Five Things to Love About Bohol

Broken hearts I can forgive, but broken dreams, never.

Or so believes 27-year-old Katrina de Dios – artist, cat-lover, toy collector, happy freelancer, and "Havaianas Flipping for the Beach" Bohol Leg winner. Having tried her hand in the corporate scene, Kate was not immune to the pitfalls of living the fast-paced city life. "I don’t want to look back just to see my youth wasted away in a 9-to-5 desk job with only the 15th and 30th of the month to look forward to," she shared.

Nowadays, the self-proclaimed corporate turncoat counts traveling as one of her top priorities. "Traveling is a humbling experience, and it really puts things in perspective. And at the end of the day, it’s one of the things that really make me happy."

Worth more than any promotion or paycheck, here are the Top 5 things that "Havaianas Flipping for the Beach" winner Kate de Dios counts as the most memorable that she was able to do in Bohol:

MEETING THE LAVENDER STARFISH IN BLACK-CORRALLED WATER

"I was definitely scared!" exclaimed Kate when asked about diving at two of Bohol’s most famous dive destinations, the Black Forest and Cathedral dive spots. "I initially thought of many excuses – I have colds or I had allergic rhinitis – but I’m really glad that I tried it out."

Characterized by huge overhangs, cavernous gaps, and incredible ledges, the Cathedral dive spot amazed the "Havaianas Flipping for the Beach" team, especially first-time diver Kate. The continuous descent revealed a lot of unique sights which included gigantic sea fans in psychedelic colors, angel fish quietly roaming the wall perimeters, and some Snubnose Drummers darting in and out of crevices.

But what struck Kate the most was a lavender-colored starfish that the dive master placed in her hand. "It was unbelievable. We usually...see plain palm-sized starfish along the beach, but this one [was] almost the size of my head, and it came in the prettiest shade of blue and lavender. It marked the only time I let go of my dive master’s hand," said Kate with a smile. Meanwhile, true to its name, the Black Forest dive site revealed unique black corals that are usually...found in the deepest recesses of the ocean.

SEEING FIREFLY-LIT TREES

"Magical. It was simply magical," said Kate when asked to describe the Fireflies Tour on the Loay River. Although it started only six months ago, the fiber optic-like display is rapidly growing as one of Bohol’s more popular destinations. "It’s like a Christmas tree – the only difference is, it’s lighted up by literally thousands of dancing fireflies." Aside from the firefly show, the rows of egret birds perched on top of coconut trees that lined the riverbanks of Loay were also a sight to see.

COZYING UP WITH ONE OF THE WORLD’S SMALLEST PRIMATES

Any Bohol trip would be incomplete without seeing the Loboc Tarsier.

Considered the world’s smallest primate, seeing one up close is definitely a rare treat – but as Kate was led to understand, humans should not get too close for comfort. "They actually commit suicide by banging their heads when they’re held in captivity or if they’re unduly stressed by humans," notes Kate. "I actually felt a bit guilty because the first time I saw one, the guide actually put one in my hand."

LISTENING TO TALES OF HILLS AND TREES

"We...usually hear about the two feuding giants who threw mud at each other, but there’s actually a more romantic twist to the Chocolate Hills legend," says Kate. "This time, there was supposedly a giant who fell in love with a mortal woman. Eventually, the woman died, and in the giant’s sorrow, he couldn’t stop crying. When his tears finally dried, the Chocolate Hills were formed."

Meanwhile, a more realistic urban legend is that of the man-made forest in Bilar. Twenty years ago, a group of students planted seedlings for a class project. Little did they know that this simple requirement would eventually give rise to a row of majestic trees that now line the Bilar highway. "It’s an inspiring story and one that’s definitely worth emulating," remarked Kate.

EATING EVERYTHING FROM AN AYALA DINNER TO A FIVE-GENERATION-OLD DELICACY

"Now I know what it feels like to eat like a king – in the Philippines, that is," remarked Kate after partaking of a sumptuous Italian buffet in Pugon sa Panglao. The place aims to elevate the culinary standards of Bohol, and with a chef that previously serviced the crème de la crème of Philippine society and an ambience that rivals the country’s most lavish bed-and-breakfast establishments, it’s definitely on the right track.

However, Kate discovered that good food doesn’t only come from the most luxurious places. A short drive from Baclayon Church revealed humble homes whose doors opened to some of the province’s most delightful delicacies such as Osang’s Broas, Madonna’s Baked Pulvoron, and Chit Lim’s Ube and Peanut Macaroons (from the original creator of the Peanut Kisses).

Five years after turning her back on the corporate world, Katrina will soon be off to Singapore where she’ll continue her free-spirited and travel-filled way of life. But no matter where she’ll end up going, she’s sure that she won’t forget her "Havaianas Flipping for the Beach" experience. "Who would’ve thought that my love for flip-flops [would] give me a chance to go back to what I consider as the ‘mini-center’ of the Philippines? But really, Bohol is a diverse mix of everything – it’s not just about long stretches of white sand, it has culture, natural attractions, art, architecture, and adventure mixed in."

"Flipping for the Beach" is a partnership between Havaianas and Studio 23 News Central, supported by the Department of Tourism, and sponsored by David and Goliath, T-Box, and Dakine. "Flipping for the Beach: Bohol Leg" is the sixth of the 7-beach series.

[ Chocolate Hills Wiki ]