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concerning on the book i can procure a copy.

Do you wish to be in contact with some Lumains here in Tagbilaran City because i do know some who have the Lumain bloodline?

I Hope you'll read about it guys. I'm PROUD TO BE A BOHOLANO...

Justifications according to the book I read:

1) That the genesis of the ancient Boholanos is traced back to the Semitico-Phoenicians, Expert Seamen, sent by King Solomon and King Hiram in 621BC., whose remnants were the Eskayas of 726 AD., still surviving during the Dagohoy Revolution. The Spaniards respectively called them "Los Tingianes. or Monteses, Serranos or Rebeldes Pulahanes," and are still living in Bohol as the "Mabansagon ug Hamiling mga Lumadhanong Tomindok sa Balangay sa.."

2) That before Legazpi and Urdaneta could land in Cebu on Feb. 13, 1565, they stayed for 42 days in Bohol during which they convinced King (Raja) Sikatuna to accompany them to Cebu to negotiate for them the desired pardon and peace with the irte King Tupas and the Cebuanos.

3) That the Blood Compact is an accepted ritual of international brotherhood and diplomacy so that the highest award accorded to a statesman or diplomat is the KNIGHT OF SIKATUNA AWAR.

4) The first official annexation of the Philippines to the Crown of Spain was ritualized in Bohol on April 15, 1565.

5) The Evangelization of the whole Philippines was effected not by the ordained clergy but the Priesthood of the Laity via the Spanish escapees: The Trinidad Christians of Talibon, the Concepcion Christians of Baclayon and Victoria Christians of Tubigon.

6) That the Seminario-Colegio de Loboc founded by the excellent Jesuit missionary educators produced holy Boholanos whose lives were comparable to the great saints in Europe like Miguel de Ayatumo, contemporary to San Luis Gonzaga of Italy.

7) That the conversion of Sikatuna and the Boholanos was an exemplar followed by the whole Philippines. Thus, King Sikatuna and Albasiya, who were baptized by Fr. Juan de Torres., S.J., on the Feast of Santa Ana y San Joauin on July 26, 1597, could be considered as the grandparents of all Filipino Christians.

8) That the Royal Educational Decree of 1836 providing obligatory elementary education originally for Bohol paved the way to the issuance of the Educational Decree brought about the educational system of the Philippines and is held as the Philippine Bible of Education.

9) The first Filipino scholars sent to the United States at the start of this century were Boholano Seminarians: Pedro Torrefranca and Felipe Lumain both of Tubigon and Gelasio Ramirez of Tagbilaran Bishop Thomas Hendricks of Cebu picked out best candidates to study in the American Seminaries in 1904. The American Governor General of the Philippines, upon knowing of this initiative of the Bishop of Cebu also vied by picking out Filipino Students sending them as Pensionados to study in the American Universities in the 20's and came back home as rabid anticlerical masons.

Especially the first claim sounds rather fanciful to me. Similar to the odd claim that the Mizo people (in Mizoram, India) are one of the 10 lost tribes of Israel. For the other claims, you can fairly easily try to verify them with the historical literature available on-line. Just read the first hand reports by Pedro Chirino (available in Blair and Robertson extensive 55-volume set on early Philippine history).

Rizal went to Spain to complete his studies, and came back to the Philippines with a mission to drive out the unscrupulous abuse of power by so-called Padres. Although he was critical and at times even cynical, and had joined freemasonry, he was neither anti-church nor anti-Spanish.

The first Filipinos moved to the U.S. before the 1890's, and, although the country was still a Spanish colony at that time, much of its foreign trade was already in the hands of British and American businesses.

Although I believe it is important to know your history, I think it is also important not to believe any fabulous claim without critical examination of the available evidence. It is never good to be proud, or be ashamed, for things you have had no hand in, such as your history or place of birth. We are all human and share one wonderful but fragile world.--Jeroen.

The Spanish gave the islands a name, brought the Catholic religion, united the country, and over 25% of the vocabulary in the various languages; the Americans introduced the public schooling system, much of the legal system, and baseball. Can you imagine the Philippines without all this? Although greed and power-politics may have lead them here, in the end, neither derived much economical benefit from the islands. Of course, before the Spanish came, the islands where a patch-work of petty chiefs and tribal areas, often fighting each other. That isn't to say they where devoid of civilization: there where alphabets; people traded with people coming as far as India and China. Unfortunately, most of the cultural artifacts of the time where of perishable materials, and as a result, very little has remained for archaeologists to discover.--Jeroen.

Thanks!

You are right. Thanks for telling me, I've fixed the article.--Jeroen.

Lands in Bohol are not owned by foreigners. Most of the lands now having regal houses are not registered nor legally owned by foreigners but by Boholanas or other Filipinas married to foreigners.

There are also lands owned by Filipino corporations with foreign capital. I think the bigger issue here is that why do Boholanos allow that the lands nurtured by the sweat and blood of our ancestors be sold to non-Boholanos?

No one can deny that there was a time in the history of Bohol the Boholanos had an exodus to various parts of Mindanao and the Philippines if not to the whole world. Many of the descendants of those who migrated are now well-off. Can we invest our talents and resources to our beloved island? Shall we just be contented with having regular visits and sharing our admiration?

We can remain to be outside Bohol, but we can be more true Boholanos if we can contribute to the social, economic, cultural and political development of Bohol.

I think, Boholanos should consider themselves happy that some foreigners are willing to take the risk and invest in the island. Much of the pioneering work in tourism was done by foreigners, building small resorts to suit their ideals and those of their, often also foreign, guests.

I think it is immaterial who invests in the island, be it a foreigner, a Chinese-Filipino from Manila, or a true-blood Boholano who can trace his ancestry to Dagohoy himself, as long as those investments are made in a responsible and sustainable way, with respect for both the natural resources and the people.

I, as a foreigner, have been running this website for some six years, because I believe the island was not advertised very well. I am very happy to see that I now have plenty of competition from Boholanos.--Jeroen.

The Philippine constitution has barred foreigners from buying land in the Philippines since 1935. So this is simply not true.--Jeroen.

One of the major factors of this exodus of Boholanos is the series of assault and the final defeat of the Dagohoy-led revolution and the 85 years of independence of a major part of Bohol. Just imagine if you are born at the beginning of Dagohoy's struggle, you would have enjoyed your freedom for the whole of your life. The later generation who were born in the late 1700's were the once who suffered the consequences of defeat and conquest, hence, no wonder that many of these families escaped to neighboring islands and started new lives.

Most of the families who surrendered were resettled in new towns and the leaders were executed. Some escaped in other mountainous areas within the islands. There descendants now do not even have any little inkling of the struggle of their ancestors. This is because many their great grandfathers choose to keep their pride in silence than to expose their descendants to the ire of the colonizers.

The aspiration of an independent and free Bohol nurtured by our ancestors during the time of Dagohoy was not totally gone when the Philippine revolution erupted towards the end of the 1800's or merely more than 80 years after the defeat of the Dagohoy Revolution. This love for freedom inspired the later revolutionaries to declare an independent Republic of Bohol when they find no more contacts with the Aguinaldo-led revolution.

The independent Bohol Republic defeated the Spanish and went on to fight the Americans proving the tenacity of our ancestors. Little has been written about this glorious past of Bohol. In fact, people make joke of the Bohol Republic. Some even consider these as another expression of the Boholanos' "iza-iza, aho-aho" attitude. Boholanos' love of freedom is simply expressed in warm smile and hospitality as well as determination to fight and sacrifice. I strongly believe the need for more research and writings on this historical events.

We, Boholanos' should not only be proud of the natural beauties in our beloved island but also on the great history of our people. We should not simply be proud of the centuries-old churches and watchtowers but also the stories and histories that accompany this monumental relic of the Boholanos' simplicity and greatness.

Owwwhhh!!!How I wished I could go back there for a long and happy vacation (I'm now staying in Cavite to finish my college degree...). I already miss my family as well as the people whom I used to be with. Hope to visit their soon...

I noticed some errors in the text, though:

"...and started a revolt when most of the Jesuit fathers where absent,"

[it should've been "were" absent]

"...a number of magnificient stone churches where build"

[should have been "were built"]

=) The corrections I offered may be acknowledged by the people behind the site and make the changes, but it wouldn't change the fact that I fell in love with Bohol when I was there, and that I'd definitely return there in the near future. Keep it up!

Thanks for pointing them out, Ikay, we've corrected these now.--Jeroen.

Why not try our history books section. Volume XI and XII of Blair and Robertson include as much early history as you may wish for.--Jeroen.

I would like to answer the question of Mr. Andy Capesinio regarding the famous attribute to Boholanos: "iza-iza aho-aho".

I grew up in Bohol. My family came to Mindanao only in 1982. I was not aware of the attributes to Bol-anons until I came to Surigao as a second year high school student. It was my non-Boholano classmates who teased me about those attributes. At first I was defensive and sometimes a bit angry, I don't like hearing it. Later, I came tolerate it, but deep in my mind I was wondering whats the root of this jokes.

Sometime in 1987, I went home and have the chance to ask explanations from my two grandfathers, all of them were in their late-80's then. Both of them died in the early 90's.

Both of my grandfathers, who came to Mindanao in the early 1920's, smiled at me when I asked them about "iza-iza aho-aho." My two grandfathers have different but related explanations.

My maternal grandfather told me that "iza-iza, aho-aho" is the perception of non-Boholanos to the Bol-anons' strong and positive value of giving and sharing. My grandfather told me: "It is simple common sense, you can not give or share something that you still need or you lack. For Bol-anons, sharing does not mean you give everything that you have. You need to save something for yourself, before giving something to others." My grandfather explained to me a deeper Boholano value -"pahat-pahat" or could be translated roughly as "sharing equally". For Boholanos, not to give is unbecoming of a Bol-anon, and giving without retaining something for your own need is hypocrisy. Hence, when I have something that others also need, or I want to share, it is customary to "pahat" or divide equally. For Bol-anons, no matter how small is the thing, it should be shared. In the Bol-anon parlance: "Naay ma-iza, naay ma-aho." To others, "iza-iza, aho-aho".

My paternal grandfather told me that "iza-iza, aho-aho" is a cardinal principle for Bol-anons to avoid conflict and maintain harmonious relationship with others. Bol-anons are very kin as to what is "iza" (that belongs to his or her) and what is "aho" (that belongs to me or mine). For Bol-anons, it is necessary to establish what is "iza" and "aho" to prevent conflict. And according to my Lolo, this is the foundation of why Bol-anons are known to be peace-loving but at the same time fierce warriors as exemplified by Dagohoy's revolution against the Spaniards that lasted for 89 years. (Second only to the Muslims of Mindanao who fought against the Spaniards and the Americans for 350 years.)

Bol-anons highly respect other's properties or "iza" and ready to fight to death for what he/she believes to be "aho". It is the very reason when our forefathers realize that when the "ahong kagawasan" (my freedom) was taken, the Bol-anons fight and defend it for 89 years.

After hearing the explanations of my grandfathers, I become more proud of being a Bol-anon. When I studied as a scholar at the Mindanao State University, my Muslim friends would tell me that they are Maranaos or Tausogs first before being a Filipino. I would also told them I am proud to be a Bol-anon than to be a Filipino.

After I completed my degree in history and have studied a little of anthropology and sociology, I came to conclude that my grandfathers were correct and I have more explanations now.

As Bol-anons we should not be mad to be ask or teased about "iza-iza, aho-aho" people. We need should be proud to explain its meaning and tell others that it is the very foundation of our "Boholano being".

Rey Varon Antequisa

It will be very difficult, as not much of pre-hispanic culture is known. You could study the few non-Christian peoples still living in some parts of the Philippines, or old books (as listed on my books page. Also, I don't believe you'll find many people who would like to go back to what was effectively pre-history, and eradicate Catholicism, to name just one thing the Spanish introduced here. On the other hand, I believe many of the traditional pre-hispanic values have been assimilated in the uniquely Philippine culture--Jeroen.

Unfortunately, pretty little remains from what was there before the Spanish came. Although a script was known, the common writing material was palm-leave, and those don't last long in a humid climate, with few people caring about them. Houses were build from bamboo and nipa, and these too, won't last very long, so basically, the oldest records available are those by the Spanish (The oldest known book printed in the Philippines, the Doctrina Cristiana from 1593, now in the Library of Congress, only survived the centuries in a library in Italy), with very few exceptions. To get a vague idea of how people used to life in those days, have a look at how related peoples used to live in Mindanao about a century ago. Some research may help find archeological traces of the people, and give some clues, but we are very much without historical records to guide us far before the Spanish arrival.--Jeroen.

The exact term used depends on the point of view of the writer, but you are right, much of this was based on American sources of the same period, who naturally wouldn't use flattering terms for their opponents. I will look into this, and re-consider the wording of my article soon. This doesn't mean I will automatically use your suggested wording. Moving the issue to today, you can have similar about the NPA. Some will consider them just plain criminals, others politically motivated insurgents, and a third group will call them freedom fighters: but the truth is somewhere inbetween, and people often join these groups for various personal reasons, varying from idealism to fear and frustration to greed. I believe much the same was true in the Filipino-American war.--Jeroen.

About other places in Bohol like Tagbilaran, there are two theories on its name: its said to come from the word "tago bilaan" because during pat times, tagbilaran is a place with lots of plants, and as we know there are many marauders or raids going on in Bohol. So they come to that place to hide. "bilaan" is the name of the raiders.

another theory on its name is from the word "tinabilan" or hidden..its because "Panglao Island" located near Tagbilaran acts as a cover or shield against strong winds going up north.

on other questions: try posting it here. I'll answer if I can. You can also try going to Bohol and look for David Tirol. He has historical data on Bohol; even cave maps.

In barangay Bool, on the road from Tagbilaran to Baclayon.--Jeroen

Very little of pre-Spanish literature remains, and especially folk-tales, which normally are carried by oral tradition, and often have been written down only in de last century, can hardly be found, although you will be able to locate numerous tales with pre-Spanish roots on this website (just look in the library section). You may have most luck if you look at tales of the non-Christian peoples of the Philippines, also present here.--Jeroen.

Sorry, we don't know yet why the town of Loboc is called Loboc (probably after the river, but that raises the question why the river is called so). Maybe another visitor can help us find the answer.--Lyn

This site is not going to give comprehensive details, as it is intended to promote Bohol, not teach Philippine history, and I normally don't take demands, especially not if you have an assignment to make, and the basic thing you need to learn is not as much the facts, but the way to find them. You could consult the source I gave in the previous comment, and find all the details known today about the expedition in one of the 55 volumes (or some 18.000 pages) of that work. The website presenting it has some search facilities to help you.--Jeroen.

Those vessels are long gone, but their names where: "Sant Felipe" (flagship), "Sant Andres", "San Pedro", and "San Pablo." The details can be found on page 89-90 of "The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898", Volume II. Online in the collection The United States and its Territories, 1870-1925: The Age of Imperialism. Took me 5 minutes with Google, so you could do the same.--Jeroen.

What do you think yourself after browsing this site?--Jeroen

A lot of primary materials from before 1898 can be found on the Blair & Robertson CD, reviewed on this website. Little information is directly available on Bohol, but you'll have to locate it in larger studies on Philippine History. For history after 1898, various Filipino writers will have some fragments. The History of Bohol, or the Visayas is quite big, so picking a certain aspect out of it is adviceable. For example, It is curious that there also is a people called Bisaya on Borneo, on would love to learn more about the relationship and the migration of the Visayans to their current homestead. When researching information on Bohol, remember that old sources often spelled the name Bojol or even Bool.--Jeroen.

It is on the road from Tagbilaran to Baclayon, barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, on your right hand (when going to Baclayon), sea side of the road.--Jeroen.