Favorite destination? Balik sa Bohol

By Leo Udtohan 

Provincial and local officials lead by Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado at the huge replica of "urna" (wooden house shrine for religious icons) during the Philippine Travel Mart held at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Sept. 29-October 2, 2022. Contributed photos

After two-year hiatus, the Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc. (Philtoa) returned the longest-running interactive tourism expo, Philippine Travel Mart (PTM). 

At least 60 exhibitors from Bohol province joined the PTM held at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. 

For its 33rd edition, the PTM’s theme is “Safe Travels.”  

"Of course, it's safe to travel to Bohol," said Panglao tourism officer Anthony Ceniza who is currently in Manila for the PTM. 

The last time I attended the PTM was in 2001-2005, when Bohol was hailed as number one tourist destination in the country. Familiar faces on past PTMs were Panglao former mayors Benedicto Alcala, Doloreich Dumaluan and Nila Montero, Panglao's First Lady Ma'am Annie Arcay, Rico Guigue, Arthur Bagcat, Roldan Cuevas, Ritchyl Dumaluan-Vallente, Clarita Jorserada and Chai Cruz. 

Attending tourism fairs is a good way for a tour provider to find customers. 

One of this year's exhibitors is Jojo Baritua, 54, proprietor of Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours. He said it took him one week to prepare promotional materials such as flyers and brochures. 

He considered it a big factor to join the  three-day event after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. 

"I'm able to rekindle previous travel agents, connect to network of travel agents and meet new friends. We are able to inform them that Bohol is once again open to tourists," said Baritua in a phone interview. 

Travel Mart, considered the longest-running interactive tourism expo,  has at least 200 exhibitions from local and international participants showcasing exclusive domestic and international travel packages.

The last time Baritua joined the PTM was in 2014. 

His business, which was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was just back last May this year. 

Although they were several attempts to open the province last year, the shockwaves of COVID-19 still reduced daily visitor numbers to the province. The comeback has been slow, and often painful. 

Baritua said he was hopeful that this year's travel mart could help the economic recovery. 

During the Central Visayas tourism product presentation on Friday, Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado led the official launching of "Balik sa Bohol" Marketing Campaign with the launching of its new campaign video. 

Jojo Baritua of Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours, Shieda Lim of Travel Treats Tour Services, Evelyn Banluto of Seaman's World Travel and Tours, Joyce Buhion of Topaz Travel and Tours, and Alma Castanares of One Fine Travel and Tours. Contributed photo

 

 

 

Other officials who joined the opening of the PTM were Reps. Edgar Chatto, Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado and Alexie Besas-Tutor, board members Jamie Villamor, Tita Baja and Nathaniel Binlod, Carmen Mayor Che Toribio- Delos Reyes, Provincial Tourism Council chairperson Atty. Doi Nunag, provincial administrator Aster Caberte, Benjie Oliva, Lourdes Sultan, Bohol Tourism Officer Josephine Remolador- Cabarrus, and other stakeholders. 

Aumentado said the provincial government brings Bohol closer to travelers as its tourism is now steadily recovering from the restrictions imposed for almost two years. 

For the first half of this year alone, the province recorded a 52 percent growth in the number of tourists arriving in the province. 

Aumentado said he has to ensure that Bohol can offer new kinds of experiences that will surely make their visit a memorable one.

"Bohol is more than just the beaches of Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, the historic churches, or the tarsier viewing. We can offer you a lot. As part of our development agenda under our new administration, we want to diversify our tourism offerings. We want to make sure that tourists experience Bohol from many perspectives," Aumentado said. 

He said as eco-tourism destination, the provincial government will also introduce new ones such as sustainable tourism, smart tourism, cultural tourism, and halal tourism. It will also strengthen sports tourism capacity as it plans to hold more sporting events in the province.

"In order to fulfill all of these, we have to guarantee our peace and order situation. We will improve our existing infrastructures and construct new ones. We will strictly enforce safety procedures in every step of the tourism industry," he said.

Villamor, vice chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Tourism, called Boholanos and Filipinos to proudly showcase and promote our culture, identity, arts and attractions. 

"As we envision to accelerate the economic growth of our province and of the country and empower local communities, we are moving forward to working on the strengthening of our tourism industry," said Villamor. 

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Wake-uppers:

Scene: Blind hymnist and composer Onecimo “Onie” Oclarit passed away on Oct. 10. His renowned compositions are Balik sa Bohol Balik, CPG songs, and countless liturgical songs, most famous of which is O Senior San Jose. He served at St. Joseph Cathedral as organist/ vocalist and choir director for 35 years. “We thank God for the gift that Onie was to us! He was a "class act!" You will be sorely missed, Nie! REST IN PEACE!!,” said former city councilor Romana Darunday-Bullecer.

Scene: Lunel Ryan Boyboy of BISU-Candijay campus and Liezel Tortoga of BISU-Main Campus were crowned Mr. and Ms. State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) 2014.

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It has been one year since Bohol’s 10/15 tragedy, the Oct. 15 earthquake that set off a cascade of disasters on a scale scarcely imaginable. The 7.2 magnitude quake, the deadliest and most destructive earthquake to hit the country, devastated the province claiming nearly 200 lives, making thousands homeless and leaving five missing.

10/15: We remember!

As what Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said, “Ours is to see the hand of God out of the calamities that we have experienced.”

Meanwhile, Judith Uy-Sumatra of the Provincial Planning and Development Office has something to say one year after the tragedy:

After the 7.2M earthquake happened a year ago today, I became more disaster conscious.

Now that it's raining steadily in the City of Tagbilaran, I fear for the low-lying areas that might get flooded.

I worry about the soil and rocks loosened by the earthquake and aftershocks last year.

Will the torrent of rainwater cause further downward movement of the soil that may result to landslide?

Lord God almighty, thank you very much for saving our lives and properties from the tremor, but I pray that you keep your people safe from rainfall-induced landslides and flash floods.

Let the rains wash away the dirt on earth - pollution, corruption, and sins of omission and commission.

Let the rumbling sound of the thunder remind us of your goodness and greatness.

Without you, Boholanos would not have recovered from the disaster and stand strong and resilient.

Thank you, Lord God, for always being there for us.

(In this page are pictures which happened during the 10/15 anniversary.)

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Benjie and Joan Oliva welcome a girl

Former National Youth Commission (NYC) official and now Department of Agriculture administrative officer Benjie Oliva and lawyer Joan Jagonos-Oliva, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Friday.

The little girl arrived early; Joan was expected to give birth on Oct. 26.

Edelle Ross was born on Oct 17 at 9:59 a.m., weighing 6.3 lbs.

Baby Edelle Ross Oliva is here! Courtesy: Benjie Oliva

Benjie was by Joan’s side during the delivery via CS at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center in Manila.

 “We are so excited! Our baby girl brings hope and inspiration in the family,” Benjie told VRS yesterday.

No further details on the baptism of the baby have yet to be released. But a close friend of the couple confirmed that it will be on Jan. 25, 2015 to accommodate the schedule of actor and NYC Commissioner Dingdong Dantes.

“Dingdong said yes as ninong. Since is busy with his wedding preparations and showbiz commitments (Marian and Dingdong will get married on Dec. 30),  the first and second week of January will be their honeymoon, so the baptism of baby Edelle Ross will be in the third week of January,”relayed VRS.

Benjie and Joan were to be wed on the afternoon of Oct. 19, but the 7.2 earthquake rocked Bohol and destroyed the Dauis Church on Oct. 15.  The couple postponed their wedding and donated their honeymoon funds for relief operations in the affected areas of Bohol.

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