2020 was unpredictable

While 2020 may go down in history as a year that many people would prefer to forget, VRS takes time to weigh in on the top moments worth remembering. Contributed Photos

As the New Year approaches, it seems like many people would prefer to forget 2020. 

 

Take a look back at the key moments of 2020 as they were reported by your trusted VRS.

 

The province of Bohol closed its borders on March 16, 2020 as part of its "preventive measure" against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

Governor Arthur Yap said that since health is a primary public concern, it is within his mandate to protect the people.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic is confusing and frightening millions of people as it refused to die down.

 

It has redefined social graces--- no beso-beso, hugs and kisses, and shaking hands. People are reminded to observe "social distancing" --- that is three feet away or farther from each other.

 

The virus has also affected social life. Birthday parties, weddings, concerts, graduations and the like have either been postponed or cancelled.

 

We were advised for home quarantine to protect the whole community. 

 

Tourism affected

With business disrupted and provinces on lockdown to contain the pandemic, the economy slumbers. 

 

Most projects are at a standstill. Beauty pageants and events have been cancelled and postponed.

 

So sad the virus has all but completely shut down their industry.

 

Doing hair and makeup professionally involves face-to-face, one-on-one contact — the very thing that the entire world has been told to avoid to stop the spread of the virus. 

 

For the freelance make-up and hairstylists  their jobs are their primary source of income, they are left to find creative ways to survive financially and emotionally. 

 

But the pandemic didn't stop them to makeup lost time and to render community volunteerism during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

They have volunteered to paint social distancing markers around Tagbilaran City. They also helped to check the home quarantine pass and monitor social distancing in both public and private establishments. 

 

"This quarantine I would say is life changing. It had swayed me how many times, made me blank for awhile and made my life uncertain at some point. I belong to the events industry that is greatly affected by this pandemic. No events means no job and no job means no money and no food to eat, " shared Roger Ryan" Khim" Magtagad of The Art Noveau who volunteered to assist frontliners at malls and public markets. 

 

Resort owners, especially on Panglao Island, Bohol’s tourism jewel, were bracing for tough times ahead especially that they were relying on local tourists to boost sales during summer months following the drop of foreign arrivals due to COVID-19.

 

Despite the coronavirus threat, Bohol has reopened its door to tourists in a bid to revive the ailing economy.

 

 

ECQ aid

The lockdown has left the most vulnerable communities struggling for food – the local government units and community-led volunteers are leading efforts to help.

 

The city government of Tagbilaran  distributed a sack of rice per household in a bid to keep residents at home during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period due the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II said all 27,000 households in the city’s 15 villages would receive one sack of rice.

 

The provincial capital of Bohol has 100,000 residents.

 

The provincial government has allocated P150-million for the staple food subsidy program for the distribution of 8 kilos of premium rice subsidy for every household to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.

 

Last November, some displaced tourism workers in Loboc town opted not to claim their rice assistance from the provincial government after they found out that these smelled moldy and infested with “bukbok."

 

The National Food Authority (NFA) –Bohol also clarified that the rice distributed was free of any weevils as NFA follows international standards in good warehouse-keeping. 

 

Online learning

Six-year-old Arvin Jay Curangcurang, a Grade 2 student in Alicia town, who climbs a small tree house to attend his online classes becomes the face of how teachers and students suffered deep in online learning

 

Determined to support his education, the family built a "tree house" in an elevated area where the signal is strong enough for his online schooling after physical meetings have been cancelled to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.  However, the entire sessions have been bogged down by interconnectivity issues.

 

Broadband access has been a problem in Bohol province long before the pandemic, with limited competition, high prices, slow speeds, and a simple lack of coverage especially in remote areas. 

 

In Alburquerque town, youth leaders and volunteers at Barangay Bahi, do not mind pushing a cart loaded with school and hygiene materials for more than a kilometer as long as they reach children who want to continue learning despite challenges posed by the health crisis. 

 

The tech gap isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. 

 

Gardening boom

The coronavirus pandemic has set off a global gardening boom as an antidote, extending the promise of contact with something real. 

 

Some of my friends who are  avid plant collectors even during the pre-pandemic period say they've noticed the huge price difference of the plants between now and before the March lockdown.

 

Elvie Bongosia has thrice visited the exhibit  to buy some succulents to add to her collections. As a means to destress, she started caring for succulents and cacti, until she eventually tended to variations ornamental plants.

 

Elvie, who has been dubbed a certified "plantita" - a portmanteau of plant and the Filipino word for aunt (tita) -- because of her love for plants, has amassed more than 200 potted plants in her home and has transformed her abode into a fresh green spot. 

 

Other plant enthusiasts, Merlyn Diez-Bantugan and Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin, have said plants give them joy that money can't buy. 

 

 

New discoveries

Christian Gio Bangalao, Jestoni Alagon, Fel Vincent Vargas and Geo Rodell Nacorda accidentally found the megalodon fossilized tooth while hiking in a mountainous barangay in Maribojoc, the second Megalodon specimen found in the town.

 

The tooth fossil, that measures 7.6 centimeters x 6.5 cm, in Barangay Jandig, was donated to the National Museum last May 28.

 

Most fossils of the megalodon were determined to date back to the middle Miocene epoch to the Pliocene epoch, approximately 15.9 million to 2.6 million years ago.

 

This year we discovered new tourist attractions: Rolling Hills and Fascination Farm-Home of Dragon fruits in Ubay town and  Pulang Yuta ni Lolo Agaton in Barangay Sohoton in Calape town. 

 

The food and restaurant business has been one of the worst-hit by the pandemic. But the pandemic has spawned several food trends in the province. Among these is baked sushi—deconstructed sushi rolls baked in a casserole. Izzybites becomes a household name with many flavors. 

 

Many food entrepreneurs brought their business online amid the lockdown.

 

 

Bohol's Pride 

Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx brought honor and pride to Bohol. She was crowned 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) 2020.  She was also named Ambassador for Tourism by the  MUP organization. 

 

Amelinckx was crowned Miss Bohol 2017.

 

Vanessa Sarno, 17, reaped three gold medals in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Online Youth World Cup last November hosted  by Lima, Peru.

 

The pandemic also saw the birth of "The Doctor Is In" by Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan. His program in social media gives information about health and how COVID-19 affects health and economy. 

 

Spread Kindness

Vinegar opened opportunities for Gerwin Yudelmo, a former call center agent in Cebu City, who lost his job in Cebu City due to the pandemic and quarantined for almost a month.  It’s hard, Yudelmo conceded, but he tried to remain calm and positive. 

 

Yudelmo, 30, said his dip--Sawsaw Bojol Sukang Binaryo-- is now a well-loved blended spiced coconut sap vinegar. 

 

While he was struggling for himself, he and his friends founded the "#ProjectHope" with other volunteers to help fellow locally stranded individuals or LSIs in Cebu.  They have distributed cash, relief packs, canned goods and even a wheelchair.

 

He said most of them did not have food, water, and place to stay since they had lost their jobs after the enhanced community quarantine was implemented.

 

"I just can't ignore. It's a time for listening and caring," Yudelmo said.

 

Yudelmo went home to Inabanga to rest and take new adventure in life. While at the quarantine facility, he  thought of starting a business.  His new business also helps other farmers who are also affected by the pandemic. 

 

"We rise by lifting each other," said Yudelmo. 

 

The pandemic also questions our faith. It’s easy to lose faith when pain is plaguing our mind, body, and soul. But no matter how hard the situation is, no matter how unsure the world is, we can count on finding some strength in G-d’s word.

 

Taking risks to deliver the news

Last March 16, your VRS (the lone mediaman) witnessed when Police Colonel Jonathan Cabal, then provincial director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, implemented the lockdown. 

 

At times like this, media is crucial in bringing life-saving information.

 

Like the other frontliners (medical workers, policemen, security guards, barangay officials, et al), members of the Bohol media also take risks oftentimes at the expense of their loved ones.

 

Their task is to deliver the stories, especially updates on the raging virus, right into your home. 

 

In telling the stories of frontline workers and keeping government officials’ feet held to the fire, they’ve become frontline workers themselves.

 

Among them are Rey Tutas of dyRD and Dave Charles Responte of dyTR. They do it the normal way, still very visible in the field gathering facts for news. They also use their own social media accounts for real-time news updates. 

 

Othern frontliners are dyRD's Jun Gutierrez, Allen Doydora and Willie Maestrado and dyTR's Joshua Fullido, Ern Pahayahay and Lordina Vergara. 

 

Bob Galero is regularly anchoring his programs at both stations. Veteran journalist Ric Obedencio is busy doing the round in Bohol for big news breaks. So does Helen Castano. 

 

The senior anchors have been enjoined to stay home most of the time. They opted to do remote broadcasting on selected dates (including dyRD's veteran broadcasters Chito Visarra and Fred Araneta and dyTR's veteran broadcastersTed Ayeng, Pedi Bolanio and Ardy Araneta). 

 

As frontliners, they carry on and do the work they think Boholano people deserve.

 

Personal

On a personal note, I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Association of Writers and Radio Announcers Philippines Inc. (AWRAPI) for recognizing VRS with the Writer of the Year (Feature) Award. I am truly humbled and honored to receive it.

 

Thank you also to Globe Media Excellence Awards 2020. It's already an honor to be a finalist in three categories. Baruch HaShem!

 

I want to sincerely thank all our readers and followers who have supported, inspired and shared with us.  You are the reason for our optimism and belief that 2021 will bring only positive news. VRS wishes you to enter it prepared, healthier and happier. 

 

2020 was unpredictable, to say the least. 

 

May G-d illuminate your life and the lives of all those around you forever and may He bless you with good health and material and spiritual abundance!

 

 

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