MikeLigalig.com

Written By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

Bohol was said to have been founded July 22 some 153 years ago. At that time, this island was declared to be a province from the Cebu - Siquijor - Bohol provincial district of the Philippines. Apparently, these three islands were considered one administrative district until Bohol was separated from it. During that period, the towns of the island were already thriving parishes. However, our interests go beyond that. It goes back when Bohol was settled by the human race and until how we became a province.

Geologists contend that the Philippine islands, Bohol along with them rose from the ocean floor millions of years ago. In the course of time, flora and fauna from the Asian continent invaded the present day islands. Peoples of South East Asia feeling economic or political pressure moved eastward and settled in the islands along the Asia continental shelf. Some went farther eastward and settled in the Pacific islands while some settled in the Philippines.

The first wave of settlers could have found Bohol too small for them and settled in larger islands like Mindanao, Panay and Luzon. The terrace builders found the Mountain Province much like home and they settled there while some may have lived in the shores. However, the later waves of settlers displaced them forcing them to move inland. This population movement was limited only to larger islands.

Finally the latest wave reached the islands and some settled in smaller landmasses.

Archeologists are finding it difficult to study the Boholano origins since they left no written records and very few artifacts. Like most the ancient Southeast Asian cultures, they built no lasting edifices. They could have been more of Malayan origins, different from the sophisticated Javanese, builders of the Borobudor temple. Anthropologist found several Southeast Asian beliefs and practices like animism and secondary burials among the Boholanos but hesitate to indicate their true origins since races had blended leaving only faint traces of the original.

The first Boholanos could have followed the trail of the Borneoan datus that settled in Panay. Or had preceded them. The Carbon 14 dating of the ancient bones found in some places in Bohol would reveal interesting information. Isolation influenced the development of a peculiar language structure. Although some of us call themselves Visayans, several versions of the Bisayan dialect had evolved.

When Legaspi "discovered" Bohol, Boholanos already had a thriving civilization.

Chieftains noted for their sagacity or valor ruled each village. Christianizing missionaries established parishes in each village and those became the origin of towns or municipalities. By necessity rather than by design, the priests were both the religious and political authorities. Church authorities later drew up administrative districts

Bohol had become a province long ago but the people are still influenced by the past. Our official mode of Visayan communication is Cebuano but there are some groups, who have different accents and intonations. But this is fast disappearing.

The intonation of a cosmopolitan Boholano is indistinguishable from the Cebuano speaking Visayan except perhaps for his terminology. Boholanos, those who are from thriving towns are taller, fairer and much more educated than their forebears.

After 153 years, Bohol has still a long way to go. Urban migration goes on undiminished. We do not have opportunities, which will make Bohol talent stay home. Our resources are yet to be discovered, it there is any. Our poor stay poor and beget more poor. We have decided to become a tourist destination rather than an industrialized province but only a few tourist spots are developed. Our economic ranking had improved but it could still stand some improvement.

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