Solons from Bohol showcase 'sacred' rootcrop during Sona

By Leo Udtohan 

Lady Representatives from Bohol province Vanessa Cadorna- Aumentado and Alexie Besas-Tutor proudly wear made in Bohol inspired by a local variety of ubi (yam) during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 25. Photo courtesy: Rep. Vanessa Aumentado

The dress code was barong Filipino for men and Filipiniana dress for women. But some got creative.

Two House representatives from Bohol decided to wear Filipiana inspired by a local variety of ubi (yam) that grows in Bohol soil during the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Marcos Jr last Monday, July 25. 

Rep. Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado (2nd district) and Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor (3rd district) wore Filipiniana designed by local designers to "wear their culture" and at the same time to support local talents and products. 

Their ubi-inspired Filipiniana was an indication of cultural and provincial pride.

"Bringing Bohol with me to my first Sona as a Congresswoman. Purple is for wisdom, bravery, spirituality, creativity, dignity and pride. This represents one of our province's products- Ube kinampay and the floral applique which is intricately handpainted represents the rich flora and fauna of our beloved province of Bohol," said Cadorna-Aumentado.

Her gown was designed by fellow Boholano fashion designer EJ Relampagos. 

Our Boholano solons- Reps. Vanessa Cadorna- Aumentado, Alexie Besas-Tutor and Edgar Chatto during Marcos' first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 25. Photo courtesy: Rep. Vanessa Aumentado

"For so many years I have always been fascinated by the glamour of our heritage and culture. Glamorous Filipiniana gowns paraded at the red carpet of Sona 2022.  It made me more proud not only because our pieces were proudly worn but also because all our other representatives were wearing Boholano designers for supporting our local designers," said Relampagos. 

On the other hand, Tutor wore a banig-ubi inspired Filipiniana designed by homehrown talent  Noel Bompat Estopito. 

"Purplish, ube-colored depicting our ube kinampay of Bohol. Banig-inspired Filipiniana with its intricate work of labor shows as well the intricacies of being a public servant," said Tutor. 

Estopito said the Filipiniana was so far one of the most challenging pieces he had worked with. It took six sketches and hours of conceptualization to come up with a piece that he thought  best represents the province of Bohol and Tutor. 

He said the ensemble was inspired to mimic a freshly cut "ubi kinampay" with its beautiful layers exposed. 

Bohol Reps. Vanessa Cadorna- Aumentado and Alexie Besas-Tutor  with their husbands- Gov. Aris Aumentado and Candijay Vice Mayor Christopher Tutor during State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 25.  Photo courtesy: Rep. Vanessa Aumentado

Both solons said they are supporting Marcos' economic and development agenda.  They said the Sona of Marcos was filled with so much hope and direction for the Filipinos as the legislators will support his leadership.

Bohol is the largest producer of ubi where  different varieties of ubi grow in the soil. However, the "ubi kinampay" variety, the most aromatic, is prized by locals as of the best and highest ubi quality. It is the type of ubi that is usually made into ice cream or ube jam.

The rootcrop is even sacred. According to a tradition, ubi saved Boholanos during the famine and war as alternative to rice since its shelf life is long. Considered as a gift from God, they kiss it when it falls to the ground. 

Newsmakers- lawyer Jamie Aumentado Villamor, Fiscal Ingemar "Pinoy Aquaman" Macarine and Crisiolo Langamen Jr.

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Most memorable lines from our newsmakers (and why we are moved, if we are moved): 

Provincial board member Jamie Aumentado Villamor on the establishment

of specialty hospitals in the region: "Establishment of specialized medical centers such as children, lung and heart hospitals in the Visayas is of strategic importance. We should bring the state of the art services closer to the Boholanos and people in the Visayas. With this, we will be given access to specialized services without burden of added costs such as transportation and logistics. Dako kaayo na tabang natong mga Bol-anon. Our present specialized hospitals mostly sit at Quezon City Metro Manila. I have had the occasions to assist patients from Bohol and all concerns point to the added expenses outside of the hospital bills." 

Fiscal Ingemar "Pinoy Aquaman" Macarine on swimming the Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes of North America:  "The purpose of the swim is to promote marine conservation in the Philippines and a healthy lifestyle. "

Crisiolo Macas Langamen Jr as 8th placer  

in Criminology Licensure Examination. "It's mindset, prayer and sacrifice. Stop saying I wish, start saying I will."

 

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