My own 'recycled' Christmas list

Ania kami

‘Ning gabii sa among pagdaygon

Ug hinaut pa

nga kaninyo dili makatugaw;

Pasko karun

panahon, panahon sa kalipay

kay natawo na

ang manunubos sa kalibutan.

Sa alas dose ang takna,

may natawo sa pasungan;

ginatagna ug ginatuohan,

Manunubos sa kalibutan.

—Alas Dose by Susan Fuentes

Sumad karon, ang kalibutan nagpangilin
Ngano kaha natawo ang batang buotan gayud
Kinsa siya, wa ba iilhi
Siya manunubos sa yuta nga karon mikunsad gikan sa langit

Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sayawan ta ang bata
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sa makalingaw nga hadla
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
Ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayo.

Pasko na usab, sayawan ta ang bata,
Pasko na usab, sa makalingaw nga hadla,
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayon.

—Sumad Karon by Susan Fuentes

Christmas is only two sleeps away.

Here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos inspired by  Alas Dose and Sumad Karon, a Bisayan Christmas songs by Queen of Visayan Songs, the late Susan Fuentes, which open today's VRS.

When I was young, Christmas was simplier. Happier.  Alas Dose and Sumad Karun are two of my most favorite Visayan Christmas carols. These songs bring back so many childhood memories as many kids sang this in the neighborhood.

Since we are celebrating Christmas, here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos.

Nice or naughty? My own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos. Contributed Photos

Here they are:

-For Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman— The sash and crown in Miss Intercontinental 2019! Gallman is an icon of female beauty, wit and success.  Karen was born in Barangay Fatima in Ubay town to Gavin William Gallman, a retired Australian soldier, and Ubay native Editha Bayonas.

-For Mutya ng Pilipinas - Miss Global Beauty Queen Pauline Amelinckx— The big prize, crown and sash in Miss Global Beauty Queen! Pauline will be representing Philippines for Miss Global Beauty Queen 2018 which will be held in Seoul, Korea in May 2019. A native of Tubigon town, Pauline is a woman of power and grace, commitment and intelligence, style and substance.

-For Miss World Philippines First Princess 2017 Glyssa B. Perez —A victory in Miss World-Philippines 2019. More modelling stints and endorsements.

-For Bebei Tagoctoc — Hair majesty deserves a grand vacation in Thailand or Europe.  Hurray to the  "The Mother of All Hair and Make-up Artists in Bohol.”

-For Ingemar Macarine — More swims here and abroad to promote clean seas and marine environment. I hope the “Pinoy Aquaman” can conquer (finally!) the English Channel in 2019.

-For Boholano film producer/writer Achinette Joy Villamor—More award-winning films in 2019.   Her film, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness,” won several awards and accolades here and abroad. Another wish for her, a good sleep.

-For Peddy Bolanio and Glee Orcullo — An explosive radio show in 2019. They can invite “interesting,” “daring,” “talkative," and “controversial” local guests to spice up the program.  Speaking of Glee, I hope she will continue to write love songs to describe her aching heart.

-For Glorivic Yap-De La Serna— Another European trip to broaden her travel experience! Same for JP Maslog,

-For Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin- Strength of character to overcome challenges and to continue advocacies.

-For Mila Lim — More Santa Claus and other Christmas stuffs to fill her “Most Christmassy House” in Bohol.

-For AR De La Serna— To achieve what he keeps in his career.  After all, the country’s first Mister Supranational did prove to the world that Boholano men can flaunt!  Same for Carlo Roy Roslinda, the Mister Earth International 2017.

-For Mikey Gatal — A holiday with his special someone.

-For Butch Bernas and Jeycelle Espejo-Inting —Unwavering dedication for preservation of cultural heritage. Same for Edison Gumapac. 

-For  Fred Araneta, Chito Visarra, Anthony Aniscal, Allen Doydora, Lito Responte, Bob Galero  and Ted Ayeng— More  interesting, more explosive segments of their radio programs with interesting and “controversial” guests. Same for   Allan Mangmang,  Doc Louie,  Rey Tutas, Willy Maestrado, Dave Responte, Fred Amora, Ern Pahayahay, Atoy Cosap, Jun Gutierrez, Ven Arigo, Angie Valencia, et al.

-For Loboc Children’s Choir— Performances here and abroad to show to the world what hidden talents we have. Same for Alicia Bamboo Ensemble, Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, Loboc Youth Ambassador, Katipunan Elem. School Rondalla, HNU Diwanag Dance Troupe, HNU Chorale and Bohol Master Singers

-For  Shanon Pamaong , Maximiel Tallo, EJ Relampagos, Mikee Andrei, Omie Auza, Jong Magallano, , Henry Baron, Tracy Remolador Torres, Aileen Sendrijas, Roxanne Monton— They can establish a school of fashion to train young designers. And they can start the New Year with fashion shows to display their artistic collections.

-For PO3 Janew Villame— An album to showcase his singing prowess. The grandson of Yoyoy Villame, has composed the “Oplan Tokhang” theme song.

-For Ryan Sines, EP Relampagos, Ramil Dolauta, Rholly Ingking, Jonathan Ocat,  Tamara, Donna Vitos, Nina Jasmine Cadeliña,et al — A “hairy” year to beautify Bohol!  Oopps, more projects para sa ekonomiya! Same for Gerry Lugod and Emerson Pinos.

-For Ardy Araneta- Batoy — A round-trip ticket to Europe and America where the Bohol’s Queen of All Media can relax and enjoy the world. 

-For Dalareich Polot— A scholarship at Oxford University! A busy year for Bohol’s Chocolate Princess  who will go to Japan to receive the Best Entrepreneurship Award from The Takeda Foundation that highly evaluates her unique project and gives her the Selection Committee Special Award.  “I want Bohol chocolates to be in the world chocolate map,” she quipped.

-For Mizken Tirol-Andan— A hot partner to color the new year.  Same for Anthony Ceniza and Jhoel Lim.  

-For Lailette Boiser and TinTin Ng — A showbiz break.  More challenging roles in teleseryes and movies to showcase their natural acting.  Same for  Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito and Fenech Aimee Veloso.

-For Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado and Atty. Marie Nickie Bolos— Wedding bells! Wedding bells!  Same for Vanessa Cubrado and her beau and Jethro Imboy and Joan Cajes.

For Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan (of Touch of April) and Arch. Junibe Froilan— A long-delayed stork’s visit.  Same for  Dr.  Aleksander  and Jessa Ylanan, Fred Namoc and Nice Tirol  and Eden Descallar and Mikel Ceballos.

-For Inday Rufing— A busy, busy career to tickle our funny bones.  And.... a colorful lovelife!

-For Queenie Melody Fullante— A hot boyfriend! It’s about time to love someone after a busy career.

Everything is softer and more beautiful this Christmas
 in the “Most Christmassy Places” in Bohol province.
Photos  by Leo Udtohan

-For Center Stage Band—  More gigs, more music and a new album. Paging, Ariel Fullido!

-For Roger Magtagad (aka Nicole Khim Gonzales)  and Rhigel Dulfo ­— Hone the potentials of more young talents.

-For Gian Luigi Ale, Kimpoy Mainit, Humfrey Nicasio and Hannah Precillas— A one night concert in Bohol. Of course, a big break to showcase their singing prowess!

-For Rich Asuncion— To savor the joys of motherhood.

-For Willy Ramasola and Edik Dolotina — Their reputation for fierce, honest, and open-minded questions made them attractive in the social media.  More years of thought-provoking questions and analyses.

-For Lutgardo Labad and Marianito Luspo— A busy, busy good year to share their talents. Same for John Torralba, Joey Labrador, Glenn Lumantao, Sam Penaso and Ralph Maligro.

-For  Tessie Labunog-Sumampong, Marilou Dumaluan, Miss Bohol International 2012 Mary Ebone Cimafranca-Ong and Miss Bohol 2001 Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado— Success in their business endeavors.  Same for Walter and Leslie Ramirez and Tina and Alexander Dumas.

-For Anna Maris Igpit and Tommy Taylor—Another “joint venture”! Same for Benjie and Atty. Joan Oliva, Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso, David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros, Abdul Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace, and Doxson Asoy and Karen Digal. Remember, the nights are cold!

-For Danica Joy Galon — A promising modelling career.  She was the only contestant from Bohol in Catwalk Philippines Modelling Competition 2018.

-For Rosalinda Paredes, Vera  Villocido-Gesite, Emilia Roslinda, Pat Ruiz,  Atty. Kins Aparece, Salvio Makinano, Judge Raul Barbarona, Mightee Palo, Maria Fe Evasco,  Dorris Dinorog-Obena, Liza Macalandag, Isidore Ancog, Ellen Gallares, Lester Ouano, Michael Canares and Regina Macalandag—More developmental work/projects/contracts for social change.  Same for Clement Paulinel Ingking in his advocacy for the Global Ecobricks Alliance towards environmental protection and Bohol’s mermaid Jammy Ungab for cleaner seas.

- For those who are running in 2019 elections (you know who you are), a big goodluck in the political arena.

VRS is wishing you a bountiful Christmas. May all your hopes and wishes be fulfilled to the utmost.

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Bishop Uy welcomes young people to ‘Simbang Gabi’

 Despite the recent call of President Rodrigo Duterte for Catholics not to attend Mass, many of them filled churches in the predominantly Catholic province of Bohol for the first of the nine-day Simbang Gabi, or Misa de Gallo, on Sunday, Dec. 16.

Parishioners arrived early at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran for the first Misa de Gallo at 4:30 a.m.

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy said he was happy young people were going to church.

At least 2,000 parishioners, mostly young, attended the Mass. Others had to stay outside the church to hear the mass.

“Pinagga sila sa Ginoo. Pinangga sila sa Simbahan. Matagaan og kahigayunan nga ilang kusog ug talento magamit kang Kristo diha sa iyang Simbahan,” he said.

[God loves them. The Church loves them. They will be given a chance to use their strength and talents for Christ in His Church. ]

According to Uy, 2019 has been declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines as the Year of the Youth.

“Our young people don’t need a Church which is judgmental. They don’t want a judgmental church. What they want is a church which is willing to accompany them to their way to God,” Uy said.

He also challenged parishioners to affirm their faith in Christ.

“We are challenged to share what we have to others,” he said. “Dili ta mamintaha. Dili ta manikas. Dili ta mangurakot.”

[We should not take advantage of others. We should not cheat. We should not steal.”

Many parishioners wish to finish the nine-day masses either with a wish or special intention to ask.

“Whatever goal you have, I think that is the key. Whatever goal you have in the first Mass, it is the key,” Wincesa Araoarao, a resident of Graham Avenue, said.

Others said it was a thanksgiving of life.

“It is about thanksgiving and looking back to the blessings that we have in 2018, as well as looking forward to what we become of us in 2019,” said Fiel Gabin.

After the Mass, seminarians from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary rendered Christmas songs for the parishioners.

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

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