SMS or Text Scam by Sam Mendoza

Last Friday, I received 2 SMS or text messages from a Philippine mobile number 0906-4314621. Introducing herself as Sam, this 22-year old lady from Bacolod City asked for help, to be able to apply for a job in Manila. She seems to be desperate for help, as she is willing to offer anything, with a website (www.livealife.tk) to support her cry for assistance.

Upon checking the given website, I was surprised to see a nice looking young lady in a graduation photo, complete with a shortened resume, transcript of records, diploma, etc on the sidebar. On the left side is a longer version of her sad story, and readers will surely take pity on her experiences and current condition. It ends with a note as follows:

Hinagdanan Cave and Other Bohol Sights

On our last day in Bohol, I woke up early to check for bargains and/or unusual offerings on their wet market. This is perhaps my "off-the-beaten-track" style that separates me from other travellers and tourists, which also allows me to get a glimpse of the local culture. I did the same exercise in Palawan, Davao, Legazpi, Dumaguete, and other areas I visit whenever I have the opportunity. That morning, I went to the Tagbilaran City market, beside Island City Mall, with the Dao bus terminal behind it.

Their wet market is spacious with high ceiling. However, it shows signs of neglect with the fading paint jobs, rusty steel bars, etc. Inside the market its quite dark, and many stalls are vacant, reducing the usual vibe and noise you can expect on a market. Fruits like mangoes are less expensive yet bigger than in Manila, but they are too heavy to bring home.

Bohol Countryside Tour and Food Trip

After our morning tour in Antequera and Maribojoc towns, we picked up our friends A & E from Tagbilaran Airport at 11:00 am, before we proceeded to the usual countryside tour in Bohol. Our first stop is the Blood Compact site in Barangay Bool, along the main road which is still a part of Tagbilaran City.

"Sandugo" or blood compact is the native custom of the early Filipinos when formalizing treaties or act of friendship based on respect and equality. The two main characters would make a cut on their hand or arm, pour the blood on a cup which may also contain wine, then they both drink that liquid mixture. It is believed that the first blood compact between two races was done by Cebu's chieftain Rajah Humabon and the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, before the latter was killed by Lapu-Lapu in 1521.

Mag-aso Falls and Punta Cruz Watchtower

On our second day in Bohol, we visited the attractions in Antequera and Maribojoc towns, at least 30 minutes drive northwest of Tagbilaran City. Our first destination in our morning itinerary is the Mag-Aso Falls in Antequera.

To get there, visitors can ride the public utility vehicles from Tagbilaran to Antequera, but the trips seem infrequent, as we have not seen any jeep or mini-bus plying the route during our trip. Upon arriving at the town center's church and market area, tricycles can be hired to take visitors to the waterfalls, only 1.5 km in a narrow road. In our case, we hired the car services of Paul Incon in addition to the usual countryside tour.

Bohol's Century-Old Churches

Being one of the first islands occupied by the Spaniards who brought Christianity as a tool to enslave the Filipino people, Bohol is among the Visayas provinces that possess many old churches in the country. 

I've read a story that Boholanos fed and treated the American soldiers well, so that they will spare the Bohol churches from air strikes, when they flushed out the Japanese forces. If Manila have done the same, the country's capital city could have avoided being flattened by US bombings toward the end of the war in 1945.

The first century-old church we visited in Bohol is the neo-gothic style church of Our Lady of Assumption in Dauis, Panglao island. Built with coral stones, lime, and egg white in 1863-1879 under the supervision of Recoletos priests, it was said to be a miraculous church. 

During an attack of Moro pirates in the town, the townsfolk were entrapped inside the church for their safety, but without any provisions. Then water gushed out from the altar's floor to provide drinking water to the people. The well is still there, producing water up to this day.

Bohol Beach Club and Dao Diamond Hotel

Using our fifth and last batch of Air Phils P88 promo ticket this year, my wife, 3-year old son, and I went to Bohol ten days ago. Spending only Php 642 for all 3 round trip tickets paid last February, it would be foolish not to use the tickets, when current promo RT airfares now would set you back Php 900 each person, due to fuel surcharges and website convenience fees.

We were picked up by Dao Diamond Hotel's van for a 10-minute trip from Tagbilaran Airport to the hotel. Good thing that they allowed us to check-in at past 11:00 am without extra charge, although standard check-in time for hotels is 2:00 pm. 

Complementing the staff in front desk are the 25 deaf-mute staff assigned as bellmen, room attendant, and food attendants. In a way, guests are indirectly helping them earn a living by staying at the hotel. Below are the photos of their mini lobby and pool area.