Bohol's treasured Chocolate Hills has been thrust into the spotlight since early March when it was revealed in a vlogger's video that nestled at its base is the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort.
The video shows the resort's range of amenities including a water park, cozy cottages, and accommodation facilities.
The footage has gone viral, igniting concerns among netizens and celebrities alike about the impact of human intervention on this cherished tourist spot.
Read: Kuweba na ginawang coffee shop at inland resort, ipinasara
ANNE CURTIS
Among these celebrities is It's Showtime mainstay host Anne Curtis, who found it hard to believe that such an establishment could even exist within one of the country's protected areas.
She wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Is this true kaya? Sad naman if they are allowing this so close to the beautful natural wonders of our country [loudly crying face emoji]"
PAULINE AMELINCKX
Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 and proud representative of Bohol during the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant, Pauline Amelinckx, took to Facebook to share her sentiments.
"The Chocolate Hills are part of every Bol-anon [green heart emoji] It’s part of the land we call home, part of the soul of our island," she began.
"Now more than ever, we face the challenge of balancing progress with the protection and preservation of our natural landmarks.
"We all must play a part, big or small, to regenerate our earth, so it may regenerate us too.
"May we never forget about the beautiful land given by God. ‘Hatag ni Bathala.’"
JANNO GIBBS
Meanwhile, singer-songwriter and actor Janno Ronaldo Ilagan Gibbs, simply Janno Gibbs, called the resort as an act of trashing the naturally marvelous vista.
In a few words captioning the viral photo, he described: "At binabuy na ang Chocolate Hills. [angry face emoji]"
Comedian Dennis Padilla also commented under Janno's post, saying, "Grabe... Ok sa governor at Mayor yan [thinking head emojis]"
GARDO VERSOZA
Actor and comedian Mennen Torres Polintan, popularly known as Gardo Versoza, expressed his disbelief over on Instagram with one question.
His post read: "talaga lang ??? [monkey hiding face emoji]"
SAM YG
On another note, Filipino-Indian radio personality and TV host Sam YG, injected a bit of satire in his reaction.
Through an Instagram story posted on March 13, 2024, he said, "Iba rin! Sana man lang ginawang chocolate pool para pasok sa theme [chocolate emoji]"
XIAN GAZA
Internet celebrity Xian Gaza encouraged his followers to spread the story to evoke pressure among government officials to take immediate action.
He wrote, published as is, "Sino ang Mayor sa bayan ng Chocolate Hills? Sino nag-approve ng business permit nito?
"I-post natin at kalampagin para kapag umingay ng husto eh ipasara ng local gov't, DENR and DOT ang resort na ito.
"I-media pressure natin si Mayor para ma-no choice siya."
Among the tentative list of UNESCO's world heritage sites, the Chocolate Hills was declared a national geological monument on June 18, 1988.
On July 1, 1997, it was declared a protected area through Proclamation No. 1037 issued by then president Fidel V. Ramos.
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