Formed naturally over millions of years ago, the Chocolate Hills presents a rare beauty on the top island destination in the Philippines, Bohol. In a new National Geographic book featuring “17 of the World’s Most Wild and Beautiful Places”, the hills took the 15th spot on the list.

 

Features

The Chocolate Hills, which is one of the best tourist spots in Bohol is about 1,776 in number and covers approximately 50 square kilometers of land in Bohol Island. The hills have a uniform shape with varying heights from 30 to 50 meters. The mystic hills change color each season, from a vibrant green in the rainy season to a chocolate brown in the dry season, hence the name Chocolate Hills. The hills are separated by flat plains and have a number of caves and springs.

 

Origin and Legends

Several legends explain the origin of the famous landmark. Some of the most common legends include the story of a young, mighty giant named Arogo who fell in love with an ordinary mortal named Aloya. Aloya’s eventual death caused Arogo immense pain and misery, and he cried endlessly. It is said the Chocolate Hills formed when his tears dried.

Another story tells of a pair of feuding giants who fought, throwing boulders and rocks at each other. Exhausted after days of intense fighting, the Giants finally reconciled, and the boulders they had been throwing at each other formed the Chocolate Hills.

Geologists say a geologic process lifted Bohol’s rock. They believe the land’s limestone base formed from the skeletons of sea life.

 

Protection

The Chocolate Hills was declared as the Philippines’ third national geographic monument, and one can be criminally prosecuted for their destruction. It was also nominated to UNESCO for inclusion to the list of world heritage sites.

The grassy hills and the extent of their uniqueness and beauty are shown in the Nat Geo Youtube video “Soaring over the chocolate hills in the Philippines”.