Amontours Cebu and Bohol

For Cebu and Bohol Tours, email amontoursph@gmail.com (the owner of this blog).

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Saturday, July 30, 2016

Alburquerque, not in Spain but Bohol

Alburquerque, not in Spain but Bohol


I spoke to this Spanish friend and he said, the Alburquerque we have in Bohol has the correct spelling as there is also a place called Alburquerque in Spain.

The one in the United States of America (USA), specifically Albuquerque, New Mexico does not have an 'r' after Albu since it is only Albuquerque. It should be Alburquerque. #fyi

Bohol Video

Transportation

Most boat trips from Cebu City arrive at the Port of Tagbilaran City, the capital city of Bohol. From there, you ride a tricycle going to the multicab terminal beside Alturas Supermarket. Tricycle Fare is Php 10.00. The multicab will take you to Island City Mall or Dao Bus Terminal. Multicab Fare is Php 8.00. Across the Island City Mall entrance are multicabs routed for Alburquerque. Fare is Php 15.00. 

Alburquerque is a 5th class municipality which is the second town from Tagbilaran City and next to Baclayon.


The wet and dry market of Alburquerque, Bohol




Other sites to see in Alburquerque

Sta. Monica Parish Church

The most unique feature of this church is the arc stone bridge connecting the Church itself and the convent. This was once a scene on one of Bea Alonzo’s movie, Cesar Montano's Muro Ami. Just recently, LizQuen love team of ABSCBN dropped by the church for a possible shooting location for Dolce Amore.

The uniquely built church of Sta. Monica Parish, Alburquerque, Bohol was one of the few churches in Bohol who was able to withstand the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol last October 15, 2013.



Sta. Fe Beach


This is a favorite hang out place during Sundays by families not only for Alburanons, but also people from nearby municipalities.

Delicacies


Calamay is the favorite delicacy of the place filled with delicious ingredients. If you want to know more about the product, you can certainly ask the known makers of this product from Ponong, Alburquerque, Bohol.

Calamay products are displayed in most supermarkets in Bohol. Vendors are also lined up in the Port of Tagbilaran which can be a perfect "pasalubong" way back home. It can be a good partner for any bread or biscuit. If you buy calamay, make sure it is from Alburquerque. :)

Locations of Alburquerque Tourism Sites
(Click on the picture to zoom in).
Let us have some engineering discussion here so I can direct you to the different sites mentioned in this blog. Point A is the Sta. Monica Parish Church while Point B is Brgy. Ponong, Alburquerque where calamay is made. Point C is Sta. Fe Beach. Lastly, Point G is the Old and New Cemetery of Alburquerque.

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Getting Hotel Deals

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Remember Prony the Python

Remember Prony the Python

Bohol Video
Oceanjet Schedule
Weesam Schedule
Supercat Schedule
Lite Shipping Schedule
Going to Bohol via Tubigon



Me and Prony, a rare moment :) I will never do this again and can never do, lol. You will know why.


Prony Fast Facts

Prony was transferred to Laya, Baclayon, Bohol before he died.



Prony, the biggest python in captivity

When I was a little kid, I could still remember that Prony was still domesticated in a very small cage made of concrete materials and some wire mesh of not so big in diameter. Then, the owner fed the snake with a chick, then a chicken, and later on a dog. But now that Prony has grown even bigger, it demands a fresh and clean 35-40kg pig. I do not know what is next to that. We will wait and see.
The only time I witnessed Prony ate its food was when I happen to visit the place some eight (8) years back. It was a dog. You will somehow feel pity on the dog as it gets to the cage. Prony will attack its prey and once it gets hold of it, its whole body will wrap the dog to make sure it does not get away. You will surely hear the cracking bones of the dog and eventually, it will lose its breath. After Prony has softened its food, it will open its mouth and swallows the dog like a hotdog. This will satisfy its hunger for the whole month before it asks for the next dog.



Prony is already over 20ft in length and more or less 300kg in weight. It was captured on October 21, 1996 which was only 5 ft long and weighs 5 kilos. When you get to the site, it has more become of a zoo now. You will see not just snakes, but some other animals, too. There are owls, an eagle, and more. I am no Kuya Kim here so I could not name all of them. J
The self developed and trained python has certainly become a worldwide sensation as people of different races have come to visit the site. Media has also featured Prony in several occasions and celebrities, like the Boholano Actor/Director Cesar Montano, also happen to drop by the sanctuary.
By the way, when you get to the sanctuary, you will also have for yourself a piece of entertainment. Together with Prony’s fame referred to by some as the “Live Anaconda in Bohol”, is Marimar’s way to stardom. He has got plenty of names but I think he is popularly known as Marimar. And from what he says, he can speak different languages. Well, that is important since visitors of varied nationalities come to visit. The last time I was there with my friends, we watched him perform and climb the bottom chord of her nipa hut-like stage.
Marimar, preparing for the performance of her life

Lite Shipping Schedules

Lite Shipping Schedules


Departures Arrivals

MV LITE FERRY I

10:00 p.m. (CEBU) 3:00 a.m. (TAGBILARAN)
12:00 noon (TAGBILARAN) 5:00 p.m. (CEBU)

MV OUR LADY OF THE BARANGAY

12:30 noon (CEBU) 5:30 p.m. (TAGBILARAN)
10:30 p.m. (TAGBILARAN) 3:30 a.m. (CEBU)

MV LITE FERRY II

5:00 a.m. (SAN CARLOS) 7:00 a.m. (TOLEDO)
7:30 a.m. (TOLEDO) 9:30 a.m. (SAN CARLOS)
10:00 a.m. (SAN CARLOS) 12:00 a.m. (TOLEDO)
1:00 p.m. (TOLEDO) 3:00 p.m. (SAN CARLOS)
3:30 p.m. (SAN CARLOS) 5:30 p.m. (TOLEDO)
6:00 p.m. (TOLEDO) 8:00 p.m. (SAN CARLOS)

MV SR. SAN JOSE DE TAGBILARAN

11:00 a.m. (CEBU) 4:00 p.m. (ORMOC)
10:00 p.m. (ORMOC) 3:00 a.m. (CEBU)
(except FRIDAY)

MV SANTIAGO DE BOHOL

7:00 a.m. (CEBU) 9:00 a.m. (TUBIGON)
12:00 noon (TUBIGON) 2:00 p.m. (CEBU)
7:00 p.m. (CEBU) 9:00 p.m. (TUBIGON)
12:00 midnight (TUBIGON) 2:00 a.m. (CEBU)

LCT STA. FILOMENA

12:00 m.n. (CEBU) 3:00 a.m. (TUBIGON)
4:00 a.m. (TUBIGON) 7:00 a.m. (CEBU)
8:00 a.m. (CEBU) 11:00 a.m. (GETAFE)
8:00 p.m. (GETAFE) 11:00 p.m. (CEBU)

LCT ST. MARK

Tuesdays to Saturdays
ARGAO TO LOON 4:00 a.m.
LOON TO ARGAO 6:00 a.m.
ARGAO TO LOON 8:00 a.m.
LOON TO ARGAO 10:00 a.m.
ARGAO TO LOON 12:00 noon
LOON TO ARGAO 2:00 p.m.

Sundays and Mondays
ARGAO TO LOON 7:00 a.m.
LOON TO ARGAO 9:00a.m.
ARGAO TO LOON 11:00 a.m.
LOON TO ARGAO 1:00 a.m.

Check out the website of Lite Shipping Corporation at http://www.lite-shipping.com as schedules are subject to change.


Cebu Head Office:

Lite Shipping Corp. Office
14 G.L. Lavilles St./ M.J. Cuenco Ave.
Off. Tel. Nos. 255-1721 to 26, 414-9001 to 03
Cebu Booking Offices:
RB Shipping Agency
62 Colon Street, Cebu City
Tel. No. 254-9761
Fax. No. 256-2862

Mail & More
2nd Level Paseo Marina Ayala Center, Cebu City
Tel. No. 234-0765
Telefax No. 233-3296

Tagbilaran Booking Offices

Lite Shipping Corporation
Branch Office
53 Borja St., Tagbilaran City
Tel. Nos. (038)411-4724 / (038)411-3074
(038)235-3270 / (038)411-2874
(038)501-7782

Lite Shipping Corporation
Ticket Booth
Pier Area, Tagbilaran City

Tarsier Travel & Tours
Maria Clara St., Tagbilaran City
Tel. Nos. (038)411-3615 / (038)235-3541

Travel hub
Lower Ground, East Exterior, Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City
Tel. No. 411-3165
Fax No. 501-6297, 501-6255 loc191

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Bohol One Day Tour

Bohol One Day Tour

September 2016 Promo Deals:

Package price starts at Php 2499 per person (minimum of 4 persons). Land arrangement in Bohol.

Departure from Cebu City can also be arranged.

Email amontoursph@gmail.com for bookings. A travel representative will be contacting you for more details.

Get the exclusive --- amontours online --- tshirt for September! 



See the tarsier in Bohol.


Here are some facts from Wikipedia about Bohol that I believe you should also know.

Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometres (1,589.68 sq mi) and a coastline 261 kilometres (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.
First of all, I love the place so much which makes me real proud of the natural wonders and magnificent scenes you can have while having a one day tour. Before, a day would be enough to see all the sites you ought to see. However, since tourism has greatly improved in the province, you would probably need to stay for 2-3 days for you not to miss a single activity and not to miss a single shot in any of the wonderful tourist spots scattered in this paradise.
For purposes of this blog, I am sharing to you a one day itinerary especially designed for my cousin and her Japanese friends. I personally handpicked most of the sites which rightfully belong to the must see list.

Getting to Bohol

There are 2 ports in Bohol. One is in Tubigon while the other is in Tagbilaran City. Tubigon is nearly an hour from Tagbilaran if you ride a van (fare is P90) while bus takes an hour and a half (fare is P50).
If you take Cebu-Tagbilaran route, you can get aboard 3 fastcrafts. Oceanjet departs from Pier 1, Cebu City while Supercat and Weesam dock in Pier 4 of Cebu City. If you list down all the trips these boats have, you can go round the clock. You can take as early as 6am and as late as 6pm.
Slow boats also sail to the island. Lite Shipping is one of the shipping companies serving passengers who are destined to Bohol. One way trip fare for fast crafts averages at P500 while for slow boats, that would be at least P200 depending on the accommodation; Economy, Tourist, or Business class.

Accomodation

There are already a wide array of hotels, inns, and resorts where you can spend the night just with yourself or with your loved ones. White beaches are like bread and butter in the island of Panglao. Panglao Island composes 2 municipalities, Panglao and Dauis. You can choose from the 2 bridge connections from Tagbilaran City but the one in Mansasa is already wider so traversing that way would be more convenient. This could be a major preparation as Bohol realizes its international airport very soon.

Transportation

Tricycles and multicabs are the most common means of transportation in the island. Minimum fare is P7. When you get to the port of Tagbilaran, you can ride a tricycle going to the multicab terminal near Alturas supermarket. From there, the multicab takes you to Dao Bus terminal which is just near the newest mall in Bohol, Island City Mall. All buses are stationed in one terminal in Dao. This is the starting point for you if you like taking the bus touring around the province. However, they do not have 24hour schedule so you might want to be conscious about your time. Most buses could not go beyond 6pm. Jeepneys are available for you to ride going to nearby municipalities like Baclayon (the oldest church is here), Albur (Prony the Python is seen here), Loay, and Loboc (river cruise is here).
There are taxis in the city however, they are not visible most of the time because you have to call the operator each time you need a ride. Not much people use the taxi in the city since establishments are just located near each other. But with the latest development, a taxi stand is already made available when your reach the port of Tagbilaran.
If you want to choose a more convenient way to tour Bohol, you can rent a van at P4500. Gasoline is quite pricey nowadays so that explains.

Delicacies

Calamay is the sweetest delicacy in the island which you can buy right in the port of Tagbilaran. Vendors are lined just near the area where barbecue stands also abound. Residents of Ponong, Albur, Bohol are famous in producing this calamay. Peanut kisses are also favorite pasalubong items of tourists.

Places to GO

You can party at Lazer party club in Bohol Tropics or sing your hearts out in the resorts VIP Videoke bar. Time out in BQ mall is also highly recommendable with rates of P100-P150 an hour. There are several party bars within the city but not too many people stroll around after midnight. BQ Mall and Island City Mall are perfect places for you to shop if ever you need some things while in the island.

This is taken in Island City Mall

One day Itinerary

What follows is the actual itinerary we had during our tour. The time and duration are specified to make sure we hit the targets we set for the tour and the applicable rates or entrance fees. Annotations have been added based on what we experienced in every stop.
The time, duration, and the destination with applicable entrance fees are specified below for easy reference.
8:30am 10:15 Supercat to Bohol (Pier4) 500.00
Terminal fee 20.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Destinations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1015-1035H Bee Farm, Panglao Island, Bohol (bees, healthy foods and malunggay ice cream) P20-30

Stay 15min
I tell you, only at Beefarm you can taste the perfect Bahalina. You should take that small glass and have a drink.
1050-1100H Early Lunch at Bohol Tropics Resort, Panglao, Bohol

Stay 45min; consumable entrance fee of P300-P500
(leave BBC at 1145)
The place is perfect for a honeymoon or just a simple date. The sand is naturally fine and white. You can have it only here in Panglao.
1205H Blood compact site, Bool,, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Stay 5min
1220H Aproniana Giftshop, Baclayon, Bohol (for pasalubong, shirts, etc)
Stay 15min
This is the biggest souvenir shop you can find along the road.
1240H Baclayon church, Baclayon, Bohol
Stay 5min
1310-1400H Loboc Cruise (Lunch,musical entertainment while on cruise) P 400.00 Stay 45min
Tarsier watching, Loboc
Stay 15min
1450H Bilar Manmade Forest (just passed by)
Stay 5min
1530H Chocolate Hills, Carmen

You will reach the bell at the top of the viewing area.
Stay 30min
1630H Sagbayan Peak
Stay 30min
(leave Sagbayan at 1700H)
(must arrive Tubigon at least 1730H)
1745-1845pm MV Starcraft Tubigon, Bohol to Pier 1, Cebu City P200.00
Terminal fee P10.00
Even the time we are allowed to stay in every stop is so specified since we only have limited time for the tour.

More Lists of Tourist Destinations in Bohol

Resorts in Panglao, Bohol



Dumaluan Beach Resort
Alona Kew
Eskaya
Bilar Manmade Forest, Bilar, Bohol
Danao Zipline, Danao, Bohol
Diving in Balicasag Island, Panglao, Bohol
Whale Watching in Pamilacan Island, Baclayon, Bohol
Mag-aso Falls, Bohol
Ubay Stock Farm, Ubay, Bohol
Hinagdanan Cave, Dauis, Bohol
Motor Bike, Carmen, Bohol
Tarsier Sanctuary, Corella, Bohol
Paradise Python Sanctuary, Alburquerque, Bohol

Sta. Fe Beach, Alburquerque, Bohol


Calamay Production and Pot Making, Alburquerque, Bohol

These are all the good things to see in the 10th largest island in the Philippines and to me, always the no.1 tourist destination in the country and definitely one of the best in the world.

If you have comments and suggestions to improve my blog, you can send them to amontoursph@gmail.com. Always feel free to comment. Some of the rates are given a range whenever I am not so sure of the approximate figure. Please do verify always. For corrections, just add them in the comment box.

Bohol Video
Oceanjet Schedule
Weesam Schedule
Supercat Schedule
Lite Shipping Schedule

Playing Catan, a game learned from Germany

Playing Catan, a game learned from Germany



In Settlers of Catan, players try to be the dominant force on the island of Catan by building settlements, cities, and roads. On each turn dice are rolled to determine what resources the island produces. Players collect these resources to build up their civilizations to get to 10 victory points and win the game. Multi-award-winning and one of the most popular games in recent history due to its amazing ability to appeal to non-gamers and gamers alike.

Check out this introduction clip in Youtube:Click here

Watching Friends TV series

Watching Friends TV series


Wow! The 8th season ends with me having more eagerness to watch the next season. Rachel thought that Joey would be proposing a marriage to her after Joey found the ring that Ross’ mother gave to him. The ring accidentally fell from Ross’ coat when Joey was trying to get something from the chair. And when Joey was holding it as he faced Rachel, it would seem that he was proposing to her as he was like kneeling as well during that time.
How exciting it would be for the start of the 9th season. And Ross was about to enter the room with flowers on his hand which I think he would give to Rachel. Well, Rachel has just delivered her baby with Ross. That is just really exciting!
I know I have been hanging out with Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel lately. The things that are happening between these circle of best friends are just interesting and more or less realistic. The setting could be a lot different but the principles are very much applicable to us. One thing that hooked me up is the humor in every episode which makes you up all the time. My favorite character so far which has the funniest punchlines is Phoebe. I think she is the most hilarious of all the six of them.

Scihi Reunion in 2010

Scihi Reunion in 2010


December 27, 2010. I believe I had some of the best memories when I was in high school. This was the stage in our life wh
en we had a lot of times
exploring many things of being an adolescent. Anyway, on this day, I was able to meet my batchmates during the Grand Homecoming of Tagbilaran City Science High School. We enjoyed dancing and chanting before a band with all the not so dangerous firecrackers jumping on our feet.

It is really uplifting to be with the group sharing experiences of the previous years especially in everyone’s career. We may have traveled different paths but surely we could have learnings from all of them. After the band, the group decided to have a videoke in Bohol Tropics. We rented a VIP room and enjoyed singing our hearts out with all these karaoke songs. By the way, when we entered the place, it was like a cemetery for silence was ruling the place. Well, according to the waiter, that is the usual scene on Mondays and it was 8:30ish (they open at 9pm).


The list of songs to sing is quite long but the videoke bar has to close at 1AM. And we were kinda drunk that time so we needed rest by the time we arrived home. But we have to meet again in 2012 for a really BIG reunion for our batch alone. We will see by then if 2012 is not the end of the world and we have the whole of 2011 to prepare. LOL! Just kidding… 2012 must not be the end, we have canned goods which are set to expire after 2012. Ha Ha Ha!


Rich Asuncion, who became popular from GMA 7's Starstruck Reality Talent Search also attended the event. She is an alumna of the school. See proof below:


Going to Bohol via Tubigon

Going to Bohol via Tubigon


There is now another convenient way to get to Tagbilaran City, the capital city of the Province of Bohol. The route will be by boat from cebu city port to Tubigon Port of Tubigon town in Bohol. The good thing about taking this route is the flexibility of your travel time. There is almost a trip every hour which starts as early as 5:45am until 7pm. Lite Shipping has a trip at 12MN going to Cebu and going to Bohol.

From Tubigon, you can either travel by van or by bus going to Tagbilaran City. Bus fare is around P 50 and bus companies operates between 5am to 7pm. For vans, the fare is P 90 which is available as late as 9pm.

Before, only slow boats serve passengers going back and forth Cebu and Tubigon.The fare is more or less P 150. Travel time would be around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Lite Shipping has the bigger vessels. Now, there are already fastcrafts to ensure that passengers who are in a hurry could catch their appointments in Cebu on time. Starcraft is one of the fastferries which could save much of your time. You get to Cebu in just 45 minutes for only P 220. Basically, you have the option to take the fast craft or the slow boat.

The expenses you will incur starting from Cebu pier would be P150 for your fare if you are taking the slow boat and P25 for the terminal fee. As soon as you reach the Tubigon pier, you will ride a tricycle going to the Bus or Van terminal which is in front of Tubigon Public market.The tricycle fare is P 10. If you ride the bus, fare is P 50. This will lead you to Dao Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran City. The nearest mall upon reaching there is Island City Mall which is the biggest and newest shopping center in Bohol. All in all, you will spend P 218 for transportation from Cebu to Tagbilaran.

Hosting PASKO SA BLISS back in 2010

Hosting PASKO SA BLISS back in 2010

(This is a throwback article) :)

I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year together with my family. Being together during these special holidays is everybody’s dream especially that we are busy with our own dealings the whole year round.

Aside from being with my family this season, I had the opportunity as well to be one of the hosts in our community’s Christmas party last December 30, 2010. There were three of us hosting the program, me, my sister, and Gang2x. Every Christmas season, we have a community event as another
way to celebrate Christmas where everyone in our place gather together, dine together, and enjoy in a variety of presentations. It was like reliving my younger years where I used to host events both in the community, in church, and in school. It was really fun to be with the neighborhood and since our place is in the province, the people are pretty much close to each other. It is quite different if you live in the city. You might not know who lives next to your house.


Anyway, the program was centered on a theme: “One Community, one Family, One Christmas”. One really good thing about the event is the cooperation that we have in the community. We also make it a contest where every cluster has to design their own “Belen” and prepare a group performance. This is not that simple because the Belen has to appear very realistic. This will encourage each cluster to work hard for whatever they want to come up during the party. See above for the picture of the winning Belen.
There were a series of dancing and singing. We have also invited a clown to somehow entertain everyone(at least the kids). We also had our own version of Pilipinas Got Talent dubbed as “Bliss Got Talent”. There were 5 contestants who showed their amazing talents in dancing and singing. Well, I think talent is somehow equated to dancing or singing these days. I mean most people interpret talent as rendering a song beautifully or showing your nerve breaking dance moves. I am sure the judges also had a hard time in selecting the winner.
You can check out the faces of our three judges in the photo as they enjoyed watching every performance. The panel composed of Fr. Larry, Maam Leonor, and Maam Gemma. We did not let the moment pass without them doing the sample!sample! And indeed, they danced the chacha.

But amazingly, one kid has captured the wide attention of everyone and I think he got his instant fame from our program. As young as he is, who is still in elementary, he can already calculate quickly (without the aid of anything) mathematical operations even up to 3 digits like 222*333. I know we can do that easily with the use of our cellphone’s calculator but without one, I am sure we will have a really hard time. He has even successfully made his take on division, the one where we divide a number by another number (I know you know it but this is for the sake of those kids who don’t know what division is). Anyway, the kid was able to answer it in no time including the remainder as if we are answering a Math assignment way back in elementary school. I should say what he has is a gift in Arithmetic. Maybe if you need some calculations, you can give this kid a ring. He was not really part of the contest but because of the exemplary talent he got, he went home with P500 on his pocket.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Money Changer at Alona Panglao

Money Changer at Alona Panglao

Money change is one thing tourists need to do while in another country to make sure you have the currency to buy the goods you need while traveling and to pay the needed expenses for your trip.

At Alona, you would find yourself conveniently greeted by Money Changer shops at the entrance to the beachfront. There are also atm's found nearby along the streets.

Banks at Alona

Bank of the Philippine Islands' (BPI) atm's are also available.