Join me in Panglao, Bohol at Jing's Yoga & Wellness Studio for some Yoga classes. Book Online!

April 24 Wednesday: (Energizing Yoga) 10-11 am / (Slow Flow Yoga) 5:30-6:30 pm
April 25 Thursday: (Energizing Yoga) 10-11 am
April 26 Friday: (Energizing Yoga) 10-11 am
April 27 Saturday: (Energizing Yoga) 10-11 am / (Slow Flow Yoga) 5:30-6:30 pm
April 28 Sunday: (Energizing Yoga) 10-11 am

I was in the midst of my move from Siquijor to Bantayan when I got an invite from Joan to teach a class at the Bohol Yoga Festival in her resort, Fox and The Firefly Cottages. This resort is no stranger to me. When I lived in Loboc in 2018, I spent a month in this resort as acting manager. Of course, I said yes.

Bringing my big luggages on my motorbike and doing a stop in Bohol was daunting. I requested Ivan in Cebu to pick-up all my belongings from a Ceres bus and store them at Hostel 7 Cebu until my arrival. This arrangement made life a lot easier for me. Thank you Ivan !!!!

Fox and The Firefly Cottages

Because of the Lite Ferries schedule, I had to leave the Siquijor dock at 7pm and arrive 11 pm in Tagbilaran - then a motorbike ride at night to Nipa Hut Village in Loboc, 26 km away (2 days ahead of the event). This was daunting for someone who's not really a good rider. I arrived around 12 midnight.

Of course, the overriding consideration in going was to connect with the yoga community and share my practice. But equally compelling was to see my friends in Loboc again. I lived there for a combined 3 months in 2017-2018 and I haven't seen them since. It would be great to catch up with Jeffrey, Leonid, Raymund Cal and Juan.

Joan checked me in at the Nipa Hut Village about 1 km further along the river. It was an array of A-styled nipa huts around a gathering area. This is the basic style I somehow envisioned for my future yoga ashram - individual huts for guests who would spend a week of yoga, sharing and rebooting.

Nipa Hut Village

Event teacher-poster and write up

"Siddhi Activation is a concept deeply ingrained in Gigit’s yoga practice. Through his dedicated exploration of various ancient traditions and modern practices, he has delved into the realm of unlocking extraordinary powers and abilities within oneself. Siddhis are said to be supernatural powers that arise from deep spiritual practice, allowing individuals to tap into their inner potential and access higher states of consciousness. Gigit believes that by activating these siddhis, one can transcend limitations and connect with the universal energy that flows through all beings. With a blend of discipline, devotion, and mindfulness, he guides his students on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. As Gigit continues to walk the path of a yogi, his mission remains clear - to inspire others to awaken their dormant potentials and embrace the magic that lies within. Join Gigit at the upcoming Bohol Yoga Festival, where he will be leading a transformative workshop on Siddhi Activation. Immerse yourself in a day filled with ancient wisdom, modern practices, and the exploration of unlocking your extraordinary powers. Through a blend of traditional teachings and innovative techniques, Gigit will guide participants on a journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. Don’t miss this chance to awaken your dormant potentials and embrace the limitless possibilities that await you. Join Gigit at the Bohol Yoga Festival and embark on a life-changing journey towards self-realization and empowerment."

Since I just finished conducting a Siddhi-Activation workshop in Cebu, I opted to teach this class again even though I only have an hour - ideally, I need half a day for a comprehensive workshop. There is so much to share with Siddhi activation that I can actually just teach this class indefinitely and nothing else - but I'm jumping ahead of my story.

The general feedback I got was that they liked the class but I needed more than 1 hour - I agree. With my class, I believe I was able to inspire, educate and get them to see a broader horizon of the yogic spectrum - enough for them to deepen their practice with knowledge, intention and confidence.

outdoor setting on my first class

There were many teachers offering their yoga specialties.

Top-row: Ann Villena (Inside Flow), Annie Aniel (Women's Circle), Jes Tadeo (Seraphim Healing), Ed Aniel (Jazz Dance)
Middle-row: Gigit (Siddhi-Activation), Krish Diaz (Shamanic Healing), Joan Soupart (SUP Yoga), Kate Moynihan (Somatic Yoga)
Bottom-row: Pio Baquiran (Vinyasa Yoga), Lenkha Rekha (Spicy Vinyasa), Rjhun Flore (Hatha Yoga), Jing Bartolata (Ashtanga)

Like most memorable events, the lingering essence I was left with were the amazing people who made it happen - they are the priceless ingredients in this stew of infused flavors. I will pursue these connections long after the event has finished.

Although just for 2 days, this event was chock-full-of-magic. After 15 months of practical isolation in Siquijor, it was great to be in community of like-minded people again - like OM, like Burningman and like the Burner parties in Toronto. I was stoked and immersed in my elements, interacting, teaching a class, engaged in immersive conversation and simply soaking-in the overflowing vibe.

I have fond memories of Loboc and coming to this event gave me a fitting reconnect with a past I hold dear.

1. Resorts - xxxxxx
2. Transport - xxxxxxxxx

Bohol FYI / Tips

• the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
• the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
• Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
   one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
   round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
   round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
   Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
   +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
   P 500.00
   +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km² area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.

Bohol