BOHOL COSTUMES AND TRADITIONS

Familiarizing and understanding the characteristic of the place you want to go and its people could be rewarding; it can help you merge harmoniously with the locals, and can help you attain a more enjoyable travel and stay. Learning the basic information about Bohol can pave you a wider path to loving this charming island.

Boholanos are generally friendly and they love conversations, but some of them are too shy to initiate a chat with a tourist. Start a conversation from your side and you'll see more than just smiles.

Walking down the road you may find some of them staring at you, but it's either they are curious to know you or they are waiting for a good timing to exchange pleasantry with you. But don't be surprise to see them smiling as a start.

In the countryside, particularly in the evening, locals young and old will greet you 'bi-i' or 'maajong gabi-i' (good evening) as they walk past someone they know or not. Although this custom is diminishing, but still there are some who shows such courtesy.
 
When you have free time and you decide to shop in the city, don't be surprised when shoppers around you suddenly freeze around 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The people here still observe the 3 o'clock and the angelus prayers, which are played over the store's broadcast system.

One of the major income of Boholanoes are farming. Since Bohol has limited job offers in terms of  industry, some Boholanoes were imigrate to the cities and look for their fortune. And every month of May all Boholanoes from different places will go home to celebrate fiesta. It is the Boholanoes tradition that every fiesta they will go back to their home for celebrating fiesta and it is their time for family reunion.


  
The Boholano Family

Boholanos are very family-oriented. They value solidarity and togetherness, like going to church together during Sundays.

They open their doors to guests, give their warmest welcome gestures, prepare their  finest chinawares never used on ordinary days, and serve for-guest-only food.

Children are curious about strangers with cameras, and would give their best smile when you take pictures of them. Let them see their pictures and you'll be surprise by their display of delight. Showing your pure enthusiasm, you'll surely win their parents' friendliness and hospitality.

And like what many travel tips and advice say,  it will be good to go with the flow in places we visit.


Bohol also has a rich cultural heritage that predates the coming of the Spaniards. Cultural attractions in the province includes archaeological sites, Catholic churches, domestic & civic architectures, historical monuments, and customs & traditions.Some of the Archeological sites in Bohol are the Sivilla Bamboo Hanging Bridge, Baclayon Church and museum and the Church of the Nuestra Senora de La Luz.

Sivilla Bamboo Hanging Bridge. The hanging bridge was originally constructed using just bamboo and rope. Today, the rope has made way to steel cables, giving added safety and stability. The deck of the bridge is still formed out of woven bamboo slats. In places some of these appear broken but its still sturdy enough to take the weight of tourists and locals alike. Just watch where you put your feet.Walking onto the bridge is a little daunting at first as the bamboo deck flexes a little under your feet. Although the support cables are now made of steel, you still experience some side to side sway and up and down bounce. The bridge spans around 40 meters and offers a great view of the emerald Sipatan river below. On the far side of the bridge you will find a small shop selling souvenir items and a welcome cold drink and snacks. Also, you will find “The Buko King”. He can strip a coconut (buko) in something like 10 seconds using just his teeth.

The town of Baclayon is famous for its Catholic church, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, with construction commencing in 1717, the year Baclayon became a parish, and was finally completed in 1727.

Boholanoes celebrates their Sandugo Festival every month of July. It is an annual historical celebration that takes place every year in Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. This festival commemorates the Treaty of Friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol, and Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. This 16th-century peace treaty occurred on March 16, 1565 through a blood compact or "sandugo".
The Tagbilaran City Charter Day on July 1 kicks-off the month-long festival with a holy mass, diana, motorcade and program sponsored by the City Government of Tagbilaran. Among the major activities during the month is the Miss Sandugo Bohol and the Sandugo Street Dancing Competition which is usually held on the 3rd or 4th Sunday of July, and organized by the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI).