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Created by virtue of Act 2711 on 10 March 1917, this island province of Bohol is the 10th largest island of the Philippines. Its people are said to be descendants of the last group of inhabitants of the country called “pintados”, meaning the tattooed ones. The name Bohol was supposedly derived from the word Bool, the place where a treaty of friendship between two people of different races, culture, religion and civilization occurred in 1565 between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, representing the King of Spain through a blood compact known today as the “Sandugo”. In honor of this occasion, the late Pres. Elpidio Quirino established the Order of Sikatuna, a presidential decoration conferred upon diplomats. During the Spanish regime, two significant revolts occurred in Bohol. One was the Tamblot Uprising in 1621 led by a native priest or babaylan. The other was the Dagohoy Rebellion, considered as the longest uprising recorded in the annals of Philippine history, led by one Francisco Dagohoy from 1744 lasting until the year 1829. It was also during the Spanish era that Bohol was politically part of Cebu and was called a residencia. It became a separate politico-military province on July 22, 1854 together with the island of Siquijor. In 1879, Bohol was composed only of 34 municipalities with a population of 253,103. The Americans, led by Major Henry Hale of the 44th Infantry Battalion, arrived in Tagbilaran on March 17, 1900. The Japanese also occupied Bohol several years later during World War II. The American forces “liberated” Bohol on April 11, 1945. Bohol is the home province of the fourth President of the Republic of the Philippines, Carlos Polistico Garcia (1957-1960) who was born in the municipality of Talibon.Majority of the Boholano culture has been greatly influenced by Spanish civilization mixed with indigenous Filipino traditions. Religion The most evident upbringing brought about by the Spaniards is Christianity. About 75% – 85% of the total population comprises the Roman Catholics. Other Christian denominations such as Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestants, and Born Again, and Islam belong to the remainder. Fiestas A fiesta is a form of celebration in honor of the respective patron saint of the town. Over the decades that have passed, many have regarded Bohol as the ‘Fiesta Capital’ of the Philippines, especially on the month of May. Call it peculiar, uncanny, surprising, or whatever you have in mind, be perplexed upon discovering that the Boholanos’ love for fiesta is eternal. Be it in the city or anywhere else in the province of Bohol, the month of May is a haven for fiestas day by day. For Boholanos who are working or living in other places within the country or even abroad, they always keep in mind the dates of their town fiestas, and then make every inch of effort to come home or visit their relatives and friends just to attend the celebration. It is that huge deal for Bol-anons when it comes to fiesta, since it is the only time of the year where all of the family members get to gather together and have a timely reunion. Regardless of social status, almost every Boholano home prepares a sumptuous feast, be it simple or lavishly prepared. And definitely, the main course that is considered to be the highlight of every celebration is the Lechon or Inasal. It is a fattened pig that is roasted to perfection, with its skin cooked to the ultimate crisp. This tradition has surpassed a lot of obstacles in the past. In fact, several attempts were made by the provincial government, and even the church, to stop this idiosyncrasy once and for all. Once, ordinances were attempted to arrest waves of fiesta visitors and guests, but all of these were unsuccessful. All of these were not enough to dampen the Boholano festival spirit. The significance of fiesta is rooted to one simple trait, hospitality. When one celebrates fiesta in his own home (regardless of his financial status) the host warmly welcomes his guests – friends and strangers alike – all with a honor and cordial reception. And in return, those who have been invited will also become hosts themselves of their own homes when the time of their fiesta comes. This form of mutualism overwhelms any form of obstacle and barrier, thus strengthening bonds and friendship, respect, and family ties.There are hundreds of published Boholano writers (or Bol-anon writers) from the time Boholano literature emerged since the time of Boholano priestess Karyapa before the arrival of the Spaniards.[1] The following list of Boholano writers is not extensive nor comprehensive enough to be considered a directory. Several groups were formed like Bahandi Writers of Loon, Bohol, Kaliwat ni Karyapa formed on September 8, 2000 and Society of Active Boholano Artists and Writers.[citation needed] Also named in the list are the late president of the Republic of the Philippines Carlos P. Garcia who wrote Visayan poems, Palanca awardees Marjorie Evasco and Clovis Nazareno and the Boholano dean of journalism the late Zoilo Dejaresco.