Final Research in Epsitemology (Bohol's Chocolate Hills Mythology)

A Critique of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills Mythology Using Epistemological Criterion of Truth by BRO. MARK VINCENT R. ARABEJO December 2024 Chapter I INTRODUCTION Background of the Study In the Philippines, mythology is a collecting of tales and imaginations. Our ancestors thought that everything was under the power of mystical entities, or deities. It is the custom that has been passed down through the generations; this information is ingrained in our community and rolled around. The late Daniana L. Eugenio claimed that Myths, according to the mother of Philippine folklore, "explain for the genesis of the world, of people, of death, or for traits of animals, birds, geographical characteristics, and natural phenomena. Philippine mythology is a mystical creatures and deities that our forefathers' thought was in charge of everything. This knowledge is ingrained in our society and has been passed down through the generations. The late Damiana L. Eugenio, the founder of Philippine folklore, asserted that myths. “Philippine Mythology Gods and Goddesses: An Ultimate Guide - FilipiKnow.” FilipiKnow, 7 July 2023, filipiknow.net/philippine-mythology-gods-and-goddesses/#what-exactly-is-philippine-mythology. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024. In the Visayas Region, there are many kinds of Mythological stories. The Visayas in the geographical map are found in the center of the Philippines. The Visayas is divided into four regions: Western Visayas (Region VI) consists of the islands of Panay and the western half of Negros. The regional center is Iloilo City. Central Visayas (Region VII) includes the islands of Cebu and Bohol. The regional center is Cebu City. Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) consists of the islands of Leyte and Samar. The regional center is Tacloban City. Lastly, the new Region, Negros Island Region (NIR) consists of the whole Island of Negros including the island of Siquijor. Romero, Alexis. “Marcos Signs Law Creating Negros Island Region.” Philstar.com, 13 June 2024, www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/06/14/2362778/marcos-signs-law-creating-negros-island-region. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024. In four Region there are different mythological stories originated in its provinces. But to be focused on my Province. The mythological story of the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills Chocolate Hills is located in the province of Bohol, in the Central Visayas region. The Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island in the Philippines are not only a geological wonder but also an important cultural and historical site for the people of the region. However, human activities have had a significant impact on this fragile landscape, threatening its long-term survival. But it is also an important cultural and tourism site. ———. 2023b. “Chocolate Hills | Geology, Formation» Geology Science.” Geology Science. April 2, 2023. https://geologyscience.com/gallery/geological-wonders/chocolate-hills-philippines/. These unique limestone formations have become a symbol of the region and are a significant source of pride for the people of Bohol. The Chocolate Hills are a remnant of the reef systems that thrived in the Bohol Sea's warm waters, according to the Department of Geology Sciences. The present-day Chocolate Hills were surrounded by a shallow sea millions of years ago, ideal for the growth and flourishing of coral reefs. They are regarded as one of the most famous sites in the Philippines and are covered in rich vegetation that gives them their unique chocolate color. MAT, Mahmut. “Chocolate Hills, Philippines | Geology, Formation» Geology Science.” Geology Science, 2 Apr. 2023, geologyscience.com/gallery/geological-wonders/chocolate-hills-philippines/#The_Unique_Karst_Landscape_of_Bohol_Island. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024. Moreover, Chocolate Hills is in geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines. Many visitors are lured by the natural marvel of the curious-looking Chocolate Hills. This renowned tourist attraction is found farther west of the inland towns of Carmen, Batuan, Sierra Bulliones, and Sagbayan, these hills are found in clusters spread over an area of more than 14,435 hectares There are at least 1,260 hills, but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq. mi). They rise about 30 meters above the level of the comparatively flat terrain. Legal measures had been taken to stop the quarrying of the Chocolate Hills. Romanillos, Emmanuel Luis. 2022. HISTORY of BOHOL, Essay, Notes, and Sources. Manila, Philippines: THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES.p.8 They are covered in green grass that turns into a chocolate-like brown during the dry season, hence the name. They have been declared the country's third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage. “Chocolate Hills.” Wikipedia, 20 July 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate Hills.Chocolate Hills is considered a protected area under the Republic Act No. 11038 or Expanded National Integrated Protected Area Systems (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018.  “Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act (RA 11038).” 2021. One Planet Network. 2021. https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/policies/expanded-national-integrated-protected-areas-system-enipas-act-ra-11038#:~:text=It%20aims%20to%20establish%20a%20National%20Integrated%20Protected. But the question is, what is the historical background/origin of this beautiful natural monument? According to scientific explanation, Geologists believe that these hills are the result of thousands of years of limestone weathering. The area was once submerged underwater, and over time, the uplifted coral deposits and subsequent erosion shaped the hills into their unique, conical formations. sparksph. 2024. “Chocolate Hills of Bohol: A Natural Wonder of the Philippines.” Suroy.ph. July 15, 2024. https://suroy.ph/chocholate-hills-bohol/. On the other hand, in the Province, there are various mythological explanations of the origin of the Chocolate Hills and this story revolves around the Boholanos People and passes through oral Tradition. Many people accepted this story as it is, without validation and if this story is based on reality and happened in a real situation. Hereafter, as Herbert Lionel Adolphus in his famous saying in Criterion of Truth “There are ... two minimum conditions necessary and sufficient for the existence of a legal system. On the one hand, those rules of behavior that are valid according to the system’s ultimate criteria of validity must be generally obeyed, and on the other hand, its rules of recognition specifying the criteria of legal validity and its rules of change and adjudication must be effectively accepted as common public standards of official behavior by its officials” “Criteria of Truth | Criteria Truth.” 2024. Liquisearch.com. 2024. https://www.liquisearch.com/criteria_of_truth. which refers to the criteria and guidelines used to assess the veracity of claims and statements. They serve as verification tools. A thorough assessment of a philosophy requires an understanding of its standards for truth. The divergent and contradictory assertions of various ideologies are what motivate this demand. Authenticity cannot be distinguished solely by the principles of logic. It is up to the individual to decide what criteria separate fact from fiction. Furthermore, this research validates Bohol’s Chocolate Hills Mythology using the criterion of truth. The means of gathering data for this researcher will be provided by some primary resources, and secondary resources, in our library such as books and journals, articles, newspapers, and research papers on the internet or websites. 1.2 Statement of the Problem The main thesis claim of this research is that Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology is invalidated through the epistemological criterion of truth. Hence, there will be three questions provided in this research to be answered which will guide the researcher in conducting his study: What is the Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology? What is the epistemological criterion of truth? How does the epistemological criterion of truth be used in Bohol Chocolate Hills mythology? 1.3 Significance of the Study The mythology of the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills is very present, especially with the growing tourism in the province, some tour guides try to convince visitors to believe the story of the origin of the Chocolate Hills as a local story. But some visitors doubt to believe. Hence, this paper will serve as a guide, information, and significance to different people in society. Boholanos People. This study could serve as information extended to the people of the Province of Bohol since the in correcting the beliefs passed by their oral tradition, to be part of their right to know the truth and be fed with factual information from the local stories. Students. This paper contributes to educating the youth since they are the future generation that will take care of our natural environment. Through this research, the youth will be mindful of the problems to validate the mythology of the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills if it is true or not. Tourist. This study also contributes to be enlightened and validate the truthfulness of the story on the famous Natural Monument of Chocolate Hills in the Province not directly believing the story from the tour guide. Chapter II. BODY Mythology Bohol’s Chocolate Hills There are various kinds of the Mythology of the origin of Chocolate Hills it depends on the place's origin because the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills covers four Municipalities. In Boholano culture, many mythological stories were told from ancestors that the formation of the hills is far from odd. There are reasons why they are what they are. As Boholano blood, I was captivated by these stories in school, through books, from teachers and parents. Learned stories that explained how various natural wonders came to be, including the Chocolate Hills. Once upon a time, in the Visayas Region, there was a flat island mostly covered with rice and corn fields. This oval-shaped landmass, which we now know as Bohol, is the tenth-largest island in the Philippine archipelago. During the rainy seasons, however, the fields and paths would become extremely muddy, making it difficult to walk around two giants that lived on opposite ends of the island, one in the north and the other in the south. One rainy day, when the ground was slick with mud, these giants had a hostile encounter. The villagers, fearing the worst, fled to other parts of the island as the northern giant initiated a mud-throwing battle. As the conflict intensified, it turned into a fierce fistfight, eventually leading to the demise of both giants. The mounds of mud they had thrown at each other remained scattered across the land, forming what we now call the Chocolate Hills. The place where the combat happened was left with hills upon hills of mud balls they hurled at each other. The mud hills were scattered on the island. Guide, Travel. 2020. “The Myth about the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.” Philippines Guide. June 26, 2020. https://www.philippinesinsider.com/myths-folklore-superstition/the-myth-about-the-chocolate-hills-in-bohol/. According to the myth, farmers came back to their fields and began a peaceful farm life again. So, as this myth goes, during summer one sees the brown “chocolate” hills across Bohol Island due to the dry soil. On rainy days it turns green due to new palay shoots. In another story, the flatlands of Carmen were once a playground for giant children. One day, they started a contest to see who could bake the best mud cakes, gathering mud and “baking” them under coconut shells laid flat on the ground. Before the contest could finish, they were called home. When they returned later, they admired their creations so much that they left them untouched. Over time, these baked mud cakes became what we now know as the Chocolate Hills. VisMin Philippines. 2024. “Sweet Origins: The Mythical Beginnings of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills.” VisMin.ph. October 2024. https://vismin.ph/2024/chocolate-hills-myth/. The last version of the story is much more romantic. It relates to Arogo, an extremely powerful and youthful giant falling in love with a mortal maiden named Aloya. They lived together and were happy for a time until Aloya got sick and died causing much pain and misery to Arogo. In his sorrow, he cried and cried, and every time his tears fell on the ground it dried up and formed into hills, thus the Chocolate Hills. “Chocolate Hills Legends.” n.d. Www.bohol-Philippines.com. https://www.bohol-philippines.com/chocolate-hills-legends.html. 2.2 Bittle’s Criterion of Truth The intellect is the power which constitutes the human soul in its own degree of perfection, and yet, properly speaking, the human soul. Étienne Gilson, Ignatius Theodore Eschmann and Shook, L.K. (1994). The Christian philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press.p.207. In addition according to Aristotle “all men is to desire to know.” This is the capacity of man to think. So, the sources of knowledge are based from senses/experience (we called that precepts) and intellect. The ideas born out of it represents the reality outside the mind. The capacity of mind can interpret the precepts upon forming the concepts. It is the possibilities of this relationship with universal being consists in its being the pure and simple act of existing. In the book of Fr. Bittle, the criterion of truth influences the intellect, which creates abstract and universal conceptions or ideas that portray reality accordingly. Precepts and conceptions alone are not yet knowledge example in external sense: Touch, Taste, Smell, Hearing, and Sight. Also, from the Internal senses: Common Sense, Sense Memory, Imagination and Instinct. They are the building blocks of knowledge, not its final form. When we affirm or reject something, we are exercising knowledge; this occurs during the interpretative judgement. Any mental statement about reality in one form or a different is always a judgement, and this statement always reflects reality's true state. Therefore, judgements have a truth claim. Bittle, Celestine N., Reality and the Mind: Epistemology, (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1936), 289. 2.2.1Truth and Error Through abstraction we can come up an idea or concept. Knowledge is often defined as justified true belief, meaning that for a claim to be considered knowledge, it must be true and justified with adequate reasons or evidence. Zetterqvist, A. and Bach, F. (2023). Epistemic knowledge – a vital part of scientific literacy? International Journal of Science Education, 45(6), pp.484–501. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2023.2166372. We are unable to fully comprehend the reality of an object within the context of a single notion because of the limited strength and capacity of our mind. As a result, the intellect focusses on this initially, then that property or attribute, and creates a distinct thought for each. Bittle, Celestine N., Reality and the Mind: Epistemology, (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1936), 289 In the affirmative and negative judgment, there exists an argument between thought and thing. Then Truth must be conformity of judgment to reality, example this notebook is color blue, it is true in itself because in reality the notebook that I presented is color blue not otherwise. While error as the disconformity of judgment to reality, example that table is color black, in fact in reality it is color brown. Hence, through the judgments takes the interpretation of reality, if they are true or false and the way we judge the things. 2.2.2 Criterion of Truth; Motive of Certitude A standard of truth is the criterion or standard by which we differentiate genuine assessments from a fake. Our choices must have a reason and manifest own value. One of this we must consider is the motives of certitude. Motives of certitude pertains to the reasons or principles that lead the intellect to adhere firmly to a truth. It serves as the basis for certitude, which is defined as the state of mind where one possesses assured knowledge of a truth, excluding reasonable doubt. Nd.edu. (2024). Christian Philosophy 19. [online] Available at: https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/jmc/etext/cp18.htm [Accessed 15 Nov. 2024]. They are two types of motives; an intrinsic motive is one that results from a proposition's innate clarity and self-evident nature. For example, because mathematical truths are instantly observable, they frequently function as intrinsic motivations. Extrinsic Motive: This refers to outside influences, such the testimonies of reliable witnesses or authoritative sources, that give conviction about a truth. Founding certitude depends critically on how reliable these sources are. Henceforth, the criterion of truth and the motive of certitude are objectively identical, though conceptually different. Moreover, Certitude is that state of the mind in which it gives a firm assent to a judgment without fear of error. Ibid,.293 In other words certitude wanted to be certain and beyond reasonable doubt. Also, a possession of truth, state of mind and gathered information. Based on fact and accountable. There are two types of Certitude. Subjective Certitude, the firmness of our assent, not exclude the fear and error in our judgment. The truth still remains and remove the fear of error in order to learn more. While Objective Certitude, consists in the reasons contained in the terms of the judgment, in virtue of which the judgment is considered to be a true representation of reality. Ibid,.294 Other relations on this is the correspondent theory stated that it correspond/ agree with the truth base of fact, other terms objective evidence. 2.2.3 Nature of Objective Evidence It is that characteristic of reality whereby it becomes objectively manifest to the perceiving faculty. The fact that knowledge must be true is a crucial prerequisite. Reality seen to reveal or manifest itself with such clarity. Consequently, any assertion of knowledge needs to be supported with impartial data that demonstrates its veracity. Zetterqvist, A. and Bach, F. (2023b). Epistemic knowledge – a vital part of scientific literacy? International Journal of Science Education, 45(6), pp.484–501. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2023.2166372. There are various kinds of objective evidence. First the Internal evidence exist, when it is evident that the reality that the judgement affirms serves as the basis for our judgement. Outside in the mind or extra mental. This evidence is instantaneous if the intellect or senses are directly exposed to this interpreted reality; otherwise, it is intermediary. Bittle, Celestine N., Reality and the Mind: Epistemology, (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1936), 296 For example, would be the judgment; the sky is color white, the sugar cane is sweet, 3+3= 6, other terms it is immediate directly presented. Complete the true judgments based on the evidence of the relations existing between these concepts as immediately perceived by the intellect in contemplating them. Hence, when the reality manifests itself to my mind, not by means of a direct presentation, but by means of a process of reasoning which leads ultimately to reality which is immediately evident. Second, External evidence exist, when the ground for our judgment does not lie in the reality itself affirmed by the judgment, but in some other reality outside it. Ibid, It lies upon the proof of the motivations for believability, which the intellect is certain that the witness is credible because of his truthfulness and expertise. Furthermore, mediate evidence is, of course, sufficient to give us certitude, but only because they presuppose internal, immediate evidence to support them. It will be necessary, then, to show first, that objective evidence in general constitutes our criterion of truth and motive of Certitude. 2.2.4 Evidence the Criterion of Truth Our intellect needs a ground or reason outside itself in order to make a judgment one way rather than the other. If our intellect had the ground or reason for its judgments solely in itself, then our judgments would have no objective value and would not be an interpretation of the objective reality designated by the subject and predicate. However, it is evident that our judgements are an interpretation of extra-mental things, objects, and realities; in other words, they show how our intellect conforms to objective reality, and our intellect determines whether this reality is so-and-so or not-so-and-so because it is the "thing" that influences our intellect to make these judgements. Ibid, To study of the of truth and certitude must show the evidence of reality or reality itself as clearly manifested to the intellect and must remain in doubt or, can only form a probable opinion, and then the fear of error will always be present. 2.2.5 Ultimate Criterion and Motive The objective evidence in general is the criterion of truth and the motive of certitude. But not all evidence is equally valuable in establishing the truth of a judgment and in producing the firm assent of certitude. Ibid,301. There must be some criterion of truth and motive of certitude beyond which there is no need of appeal and for which there is no need of further evidence; in other words, there must exist an ultimate criterion of truth which is also the ultimate motive of certitude. What is it? It is internal, immediate, objective evidence, or, in one-word, self-evidence. Furthermore, Experience proves that all knowledge derives its validity from a few fundamental principles which are self-evident, because they are based on the self-evident concepts of ‘being’ and ‘not-being. III. A CRITIQUE OF BOHOL’S CHOCOLATE HILLS MYTHOLOGY USING EPISTEMOLOGICAL CRITERION OF TRUTH 3.1 On Truth and Error It is the agreement between the object and knower and two different things whether the judgment is correct or not. Also, the sources of knowledge are based on senses/experience and intellect. The ideas born out of it represent the reality outside the mind. The capacity of the mind can interpret the precepts upon forming the concepts. the sources of knowledge are based on senses/experience and intellect. The ideas born out of it represent the reality outside the mind. The capacity of the mind can interpret the precepts upon forming the concepts. However, the Mythology of the origin of Chocolate Hills depends on the place's origin as the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills covers four Municipalities. According to several mythological tales passed down from ancestors in Boholano culture, the hills' formation is everything but strange. First, the story of the villagers, fearing the worst, fled to other parts of the island as the northern giant initiated a mud-throwing battle. As the conflict intensified, it turned into a fierce fistfight, eventually leading to the demise of both giants. The mounds of mud they had thrown at each other remained scattered across the land, forming what we now call the Chocolate Hills. Second, the flatlands of Carmen were once a playground for giant children. One day, they started a contest to see who could bake the best mud cakes, gathering mud and “baking” them under coconut shells laid flat on the ground. Lastly, the romantic story between Arogo, an extremely powerful and youthful giant falling in love with a mortal maiden named Aloya. They lived together and were happy for a time until Aloya got sick and died causing much pain and misery to Arogo. In his sorrow, he cried and cried, and every time his tears fell on the ground they dried up and formed into hills, thus the Chocolate Hills. These three kinds of Mythological stories on the origin of the Chocolate Hills lie only in the thought of Boholanos' ancestor. In the critique of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology on the truth and error it is invalidated. For this reason, in Truth must be conformity of judgment to reality, for example, this notebook is color blue, it is true because the notebook that I presented is color blue not otherwise. While the error is the disconformity of judgment to reality, for example, that table is color black, in fact it is color brown. These three stories fall into error because of the disconformity of reality. Those three stories have never happened in real life in the Province of Bohol it is only a product of the mind, and others would say it is fiction. Hence, judgments take the interpretation of reality whether they are true or false, and how we judge things. 3.2. Criterion of Truth; Motive of Certitude A standard of truth is the criterion by which we distinguish genuine assessments from fake ones. Our choices must have a reason and manifest our own values. One of these we must consider is the motives of certitude. Motives of Certitude as defined principles that lead the intellect to adhere firmly to a truth. It serves as the basis for certitude, which is defined as the state of mind where one possesses assured knowledge of a truth, excluding reasonable doubt. Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology is not a certain event happening in the past, that there is a giant who exists in the province and who causes the formation of the hills. In the subjective certitude, the truth remains and removes the fear of error to learn more, in connection with this in the three stories there is an underlying false. Also, the Objective certitude stated that judgment is a true representation of reality. Besides our judgment in the mythology of the Chocolate Hills is quite enough to justify that there is no bond in the real life of Boholanos People. Indeed, the mythology in Bohol Chocolate Hills must correspond to the agreement of what is fact and real but somehow does not. 3.3 Nature of Objective Evidence Reality is seen to reveal or manifest itself with such clarity. Consequently, any assertion of knowledge needs to be supported with impartial data that demonstrates its veracity. It is clear and intelligible, mind clearly for judgment and correct interpretation. In the three mythologies, it is clear that there is no connection to reality and does not correspond to what is in the real world. In Internal evidence, when it is evident that the reality that the judgment affirms serves as the basis for our judgment. Outside in the mind or extra mental. This evidence is instantaneous if the intellect or senses are directly exposed to this interpreted reality. It is immediately directly presented to reality but in Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology is only a product of the mind. It falls to External evidence not lies in reality. It lies upon the proof of the motivations for believability, in which the intellect is certain that the witness is credible because of his truthfulness and expertise 3.4 Evidence the Criterion of Truth If our intellect had the ground or reason for its judgments solely in itself, then our judgments would have no objective value and would not be an interpretation of the objective reality designated by the subject and predicate. However, the mythology of the origin of the Chocolate Hills does not lie in reality, somehow the tour guide in the famous destination is accountable for making a judgment on the origin of the Chocolate Hills because he/she spontaneously believed those stories. But the side of the visitor must be ineligible enough to believe what they are saying to them. Also, there is no solid ground of evidence that those stories are realistic happened before or not. For instance, in the story of romantic story Arogo, an extremely powerful and youthful giant falls in love with a mortal maiden named Aloya. They lived together and were happy for a time until Aloya got sick and died causing much pain and misery to Arogo. It is impossible that the mortal woman falls in love with the giant. In fact, there are no records in the Province about the existence of giants. Hence, our evidence in judgments is an interpretation of extra-mental things, objects, and realities; in other words, they show how our intellect conforms to objective reality, and our intellect determines whether this reality is so-and-so or not-so-and-so because it is the "thing" that influences our intellect to make these judgments. 3.5 Ultimate Criterion and Motive Objective evidence in general is the criterion of truth and the motive of certitude. But not all evidence is equally valuable in establishing the truth of a judgment and in producing the firm assent of certitude. Also, the fundamental consideration, there is no appeal or question. It is called a self-evident it is immediate or final basis, no doubt at all, valid reason. In the part about the origin of the chocolate hills the stories revolved in the province in the way of folktales. There is no solid evidence for it. But the acceptable one is the scientific evidence proved by the geologist. The Chocolate Hills are a remnant of the reef systems that thrived in the Bohol Sea's warm waters, according to the Department of Geology Sciences. The present-day Chocolate Hills were surrounded by a shallow sea millions of years ago, ideal for the growth and flourishing of coral reefs. They are regarded as one of the most famous sites in the Philippines and are covered in rich vegetation that gives them their unique chocolate color. 4.1 CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION The Criterion of Truth is one way to verify or a basis to justify that belief, or shall we say spontaneous conviction whether true or false. In addition to properly correct the conviction that we hold on to. As Aristotle said, “all men desire to know.” This is the nature of man to know what is going on in life. Also, in looking for the right knowledge, not by believing it directly. Thus, the sources of knowledge are based on senses/experience and intellect. The ideas born out of it represent the reality outside the mind. The capacity of the mind can interpret the precepts upon forming the concepts. They serve as verification tools. A thorough assessment of philosophy requires an understanding of its standards for truth. Authenticity cannot be distinguished solely by the principles of logic. It is up to the individual to decide what criteria separate fact from fiction. Regarding the research on the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills Mythology, although there are various stories revolving around the province, passed from generation to generation. Bohol’s Chocolate Hills mythology is invalidated through the epistemological criterion of truth. For this reason, the stories of the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills are only a thought or product of the mind, there is no ground/foundation to reality. As the criterion of truth defines any mental statement about reality in one form or a different is always a judgment, and this statement always reflects reality's true state. It is already a judgment to think that the origin of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills is due to the giant initiating a mud-throwing battle, the baking of mud cake, and the sorrow of the giant Arogo, he cried and cried, and every time his tears fell on the ground they dried up and formed into hills, thus the Chocolate Hills. These stories are no objective evidence that these events happened in a typical land of Bohol. Furthermore, these stories are a product of the mind, another epistemological term for this is fiction. As fiction is defined, it is purely fantastical, set in entirely imaginary worlds, or it might blend reality with creative elements to tell stories that resonate with readers on a deeper level also it does not claim to represent real events, fiction often explores universal truths and human experiences, offering insights into our world and ourselves. These stories were invented by the ancestors to hold on to the tradition of the forefathers. But the problem with this is we believed those stories without validating them. Indeed, there is no certainty on this level. The judgment of the mythology of Chocolate Hills is not based on fact or reality and there is no valid reason to believe in that story. Use our critical thinking in order to understand that thing. Because the acceptable event must be grounded in reality or self-evident this is the ultimate criterion of truth. The judgment must be proven before, today, and forever. I suggest that if we encounter the same stories just like this about the origin of something a place, things, etc. We must examine first the thought and whether it is valid or not and whether it is grounded in reality or not. Used the capacity of our intellect to scrutinize, validate, and examine something to arrive at the certitude and ultimate ground from our spontaneous conviction. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1.1 Books Bittle, Celestine N., Reality and the Mind: Epistemology, (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1936) Étienne Gilson, Ignatius Theodore Eschmann and Shook, L.K. (1994). The Christian philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press. Romanillos, Emmanuel Luis. 2022. HISTORY of BOHOL, Essay, Notes, and Sources. Manila, Philippines: THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES Electronic Sources “Criteria of Truth | Criteria Truth.” 2024. Liquisearch.com. 2024. https://www.liquisearch.com/criteria_of_truth. “Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act (RA 11038).” 2021. One Planet Network. 2021. https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/policies/expanded-national-integrated-protected-areas-system-enipas-act-ra-11038#:~:text=It%20aims%20to%20establish%20a%20National%20Integrated%20Protected. Guide, Travel. 2020. “The Myth about the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.” Philippines Guide. June 26, 2020. https://www.philippinesinsider.com/myths-folklore-superstition/the-myth-about-the-chocolate-hills-in-bohol/. MAT, Mahmut. “Chocolate Hills, Philippines | Geology, Formation» Geology Science.” Geology Science, 2 Apr. 2023, geologyscience.com/gallery/geological-wonders/chocolate-hills-philippines/#The_Unique_Karst_Landscape_of_Bohol_Island. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024. Nd.edu. (2024). Christian Philosophy 19. [online] Available at: https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/jmc/etext/cp18.htm [Accessed 15 Nov. 2024]. Philippine Mythology Gods and Goddesses: An Ultimate Guide - FilipiKnow.” FilipiKnow, 7 July 2023, filipiknow.net/philippine-mythology-gods-and-goddesses/#what-exactly-is-philippine-mythology. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024. Romero, Alexis. “Marcos Signs Law Creating Negros Island Region.” Philstar.com, 13 June 2024, www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/06/14/2362778/marcos-signs-law-creating-negros-island-region. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024. VisMin Philippines. 2024. “Sweet Origins: The Mythical Beginnings of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills.” VisMin.ph. October 2024. https://vismin.ph/2024/chocolate-hills-myth/. Zetterqvist, A. and Bach, F. (2023). Epistemic knowledge – a vital part of scientific literacy? International Journal of Science Education, 45(6), pp.484–501. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2023.2166372.