Central Visayas Region (Region VII) Notes

BOHOL

Capital

  • Tagbilaran City

Tourist Attractions

  • Balicasag Island, Panglao- Ideal for water sports such as swimming and diving.

  • Blood Compact Site and Marker- Site of the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on March 16, 1565.

    • Considered the first "Treaty of Friendship" between the Philippines and Spain.

  • Chocolate Hills- Approximately 1,2681,268 cone-shaped hills stand side by side.

    • Youth hostels with conference rooms and cozy cottages are located on one of these hills.

  • Bonacon Island- Largest mangrove area in Bohol.

    • Serves as a spawning ground for fishes.

    • Ideal for bird and seahorse watching.

  • Loboc River- Motorized pump boat rides take tourists down the river.

    • Starts at the Laoay Bridge and ends at the Tontonan Falls.

  • Mag-Aso Falls- Popular excursion site.

  • Panglao Island- Major tourist site with many beach resorts.

  • Rajah Sikatuna National Park- Home to tarsiers and flying lemurs.

    • Several species of birds, including the steeres pitta and brahminy kite.

    • The Logarita Spring Pool is located in this area.

  • Sandugo Festival- Held every March 16.

    • Features include:-

      • Agro-industrial fair

      • Cultural and historical exhibits

      • Sports events

      • Beauty pageant

      • Balls and dances

      • Entertainment shows

      • Street dancing

      • Reenactment of the Sandugo (blood compact).

CEBU

Capital

  • Cebu City

Tourist Attractions

  • Argao- Frequented for its white-sand beaches and dive sites.

  • Argao Fortress Church- Remnants include ancient town gates, a seaward wall, and partially ruined fortifications.

  • Aznar-Alfonso Collection, Cebu City- Collection of period furniture, antique jewelry, Santos, and authentic "grave goods."

  • Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Cebu City- Built by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta in 1565.

    • Original structure destroyed by fire on November 1, 1568.

    • Rebuilt in 1602.

  • Beverly Hills, Cebu City- Scenic subdivision with a view of the city.

  • Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City- Haven for birds, especially migratory shorebirds.

  • Boljoon Watchtower, Boljoon- Located between limestone mountains.

  • Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City- Offers a glimpse into the Filipino lifestyle during 1860-1920.

    • Open Mondays to Saturdays.

  • Colon Street, Cebu City- Oldest street in the Philippines, built by the Spaniards during Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's time.

  • Fort San Pedro, Pier Area, Cebu City- Smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the Philippines.

    • Served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement.

  • Guitar Factories, Maribago District, Lapu-Lapu City- Raw materials are shipped from Mindanao.

  • Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City- Circular park with a fountain and skating rink.

    • Named after Sergio Osmeña, Sr.

  • Heavenly Temple of Charity, Lahug, Cebu City- Built on a sacred hill with a natural spring believed to have curative effects.

  • Image of Sto. Niño, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, Cebu City- Oldest relic in the Philippines.

    • Given by Magellan to Queen Juana in 1521 and brought to the Philippines by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565.

  • Mactan Island, East of Cebu City- Beach resorts and dive sites.

  • Lapu-Lapu Monument, Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City- Marks the site of the battle between Lapu-Lapu and Magellan in 1521.

    • Depicts Lapu-Lapu holding a bolo and a pestle.

  • Magellan Marker, Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City- Erected in 1866 where Ferdinand Magellan died.

  • Magellan’s Cross, Along Magallanes St. Cebu City- Marks the spot where Raja Humabon, Queen Juana, and their followers were baptized.

    • The original cross is encased in a tindalo wood cross.

  • Moalboal, 89 Kilometers Southwest of Cebu City

  • Malapascua Island, Northern Part of the Province of Cebu- 33-kilometer long, 11-kilometer wide island.

    • White-sand beach with clear waters.

  • Sinulog, Cebu City- Celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu.

  • Taoist Temple, Located at Beverly Hills, Cebu City- Preserves the teachings of Lao-Tse (600 B.C.).

    • People climb its 99 steps to light joss sticks.

NEGROS ORIENTAL

Capital

  • Dumaguete City

Tourist Attractions

  • Casaroro Waterfall, Valencia- Water cascades down a 100100-foot high cliff.

  • Apo Island, Amlan- Site of the Silliman University’s Marine Conservation Park.

  • Kasadya-an Festival, Dumaguete City- Celebrated since 1950.

    • Held on the second weekend of December.

  • Malapatay Seaside Market, Malauay, Zamboangui ta- Farmers and fishermen sell their products on Wednesdays.

  • Mt. Talinis, Southern Part of Negros Oriental- Also known as Cuernos de Negros.

  • Od’loman Cave, Mabinay- Second-longest cave in the Philippines.

    • Entered through a hole in the top.

  • Pulangbato Falls, Pulangbato, Valencia- Series of five waterfalls.

    • Said to have reddish water.

  • Silliman University, Dumaguete City- First protestant University in the Philippines, built in 1901.

  • Tañon Strait, Eastern Shores of Negros Island, Particularly Along Bais Bay- Playful dolphins and whales frequent this area.

SIQUIJOR

Capital

  • Siquijor City

Tourist Attractions

  • Bitaog Beach, Bitaog- Light-colored sands and clear waters.

  • Bitang Cave, Enrique Villanueva

  • Calalinan Beach, Siquijor- Large-grained white sands mixed with small coral rocks.

  • Cagbussan Beach, Lilo-an, Maria- Fine white sand beach.

  • Candanay Beach, Candanay- Fine white-sand beach.

  • Canghaling Cave, San Juan- Stalagmites and Stalactites.

  • Mt. Bandilaan Camp Park, SIquijor- Highest peak in Siquijor.