What do you know about the Philippines? This is a question that leads to interesting and sometimes intriguing answers. The headlines and stories on current affairs oftentimes provide a great impact to the people’s perception about the nation. What about the other aspects that are not commonly heard and seen on the news?
Being an archipelago of 7, 107 islands, there is no doubt that the Philippines has an abundant natural resources. Although some environmental concerns are apparent and are still being argued upon, a significant portion of its denizens are proactive in maintaining the ecological riches of the country as a whole. Tourism industry plays a major role in the livelihood of its people and in the overall economy.
Bohol, a province of the Philippines in the Central Visayas region, is undeniably one of the must-visit places. I went to this place together with my family to get a personal and up-close view of the attractions that we only used to see in photographs and videos.
One example is the Chocolate Hills. The popular grass-covered limestones looked like gigantic chocolates distributed across the heart of the province and you will even bump into some of them while on the road. There are decks in Carmen and Sagbayan that allow guests to experience a full panoramic view of these hills. Thousands of individual mounds exist and you will not see all of them on the same spot at the same time.
Wild animals, such as the Tarsiers, are also well-taken care of in Bohol. A few of them are for public viewing but people are always informed to turn off their cameras’ flashes when taking pictures of these mammals because of their stress tolerance and suicidal tendencies.
In the pristine beaches of the province, you will be able to witness the presence of sea creatures, either by diving at their protected sanctuaries or by merely walking alongside the tranquil sea. When I was there, I saw a starfish lying still on the wet sand and I took a photo of it. Due to its distinct look, I first thought of it as a special kind of bread that was thrown into the ocean and was carried to the shore by the waves. I did not touch it but I gazed on it for at least five minutes. It wasn’t actually my first time to see a starfish, but the sight of a couple of them on shallow water was indeed unforgettable. Their visibility proves that they are not wary of human interception and they appear comfortable with their exposed habitat. The scenario adds up to the totality of nature-mankind engagement that is evident in Bohol.
Despite the number of guests that come and interact with the province’s beauty every day, its freshness is being maintained by the efforts of the local community with the special participation of the considerate visitors. The continuity of this practice and further innovation will surely become beneficial to both tourists and locals.
Having the gifts of nature like the aforementioned should be nurtured and protected for the next generation to see. Environmental awareness should be continuously taught to avoid the deterioration of nature’s wealth. If individuals will start in a piecemeal fashion locally, they would become a huge contribution globally.