Fireflies & Ati tribe highlight Boboy Labunog’s birthday party

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The State of the Province Address (Sopa) of Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto last Friday. He said, “We reassure every Boholano that we will always remain true, against all odds, to our commitment, to our dear Bohol and her people.”

PARTNER IN EDUCATIONAL reforms 

Vera Villocido Gesite finds time to pose with

 Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and Vice Gov. Conching Lim 

after the State of the Province Address (Sopa).  

Contributed Photo

Scene: Police clamped a security blanket at the Tagbilaran Airport last week after a crying mother (CM) was screaming that her son who was a victim of nightmare addiction (SWAVNA) would be taken to Manila for rehab. Since CM objected the idea, a powerful woman (PW) arrived at the airport and ordered her bodyguards to handcuff SWAVNA. The airport drama delayed the flight. According to VRS, PW felt deep empathy towards SWAVNA to end CM’s terrible journey because of her SWAVNA. “Life will not be the same,” added VRS. But VRS heard PW said, “I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

Scene:  Could it be true that a politician was sulking and left the group?  According to a Very Reliable Source (VRS), he was treated as a “second class citizen” by the Tie the Yellow Ribbon people that he has to shift loyalty. 

Seen: As the election campaign is on, VRS has noticed that this newbie who is running for a higher position is very close to a high official with the power of three (HOWPT)..”I’d noticed that they are very close and it seems the newbie is head over heels for HOWPT,” says VRS. 

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Last week, Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity, Jessa Agua-Ylanan (a former senior writer of The Freeman who is now based in Bohol) and I were like gatecrashers when we went to Loay town. 

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATOR Engr. Boboy Labunog 

of Rio Verde Floating Restaurant turns a year wiser.

Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Loboc-councilor-to be Tessie Labunog-Sumampong invited us for a firefly watching organized by Rio Verde Floating Restaurant (038-538-9196) on Poblacion Ubos in Loay. Rio Verde is owned by her brother Engr. Boboy Labunog. 

Little did we know that we’re joining the group for the birthday celebration of Engr. Boboy. 

Tessie told us that Boboy thought he could get away with letting him 53rd birthday last week (Feb. 21) slip by unnoticed. But his wife Lilian believed he deserved to celebrate it – with a bang.

When the guests arrived at Rio Verde, the three floating restaurants were festooned with foods and music. And when Boboy entered the place, he was greeted by a throng of well-wishers who sang “Happy Birthday” as Lilian brought out the birthday cake.

“Thank you for coming,” he said, touched by the show of affection.

If the secret to a good marriage could be bottled then couple Boboy and Lilia would surely have the recipe. 

Onlookers were left in no doubt about the enduring affection between the charismatic duo as they shared a giggle at his “53rd” birthday party.

Lilia looked fabulous in a Grecian-style dress. 

Their children-Maeleeze, Guada Mae and Rhoodjie described their dad as “perfect, guwapo and generous.” Everyone knows it. 

Among the guests (a mix of politicians and businessmen)  I spotted were close friends, immediate family members, and members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) including  Dr. Gerry Egos, Mayette Gasatan, Fr. Joe Sumampong, Steven Lim,  Tagbilaran city administrator Edi Borja, et al.

FIREFLY WATCHING is one of the exciting experiences

 in Bohol as Rio Verde Floating Restaurant’s new offer.  

And a visit to the Ati village is also a cultural

 learning experience. Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

As the guests shared a hearty dinner, they were treated to Rio Verde’s firefly watching and Ati village tour.

There is a one thing to do at night on Loay, go firefly watching.

Firefly watching is one of the exciting experiences you’d surely enjoy when in Bohol. 

“It is a new adventure in Loay that allows you to get closer to Mother Nature and watch flickering lights,” said Tessie. 

And like magic you see, the wonder of the firefly beetles lighting up the branches like a Christmas tree. They live in colonies so you will come upon several during your round trip on the river.

Along the way, the guide explains the importance of the fireflies and the mangrove forest in our environment. The guide also points out stars and egrets resting on the trees. This is a nice added bonus.

Upon seeing thousands of fireflies, Edward and I were singing, “Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak, ganyan and indak ng mga bumbilya..kikindat-kindat, kukurap-kurap, pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata....”

The Ati village is also a learning opportunity to experience their culture and tradition. Boboy has employed some Atis to give entertainment to the guests rather than begging in the streets. The firedance was superb! Music was fantastic!

“The firefly watching is welcoming, heart warming. It’s really nature and wonder about the creation of God,” said Edi Borja. 

“It’s worth visiting; it’s something unique for Bohol. Thank you Boboy and Lilia for the concept,” said Edi’s wife Joey.

Renowned musician Gerry Jumawan and his band set the energy that rose until midnight with flowing wine and beautiful country music.

As the host of the party said in jest, “Happy 23rd birthday!”

Well, Boboy doesn’t look 53 (He’s 23!).

Nobody revealed what the secret is behind his youthful look.

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The beauty of Loboc and the tycoon meet in Makati

Speaking of Tessie, she was in Manila together with Bohol Rep. Art Yap to meet tycoon Carlos Chan of Liwayway. 

LOBOC COUNCILOR-to be Tessie Labunog-Sumampong

 (extreme left) meets tycoon Carlos Chan 

of Liwayway together with Bohol Rep. Art Yap (extreme right).  

Contributed Photo

Chan is the chairman emeritus of Liwayway Marketing Corp., maker of the famous snack food brand Oishi. 

From repacking starch – the famous Liwayway gawgaw in the 1946 – Liwayway (meaning “dawn” in Filipino) has grown into an international Filipino brand with 29 factories all over Asia.

Chan started the Oishi brand in 1973 through the shrimp and prawn cracker products Oishi and Kirei. Both are Japanese products (“Oishi” literally means delicious, while “Kirei” means beautiful).

As we all know, Chan has always been a supporter of Bohol. 

After their meeting, Tessie, a Miss Bohol beauty queen, gushed, “Oishi” (with emphasis)!

I asked Tessie what happened after their tete a tete with Chan, and she said, “Secret! Basta for the good of Loboc and Bohol.”

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Mar Roxas: ‘I courted Korina here!’

Heavy rains didn’t dampen the spirits of an estimated 1,300 supporters who gathered at Trinidad Gymnasium in Bohol province on Wednesday to meet and greet Liberal Party (LP) presidentiable bet Mar Roxas.

According to the event host, there were at least 200 local officials who are running in 2016 under LP from all over Bohol attended the event dubbed “Daghang Salamat Mar Roxas; Padayon Bohol” (Thank you Mar Roxas; Continue Bohol).

Councilor- to beTessie Labunog-Sumampong, who is running for Loboc
councilor under LP, meets Presidentiable Mar Roxas.  Courtesy: Ric Obedencio

The venue was literally filled with people, mostly students from Trinidad Municipal College, wearing yellow shirts, the official color of LP.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said Roxas’ was instrumental for helping Bohol’s rehabilitation and recovery after a strong earthquake in 2013 that devastated the province.  A total of P2.3 billion check was given to Bohol through the Bohol Earthquake Assistance (BEA) when he was interior secretary.

In his message, Roxas told the crowd that Bohol is special to his heart.

He said Trinidad town (with a population of at least 30,000) was named after Roxas’ grandmother Trinidad de Leon-Roxas.

Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes said that Roxas’ visit was “Indeed a historical and unforgettable happening that is taking place in the town. Historic that in a  sense, for the first time, the grandson of the late Pres. Manuel Roxas the very place which his lolo was founded 68 years ago thru his Exec. No. 18 signed on Aug. 14, 1947.” Trinidad was formerly known barangay Ipil of Talibon town, birthplace of the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, before it became independent.

Roxas also told the crowd about his Bohol connection which he said was his secret.

“Nakalimutan mo sabihin na si Mar Roxas,  anak ng Bohol. Kaya ganun nalang ang aking pagtingin sa Bohol, sa Bol-anon, sa inyong lahat, ang liderato, at mga kababayan natin dito dahil sikreto sa inyo, feel kausa ako sa inyo.. dahil dito ko niligawan ang aking misis na si Korina,” he said. Although he didn’t elaborate when he courted the veteran broadcaster but it elicited applause and yells from the crowd.

Roxas also added that his visit was to know more of the local candidates.

“Kumbinsido na ba kayo? Sa palakpak ninyo kumbinsido na kayo. Gusto ko kilalanin ang mga kandidto,” he said.

A member of the LP Party, who asked for anonymity, said that Roxas’ visit to Bohol was a “loyalty check.”

An LP official said that a “close- in meeting” was conducted by Roxas with local LP key players prior to his departure to Cebu City.

Roxas challenged the local candidates to support the “Daang matuwid” campaign of the Aquino administration.

“Magiging kasangkapan tayo sa pag-unlad ng ating pamayanan.... para sa ating mahal na Bohol,” Roxas said.

Cancelled flights due to Apec

Rudyard Japhet Josol, 28, of Calape town has changed the date of his trip to Manila . Instead on Nov. 17, he decided to reschedule his trip last week of the month.

Josol and other Boholano travelers, including incoming tourists will be affected once the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit opens in Manila on Monday, Nov. 16.

Various airlines have announced the cancellation of domestic and international flights.

Josol should be in Manila for a job interview at Abojeb Manpower Solutions, Inc.

“I just informed the agency that I can’t come because of no flight,” said Josol.

“Hasol gyud kay daghan importante lakaw ma pending tungod ana pero unsaon wala tay mahimo kita nalang ang mo-adjust (The flight disruption is inconvenient, most especially that you have an important thing to do. But we can’t do anything so we just adjust our trip), ” he said.

Ludine Dano of IJea Travel and Tours in Tagbilaran told her clients two weeks ago about the cancellation of flights due to Apec.

“I told my clients about the unavailability of flights on the said dates,” said Dano.

Miraflor Lawangon of Wow Bohol Travel and Tours also said that some of her clients had rescheduled their trips to Bohol last week of November. “Others have moved their tours in December,” she said.

The closure of runways to give time to the arrival and departure of world leaders have Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, Cebu Pacific-Tiger Air (CebGo), and Air Asia Philippines canceled flights from Nov. 15 to 20.

PAL said passengers with confirmed flights can rebook prior to or within 30 days from their original flight date, with rebooking and penalty charges waived.

Affected Cebu Pacific and Air Asia passengers also have the options to either rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from the original departure date or get a refund.

Twenty flights from Manila and back are confirmed cancelled as of yesterday while more cancellations are expected in the succeeding bulletins coming from Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific.

The cancelled flights in the Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila route are:

For PAL, flight PR 2777/2778 is cancelled on Nov. 17.

For Air Asia, fights Z2 352 and Z2 353, Z2 354 and Z2 355 are cancelled on Nov. 17;  flights Z2 354 and Z2 355, Z2 350 and Z2 351 on Nov. 18; Z2 352 and Z2 353 on Nov. 19.

For Cebu Pacific, flights 5J621/622 is cancelled on Nov. 16; 5J621/622, Nov. 17; 5J621/622, Nov. 19; and 5J617/618, Nov. 20.

‘Suicide Squad’ star Margot Robbie visits Bohol 

Hollywood actress Margot Robbie
 at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
Courtesy: Margot Robbie Fans Instagram Page

While you and I were sleeping, the star of the highly anticipated DC movie “Suicide Squad” Margot Robbie had visited the Philippines, including our Bohol.

She shared a short video of her ziplining across a river. She simply captioned the video with #bohol #philippines.  Netizens identified the place-Bohol’s famed Loboc River (where councilor- to be Tessie Labunog-Sumampong hails from), one of the major tourist destinations in the country.

The Hollywood actress even asked her 1.3 million followers on Instagram to visit the Philippines or donate to the foundation.

“Suicide Squad” will be on theaters in August 2016. Robbie will star in the film along other A-list celebrities like Will Smith, Viola Davis, Jared Leto and Cara Delevingne.

In a post on her Instagram account, she said found her “heaven” in the country.

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