Panglao History, Philippines

Whether you are planning a family gathering, a romantic escapade or a getaway adventure with friends, you’ll surely give a second look once you learn that a certain locality in one of the Philippines’ 1,117 islands offers great splendor with their white sand beaches and the grandeur this place has to offer.  You’ll have peace of mind and get to share God’s little paradise hidden in this island.

Panglao Island has been claimed to be one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Visayas visited by local and foreign tourists.  When you get to see the pictures and the experiences told by tourists who have been in the place, you’ll surely want to schedule a date for a tour.  The place has so much to offer, not just the tranquility being one of the safest places to visit in the Philippines, it boasts itself with so many crystalline white sand beaches.  You’ll even wonder why most of the foreigners chose to stay and reside in this magnificent island.  Let’s take a glimpse of its history.

Panglao Island is but 20 kilometers away from the city of Tagbilaran, Bohol.  It only takes 20 minutes for you to get to this beautiful paradise.  This island was known to Chinese traders and other Asian countries way back before the Spaniards arrived.  It was said in their history that the Spaniards came to Panglao when they were searching for fresh water in the year 1803.  Since the natives of the locality were friendly in nature, they were welcomed openly.  They saw natives making fishing nets using “panggaw”, a fishing device at the shore.  Of course, when asked a question, the natives didn’t understand their language; they answered “Panggaw”, thus the name Panglaw, and later to Panglao came to existence.

This wonderful island is located off the southwestern tip of Bohol and east side of Cebu in Central Visayas.  Yes, it is still part of Bohol province and is connected to Bohol by 2 bridges.  It has neither rivers nor lakes but mind you, the native residents have freshwater spring as their source of water.  It can be found in the Hinagdanan Cave.

It’s not just the Spaniards that came to this Island there were Chinese settlers as well.  Panglao, is very rich in history that goes along with its beauty that’s worth a marvel to see.  You’ll surely get your money’s worth visiting this place.