The Clarin Ancestral House, being the most visited of all ancestral houses of Bohol, is one of boholano’s pride. A traditional Filipino-Spanish in design with long slanting roofs covered with nipa leaves, a typical one big square house with a coral stone foundation, rough-hewn wooden posts, wooden walls and floors of wide hardwood planks and a receiving hall with a high vaulted ceiling and was built in 1840s. This 167 year old Ancestral House was recognized by the National Historical Institute as a heritage site and was converted into a museum filled with the family’s collections of age-old possessions. It is situated in Loay, a municipality that is about 18 kilometers away from the provincial capital, Tagbilaran City.

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Baclayon church was founded by Spanish missionaries Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez who settled in this area on November 17, 1596 and visita was erected soon after.  Bamboos were used by the natives to construct the first church with its thatched roofing and coral stones were cut into square blocks. The square blocks were then lifted and moved into position using bamboo poles and eventually piled like bricks. Egg whites from  a million eggs  mixed with lime were used to cement coral stones together. The church was finished in 1727 by 200 natives who were forced to work as laborers.

There are also dungeons underneath the Baclayon church where natives who violated the Spaniards and the rules of the Roman Catholic Church were imprisoned. A convent was also built in  the beside the back portion of the church which now houses a museum containing religious relics, artifacts and other antiquities dating back to the 16th century.

Baclayon church is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines with foundations laid in 1717, second to the San Agustin Church located in Real Street, Intramuros, Manila, whose foundation is said to have been laid in 1571. The church was then dedicated to the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Later in 1835, a large bell was installed and in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added the front facade of the church with its three arches and a number of stone buildings which now surrounds the church.  All of these still remain standing at present and that makes Baclayon church the most preserved church in Bohol.

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The Bohol Blood Compact sculpture was made by the National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano himself. The place is just a short tricycle or cab ride from the city of Tagbilaran since Barangay Bool is still a part of the city. Buses or vans are available from the Dao Terminal.

The History

In search for food, Legaspi’s fleet reached the coast of Bo-ol, it abandoned its plan for Mindanao and took shelter in a small bay in the Bo-ol area.The Spaniards however, found the natives to have already an established civilization. They had their own political, social and economic system which surprised the Spaniards.

While the Spaniards were initiating friendly relations with the natives, Legaspi sent out emissaries to the chieftain, Rajah Sikatuna, who was the only chieftain contacted at that time. A sharp dagger was used in cutting slightly both the arms of Legaspi and Siaktuna, then having their blood mixed in a cup of wine. From this cup both men drank to become blood brothers in eternal friendship. The Sikatuna-Legaspi blood compact ( March 16, 1565) is considered as the First Treaty of Friendship between people of different races, religious, culture and civilization based on mutual respect and equality.

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Was built by the Spaniards in 1796 as a sentinel post against pirates and Muslim marauders, who at that time where a plague to the people of Bohol. In Panglao, Dauis, Loay, and on Pamilacan island, relics of similar triangular towers can be found but this tower is the most intact. Located in Maribojoc, some 14 km west of Tagbilaran City, Punta Cruz watch tower is a prying triangular watch tower that oversees the seas South of Bohol. From its windows at the top, you can see Cebu, Siquijor, and Mindanao.
A wooden cross is planted in a slightly indented area in front of the tower. The cross symbolizes acceptance of Christianity from our pagan forefathers. “Punta” refers to the cliff and “Cruz” refers to the wooden cross that stands on it. Now, when people mention “Punta Cruz”, what comes to mind is the watchtower. According to a legend, the cross saved many people from pirates through an enchanted spell. As it was facing the sea, it was said to be extending its arms to the sea, thus preventing marauders.
At present Punta Cruz watch tower still provides an excellent view. Being a historic monument, people, from far and wide, come to visit and take some pictures. The tower is way off from houses and stores so a small stall was built near it selling refreshments to visitors. It offers a good spot for a picnic and a swim.
Getting there. Catch a bus at the Tagbilaran Integrated Bus Terminal in Dao. Most buses going in to Tubigon will pass along Punta Cruz. Ask the driver to drop you off at Punta Cruz, and walk down for about 500 meters to the watch tower. The entrance fee to the tower is around three to five pesos.

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