Wake-uppers:
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| Members
of the Bohol Provincial Police Office Press Corp welcomed acting provincial police director Senior Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez during the change of command on Friday, Jan. 11. They also gave their snappy salute to outgoing provincial director Senior Supt Angeles Geñorga, Jr. and Tagbilaran City police chief Supt. Patricio Degay, Jr. Photo by Allen Doydora |
Scene: Provincial police director Senior Supt Angeles
Geñorga, Jr., who served the province for 11 months and five days, was replaced
by Senior Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez on Friday.
Senior Supt. Angelito Dumangeng, deputy regional director for
operation, presided over Gornez’ installation, on behalf of Police Regional
Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas. Geñorga’s sudden relief
came as a major surprise. “I assumed my post on Jan. 16, 2018 short of one week
for duty, but I am not short of what ought to be delivered in the span of time.
I am confident that I have accomplished our mission. I would not speak in
detail of what we have delivered but the statistics shown would speak of how we
performed as a team,” said Geñorga. Gornez, who was also a former Tagbilaran
City police chief, vowed to continue the war against illegal drugs, fight
against criminality and corruption. “I will commit to supporting relevant ideas
in improving our service,” said Gornez. He also enjoined the provincial police
force here to make Bohol a safer place to live with as a drug-free province.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto didn’t attend the turnover of command. He was
represented by provincial administrator Ae Damalerio. Out of 48 mayors in
Bohol, only Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap attended the event. Sources said
Geñorga was one of the provincial police directors and station commanders
reshuffled by Camp Crame to avoid connivance between law enforcers and
politicians in preparation for the May 13 midterm elections.
Scene:
Yamyam Gucong , the Iskulit Bai ng
Bohol, was introduced as an official housemate. A native of Inabanga town, Yamyam hopes
to infect everyone with his positive personality. Yamyam, 25, said he wants to
enter the PBB house to experience the life of the rich. He is driven to become
a successful housemate so that he can fulfil his dream and be able to help give
better life to his family.
Scene: Mr. Football Philippines Elmer “Lacknet”
Bedia personally mentored the 100 participants in the free football clinic
conducted last week in Panglao town. The event was hosted by Panglao Dolphins
Football Club. Bedia also wished that through the clinic, Bohol Football Association (BOHFA), through its president Edmar Thaddeus
Simpao, hoped to produce great players. “With
this beautiful game in football, we can help them refresh their attitude and
teach them how to behave and focus on their beautiful life. Hopefully, we can
find some of these kids one day that represent Bohol to play for the country,”
said Bedia.
***
Monique Bag-o lives north
of this town, but she made a vow to travel to Barangay Malinao in Garcia
Hernandez town to climb Bohol Calvary during the annual feast of the Black
Nazarene.
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| A healing
session was conducted by visionary Marina Reblinca during the feast of the Black Nazarene in Garcia Hernandez town, Bohol province on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Pilgrims walked more than three kilometers to reach the summit of “Bohol Calvary” as part of their annual spiritual journey. Photo by Leo Udtohan |
That pledge, made to the
Black Nazarene, was in honor that she begot a son whom she brought along with
her on Wednesday’s fiesta.
She attributes many of her
life’s miracles to the iconic Nazarene image, which she said were all granted
because of her deep faith and devotion.
Bag-o, 50, said she asked
for a son since she had already three daughters now aged 27, 25 and 22. At 43,
she gave birth to Kurt Daniel in 2011.
Another devotee Leonola
Baguhin, 68, hiked with her son, Leonard, who had a stroke last year. He wanted
to be healed for his ailment.
Bag-o and Baguhin joined
hundreds of pilgrims in the yearly feast. Many people started the trek about 7
a.m. at Barangay Malinao — which is about 3 kilometers from the village proper.
A Holy Mass was held at 10
a.m. inside a small chapel officiated by Rev. Fr. Mario Renca, assistant parish
priest of the Saint John the Baptist Parish Church. Others had to stay outside
the chapel to hear the Mass.
At least 1,000 people
attended the fiesta, said Barangay Malinao chieftain Honorio Jaminal.
“There are more people
coming here if we compared to last year’s 600,” he said.
For many of the pilgrims,
the climb up the mountain is about carrying the faith on the Lord Jesus.
Wednesday’s celebration was a huge gathering of people whose faith in the Black
Nazarene is similar.
 |
Radio personality
Edward Guyano and
your VRS with
Marina Reblinca during
the feast of the Black Nazarene in
Garcia Herandez town,
Bohol, Jan. 9.
Photo by Jessa Ylanan
|
It was on May 29, 2011
when Marina Reblinca, a visionary and healer, brought the image of the Black
Nazarene from Palawan to Bohol Calvary (originally named Mount Kalagan) in
Barangay Malinao, Garcia Hernandez town.
She established a small
chapel funded by devotees.
Reblinca, 65, said while
she was in Palawan, the Nazarene told her he wanted to be in Bohol Calvary.
“I just followed the
Senior’s order,” said Reblinca.
“Then, people from all
over Bohol came here,” she added.
She said people were
healed because of their strong faith in the Black Nazarene. They believed that
touching or rubbing the statue with a towel would heal them physically and
spiritually.
“Yung iba hahawak lang sa
pisi o sa lubid, gumagaling na sila kung talagang ang paniniwala ay galing sa
puso. Pero hahawak ka lang wala sa puso hindi ka talaga gagaling kahit anong
gagawin mo,” she said.
She also said that the
Black Nazarene protected the place during the strong earthquake in 2013 and
some strong typhoons.
Since then, devotees
consider the mountain, with its serene silence, holy.
During the feast, devotees
were treated to a free lunch.
 |
| Retired Filipino-Australian
football legend Elmer Lacknet Bedia with officers and members of the Panglao Dolphins Football Club. Photo by Leo Udtohan |
Jaminal said six pigs were
butchered for the fiesta, while two lechons were donated by some devotees.
“Everybody in the
community has been helping a lot,” Jaminal said. “Many gave donations for the
foods and drinks and flowers.”
After the lunch, devotees
waited for the “patunob,” wherein the image of the Black Nazarene was placed on
the parts of the body for healing.
When Reblinca placed the
little statue of the Black Nazarene at the devotees’ heads, shoulders and
hands, the devotees prayed and kissed the image asking for healing and
miracles.
Others would wait for the
flowers she blessed for healing and success in business.
Rosalinda Huertas and her
sister Calpia said their family has ties to the holy mountain, and they’ve both
hiked up the mountain for the Black Nazarene.
“It’s very spiritual,”
Huertas said. “I’m Catholic and I believe in the Black Nazarene, so it’s very
meaningful to have the strength to make it up the mountain.”
Mae Janice Galon, 34, left
her job as an internet cafe attendant at B&J Computers in Jagna town to
attend the fiesta. She considered her journey to the mountain packed with
spiritual significance.
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| Yamyam Gucong Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN |
“For me, the significance
of the Holy Mountain in my life is very helpful. Once I stepped there I felt
the peace, the light of life even though I have so much struggles knowing the
fact about a life of a single mother,” she said.
“The every single step I
did is worth sacrificing that is to lessen my sins and the obligation I have in
my shoulder. Every time I am there I forgot every worry I have and focus the
possibilities in life for me and for the future of my kids. I am empty if I
cannot go there. I am not complete if I cannot go there,” Galon added.
***
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