Bohol, 650km (406mi) south of Manila, is a comparatively charming island. It is not as populated and industrialized as Cebu, it is not as fatiguingly large as Mindanao, it is not as mountainous as Leyte and Samar, and it also does not suffer the infrastructure problems of the last two islands; it has nice beaches and some landscape attractions as well. It formerly was more peaceful than the neighboring islands as previously, there were few NPA's. However, in 1985 there was a major encounter between rebels and government troops near Carmen (location of the Chocolate Hills), in which 10 soldiers were killed. March 15, 1986, in one of the earliest rebel attacks after Cory Aquino took power as President, 10 militiamen were killed near the town of Balilihan. The two incidents led to the deployment of several military groups on the island. Even though rebel activities have decreased since 1986, some areas of Bohol, particularly around Carmen, remain under rebel influence.

Historically Bohol was more rebellious than today. The Spanish arrived as early as 1563. Things first went fine for the newcomers, as the Boholanos were not adverse to the Spanish. There was even a blood compact made between the leader of the Spanish, Miguel de Legazpi, and the native chieftain, Sikatuna, in what is now barangay Bool of Tagbilaran City. This event is commemorated in Tagbilaran annually with the Sandugo Festival.

However, after about half a century, protest broke out against Spanish rule. In 1622, the Tamblot revolt brought turmoil for some six months. And in 1744, a revolt led byFrancisco Dagohoy, drove the Spanish out of the island and brought independence to Bohol for 85 years. Only in 1829 were the Spanish able to reinstall colonial rule.

Majority Group: Cebuanos; Language: Cebuano

Island Population: 948,000

Cities, Towns: (Census of 1990, x1000): Albuquerque 7, Alicia 19, Anda 13, Antequera 12, Baclayon 12, Balilihan 15, Batuan 11, Bien Unido 19, Bilar 15, Buenavista 22, Calape 25, Candijay 26, Carmen 35, Catigbian 17, Clarin 16, Corella 6, Cortes 11, Dagohoy 13, Danao 13, Dauis 24, Dimiao 12, Duero 14, Garcia-Hernandez 19, Guindulman 26, Inabanga 37, Jagna 26, Jetafe 21, Lila 9, Loay 13, Loboc 14, Loon 34, Mabini 22, Maribujoc 15, Panglao 17, Pilar 20, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo) 21, Sagbayan 15, San Isidro 8, San Miguel 17, Sevilla 9, Sierra Bullones 21, Sikatuna 6, Tagbilaran City 56, Talibon 42, Trinidad 20, Tubigon 34, Ubay 49, Valencia 21.