The city of Tagbilaran is the gateway to the magnificent island of Bohol in the Philippines. It is home to just over 100,000 people and offers an insight into Philipino island life that's focused on food, culture and traditions.
The first contact between Spain and the island of Bohol was in 1565 when Miguel López de Legazpi and chief Datu Sikatuna made the famous blood compact to pledge peaceful cooperation. There is a monument in the city centre to commemorate this event and the Sandugo festival is held throughout the whole of July every year.
The Spanish had a great influence on the town, which later grew into the city that it is today. This can be seen in the architecture and in particular at the Cathedral of San Jose. Tagbilaran also offers plenty for the adventurous tourist, particularly snorkelling and scuba diving. You can also take a trip into the jungle to see the chocolate hills or cross a ravine on a bamboo hanging bridge.
Food is a very important part of Tagbilaran life and if you are there in January, you can visit the Ubi festival, which celebrates everything about the local purple yams.
Tagbilaran has plenty to offer from diving to shopping to the great outdoors and wildlife right on your doorstep. The lush jungle surrounding the city offers plenty of incredible treks and walks, while the coral reefs are perfect for warm nature dives. It's also great for shopping!
Learn to scuba dive
Tagbilaran is home to plenty of dive schools. The dive sites are good for beginners and seasoned divers alike. There are plenty of shore dives to be made, but the best ones are the boat dives where you are taken out onto stunning coral reefs that are teeming with wildlife.
Take a walk in the jungle
It is advisable to take a guided tour if you plan on entering the jungle. You can cross jungle ravines over the bamboo hanging bridges that are still built in the traditional manner. You can also walk to the chocolate hills which turn brown in the dry season, contrasting against the green jungle.
Shop till you drop
The city centre has a very lively shopping scene and there are a number of big malls that have everything from the high street stores to designer shops and local wares. The most popular ones are the Island City Mall and the Bohol Quality Mall.
The calendar of events in the vibrant city of Tagbilaran is very much tied to history, culture, religion and the bounty from the fields.
The Sandugo Festival: This month-long festival takes place every year in July. It commemorates the blood compact between Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and chief Datu Sikatuna. The festival includes traditional re-enactments, food feasts, traditional song and dance and much more.
The Ubi Festival: This event is held every January and celebrates the local staple product, which is the purple yam. Farmers will bring their crop into the city and stalls are set up everywhere as vendors snap them up to create some incredible delicacies.
Flores de Mayo Festival: The flowers of May festival is held throughout the month of May. It is a Catholic festival and focuses on honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayers are said daily and the faithful shower her statue with fresh flowers.
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