Prony finds a new home!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Tickets to the A Night with Christian Bautista on April 28, 7 p.m. at the Bohol Cultural Center are priced at P600, P400 and P200. Call/text Cleford at 09177012288/09228803373.

Karen Gallman

 

Scene: See the works that celebrate women’s strength and courage and honor the female body in Baji 2012: Through The Fire, an all-Boholana visual-literary arts exhibit at the lower ground of the Island City Mall (ICM) from March 4 to 30. The exhibit features the artwork of 46 women in recognition of the International Women’s Month of March. The exhibit includes the work of Hermogena “Nene” Lungay, Rowena Cuadra Seloterio, Alma Aparece, Amor Maria Vistal, Anna Hormiguera, Anni Vi Tirol, Bethlehem Bullen, Bona Dea Padron, Cecilia Agnes Ortiz, Chrisylli Mitzi Abaya, Darlene Sanguenza Cano, Dawn Likha Borja, Dedinne Docoy-Boucher, Dimpna Cutin, Fides Maria Vistal, Gee Biliran, Irish Glori Galon, Izabelle Petines, Jacquelou Curambao, Jessica Jayectin, Joanna Flores, Josielou Liray Chan, Joy Jakosalem-Balane, Liza Macalandag, Lovely Rose Acedo, Lumin Tirol-Pamaran, Ma. Bernes Acedo, Ma. Daisylou Daquipa Manluza, Maria Binhi Blanco Borja, Maida Jabinez, Maria Paz Oppus Villanueva, Mary Grace Ido Bernaldez, Matet Galarido, May Blanco, Melanie Oncog, Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, Pie Padron, Rain Calimbayan, Regina Estorba Macalandag, Rosa Shiela Café, Sandra de la Serna, Silveri Marsamolo, Sonieta Labasan, Victorina Jumawid, Vida May Tirol-de Juan and Virna Avergonzado.  

 

Scene: The deadline of the submission of entries for the Miss Teen Tagbilaran 2012 is on March 16. The Miss Teen Tagbilaran is a project of Tagbilaran City SK Federation headed by Councilor Mary Liene Shaene Karaan of Poblacion 1.  

 

Scene: The Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council general assembly and elections, March 31, 9 a.m., at Meridian Hotel, this city. Vida Tirol de Juan and Fiel Angeli Gabin posted on Facebook: Calling all artists, arts enthusiasts, arts advocates, arts teachers, arts students, municipal cultural/tourism officers, cultural heritage workers, history/language advocates, performing arts groups, arts collectives, eco-cultural advocates. Individuals. groups, NGOs, civic organizations, government agencies. And all who loves Bohol with all its richness of culture and arts! Please come!

 

Scene: Bb. Pilipinas- World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit on Karen Juanita Boyonas Gallman, the other Boholana candidate in the Bb. Pilipinas 2012: You’ll never fail to ignore Karen Gallman who’s a deadringer of Ms. Universe Ximena Navarrette. She has a standout beauty, bubbly personality and she’s very articulate and the walk is something you have to watch out for. I love it that she speaks English with an Australian accent yet is not ashamed of speaking Bisaya in a full Boholano swag. I see her in the top 5.

 

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As you can see, there’s an exclamation point in today’s headline as a way to herald a new chapter in Prony’s life — and “her” caretakers, too!

 

 

Paloma aka Marimar, Prony’s “twin” is now ready to do deadly acrobatic performance in Prony’s new home in barangay Laya, Baclayon town. LPU

 

And so, after all the twists and turns, the action, drama, romance, suspense, etc, as you and I have expected all along, ends up happily ever after in the waiting. Prony, the longest and biggest python in captivity used to have “her” home in Sta. Fe, Allbur town. “She” is now calling Barangay Laya, Baclayon home last March 7. That is official.

 

A visit to Bohol is not complete without Prony which is considered as one of the most important tourist attractions in Bohol. Prony has a special niche in the hearts of the people from all walks of life, including celebrities such as Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, coach Freddie Roach, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Kris Aquino, et al, and Hollywood stars such as Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields. 

 

Notice any, uhm, changes on Bohol’s superstar? Prony is now longer. JingJing Salibay said, “Prony measures 27 feet long from 26 feet last year. We love her very much!”

 

And notice any, uhm, changes on Paloma aka Marimar? Paloma was stagnant for almost four months when the Sta. Fe mini zoo was closed for public viewing. “She” needs to lose more weight.

 

Paloma said,“Gimingaw ko magperform og animal show!” The Greek goddess of love, desire and beauty Aphrodite was born from sea foam but Paloma aka Marimar was born uniquely. “Ako ang babaeng ahas. Gikaon ni Prony unya giluwa!”

 

Does this mean she’s returning to do kagwang performance (and some deadly antics) again? “More, more better show! Promise!”

 

In a jiffy, Eugene and JingJing Salibay are now busy improving the place and the negative feelings towards a certain public official are consigned to the dustbin with a hug. And the feelings became lighter when the people of Baclayon have received Prony with open arms, without any hesitation, mental reservation or doubts.

 

Among the guests I spotted were Laya Barangay Captain Carlito To-ong, Baclayon Councilor Romulo Balangkig, Madame Cony Geonzon, Atty. Epifanio Bolando, former Albur Mayor Mayor Ugdoracion, Albur councilor Jubac, Lourdes Pinlac and Rev. Fr. Glen Alipoyo.

 

Also in attendance were the media friends: Gerry Pabe, Willy Maestrado, Richelyn Maestrado, Jun Guttirrez, Andy Nalzaro, Dodong Libatona, Egdar Tumanda, Rey Tutas and Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity emceed the affair.

 

We enjoyed the mouth-watering, tummy-filling items during the merienda sienna: inasal, sinugbang tulingan, kare-kare, etc. and some native delicacies such as puto coshenta, biko, ubi with latik, kamote with latik, etc., then redwine and Tanduay.

 

I left early so I’m not sure if Prony was able to sleep or Paloma was still entertaining the more than 500 guests from Albur and Baclayon towns. Everyone was celebrating new home full of love.

 

Burp!!!

***

 

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

 

In this month that celebrates women’s history, some of the works of Boholana women are featured in ‘Baji 2012: Through The Fire’ exhibit at the lower ground of the Island City Mall. LPU

 

 

Bol-anon flavor and other tales

Bol-anon flavor and other tales

Bohol to hold Cook Fest on July 19-20;Capitol employees warn to be careful thru text

Proem:

· Food for the soul: Believe while others doubt, work while others wish, save while others waste. Persevere while others quit. And stay while others walk away. This inspirational message is from Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Toto Veloso.

· From writer Reigh Monreal: Luke’s mom’s middle initial should be P, for Porticos not S. His biological ma is Grace Porticos, sis of Elvira. Both Mejares and Porticos are from Loon.

· From John Torralba (and also circulated through text by Lester Lovino): Are you a Boholano? If you are... then check this out! Do watch Luke Mejares’ concert on July 21 with Tata Villaruel at the HNU main gym. The beneficiaries of the concert are the tornado victims of Loon. Tickets are at P50 (general admission), P100, P200, and P300. Please patronize our fellow Boholano artist and at the same time tabangan nato ang mga biktima sa Loon.

· Honest tricycle driver Iluminado “Nong Lumi” Bok is still counting his blessings when he returned the US$1,700 (not US$17,000 as reported earlier). Nong Lumi received a commendation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last Monday for his heroic deeds.

· As True reported a few issues ago, there is a Boholano who regularly appears on TV and in a movie. He’s Luther Olorvida from Tagbilaran City. Luther, 28, appears on ABS-CBN shows like Aalog-alog, Maging Sino Ka Man and John and Shirley; GMA 7’s Bubble Gang and Bitoy Funniest Home Videos. He had a role in the movie You Got Me starring Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga.

· The Potter mania boils over at the Island City Mall, Bohol’s most modern cinema. Watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the movie opens and the books wrap up. See why Harry has the charm. The star, Daniel Radcliffe has joined the search ranks of bare-chested idols albeit from his moonlighting gig.

· Feliz compleaños to Bohol Sunday Post! The paper turned 21 last July 13...and still counting... the same felicitations to Carmelita “Babie” Monton, the Bohol Sunday Post account manager, who celebrating her birthday today.

· Could it be true that a high ranking official in the Capitol is now “out of fashion” and “less inspired” when this person is no longer the love interest of a high ranking official, too? According to True Very Reliable Source (VRS), at least they are not terminated; when this high ranking official was still the “apple of the eyes,” this person displayed a happy face and was into fashion. Now, that the high ranking official no longer shows interest for this high ranking official, this person is out of dress code. Murag gani og wakwak, according to VRS.

· Could it be true that a Capitol employee (who transferred to another office after a “rift” was reported with him and his female boss) is now the subject of a text message circulating at the Capitol? According to a Capitol employee who received a text message from a Globe/Talk and Text number, the text message warns his colleagues to be careful with this guy whose modus operandi is to befriend you… and when he gets your trust, he will steal your cellphones and other expensive belongings. Cuidao!

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It’s the kind of festival that should have been put up long ago. Better late than never.

I’m referring to the Cookfest as part of the Bohol Sandugo Festival. Sandugo 2007 makes a bold attempt to scour the discriminating taste of the Boholano with the search for the newest food preparation that could through the pages of cookbooks, a press release says.

I remind you that I’m not a food expert (though I’m dreaming that I was a chef in the palace in my past life), I just love to eat. Wherever am I in the world, I love to taste different cuisines with my mouth, eyes and heart.

Jang Geum of the Jewel in the Palace was a cook inside the King's Palace in Korea

Hinalang nga manok (spicy chicken) or nilubihang kagang (a kind of crab) would soon find its equal in the distinct palate of the Boholano.

The Cookfest which is on July 19- Cookfest for the Professional category at the Island City Mall Activity Center and on July 20- Cookfest for the Novice at the BQ Mall Activity Center will feature Boholano cooks inventing, reinventing, enhancing and garnishing locals food on the Gourmet Category. There is also an exhibit of foods by creative chefs of both foreign and local origin who have made Bohol their home and who are willing to experiment on indigenous food and convert in one which may be identify truly Boholanos.

The idea is to generate recipes for a main course, salad, dessert and maybe a Boholano breakfast which can be carried in the menus of local restaurants and hotels.

Why Cookfest and why not Food Festival? The difference is the processing and the final product. Or maybe, the presentation of the festival. Cookfest is not as big as a food festival.

Bicol has Bicol express and Cebu has lechon and bakasi. Our Muslim brothers in Mindanao particularly Zamboanga City has satti. We have pansit malabon (has oysters and squid, since Malabon is a fishing center) and pansit marilao is sprinkled with rice crisps, because the town is within the Luzon rice bowl.

And how about Bohol? Enough of calamay, alope, peanut kisses, puto maya, broa, kinatloan (other provinces have their own version of our delicacies) — tourist would ask for foods, those distinctly Boholano. Many visitors were asking me in the past about the Boholano cuisine and sad to say, oh sad, I could not give them an exact answer.

So, the Cookfest must be the answer to identify the Boholano cuisine. Boholanos might have developed diverse kinds of cuisine. But is there a Boholano food culture? We have much in common with other provinces if we talk about foods.

Food festivals are now held anywhere in the world. But the most popular country to hold a food festival is Korea. It is inspired buy the success of the Korean drama Daejanggeum, or Jewel in the Palace, the popularity of Korean foods are rising in Asia. The rising popularity is also attributable to the Korean wave, Hallyo—Korean movies now sweeping Asia.

A visit to Korea would not be complete without the food festival. My visit to Korea in winter had afforded me the opportunity to participate in a food festival. Speaking of cuisine, in Korea everyone can experience dining fit for a king. You can discover the elegance of Korean royal cuisine which was enjoyed by kings in the past.

In Korea, the Food Festival is a tourism come-on. Thousands of tourists will visit Korea whenever a food festival is held in any part of South Korea. Tourists are given the chance to taste and prepare Korean cuisines.

I’ve read an article by Dorren Fernandez about the Food of the Philippines: Authentic Recipes from the Pearl of the Orient. It says: All, of course, came to be indigenized—Filipinized by the ingredients and by local tastes.

What really is Philippine food, then? Indigenous food from land and sea, field and forest. Also and of course: dishes and culinary procedures from China, Spain, Mexico, and the United States, and more recently from further abroad.

What makes them Philippine? The history and society that introduced and adapted them; the people who turned them to their tastes and accepted them into their homes and restaurants, and especially the harmonizing culture that combined them into contemporary Filipino fare.

Nowadays, people perceive food as substance to fill up their belly for a much needed energy boost. In this fast–paced, work–driven society, sine folks have no time to enjoy or savour their food. In fact, people on the run would just grab something from a convenience store and gulf the food without tasting it.

Still, there are those who crave for “lutong bahay”... food cooked with passion the way our grandma and mothers did.

Boholanos want new things, new ideas. So, the Bol-anon Cookfest is created, thus a new concept… modern Bol-anon foods which the “timpla” is Binol-anon.

From this Cookfest, Bohol can identify and develop its own unique cuisines.

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You can email me at leoudtohan@yahoo.com. Or send SMS at +639212446791. Or read online at www.bohol.ph