Days before the Department of Tourism launched its latest “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, our family had the fun this New Year as we visited the town of Loboc for fun and adventure. Indeed, it’s more, more, more fun in Bohol! (Many thanks to my cousin Shiela Olorvida-Glaring and her husband Martin for the treat!)
Forget about the six-decade-old Swiss tourism advertisement because whatever it is, we can always claim the slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines," because it is true.
I got the idea from Tessie Labunog-Sumampong when she tagged me on Facebook the promotional video of the Philippines, “It’s more fun in the Philippines” where the famous Loboc River was included.
Trivia, also from Tessie: Filipinos have been posting photos of the country at its most beautiful—festivals, scenic spots, cuisine, people, you name it. And some are really "crazy" but still funny memes, er, celebrating Pinoy creativity.
So with the DOT in mind, I asked some personalities and friends to give their answers: It’s more fun in Bohol because…
More than half of those asked simply didn’t answer. Here are those who did:
Pureza Chatto, Bohol’s First Lady- She is blessed with the beauty of nature and she entrusted to a group of people who have the heart to take care of her beauty, the mind to enhance her beauty and the will to keep her beauty as magnificent as ever for generation after generation to make a life, to enjoy, and to be grateful.
Jessica Soho, TV Personality/GMA News- There is nothing more pristine and pure than the Loboc River and the voices of the Loboc Children’s Choir.
Rovilson Fernandez, TV Personality/Model- The air is fresher, the sand is softer, the smiles are brighter and the hills are more chocolateeey. Who can argue with that?
Alex Santos, TV Personality/ABS-CBN News- You can grab hills of chocolate there.
Melchor Daniel, Teacher- Everything is here.
Larry Marshall, Singer/Businessman- Panglao is there.
Loida Lagonoy, Beauty Queen-It’s the safest place in the country. No NPAs, typhoons or earthquakes.
Dr. Rhenz Acedo, Orthodontist- You can enjoy and live a life full of adventure. From hills to the sea shore, rivers till the ocean life. Every thing is still so virgin. Its life a little paradise where you never want to escape from.
EJ Relampagos, Fashion Icon- Most of the people I love are here.
Joven Menorias, Travel and Tours Specialist- Where you find peace and serenity.
John Maraguinot, Government Consultant/Youth Achiever- Fiestas are like no other.
Tessie Labunog-Sumampong, Proprietor of Loboc Riverwatch- Of Riverwatching!
Morres Sarabia, Music Genius/Band Leader- Of the Bilwaboys and the Rabadab Connection, calamay-dub style.
JunJun Karaan, Nurse- There’s no place like Bohol which has a tricycle for house to house and door to door rides.
Atty. Gregory Delgado, Lawyer/Runner- You can survive the whole month of May without money because there are town and barrio fiestas.
Doris Dinorog-Obena, Community Leader- You can see and visit more exciting sights with less travel time because traffic is not a problem and you can go around the 10th largest island of the Philippines in five hours.
Councilor Kit Oppus, Councilor/Women’s Advocate- Fun means, to me, friends you need. It’s the people that make Bohol fun.
Joseph Lemuel Camacho, Government Employee- Of the amazing beauty of nature and culture and traditions of the Boholanos.
Reigh Monreal, Pres. Of Bohol Society of Tourism Officers/2011 CPG Awardee for Cultural Advocacy- Nature’s beauty, rich culture, and creative and warm-hearted people beautifully combine to keep tourists coming!
Sam Penaso, Visual/Performance Artist- Kilalang may tarsier, Chocolate Hills, masarap daw makapangasawa ng Bol-anon sabi sa kanta, at namiss ko ang bayle sa tibuok kalibutan pero mukhang wala na ata ngayon, at maligo sa dagat kaya malapit lang kami nakatira diyan.
Val Santiago, TV News Producer- Enjoy ang Loboc river cruise! Sarap ng buffet, hinaharana ka pa!
Aldrin Avergonzado, Globe Customer Care Representative- It’s like a paradise.
Tintin Ng, Actress- Bohol is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. It’s more fun to experience Bohol during the Sandugo Festival.
Dennis Balbero, Cultural Icon- Rich in culture, arts and heritage.
Mayor Niño Rey Boniel- Of the underwater grotto in Bien Unido!
Mayumi Lugod, Beauty Queen/UNTV Host- Boholanos are so warm and hospitable. Tourists spots are amazing and unique. Bohol is the best place to relax.
Rammel Decasa, Runner/Adventurer- We have cultural, historical and adventure. Meaning completos recados. All in one tourist destination.
Tracy Torres, Make-up artist/Hairstylist- Bohol has it all. If you’re a fan of history, you can visit Baclayon Church and the Blood Compact site. If you love animals, come see the macaque monkeys, dolphins and the famous tarsier. If you love adventure, come to Danao’s adventure, swim and dive at Panglao Island. If you live the city night life, come to Tagbilaran City. If you’re a romantic, dine at Loboc floating restaurant. And if you want world-famous, climb the chocolate hills. So if you want to have fun and you want to have it all, come to Bohol! Because Bohol has it all!
Dianne Uy, Businesswoman- Of Island City Mall!
Ariel Fullido, Publicist- You can poke a tarsier in your palm, sale one of the chocolate hills, run a marathon along Panglao beaches. Crunch a Peanut Kisses. And party at Lazer!
John Consulta, TV News Reporter- With the exciting encounter with tarsier, breathtaking scenery of the majestic Chocolate Hills, and precious friends, you just can’t get enough.
Dominic Aparicio, Adventurer- A lot of beautiful scenery like beaches and adventure tour, and most of all it’s more fun when you get involve with the people who are friendly and hospitable. Just like me, it’s more fun if you are with me. Yahooo! it’s more fun!
Ahd Marco-Bautista, TV News Executive Producer- Of the Choco hills, Loboc River cruise, honey spread of Bee Farm and my sister’s farm is there!
Jojo Alegre Buron, DYHP Radio Personality- Has a beautiful and romantic beaches!
Annie Arcay, Resort Owner- We have a lot to offer...one will enjoy both the mountains and the seas!
Lourdes Talosig-Bartolome, TV Senior Desk Officer- It’s LOL in Bohol!
Piux Jabinez, Student- There are lots of wonderful places to visit.
Butch Bernas, Teacher- A one package tour, fun-filled adventures and many more. A one stop and have it all!
Rep. Rene Relampagos- Of its people!
Leah Tirol-Magno, UB Registrar/Internet Princess- Koja in Caingget Beach is yummy!
Blair Panong, Event Organizer- We have sexier sunrise and sunset.
Guy Bernaldez, PR Specialist- I get to do all the things that I enjoy like swimming, dining out, nature tripping and clubbing without having to travel far.
Jocelyn Pilayre, Businesswoman- It’s tarsierus!
Karen Batuhinay, Cebu Pacific Operations- Only in Bohol where airplane landing feels like you re bungee jumping or riding a roller coaster. Blag! Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
ArieLlanos, Metro Centre Front Desk Officer- Everything is in here… white beaches, warm people and nice scenery. Bohol is considered as the tourist haven in Asia.
Dr. Homer Singco, Veterinarian- Nice beaches, friendly and kind people.
Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity, Radio Personality- Tourists are enjoying their trips.
Boy Pernia, Consultant- You both have the mountains and the sea to experience. Its magical and fun!
Rhea Alba, NGO/Community Worker- Of the hospitality and musicality of its people..di ako pang tourism pero I love your place.
Leslie Ramirez, Bank Teller/Businesswoman- There is no place like home.
Mayor Oliver Yu- Bohol has it all. Name it, and we have it, adventures thrills, nature at is best, the people around, ambience, and many, many more.
Mary Anne Aparece-Verga, DILG Officer/Mother- My family and true friends are here.
Musette Hontanosas, Businesswoman- It’s a one stop shop, countryside, seaside, with ‘fiestas’ everyday in May, habal-habals everywhere, most of all, it’s where you can get my PEANUT NUGGETS, tasty, crunchy, delicious Boholano delicacy!
Jose Marianito Luspo, Cultural Icon/Teacher- Because Boohl is just WOW!
Remus Mark Carballo, Travel Specialist- The fun rolls from the top of the hills to the bottom of the sea.
Adonis Damalerio, DILG Officer- You will never go hungry especially on fiesta time!
Atty. Handel Lagaunay- You can have a good time with the family.
Dr. Nenita Po, GCGRMH Chief of Hospital- Boholanos are beautiful people inside out!
Vera Villocido Gesite, Consultant- Of the sun and the beaches, the rivers and the hills, caves and tarsiers, stone churches and watchtowers, habal-habal and tricycles, BQ and ICM, island hopping, great food, nice families and good friends.
Flor Mesina, Government Employee- We are known for being hospitable and friendly, asife from the beauty spots that we have in Bohol.
Maryo de los Reyes, Award-winning Director- I farm in the island!
Edik Dolotina, Consultant/Artist- There is one way to see everything- Bohol.
Danny Tamayo, TV Producer- There are lots of things to enjoy and explore. An experience you’ll never forget.
Fatima Mapesos, Government Employee- We’ve got a lot to offer better than other destinations. It’s fun to take adventures like EAT Danao, fun to enjoy natural beauty like the Choco Hills and beautiful beaches. And it’s more fun to cherish Boholano lifestyle because there’s warmth of friendship like fiesta and festivities.
Judith Uy-Sumatra, Government Worker- Basta! it's more fun in Bohol!
Gabriel Medel, Businessman- Of the Boholanos!
Jeycelle Espejo Inting, Teacher/OFW- Bohol's like a Five star hotel...
Liza Azil - We are known for being hospitable and friendly, aside from the beauty spots that we have here in Bohol....
Sam Pingkian, Sales/Marketing Consultant- You can stay in a cheapest places to live and also the most beautiful and exotic destination where u can live well for less.
Che Rubrico, Wife- Because it's where my heart belongs! Truly a little paradise where my family and most of my friends live. Beautiful Bohol!
Jerome Magallen, Guidance Counselor- Bohol is truly WOW! Wealth of Wonders!
Marc Christopher Labastilla- Naa tay chix dha!!!period.:-)
Ryan Sines, Hairstylist- It’s my yutang gi tawhan..my place..my paradise..char!
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