<br />
and Nation Heroes Day Regattas. While Zambales is still showing the<br />
rest of the Philippines the importance of water safety.<br />
Our resort of the month is the beautiful Bohol Beach Club, this<br />
beautiful resort has so much to offer after just going through an eight<br />
month renovation program to enhance their already spectacular<br />
service and facilities.<br />
We also see the Puerto Galera Yacht Club, home of the All Souls<br />
Regatta, are celebrating their 25th birthday and congratulations go<br />
out to them for a job well done in the contributions made to improve<br />
watersports in the Philippines.<br />
Our Destination this edition is a revisit to Bohol that was featured in<br />
the <strong>Sept</strong>ember 2011 edition, but with the improvements done and<br />
the resilience of the people of Bohol after the devastating earthquake<br />
in October 2013 we felt it very important to revisit them.<br />
WHAT’S INSIDE?<br />
National Heroes Day Regatta 4<br />
Independence Day Regatta 12<br />
25 Years Old and Counting..... 18<br />
PGYC Celebrates its Birthday<br />
The History of Fishing 24<br />
Zambales Forerunners in Water Safety 28<br />
Conquering Davao Gulf 34<br />
Destination -BOHOL 42<br />
Travelling With Whales 66<br />
Sailing Tips: Deck Equipment 72<br />
Cruising Philippine Waters - 74<br />
Negros and Surrounding Areas<br />
With events like the All Souls Regatta and Taal Lake Round the Volcano<br />
regattas we can only look forward to bigger and better things in<br />
December.<br />
Bohol Beach Club, page 40<br />
Chapparal Vortex<br />
Photo courtesy of Rayomarine<br />
The views expressed and advertisements published in Active Boating & Watersports<br />
are those of the authors and advertisers, and not Rodbar Publishing.<br />
Rodbar Publishing does not accept any liability whatsoever for errors or omissions.<br />
9
10
11
Independe<br />
Regatta<br />
12
ence Day<br />
June saw Subic Bay Sailing again in the forefront<br />
with another great sailing event. The Independence<br />
Day Regatta, with a number of yachts competing<br />
in only what could be described as ideal conditions.<br />
Having one race on the Saturday and two races on<br />
the Sunday. After the skippers meeting it was out into<br />
the fray with a start time of 11.30 am for racing class and<br />
11.35am start for the cruising class, and with the<br />
first day of racing, there was plenty of action in the<br />
good winds that prevailed at the start and in the racing<br />
class Martin Tanco showed a clean pair of heals as<br />
he took the lead at the start, but the ever vigilant<br />
Jun Avecilla soon showed how to tack and took the<br />
lead two thirds of the way through the race. Stiff<br />
competition prevailed for the rest of the race which<br />
seen fairly close times achieved. After the days racing<br />
and general clean a freshen up, the next stop was the<br />
720 bar at the Lighthouse Marina to enjoy a few cold<br />
With the goods<br />
winds for the<br />
day all racing<br />
was over by 2pm<br />
allowing crews to<br />
enjoy a few cold<br />
ales then relax<br />
and freshen up<br />
ready for the<br />
awards dinner.<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
13
Me and Dad getting our Hobie cat ready<br />
ales and rums with coke. With first day’s racing over<br />
it was time to party and reminisce of whys and what<br />
fore’s of the day’s events. Which saw Jun Avecilla on<br />
Selma Star take out first place with a recorded time<br />
of 2 hours 8 minutes and 59 seconds? Martin Tanco<br />
and crew snaffled second place for the day’s events<br />
with a recorded time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 53<br />
seconds. Hans Woldring and crew came comfortably<br />
in 3rd place with a time of 2 hours 16 minutes and 48<br />
seconds. While in the cruising class Ricky Sandoval on<br />
Selma recorded a time of 1 hour 49 minutes and 21<br />
seconds firmly securing first place, Dale Godkin and<br />
crew sailed Princess Arieta into second spot with a<br />
recorded time of 2 hours 9 minutes and 32 seconds<br />
just beating Jeff Williams on Tiamat by 91 seconds<br />
with a time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 1 second.<br />
Day two got off to a brisk start at 11.30am for the<br />
racing class and 11.35am for the cruising class, and<br />
with good winds of about 10 knots, and the first<br />
race finished in record of under an hour which then<br />
allowed the second race for the racing class to get<br />
underway at 12.35pm. With the goods winds for the<br />
day all racing was over by 2pm allowing crews to enjoy<br />
a few cold ales then relax and freshen up ready for<br />
the awards dinner again hosted by Lighthouse Marina.<br />
Results of the second day’s racing: In race 2 racing<br />
class was won by Selma Star with Jun Avecilla and<br />
crew recording a race time of 46 minutes and 46<br />
seconds, 2nd went to Martin Tanco and Centennial<br />
II with a time of 48 minutes and 10 seconds, Hans<br />
Woldring on Red Shift recorded a tgird place time of<br />
57 minutes 49 seconds. In the cruising class Ricky<br />
14
15
Sandoval and crew timed in at 2 hours 6 minutes<br />
and 5 seconds to take first spot while Dale Godkin on<br />
Princess Arieta recorded a time of 2 hours 16 minutes<br />
and 46 seconds securing second place. Because of<br />
the adverse heat of the day Tiamat did not start.<br />
The 3rd and final race for the racing class finished<br />
with Martin Tanco on Centennial II take the lead<br />
with a time of 45 minutes and 20 seconds, Selma<br />
Star was up there again securing second spot with a<br />
time of 48 minutes and 56 seconds while Red Shift<br />
had a time of 52 minutes and 33 seconds to come<br />
in 3rd.<br />
A sumptuous dinner was enjoyed by all before<br />
announcing all the winners and the overall winners<br />
for the weekend. In the Racing Class Jun Avecilla<br />
on Selma Star with 4 points took a well-earned first<br />
place just pipping Martin Tanco of Centennial II who<br />
had 5 points and came in second while in 3rd with<br />
9 points was Hans Woldring on Red Shift. The cruising<br />
class overall winners were with a point score of 2<br />
Ricky Sandoval on Selma was first while Dale Godkin<br />
on Princess Arieta with a score of 4 points was second<br />
and Jeff Williams scoring 5 came in 3rd. After the<br />
awards it was party time till the wee small hours<br />
before everyone rested then headed home after<br />
another fantastic weekend of Sailing organized by<br />
Subic Sailing. Keep up to date with the events of<br />
Subic Sailing in the Events Calendar of Active<br />
Boating and Watersports. Or check out Subic Sailing<br />
at www.subicsailing.com.<br />
16
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17
25 25 years old and<br />
Besides local<br />
kids learning<br />
to sail through<br />
the Club,<br />
groups have<br />
come from<br />
Manila, China<br />
and from as<br />
far away as an<br />
international<br />
school in the<br />
Middle East.<br />
Words and<br />
Photographs<br />
by ALAN<br />
SOLLEY<br />
The Puerto Galera Yacht Club has long been a<br />
household name in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines.<br />
The Club, has played host to dozens of successful<br />
international sailing regattas and been a hub of social<br />
life for locals and expats alike for all of its 26 years.<br />
Known for its community involvement through a<br />
long standing junior sailing program, the club has<br />
helped many young sailors plot a course to success<br />
in the local and international racing events.<br />
Juniors from the club have competed in a world<br />
championship in Ireland and events in Australia.<br />
Naming past commodores and committee members<br />
is like a Who’s Who of the Philippines sailing scene<br />
sailing scene with names like Alan Burrell, Russ<br />
Hughs, Peter Stevens and Tony Stephens springing<br />
to mind.<br />
The Club’s now successful junior sailing program began<br />
from the humblest beginning with a discussion at<br />
the bar between Charlie Romig and Russ Hughes<br />
deciding that teaching kids to sail would give the<br />
club a brighter image.<br />
Adding to the fleet, in 2011 the Round Table Club of<br />
Hong Kong donated 10 Optimist dinghy<br />
A second hand dinghy was acquired 2004, a mold<br />
was flopped from it, and the thanks to generous<br />
donations a fleet of the Club’s Lawin sailing<br />
dinghies was the result. The rest is history.<br />
Besides local kids learning to sail through the Club,<br />
groups have come from Manila, China and from as far<br />
away as an international school in the Middle East.<br />
With some 30 moorings for rent club has become<br />
home to visiting cruising yachts many, many of<br />
which have stayed permanently.<br />
The clubhouse was<br />
recently extended to<br />
accommodate a full<br />
size pool table.<br />
Junior sailors<br />
trained by PGYC<br />
have gone on to<br />
international<br />
competition<br />
18
d counting ….. …..<br />
Puerto<br />
Galera<br />
Yacht Club<br />
Celebrates<br />
its birthday<br />
Socially the Club has become renown for its Wednesday<br />
evening curry buffet night and BBQs every Friday.<br />
The Club has also hosted weddings and other functions.<br />
Besides racing the Club has held successful rallies<br />
to such places as Romblon and Marinduque with a<br />
dozen or so boats taking part.<br />
The clubhouse was recently extended to accommodate<br />
a full size pool table, which is a hit with the members<br />
who compete for hours on end.<br />
Commodore Bob Johnson explained that the Club<br />
has can boast having members from more than a<br />
dozen different countries.<br />
“We always welcome new membership applications<br />
and we offer generous discounts moorings, food and<br />
beverage to all members and their partners”.<br />
(Opposite page)<br />
The club celebrates<br />
all manner of sporting<br />
events, here the<br />
girls cheer on their<br />
favorite football<br />
team during a<br />
football Grand Final<br />
game.<br />
Young sailors collect<br />
their medals from<br />
Small Boat Program<br />
stalwart and former<br />
Commodore Peter<br />
Stevens (center)<br />
19
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PERFORMANCE<br />
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20<br />
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21
SO SMART, IT ALMOST DRIVES ITSELF<br />
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T T FFF FFF<br />
E E FT <br />
LENGTH BEAM WEIGHT DRAFT FUEL<br />
TAKE<br />
THE<br />
CHALLENGE<br />
22
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23
Words by<br />
JAMES<br />
WEBSTER<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
The hook was<br />
the first piece<br />
of tackle made<br />
from metal,<br />
with the arrival<br />
of copper and<br />
bronze. It was<br />
attached to<br />
a hand line<br />
fashioned from<br />
animal and<br />
plant material<br />
strong enough<br />
to hold and<br />
land a fish.<br />
The History<br />
The fishing industry and fishing in general<br />
has, since the beginning of time, furnished<br />
humans with an abundant source of wholesome<br />
nourishment. Hunters and gatherers throughout the<br />
ages have recognized the importance of fish to the<br />
hominoid diet.<br />
But, have you ever wondered where it all began.<br />
Who developed fishing rods? What was the first bait<br />
used and who first used lures? It certainly wasn’t in<br />
our lifetime or in the many lifetimes before us.<br />
The proven practice of fishing for food dates back to<br />
prehistoric times, 40,000 years ago and the Neanderthals<br />
were fishing 200,000 BC. The first humans to leave<br />
Africa 60,000 years ago were probably following<br />
schools of fish along the African coast.<br />
Isotope analysis is the identification of isotopic<br />
signature, the distribution of certain stable isotopes<br />
and chemical elements within chemical compounds.<br />
Isotopic oxygen is incorporated into the body<br />
primarily through ingestion at which point it is used<br />
in the formation of, for archaeological purposes,<br />
bones and teeth. The oxygen is incorporated into<br />
the hydroxyl carbonic apatite of bone and tooth<br />
enamel. This can be applied to a food web to make<br />
it possible to draw direct inferences regarding diet.<br />
This form of analysis was used on prehistoric<br />
remains which disclosed the regular consumption of<br />
fish. Ancient cave paintings, throughout the world,<br />
have displayed the importance of seafood to<br />
prehistoric man’s survival. The oldest known painting<br />
of an angler using a rod or staff comes from Egypt<br />
circa 2000 B C.<br />
24
of of Fishing<br />
Egyptian painting<br />
25
Illingworth Reel<br />
Hooking a fish<br />
Kirby Bend<br />
bamboo fishing rod<br />
26<br />
Gorge Hook<br />
The early history of fishing centers on the Nile River<br />
which was abundant with fish. Fishing scenes were<br />
rarely depicted in Greek historic findings reflecting<br />
the low importance of fishing in that area, however,<br />
the Egyptians invention of a variety of tackle and<br />
methods for fishing are clearly depicted in many<br />
tombs, drawings and papyrus documents. Reed<br />
boats, woven nets, harpoons and hook and line<br />
were being used. There is historic proof that barbed<br />
metal hooks were being used from 1991 BC.<br />
American Indians are known to have fished along<br />
the California coast with gorged hooks (predecessor<br />
to the modern fishing hook, a piece of wood, bone,<br />
or stone 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so in length, pointed at<br />
both ends and secured off-center to the line. The<br />
gorge was covered with some kind of bait. When a<br />
fish swallowed the gorge, a pull on the line wedged<br />
it across the gullet of the fish, which could then be<br />
pulled in.) attached to line tackle from 7500 until<br />
3,000 years ago while tribes are known to have used<br />
plant toxins to stun stream fish, enabling their capture.<br />
Research has shown that fisherman in India used<br />
harpoons attached to long cords for fishing since<br />
early times.<br />
The methods and tackles have evolved slowly and it<br />
wasn’t until the late 15th century did sport fishing,<br />
as it is now known today, really begin. The earliest
English written instructions in the use of a fishing<br />
rod for recreational fishing appeared in 1496, soon<br />
after the invention of the printing press.<br />
The hook was the first piece of tackle made from<br />
metal, with the arrival of copper and bronze. It was<br />
attached to a hand line fashioned from animal and<br />
plant material strong enough to hold and land a<br />
fish. By attaching the other end of the line to a stick<br />
or tree branch made it possible to fish from a bank<br />
or shore. These rods remained short for more than<br />
1,000 years until the 4th century when references<br />
to jointed rods made from timber where found. This<br />
form of rod was dominant well into the 19th century.<br />
A wire loop attached to the tip of the rod allowing<br />
for a free running line making it possible to cast and<br />
play a hooked fish was the first major improvement<br />
to fishing tackle during the mid-17th century, leading<br />
to the invention of the fishing reel. In 1667,<br />
experiments with fishing line material led to the use<br />
of gut lines and in 1676, lute string became popular.<br />
Improved methods of making hooks were devised by<br />
Charles Kirby in the 1650’s who invented the Kirby<br />
Bend which is still widely used today. He launched<br />
hook making factories in Redditch in 1730 and<br />
they remain the center of the English hook making<br />
industry today.<br />
By 1770 a rod with guides for the line along its length<br />
and a reel were in common use. The first true modern<br />
reel was a geared multiplying reel attached under<br />
the rod, in which one turn of the<br />
handle moved the spool through<br />
several revolutions. Never popular<br />
in Great Britain, such reels became<br />
popular in the United States and<br />
inspired the bait-casting reel<br />
devised by Kentucky watchmaker<br />
George Snyder in 1810.<br />
(called an overrun in Britain and a backlash in the<br />
United States) could result. Governors were contrived<br />
to prevent this.<br />
In 1896 the level-wind, a traveling bracket on the<br />
reel that automatically spread the line evenly as it<br />
was wound was devised and in 1905 English textile<br />
magnate Holden Illingworth filed the first patent<br />
on the spinning reel. The increased casting distance<br />
presented by the spinning reel and new lines with<br />
smaller diameters revolutionized freshwater fishing.<br />
During the early 20th century bamboo was replaced<br />
by fiberglass and then graphite in the 1970’s.<br />
The 1930s saw the fixed-spool reel become popular<br />
in Europe and following World War the rest of the<br />
world, creating a surge in spin casting. Nylon monofilament<br />
line was developed in the late 1930s and<br />
became dominant after World War II. Plastic coverings<br />
for fly lines allowed them to float or sink without the<br />
application of grease. Plastic also became the dominant<br />
material for artificial casting lures, replacing various<br />
types of low-density wood, such as balsa.<br />
Fishing is the world’s foremost outdoor pastime as it<br />
was thousands of years ago and as it has been virtually<br />
from the beginning of time.<br />
fishing-pole<br />
Around the same time moreelastic<br />
imported woods, such as<br />
lancewood and greenheart from<br />
South America and the West Indies<br />
and by bamboo where replacing<br />
the heavy native woods of England<br />
and United States as rod materials<br />
and by 1870 bamboo became the<br />
material of choice on both sides<br />
of the Atlantic.<br />
From 1880 tackle design progressed<br />
rapidly with lines made of silk,<br />
cotton, or linen enabling the<br />
angler to cast three times farther.<br />
This increased distance provoked<br />
the development of artificial<br />
lures. With longer casting potential<br />
and more line, a significant tangle<br />
27
A Junior<br />
Lifeguard is a<br />
program for<br />
children from 8<br />
to 16 years of<br />
age, they learn<br />
the full lifeguard<br />
program,<br />
including<br />
rescue<br />
techniques,<br />
first aid, CPR<br />
Etc. and can<br />
assist Senior<br />
lifeguards on<br />
duty.<br />
Zambales is leading the way with water safety<br />
and awareness with successful programs<br />
such as the Zambales Surf Lifesaving and swim safe<br />
Programs, these inspired programs were introduced<br />
by Roger Bound and fully supported by the coast<br />
guard, Australian Surf Life Saving, and major sponsors<br />
like Standard Insurance.<br />
The efforts by all are shown in the results of in-club<br />
competitions held each year with teams from Cebu<br />
and other areas, now taking notice of the efforts of<br />
Zambales and the importance of water safety.<br />
The surf lifesaving programs encourage youngsters<br />
from 8 upwards to become a worthwhile member<br />
of the community in efforts to increase water safety<br />
and ultimately reduce the number of drowning’s<br />
each year in the Philippines.<br />
Each year more and more people and companies are<br />
getting involved in this very worthwhile program<br />
and one of the latest events held was supported by<br />
representatives from Australia and other parts of the<br />
Philippines. On July 14 – 15 a visit from representatives,<br />
Mr. Andrew McLean and Miss Katelyn Pomroy of<br />
Griffith University, Gold Coast Queensland Australia<br />
to discuss the assistance of Zambales Lifesaving<br />
Inc. to train Lifeguards for Baler in Aurora Province,<br />
where they wish to assist with water safety, Zambales<br />
Lifesaving Inc. will partner with them and are currently<br />
awaiting feedback from Australia on getting the<br />
program underway.<br />
Zambales For<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
Water<br />
Safety<br />
28
Also a courtesy visit with the Griffith University<br />
representatives to Zambales Governor Hon, Atty.<br />
Amor Deloso brought about assistance for the<br />
Zambales Swim Team, of which a large number are<br />
also Zambales Lifeguards, from a Gold Coast swimming<br />
organization of which Andrew McLean is a member,<br />
there is also a high possibility that Griffith University<br />
will assist Zambales Lifesaving Inc. with a number of<br />
AED’s for deployment in Zambales.<br />
July 23 Batangas Fuego Open Water Swim. Leg 3.<br />
Through the generosity of newly installed Governor<br />
Hon. Atty Amor Deloso’s by his supplying the<br />
Provincial Bus for the Zambales Swim Team,<br />
many of which are also Zambales Lifeguards and<br />
Zambales Junior Lifeguards, they were able to<br />
compete in this event so far from Zambales. The<br />
event was held at Terrazas de Punta Fuego Resort<br />
in Nasugbu Batangas in almost perfect conditions.<br />
Events included 1 kilometer, 2 kilometer and 4<br />
kilometer open water swims for Open class, 12 and<br />
above, with divisions for Male and Female. Also 200<br />
meter and 400 meter events for below 12.<br />
One kilometer open ladies division, with FIRST. Colleen<br />
Sanguyo, SECOND Ivy Bernal and THIRD. Sylvern<br />
Bound. All Zambales Junior Lifeguards and the oldest<br />
only 13 years old, against more than 35 swimmers<br />
of all ages. FOURTH was Lean Floresca, a Zambales<br />
Senior Lifeguard. A great result with Zambales Girls<br />
making a clean sweep of the Ladies division.<br />
rerunners in in<br />
29
Men’s Division, THIRD. Donnell Wayne Sanchez.<br />
Also a Zambales Lifeguard.<br />
Two kilometer open event saw Zambales Junior Lifeguard,<br />
Lovely Floresca take the FIRST place against<br />
swimmers of all ages in the female division.<br />
Men’s Division saw Miguel Villamin, also a Zambales<br />
Junior Lifeguard, take a very creditable THIRD place.<br />
Four Kilometer. Zambales swimmer and lifeguard,<br />
Issac Daylo took FOURTH place.<br />
The under 12 competitors also performed well with<br />
all Zambales competitors swimming well, the best<br />
of which was Zyrie Mychele D. Ruelos who finished<br />
THIRD in the 400 meters.<br />
JULY 30. Swim Competition in Baguio.<br />
Again through the assistance of our new Governor<br />
the Zambales Swim team went to Baguio for the<br />
19TH CLSCA INTER SCHOOL SWIM SERIES the<br />
competition was divided into “Open” and “Novice”<br />
sections, in all the Zambales contingent consisted<br />
of 23, being 15 in the open class and 8 in the novice<br />
class. Overall results were Open Class, Zambales a<br />
close second placing behind the Cabalen Sharks<br />
swim school.<br />
In the Open division notable Zambales swimmers were:<br />
Donnel Sanchez-1 gold, 2 silver,1 bronze -<br />
A Zambales Lifeguard<br />
Isaac Daylo - 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze -<br />
A Zambales Lifeguard<br />
Lean Floresca - 5 gold, 1 bronze -<br />
A Zambales Lifeguard<br />
Lovely Floresca- 2 bronze -<br />
A Zambales Junior Lifeguard<br />
Ivy Bernal- 2 bronze -<br />
A Zambales Junior Lifeguard<br />
Miguel Villamin - 6 gold, 1bronze -<br />
A Zambales Junior Lifeguard<br />
Novice division.<br />
Ian Tongson- 1 gold,1bronze, 1silver<br />
Zyrle Mychele D. Ruelos- 4 silver<br />
Swim-safe <strong>2016</strong>, proves a huge success.<br />
Zambales Lifesaving Inc. ran a pilot course this year<br />
for a free community based drowning awareness<br />
and prevention program, target group was elementary<br />
school children 10 and below, as this is proven to<br />
be one of the age groups at greatest risk, we also<br />
required them to bring along their parents.<br />
The reason for requesting the parents is that if the<br />
parents also do not know the risks and dangers and<br />
how to recognize such risks and dangers, by doing so<br />
and learning what their children learned, all would<br />
be far better off should an emergency arise.<br />
30
NOW AVAILABLE AT<br />
SUBIC BAY 0939-922-3238<br />
MANILA 0918-963-8148<br />
CEBU 0939-902-0494<br />
Yacht Parts Sales & Service<br />
BORACAY 0918-963-8155<br />
SAMAL ISLAND 0918-963-8151<br />
31
32
In the last edition there was some coverage of the<br />
first of these events, run at Palmera Garden Beach<br />
Resort in Iba and sponsored by the Rotary Club of<br />
Iba, which was highly successful, so much so that<br />
Palmera are requesting that we double the number<br />
of days and participants for next year.<br />
Our aim was to have a joint venture of Resorts and<br />
Community minded sponsors, with the sponsors<br />
covering the travel expenses and salaries of the lifeguards<br />
and the resorts supply their facilities free of<br />
charge and also to supply foods and snacks for the<br />
Lifeguards and Junior Lifeguards doing the training,<br />
you may well ask, what is a Junior Lifeguard? A Junior<br />
Lifeguard is a program for children from 8 to 16 years<br />
of age, they learn the full lifeguard program, including<br />
rescue techniques, first aid, CPR Etc. and can assist<br />
Senior lifeguards on duty, they also compete in Lifesaving<br />
Sports competitions.<br />
We incorporated junior lifeguards into this program<br />
to increase their skills and of course children interact<br />
much easier with younger people, also doing so<br />
helps draw attention to the junior programs in our<br />
lifesaving programs and trainings.<br />
As Zambales host a number of International Schools in<br />
the Subic Bay Freeport area, our second swim-safe was<br />
aimed at the International school students, who have a<br />
different holiday schedule than the local schools.<br />
The program was set up as a one day course for 60<br />
children, 10 children per day, 2 days a week over<br />
3 weeks and consisted of lectures about dangers<br />
that exist, such as rip currents, inshore holes and<br />
other dangers, not only at the beach, pool or other<br />
aquatic recreation areas, but also around the home<br />
and during bad weather such as typhoons, storms,<br />
local flooding Etc. Actually it was very encouraging<br />
to see the interest of the parents during the lectures<br />
which were presented by a audio / visual PowerPoint<br />
presentation by the lifeguards and junior lifeguards.<br />
We approached 2 resorts in the Subic Freeport with<br />
pools to see if they were interested, Subic Park Hotel and<br />
Lighthouse Marina Resort, both were very interested<br />
and enthusiastic, however to our disappointment and<br />
amazement we could not find a single sponsor willing<br />
to assist, it was not like we were talking a lot of money,<br />
only around P10,000.00 per venue, so it looked like<br />
having to cancel the program for Subic, when the<br />
resorts were notified, they were also disappointed<br />
that no one in the private sector was interested in<br />
drowning prevention for children.<br />
was very pleasantly surprised when he said, this is<br />
a great program and should not be cancelled, the<br />
Lighthouse will also be the sponsor.<br />
Likewise there was little support from most of the<br />
schools, with the exception of Brent International<br />
School, who put up advertising banners and even<br />
assisted in taking registrations for participants, so a<br />
big thank you also to Brent School for their enthusiasm<br />
and support.<br />
So at least half of our plan for the Subic area went<br />
ahead, not just went ahead, but was a huge success<br />
with both parents and students very involved and<br />
very satisfied.<br />
Once again I was pleasantly surprised as on day one<br />
when the morning break time arrived, the Lighthouse<br />
not only supplied snacks for our lifeguards,<br />
but also to the children and their parents, the same<br />
happened for lunch and afternoon snacks on every<br />
day of the program and to top it off I was also<br />
informed that all were invited back on the afternoon<br />
of the final day for a formal presentation of certificates,<br />
all supplied free of charge by the Lighthouse Marian<br />
Resort.<br />
If only all resorts could see the value in supporting<br />
community projects as did the Lighthouse, the<br />
industry would be far better off and the community<br />
much better protected.<br />
As this was a pilot program, we also had a lot to<br />
learn, from the success of this year we are already<br />
planning swim-safe 2017 and are pleased to say that<br />
we hope to greatly increase the number of children<br />
and parents who will be able to join this free program,<br />
for 2017 we hope to add at least 2 more Zambales<br />
municipalities, if so then the numbers should reach<br />
into 500 plus participants compared with this years<br />
120 and hopefully it will grow so we can by 2020<br />
cover all municipalities in Zambales and other parts<br />
of the Philippines each year.<br />
Resorts or sponsors that are concerned about water<br />
safety and are interested in supporting this great<br />
free to the public community program for 2017<br />
please contact Zambales Lifesaving Inc. President<br />
Mr. Roger Bound, best via Email at slszambales@<br />
gmail.com.<br />
However, when I spoke with Mr. Zedrik Avecilla manager<br />
at the Lighthouse Marina Resort, he responded<br />
with, well how much is required from the sponsor<br />
for us here, I informed him, around P10,000.00, I<br />
33
Conquer<br />
At some<br />
points the<br />
boats were<br />
confronted<br />
without wind<br />
and patience<br />
was the key<br />
word, while<br />
nature took<br />
its own time<br />
to bring in<br />
some moving<br />
air so the<br />
boats could<br />
carry on with<br />
their planned<br />
journey.<br />
Words by<br />
BRUCE<br />
CURRAN<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
Far below, the waters of the Davao Gulf shimmered<br />
in the afternoon sunlight. The plane banked<br />
to the right and the outline of Samal Island graced<br />
the blueness of the seaway, before a smooth landing<br />
at the Davao airport. I had arrived on a Sunday<br />
afternoon as a guest of a thriving local business<br />
group who had recently taken delivery of six 17 foot<br />
sailing trimarans (3-hulled boats) called ‘Windriders’<br />
that had been containered over from the Californian<br />
manufacturers.<br />
My mission was clear - I was allocated six days to<br />
teach 12 Filipino employees the theory and practice<br />
of seamanship. Monday came sunny and bright,<br />
and the shore-side whiteboard was quickly awash<br />
with theories using the unique vocabulary that is<br />
the pure language of sailing. Diagrams and new<br />
words flooded their minds and the waves of a new<br />
world blew like a fresh breeze. Manoeuvring a boat<br />
using only the power of the wind and the movement<br />
of the seas is an art form that enriches a person’s<br />
understanding in a world that is aimed at “tuning<br />
in to nature”. It is an exciting learning curve that<br />
opens up the mind and keys in to one’s awareness<br />
and hones in the senses. A sailor is a person who is<br />
acutely aware of exactly what is going on all around<br />
them, and must act accordingly to ensure a wellplanned<br />
and safe journey to any destination.<br />
The challenge to the team was made and accepted,<br />
and by lunch time the wind was blowing in strongly<br />
from the North. The theory was about to be put to<br />
practice on a passage in the Davao Gulf to the north<br />
of Samal Island.<br />
Three catamarans set off from the shore line just<br />
north of Davao City, and the 12 trainees were<br />
confronted with some quite boisterous sailing.<br />
Trimarans pick up speed quickly and strong gusts<br />
had the boats flying along. Fine tuning of the two<br />
sails was critical to maintain stability and safety. The<br />
crew were one hundred per cent tuned in, and had<br />
to be totally aware of the wind and sea conditions.<br />
It was a straight line sail along the northern coast<br />
of Samal Island, and then a quick turnaround for a<br />
direct sail back. All trainees performed admirably<br />
and the truth of the matter was that they had<br />
encountered critical conditions, and had survived<br />
with flying colours! The day had been full-on and a<br />
rigorous and vigorous experience for all.<br />
34
ing the<br />
Davao<br />
Gulf<br />
35<br />
Romulo Sotelo, roamulofied.wordpress.com
The second and third days involved a range of activities.<br />
An active session was learning about how to tie a<br />
range of knots developed over hundreds of years,<br />
when the only means of transport worldwide was by<br />
sailing boats without the invention of the engine.<br />
A session on how to navigate from one point<br />
to another by using charts (sea maps), and a long<br />
list of sailing terminology was applied to the days<br />
theory, before the lighter sailing conditions each<br />
afternoon.<br />
Essential in all of this was getting each person to<br />
take the steering position and learn “person overboard”<br />
drills, in other words, in the rare event of<br />
somebody falling overboard into the sea, how to sail<br />
back and pick them up quickly and safely. Importantly<br />
there was a sailing afternoon with each crew practicing<br />
how to work efficiently and speedily as a unified<br />
team, in order to gain the ability to reduce the sail<br />
size for safety when the wind became stronger.<br />
Now the time was ripe, and the day finally arrived<br />
for a full day of sailing. The objective was a 60 nautical<br />
mile (100 kilometre) circumnavigation of Samal Island.<br />
The boats were launched at 5 am and were destined<br />
to return to the starting shoreline at 7.30 pm. Passing<br />
down the west coast of Samal then around the southern tip<br />
saw light, variable and some nice southerly winds.<br />
The East coast trek was gentler, and by late afternoon<br />
the winds had swung around to the north.<br />
At some points the boats were confronted without<br />
wind and patience was the key word, while nature<br />
took its own time to bring in some moving air so the<br />
boats could carry on with their planned journey. By<br />
night fall everyone had taken turns in participating<br />
in all activities, including steered, tacking through<br />
the wind, gybing with the wind from behind, and<br />
generally getting a full day of exercise tuned in to<br />
nature. A final hour with night time winds blew the<br />
three trimarans back to base and it was definitively<br />
time for a full nights rest for the 12 well versed,<br />
highly active, keen and diligent, and by then very<br />
tired crew members.<br />
36
SEE YOU AT THE<br />
SEPT. 9-11, <strong>2016</strong> SM MEGAMALL<br />
37
The final day proved that all had thoroughly enjoyed<br />
their six days of seamanship, had learnt a great deal,<br />
and curious as it might sound, during the course<br />
of the week all crew had ended up with their own<br />
nicknames- amongst them ‘Invincible’, ‘Big Smiler’,<br />
‘Walo Walo’ (sea snake). ‘Sexy Merienda’, ‘Swankie’,<br />
‘Bowline’ and others ……but how they got these<br />
names is for another story!<br />
The week was a welcomed introduction to the art<br />
and science of sailing in a place which is ideal for<br />
the development of a sailing club. In fact it is the<br />
intention of the vibrant successful and keen business<br />
group leader to introduce sailing to the people of<br />
Davao, particularly the youth. After all it is the<br />
opposite side of the universe for the modern youth<br />
of today who spent most of their time focused with<br />
blinkers on eyeballing screens in front of their faces,<br />
and are a million miles away from “tuning in to nature”<br />
that ultimately makes the world go round. Here is an<br />
opportunity for the youth and others to leave their<br />
tech-gadgets behind on shore, and go out there in<br />
the seaways of the Davao Gulf and smell, feel, taste<br />
hear and touch nature in all its pure roar invincible<br />
reality.<br />
From the plane window seat I could see the whole<br />
of Samal Island and felt satisfied that I had done my<br />
part, and am convinced that Davao will soon have<br />
a thriving fresh lively sailing community. It will be a<br />
perfect balance to counteract modern technology,<br />
and those smart enough to give sailing a go will see<br />
a whole new world open up all around them, and<br />
give them a fulfilling partner as a counter balance to<br />
modern high technology. My nick name was given<br />
as the ‘Red Lobster’, and my suntan was a kind<br />
reminder of the all-day sunny side of the beautiful<br />
and welcoming Davao Gulf. Where there’s a will<br />
there’s a way, and my advice is “Go Sailing and tune<br />
in to nature”. My host and the 12 new seafarers<br />
have done just that, and definitely have a new vision<br />
on the world, and no doubt their fresh breeze will<br />
spread the word far and wide.<br />
38
39
RESORT of the MONTH<br />
BOHOL BEACH CLUB<br />
This resort<br />
has everything<br />
you<br />
could possibly<br />
wish for, so<br />
who needs a<br />
5-star rating<br />
when you can<br />
have a dream<br />
holiday at the<br />
Bohol Beach<br />
Club.<br />
T<br />
he Bohol Beach Club Resort in Panglao, just<br />
1km from the Tagbilaran airport, is a true<br />
tropical paradise with enchanting settings to wipe<br />
away all the pressures of city life.<br />
This 4-star resort has just gone through an 8 month<br />
renovation to improve its already spectacular<br />
service and facilities even more. The rooms and<br />
suites are designed to ensure the full comfort of its<br />
guests with plush furnishings, super comfortable<br />
bedding and all the creature comforts, like flat<br />
screen TV, internet Wi-Fi, hot water and verandahs<br />
that overlook the pristine water of the beach that is<br />
part of the Bohol Beach Club.<br />
The resort boasts complete watersports activities,<br />
like kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. The bars and<br />
restaurants with a menu that would please the most<br />
discerning diner make your stay complete. It has<br />
swimming pool, a business center and a courtyard<br />
for the dream wedding of a lifetime for any lucky<br />
couple choosing the venue for their big day.<br />
This resort has everything you could possibly wish<br />
for, so who needs a 5-star rating when you can have<br />
a dream holiday at the Bohol Beach Club.<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
40
Bohol’s First . . . Bohol’s Best!<br />
Bohol Beach Club now offers new rooms,<br />
new suites and modern facilities and amenities.<br />
Aside from having the best private white sand<br />
beach in the island, the resort is well laid out so<br />
that space is optimized, giving guests the feel<br />
of freedom, privacy and solitude without the<br />
maddening crowd and unwanted distractions.<br />
Add to this the impeccable service of the<br />
Boholanos; genuine service that comes<br />
straight from the heart!<br />
Truly, Bohol’s first is still Bohol’s best!<br />
Bo. Bolod, Island of Panglao Bohol, Philippines 6340<br />
T/F: (038) 502.9222 / (038) 411.5222<br />
Globe : (+63-927) 452.7054<br />
Smart : (+63-999) 992.1880 / Sun : (+63-923) 250.7828<br />
reservations@boholbeachclub.com.ph<br />
www.boholbeachclub.com.ph<br />
https://www.facebook.com/theboholbeachclub<br />
41
DESTINATION<br />
BOHOL<br />
Chocolate Hills<br />
42
Bohol is a compact but elegant island a few<br />
kilometers south east of Cebu City. For many<br />
years it was overlooked by overseas and domestic<br />
travellers who preferred to visit the country’s more<br />
popular and ritzy tourist destinations but now the<br />
tide is turning in favor of Bohol as visitors become<br />
less tolerant of crowds and inflated prices. Even<br />
today Bohol lacks the facilities and infrastructure<br />
required to accommodate hordes of visitors: but that<br />
same absence contributes to its quaint charm. Not<br />
being one of the archipelago’s largest islands means<br />
Bohol is quite easy to get around.<br />
Tagbilaran City<br />
Tagbilaran is the capital of Bohol, the only city on the<br />
island and blessedly free of the forests of concrete<br />
and glass towers that dominate many of the<br />
Philippines’ largest cities. Tagbilaran is also the gateway<br />
to Bohol from other islands and the province’s<br />
commercial center for trade, transportation and<br />
education. The city is well placed within easy reach<br />
by boat or ferry of many towns and cities throughout<br />
the Central and Eastern Visayas and by plane from<br />
cities further afield, which has seen it become<br />
increasingly popular for national conventions and<br />
conferences.<br />
Buses run from Tagbilaran on a daily schedule to<br />
major towns and villages throughout Bohol but are<br />
not really suitable for travellers wishing to stop and<br />
explore along the way. Many of the island’s more<br />
popular tourist attractions are difficult to get to and<br />
from with any degree of certainty by public transport.<br />
Being marooned by the roadside waiting for a bus<br />
which may or may not arrive does not make a pleasant<br />
holiday experience for all but the most ardent<br />
of travellers. Cars, motor bikes and scooters are<br />
available for hire and are far more convenient for<br />
anyone wanting to visit the Chocolate Hills, the<br />
Tarsier Sanctuary and the Loboc River floating<br />
restaurants. Any of the ubiquitous tricycles which<br />
swarm over Philippine roads and laneways can be<br />
hired for shorter trips in and around the towns.<br />
The road which forms a somewhat lopsided ring<br />
around the island’s coastline is in quite good condition<br />
and while some of the interior roads are a bit rough<br />
Generally<br />
considered one<br />
of the oldest<br />
towns in Bohol,<br />
Loboc was<br />
founded in<br />
1602 when Fr<br />
Juan de Torres<br />
persuaded the<br />
local barangay<br />
chieftains to<br />
settle here.<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
43
BOHOL<br />
and ready in parts, the scenery more than compensates<br />
for the inconvenience of a few ruts and potholes, at<br />
least during the dry season.<br />
All the facilities and services expected in a major city<br />
can be found in Tagbilaran as well as a congregation<br />
of churches, heritage sites, hotels, restaurants,<br />
nightlife, travel companies etc to satisfy most people<br />
from most parts of the world. The city’s main shopping<br />
malls stock a variety of merchandise but apart from<br />
some stylish and colorful beach and resort wear,<br />
nothing really shouted “buy me” during my travels.<br />
The Bohol Museum is housed in the old city library<br />
not far from the town center. There’s not a lot on<br />
offer beyond some local and natural history exhibits<br />
and the results of archeological exploration and<br />
excavation that provides an insight into the pre-history<br />
of Bohol. Even on the gloomiest and wettest of days<br />
the average visitor would be hard pressed to spend<br />
more than 30 minutes inspecting the exhibits.<br />
Well before the Spanish appeared and so forcefully<br />
inserted themselves into local society, the settlement<br />
which became Tagbilaran was doing very nicely for<br />
itself trading with China and Malaya. Then in 1565<br />
that prince of plunderers, Don Miguel Lopez de<br />
Legazpi, turned up unwelcome and uninvited and,<br />
after convincing the locals he wasn’t one of those<br />
frightful Portuguese chaps who skirmished so<br />
unsuccessfully with Lapu Lapu 40 years earlier, sat<br />
down to negotiate a friendship treaty with the local<br />
chieftain, Datu Sikahuna. Those negotiations yielded<br />
the Sandugo or Blood Compact which is considered<br />
by some to be the first act of diplomacy to have<br />
taken place between Asia and a western power. The<br />
Blood Compact Site, complete with life size bronze<br />
statues of Legazpi and Datu Sikahuna is on the outskirts<br />
of the city and a popular gathering spot for locals<br />
and visitors. The Blood Compact is re-enacted<br />
annually in a gaily exuberant spectacle of streettheater<br />
known as the Sandugo Festival.<br />
Siti Ubos, the old harbour, was a bustling port for<br />
about 300 years before fading into relative obscurity<br />
with the advent of larger vessels and increased<br />
mechanization in the early 20th century. Because<br />
of its history Siti Ubos retains much of it s periodic<br />
charm and some of the area’s original houses are<br />
well worth wandering around for the architecture<br />
of the period. Many of the older buildings were<br />
demolished or abandoned as unworthy of additional<br />
maintenance and attention to such an extent they<br />
basically withered and died of shame and neglect,<br />
robbing succeeding generations of a glimpse into<br />
past lives. In 2002 wiser heads prevailed and Siti<br />
Ubos was declared a ‘Cultural Heritage Area’, thus<br />
preserving the integrity of the remaining heritage<br />
houses.<br />
Panglao Island<br />
The island of Panglao dangles from the southern tip<br />
of Bohol like a pendulum and is easily reached by<br />
causeway from Tagbilaran. To get to the township<br />
of Panglao, more commonly referred to as poblacion,<br />
which means center or central, travellers first pass<br />
through Dauis, the island’s only other settlement<br />
Aerial view of Tagbilaran City<br />
44
45
Island City Mall<br />
Tagbilaran, Bohol<br />
PalmtreeBOHOL<br />
Alona Beach<br />
worthy of the name. The town of Panglao still<br />
preserves the traditional layout of a Philippine rural<br />
town: a large grass covered town-square, with the<br />
Church on one side, on another sits the town hall in<br />
its somewhat faded glory, and on a third the local<br />
school. Add to this the remnants of an older church<br />
(of which only one stone wall remains as the rest of<br />
it was made of bamboo), and a massive hexagonal<br />
watchtower, the largest on Bohol, and that’s about<br />
it for poblacion beyond a few shops and cafes.<br />
Panglao, the island, only has one industry: tourism —<br />
and it does tourism very well. Dumaluan and Alona<br />
beaches boast of glistening white sand, an alluringly<br />
racy and energetic waterfront and jumbled clusters<br />
of beach resorts, cafes and dive shops come together<br />
to form a surprisingly cosmopolitan environment<br />
in which everybody is welcome; and the diving is<br />
pretty special too.<br />
Dauis<br />
Dauis is the other municipality on Panglao island,<br />
and its entrance is through two bridges to the mainland.<br />
Why are we not surprised that it, too, has a church<br />
that is worth visiting, including the watchtower and<br />
presbytery. The town is the home of Hinagdanan cave,<br />
a small underground lake surrounded by stalactites,<br />
which is one of the tourist attractions in Bohol. A<br />
large number of souvenir shops have collected<br />
around its entrance, which is a drawback but they’re<br />
not yet overly aggressive.<br />
Baclayon<br />
This small town not far east of Tagbilaran is mainly<br />
known for its rather imposing coral-stone ‘Church of<br />
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception’ completed<br />
almost 300 years ago and its equally weathered<br />
three storey watchtower opposite the pier. Attached<br />
to the church is a small museum displaying a few<br />
minor religious relics. Far more interesting are some<br />
of the traditional houses with floors hewn from massive,<br />
often teak, logs and sliding windows made from<br />
capiz shells. A group of these homeowners formed<br />
the ‘Association of Baclayon Ancestral Homes’ and<br />
members open their houses for overnight guests,<br />
which can be as interesting as it is challenging for<br />
visitors. Baclayon is also the base for some of the<br />
dolphin watching tours that are often operated by<br />
fishermen from the nearby Pamilacan Island, but the<br />
fisherman are perfectly willing to pick up sightseers<br />
46
47
Loboc Children’s ChoirBOHOL<br />
Panglao<br />
underwater<br />
scenery<br />
in front of the resorts on Alona beach or elsewhere<br />
on Panglao.<br />
Pamilacan Island<br />
A 45 minute boat ride from Baclayon is a speck of<br />
land known as Pamilacan, which is essentially<br />
an undeveloped and uninhabited blob of sand<br />
surrounded by a marine sanctuary.<br />
Pamilacan is ideal for dolphin watching as many<br />
species course playfully through these serene waters<br />
and there are regular sightings of whales, including<br />
sperm whales and the remarkably reticent blue<br />
whales, basking and feeding not far way. The best<br />
time to indulge in a spot of marine mammal watching<br />
is the early morning when the dolphins are roused<br />
into action in search of a hearty breakfast before<br />
spending the day teasing the tourists with just a<br />
hint of their presence.<br />
The marine sanctuary teems with brightly colored<br />
marine life, some quite languid others apparently<br />
hyperactive bustling around like an officious school<br />
mistress wanting to know what is going on, which<br />
somehow transforms the sanctuary into a sparkling<br />
mobile mosaic.<br />
Loboc<br />
Generally considered one of the oldest towns in Bohol,<br />
Loboc was founded in 1602 when Fr Juan de Torres<br />
persuaded the local barangay chieftains to settle<br />
here. There is, of course, the usual Spanish era<br />
church, a small museum within a rather grand<br />
presbytery and a separate bell tower.<br />
More recently the town formed the Loboc Children’s<br />
Choir. The choir consists of 30 schoolchildren aged<br />
between 9 and 13 who attend Loboc Elementary<br />
School. From a purely local audience, word of their<br />
soaring angelic voices soon spread and the Loboc<br />
Children’s Choir became one of the most acclaimed<br />
choral groups in the country.<br />
The choir has performed at the International Children’s<br />
Culture and Arts Festival in Tianjin, China, and held<br />
concerts in Hong Kong and Beijing. The ‘On Angels<br />
Wings: From Bohol to the World’ toured key cities in<br />
the USA and the choir has performed concerts with<br />
the World Youth Orchestra. The Loboc Children’s<br />
Choir repertoire is an eclectic mix of classical, folk,<br />
modern and children’s songs.<br />
48<br />
Loboc is also well known for the floating restaurants<br />
that cruise the Loboc River where diners are treated<br />
to deliciously tangy Filipino food, enjoy a live band
49
BOHOL<br />
50<br />
or watch the Filipino folk dances performed by the<br />
local dancers. The tour ends at Busay Falls before<br />
returning to its origin which is downstream, making<br />
the return trip so much quicker. Not far from the<br />
town of Loboc, a zip-line and cable car have been<br />
constructed and while it is not as long and high as<br />
the one in Danao, it offers an impressive flight across<br />
the Loboc River.<br />
Sevilla<br />
It’s not uncommon in a certain genre of film for the<br />
intrepid hero, the valuable item which he just recovered,<br />
or looted, in his rucksack, to be seen fleeing a horde<br />
of villains intent on his destruction when he rounds<br />
a corner and stops. His sole means of escape, and<br />
possibly his survival, is a particularly precarious looking<br />
bridge made of woven vines or rope with a few<br />
planks of mostly rotting wood to walk on, about a<br />
third of which are missing, the bridge swaying in a<br />
light breeze and spanning a chasm with rocks, rapids or<br />
monsters below. One thinks. “Oh sh*t”. Well the infamous<br />
Hanging Bridge crossing the upper reaches of<br />
the Loboc River not far from Sevilla is a less grim and<br />
foreboding challenge even though it hangs about<br />
25meters above the river.<br />
In the past villagers had to scramble down the cliff<br />
then ride a small banca across the river before<br />
continuing their journey. Fortunately at some point<br />
common sense prevailed and the Bohol government<br />
put up a bamboo bridge for easier and faster access<br />
from one side of the river to the other. As tourism<br />
grew and local and international visitors enjoyed the<br />
culinary delights of the Loboc River floating restaurants<br />
they noticed, then became interested in, the Hanging<br />
Bridge. Many younger travellers wanted to experience<br />
the thrill of crossing the bridge, especially as it sways,<br />
swings and bucks with each footstep offering visitors<br />
a frisson of danger that is more than rewarded by<br />
the compellingly spectacular views of the river.<br />
As tempting as this activity might appear, vertigo<br />
sufferers should do their fellow travellers a favor<br />
and stay far away from the Hanging Bridge lest they<br />
damage themselves or others.<br />
Bilar<br />
Bilar is less than 20km north east of Loboc and as<br />
the road climbs into the higher reaches of Bohol<br />
it degenerates into a series of hair-pin bends and<br />
switchbacks which the locals have named ‘tina-i-samanok’<br />
or chicken guts. Despite its pejorative the<br />
road is quite safe although drivers should be especially<br />
alert and attentive as any problems are likely to be<br />
caused by other road users who are, as often as not,<br />
‘away with fairies’ when driving.
51
to the border between the two towns there is<br />
a 2km stretch of forest, made up of red and white<br />
mahogany trees, lining the road like a military regiment<br />
forming an honor guard for a visiting dignitary. This<br />
man-made mahogany forest is most noticeable for<br />
the symmetry of the trees — the height, the size<br />
of the trunks, the spread of their branches and the<br />
shape and patterns of the leaves are all eerily similar<br />
and a little bit spooky. Because of the lush, verdant<br />
canopy of the surrounding forest it is often dark<br />
and chilly, even in the middle of summer. It is also<br />
disturbingly silent. Birds and other native flora and<br />
fauna do not, for the most part, dwell in this forest<br />
as mahogany is an alien species and native plants<br />
have not taken root and the animals tend to avoid it.<br />
The man-made forest was part of a larger reforestation<br />
project covering almost 20,000 hectares which<br />
BOHOLClose<br />
commenced in the late 1940s. It really took off in the<br />
late 1960s and 1970s when a myriad of government<br />
employees, students, volunteers and civic leaders<br />
descended on the area to plant mahogany seedlings<br />
from the nearby Logarita nursery.<br />
Bilar, however, has more to offer. It is currently being<br />
developed as an eco-tourism destination, and rightly<br />
so, as within its borders is the Raja Sikatuna National<br />
Park, which is a 9,000 hectare nature reserve that<br />
offers great trekking, curious and interesting lime-rock<br />
formations, some of the last remaining primary forest<br />
on Bohol, caves, and many opportunities for observing<br />
animals and bird watching. Logarita, where there is a<br />
large swimming pool fed by a natural spring, makes<br />
an excellent starting point for treks into the park. In<br />
Bilar, the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center, is<br />
home to many varieties of hand raised native butterfly<br />
and watching these dazzlingly scatty creatures flutter<br />
whimsically about on seemingly flimsy wings is quite<br />
therapeutic.<br />
Maribojoc<br />
52<br />
Maribojoc, located near the coast at the south western<br />
tip of Bohol, is known for its triangular Spanish<br />
watch tower, the Punta Cruz Watch Tower, built in<br />
1796. From the tower there’s a good view of Panglao<br />
and Cebu and, on a clear day, Siquijor and Negros<br />
are readily discernible. Maribojoc was severely<br />
affected by the October 2013 earthquake which<br />
damaged many houses and other buildings, including<br />
the church. At places, the sea-bed was lifted more<br />
than a meter and, as a result, the coast-line receded<br />
some 50 to 100 meters. Because of this, the Punta<br />
Cruz Watch Tower is no longer directly on the sea<br />
front.
53
Festival of Lights<br />
BOHOL<br />
54<br />
One of the more eco-friendly tours in Bohol is Firefly<br />
Kayaking, which takes place on the Abatan River,<br />
near Maribojoc, most days from 4:30pm to around<br />
8:30pm. As darkness falls the trees bordering the<br />
river come alight as thousands of fireflies perform a<br />
synchronized light show, sparkling on and off, as visitors<br />
drift by in awe. Kayaking is the much preferred<br />
method of enjoying these nightly performances as<br />
the gentle motion of paddles silently manoeuvring<br />
kayaks through the water does not disturb the calm<br />
quietness of the firefly habitat. Tours are available<br />
and the price will generally include free transfers,<br />
certified kayak guides, kayak rental and a full dinner.<br />
The Chocolate Hills<br />
The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol’s most famous<br />
tourist attraction. Since mankind first discovered<br />
them hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago the<br />
origin of the Chocolate Hills has been a source of<br />
fascination, wonder, speculation, exploration and<br />
exploitation.<br />
These smooth round hills resemble giant scoops<br />
of chocolate ice cream, dolloped randomly over<br />
an area of about 50 sq km. The tallest of the hills,<br />
or more accurately mounds, barely reaches 120m<br />
while most are a scant 30 to 50m in size yet<br />
completely uniform in shape. It is towards the end<br />
of the dry season when the grass covering the hills<br />
drys and turns from a rich green into the chocolate<br />
brown that gives the hills their name. No matter<br />
the season, the hills are equally spectacular all year<br />
round and, apparently, no trees or shrubs have<br />
been known to grow on them.
Mystery still surrounds the formation of the Chocolate<br />
Hills. One of the more fanciful local legends is that<br />
long ago two giants fought for days, hurling earth<br />
and stones at one another, until they fell exhausted,<br />
friends once more, into each other’s arms. A more<br />
romantic tale is that of a handsome young giant<br />
named Arogo, who fell in love with a mortal woman.<br />
When, as mortals must, she died, the giant wept,<br />
his great teardrops turning into the Chocolate Hills.<br />
Geologists, however, have differing views about<br />
how they were formed. One plausible theory is that<br />
they are weathered formations of a marine limestone<br />
lying on top of an impenetrable clay base. This more<br />
prosaic explanation is probably more accurate, but<br />
not nearly so intriguing or romantic. Whatever their<br />
origin, being in the presence of the hills is a surreal<br />
experience and, as landscapes go, one of the most<br />
bizarre.<br />
The Chocolate Hills are located between Bilar and<br />
Carmen and not easily reached by public transport.<br />
For those not wanting to travel individually or hire<br />
a car or bike there is an abundance of guides and<br />
tour operators happy to arrange a trip either as a<br />
separate journey or as part of a day tour.<br />
Tarsier<br />
The tarsier is a lightly wacky little critter that should<br />
have been created in the ‘props’ department of a<br />
major Hollywood studio to star in a ghoulish horror film,<br />
but is actually one of God’s creatures and should be<br />
respected as such. It is the smallest primate in the<br />
world with its head and body measuring between 4<br />
and 6.5 inches and hind legs and feet that double<br />
its body length. Not, perhaps, one of nature’s beauties<br />
although it does possess a certain animal charm.<br />
Over millions of years the tarsier has developed<br />
super-long fingers, not unlike E.T., to grasp the tree<br />
branches in which it spends much of its life and it<br />
can leap up to 16 feet when it feels threatened.<br />
And this furry nocturnal predator is severely threatened.<br />
For millions of years tarsiers inhabited the world’s<br />
rain forests, creating for themselves a comfortable<br />
if not luxurious lifestyle in fairly decent surroundings<br />
with a more than adequate supply of food: these<br />
days, however, they struggle to survive on a<br />
few southern Philippine islands, on Borneo and in<br />
Indonesia as their rainforest habitats have gradually<br />
been destroyed. It is not a struggle the tarsier is<br />
likely to win.<br />
The most noteworthy feature of the tarsier is its<br />
disproportionately large eyes which are fixed in<br />
their sockets. To compensate for eyes that don’t<br />
rotate, the tarsier’s neck can move 180º in either<br />
Tarsier<br />
55
BOHOL<br />
Chocolate Hills<br />
56<br />
direction, in the same manner as an owl’s neck, to<br />
guard against a sneak attack from behind, which is<br />
an ever present danger for one so small.<br />
With excellent night vision and acute hearing a<br />
tarsier will lie in wait for its unsuspecting prey to<br />
approach, perhaps while scavenging a meal,<br />
looking for a mate for a quick knee trembler in the<br />
undergrowth, or even just out for an evening stroll<br />
to enjoy the moonlight, then wham!, the tarsier<br />
ambushes its victim, pouncing with deadly effect.<br />
Tarsiers are not fastidious eaters and enjoy a diverse<br />
carnivorous diet of lizards, frogs, snakes, birds and<br />
bats.<br />
Your average tarsier is unlikely to be seen in the wild<br />
as they are notoriously shy and hide in the dense<br />
tropical undergrowth or cling to a tree’s leafier lower<br />
limbs up to 6 feet above the ground. The Philippine<br />
Tarsier Foundation in Corella operates a successful a<br />
sanctuary in an attempt to help the little critters<br />
survive and this is the closest most of us will ever<br />
come to a wild tarsier. Within the Foundation there<br />
is a research and development center, a visitor<br />
facility and a habitat reserve in which the tarsiers<br />
can roam freely while protected by a 3m tall fence<br />
to keep out any predators, the most dangerous of<br />
which are feral cats.<br />
Loon<br />
Loon is a friendly old town with an impressive<br />
church. Inside, there are interesting murals of Bohol,<br />
although several of them are in dire need of<br />
restoration. But most of the damage was caused<br />
when Loon was severely hit by the 2013 earthquake<br />
when many houses were ravaged, and the historic<br />
‘Our Lady of Light’ parish church was completely<br />
destroyed. The port of Catagbacan in Loon was also<br />
badly damaged.<br />
But the tremendous efforts of Mayor Lloyd Peter<br />
Lopez and his staff soon had Loon flourishing again.<br />
Loon has one of the safest bays in the area and the<br />
mayor is encouraging investors to look at establishing<br />
a safe haven marina, amongst other business<br />
enterprises. With what Loon has to offer both in<br />
the town and on Cabilao Island, it should attract<br />
some astute investors looking to participate in the<br />
rejuvenation of one of the most promising<br />
municipalities in Bohol.<br />
One of the more famous festivals of Loon, is the<br />
Sidla Kasilak or Festival of Light held in <strong>Sept</strong>ember<br />
each year. The festival strives for those magical otherworldly<br />
effects in a harmony of light, sound and<br />
dance. Dances performed by local students mesmerize<br />
the crowds with imaginative choreography and superb<br />
coordination. The students of Governor Jacinto Borja<br />
National High school won the 2015 festival in a<br />
magical light and dance performance. Sidla Kasilak<br />
is the only evening street dancing event in Bohol.<br />
In addition, it does not require lavish costumes and<br />
props as participating schools are required to wear
57
BOHOL<br />
their school uniforms. Community based delegations<br />
choose their own costumes. The contest criteria<br />
rely solely on the use, set-up and display of lights<br />
and are unchanged for many years, which includes<br />
design, color harmony and brightness, choreography<br />
or movement and manipulation of the lights, and<br />
the dynamics and coordination of melding the<br />
lighting with the music.<br />
very interested in developing the area to generate<br />
income for the municipality, according to Evasco’s<br />
vice mayor who envisions a recreation area with<br />
basketball and volleyball courts, a concert hall, a<br />
dock and a government center on part of the strip in<br />
Guiwanon and Punta Cruz. Also envisioned for the<br />
area are restaurants, fruit stands, massage and spa<br />
areas, and souvenir shops.<br />
58<br />
Another phenomenon which arose by the heaving<br />
of the seabed more than a meter above the water<br />
line during the earthquake was the rising of the sea<br />
bed, which created 137 hectares of new coastline.<br />
The undersea upheaval exposed a broad, flat reef<br />
covered with seagrass, coral and other marine<br />
organisms that once lived undisturbed despite the<br />
neap and ebb tides.<br />
To the municipalities of Maribojoc and Loon, which<br />
share stories of devastation caused by the quake<br />
and are contoured by the new coastal crust in the<br />
southwestern part of the island, the strip offers<br />
exciting ecotourism opportunities. Maribojoc is<br />
The more progressive Loon wants to put up a Loon<br />
Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park in their portion<br />
of the strip to study the earth’s crust. The park<br />
will feature a southern coastal road, amusement and<br />
recreational centers, an area for sports and extreme<br />
adventure. Also envisioned are improvements to the<br />
existing fish sanctuaries and the development of<br />
other fishery-related projects.<br />
Cabilao Island<br />
The small island of Cabilao is a real diver’s paradise<br />
and surrounded by a coral reef that falls steeply to<br />
about 50 meters. Cabilao is located about 30 km<br />
from Tagbilaran along the coastal road to Calape and<br />
Tubigon and is also linked by boat to Sandingan Island,<br />
which in turn is connected to Bohol by a bridge. The<br />
boat trip to to the island takes only about 15<br />
minutes and the ride is not expensive, generally<br />
around P20 per person. The boats depart when they<br />
have seven passengers on board so be patient or be<br />
prepared to pay for all seven tickets if time is a major<br />
concern.<br />
Some of Bohol’s smaller islands, such as Panglao,<br />
are connected to the mainland by bridge or dam or<br />
causeway, making them easier to visit, but it also<br />
means that motor traffic can easily reach them and<br />
disturb their tranquility. Cabilao is too far offshore to<br />
be connected by bridge, so the island remains clean<br />
and comparatively peaceful. The only transport on<br />
the island are a few tricycles and a couple of motorcycles<br />
that also serve as so-called habal-habal which
Bas Dako<br />
Beach Anda<br />
means they’re available for hire. However, most of<br />
the distances on Cabilao are so small, pretty much<br />
everywhere is reachable on foot.<br />
Cabilao island is among the best dive sites in and<br />
around Bohol and most visitors go there for the diving<br />
as there are some wonderful reefs not far offshore.<br />
The island has three resorts that mainly cater to divers<br />
exploring the undisturbed reefs, love the peaceful<br />
atmosphere, and come especially to see Cabilao’s<br />
famous shoals of hammerhead sharks. Each resort<br />
now has its own dive shop, and equipment rental<br />
facilities, and can provide pressured air refills for scubadivers.<br />
Snorkelling off the beach is very rewarding<br />
as the waters here are a kaleidoscopic pattern of<br />
brightly colored marine life: it is recommended that<br />
snorkelers wear a wet-suit for protection against<br />
sun-burn, jellyfish stings or a brush with other stinging<br />
creatures that live on or near the reef. Not only can<br />
some these fragile looking marine coelenterates give<br />
a painful sting but the tentacles will often leave<br />
unsightly, (and painful), red welts that are hellish to<br />
get rid of.<br />
Cabilao has much to offer visitors to the island.<br />
Hunting of birds is forbidden on this little piece of<br />
paradise, as it should be everywhere, and now there<br />
are more birds here than in most of Bohol. Also, the<br />
island is the home to Bohol’s only natural lake, Lake<br />
Lanao, which also serves as a bird-sanctuary. The<br />
lake is only a leisurely stroll from any of the resorts,<br />
providing an opportunity to take in the peace,<br />
serenity and lush tropical growth of the island. Cabilao<br />
long-time resident, Joachim Gilliard, has established<br />
the Sunset Dive Resort on his property which also<br />
houses his rather splendid home. The resort boasts<br />
European designed units which are comfortable,<br />
plush and a little unexpected on a small island. They<br />
are also spacious with room to move and relax. On<br />
the grounds there is a swimming pool, a nipa hut<br />
bar and many other facilities to allow guests to do as<br />
much or as little as they wish. Joachim has been on<br />
Festival of Lights<br />
59
BOHOL<br />
60<br />
the island for more than ten years, is an accomplished<br />
diver and knows the best dive sites around here,<br />
which will make for many happy memories.<br />
Anda<br />
The municipality of Anda is a small peninsula at the<br />
eastern tip of Bohol, 100km from Tagbilaran City. It<br />
was once a wilderness; the shores were swampy and<br />
covered with thick mangroves and hardwood trees.<br />
During the early part of its civilization up to the later<br />
decades of the nineteenth century, this region was<br />
a barrio of Guindulman called “Quinale” due to the<br />
characteristic formation of land made up of sand,<br />
gravel and coral that piled layer on layer and then<br />
was carried on the waves since time immemorial.<br />
This can be verified geologically by observing the<br />
sandy soil of the barrios of Poblacion and Suba.<br />
Unless any reader is particularly interested in the<br />
arcane machinations of bureaucratic wrangling of<br />
late 19th century Philippines, I suggested skipping<br />
the following paragraphs in the interest of preserving<br />
ones sanity.<br />
On March 24, 1874 the petition of barrio Quinale<br />
to become a town was denied again for the same<br />
reason—the number of taxpayers was less than<br />
the required 500. On <strong>Sept</strong>ember 23, 1874, only a<br />
few months after being denied, the people made<br />
another petition. This time they took another tack.<br />
Independent Lieutenant Victorio Felisarta and<br />
37 other signatories put forward the following<br />
argument: their 1856 petition was denied because<br />
of an insufficient number of taxpayers. Their 1872<br />
petition was denied for the same reason. They argued<br />
that the number of births far exceeded the<br />
deaths, but the people migrated to other places due<br />
to lack of supervision and opportunities. The reason<br />
why the people want to be a town is to have a proper<br />
supervision and leadership. Without leadership<br />
the number of taxpayers will not increase, so first<br />
make Quinale into a town so that the taxpayers<br />
could reach 500 and not the other way around.<br />
Provincial Governor Don Joaquin Bengoechea,<br />
understood the reasoning. So he suggested, the<br />
citizens make a petition only for the civil aspect<br />
of the town. The requirement of 500 taxpayers is<br />
only for becoming a town. So the <strong>Sept</strong>ember 23,<br />
1874 petition requested only to be a town in the civil<br />
aspect. The new petition went into rigmarole due to<br />
the reluctance of the religious authorities to<br />
approve it. On March 11, 1875, the Consejo De<br />
Administracion (Council for Administration)<br />
recommended that the visita (mission field) of Quinale<br />
be spearated in its civil aspect only because the<br />
Archbishop was not inclined to separate it on its<br />
religious aspect. On March 12, 1875, Governor<br />
General Don Jose De Malcampoy y Monje issued<br />
the decree creating the new town of Anda. On April<br />
1, 1875 the order was published. The archbishop of<br />
Manila confirmed the separation was only on the<br />
civil aspect of the town. On May 3, 1875, the local<br />
officials of the new town of Anda and the mother<br />
town of Guindulman gathered together to determine<br />
the boundaries.<br />
As to the renaming of the town, there is no record<br />
yet found as to its authenticity. However, according<br />
to the explanation by early inhabitants, the word<br />
ANDA is derived from the word andar, ‘to walk’<br />
Visayanized as naga-andar meaning ‘walking’ or<br />
towards prosperity. Another version of the naming<br />
of this town is that it was derived from the name<br />
of a Spanish Governor General, Simon de Anda,
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61
whose memory influenced the Spanish authorities,<br />
the town’s name was attributed to. Anda led the<br />
army of Filipino and Spanish troops to fight against<br />
a British invasion. However, the authenticity of either<br />
version remains to this date a continuous study<br />
and research.<br />
Since the inhabitants of this newly created municipality<br />
were wanting of knowledge and a short of proper<br />
guidance in performing governmental functions, the<br />
people invited an educated person from Guindulman<br />
to serve as an administrator or adviser in running the<br />
machinery of the government. They invited Pablo<br />
Castro Sr. to live in Anda to teach and to give advices<br />
to the officials of the town regarding governmental<br />
affairs. He got his meager education in Manila.<br />
He was sent there by his parents while he was still<br />
young.<br />
He was popularly known as Maestro Amboy, Juece<br />
Amboy, and Capitan Amboy for serving in various<br />
government positions as an adviser, Juece de<br />
Sementera y de Policia, and as a Capitan Municipal.<br />
The varied positions were however rendered on<br />
different times.<br />
However, the new town was still under the parochial<br />
jurisdiction of Guindulman. The Bishop of Cebu<br />
(Bohol was yet under the Diocese of Cebu) did<br />
not affirmed that the new municipality be granted<br />
a separate parish. He was doubtful that this newly<br />
created town could sustain the needs of an independent<br />
parish.<br />
The people through some leaders namely: Perfecto<br />
Paguia; Gabriel Escobido, Benedicto Amper among<br />
continued persistently in petitioning the<br />
Bishop of Cebu that a separate parish should be<br />
established in Anda. On March 19, 1885-Anda parish<br />
was granted to be separated from Guindulman<br />
assigning Rev. Fr. Julian Cisnero as the first parish<br />
priest. On January 6, 1885 the approval from the<br />
Spanish Cortes for a separate civil government of<br />
Anda was at hand. So in the year 1885 the people<br />
enjoyed a dual celebration-civil and parochial.<br />
Visitors to Anda experience the ultimate satisfaction<br />
and enjoyment with pollution free beaches while being<br />
captivated by the unending beauty of nature and<br />
beach treasures. Anda is a place for great vacations<br />
for the family, a romantic getaway for newlyweds or<br />
for simply spending time with friends. A fresh look<br />
far from the activity on Panglao. With its serene and<br />
calm environment, Anda is a great escape for tourists<br />
looking for a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying the<br />
panoramic view of white sand beaches. A timeless<br />
ambiance lingers in this part of Bohol. There are<br />
many resorts at Anda all designed to make guests<br />
feel at home even though most holiday makers want<br />
to get away from home. Among the more established<br />
resorts is the Anda White Beach Resort where Cornelius<br />
and his wife go out of their way to ensure guests<br />
creature comforts are well catered for. There is also<br />
Blue Star Resort and on the beach another beautiful<br />
resort that has everything is the Anum Ini Resort.<br />
Set in lush tropical gardens this beautiful resort also<br />
caters for guests every whim. The East Coast Resort<br />
is also popular.<br />
Balicasag<br />
Balicasag is a small island off the coast of Panglao.<br />
It is a marine sanctuary with white sand beach and<br />
beautiful coral formations in both shallow and deep<br />
BOHOL<br />
others,<br />
Balicasag Island<br />
Dive Resort<br />
62
Balicasag Turtle<br />
63
Bohol Beach Club<br />
BOHOL<br />
64<br />
waters. Balicasag is a haven for snorkelers and divers<br />
and also for those who simply love to swim or go<br />
island hopping, or watch for dolphins. It is 600<br />
meters in diameter and can be explored at leisure<br />
within 45 minutes. It is one of those marvellously<br />
sun drenched little dots of sand peeking above the<br />
ocean that casts no judgement on how active or idle<br />
a person is. Simply laze on the shore or go for a cooling<br />
swim in the clear, mild shallow waters. Diving is<br />
particularly popular in Balicasag because of the<br />
island’s rich marine life. There are turtles, many<br />
different species of fish and various coral growths<br />
which change color according to the water’s depth.<br />
Divers should be aware of their surroundings around<br />
Balicasag as the currents can become stronger than<br />
many divers are accustomed to.<br />
Diving Sites<br />
Black Forest. The Black Forest is probably the most<br />
popular dive point in Balicasag with its steep slope<br />
that extends to about 40 meters. It is called the<br />
black forest because of the beautiful black coral that<br />
thrive in the area. Divers can encounter schools of<br />
jackfish, barracuda, eels, and many other varieties of<br />
colorful marine life and grasses.<br />
Diver’s Haven. Diver’s Haven is another great diving<br />
point in Balicasag that highlights different species<br />
of fish and other marine life.<br />
Turtle Point offers a wonderful opportunity to get<br />
up close and personal with some magnificent sea<br />
turtles. There are also caves that run 60 to 75<br />
meters deep.<br />
Balicasag Marine Sanctuary. The marine sanctuary of<br />
the island features a wall dive that runs over 200m<br />
deep, with coral and plant life protruding from walls.<br />
Schools of jackfish are a common sight, as are other<br />
vibrant species of underwater life.<br />
Cathedral Wall. The Cathedral Wall features plenty of<br />
cracks which makes for an interesting dive. A torch<br />
or flashlight is needed to see though the crevices<br />
and witness amazing reef fish, coral, and sea sponges.<br />
Other interesting sights in this dive spot are schools<br />
of jacks and the light of the sun reflecting magnificently<br />
inside the cathedral wall.<br />
The Royal Garden. With a shallower average depth<br />
of 18m, the Royal Garden is also one of the favorite<br />
dive spots in Balicasag, especially for those still feeling<br />
their way around beneath the water as the underwater<br />
plateau features vibrant varieties of marine life all in<br />
one place. Turtles, shoals of fish, corals and plants in<br />
different shapes and colors are abundant.<br />
Non divers can enjoy the rich marine life of<br />
Balicasag by snorkelling. Swimming and snorkelling<br />
are the best ways of discovering the beauty of the<br />
island with its amazingly vibrant corals in the<br />
shallow waters.<br />
Dolphin Watching<br />
When you are island hopping from Balicasag with<br />
the kids, check out the dolphin watching in the sea<br />
between Balicasag and Pamilcana. Witness dolphins<br />
surfacing out of the water doing their stunts in<br />
groups usually early in the morning.
How to get there<br />
International travellers, basically, have two options<br />
— fly to Manila or fly direct to Cebu. Cebu is by far<br />
the most convenient and preferred option although<br />
there are fewer flights from fewer cities going<br />
directly to Cebu. The Cebu route allows passengers<br />
to avoid the unseemly scramble of weary and frustrated<br />
new arrivals all racing headlong towards the often<br />
woefully inadequate Immigration and Customs<br />
desks at Manila before transferring to the Domestic<br />
terminal to board a flight to Cebu.<br />
Travellers can fly direct to Cebu from Singapore,<br />
Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan<br />
although these services are regularly reviewed and<br />
expanded. Emirates also operates to and from Cebu<br />
but it seems no airline is flying direct from Europe,<br />
America or Australasia although that, too, could<br />
change when sufficient demand emerges.<br />
Philippine Airlines passengers can arrive in Manila<br />
and depart for Cebu or even take a direct flight from<br />
Manila to Tagbilaran from the same terminal, which<br />
is about as convenient as domestic air travel in the<br />
Philippines gets.<br />
Travellers in Cebu should head along to the wharf<br />
and hop on the ‘fast ferry’ for the 90 minute trip<br />
across the Cebu Strait to Tagbilaran. The regular<br />
boat to Tagbilaran takes about four hours which is<br />
one way of adjusting to the slower pace of island life.<br />
It is also possible to cross the Cebu Strait to Tubigon<br />
and Talibon, and a number of other towns on Bohol,<br />
which may be more convenient for travellers staying on<br />
the west or north coast of the island.<br />
Where to Stay<br />
One thing Bohol has an abundance of is<br />
accommodation. While some visitors will choose<br />
comfort and a full suite of facilities others may<br />
prefer the convenience of staying right on the beach<br />
front. Comfort and convenience are not, of course,<br />
mutually exclusive and it’s certainly possible to<br />
combine comfort and convenience without leaving<br />
the holiday budget in tatters.<br />
There are a number of quite good resorts in Tagbilaran<br />
like the Metro Centro Hotel, Bohol Sunset Villa and<br />
the upmarket Ocean Suites Boutique Hotel. In Panglao<br />
the top pick would have to be the Bohol Beach Club:<br />
this resort has everything plus some of the best water<br />
sports activities on this section of the island. The<br />
Seaquest, Sunset, and White Beach are also top resorts<br />
that people have recommended to <strong>ABW</strong>. When staying<br />
on Cabilao islands, only 10 minutes by banca from<br />
the mainland, you have the Cabilao Beach Club or in<br />
Talisay there is Polaris or undoubtedly the best resort<br />
in this area Joachim Gilliards’ Sunset Dive Resort.<br />
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Words by<br />
BRUCE<br />
CURRAN<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
A water spout<br />
was spotted<br />
to the right<br />
(starboard)<br />
of the bow<br />
of the boat,<br />
and then the<br />
same animal<br />
spouted closer<br />
to the boat.<br />
Travelling with<br />
Whales<br />
66
The oceans around the Philippines are<br />
incredibly rich with marine mammals. They<br />
swim around here on their own accord. However,<br />
there are a few that were flown in by Fedex.<br />
In a cozy little bay at the far end of Subic, a handful<br />
of false killer whales were a happy bunch. Previously<br />
enclosed in Beijing under a concrete dome where<br />
they must have pined for the sky. Now were<br />
connected to the open sea and can hear the marine<br />
life all around them, and see the stars and moon on<br />
clear nights- a far cry from a gray concrete dome in China.<br />
Fedex flew them to Zambales where their dreams<br />
came true. Hundreds of miles from the sea, they<br />
had been far from their normal element. Where they<br />
swam in the waters of Subic Bay. Their human trainers<br />
immediately noticed a new level of contentment.<br />
The whales now swam in natural bay waters.<br />
One of these whales sported a harpoon scar from a<br />
Japanese whale hunter. This reminds me of the joke<br />
about the two nations that still persist in whaling.<br />
The quote is, “Save a Whale, harpoon a Japanese<br />
Whaler” or “Save a Whale, harpoon a Norwegian<br />
Whaler.” There are many Japanese working in Subic,<br />
and a few Norwegians too, so one has to be<br />
diplomatic and choose company carefully before<br />
spouting this topical line!<br />
Meanwhile, “Ocean Adventure” had officially<br />
opened after some strange official objections to its<br />
environmental and moral suitability. The fact of the<br />
matter is that these whales were the ultimate envoy<br />
for their species, and all marine species at the end<br />
of the day. The people involved were vastly<br />
experienced, and the Philippines is tremendously<br />
lucky to have such a remarkable ocean park within<br />
its own country.<br />
False Killer Whale<br />
Marie Hill, pifscblog.wordpress.com<br />
67
68<br />
The educational aspect is heavily promoted. School<br />
children and post school adults are fed interesting<br />
and vital information that encourages all of us to<br />
take extra care of our planet. A ‘Learning Center’ is<br />
part of the attraction.<br />
A family of sea lions is also featured in the park, as<br />
is a set of aquarium tanks occupied by various<br />
colourful marine denizens of the coral and mangrove<br />
shallows.<br />
But the main feature of the park was these whales<br />
themselves. The whales reveled in their encounters<br />
with their human visitors who, big or small, also<br />
thrived in this remarkable meeting of land and water<br />
mammals.<br />
Ocean Adventure Park<br />
I was so proud of my two children, Shauna, 10, and<br />
Swayn, 8, as I watched them during their 45-minute<br />
encounter with the whales. They were engrossed,<br />
awed, fascinated, and no doubt full of many<br />
feelings and a million thoughts. They have come<br />
away from the experience with a new found respect<br />
for whales, marine life, and the need for care of our<br />
entire planet. Talk about ultimate education. Talk<br />
about one of life’s truly great experiences.<br />
“Ocean Adventure” is one way that many people,<br />
especially land-locked urban dwellers, can get a true<br />
feel of the marine world.<br />
Out in the open seas the Philippine whales and other<br />
marine mammals abound. I have seen a mother and
69
calf west of Palawan, a whale north of Busuanga,<br />
and have heard of many encounters far and wide.<br />
Dugongs, the so-called seacows that eat seagrass,<br />
are more widespread in these waters than previously<br />
realized, and whale sharks have long held their<br />
notoriety in these waters. In Palawan, there is even<br />
a clawless endemic otter. The World Wildlife<br />
Organization stamps the Philippines as within the<br />
area which is designated as the most marine<br />
bio-diverse environment on our entire planet.<br />
A sailing couple recently told me of their own whale<br />
encounter en route to the Philippines from the<br />
island of Guam way east in the Pacific Ocean.<br />
A water spout was spotted to the right (starboard)<br />
of the bow of the boat, and then the same animal<br />
spouted closer to the boat. All of a sudden this<br />
whale, which was longer than their own 38-foot<br />
boat, swam fast towards them and dived under their<br />
boat, creating a massive wave that swamped their<br />
deck as the leviathan swam out of sight and down<br />
into the murky depths of the ocean. They were<br />
more than a little surprised, but the whale did not<br />
physically touch their hull, so all was well, but wet.<br />
It was a mouth-opening experience to see a wild<br />
whale, and a fantastic experience to have the opportunity<br />
to swim with a whale at “Ocean Adventure”. The<br />
place is a-buzz with excitement and involvement.<br />
The visitors are privileged and supportive, agog and<br />
educated, but most of all changed in some ways<br />
forever.<br />
Professor Lem Argones is involved with marine<br />
mammal survey in Philippine waters, and is based<br />
at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, just<br />
south of Manila. The list of types of whales found in<br />
these waters is over 20, although some species are<br />
rarely seen.<br />
Back at “Ocean Adventure” several foreigners ruled<br />
and run the roost. One was involved with the training<br />
of the killer whale in the film “Free Willy”.<br />
There were a whole bunch of interesting people<br />
associated with the project. The Filipino photographer<br />
Chet is a keen mountaineer and hoped to go sea<br />
kayaking in the future. Bianca, the Filipina whale<br />
trainer, was also a mountaineer. Tim, John, Scott<br />
and Bob are some that I was lucky enough to<br />
meet.<br />
Dolphins<br />
70
71
Deck Equipment<br />
There should<br />
be a strong<br />
fastening<br />
point near the<br />
hatchway so<br />
that harness<br />
lines can be<br />
slipped on<br />
before the<br />
crew leaves<br />
the cabin.<br />
You’ve always been interested to sail, but you know little about boat parts, the confusing technobabble,<br />
and what little you know is making your head spin in four different directions! Worry no<br />
more. This continuing series of articles is for you: it covers tips regarding hardware present on most boats,<br />
as well as common sailing techniques, terms and definitions, the names of the different pieces of hardware,<br />
and much more. This will keep you informed about most things you will need before you begin your own<br />
sailing excursion. Be sure to consult with an experienced sailor and someone knowlegeable about boats.<br />
Article<br />
excerpts<br />
reprinted<br />
from<br />
the book<br />
CRUISER<br />
HANDLING<br />
by BOB BOND<br />
& STEVE<br />
SLEIGHT<br />
The mast<br />
72<br />
Most Bermudan sloop-rigged boats have a broadly<br />
similar range of deck equipment, and layout, small<br />
variations may occur I the number and siting of<br />
winches, the position of the cleats and so on. If you<br />
are sailing an unfamiliar boat, get the skipper to show<br />
you around and demonstrate how the equipment works.<br />
The fixtures and fittings have to take a considerable<br />
amount of strain so they must be robust and well<br />
secured. Frequent maintenance checks are a vital<br />
safety precaution. Details of the fittings and their<br />
functions are given here.<br />
Foredeck<br />
The foredeck of a cruiser is a potentially dangerous<br />
area. The bow of the boat suffers the greatest degree of<br />
motion in any kind of swell, and in rough seas, large<br />
waves mat break over it. All the headsail changing is<br />
carried out on the foredeck, and the crew therefore<br />
needs some sort of protection while working.<br />
Normally a strong tubular steel framework known as<br />
the pulpit, is fixed to the bow, bolted securely into<br />
the deck. The crew can brace themselves against it<br />
when working. Lifelines, or guardrails as they also<br />
known, run from the pulpit to the stern of the boat,<br />
supported at intervals on metal stanchions, in rough<br />
weather, the crew must wear harness and clip<br />
themselves onto appropriate parts of the boat. Usually<br />
jackstays are rigged from eyebolts at the bow and<br />
run along each side deck to the cockpit. They are<br />
made of plastic-covered wire or of webbing, and<br />
provide a convenient clipping-on point along the<br />
length of the foredeck. The anchor is normally kept<br />
on the foredeck, in modern boats there is usually a<br />
covered anchor well sunk into the foredeck, in which<br />
the anchor is stowed when not being used. There<br />
should be at least one fairlead on either side of the<br />
bow, with an accompanying cleat set slightly aft of<br />
it. The forestay or forestays if the boat has twin ones<br />
fitted, are attached to the bow fitting. The foredeck<br />
surface is an important factor. It should be made<br />
of non-slip material with a raised lip at the outer<br />
edge to prevent the crew from slipping under the<br />
guardrails. The forward hatch can be fitted into the<br />
foredeck or in the fore part of the cabin. It must be<br />
strong, watertight, and capable of being securely
locked from both inside and outside the coach roof.<br />
Make sure the foredeck is free of clutter at all times.<br />
Coil up warps immediately after use and stow them.<br />
Bag up sails, or stow them neatly against the guardrails<br />
if they are likely to be used again shortly.<br />
Coach roof<br />
In most boats the cabin accommodations covered<br />
over with a raised coach roof to give more headroom<br />
below decks. If the mast is deck stepped, the coach<br />
roof is normally reinforced at this point, often with<br />
a pillar support running from the deckhead to the<br />
keel. The sides of the coach roof normally contain small<br />
windows or port holes to allow light into the cabin<br />
below. The seal around them should be completely<br />
watertight, as those around the ventilators, which<br />
allow air to circulate in the cabin. A forward hatch<br />
is normally incorporated into the front part of the<br />
coach roof to allow sails to be passed through, and<br />
to allow light and air into the forepeak. The hatch<br />
should also have a waterproof seal, and should be<br />
kept firmly closed when under way. Stanchions with<br />
lifelines are fitted around the side decks. The spinnaker<br />
pole is normally stowed along one of the side decks<br />
and the jib sheet fairleads are secured on either side<br />
deck, just forward of the cockpit. A grabrail runs<br />
around the coach roof. The companionway, the access<br />
into the cabin, is usually at the aft end of the coach<br />
roof and can be closed by a sliding hatch and<br />
washboards. The hatch should have a proper lock<br />
than can be operated from inside and out, and<br />
should be secured shut when sailing I rough conditions.<br />
The washboards should also be capable of being<br />
secured separately from inside and out. Grab handles<br />
fitted in the companionway, and rubber nosing on<br />
the steps help to provide a more secure hand and<br />
foothold when the boat is heeling. There should<br />
be a strong fastening point near the hatchway so<br />
that harness lines can be slipped on before the crew<br />
leaves the cabin.<br />
Stowing on the deck<br />
Every boat should have a proper liferaft on board,<br />
and a common place to stow it is on the coach roof,<br />
either forward of the mast or between the mast and<br />
the companionway. Alternatively, it could be stowed<br />
in a separate cockpit locker. If stowed on deck, it<br />
should be tied onto specially shaped chocks using a<br />
quick release knot. If you have an inflatable tender you<br />
can stow it, deflated, alongside the liferaft. Make<br />
sure that all equipment is properly tied down, and<br />
that there are no trailing lines which might trip up<br />
an unwary crew member. Ancillary equipment, such<br />
as brooms and boat-hooks, should be not tied to the<br />
grabrails, as it may prevent their use as hand-holds.<br />
Stow them in a locker in the cockpit or down below.<br />
Mast<br />
The majority of boats these days use aluminum<br />
masts as they are strong, light and durable. The<br />
height of the mast will depend on the size of the<br />
boat and the design of the rig. Most boats have a<br />
single spreader arrangement, struts which join the<br />
middle of the mast to the shrouds to give it more<br />
lateral support. The shrouds, of stainless steel or<br />
galvanized wire, are attached to chainplates mounted<br />
on the sides of the hull, or on the side decks. With<br />
single spreader arrangement, the cap shrouds run<br />
from the masthead to the side decks and a further<br />
pair of shrouds runs from the spreader roots to the<br />
chainplates. These are called the lower shrouds. A<br />
forestay and backstay, of similar construction to the<br />
shrouds, run from the mast head to the bow and<br />
stern respectively and support the mast fore and aft.<br />
Although the shrouds have a fixed tension, set up<br />
when the mast is stepped, the back stay can usually<br />
be adjusted when sailing. Navigation lights may be<br />
attached to the masthead, as can a wind indicator<br />
and a radio aerial. It is also the best place to put a radar<br />
reflector. The mast usually contains the sail halyards<br />
which emerge near the deck. The appropriate<br />
winches and cleats are fixed nearby, or the halyards<br />
are led back to the winches near the cockpit. The<br />
gooseneck fitting of the boom is mounted on the<br />
aft side of the mast. If the boat has a spinnaker, the<br />
pole bracket is mounted on the front of the mast<br />
and the spinnaker Halyard winch and cleat on the<br />
side, or near the cockpit. The kicking strap is usually<br />
secured to the heel of the mast on the aft side.<br />
Boom<br />
The boom provides the rigid base for the foot of<br />
the mainsail. On modern boats it is usually made<br />
of aluminum and has a groove along the top into<br />
which the foot rope of the mainsail is inserted. The<br />
tack of the sail is secured at the gooseneck while a<br />
clew outhaul is used to adjust the tension on the<br />
foot of the sail. The boom is attached to to the mast<br />
with a gooseneck fitting which may be mounted on a<br />
sliding track, so that the height of the boom can be<br />
adjusted. A kicking strap fixed to the underside of<br />
the boom is used to prevent it lifting when sailing.<br />
The mainsheet is attached to an eye at the aft end<br />
of the boom, as is the topping lift, a length of rope<br />
running from the boom to the masthead and down<br />
to the deck, which is used to support the end of the<br />
boom when the mainsail is hoisted. If your boat has<br />
jiffy reefing equipment this will also be attached to<br />
the boom.<br />
Boom Detail<br />
The tubular framework<br />
known as the<br />
pulpit surrounds<br />
the bows and<br />
provides protection<br />
fpr the crew when<br />
rigging or changing<br />
headsails It must be<br />
securely throughbolted<br />
to the deck<br />
Life Raft<br />
Coachroof<br />
73
Negros and Surrounding Areas<br />
Unless<br />
familiar with<br />
the channel<br />
it should not<br />
be attempted<br />
when reefs do<br />
not show well.<br />
The deeper<br />
water will be<br />
found on the<br />
W side of the<br />
channel.<br />
We hope you are enjoying this very useful<br />
series with the important information<br />
on cruising in Philippine waters. As we said information<br />
can be somewhat limited to the smaller cruising<br />
yachts in the Philippines. With the invaluable help<br />
of NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource<br />
Information Authority) we are getting each series.<br />
And the feedback from Marinas and Yacht Clubs<br />
throughout the Philippines, which has been very<br />
encouraging, to bring you more accurate and up<br />
to date information on Philippine waters with you<br />
the cruising and sailing yachtsman in mind and<br />
will also be of invaluable use to the power boat<br />
yachtsman as well. As we stated in the first of this<br />
series it was decided after discovering that local<br />
knowledge gained by a yachtsman was not being<br />
recorded and shared with other yachtsman.<br />
Words by<br />
BARRY<br />
DAWSON &<br />
SUBIC<br />
SAILING<br />
Photographs<br />
as credited<br />
As we aim to make the information contained<br />
here-in as accurate as possible, your input is<br />
greatly appreciated as we can only go on information<br />
given to us by the Yacht Clubs and NAMRIA<br />
and of course firsthand experience from you, the<br />
yachting fraternity. So with this in mind we cannot<br />
be held responsible if there are any inaccuracies.<br />
So if you read any information contained herein<br />
you know to be inaccurate please inform us<br />
immediately at info@activeboatingwatersports.<br />
com. Please continue in sending us information.<br />
74
Philippine Waters<br />
75
Our fourth destination in this series is Negros<br />
Island and all its surrounding areas.<br />
Please note that when sailing in Philippine waters<br />
for the first time that the Philippine Immigration and<br />
Customs rules are administered by the Department of<br />
Foreign Affairs. For skipper and crew of sailing and<br />
cruising yachts visiting the Philippines it is possible<br />
to obtain a visitor’s visa in advance of travel from the<br />
nearest Philippine Embassy or Consular Services office<br />
in your country of departure. Visa requirements<br />
can be found at the Department of Foreign Affairs<br />
(“DFA”) website Visa Information.<br />
Upon entry into the Philippines, the crew of your<br />
yacht is required to register immediately with the<br />
nearest Philippine Coast Guard Station and submit<br />
the yacht/sailboat to Customs, Immigration and<br />
Quarantine inspections. There is a Customs Office<br />
in Puerto Princesa and one also at Coron capable of<br />
achieving this objective.<br />
If you have not applied for a visa in advance then<br />
you must report immediately to the nearest Bureau<br />
of Immigration office upon entering Philippine waters;<br />
a 21 day visa will usually be issued to holders of<br />
acceptable passports. BI offices around the country<br />
can be found on the BI website.<br />
Extensions of stay visa are offered for periods of an<br />
initial visa extension of 38 days (and in 59 day<br />
increments thereafter) for holders of acceptable<br />
passports and can be applied for at the nearest BI<br />
office. The schedule of fees for VISA EXTENSION is<br />
given on the BI website.<br />
If life in the Philippines sounds too good (to many<br />
people it does) and you are considering living here<br />
then you should take time out to find out how and<br />
where to stay in the Philippines this information is<br />
available on www.activeboatingwatersports.com<br />
Bohol Island is of oval form, 48 miles long in a NE<br />
direction and 34 miles wide N and S. It has an Area of<br />
about 1,492.2 square statute miles and isa the tenth<br />
island in the Philippines in point size. It is well populated.<br />
The S part is hilly and rocky, but in the N part are<br />
fertile valleys and good tracts of level land. The highest<br />
point on the island, 802 meters high, is in the SE part<br />
about 5 miles NW of Nauco Point.<br />
Mount Cogtong, in the NE part of the Island, is a<br />
prominent, grass covered, double peak 459 meters<br />
high. Bohol has no good harbors, and its rivers are<br />
general small and used only by bancas and local craft.<br />
76<br />
Cebu Strait is the passage between the W side of Bohol<br />
and the island of Cebu. It connects the Camotes Sea with<br />
the Bohol Sea. The Strait is wide and deep throughout<br />
its length, as are the N and S approach channels.
77
Lapinin Island, lying close to he NE point of Bohol, is<br />
generally low and rugged, it has wide, rice-cultivated<br />
flat, broken by low, conspicuous hills covered with<br />
grass. A well defined hill 129 meters high, near the<br />
S point of the island is probably the highest point.<br />
Its shores are indented by numerous bays, fringed<br />
with mangroves, except in a few places where there<br />
are small stretches of sand beach and faced by reefs.<br />
There are no rivers, the opening in the mangroves<br />
are being only esteros extending a short distance<br />
inland. Three small islets, Bondoon, Budlaan, and<br />
Pamasuan are close to the N side of the Island. Tide<br />
rips are indicated E of Tugas Point, the NE extremity<br />
of the island.<br />
Basiao Channel, between Lapinin Island and Bohol,<br />
is a winding channel about 0.5 miles wide. At the<br />
NW end of the channel Lapinin Chico Islet. 33 meters<br />
high and fringed with mangroves. From the E<br />
entrance a mid-channel course is safe and a depth of<br />
5.5 meters can be carried within a mile SE of the islet<br />
with a sand spit o.7 mile SE of Lapinin Chico Islet,<br />
The bar and the sand pit divide the channel at this<br />
point. In the NW branch a depth of 4.6 meters can<br />
be carried through at low water, but the N branch<br />
is foul and should not be attempted by strangers.<br />
About 270 meters from the S side of Lapinin Chico<br />
is a rock awash at high water with 4.6 meters close<br />
to its S side, and opposite side of the channel, about<br />
495 meters S of this rock, is a small rock covered by<br />
2.7 meters at low water. The channel E of Lapinin<br />
Chico is close to the sand bar SE of the islet, and is<br />
about 360 meters wide, running in a N-and-S direction.<br />
Basio Channel affords excellent anchorage in 5.5 to<br />
9.1 meters with a sand and rock bottom.<br />
W of Cogtong Mountains is a large valley extending<br />
W along the coast to the Ipil river and S between<br />
Cogtong Mounta and Mount Batuanan. This latter<br />
mountain 341 meters high, is the E termination of<br />
the long E and W ridge SW of the Cogtong Mountains,<br />
descending with a cliff-like abruptness to the E and<br />
forming an easily distinguished landmark.<br />
If bound for Talibon, a vessel should, after clearing<br />
the pass, steer 247°, heading for Gindacpan Island.<br />
This course will clear the reef which extends about<br />
1.3 miles NW of Bilanbilangan Island and midway<br />
between the reefs surrounding Talaban Island and<br />
a detached shoal about 1 mile in diameter, about 3<br />
miles WNW of Nunu. This shoal is bare at low water<br />
and shows well under favorable light conditions. The<br />
W edge of the reef of Talaban Island is in line with a<br />
range formed by Talibon Church and the east tangent<br />
to Saae Island. When Talaban Island is abeam steer<br />
213° in mid-channel between Saae and Bassan Islands,<br />
until the north tangent to Tambu Island bears 270°,<br />
then head for Talibon church on course 180°.<br />
78
79
Anchorage may be had 1 mile NE of the town in<br />
5.5 meters of water, with a mud bottom. From the<br />
anchorage the water shoals gradually towards the<br />
shore.<br />
Tubigon has a 505 meter long concrete causeway<br />
extending NNW. The causeway has three timberdecked<br />
landings towards its offshore end and<br />
constructed at the sides, two on the W and 1 one<br />
the E side. Depth of water at the extreme N end<br />
was found at 2.9 meters. Talibon light 10° 19’14”N,<br />
124°19’35.5”E flashing red at 3 second intervals,<br />
from a concrete tower, on the inshore end of Talibon<br />
causeway and has limited arc visibility beyond 5<br />
miles as it is obstructed by several small islands.<br />
Jetafe light 10° 09’ 21” N, 124° 09’ 26” E shown<br />
fixed red on top of a 9.8 meter concrete pole, with a<br />
total elevation of 10.7 meters above the high water<br />
mark on the offshore end of the stone causeway, is<br />
visible 3miles over an arc of 85° from 081° to 166°.<br />
Middle pass a narrow channel 300 yards wide, 5.0<br />
miles E of Caubyan Islands has a depth of 6.1 meters.<br />
At the other entrance to Middle Pass, Mount Batuanan<br />
bears 159°, and nearly between Calituban and<br />
Gindacpan Islands. Unless familiar with the channel<br />
it should not be attempted when reefs do not show<br />
well. The deeper water will be found on the W side<br />
of the channel. At the inner and outer entrances,<br />
spits extend a short distance from the W side of the<br />
reef. NW pass between Pandanon Island and Cabulan<br />
Island is about 0.7 mile wide and mid-channel depth<br />
of over 36 meters. This pass permits entrance from<br />
Olango Channel. Vessels approaching the NW pass<br />
bound for Jetafe should bring Mount Corte to bear<br />
119° when about 1 mile outside of a line drawn between<br />
Pandanon and Cabulan Islets, and steer for it. This<br />
leading mark will carry a vessel through a chanel<br />
51.2 metrers deep between the reefs fringing Pandanon<br />
and Cabulon Islets, both of which are low and covered<br />
with coconut trees.<br />
Tubigon, a town about 8.5 miles SW of Inabanga, is<br />
the most important town on the northwest coast of<br />
Bohol. There are connections to Tagbilaran and daily<br />
boat services to Cebu. Anchorage may be found<br />
about 600 yards from the end pier in 5.5 to 9.1 meters<br />
of water with a mud bottom. Between Tubigon and<br />
Calape, 6.5 miles SW, the foot hills at several places<br />
rise to conspicuous summits of character formations.<br />
The most prominent of these Mount Ilihan about 2<br />
miles SSW from Tubigon.<br />
80<br />
Sandigham Island 81 meters high is heavily wooded,<br />
especially with coconut trees. The Island is very close<br />
to the NW extremity of Bohol, and coonected to the<br />
mainland by an extensive mangrove swamp. The W<br />
shore is fringed by a narrow steep-to reef, and the<br />
high water line is marked by a 3.0 to 6.1 meters bluff<br />
interspersed by sand and mangroves.
81
Cabilao Island 34.1 meters high and heavily wooded,<br />
is the most westerly island off the west coast of Bohol.<br />
The W side is fringed by a narrow steep-to reef. A<br />
concrete pole 16.2 meters high above high water,<br />
stands near the NE extremity of the island. The island<br />
is separated from Sandigan and Pangangan Island by<br />
Sauang Pass, a clear, deep channel 10.8 miles wide.<br />
Cabilao Light 09° 53’ 30”N, 123° 45’30”E flashing<br />
white, every 5 seconds, on top of a 9.8 meter high<br />
concrete tower, with a total elvation of about 10<br />
meters above high water mark on Baluarte Point is<br />
visible for 11 miles. Tidal currents – the flood current<br />
in this vicinity sets N, the ebb S with considerable<br />
velocity.<br />
This series is being compiled with in invaluable help<br />
of NAMRIA Active Boating and Watersports express<br />
their sincere thanks for charts and tidal information<br />
supplied.<br />
To purchase charts in both printed and electronic<br />
media contact NAMRIA Head Office Lawton Avenue<br />
Fort Bonifacio Taguig City +632-810-4831 to 41 or<br />
Branch Office at 421 Barraca Street, San Nicholas, Manila.<br />
+632-241-3494 to 98. www.namria.gov.ph<br />
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