The NBA world mourns the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant

People around the world are paying their respects to NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

He died on Sunday, January 26 (Monday in the Philippines), in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also killed.

Filipino-American Andy Digal Doria went to church when he first learned of Kobe Bryant’s  death from a news alert on his phone.

“It’s devastating,” said Doria, a Glendale resident who works as insurance broker in California.

“We’ve lost a legend,” he told VRS in an interview on Facebook Messenger.

Boholano Andy Digal Doria visited near the crash site in Calabasas in California, USA where Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash. He also paid tribute to the legend at the Staples Center. Photos courtesy: Andy Digal Doria

Doria, a Los Angeles Lakers fan, immediately went to the crash site in Calabasas, about 30-minute drive from his home.

He said it was foggy and cold on Monday morning but it didn’t hamper fans to visit the crash site.

He said he had seen fans and media and emergency vehicles on Willlow Glen Street and Las Virgenes Road.

Calabasas officials encouraged people to go to the DeAnza Park as Las Virgenes and Lost Hills were off to the public.

Some fans brought LA Lakers jersey and streamers to show their love for Bryant.

He saw smoke from the crash site.

In downtown Los Angeles,  thousands of fans gathered outside the Staples Center  to remember Bryant.

Doria said the Los Angeles Police Department put restrictions around Staples Center. Fans could not be able to access the area, and some areas around the venue were closed.

Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and 7 others who were on board.

Staples Center was the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, where Bryant spent all 20 years of his career.

Bryant, 41, an NBA great who retired in 2016, spent his 20-year career with the Lakers, earning five National Basketball Association championships and numerous other honors.

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Protect Bohol from 2019-nCoV

Some Boholanos slammed the slow decision to ban Chinese tourists to prevent the spread of the virus.

Most of them used the hashtags #protectthePhilippines #protectBohol" in their posts on Facebook.

"Remember, temporary lang ni. If okay na then balik sila.Why take the risk when it comes to the health and lives of everyone," said Tagbilaran residenr Joy Bonita Sevilla.

Bohol 2nd district Representative Erico Aristotle Aumentado had already filed a resolution to impose an immediate travel moratorium on flights from China to Bohol.

In House Resolution No. 669, he said as a health measure and to curb the risk of spreading the infection in the country, an immediate travel moratorium must be imposed halting the direct flight from China to Panglao International Airport.

On Friday, January 31, there was no arrival from  Chengdu City, China at the Bohol Panglao International Airport.

At least 172 Chinese tourists arrived in Bohol last January 24, while a couple arrived last January 27.

The effect of the ncoV was already felt by a number of travel operators and resort owners who already received booking and tour cancellations from China.

Miraflor Lawangon, 45, proprietor of Wow Bohol Travel and Tours, said she anticipated the cancellations already and the cancellations  would somehow affect the tourism industry.

"As of now, we are already expecting more cancellations from our travel agency partners from China. Since the outbreak came, we are expecting more cancellations of their Bohol tours of this month," she said.

" So, somehow we are expecting this will affect our business and it will hurt the tourism industry in Bohol," she added.

She stressed the tour is non-refundable but she is offering re-booking or re-scheduling.

"Tingali makabawi siguro mi sa local tourists  since summer is coming," said Lawangon.

According to the Bohol Tourism Office, China is the top source market of foreign tourists in Bohol followed by Koreans.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Now that we have a confirmed case of novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV), the Department of Health has these reminders:

1. Don’t panic.
2. Wash your hands frequently.
3. Facemasks will help.
4. Get enough rest to boost your immune system.
5. Drink a lot of water, make sure your throat is moist so the virus can't attach to it and be absorbed by your body.
6. For zinc supply, put malunggay in your food.
7. Eat food rich in vitamins A, C, E and mineral zinc.
8. Avoid crowded places as much as possible.
9. Stay up to date through credible sources.

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

Travels with Andy D.

The last time I saw  fellow Boholano Andy Digal Doria was in 2015 during a whirlwind visit to Los Angeles.  

Andy, an insurance broker in California, is a fashionista famous for his sexy facial hair.

When at home, he loves to cook using Saladmaster, the world premium 316 surgical stainless steel cookware that inspires better cooking, healthier living and a variety of delicious opportunities. He’s really confident when he’s in the kitchen with Saladmaster.

"Santorini erupts with charm,” says Boholano traveller Andy Digal Doria, who visited the island recently which is immortalized by poets and painters. 

What I love Andy is he likes to travel.

So far, Andy has visited 25 countries including Canada, Japan, Prague, Singapore and France. His favorites are Amsterdam in Netherlands and Santorini, Greece.

Just recently, he visited Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Greece for 14 days!

What’s in Andy’s backpack when he travels?

Of course, first and foremost on the list is his passport, cash and sunblock.    

             

“They are a must,” he said. “Otherwise, I would get lost.”

The reasons why people love to travel are varied.  But for Andy, travel is not about how many new cool things you see, but how you experience them.

“Travel definitely makes me happy,” he said.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Europe or you visit multiple times per year, Andy said avoiding some of the most common travel mistakes will make your trip so much more enjoyable.

From the background of these pictures,
 it’s easy to tell where Andy Digal Doria
posed for posterity. Travel,
according to Andy, broadens someone’s
 perspective, making a person more aware
and open to new things.

Here are tips for travelling Europe:

1. Check visa requirements. “A quick search online will find tourist visa requirements and whether you need to acquire a visa upon arrival at the airport or online prior to arrival,” said Andy.

2. Make reservations in advance.  “Booking airfare, hotels, train tickets, and tours in advance also ensures that you are getting the best price,” he said.

3. Visit on Off season. Traveling during the off season is the best way to avoid the crowds and save money on accommodations, airfare, train tickets and tours.

4. Use budget airlines.  

5. Bring comfortable shoes to walk everywhere. As one of the best ways to explore a city, you will do lots of walking during your European vacation, therefore having a pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must

6. Bring suitcase you can carry. Packing light. “Bring a backpack. You’ll need something to carry your phone, camera and souvenirs while you’re out exploring in Europe,” he said.

7. Pay with cash mostly, use your credit card sparingly.

8. Travel by train and stay longer in one place.

9. Do as the locals do.

10. Learn the language.

Andy’s dream trips are to Moscow in Russia next year.

“I would also like to visit Scandinavia,” he said.

Scandinavia covers the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In the meantime, Andy is busy preparing for his homecoming this week. He plans to explore Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete and Leyte.

In Bohol, Andy would like to visit his relatives in Loboc, Sevilla and Alburquerque. And of course, he would want to attend every fiesta.

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Speaking of fiesta, in every sitio, barangay (village), town, somewhere, we are celebrating the merry month of fiestas here in Bohol province.

The island sinks about an inch during May because thousands of Bol-anons who come home to attend the many town and barrio fiestas celebrated during the month.  

The fiesta celebration is not complete without the famous lechon (roasted pig), humba (stewed pork) and plenty of beer and tuba to match.

If you are adventurous enough, you can practically go round the whole province without any money and eat for free and experience the famous Boholano hospitality.

Everyone is welcome, no invitations required!

May 1 - Tagbilaran City (Saint Joseph the Worker)
May 4 – Alburquerque (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Mabini (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Sagbayan (San Agustin)
May 8 - San Miguel (Saint Michael)
May 10 - Calape (Saint Vincent Ferrer)
May 15 - Bilar  (Saint Isidore the Farmer)
May 15 - Trinidad (Saint Isidore)
May 15 - Tubigon (San Isidro Labrador)
May 19 - Candijay (Saint Joseph)
May 29 – Talibon (Blessed Trinity)

Last Saturday of May (Holy Trinity)- Talibon

P.S. Pakapin lang ning June He! He! He!

June 13- Sikatuna- (Saint Anthony de Padua)
June 15- Loay  (Holy Trinity)
June 24- Garcia-Hernandez (Saint John the Baptist)
June 29- Loboc (Saint Peter the Apostle)
June 30 –Inabanga (Saint Paul the Apostle)

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