Since we are
celebrating Christmas, here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts for my
favorite Boholanos.
Said the night wind
to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb
to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
(Do you hear what I hear?)
Ringing through the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
(Do you hear what I hear?)
A song, a song
High above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd
boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
In your palace wall
mighty king
Do you know what I know?
(Do you know what I know?)
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and…
-Do You Hear What I Hear?
Do You Hear What I Hear? is one of my favorite Christmas songs because of its haunting, urgent and modern message. Originally penned by Noel and Gloria Regney in 1962, it is a timeless Christmas prayer for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the Cold War.
Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Robert Goulet, Susan Boyle and Andy Williams are just a few of the artists that have recorded the more than 120 versions of Do You Hear What I Hear? in musical styles from jazz to reggae.
Since Christmas is only five sleeps away, here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts for my favorite Boholanos:
-For Gov. Art Yap — Unwavering commitment for the welfare of the Boholanos.
-For Vice Governor Rene Relampagos— A clean bill of health! He has more work to share his extensive experience involving local governance.
-For Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Vanessa Aumentado-— More noble initiatives for the promotion and improvement of the second district of Bohol. Their “fitspiration” can inspire many people to live a healthy lifestyle.
-For Representatives Alexie Tutor and Edgar Chatto — Confidence that they have the continued support of their constituents and more successful efforts in local governance. Same for Board Members Jade Acapulco Bautista, Lucille Lagunay, Mimi Boniel and Aldner Damalerio.
-For Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap and First Lady Jane Yap— More high-impact projects for Tagbilaran City’s #AsensoPaMore.
-For Celina Villocino and Raclaire Stephan Trigo — An opportunity to represent the beauty and grace of the Boholano women in a national pageant.
-For Willy Ramasola— A “silencer” that will prevent him from posting “shocking” and “revealing” tidbits. He can do it after Christmas! Peace! Peace! Peace!
-For Joy Sevilla and Rain Calimbayan— Creative and colorful ideas for their bayong projects ! And peace pipes they should smoke with Willy Ramasola! Peace! Peace! Peace!
-For Vanessa Cubrado and her beau— Wedding bells! Wedding bells! Same for Elvie Bongosia and Erol Macalandag.
-For Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio and Charmaine— A marriage contract! His Christmas wish? “I will be celebrating my Christmas together with my future wife, Charmaine. Though almost all of us are struggling due to the crisis brought about by pandemic, we should not forget that everything happens for a reason. This is the time we should show and give love to everyone, express love to one another and spend it to the people we treasure the most. Loving them the way God loves us.”
-For Mizken Tirol- A colorful lovelife!
-For Shanon Pamaong, Maximiel Tallo, Mikee Andrei, Omie Auza, Jong Magallano, Omie Auza, Rose and Paul Ranara, Rhigel Dulfo, Charlow Arbasto and EJ Relampagos, Aileen Sendrijas, Khim Magtagad —A huge runway project to display their artistic collections! Same for Khim Laway, Roxanne Monton, Kim Villamor, Christian Bustrillos, Ryan Sadudaquil, Christian Relator and Nikki Simporios.
-For Chris John Rener Torralba— More opportunities for professional growth and a holiday with his special someone.
-For Mikey Gatal— A hot partner to color his world. Same for Jholly Lim, Edison Gumapac, Anthony Ceniza and Butch Bernas.
-For Benjie Oliva and Atty. Joan Jagonos-Oliva —Another “joint” venture! The nights are cold! Ha!Ha!Ha! More energy to liase between provincial and national leaders. His Christmas wish? “We will celebrate Christmas at home in Quezon City with family and friends. We will prepare our usual Christmas delicious recipes for the Filipino Christmas tradition Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner) like Paella, Morcon, Embutido, Kaldereta, Pansit, Bibingka and Lechon de Leche. And the family will set up a wide screen TV for the online Christmas Eve Mass. We also prepare gifts for the children and a trip to Tagaytay and Batangas to breathe some fresh air in the holidays.”
-For Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan (of Touch of April) and Arch. Junibe Froilan— A long-delayed stork’s visit. Same for Eden Descallar and Mikel Ceballos and Anthony Aniscal and DarL.
-For Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin—She can establish her own school for beauty pageant and public speaking in the province. After all, she has nothing to prove to anyone. Her Christmas wish? “That there will be enough food for each and every member of the family to partake and share the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ, even in this difficult time when our smiles are concealed.”
-For Achinette Joy Villamor—More award-winning films! Her Christmas wish? “No plans. Maybe we will watch two films at night instead of one, read more books, maybe get a little writing done. Because we always lived outside of the normal anyway, 2020 feels like one more exercise in improvisation, like playing jazz, shooting guerilla, speaking extemporaneously. You go into a state of flow, managing bumps as they come. The funny thing about this is, the science affirms it. Jazz and physics are more connected than earlier realized.”
-For Lailette Boiser, TinTin Ng and Gerry Lugod— Another teleseryes and movies that will showcase their natural acting. Same for YamYam Guc-ong, Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito and Fenech Aimee Veloso.
-For lawyers Julius Gregory Delgado and Marie Nickie Bolos— Another “joint venture.” The night is getting colder! Ha!Ha Ha!
-For Nestor Pestelos, Dr. Rosalina Rara-Sarabosing, Maria Fe Evasco, Pat Ruiz, Atty. Kins Aparece, Salvio Makinano, Judge Raul Barbarona, Mightee Palo, Rosalinda Paredes, Vera Villocido-Gesite, Emilia Roslinda, Doris Dinorog-Obena, Liza Macalandag, Isidore Ancog, Ellen Gallares, Lester Ouano, Michael Canares, Clement Paulinel Ingking, Jesse Acebes, Ludwig Quirog, and other earth warriors, Alex Bongawan, Dr. Mutya Tirol-Macuno, et al—Strength of character to overcome challenges and to continue advocacies.
-For Fred Araneta, Chito Visarra and Tibbs Bullecer (of dyrd’s Inyong Alagad) and Allen Doydora and Anthony Aniscal (of dyRD’s Tagbilaran By Nite) — More explosive issues, more interesting and “controversial” personalities in their radio programs. Same for Lito Responte, Peddy Bolanio and Ted Ayeng of dyTR’s Cuentas Claras, Bob Galero and Bohol’s Queen of All Media Ardy Ines Araneta-Batoy.
-For Leah Tirol-Magno, Karla Magno, Dalareich Polot, Meg Raynaldo —Continued balance in professional and artistic endeavors. Same for Atty. Ted Lagang and Atty. Licelle Zamora.
-For Marianito Luspo, Gardy Labad, Reigh Monreal, Fr. Val Pinlac, et al —Unwavering dedication for preservation of historical and cultural assets of the province.
-For Joey Labrador, Sam Penaso, Rico Tompong, Pedro Angco Jr., Jackie Curambao, et al— More zeal to embark on more creative pursuits in arts.
-For Hannah Precillas, Gian Ale, Mark Michael Garcia, Cleai Tadena, Allan Roy Santarin, Gian Luigi Ale, Kimpoy Mainit, Humfrey Nicasio, Jerome Sala, Isabel Iris Garsuta and Center Stage Band— More music!!!
-For Anna Maris Igpit-Taylor and Thomas Luke Taylor, Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso —Another “joint venture.” He!He!He! Same for lawyer David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros, Abdul Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace, Doxson Asoy and Karen Digal, Marianne Domivee Chatto and Rob Calipes.
-For Bebei Tagoctoc —The “Most Powerful Bading” deserves a round-trip ticket to Europe! Her “Hair Majesty” deserves a grand vacation.
-For Shandy Mission, Ryan Sines, EP Relampagos, Rholly Ingking, Jonathan Ucat, Donna Vitos, Nina Jasmine Cadeliña, Ramil Dolauta, Tamara, et al — A “hairy” year 2021 to more rakets and pangkabuhayan projects.
-For Joseph Gara—Another album to showcase his artistic talent. Same for Glee Orcullo and Feby Ingking and CenterStage Band.
-For Pauline C. Amelincx — An opportunity to represent the Philippines in an international pageant.
-For Ingemar Macarine — The “Pinoy Aquaman” can conquer the English Channel in July 2022.
-For Tessie Labunog-Sumampong, Marilou Dumaluan, Reichyl Vallente, Mary Ebone Cimafranca-Ong, Walter and Leslie Ramirez, Tina and Alexander Dumas, Mila Lim — Grace under pressure in keeping with the demands of business pursuits.
-For Marisol Balistoy – She will be an instrument that people who have lost their livelihood during the pandemic will find means to bring income into their families to provide for their needs in this health crisis.
-For DTI ASEc Aster Caberte – That as a Boholana trusted with higher position in the national government, she will be able to communicate the programs of the government that will give assistance and will redound to bring economic recovery to affected sectors.
-For Bishops Abet Uy and Dan Parcon– They can inspire more followers, especially the downtrodden. Same for Msgr. Jeff Malanog and Fr. Warli Salise Jr. , Pastors Boy Rio and Bobby Rio.
May your holidays sparkle with joy and laughter!
***
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