O’ Holy Night! The stars
are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear
Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin
and error pining.
Till He appeared and the
Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary
world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and
glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh,
hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night
when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O
night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O
night divine!
One
of my favorite Christmas carols is O’ Holy Night. I like Dionne Warwick’s
version in her Christmas concert in Italy in 1993. Her rendition was
breathtakingly beautiful. She respected every single original note and managed
respiration impeccably.
One
line that really stands out for me is “His law is love and His Gospel is peace.”
This reminds us to love one another and
make peace.
Remember,
Jesus is the Star of Christmas.
Since
it’s Christmas, here’s my own list of Christmas wishes to my favorite
Boholanos.
Environmental
lawyer and triathlete
Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine Leo Udtohan
|
For
Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine— A successful swim across the English Channel
in 2018. Hopefully, he will be the first
Filipino to swim the English Channel, considered the Mount Everest for open
swimming.
For
Vanessa Cubrado—More-risking taking and challenging ventures that will redound
to progress for the municipality of Pilar.
For
Benjie Oliva and Atty. Joan Jagonos-Oliva —More energy to liase between
provincial and national leaders. But
Benjie’s ultimate Christmas for Bohol? “My Christmas wish is for lower prices
of fish, fuel and electricity in Bohol,” he said.
For Anthony Aniscal and DarL— A “joint
venture.” The night is getting
colder! Ha!Ha Ha!
For
Dr. Mutia Tirol-Macuno — More noble initiatives for the promotion and
improvement of public health. So
Gallares, so kind!
For
Anna Maris Igpit —A healthy baby in 2018.
For Mila Lim — Grace under
pressure in keeping with the demands of business pursuits. More, more Santa Clauses to make her home the
“Most Christmassy House” in Bohol. Same for Blair Panong, Greenie Aumentado, Karla
Magno Tessie Labunog-Sumampong and Sarah Dejaresco.
For
Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin — Renewed combined grace under pressure and strength
of character to share talents and hurdle future challenges and good health of
family.
Former
youth leader and a high-ranking Boholano
official of the Cooperative
Development Authority
(CDA) Benjie Oliva and family. Contributed
Photo
|
For
Marianito Luspo and Gardy Labad—More zeal to promote and preserve the
historical and cultural assets of the province.
For
Sam Penaso and Joey Labrador— Physical strength to embark on more creative
pursuits in visual arts and sculpture.
For
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto— More high-impact projects for Bohol that are worthy of
accolades from national/international award-giving bodies. How about he gets
no.1 in Galing Pook 2018? Because no
one else in the entire country is doing what Bohol and Gov. Chatto is doing.
For
Vera Villocido Gesite aka Pinay — A
round-trip ticket back to California, USA! Her greatest wish? “Being reunited
with my children.” Beautiful heart,
beautiful life.
For Gian Luigi Ale— More enriching experiences
and opportunities to harness God-given talents to inspire young people. How
about performing in The Voice USA/UK and other television shows in the US! His
version of Thinking Out Loud has
gathered 17 million viewers on Youtube. Amazing!!!
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 and
Eden Descallar and Mikel Ceballos.
For
Totsie Escobia—Good health and strength. His wish? “No more stray dogs in the
streets and noisy motorcycles.”
Beauty
queen Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin
and cultural worker Alexis A. Cadeliña
Contributed Photo
|
For
EJ Relampagos— A European tour!
For
Elvie Bongosia and Erol Macalandag—
Wedding bells! Wedding bells! Same for Atty. Jammy Aumentado-Villamor
and beau, and Alfeo Jabinez and Amy Fiel Booc
For
Butch Bernas— More opportunities for professional growth. And, a new car! Bongga! Same for Jeycelle Espejo.
For
Baby Tagoctoc—Willingness to support budding make-up artists and designers.
After all, Bohol’s most powerful and influential bading is the “Queen Mother.”
For
Dalareich Polot — Chocolate overload! Unwavering commitment to advocate for the
furtherance of the entrepreneurial spirit among the young Boholanos. Her
chocolate factory - Dalareich Chocolate House, the first of its kind in Bohol
that no one in the province has done before. She is a living testimony that
great things start with small beginnings.
For
Peddy Bolanio and Glee Orcullo — More current, trending and credible news
reports and headlines on the biggest controversies, issues and events in the
Philippine and Hollywood entertainment industry in Showbiz Rampa.
For
Leah Tirol-Magno —Continued balance in professional and artistic endeavors.
Baking Mama!
For Fred Araneta, Chito Visarra and Gerry Pabe
(of dyrd’s Inyong Alagad) and Allen Doydora and Anthony Anisca (of dyRD’s
Tagbilaran By Nite) — Hot issues, biggest issues and events, more explosive topics and more interesting and
“controversial” personalities in their radio programs. Same for Ted Ayeng and Edgar Tumanda of
dyTR’s Cuentas Claras and Bohol’s Queen of All Media Ardy Ines Araneta.
For Atty. Julius Greg
Delgado and Marie Nickie Bolos — A chain to bind them and lock their
hearts forever and ever. Amen!
Jagna
councilor Anthony Aniscal and
wife DarL l Contributed
Photo
|
For
Joseph Alexis A. Cadeliña—More creative concepts that will level up the
entertainment landscape of Tagbilaran.
Same for Josephine Remolador- Cabarrus and Ma. Fe Dominise.
For
Second District Rep. Aristotle C. Aumentado— Forging of more dynamic
partnerships that will pave the way to more progress and development in the
second district.
For
Joseph Gara—Another album to showcase his artistic talent.
For
Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” L. Yap II — Confidence that he has
the continued support of his constituents and more successful efforts in local
governance.
For
Bishop Albert Uy -More eloquence that could inspire and draw more sheep to his
flock. Same for Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon,
Msgr. Jeff Malanog and Fr. Warli Salise Jr.
For
Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline C. Amelincx - An opportunity to represent the Boholanos
in a national pageant.
For
Loboc Children’s Choir, Alicia Bamboo Ensemble, Dimiao Children’s Rondalla,
Loboc Youth Ambassador, Katipunan Elem. School Rondalla, HNU Diwanag Dance
Troupe and Bohol Master Singers — Enhance individual members' dedication and
commitment to harmoniously sing as a group to capture varied audiences.
For
Rosalinda Paredes, Emilia Roslinda, Pat Ruiz,
Atty. Kins Aparece, Salvio Makinano, Judge Raul Barbarona, Mightee Palo,
Alvin Acuzar, Dorris Dinorog-Obena, Liza Macalandag, Jammy Ungab, Ludwig
Quirog, Isidore Ancog, Ellen Gallares, Lester Ouano, Michael Canares and Regina
Macalandag—More developmental work/projects/contracts for social change.
Vera Villocido Gesite Contributed Photo
|
For
Mizken Tirol Andan—Colorful lovelife. Seriously, the eventologist is wishing
good health for his family. Same for Jholly Lim.
For
TinTin Ng and Lailette Boiser — More
challenging roles in teleseryes and
movies.
For
Ryan Sines, Ramil Dolauta and Tamara — Colorful love life! More projects, more
exposures. Same for Donna Vitos, EP
Relampagos, Jonathan Ocat, Rholly Ingking and Nina Jasmine Cadeliña.
For
Kimpoy Mainit, Humfrey Nicasio, Hannah Precillas and Alexis Calipusan — A one night
concert in Bohol... and more opportunities to inspire many people.
For
Mikey Gatal— A partner to color his world.
For
Inday Rufing, Inday Balbacua, et al — Another program to tickle funny bones.
For
Rich Asuncion and beau— A marriage contract!
For Shanon Pamaong, Maximiel Tallo, Omie Auza,
Jong Magallano, Omie Auza, Henry Baron, Rhigel Dulfo, Charlow Arbasto and Tracy
Remolador Torres—Reignited passion for their craft. A huge runway project to
display their artistic collections!
For
Clement Paulinel L. Ingking— More fervor in advocating for the Global Ecobricks
Alliance towards environmental protection.
For
Mister Earth Philippines 2017 Carlo Roy G. Roslinda —Positivity and drive to
bring home the honor and pride to Bohol in the coming international
competition.
Miss World Philippines First Princess Glyssa B.
Perez Contributed Photo
|
For Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso —Another
“joint venture.” He!He!He! Same, David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros, Abdul
Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace, and Doxson Asoy and Karen
Digal.
For
Mister Supranational Philippines 2016 AR dela Serna — A big break in the
industry.
For
Miss World Philippines First Princess Glyssa B. Perez —An opportunity to be
cast in a movie with important Filipino showbiz celebs as a Regal baby.
For
Dr. Rhine T. Pamaong— Motivation in the preparations for the Miss Bohol
International 2018 during the Tigum
Bol-non sa Tibuok Kalibutan in July 2018.
***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.