The Municipality of Cortes, Bohol, Philippines

The Municipality of Cortes in the Bohol Island is situated about ten (10) kilometers away northeast of the Tagbilaran City (approximately fifteen (15) minutes travel). This town situated in a highland, is currently regarded as a fifth (5th) class municipality. The locals of this municipality are into agribusiness and boast of its handmade paper products. For this reason, the local government with the efforts of the Department of Trade and Industry give priority to this developing commerce. The town is made up of fourteen (14) barangays and locals can understand and speak English as well. Visayan and Tagalog are also considered as their other dialects. Natives of Cortes are predominantly Roman Catholics. They celebrate the Feast of Sto.Niño (or Holy Child Jesus) annually by mid-January; a reason for locals to enjoy great food and pouring drinks and a time of thanks giving for a thriving harvest.

A bit of a history

Before even Spanish set foot to this municipality, Cortes had already a form a system of policy or government. 'Malabago' is the town's original name before the Spaniards named it after a town in Spain. Other accounts asserted that the name was derived from Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador. One of the two (2) noted Spanish revolts or the Tamblot Uprising started at this place. The town was established around 1861 during the construction of the Catholic Church wherein all local settlements has been united into one and was called 'Pueblo de Cortes'. The church was then dedicated to Sto.Niño and the locals were baptized and initiated in the Catholic faith. The natives of this town formed a bolo (Filipino machete) battalion to resist Japanese invaders during the second (2nd) World War. Americans liberated Cortes from Japanese occupation on the eleventh (11th) of April, 1945 but not until the twenty-fifth (25th) of May that Major General William H. Arnold, a commander of the American Division, officially declared the island of Bohol Japanese-free place.

Main attractions

The Municipality of Cortes has several places noteworthy of a visit yet the local government needs to further enhance it as a tourist attraction. The local government is geared up to answer such call to improve and promote these attractions to be at par of the island’s tourism trade

Cortes Church

The Sto. Niño Parish Church is situated on a hill and like all churches in the island of Bohol, the church is shaped like a cruciform. The church was built during the eighteenth (18th) century and was completed with its bell tower by the twentieth (20th) century. The church building is made up of cut coral stone blocks. The doorway has floral carving and in front of the church stands a portico. A touch of Baroque can be deduced at the church's retablo (or lamina) by the altar. This church should be visited by religious pilgrims.

Bilibili Spring

Located at Barangay Malayo Norte, Bilibili Spring is another potential tourist destination. This site is a good place to stay relaxed while being with nature as visitors enjoy cool spring water.

Abatan River is considered to be one of the town’s natural assets. Tourists would be able to see broad greenish-colored river winding in and out of the thick bunch of nipa palms that is a sight to behold! Kayak exploration is already offered and be booked.

The Municipality of Cortes should be considered as a ‘carat’ of Bohol Island's golden richness as a whole. Not for long, this place would be crowded with tourists all over the world as soon as the local government has materialized their own visions to turn this town as a must-see for all visitors.

The Town of Cortes at Bohol is a potential tourist attraction. Situated at the flourishing island of Bohol, Cortes has its share of that prestige as well. Tourism would surely be booming as soon as the local government realized its projects developing the town at par with Bohol's world-class caliber in terms of tourism.