Anda Bohol Philippines Best Beach Resort and White Sand

Andas Best Beach Resort!  Experience the ultimate satisfaction and enjoyment with pollution free beaches right here in Anda, Bohol Philippines. Be captivated by the unending beauty of nature and beach treasures.  A place for great vacations for the family, a romantic getaway for newlyweds or simply spending time with friends.  A fresh look far from Panglao,  Bohol, Philippines. With its serene and  calm environment, a great escape for tourists looking for a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying the panoramic view of Anda’s White Sand Beaches. A timeless ambiance is waiting for you in this EAST COAST part of the Island of Bohol, Philippines- Anda, Bohol is the home-vacation suited for you.

Why East Coast White Sand Beach Resort?

East Coast White Sand Beach Resort is one of the most beautiful best beaches in the Island of Bohol. A new touch of nature’s best away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Tranquil, exquisite, secluded place which offer guests the perfect destination to celebrate life’s simple pleasures. We offer the most economical option- ALL RESORT BUY-OUT, a feeling of absolute privacy and getting the whole resort to yourself. One group of guests numbering up to 20 at any one time. We lay-out activities for you as you may wish to avail- diving, jetski riding, snorkeling, tennis, motor-biking and various things to do. We guarantee a memorable stay for you and your loved ones.

Amenities / Facilities

Anda best beach resorts Infinity pool, Tennis court, Sing-along room, Fresh-water cave, JETSKI, Boating, Snorkling, Motor-bike for rent, White Sand Beach …and watch out for more……

Contact Info

website: www.eastcoastwhitesand.com

East Coast White Sand Resort & Recreation Center
Candabong
Anda, Bohol

Phone: +63 920 9256033
Email: eastcoastwhitesand [at] gmail [dot] com

If you are planning to take your cellphone with you on vacation so you can check up on your emails or just play PartyPoker and Facebook games, then you might also want to download a handy travel application which will show you all the best places to eat, from the classiest restaurants to the best cocktail bars. If reading this is starting to make you hungry, then why not try out your very own Bohol inspired meal? Below is a recipe for a light and refreshing fruity salad.

Ingredients:

2 small potatoes
3 celery stalks
1 apple
1 lemon
A splash of salad dressing
Dill

Method:

1. Begin by cutting the potatoes into bite sized chunks then boil in a pan of hot water with a pinch of salt until they are tender.

2. Next, peel and core the apple before slicing it into small pieces. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top to add a tangy taste. If you prefer your salad sweet, leave out the lemon juice.

3. Chop the celery into small pieces and mix with the lemony apple. Drain the potatoes then mix them with the apple and the celery.

4. Mix all the ingredients well and top it all off with a sprinkle of dill.

This light and refreshing salad makes a tasty side dish. Alternatively, you could cook some lemony chicken and some asparagus tips, then serve it with some crunchy bread to make it into a more substantial meal.

Congratulations to all the winners and finishers of the TIMEX 226 Bohol Iron Distance Triathlon! You guys should give yourselves a pat on the back because you just accomplished something really special. Think about this statistic, less than 1% of the world’s population has completed a marathon and you all did it.. off the bike.

Current fastest Filipino Ironman record holder Arland Macasieb proved his experience and mastery of the Iron distance as he edged out eventual second placer August Benedicto for his 1st ever Iron-distance win. Arland clocked in an impressive 10:18:56 while  Franklin Penalosa of TIMEX-TMM rounded up the men’s overall and came in 3rd. In the womens division, Laarni “Dude” de Guzman of TIMEX-TMM overcame a 1 hour 10 minute lead of teammate and training buddy Janice Tanada to win the women’s division with a time of 14:19:13. Tanada rode a superb 6:02:04 bike split (edging out most men’s bike split) but just couldn’t hang on for the win. Ting Joson came in 3rd with a time of 15:39:53.

The M25-29 Age Group was dominated by Raymund Gerard Velasco while Omar Paredes of Team Herbalife reigned supreme at the super tough M30-34 division. Christopher Eyao won the M35-39 division and Ferdinand Sogoc ruled the M40-44 age group. Triathlon legends Joevic Pajarillo and Alvin Alindogan ruled the M45-49 and M50 and above age groups respectively.

As with every event, Timex released a custom TIMEX 226 Bohol Triathlon Commemorative Watch.

The brutal race course, combined with the scorching hot sun pushed all the participants to their limits. Swimming 3.8 kilometers at the beautiful and clear waters of Anda Beach was a surreal experience. Imagine swimming while seeing all the fishes and corals underneath you. Now that is what an Iron-distance swim should be all about! The bike and run course, dubbed as “newbie friendly” and “pancake flat” by the organizers, WAS NOT flat at all!  Maybe it’s just me but there we’re some parts of the bike course where I was forced to use the 28 gear of my cog! As for the run course, show me a participant who will say that the run was easy and flat and I’ll show you someone who needs to get his/her eyes checked.

With just over 60 participants, the TIMEX 226 was like a family event. Almost all the participants knew each other plus it also helped that the organizers were hands on with everything. I arrived there wednesday morning and got to try the race course (especially the swim part).  Some of us suggested that the swim course be moved further back because of the corals and sea urchins and it was nice to know that the our inputs was taken into consideration.

All eyes (and computer monitors!) of the Filipino tri community was surely locked on this momentous event. It’s been 9 years since an Iron-distance race was held here in the Philippines and with the influx of new triathletes, and the rise of triathlon’s popularity, the pressure on this race to perform is HUGE.

Now for the part everyone’s curious about. Did it live up to expectations?

The Venue :

Let’s admit it, whenever someone asks you about Bohol what comes into your mind? It’s either the tarsier or the world famous chocolate hills right? Who knew about Anda? I certainly didn’t and that’s what this race is aiming to change.

After the race I got to talk to Cong. Art Yap and he told me that Bohol is committed in pulling out all the stops to make Anda, Bohol the #1 multisport hub in the country. Being such a laid back community, that is  going to take a lot of work to get them ready for the crazy world of triathlon but with the 110% support of the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Congressman, and the LGU’s, nothing is impossible. They already committed to hosting the event again next year and making it bigger and better and I promised them the full support of SBR.ph.

One of the things I liked about the LGU of Bohol and the organizers is that after the race they are keen to know what the participants think about the event.  “What can you say about the race?”, “What are your suggestions?”, “What else can we improve on for next year?”. They definitely want this to be the best triathlon race in the country.

I was floored when I saw the beautiful beach of Anda. Who knew such a beautiful place exists here in the Philippines? The roads of Anda was pure cycling heaven too. In short, Anda is a triathlete’s paradise. If I were to turn pro, I personally wouldn’t mind training here. You want hills? They have it. You want to swim? Hit the beach. You want off road trails? It’s all over the place! Not to mention the food is fantastic too! Eat all the seafood you want at a very very low price. If you’re like me who’s wifi savvy though.. you’ll have to bring your own broadband stick.

Registration / Race Packet :

Before you can even think of registering for the TIMEX 226, you need to finish a qualifying race within a prescribed time period. If you hit that, you’re allowed to join. If not, the organizers won’t accept your registration. It’s as simple as that. No hokey pokey. Doesn’t matter to them how small the amount of participants would be. I personally think the pre-qualifying rule was an awesome idea. A Iron-distance race is no joke  and you really need to commit to it or else you’ll pay for it with a “DNF” on race day. Something that the organizers didn’t want to happen. The good news is, all the first timers finished the race and fact alone justifies the qualifying rule.

You’ll get an “R.O.I.” on your registration fee just on the contents of the TIMEX 226 goody bag alone. The custom made TIMEX 226 swag bag contains a personalized race number, TIMEX 226 Swim Cap, a custom TIMEX 226 race belt, 10 GU gels (i don’t know where the other 2 gels in pic went) =), TIMEX 226 Event Shirt, Sunblock, a cool TIMEX Ironman Hat, a custom TIMEX Yankz! laces plus an energizer head lamp!

Athlete Banner Area :

The importance that the organizers give to each participant is superb. TIMEX 226 designated an athlete area where custom TIMEX 226 tarpaulins of each individual athlete was displayed. “Fans” can reach out to their favorite athlete and leave a message! Cool huh?

After the race, you can be sure each athlete got their personalized TIMEX 226 tarp and brought it home as a souvenir.

Race Briefing / Pre Race Dinner :

This is where things got a little interesting. The race briefing and pre-race dinner was held at the new Amun Ini resort. The place was fantastic. I heard it was super expensive  too! The organizers surely spared no expense in making sure that all the TIMEX 226 participants get treated like royalty.

The only catch about this place is that it was probably too classy for some of the triathletes. The 4 course gourmet meal didn’t go well with some of the participants. Don’t get me wrong as there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the food but if you have an Ironman race coming up the following day. You want carbs and protein and lots of it! It was a sight to see watching elite Neil Catiil trying to eat the salad then following it up with soup. =)

The Swim :

I want to say so much about the swim portion of the race but I think it’s better if we do it this way. We all know the adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” right?

So let’s see if it works…

Need I say more? ‘Nuff said

The Transition :

With just over 60 participants, the transition area was H-U-G-E. You can literally stage a rock concert here. One of the unique things about the 4 loop run route is that it lets you cross your transition area 4x too! Kudos to the one who thought about this! Such a nice idea! Not to mention it also makes the race more spectator friendly!

The Bike :

This is the best part of the race for me. Save for the bumpy 7k road that you’ll have to cross before you reach the main road, the bike course was a cyclists wet dream. It was easy enough to let the newbies survive the 180k ride yet challenging enough to make even the best cyclists work hard. Just take this an as example, the moment I saw some of the hills, I immediately called one of my favorite bike shops, The Brick Multisport Store and had an 11-28 cog sent to Bohol! No way was I going to use my trusty 11-23! I’ll be toasted on the run for sure! The 3 loop, rolling profile of the bike course offers a good mix of flats, steep hills, and tight corners. Just enough to make it interesting.

Marshalls we’re all over the place too! Due to the roads not being closed to traffic, there were some instances wherein a truck or a van would come in the way of the bikers. But other than that, everything was smooth flowing. Correct me if I’m wrong but this might be the first accident free race that I ever joined! All the athletes got to T2 safe and sound. Good job to the local police force and municipality of Anda.

The Run :

Ahh the run.. the “pancake flat” run course as described in the race briefing. I repeat, the run course is not flat! The 42k run course has lots of challenging hills set on red hot steaming concrete pavement. The support of the community here is simply amazing. Everywhere you go people were cheering for you and calling you “Idol!”. The hospitality of the Anda people is top notch. Where else can you just knock on a house for a quick bathroom break? Heck,  the house owner even offered me soap, tissue, and a towel! Of course, for fear of getting a DQ because of “outside support”, I had to decline the generous offer. Hehe..

It was a good thing Energizer sponsored the race with their top notch headlamps. It was literally pitch black in some parts of the run route. Thanks Energizer!

The Awarding / Bohol Tour / After Race Party! :

This is were all the fun begins! The awarding took place right after the breakfast buffet catered by the municipality of Bohol. After the awarding, all the TIMEX 226 warriors were called up on stage for photo-ops and to immortalize their legacy as one of the first few brave souls who conquered the TIMEX 226 Bohol Triathlon.

Those who stayed got a free tour of Lamanoc Island courtesy of our ever generous host.

Now for the best part… THE FEAST!

Like what I did with the swim description.. I’ll let the pictures sum up the food fiesta that happened at the party. But this time, since a triathlon consists of 3 different disciplines, I’ll post 3 pictures too!

Resident SWIMBIKERUN.ph Online Coach Jomac said it best, “ngayon lang ako nakakita ng lechon na buto na umuusok pa!“. (this is the first time i saw a roasted bike get deboned while still smoking hot!) LOL. The poor pig didn’t even get a chance to cool off.

I have a lot more to say about what happened during the party but what happens in Bohol… stays in Bohol

The Verdict :

With the emergence of the 70.3 distance, finishing a half distance Ironman used to be the vindication a triathlete needs here in the Philippines to be able to call him/herself a complete multisport athlete. Now with the TIMEX 226, there’s a bigger and tougher challenge. One of the participants said it best during the awarding. This is the race that separates the men from the boys. The sheer brutality of the course validates this race as one of the must do races of every serious triathlete. Like in running, unless you’ve done a full marathon, you’ll always be looking at the 42k distance.

Staging an Iron distance race is a tough task. I’ll be honest, there we’re a couple of improvements that can be done for next years race but from what I compiled from all the athletes that I talked to after the race. One is thing clear. Everyone will do it again next year., and that includes me.

The Results :

Here are the results of the TIMEX 226 Bohol Triathlon

Source: http://www.swimbikerun.ph/2011/12/timex-226-bohol-triathlon-race-results-and-review/

Anda is a small village (maybe town), located on the eastern side of Bohol. Unfortunately, its often overlooked as a tourist destination due to the vast amount of other places to see in Bohol, and also the growing popularity of the “one day tours” of Bohol, taking you to all the famous sites.

However, if you are planning on spending more than 2 days and 1 night in Bohol, there are many many more hidden gems than the chocolate hills, and Anda is one of them.

If you didnt know better, you would drive straight through Anda in 2 minutes, and never know what was hidden in this mysterious village to the beach. However, invest a bit of time in this quiet village and a world of natural wonders, a long sandy beach and a very relaxed way of living opens up to you.

It is said that Anda is the cradle of civilization in Philippines, where people lived here during the Paleolithic era. Only 7 kilometers from Anda beach you find a locally run tourist destination, Lamanok. For only 300 PHP, they will take you out on a Banca to the island of Lamanok where you can explore amazing Mangrove caves, bat caves, paleolitic paintings on cliffs and much much more. If’s a good 6 hours trip, and well worth it! If takes you back in time, and reveals some amazing natural wonders of this mysterious island, that still is home to shamans and healers!

You can easily spend 3 days in Anda, and be well entertained, and fully energized for your future travel in Bohol. As this place is only 1½ hours from the chocolate hills, it also makes as a great hub for seeing the interior of Bohol!

By: Enigmaa
Source: http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/91780/Anda-cradle-filipine-civilization-4

ANDA, BOHOL: Some 183 babies, six months and below, were recently given free vaccination against rotavirus, the leading cause of diarrhea in the Philippines.

“The vaccination was part of efforts to reduce child mortality and achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015,” said Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director and founder of of Rotavirus Organization for Training and Advocacy in the Philippines.

Bravo adds, “Rotavirus-related diarrhea accounts for 12 percent of children deaths in the Philippines. That means 13 children die from diarrhea every day in the country.”

Bravo also explains that rotavirus cannot be effectively prevented through improved sanitation or water supplies alone.

Worldwide, almost 1,5000 children die every day because of diarrhea. In the Philippines and around the globe, the rotavirus is the top two killer of children aged less than five years old.

In Bohol, one of the provinces in the country with the highest incidence of deaths from rotavirus-related diarrheal deaths, a mural was installed in the town of Anda’s health clinic to serve as a memorial of all the lives lost to the disease, and a reminder how to prevent it from claiming more lives.

“This art mural is Bohol’s battle cry that we will no longer allow this disease to claim the lives of Bohol’s children,” says Arthur Yap, Bohol District 3 congressman who hopes to establish a precedent  in fighting the rotavirus in the coutnry.

“Together, we want to serve as an inspiration to other cities and provinces in the country to fight against this deadly rotavirus,” Yap adds.

Meanwhile, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), extended their help with PFV with the free vaccination.

“We need to be serious about saving our children from the grip of this burdensome but highly preventable disease,” says Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian, director, Clinical R&D and Medical  Affairs for GSK.

Pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline, meanwhile, has pitched in together with PFV on a free vaccination project last November.

On the other hand , Mommy Mundo founder and child vaccination advocate Janice Villanueva said that before 2010, the Philippines did not include rotavirus vaccines on its list so she tapped PFV and GSK for the free vaccination project.

The Department of Health (DoH) included rotavirus recently in the expanded program for immunization to be implemented in the next two years.

Source: http://www.healthnews.com.ph/index.php/frontend/full_story/338

“Maajong Pag-abut!”, which means “Welcome”, were the first words I heard from the 50-something Mang Porting when my paddle boat docked at the rocky Lamanok Island, one of Anda’s most popular tourist destinations.

The island’s terrain was almost completely made of sharp lime stones which made walking with inappropriate footwear slightly dangerous. But this didn’t seem to affect Mang Porting as he hurriedly galloped down to assist me.

Mang Porting is a small man but judging from his brown skin and his chiseled features, climbing the 300-foot high island was a breeze for him.

“Climbing this island and teaching guests about it completes my day, especially when I see it in their faces that they’ve learned something,” says Mang Porting in his broken yet charming English.

Mang Porting says Lamanok is an island with many centuries-old stories and myths that he gladly shares with tourists.

Despite having no formal education, Mang Porting was one of the few who grabbed the opportunity to contribute to their town by participating in lectures and lessons given by the local government of Anda and the Department of Tourism (DoT).

Mang Porting uses this knowledge and the knowledge he got from local teacher and shamans whenever he conducts tour guides.

Aside from myths and legends, he says his stories mainly focus on the life villagers, fishermen, and fellow protectors of the natural beauty of Anda.

He says no one “can never validate myths even some historical accounts” but he will always be willing to share these stories “to enlighten others.”

(For interested parties, you can contact Porting Simbahon thru Jaypee Orcullo at 0921-858 3864)

By: KC Santos
Source: http://loqal.ph/travel-and-outdoors/2011/07/25/mang-porting-is-a-sought-after-tour-guide-in-bohol/

Tilapia is one of the most delicious fish found in all areas in the Philippines.

Contact:

Cristino Lacar
Address: Talisay, Anda, Bohol
Cell#: 09466063726
Email: crislacar@yahoo.com
Website: http://tarochips.weebly.com

Here’s an intriguing myth from Anda:

Once there lived a woman named Francisca whom people called Ka Iska. Some say she was a powerful witch or a ‘mangkukulam.’ One day, the village men tried to attack her but she escaped and sought sanctuary in Lamanok Island. People continued to pursue her. However, their efforts became useless since Ka Iska vanished in Lamanok. Eventually, people found skeletons that are believed to belong to her.
What happened during the last days of Ka Iska has never been confirmed. What is clear is that some people believe that the ghost of Ka Iska still lives in the caves of Lamanok island.

A lot of people may be scared to visit a place where such a story exists. However it is this myth that drives tourists to visit Lamanok island in Anda, Bohol.

Going to Ka Iska’s lair is an adventure in itself. One must walk along the lush mangroves in order to get a boat ride to the island. There, people are greeted by giant limestone cliffs. Further walks up the island will reveal skeletons of ancient men.

Yet the most exciting part of the trip is a visit to various caves that are believed to be the home of the famous witch. It has an eerie atmosphere that can make spines tingle.

Congressman Arthur Yap of the 3rd District of Bohol says that Lamanok is ‘a ritual island.’ “There are ancient paintings there,” he says. True enough, in the island, one can see hematite drawings that still remain on the cave walls.

The place

Anda is located at the southeastern part of Bohol. It may not be as popular as Panglao or Balicasag island but it is has a rich heritage and white sand beaches that appeal to people looking for new places to explore.

“The biggest lure (of Anda) is the fact that it is quaint. It remains uncongested, affordable, very private and secluded,” Yap added. “You should visit Anda because there are four hectares of mangroves here and there are dozens of islets waiting to be discovered and visited by tourists.”

Yap says that eco-tourism is what makes Anda stand out. He also assures travelers that a trip here will not burn a hole in the pocket.

“The food is affordable, the area is clean and crime is almost non-existent. It is very safe for tourists,” Yap said.

Still, the biggest potential come-on of Anda is its pristine waters. Indeed, the place is blessed with endless stretches of white-sand beaches that make a quick swim a calming experience.

“What Western and Asian tourists love about the Philippines are the beaches. So after Panglao, which is now getting congested, you will see that there is nothing left to develop except the beaches of Anda. This is the next frontier.”

By: Jason Domantay, Yahoo! Southeast Asia | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom
Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/unearthing-the-mysteries-of-anda–bohol-20111212.html