Bohol 2011 - Day 2 (Blood Compact Site and Baclayon Church)

Maayong buntag! That's how you say good morning in bisaya - a major dialect in Visayas Region. We received a text from Ritchie the night before informing us that his driver will fetch us and drive us around Bohol in the morning. The country side tour starts at 9AM. We woke up 7AM had our buffet breakfast and gathered some things to bring on the tour (Bottled water, fully charged camera/phones, money and sunblock)

Fried boneless bangus, garlic rice, egg, mixed veggies and watermelon for breakfast. Yum! A perfect way to start your day!

First stop, Blood Compact Site - A "Sanduguan" or Blood Compact happened in 16th century between a Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the chieftain of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna. This action or ritual, wherein you cut your wrist put your blood into a cup filled with most likely or not a liquid and drink each other's blood, was part of the tribal tradition to seal a friendship or validate an agreement. Located at Barangay Bool just within the capital - Tagbilaran City. The location is just along the road. You will see at the back of the monument an ocean view of Panglao. You may also want to take pictures with it. Approximate time to stay will be 10 - 15 minutes.

Me, Jaydee and Mark

 Mike, Jaydee and Me

Second stop, Baclayon Church -  Located in the town of  Baclayon, Bohol. It is the second oldest stone church in the country (second to that of the San Agustin church located in Intramuros, Manila). It is a fascinating place to learn or discover our early history of our religious heritage.

There are other preserved church buildings in the region but the Baclayon Church is the best preserved among them. As a matter of fact you can still see the original stone structure of the Baclayon Church and whenever I touch them, they're cold. I don't know if it's just me or what but I can certainly feel the history of the place talking to me. lol. Seriously.

Entrance to the church museum,  

NO CAMERA BEYOND THE STAIRS

Next to the church is the old convent which is also a  museum. There is a Php50 entrance fee on this place.

I was in awe seeing the centuries old religious relics, artifacts and other antiquities, dating back to the 16th century. Also in the collection are an ivory statue of the crucified Christ looking towards heaven; The one that gave me a goose bumps was a statue of the Blessed Virgin, said to be presented by Queen Catherine of Aragon; relics of St. Ignatius of Loyola, old gold embroidered ecclesiastical vestments, books with carabao skin covers, and huge librettos of church music written in Latin on sheep skins. 

You can also find here the cuadro paintings made by the Filipino painter Liberato Gatchalian in 1859. And an interestingly century old cabinet or "kwadro" with birth, baptismal and death certificates of people in Bohol from 1700 to 1940s. Awesome! 

We also get to see the place allotted for the Aristocratas (members of a ruling class or of the nobility), it's where they sit during mass 'coz they do not want to be bothered by Indios or by other people not in their class. Talk about favoritism! lol.

 The Baclayon Church altar.

The back of the Baclayon church. 

There is this "Pieta" located on the right side of the church facing the altar, it is a place where the priest would stand and do his sermons. From his view he can see people not listening and just sleeping. lol. Can you imagine no microphone back in the days to do sermons on this big church?

We found several gravestones of some people inside the church. It is said that centuries ago you can be buried inside the church but only if you came from a very well known family or if your family happens to have contributed a lot for the church.

Exit to the Church..