10/15: It feels like it was yesterday

People are slowly coming to the white sandy beaches in Panglao over the weekend. Photo: Leo Udtohan

10/15/2020.  

For me, it feels like it was yesterday in some ways, and in other ways it feels like it's been forever. 

Across the province Thursday, Boholanos remembered the 10/15, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, that brought Bohol to its knees seven years ago.

 

This year, during a pandemic that has infected 400 and killed 8 people in Bohol alone, the somber, solemn rituals continued. 

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013 killed 200 Boholanos, injured 800 others, and displaced more than 300,000 people.

 

Local government units also joined in the  simultaneous ringing of bells and sirens at 8:12 a.m. for 33 seconds– the duration of the 2013 earthquake – to remember the tragedy.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap led officials in a  Holy Mass celebrated at the new provincial Capitol where attendees were asked to wear masks and stay socially distant. 

After the Mass, the provincial government launched "Laum" (Hope) project which is advocating mental health and well-being. 

Yap said it is the provincial government's multi-sectoral response to use advocacy, information, education, counseling, sports, training, livelihood financing and culture and the arts to reach out, to aid and to capacitate those who need help. 

"What better way to mark this occasion of the seventh Great Bohol Earthquake than by launching a program dedicated to building up the resiliency of the Boholano by extending hand for the weak, the faceless, the voiceless and most especially the youth of Bohol, " Yap said in his message. 

He said the pandemic caused suffering, depression, violence, fear and uncertainty for the youth of Bohol. 

"There is no better way to dedicate this effort to build a more resilient and strong Boholano because in the coming days there will continue to be tragedies that we will be confronting," said Yap. 

A unity ride was also held by Team Sikad Kapitolyo to commemorate Bohol's resilience. 

 For survivors whose family members died, it was a day to remember them. 

In Antequera town, Rodel Barace and his family visited the tombs of his four loved ones who were among the 200 Boholanos who were killed. 

In Sagbayan town, the Somoros and Empinados families visited the Bayong Falls in Barangay Katipunan where they mourn. 

They failed not to visit every year to place flowers, light candles and offer prayers on the spot where their children were buried during the earthquake.

Time is passing. Yet, for Boholanos, there will be no forgetting October 15.

* * *

And here’s an article about types of intelligence shared to us by former beauty queen Maria Vanessa Aumentado, who is, again, clueless who the author is. She got the article from a friend of her friend and posted on Facebook. 

There are three types of INTELLIGENCE:

Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Emotional Quotient (EQ)

Social Quotient (SQ)

1. Intelligence Quotient (IQ):

this is the measure of your comprehension,

ability to solve math problems,

retain information and recall subject matters.

2. Emotional Quotient (EQ):

this is the measure of your ability to maintain or be at peace with others;

be responsible; be honest; respect boundaries; be humble, genuine and considerate.

3. Social Quotient (SQ):

this is the measure of your ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

People who have higher EQ and SQ tend to do better in life than those with high IQ but low EQ and SQ.

Most schools capitalize in improving IQ level while EQ and SQ are played down.

A man of high IQ can end up being employed by a man of high EQ and SQ even though the latter has an average IQ.

Your EQ represents your CHARACTER;

your SQ represents your CHARISMA.

EQ and SQ make one COPE and manage

better than the other.

Now there is a 4th one:

A new paradigm

4. The Adversity Quotient (AQ):

the measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life and come out without losing your mind.

AQ determines who will give up in face of troubles, who will abandon their family or

who will decide quitting life's journey.

To parents, expose children to other areas of LIFE MORE THAN ACADEMICS.

Develop their EQ, SQ and AQ. They should become MULTIFACETED human beings

who are able to do things independently.

Finally, DO NOT PREPARE THE ROAD FOR YOUR CHILDREN rather, PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE ROAD.

***

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Start your days right in 2014

With the New Year comes the opportunity for a fresh start. The best way to greet 2014 is to start its first day on a healthy and a fabulously positive note. Thus, I am sharing with you some “reminders” to welcome your most awesome year yet.

Top 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2014 from statisticbrain.com:

1. Lose Weight

2. Getting Organized

3. Spend Less, Save More

4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest

5. Staying Fit and Healthy

6. Learn Something Exciting

7. Quit Smoking

8. Help Others in Their Dreams

9. Fall in Love

10. Spend More Time with Family

Top five (well, six) tips for staying healthy in 2014 from Cambridge News:

1. Eat breakfast – Ensure you have a substantial breakfast which includes some protein and fat, and aim to eat it within an hour of getting up. This will help your body to maintain balanced blood sugar levels and that’s key in order to reduce your cravings. And do yourself a big favour and skip the fruit juice - it plays havoc with your blood sugar levels.

2. Get active – Find an activity that you enjoy and actually look forward to, such as cycling, dancing, running or yoga – and do it twice a week. Current research suggests sitting for long periods can increase the risk of heart disease, weight gain and diabetes, so if you’re office based ensure you get up several times a day and take a walk.

3. Protein – Include some with all meals and snacks: think eggs, chicken, fish, pulses, nuts and seeds, approximately the size of your palm. This will slow down the insulin response and help keep your weight stable.

4. Get into green tea - Replace some of your tea and coffee with green tea. It is rich in polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that will not only help to keep you healthy this winter but may also slow down the ageing process as may encourage faster metabolism. Start with two cups a day and experiment by adding fresh mint and a slice of lemon.

5. Cut back on carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, biscuits - and ensure you load your plate up with healthy seasonal vegetables instead. Make them interesting by stir-frying, sautéing, baking in the oven, adding garlic and chilli - whatever works for you.

6. One final tip... Include mushrooms in your diet. They contain powerful compounds called beta glucans which have long been studied for their immune enhancing properties.

And some inspiring words from Elvie Bongosia of PIA-Bohol on New Year's resolutions - The Pope Francis list:

1. Don't gossip.
2. Finish your meals.
3. Make time for others.
4. Choose the "more humble" purchase.
5. Meet the poor "in the flesh."
6. Stop judging others.
7. Befriend those who disagree.
8. Make commitments, such as marriage.
9. Make it a habit to "ask the Lord."
10.Be happy. This joy should translate to love of neighbor.

***

VRS asked you to share your greatest moment of 2013. These are your stories...

Volunteerism-“It's being able to rediscover myself by realizing my capacity to help. The 7.2 earthquake and typhoon Haiyan were my greatest moments because it helped me realize not only that I can actually help but it let me witness the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen – the Filipinos and other countries helping each other to give aid to the victims. As they say, it is in times of disaster that brings out the best in the community.” -Anna Maris Igpit

Daughter’s Birthday-“When Cielo celebrated her 16th birthday with our family, her Grandma Wincie and Mommy Lou in attendance; when Jerome and I put on her medal for her victory in the Regional Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge in Cebu City, and when I escorted Cielo to the University of the Philippines-Diliman upon her college entrance.”- Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin

Heaven’s Bliss- “When I met Padre Pio in Boracay that made me back sincerely and religiously with God in the Catholic Church. I swear! Isn't that amazing?”- Joy Suarez

Partner-“My greatest moment of 2013 is that I met and married the woman that I'll love for the rest of my life, Atty. Joan Jagonos.” – Benjie Oliva

For Art’s Sake- “When I was chosen by the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) fellowship grantee for visual arts here in New York for six months to observe contemporary arts.”- Sam Penaso

Beauty with a Purpose-“As usual, the success of Anyag sa Tubigon 2013 with Daniel Padilla as special guest and when I was able to defend my master’s thesis en route to my Master in Business Management Degree at the Graduate School of Business and Administration of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.”-Raymund Delgado

A Helping Hand- “Co-convening the Oplan Bangon Bohol and doing relief and rebuilding missions in Bohol but still getting a year-end Performance Award from our Law Firm.” – Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado

Youth Service- “Winning the "Outstanding Barangay Official of the Year 2013 (Toboy Awards)" SK Category among 3,003 SK chairmen of the whole Region 7 and elected as Barangay Kawagad in our beloved Barangay Booy.” - Clement Ingking

Happy Feet- “The best moment for me this 2013 is when I went to the Grand Canyon...I felt God's presence there!!!”- EJ Relampagos

2013 was a good year for VRS as he was interviewed and featured on CNN.

***

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Bohol will rise again!

Need to say more? The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the province last Tuesday damaged infrastructures, pulverized historical monuments, polarized commerce, destroyed livelihoods and killed people.

Photo by Leo P. Udtohan

Hours after the quake, my heart broke when I saw the centuries-old churches destroyed by the killer quake. Oh, very sad! 

The quake was a great equalizer, sparing neither rich nor poor, neither the famous nor ordinary mortals.

Environmentalist Boy Ancog and friends are right that for being good and prayerful people, we are still lucky that:

. . . the calamity did not happen on a Sunday when all churches should have been crowded with churchgoers;

. . . the incident did not happen after 10:00 am, when all the malls should have been opened for jam-packed shoppers;

. . . that day was a non-working holiday where schools should have been full of children and offices and workplaces are full of working people;

. . . that it was daytime and everybody was awake and alert. . .

Truly, it is the nature of Nature to follow its course no matter what it cost . . . but it is God's nature to bring us miracles.

***

Earthquake cancels wedding

Bohol is also famous as a wedding destination.  Our old churches give timeless and precious memories for those who want to seal their love in the province.

On July 15, this year, Mikel and Eden Ceballos (nee Descallar) got married at the famous Our Lady of Assumption Church or Dauis Church.

“We chose Dauis because the church itself is timeless. It was a privileged for us to hold our special day in Dauis,” said Mikel.

Joan Jagonos and Benjie Oliva

Three months after, the couple woke up last Tuesday and learned that the Dauis church severely damaged.

“We visited the Church and I cried. The place is very memorable for us where we promised to love each other,” said Eden, who is down-trodden by the tragedy.

The other day, the couple went to Loboc and Maribojoc to give relief goods together with their Globe Telecom family.

Dream weddings don’t happen easily.

It took former Commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC) and Department of Agriculture administrative officer Benjie Oliva and his wife Joan Jagonos over a year to prepare for their dream wedding which was supposed to be held yesterday (Oct. 19) at Dauis Church.

What the Oliva couple was not prepared for was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that would shatter their wedding unforgettable.

“We decided t postpone the wedding considering the damage cost by the earthquake that hit Bohol. The Dauis Church was totally damaged,” said Benjie in an interview while he and Joan are volunteering at the St. Joseph Cathedral for the relief goods.

Mikel and Eden (nee Descallar) Ceballos

“We have no choice, I think it will be awkward to celebrate while there are countless people who are suffering because of the earthquake,” said Joan. “We can celebrate anytime but helping other people in times of need, you cannot postpone it.  You have to help now.”

They held relief operations in the affected areas of Catigbian, Loon and Maribojoc.

Even their honeymoon in Australia, scheduled for a few days after their wedding, was already set. But the couple decided to donate the money for the affected families.

“Joan and I decided that our budget for our honeymoon will be used to our relief operation,” said Benjie.

On the other hand, I heard that actor Cesar Montano is now finalizing a fund-raising concert for the quake victims and survivors.

GMA News: Click here.

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Tagna-Tagna 2013

Courtesy: Facebook

According to Chinese astrologers, the year of the Water Snake 2013 (which will start on Feb. 10) is fairly exciting, promising and smooth. The cosmic element of the year is water which is characterized with mobility, dynamism and changeability. The year of the Snake will correspond to such colors as black, blue (light-blue), and green. So, on the first day of the year, I wore blue with shades of black in order to charm the snake.
                                    
But as tradition dictates, Bared is dishing out its predictions for 2013. As a reminder (I may sound a broken record), tagna-tagna ra ni He! He! He!

Again, I must take a bow, ehem, because last year’s Tagna-Tagna was 95% true! Believe it or not but through the years, Bared has had a better batting average (read: more credible) than any or all of the mananagna who're using mutya (crystal ball) or cards to predict the future He! He! He!  How I did it? Radio (radio de baktas included), newspapers and the social media (Facebook!) can help you predict what’s in store for our favorite who’s who in Bohol in the next 12 months.

Ready? Drum roll…please.

• Sorry, but no wedding bells for:  Anna Maris Igpit and Glenn Soco (the latter will become busy for the election in Cebu), Bien Unido Mayor Rey Niño Boniel and his sexy girlfriend (or church wedding?), Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio (what for?) and his girlfriend (is there any?) nor Atty. Brian Gaviola and his girlfriend (if she can pick one) will plan to settle down this year. But Doc Renz Acedo and his wifey are seriously planning to march down the aisle and Eden Descallar of Globe Telecom and her beau will (finally!) walk the aisle this year!  We can’t wait for another year.

• The Alfeo Jabinez -Amy Fiel Booc romance will even grow stronger. But marriage is farthest from their minds.

• The "war" between Mayor Dan Neri Lim and Gov. Edgar Chatto will continue to “sour” into highest level during election time. The feuds will continue as politicians will have mudslinging and character assassination.

• More controversies will rock this year’s Miss Tagbilaran and Miss Bohol Sandugo. What’s new?

• Newly-wed Loida Lagonoy and her beau will be a complete family. Weeks from now, Loida will start having morning sickness. The stork might visit Junibe Froilan and Doc April Lumuthang-Froilan. Heaven might smile at them.

• The stork might pay Mary Anne Aparece-Verga and her hubby Doc Jon Mark Verga, a long-delayed visit (the couple’s daughter Ashiira is already two years old). Same for Vida Tirol-De Juan and Butch De Juan (Bea is no longer an infant).

• It’s another brighter year for Mikey Gatal as he will continue to attend sosyalan events. And he will find a partner that’s his and his alone.

• It will be a good year for Karen Gallman and Fer Mary Baliquig if they will join (again) in the Bb. Pilipinas.

• With the bright trail paved by the likes of Ted Ramasola, some of our Boholano indie makers will win awards in filmfests.

• The “missing” Mary Ebone Cimafranca will resurface with a big “surprise.”

• This year is a busy, busy year for Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Dame Rose Soy. She will not relinquish her crown as Santacruzan Queen.

• Bohol will be the set location of a movie. No elaboration.

• Idy Cagas will seriously think of finding a seductive boyfriend. No elaboration.

• Something “big” is in store for Bohol’s fashion icon EJ Relampagos. No elaboration.

• Albur’s asin tibuok (rock salt) will be revived by few citizens. Not only the cows and goats will use it, it will be available soon. Incidentally, asin tibuok will be featured on Jan. 13, 2013 on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA 7.

• Rich Asuncion’s star will shine even brighter and bigger. It’s good karma for her because she doesn’t forget her humble beginnings. Ask the people of Causeway and you will know.

• Boholano boxing icon Nonito Donaire will become the fighter of the decade. Boholano athletes like Jedara Docena Bautista and Jesus Pacaldo will also shine.

• Blind hymnist Onecimo “Onie” Oclarit will release a great album. Same for Loboc Children’s Choir and Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band.

• Vanity Kintanar Salinana will spread good vibes here and abroad. Hurrah to the Queen!

• Young entrepreneur Dalareich Polot will become a household name. The “tableya princess” will have a new business venture.

• Bromantical buddies whose stars will continue to shine are Marc Joseph Batoy, Clement Paulinel Lofranco Ingking and Chris Zambernard Milan.

AND NOW, THE BLIND ITEMS ‘TAGNA-TAGNA’

• Only forty percent of the politicians running under a prominent party in this May’s elections will win. Voters are now (hopefully!) more intelligent and more discerning.

• Many politicians will feel the pain after they will discover that “traydoray ra ang show” from their political mates. Ouch!

• The winner for governor is….Drum roll please! The complete name has letters C, O and R. Look, I didn’t say if a “he” or a “she”.  Ooops! The crystal ball becomes blurred! He! He! He!

• Tagbilaran City has a new mayor. He will definitely be a Tagbilaranon. Clue? His complete name has letters A and N!  Ooops! The crystal ball becomes blurred! He! He! He!

• A vocalist of a (famous) band in Bohol will make an earth shaking revelation about his life.

• Prominent Boholanos will become victims of scams and identity theft on social networking and microblogging site Twitter.

• Two best friends (from prominent families) will wage an ugly word war against each other on — Facebook.

• A band will fade away to give way to a new band.

• Expect “bromance” relationships as the growing population of maya and paminta are most welcomed this year. On the other hand, a student-model will make a shocking revelation that he is “born this way.”

• A winner of a pageant will make shocking revelations. No elaboration.

• Toward the middle of the year, a daughter of a wealthy businessman and a son of a prominent businessman will tie the knot this year, the wedding of the year! Clue? DU and WY.

• A personality will send feelers for a return to a prominent politician who is running this year which this personality left a few years ago but the prominent politician will simply turn a deaf ear.

• After all the awayan, two politicians will kiss and make up. That’s what friends are for.

• A prominent separated couple will bury the hatchet and kiss and make up.

• The wholesome images of prominent personalities (in politics and business) will be tarnished by issues against them.

• Two shows each in two stations will fold up middle of the year – or even earlier.

• A young politician will get involved in a politically-motivated controversy.

• A newspaper might change hands (ownership, I mean) or two newspapers will merge.

• Two prominent couples will break up, one due to the husband’s infidelity and the other one due to, ehem, “third party.”

• The popularity of these hosts–comediennes will wane or will completely slip out of the scene as young and new host from nowhere will steal the limelight.

• A radio commentator will finally be lured to jump ober da bakod from dy to DY.

• A prominent couple will break up but will reconcile after a while.

• The station war will be as intense as ever. The stations will openly back some candidates and so will the other stations.

• Foreign artists will have concerts here. Yehey!

• Scandals will rock the political scene. Some will try to get media mileage out of it.

• A Boholano will shine in a reality TV search.
                                                                                          
• Some Boholanos in the field of beauty pageant, public service, music and fashion will bring pride to Bohol.

• A distinguished messenger of the Word, a lawyer, a cultural icon, a beauty pageant watcher and a mediaman will ride a pale horse! Their rainbows will no longer be seen...forever.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.