(A friend’s wedding reception in Bohol Beach Club in time for the sunset.)
BOHOL BEACH CLUB
Centuries ago, the island was branded as a lonesome place. No wonder that the Spaniards described it as “mapanglao” (lonely). While it retained its name, Panglao Island is now oozing with energy and celebrations that there is no way it is going to be gloomy again. With the mushrooming hotels and resorts, the commercialization is shaping abruptly. I hope it would be able to sustain its natural beauty.
(Benjamin Abalos, the former Chairman of Philippine Commission on Elections and Metro Manila Development Authority, as regaled by the romantic and refreshing breeze.)
Being first time visitors, we were advised to stay in Panglao Island instead of being in the sentro, Tagbilaran City. Since the latter is 30-minute drive to the beach and there is no regular commute (yes, transportation arrangement is the deal), we really intended to stay footsteps away from the beach. While the resorts share the same shoreline, Bohol Beach Club has the longest stretch which we got to appreciate when we attended the wedding reception of a friend.
~~~~~
LOST HORIZON HOTEL in Alona Beach
Taking the combined recommendations from non-blogger and blogger pals, we booked the family “room” (i.e. three rooms via two connecting doors — much preferred in our case) overlooking the pool in Lost Horizon Hotel. The establishment’s name stuck in my head even before the reason to visit Bohol materialized. I gave a high regard to almost anything Lost Horizon since I watched that very interesting black and white movie which has the same title (initially shown in 1937) in-flight. I think that it’s a genius production especially during that time when the idea of hidden paradise and “other world” was infant.
(Beach front of Lost Horizon Hotel)
As I recall our activities by looking at our photographs, the more it became glaring that one place we call home at the end of day is very important. No wonder that no matter how tiring some tours seemed, the moment we set foot on the beach again, the day never failed to conclude with serenity and happiness.
(While breakfast was not included in the normal package, they concurred to daily breakfast arrangements.)
As one of the many hotels in Alona Beach, I can only speak of good things about Lost Horizon especially that we were genuinely treated extra special (e.g. invited to their company Christmas party, adequately arranged the tours for us, and more) by the management. I don’t know if it was just the timing because we stayed with them pre-Christmas, but the staff were so good to us from day 1 of inquiry via emails to the day we had to go back to the airport.
(We had a supply of good music every night!)
(We took the chance to try the other food stalls and restaurants especially at night. The thought of seafood makes me mouthwatered as I write this. I also liked the reasonable prices.)
(I enjoyed the semi-commercialized and rural combination of way of live. Can you spot the balut vendor?)
It is within the cluster of Alona Beach which is currently tagged as mini-Boracay. Surprisingly, I liked Bohol better than Boracay just because it’s more serene to me. But if you’re in for more lively night life, you’ll prefer Boracay.
(One of the plenty of tourists dressed as Santa Claus and gave neatly wrapped gifts.)
Alona Beach is really full of character just like how it was named. Do you know Alona Alegre? I heard about her from my elders as one of the actresses who teamed up with the late Fernando Poe, Jr. We chatted with the locals and they claimed (I liked the part that they were consistent about the story and there was so much conviction in the delivery) that she once shoot a film by this beach, in her original birthday dress (i.e. nude). Therefore, the beach was named after her.
I can only imagine Panglao Island getting prettier as each day progresses. That’s me declaring to the Universe that I seriously want to revisit.
0 thoughts on “Panglao Island”
chyng
surprisingly, ALona stretch is good too! based on reviews, it’s always been BBC beach shore only that’s good. not bad ang alona beach, mas mura pa. =)
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witsandnuts
I liked that it’s financially more manageable in Alona Beach. 🙂
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sheng
I’d really want to go to Bohol.
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witsandnuts
I’m sure you’ll get to take your family there sooner or later.
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The Nomadic Pinoy
I won’t be surprised if you’ll revisit Panglao island again – hopefully soon. Mine took so long. I got to visit Bohol Beach Club as part of an excursion during my student days attending the College Editors Guild seminars.
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witsandnuts
I liked Bohol Beach Club, but I enjoyed more the mini-Boracay set up in Alona Beach.
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Photo Cache
Perfect wedding venue. There are so many beautiful spots in the PI that I did not see before I left. My homeland is not the same one I left behind, seeing it from all the blogs.
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witsandnuts
Philippines is just so beautiful.
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mordsith
Bigla naman akong napa-daydream ng beach wedding! haha. =)
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witsandnuts
Huwag mo ako kalimutang imbitahin sa beach wedding mo. Heehee.
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upto6only
wow love your shots here:) ganda nga ng place. Yan ba yung wedding nila R? hehe
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witsandnuts
Thanks. Yes, ‘yan yung reception para sa wedding nya.
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Josiet
Looks like a great beach wedding!
I wanna visit Bohol so bad. Hehehe. Interesting anecdote about Alona Beach
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witsandnuts
It takes some sort of undressing for a beach to be named after a person. Hahaha.
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rob
.. it’s beautiful there wits! would want to stay there also at panglao if i get a chance to visit bohol. 🙂
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witsandnuts
Take your flight there this year. 🙂
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eds
wow! ka ganda naman ng place. perfect for the wedding talaga.
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witsandnuts
Wedding reception by the beach will always be romantic.
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Faith@ahead
Alona beach is one of the best beaches i’ve been too! perfect for a wedding… the food, the sand, the water!!!
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witsandnuts
And it’s still less crowded although it’s labeled as mini-Boracay.
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Daphne
The Panglao stretch of the beach is really lovely. Quite isolated though and not really accessible unless you hire a private vehicle with driver to take you there. Hopefully the infrastructure will improve in the near future. Great shots! 🙂
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witsandnuts
Thanks, Daphne. I really hope they will offer a regular and more frequent public transportation options.
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kg
what a great setting for a reception. pwedeng nakagown pero naka-slippers!
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witsandnuts
Kaya yung flat shoes na sinuot ko sa wedding nun yung pwedeng pasukan ng buhangin hahaha.
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odette
i love bohol! lovely pictures, brought many happy memories for me. we brought our dutch family a few years ago and stayed in panglao too. you must see bohol bee farm, you’d love their organic menu!
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witsandnuts
We’ve been to Bohol Bee Farm. We were told not to miss that. The food was great and unforgettable (especially the flower salad).
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k
hi! Is it true that many boats abound the shore of Lost Horizon? I really like their place but am worried about the cluster of boats that may hinder the view and limit the space for idling by the sea. I’d really appreciate your response.
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witsandnuts
Don’t worry about the boats, no way that they’re going to ruin any appreciation of the beach and sea.
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