Provincial Symbols of Bohol

IJsselstein, Saturday, 19 May 2007 17:04:35

The official seal of the province of Bohol

The Boholanos are a freedom loving and independent people, who take pride in their Island, wherever they are. No wonder, the province even has its own provincial anthem.

The independent trait of the Boholanos is well known, through its history of resistance against the Spanish, American and Japanese invaders, and is expressed by the prominent placement of two large Bolos (local swords) on the official provincial flag.

The independence of the Boholano also reflects itself in the relative absence of large landownership on the island: most farmers still own their own,

The official flag of the province of Bohol. The blue stands for nobility, the white for purity and red for courage. The bolos commemorate the Tamblot and Dagohoy rebellions. The two arms in the middle depict the blood compact between Sikatuna and Legazpi, and behind that are shown the world famous Chocolate Hills. The lone star in the top left is to honor Carlos P. Garcia, the Boholano president of the Philippines.

often small, patch of land. This is a big contrast with some other islands, such as for example Negros, where large areas of land are held by a few families.

Where the Philippines has its national bird (Agila, the Philippine Eagle), flower (Sampaguita, Jasminium sambac), dance (Cariņosa), leaves (anahaw), and tree (narra) Bohol has also declared a number of things provincial symbols. The provincial bird is the Antolihaw or Dimodlaw (Oriolus chinensis), a bright yellow bird. It can be found all over the province, and especially during the summer it will make a loud noise: 'waw-waw-waw'

Awit sa Bohol Yuta kon'g minahal, hatag ni Bathala sa adlaw'g gabi-i, taknan'g tanan dinasig sa kinaiyahan Sa mga bayani yutawhan imong kalinaw gi-ampingan. Lungsod sa bungtod nga matunhay ug matam-is nga kinampay. Puti ang kabaybayonan, walog sa suba binisbisan. Bahandi ang dagat ug kapatagan, Gugma ang tuburan. Sa kagawasan sa tanan, panalanginan ka. Ihalad ko, lawas ug kalag Sa mutya kong Bohol. Cebuano translation by M. Mayelende Ganade

The molave (Vitex parviflora) has been declared the provincial tree. This is a small tree, richly branched, with trifoliate leaves. The flowers are violet-colored and the fruits pea-sized and dark purple to black. It is a native to Bohol, and grows well on its limestone soils.

The provincial fruit is the Bohol mangga, or mango, (Mangifera indica Linnaeus), which does very well in Bohol. The limestone soil is responsible for a sweet and tender fruit, which is said to be the sweetest in the Philippines. About half a million mango trees grow in Bohol.

The ubi kinampay (The purple Boholano yam; Dioscorea alata Linnaeus) is rightfully elected as the provincial plant. The color of the meat of this root crop ranges from white to light to dark purple, and has an excellent aromatic taste. It is eaten cooked, alone or mixed with other vegetables. It is also dried and then used to flavor ice cream, candies and cakes. Don't leave Bohol without eating some delicious ubi ice-cream! Actually, the Boholanos so much love ubi, that they have not only declared it their provincial plant, but also celebrate the Ubi Fest every January.

Bohol Hymn This is the land I love, the land God gave to me, caressed by the sun, bathed by the sea, and kissed by the cool breeze night and day. Here's where the early heroes lived, here's where they wrought peace and here they bled; here's rise the marvelous cone-shaped hill, here's sweet kinampay grows. Blessed with white sandy beaches, rivers that water valleys, seas teem with fish and cows graze on the plains, in ev'ry home love reigns, God keep my homeland always free, let her forever be, I pledge my strength, my heart and soul, to my dear home, Bohol. Words and Music by Justino R. Romeo

The white gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linnaeus) is the provincial flower. This magnificent white flower symbolizes the characteristics of innocence and naturalness of the Boholano. Its long bowing styles bring about a language of welcome, its tender structure with pollens characterize the people's simple tastes and modest needs. The greenish, close-knit petals represent the loyalty and constancy of the Boholano family towards each of its members, conscious of the bond that joins them together in the good and bad times.

Leaving the realm of nature, Bohol honors as its provincial hero Francisco Sendrijas, better known as Francisco Dagohoy or Dagohoy. He led what was probably the longest revolt in the Philippine history.

Finally, the provincial dance is the Kuratsa Boholana.

Jeroen Hellingman