Dauis

History

Spanish colonial era

Dauis is among Bohol's oldest municipalities, as evidenced by Chinese artifacts discovered in the 1970s. Although most town records were lost during World War II, church documents confirm the parish was formally established by 1697. The now-ruined stone watchtower was constructed in 1774.

The first bridge between the poblacion of Dauis and Mansasa, Tagbilaran, was constructed by Spaniards during their reign, possibly in the 18th century. The bridge is still in place, used as a connection between the two islands. The other bridge was constructed near the old City Hall of Tagbilaran City, crossing towards Totolan. That bridge is known as 'the causeway' and leads as far as Panglao Beach resort about 17 km from Tagbilaran.

American colonial era

In 1900, a Spanish leader oversaw the construction of a deep well in Poblacion, which now lies beneath the altar inside the local church. Local residents provided the labor, carrying out the excavation manually with bolos, crowbars, pulleys, and ropes. The well reaches a depth of approximately 30 fathoms (55 meters; 180 feet) and has a diameter of three meters (9.8 feet). The site features soil and stones containing limestone rock.

On November 15, 1907, Eusebio Circulado was elected the municipal president, but he informed the municipal council that he is ineligible. As a result, a special election was scheduled for April 8, 1908.

In 1914 one author proposed extending a preexisting water pipeline from Tagbilaran to Dauis, since the town had no water supply of its own at the time.

Geography

Dauis is located in the northern part of Panglao Island. It is 3 km from Tagbilaran.

Barangays

Dauis is politically subdivided into 12 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

| access-date = 9 May 2020 | archive-date = 3 July 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220703175414/https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/dauis_philippines_1715366 | url-status = live

Demographics

Economy

Culture

The town's 18th-century church, is dedicated to La Señora de la Asuncion or Our Lady of the Assumption. The church is believed to have been built of light materials by the first Spanish missionaries in 1697. Since then, the church has gone through several changes.

The image of the La Señora de la Asuncion is famed to be miraculous. Faithfuls come from near and far to hike the distance from the city to the site to invoke special petitions or mainly to honor the Patroness. In addition, at the foot of the altar of the church is a well also believed to have healing power. The water tastes fresh, despite the well's proximity to the seashore.

;15 August The town and all devotees of the La Señora de la Asuncion attend the Patroness' feast day every 15 August. Stories abound of the Patroness' sojourn and blessings. One of the stories tells of a man who found a camiseta (blouse) in his fishing boat after a lady passenger disembarked. On several occasions, devotees found the Patroness' camiseta full of amorseco. Many believe the Patroness must, on occasions, get down from her pedestal to visit them in their homes and farms. To this day, devotees continue to venerate and pay homage as manifestation of gratitude and appreciation after being healed of their ailments through the camiseta. ;Last Sunday of January Another fiesta is celebrated last Sunday of January, to commemorate a miracle that happened many years back. It is said that many young girls have seen the lady waving her hands as if bidding them to come near.

Tourism

Dauis's major tourist attractions are Our Lady of Assumption Church and Hinagdanan Cave. Our Lady of Assumption Church is locally known as Señora de la Asunción. The church was built by Boholanos under forced labor imposed by the Spanish. It is constructed of solid rocks or stones and has paintings on the walls. There is a tower with a bell, outside the church another tower and also a small well. The front face of the church collapsed during the earthquake of 2013.

Gallery

Dauis Church.jpg|Roman Catholic Church, Dauis boholplaza2.jpg|Bohol Plaza Resort, Dauis Dauis watchtower.jpg|Watchtower in Dauis Panoramic View of Dauis.jpg|Panoramic view of Dauis

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "Attractions of Dauis Town Bohol Philippines".
3. (1909). "Executive Orders and Proclamations Issued by Governor-General [of Philippines]".
4. Philippines Bureau of Public Works. (1914). "Quarterly Bulletin".