To Panglao Island

The 20 kilometer-long, narrow and low, limestone island of Panglao is separated from Bohol Island by the shallow Dauis Strait, so shallow that at low tide it is possible to cross on foot. However, to facilitate travel to and from the islands a causeway was built to link both in the 19^th century. The connection between the islands is immediately near Bool, the site where it is said the Boholano leader Sikatunao (Katunao) and Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made a blood compact. (A second causeway was built around 1970s to connect Tagbilaran with Panglao).

There are two towns in Panglao: Dauis to the east and Panglao to the west.

made a blood compact. (A second causeway was built around 1970s to connect Tagbilaran with Panglao).

There are two towns in Panglao: Dauis to the east and Panglao to the west.

Asunción de la Virgen Parish

For a while Dauis served as the residentia of the Jesuits. The Jesuits built a church and convento, described in 1886, as made of tabique pampango (wattle and daub) with a thatch roof. By that year, the construction of the present church begun. The Jesuit church is said to be depicted in a ceiling painting found in the dining room of the convento. Oral lore indicates that the older church stood on the grass field to the right of the present church. The present convento may in part trace to the Jesuits. It is two story structure of coral stone; with tabique walls, and a volada (covered balcony) parallel to the living room.

In 1796, the Recollects built a hexagonal watchtower behind the church. The tower has a pitched roof with wide overhangs supported by delicately carved corbels. The tower guarded the strait and opened to a unobstructed view of Tagbilaran church where it is recorded that a fortification stood. The tower and the fort formed a complex to guard the strait.

The church, begun in 19^th century is eclectic in style. Though documents describe it as "de estilo gotico," its Neogothic characteristics are limited to the lancet windows of the nave, low towers flanking the façade, and the ambulatory around the main altar. A portico in the style of a Greek temple, was added ca. 1921. The church interior divided into a central nave with flanking aisles is more akin to the Renaissance. This is reinforced by the flat ceiling which is painted in trompe l'oiel to resemble a coffered ceiling. Above and around the clerestory are painted scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Recent clearing of the church walls have uncovered a painting program of angels and flowers.

The Neoclassical design of the main altar is partially obscured by later additions of clouds painted on wood panels. Two side altars display late Baroque floral swags; while two more altars along the ambulatory are Neoclassical. The sacristy located behind the sanctuary has arched windows with delicate tracery in wood.

An unusual feature of Dauis church is a well, located in front of the communion rail. The well waters are reputedly miraculous.

Panglao

San Agustin Parish

According to one authority, Panglao was established a parish 1782, although the Recollects record that they took charge of the town in 1803. A 20^th-century church stands beside the ruins of an older church, probably one built by the Jesuits. Whatever remains of the older façade indicate that it may have been Baroque in design. This church was ruined before in 1886, when it is reported that a provisional church of wood and tabique was constructed. To the rear of the ruins and at some distance, stands a five story bell tower/ watch tower built 1851. Octagonal in plan and covered by pitched roof, the tower is said to be the tallest of its kind in the country. The tower is in bad state and needs immediate intervention for its conservation.