3.2.17

AirAsia in Bohol x Ubi Festival 2017: Visita Iglesia & Amorita Beach Resort

One of my plans this year is to travel more, so when I got an invite to fly to Bohol to cover the Ubi Festival in partnership with AirAsia, Amorita Resort & Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, I just had to say yes! Our trip was short but sweet--literally-- as we devoured meal after meal made of ubi/ube or yam. It was an amazing 3 days of pilgrimage and pigging out!  Here are photos and stories through photos...



 We were all checked-in by the gorjazz Yen Dreyfus!

 Boarding was right on time!

 Our ride to Tagbilaran, Bohol!

 Traveled with Kuya Melo, Mcpol, Yen & Chuckie Dreyfus, Sir Jim Paredes, Marla from Manila Bulletin & Sheila from ABS-CBN! We were also accompanied by Ms. Kata of Amorita Resort & Mark from AirAsia!:)

 You'd know if I'm not wearing make-up or if I was up all night-- GLASSES. Haha.

 With my loves Mcpol and baby girl Marla!

 Comfy seats, cold temperature, smooth flight. I was asleep the whole time! 

 Finally, BOHOL! 

 After a year, I'm so happy to be back in this historic & picturesque town :)

 Airports are now powered by SMART WiFi! Tried and tested, super reliable and it's fast!


At the Tagbilaran airpot, we were warmly welcomed by the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council headed by Ms. Emmylou Noel!:) They gave each of us a souvenir Tarsier necklace. So cuteee.


#BeholdBohol :)

After getting our bags, we were escorted to our van 

First Stop: ESTRELLA BAKERY for breakfast!
This is just across the town plaza:)

I can't believe how cheap their prices are! 

Ciabatta for P20? Wow!


They also have tea and coffee and juices

Mura db???


Native hot chocolate for P40!

My breakfast! 

Also love their interiors

On our first day in Bohol, from the airport we went straight to touring. But it was very different from the usual tours. I've been to Bohol maybe thrice or 4 times but I've never visited as many churches as we did that day. Feeling ko derecho nako sa langit after. Haha! But for serious, it was amazing. I also learned so much about Bohol's history and love for food especially ubi! 

2nd Stop: St. Joseph Cathedral


First of all, did you know St. Joseph the Worker is the patron saint of Tagbilaran? Didn't know that! He was enthroned as the patron saint by Rev. Fr. Joaquin de San Jose in 1767, a year before the Jesuits were expelled from the country. This church is where most weddings in Bohol are held. It's one of the first 6 parishes founded by the Jesuit missionaries who came to Bohol in 1595. 



The church is located near the Bohol Capitol and Plaza Rizal. It was razed by fire in 1798 but reconstructed and enlarged through the efforts of Rev. Fr. Valero de San Sebastian from 1839 -1855.  A 2-storey convent was added in 1872, the bell tower built from 1854-1888, iron cornices, wooden flooring, and chandeliers added in 1888 to 1894, the atrial cross in front put up in 1828. The statue of St. Joseph was put up in front (where the atrial cross once stood) on May 1, 1996. 



The Tagbilaran Cathedral appears imposing outside, and is wide and roomy inside. It has a Neo-Romanesque façade with corbelled arches underneath the cornice. There is a porch before the main entrance. The statue of Saint Joseph, patron saint of Bohol, stands in front where once the atrial cross stood. 



Both the interior and exterior of the church of Spanish times have been greatly renovated. Despite frequent renovations to meet modern-day requirements, some historic pieces still remain. The side altars are of the 18th century baroque style. The main or center altar, simply but elegantly decorated with ornate gold designs depicting symbols of Old Testament times, is in the 19th century Neoclassical style.



On the main altar’s second storey, immediately above St. Joseph’s throne, is the image of Nuestra Senora de Lourdes ( Our Lady of Lourdes) said to be donated in 1895 by Dona Maria de Bourbon of the Royal House of Spain. This image was installed with great pomp in Tagbilaran in February 19, 1895.

Painting of local plants could be seen on the walls

Statue of St. Joseph

To know more about this church, click here: 

3rd Stop: Immaculate Conception Church in Baclayon or Baclayon Church
Last time I was here, it's still being reconstructed because part of it got destroyed during the 2013 earthquake


La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church (also The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Parish Church), commonly known as Baclayon Church, was founded by the Jesuit priest Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sánchez in 1596, and became the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol. It was elevated as a parish in 1717 and the present coral stone church was completed in 1727. The Augustinian Recollects succeeded the Jesuits in 1768 and heavily renovated the church since then. (source: Wikipedia)

My first time to go inside the church and the museum upstairs!



This church is one of the oldest churches in Asia and among the best preserved Jesuit built churches in the country. :)


The church, built out of coral stones, is a cross shaped (cruciform) church with its juncture or crossing surmounted by a pyramidal wall. The original tiled roof was replaced by galvanized iron in 1893. The church complex is strategically located facing the sea. It originally has defensive stone walls around but was removed in the 1870s.


Located near the retablo is a large room called the ante-sacristy, a storage room for church utensils and decorations. This room is connected to either the convent or the main sacristy which stores the church's liturgical vestments. Several wooden chests inside the sacristy carries the flaming heart, a symbol of the Augustinian order and okir motifs. The sacristy was also built at that same time with the baptistry in 1852.



The altar and the whole church is still being repaired and reconstructed

The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Together with the churches of Maragondon, Loboc and Guiuan, the Baclayon Church was formerly included for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List of the Philippines since 1993 under the collective group of Jesuit Churches of the Philippines. When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol and other parts of Central Visayas in 2013, the church building sustained major damage. It was then removed as a nominated site. Sayang!

They're trying to finish everything by December 2017




The church has three retablos, one retablo mayor (central or major retablo) and two other side altars. It contains 18th and 19th century images of St. Joseph on the uppermost level; Holy Trinity (center), Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel on the middle level; and the Immaculate Conception (center), Saint Anne and Saint Joachin on the lowest level. In 1810, a silver tabernacle was added to the altar. Above the altar is a ceiling painting depicting the Last Supper and a Spanish inscription dedicated to the Virgin Mary.







This was totally destroyed by the 2013 eartquake but now restored! Ganda!

The quandrangular watchtower, which was also the church's bell tower, was left unfinished by the Jesuits when they were expelled out of the country. The Augustinian Recollects, who succeeded the Jesuits, completed the watchtower. It is used to be a detached structure from the church and was connected after the addition of the portico. Made of coral stones, it also has a bas relief of Saint Andrew with an inscription of the date the tower was finished. It still has the original six out of the nine bells from 1880 to 1894.


Entrance fee for museum is P50. No photos or videos allowed! :)

The museum contained relics and artifacts from 

One of the reasons why picture taking is not allowed inside the museum is because many artifacts inside were previously stolen. There are many items inside the church which dates back to the 16th century such as statues, carved seats and intricate designs. One that caught my attention is this huge hymnal written in Latin and made of animal (carabao) skin, the pages are of sheep skin and the ink used was taken from plant sapThere are also life-sized images of saints with their hands and head made of ivory, painting by Liberato Gatchalian, crystal chandeliers, silver tabernacle, gold altar, image of the Holy Family that miraculously survived during the war, vestment of Baby Jesus that is said to walk around at night, centuries old vestments adorned with gold and many more! You should visit to see everything. :)

Restrooms at the back of the church are new and clean!

Wishing Well

Sir Jim Paredes trying it out

Ring the bell and then drop coins before making a wish or uttering a prayer. :)

4th Stop: CRESCENCIA Cafe x Baclayon Food Station for lunch!

Crescencia is located at the ancestral house of Narciso Ginete. First floor is a cafe/restaurant and the 2nd floor is sitll being inhabited by their Lola. So cool! It's located near Baclayon Church.

It's an old house converted to a restaurant. Love it!

Our lunch! So good!!! All homecooked.

We had shrimps, kilawin, fried talangka, crispy pork belly, adobong kangkong, bulalo, etc!

Owner and marketing officer Gabriel Pestelos

Thanks po for the hearty lunch!





Menu! It's very affordable!










5th STOP: Santa Monica Parish Church of Alburquerque

The parish traces its beginnings as a visita or extension of Baclayon Church. The first structure in 1842 was made of wood and bamboo and was erected at the western end of the plaza, approximately where the present school stands. A larger and sturdier church was constructed on the eastern side of the plaza in 1856. The settlement was officially elevated to a town in 1861 and adopted a new name of Alburquerque, after a town in Badajoz, Spain. 



The parish was formally inaugurated and separated from Baclayon in 1869, eight years after the settlement became a town. The parish was under the jurisdiction of the Augustinian Recollects until 1898, after which the secular clergy took over. 



Until the 1880s, the parish church was more like a huge shed with three aisles and wells made of tabique. The construction of the convent was begun under Fr. Tomas Fernandez (1869-1875). The present church structure was built under Fr. Manuel Muro in 1885, utilizing the same three-aisled plan. Construction was commenced in 1896 by his successor. The upper portions of the walls and the tower over the facade were completed only in the 1920s-1930s.



Ceiling paintings by Ray Francia and Guy Custodio


Pillars made of large tree trunks masked by metal sheets which dates back to 1880s march down the aisle of the church


Retablos by master carver Antonio Lagura Jr.




The original retablo is gone, although there are two smaller neo-gothic style ones at both ends of the transept. These smaller side retablos are painted to simulate three-dimensional carvings. The old pulpit is still being used. On both sides of the main altar are sacristies or storage-areas.



In 2013, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the church an Important Cultural Property. A historical marker was unveiled by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in August 27, 2014.




6th Stop: San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Dimiao
It was also destroyed by the earthquake and still being reconstructed


The Church received heavy cracks and displacing the ceiling of the church with a possibility of collapsing due to the Bohol quake 2013. Still left standing unsafe and untouched by the local residents in the municipality of Dimiao and only priests and authorities of the church convent is allowed to enter the severely damaged church in the inside the daily mass and sunday mass is held at the dimiao local gym.


St. Nicolas of Tolentino Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, constructed in the 19th century by Fr. Enrique de Santo Tomas de Villanueva using stone blocks. The convent, constructed in 1864 by Fr. Manuel Carasusan, is connected to the church by a pathway.



St. Nicolas of Tolentino Church has a classical facade separated into segments by pilasters and octagonal flower reliefs arranged vertically across the facade. However, the church shows subtle hints of baroque and Muslim influence. A seemingly-random mesh of vertical and horizontal lines serve to divide the facade into segments that distributes the space to show proportions. The church's first level is wide, providing an ample base for the structure and balancing the dimension. Miniature pilasters provide more lines to emphasize proportion. On the lower portion is a semicircular main entrance flanked by blind windows.



On the second floor is a statue of San Nicolas Tolentino on the top of a small pediment held by semicircular windows. The church is cruciform, with an atypically-short transcept. On the church's flanks are two octagonal bell towers with seven bells. The church is made from coral stone, which aged into a characteristic hue.


The structure of cut stone is cruciform, though its transept is short. The façade can be described as Neobaroque. Although classical overall, shallow reliefs of flowers arranged as vertical bands decorate the façade. The façade is flanked by twin octagonal towers.


The church interior is simple, coming to a focus at the Neoclassical altars. One of the side altars is missing. The convent is located behind the church and is now a school.  


7th Stop: Ermita Ruins

The Ermita Ruins are the ruins of a coralline limestone structure built during the Spanish Regime. It lies parallel to the nave of the St. Nicholas Tolentino Church in the town of Dimiao, Bohol. It was allegedly used as a military fortress, a chapel and a burial site of the members of the Spanish clergy. Archaeological excavations were done in 1995 and 1998 in a quest to uncover its mysterious past.



Can you see the honey-combed tombs or sepulchers? Used to bury the bones of the dead.


8th Stop: Holy Trinity Parish in Loay

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Loay, Bohol, locally referred to as Santissima Trinidad Parish was established by the Recollects in 1799. The church was built in 1822, the convent in 1838, and the bell tower in 1865. 


Before it got destroyed by the 2013 earthquake, it has two facades; the older is decorated with low relief, while the newer was reinforced in concrete and completed in the 20th century. The whole is surmounted by cement statues depicting the virtues. The bell tower is a separate structure built at a short distance from the church.


It's still under repair

The interior is painted with trompe o'eil and with Biblical scenes. The altars are in the Neoclassical style. 


9th Stop: Fanny's Bakeshop for afternoon snacks!


Yum!







Got dinuguan with puto & leche flan! 

Address: Mabini Street, Poblacion Ubos, Loay, 6303 Bohol
Phone: (038) 538 9529

10th Stop: The Church of our Lady of Assumption in Dauis

The church of Our Lady of the Assumption (a declared National Cultural Treasure) in Dauis, Bohol, on the Island of Panglao is located not far from the bridge that connects Panglao with Bohol. The church was founded by the Jesuits Fr. Diego de Ayala and Joseph Gregorio in 1697. The basilica-style church is built in a mixture of styles, influenced by both Byzantine and Romanesque architecture.


This is one of Bohol’s beautiful churches, which has retained its Spanish architecture although it has a semi-modern façade. Inside, the ceiling have some impressive frescoes painted by Ray Francia in 1916. The ceiling over the central nave and aisles are coffered woodwork and not tromp l’oeil.



The church’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Assumption, is enshrined at the church apse, protected by a ciborium-like canopy. She is said to possess miraculous powers.


The paintings on the ceiling, over the nave and aisles, bear no biblical scenes. Instead, the illusion of a Renaissance artesonado, or coffered ceiling, was preferred.  Beneath the choir loft are murals of St. Anne and the Child, Mary, St. Joseph and Jesus, & Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem.


The stained glass windows bear no designs. However, the areas between and above the windows are ornamented with painted angels and religious symbols. The signature of Ray Francia, who painted many Bohol churches from the 1920’s to the 1930’s, appears above the north transept. Canuto Avila and sons, dated 1949, signed the paintings on the south side of the sanctuary. The signature of Lito Arcaya is found on the panel over the sanctuary.


An old legend relates that once the town was invaded by pirates, the people of Dauis locked themselves into the church. However, they soon ran out of provisions and water. Then a miracle occurred – a well appeared at the foot of the altar. This same well is still the main source of water for the people living close to the church, and although the well is only a few meters from the sea, the water is absolutely fresh. The water is said to have healing powers.


Wooow

This is the original door!

OOTD muna! Thanks Mcpol for my pics:)



Kapag walang tulog, dalhin nalang sa cute na outfit lolz

Mango top & shoes, Greenlane Shop jumper

The Dauis Church Complex, which includes the church, convent, watchtower and belfry, is a National Historical Landmark.

There's also a cafe and resto inside the complex






A short walk from the convent’s end leads to the shore where there are sheds that jut out to the seafront, providing an ideal place for prayer and meditation, or for pure relaxation, feasting one’s eyes on the beauty and glory of God’s creation: the often placid sea, the beautiful scenery, the distant harbor lights of Tagbilaran City, to mention a few.

Bohol x AirAsia Ubi festival 2017 squad! 

We didn't go na to St. Augustine Church in Panglao because it was already late. We decided to go straight to Bellevue Hotel for dinner. I miss this place! This is where I last stayed when I was in Bohol (Nivea event). Hi Euna! Hihi. 


Bellevue feast!

Menu

I wasn't able to take individual photos of our meal because we were all eager to eat na so we could finally head to our hotel and rest. I loved the Chili Crab the most!:)

Their award winning dessert! This won during last year's Ubi Cook-Off! :)


After eating, we headed na to our last stop that day, our home for 2 days-- AMORITA Resort!

Welcome drinks:) 

To see photos posted by guests, check out theiese hashtags on Instagram! #LoveAmorita #AmoritaResort


Our hallway

Our room and my roomie Mcpol! Hehe

This room's rate is P8,000 a night:)

Toilet

Hot and cold shower


Our closet! It has a safe, laundry bags, slippers, robes, towels

Halooo

So sweet! Thank you Amorita! Ang saap ng ube macarons!

Hi Sir Noel! Thanks for the sweet note:)

Free water, coffee and tea

Hair blower, towels and toiletries

Provided bath gel & shampoo. I am a fan of hair conditioners so buti I brought a few sachets hehe

Dental kits, sanitary bag, vanity kit, loofa (yey!), shower cap, etc

Woke up the next day feeling new and recharged! It was one of the best sleeps I've had in a long time. Haha. The bed, sheets and pillows were so comfy! I could just stay in bed all day. Actually, we went back to bed and napped after eating. Sarap! We had a few hours to ourselves before our tour so we spent it eating and chillin'. Nakahabol din ako sa breakfast! Would never miss it because I was told their food's great!

Breakfast is at Saffron Resto

All greens:)

There you are!

OMG their pool is amazeballs!

So temptingggg.

Dining area. I see Nas Daily!

Food!

They have a limited selection but they're all good!

My favorite! Pork and beans hehe

Opted for danggit!

Also got sunny side up egg

And bacon!!! OMG ang sarap. So crispy!


My breakfast! Also had cereals, cheese, salami, mangoes and watermelon. Takaw ko noh?

Mcpol and I chilled by the pool for a while


The beach is a few minutes walk. You'd see this nice spot along the way! This photo was taken on our 2nd day.

Crystal clear waters! Compared to Bellevue, I liked their beach more! Parang Boracay. :) Thanks Marla for the pic:)

Sunset:)



There are bars and restos if you walk straight ahead


View from Amorita


This ends my Day 1 post! If you're in Bohol during the Holy Week don't forget to visit their beautiful churches which are all brimming with history. Or if you'd like to explore and do penitence in other parts of the country, choose Bohol! Part 2 is next wherein I'll share with you photos and stories from the Ubi Festival and all the food we devoured. Thanks Bohol Tourism, Amorita and AirAsia for this fun experience!:)


IG: @amoritaresortbohol

2 comments :

  1. Simbahan pero sinamahan ng kalindian!
    Hypocrites

    ReplyDelete
  2. Simbahan pero sinamahan ng kalindian!
    Hypocrites

    ReplyDelete

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