The Chocolate Hills

IJsselstein, Thursday, 17 May 2001 (updated: Sunday, 31 March 2002)

The Chocolate Hills are probably Bohol's most famous tourist attraction. They look like giant mole hills, or as some say, women's breasts, and remind us of the hills in a small child's drawing. Most people who first see pictures of this landscape can hardly believe that these hills are not a man-made artifact. However, this idea is quickly abandoned, as the effort would surely surpass the construction of the pyramids in Egypt. The chocolate hills consist of are no less than 1268 hills (some claim this to be the exact number). They are very uniform in shape and mostly between 30 and 50 meters high. They are covered with grass, which, at the end of the dry season, turns chocolate brown. From this color, the hills derive their name. At other times, the hills are green, and the association may be a bit difficult to make.

Legend has it that the hills came into existence when two giants threw stones and sand at each other in a fight that lasted for days. When they were finally exhausted, they made friends and left the island, but left behind the mess they made. For the more romantically inclined is the tale of Arogo, a young and very strong giant who fell in love with an ordinary mortal girl called Aloya. After she died, the giant Arogo cried bitterly. His tears then turned into hills, as a lasting proof of his grief.

However, up to this day, even geologists have not reached consensus on how they where formed. The most commonly accept theory is that they are the weathered formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of a impermeable layer of clay. If you climb the 214 steps to the top of the observation hill near the complex, you can read this explanation on a bronze plaque.

How to get there

Plenty of tourist guides and tour operators will be happy to bring you to the chocolate hills, either as a separate trip or as part of a day tour. However, if you want to go here on your own, from Tagbilaran, you will have to go the integrated bus terminal in Dao and catch a bus going to Carmen. If you look like a stranger, you will have a hard timenot finding one. At the entrance of the bus terminal people will point you to the right bus. Make sure it is the first one to leave, and ask the driver to drop you off at the Chocolate Hills complex, about 4 kilometers before the town of Carmen. From there it is a 10 minute walk along a road winding up to the complex.

To get back to Tagbilaran, you will have to walk back to the main road, and wait for a bus to pass by. The last bus from Carmen to Tagbilaran leaves at four P.M. Alternatively, you can use the services of the motorcyclists who often wait here for tourist, and ride 'habal-habal,' or motorbike taxi.

If you're coming from Tubigon (arriving from Cebu by boat), a few buses go to Carmen daily, but sometimes you'll have to wait for some time for the bus to fill up. When you arrive in Carmen, you can catch the next bus or jeepney in the direction of Bilar, Loay or Tagbilaran, or ask a 'habal-habal' driver to bring you to the Chocolate Hills Complex.

Where to stay

If you would like to stay in the Chocolate Hills, you have very little choice. The only facility is the Government run Chocolate Hills resort. Currently, this hotel is undergoing renovation and extension, but, since funds have run out, work on this is suspended, and you'll have to deal with the mess of a half-completed resort. However, the staff are friendly, and if you stay here overnight, seeing the sun rise over this bizarre landscape is worth the inconvenience. The place also has a still functional and maintained swimming pool, which is behind the unfinished building, a little bit downhill.

Jeroen Hellingman

SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS

Lucky 10    Some-10    No-10

By: tobleRON

                Do you believe in numerology? Do numbers really mean something? Do numbers relate to each other in our everyday lives?  Some people think that there’s a mathematical uniqueness between three the same numbers that only occurs once a year. The say it’s a lucky day or worse day. For some it’s just an ordinary day like any other days. What about this coming 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010)? Will the relationship of numbers accurately predict what will happen?

                For some, they take the day as a lucky day. They are very positive that something good will happen but there is absolutely no scientific basis for this belief. The belief that something good will happen is based only on their optimism, faith and spiritualism. This belief is not necessarily a thing because we don’t know everything but the probability is not zero. In contrary, there are people who still consult numerologists that made the superstitious beliefs continuously part of their everyday lives.

                Like any other day or should I say like any other ordinary day, something will happen and that is for a fact. It doesn’t really matter if it’s especial or not for we have different lives and it is up to us if we live each day as if it is our last day. For those who don’t really care about each day, it’s just nothing. This is most likely the scenario. Just because an unusual date number sequence occurs does it mean that something will happen? Usually it is a non-event.

                For me, it is a very unique day for it only comes once a year. I don’t believe that there will be fortunate nor unfortunate events will happen. In addition, numbers do relate with each other but not in our lives. Above all, I don’t predict things for they will come as what God wants it to be. How about you?

"CHOCOLATE SUPERSTITIONS"

BY: M&Mcar

Chocolates causes tooth cavities

When I was young people always told me “chocolate….chocolate…that’s why your teeth is decayed already, your teeth will have cavities and its because you always eat chocolates”. Now I realize that it is really not the chocolates that’s make my teeth decayed and its really not about the chocolates the main reason of my cavities. It’s the sugar inside them!

In some way chocolates are tricky about which brings cavities, studies shows that chocolates melts up easily before it can form cavities that’s why it is just a myth that the chocolates bring up cavities to one tooth. Truth is, while chocolates contain fermentable carbohydrates, which causes cavity, the amount in a regular chocolate bar is not enough to cause tooth damage because the cocoa butter in chocolate itself that the teeth. 

Now because of this study, we humans can now crave for more chocolates but always remember that too much is dangerous and always be in moderate condition for all of us to be healthy in anything we do. And don’t forget to brush your teeth after eating chocolates and do it 3 times a day so that our teeth will grow healthy as well and bye bye for scary toothaches.

BY: BABY RUTH

Harmful Caffeinated Chocolate: a myth.

We all know that caffeine is one of the harmful chemicals that can poison the body if too much intake was done. This is popularly known to be present in coffee, and even in chocolate? People say that chocolate is high in caffeine, is this true? Well, study shown that chocolate has caffeine in it but not as much as coffee had. The caffeine in chocolate varies according to the type of chocolate one chooses. Caffeine in chocolate that is unsweetened or is semi-sweet usually contains about five to 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate. Caffeine in chocolate with milk added is usually measured at five milligrams or less per ounce. Generally, caffeine in chocolate is present in higher amounts, as the chocolate gets darker, meaning, it does not contain caffeine as much as coffee does, especially the sweet chocolates because is much more likely to create a surge in energy or to make people feel agitated and the sugar in sweet chocolates can neutralize the caffeine content in it. The caffeine in chocolate is as high as the amount of caffeine in a decaffeinated coffee, how ironic. That only means that the perspective of people about chocolates having a high amount of caffeine is definitely a myth and people who think that chocolate is harmful to them can be relieved and can freely eat chocolates because it is not a threat anymore especially to those health-conscious people. 

BY: BURY ME, CADBURY

A good friend with chocolate

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE

Linda Grayson, "The Pickwick Papers" I never met a chocolate I didn't like. Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation 

It's not that chocolates are a substitute for love. Love is a substitute for chocolate. Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man. Miranda Ingram 

People are unconsciously becoming poetic due to the pleasure that a chocolate can serve, and chocolate, is indeed, one of the ingredients that make life worth living for. According to a new British survey, 10 people were asked if they love chocolate, 9 will answer yes, and the tenth answer is a lie. 

But there are a lot of healths issues arise about chocolate. According to Center for Science in the Public Interest, there are myths on chocolates like helps prevent cancer and it also protects the heart. So if we have chocolate as part of our balanced diet how true is it good for our health?

There are studies from Center for Science in the Public Interest that chocolate is high in antioxidants that is responsible for mopping up the free radicals which are responsible for developing cancer. In fact, many studies still prefer fruits and vegetable as part of healthy diet to a lower risk of cancer, while there are no studies on chocolate and cancer. 

Also, chocolate is actually true to reduce the risk of heart disease. It has stearic acid, a saturated fat that doesn’t raise cholesterol levels. But chocolate has other fats too; stearic acid may also promote blood clots that lead to heart attack. 

So if we are thinking we eat chocolate for our health, watch out! It’s good to indulge but it is still better to eat in moderation.

BY: TOBLERON

Sweet, Nutritional Facts

Some nothings are scientifically made us healthy. Want to know why? Words from the heart make the mind healthy for its positive input on our body. But what about the sweet things we eat especially chocolates? Is there any nutritional value we could get from it?

                There is a commonly held belief regarding chocolates. Chocolates lack any nutritional value. Let us see if it’s true or not. Statement: Chocolate is largely an “empty -calorie” food that is unhealthy and lacks any nutritional value. Answer: False. Chocolate does provide calorie and it is certainly not empty. Chocolate also provides a variety of other essential vitamins, minerals and other substances such as flavanols- an antioxidant compounds also found in tea and red wine that have been associated with a decreased risk of coronary disease. In addition, chocolates do not only give vitamins and minerals but it is comparatively rare and no more prevalent that most other foods. Unbelievably, chocolates do contain several compounds active in the brain and central nervous system.

                On those facts, chocolates probably give us something that is beneficial to our health. The myth of others should stop now. Let us spread this sweet and nutritional information and let others crave for it. Hope those facts stay its sweetness in our minds and not just melt in memories. 

BY: MAESTRO LIZ

Like mother, like chocolate!

Chocolates are color brown, chocolates are dark, yes indeed. That’s why people who have dark complexion sometimes teas as “chocolate”. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher ones asked me to choose between my classmates to whom I want to be my escort in the parade. The dark skinned or the white one. Definitely I chose my “mestiso” like classmate. Then my other silly classmates told him that I do not choose him because his mother conceived him from chocolates.

            One of the food mostly avoid by pregnant woman is the chocolate thinking that their baby will have dark skin if they do so, as dark as what chocolate’s color is. But scientifically it is not really happens. This superstition belief is just a naughty conclusion of having chocolate a very dark color that maybe a baby inside mother’s womb may posses it. In fact chocolates are good to eat while pregnancy because it may help to reduce the risk of  Pre-eclampsia. According to Medline Plus, Medicine encyclopedia,  Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition in which high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop after the 20th week of pregnancy. There are still many benefits that a pregnant woman can get by eating chocolates. But chocolates will never have any connection on what the baby’s complexion will be. It is still depends on the mother and father’s genes. 

BY: RED BOXER

Chocolate on Both Sides

Good or bad, chocolate is well-known as a sweetest kind of dessert in this whole wide world. There is this superstitious belief that the chocolate is loaded with saturated fat and is bad for our cholesterol.

Sometimes, some other people when they eat like salty foods and they get “umay” the first thing that comes into their minds is to eat something sweet—and that is chocolate. According to the studies, chocolate is high in saturated fats which can increase cholesterol levels an lead to heart diseases and most chocolate also contains high levels of sugar which can contribute to the risk of obesity and diabetes, it is now proven..

Most people or lots of us are addicted to chocolates, it is now proven. In birthdays, parties, weddings and all occasion’s chocolates are present. If this superstitious belief is true maybe most of people now have diabetes or have heart diseases.

It is not bad to believe in some superstitious belief or old tales but we can search or research first if we want to clarify things. Chocolate is still the best for me, it is still the sweetest for me even if sometimes it cause diseases. Most specially, chocolate can make you stay alive if you are sleepy. It is still good even if sometimes it is bad to our health.

BY: LEXSAFARI

A SWEET “SWELL” ON THE FACE

It’s been almost years since the myth regarding chocolate as one of the primary causes of acne has been tolerated. The fact that consuming chocolates causes acne, or pimples, has been refuted by doctors and scientists by conducting various studies about this myth. However, it is best that everyone should know what acne is, and the causes of its occurrence---briefly.

Acne is a skin condition wherein it occurs due to the overproduction of oil by our oil glands located in our skin. The oil which naturally lubricates the skin are getting trapped into blocked oil ducts, thus causes what we call as pimples. Acne was characterized by the production of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.

Now, as we close the page about acne, one question remains: “Does chocolate consumption cause acne?”

The answer is, “A BIG NO!”

The Journal of the American Medical Association, after they undergone an extensive research to oppose the rumored myth, stated that "Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients...even large amounts of chocolate have not clinically exacerbated acne.” Hence, there is no correlation existing between chocolate intake and acne. In fact, there are other factors that can cause acne: the first being, heredity, hormones, skin type, cosmetics and the environment. Stress has also been identified as one cause of acne.

A sweet “swell” on the face can’t be possible to happen.

BY: CLOUD LUCK 9

“Chocolate HANG OVER”

We treated chocolates as depressed reliever. We believe that, chocolate can help us to get feel well after we’ve felt a heavy type of depression. Because, according to some old-tale, you can get the relaxation, unwind and calmness of your feeling, if you eat or drink some sweet food. But, did you know that, there are also bad effects in chocolate addiction. Yes, too much chocolate in your body is not good. It can be one of the reasons of your health abnormality.

This is true, while sited as a common cause of migraines, a study by the University of Pittsburg has shown no link between chocolate and headaches. The results of that double-blind study of 63 participants know to suffer chronic headaches were published in the neurology journal cephalalgia. Chronic headaches were once thought to b caused by amines in food (including histamine and beta-phenylethylamine) such as cheddar cheese, peanuts, cured meats, chocolate and alcohol, but this study eliminated chocolates as a possible headache cause.

BY: MARTYSNICKER

LINKS

CHOCOLATE,SWEETS, FOODS SUPERSTITION

http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Superstition

http://rachnared.blogspot.com/2009/10/ironical-superstitions.html

http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/86509.aspx

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/friday-the-13th-history-superstitions-and-trivia.html

http://www.candymag.com/teentalk/index.php?topic=181875.0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cross_bun

main reference:


http://www.cspinet.org/new/chocolate_myths.html

TOP 10 PINOY CHOCOLATES

Local brands of of chocolate always conjure up childhood memories--as pasalubong from parents, titas, or older siblings, or the many times you forked over prized coins to the neighborhood tindahan for a couple of precious pieces. These homegrown varieties defined our Pinoy childhood long before their imported counterparts became as accessible as they are today.

Nowadays, no matter how sophisticated and well-travelled our palates have become when it comes to this cherished cocoa confection, we will, once in a while, get a hankering for a sweet fix of these local brands--just the sight, smell, or first bite of which has the power to immediately transport us into our carefree and innocent days, like that pivotal scene from Ratatouille. SPOT.ph checked out the local supermarkets and shops and sampled the local chocolates on their shelves, familiar classics and new contenders alike--taking note of taste, texture, size and other distinct standout qualities to see which local chocolates deliver the goods. Here's our top 10:

10. Cloud 9 Classic Price: around P7.50 per piece

A small bar of caramel, chewy nougat, and peanuts wrapped in thin chocolate, the Cloud 9 Classic bar still has that chocolate magic--peanuts offset the overly sweet chocolate while the nougat adds texture to the usual chocolate bar. Those looking for a quick and cheap chocolate pick-me-up can count on one bar to do the trick. Sold individually in convenience stores and in packs of 6 or more at groceries, Cloud 9 Classic has remained consistent throughout the years.

9. Goya Dark Mint Chocolates Price: P25 to P30

Goya's Dark Mint chocolates are circular-shaped nuggets with 9 pieces in a box. Upon opening the box and the foil that keeps the chocolate pieces fresh, a strong mint scents wafts out of the box, a telltale sign of how the chocolates will taste. The mint taste is stronger than the chocolate flavor, and the semi-sweet chocolate is creamy, soft and smooth and easily melts in the mouth. Those who have a penchant for mint chocolates will find Goya's version a cheap and enjoyable treat.

8. Goya Gold Coins Price: P19-P25/ pack

Smooth milk chocolate shaped like coins and embossed with a picture of a caboose on one side, Goya Gold chocolate coins are creamy and have a melt-in-your mouth consistency, with a slight salty aftertaste. The chocolate coins' size--about an inch and a half in diameter--are perfect for nibbling on when you're craving something sweet, you only need a few pieces for a sugar rush. The fun part about eating the chocolate coins: tearing off the gold tin foil packaging without cracking the chocolate in pieces.

7. Goya Milk Chocolate Price: P16/ bar

Goya's classic milk chocolate is a creamy, soft bar of sweet milk chocolate. Available in most groceries and convenience stores, the current Goya chocolate bars are richer in taste compared to the chocolate bars sold years ago, which had a faint taste of chocolate. The improved milk chocolate bars have a more creamy and milky taste rather than strong cacao flavors, and is preferred by those who like their chocolates sweet instead of rich and bitter.

6. Chocolate Mallows Price: around P16 for the snack pack (2 pieces)

These chocolate-coated marshmallow biscuits sold in its signature yellow box were popular back in the '80s. Available in boxes of six, Chocolate Mallows now come in snack packs of 2 and are sometimes quite hard to find in groceries. Individually wrapped in foil wrappers, the chocolate mallows have a rich milk chocolate coating with subtle but noticeable hints of orange flavor. The white-colored marshmallow inside isn't overly sweet and the biscuit adds texture to this well-loved chocolate snack.

5. Goya Dark Chocolate Price: P18/ bar

Goya's version of the dark chocolate is available in two variants: as a chocolate bar or as bite-sized circular chocolates packaged as Goya Black & White (mixed in with milk chocolates). Dark brown in color, soft and easily melts in one's fingers, Goya's dark chocolate does not have a strong bitter taste and is actually a tad sweet than your average dark chocolate. It also leaves a faint aftertaste of nuts, sugar and cocoa in the mouth. Tip: Goya's dark chocolates can be melted to create a quick and cheap alternative chocolate fondue dip at home.

4. Ricoa Curly Tops Price: around P17 for 15 pieces

The bite-sized chocolate cups get its name from the swirly chocolate top on each chocolate nugget. Sadly, the "curly tops" now look a bit deformed. Soft, with faint traces of powder and a tendency to melt fast if left in the heat for long periods of time, the small size of each chocolate piece makes for addictive snacking---one can easily finish a box of Curly Tops in less than 15 minutes. Curly Tops have a more sweet milk taste rather than a rich bitter chocolate flavor, perfect for those who love creamy milk chocolate. Pinoys who grew up with Curly Tops may remember the quality being better in terms of the "curly tops" being really swirly and the chocolate taste, richer. Despite the changes, Curly Tops still remains a favorite among kids and adults.

3. Ricoa Flat Tops Price: around P34 for a pack of 30 pieces

Flat Tops, the small circular chocolates with "Ricoa" embossed on top and wrapped individually in the familiar silver and orange wrapper, are a familiar Pinoy chocolate. Available in most groceries and convenience stores in packs of 30 or more, the bite-sized chocolates can be nibbled on or eaten as a whole. Soft when bitten into, chewed or left to melt inside one's mouth, Flat Tops are creamy with a faint milk chocolate flavor. Its sweetness borders on the less saccharine side of the spectrum, a probable reason why it takes little effort to finish off a pack.

2. Chocnut Price: around P30 for a pack of 24

Strictly speaking, Chocnut doesn't really fall under the chocolate category. The popular Pinoy treat which comes in small bite-size crumbly rectangular bars individually wrapped in foil, however, deserve a spot in this list because of its enduring popularity and distinct taste. Blending the tastes of chocolate and peanut nicely with just the right amount of nutty flavors without being cloying, the Chocnut's texture is powdery and melts in the mouth when eaten. Some like refrigerating the whole pack so it doesn't easily crumble when eaten. A Pinoy classic, OFWs and balikbayans often look for Chocnut to bring as pasalubong to kababayans hankering for a taste of home. The Chocnut has also proved its versatility through the years with its varied incarnations: as a flavor for hot chocolate drinks, an ice-cream flavor (previously served at the defunct Uva Restaurant and now available at Trilogy Boutique and Canteen in Legaspi Village), and even lending sweetness to cocktail drinks for the adventurous (There are chocnut-flavored cocktails at Tulipan at The Establishment and at No. 38 Sports Lounge and Grill).

1. Theo Philo Artisan Chocolates (Milk chocolate) Price: P95/ bar

By far the priciest and has the nicest packaging in the bunch, the unassuming Theo Philo Artisan chocolates made in Davao look like gourmet chocolates and may be bought at the EchoStore. Both the milk chocolate and the dark chocolate varieties come in an artful box that reminds one of the packaging of colored pencils. The milk chocolate variant, is medium-brown in color, smooth with no rectangle ridges found in most chocolate bars. Soft when bitten into, the Theo Philo bar is not at all cloyingly sweet. Instead, bitter notes and a rich cocoa taste greets the tongue. This bar is not for sugar junkies but for those who love the rich and robust taste of cacao.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/spot/20100924/tel-top-10-pinoy-chocolates-5a3fdeb_1.html