Showing posts with label COVID-19 pandemic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COVID-19 pandemic. Show all posts

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Saulog Festival is back!

By Leo Udtohan 
After three years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, folks in Tagbilaran City are celebrating the Saulog Festival again this year. 

After the launching on Thursday, March 16, which coincided with the 458th commemoration of "Sanduguan" of Rajah Si Katuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, residents and spectators enjoyed the reenactment and dance highlighting the city’s culture and tradition. 

"And now, we are back to face- to- face activities," said Mayor Jane Yap.  

The last face-to-face Saulog street dancing was in 2019. 

"This is our avenue to promote the tourism industry in Bohol and our beloved city of Tagbilaran," she added. 

She said tourism recovery also translates to economic recovery.

Data from the Tagbilaran's tourism office estimated that 80% of tourist activities in the city were back to normal and that arrivals were still rising.

This year, Saulog will feature concerts, parades, Mutya sa Tagbilaran, sporting events, and religious activities that are expected to return to their pre-pandemic glory. 

"A fitting shout-out to the world that we are resilient, we are moving pn, and we are profoundly grateful to God through Saint Joseph the Worker," said Yap. 

Tagbilaran as a gateway to Bohol offers a wide range of business and investment opportunities.  It is the center of Bohol's education, trade and business, as well as the seat of political power. 

The Saulog Festival will end on May 21.

The highlights of the celebration are the following: 

458th Blood Compact Commemoration Program and Saulog Launching-April 16

Tagbo sa Tagbi/Kumbira sa Tagbilaran (Food Fair)- April 14-May 7

Mutya sa Tagbilaran - April 22, 2023

Himug Huni Interschool Songwriting Competition – April 23, 2023

Saulog Festival King and Queen - April 26, 2023

Saulog Fluvial Procession - April 29, 2023

Saulog Street Dancing Competition and Parade - April 30, 2023 

Maoy sa Mayo Saulog Concert - May 1, 2023

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Saturday, March 21, 2020

Powerful Bible verses to fight fear and help you heal in tough times

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.

To all who were advised for home quarantine, please stay at home!  We have the whole community to protect.


It's 14 days to save lives,14 days to save the community, 14 days to save the world. We should not ignore the sound advice of medical professionals and public health experts. Remember, a little sacrifice can make a big difference.

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.

Here are just a few of the great verses found in the Bible about G-d's great power to deliver us from fear and for healing:

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 -"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Psalm 91- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my G-d, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Isaiah 41:13- "For I am the LORD your G-d who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Psalm 6:2-"O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror."

Jeremiah 17:14-"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise."

Psalm 27:1- The LORD is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Isaiah 41:10-"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your G-d. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to G-d. And the peace of G-d, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Deuteronomy 31:8- "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

1 Peter 5:7-"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

John 14:27-"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Joshua 1:9-"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your G-d is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 23:4 -"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

2 Timothy 1:7-"For G-d has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Psalm 34:4-"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Matthew 9:20–22- "Then suddenly a woman . . . came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.' Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, 'Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.'"

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Bohol designers donate reusable
face masks for frontliners

It’s crucial for health care workers, doctors, and nurses on the front lines of the coronavirus disease to have the proper protective gear to lower the risk of contracting Covid-19, but the world's mask supply is being so rapidly depleted.

Health experts have suggested homemade masks as a last resort for health care providers in places where face masks are not available.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on,  designers Paul and Rose Ranara and EJ Relampagos donate reusable face masks as the province is experiencing a shortage of surgical masks and respirators.

Good Samaritans are rising to the occasion, helping the government in its efforts to arrest the virus.

Cases in point: Bohol designers EJ Relampagos and Paul and Rose Ranara.

They have created washable and reusable face masks intended for frontliners in the province.

EJ and her staff at EJ Relampagos Couture donated reusable masks to frontliners at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, Borja Community Hospital, barangay health workers and  quarantine facility team at the old Tagbilaran  airport

“This is my only available resources that I can share at this point in time," said EJ.

Paul and Rose (of Rose Paul Silhouette) are also producing washable face masks for our frontliners.

In a Facebook post, they need volunteers to help them produce more masks.

"Calling volunteers who can help us produce face masks to donate to the health sector. We have the raw materials and high speed sewing machines but we lack the manpower because most of our sewers already went home to be with their families," they said.

Thank you for the love, thank you for the malasakit!

May your tribe increase!

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