A Short History of Bohol

[PeterG]

Pre Hispanic times

Bohol, an island located in Central Visayas, has a proud and rich history. Long before Magellan and his Spanish explorers discovered the Philippines, the inhabitants of Bohol had already made connections with people from far away lands. Pre colonial era Boholanos were known to have used jewelry and other valuable materials traded from foreign sources.

The more familiar of these foreign traders were the Chinese who eagerly bartered their porcelain and other Chinese goods for Bohol’s rich natural resources. Aside from working as traders, Boholanos were also considered as adept distributors of foreign and local goods. The history of Bohol shows these natives trading goods from one island to another, even from far away lands such as the spice island of Mollucas.

According to the history of Bohol, the now familiar tourist destination of Panglao Island was said to have been attached to the mainland through the use of stilts erected on the shallow waters of the strait. Owing to the richness of the history of Bohol, there is an abundance of legends pertaining to the island.

One such legend is about a group of Portuguese sailors who ransacked the town and kidnapped a local Sultan’s queen. This prompted the Sultan’s to move to other parts of the island, one of which is named Bool. From Bohol’s account of history, this place is located on the outskirts of modern day Tagbiliran City.

The Spanish arrival

With the arrival of the Spanish colonizer, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a peace accord was signed between him and Raja Sikatuna, a Boholano leader. This treaty was radically different from how other Philippine islands were made subject to Spanish rule. In accordance with the history of Bohol, this peace treaty was respected for 45 years.

The Spaniards were fascinated by the Boholanos’ apparent friendliness. This was one of the reasons why violence was almost non existent during the duration of the peace treaty. Despite this amicable start, the friendly relationship between Boholanos and the Spaniards did not last long. Several revolts took place. One of these revolts was led by Dagohoy in 1744.

American Era and beyond

Opposite of the Boholanos friendly start with the Spaniards, open hostility was shown against the American and Japanese occupants. According to the history of Bohol, guerilla activity was rife especially so against the Japanese. After the end of World War 2, the Philippines gained its long sought after independence from foreign occupation.

Since then, the island of Bohol has become a province of the Philippines. The independent minded Boholanos’ has made their island one of the safest parts of the country. And with its long and storied history, Bohol is now one of the premiere destination spot for tourists.

Bohol boasts a colorful and storied past. The history of Bohol can be traced back to well before the first Spanish colonizers set foot on Philippine soil.