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!!!

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 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

 

 

Thank heavens for Doc Ale, Prony & MariMar

Wake-uppers:

Seen: An urban legend: The real reason why Filipino high jumper Simeon Toribio failed to clear the bar and settled for the bronze medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics was because he was already feeling the call of nature but was not allowed to take a bathroom break.

Scene: The 3rd annual MG Halloween Party is on October 31, 2011, 8 p.m. at the Metro Center Hotel. Members of www.mikeygatal.com and www.boholster.com are also invited to celebrate the 41st birthday of US based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal. “Wear your wackiest and scariest Halloween costumes, this is going to be fun ever,” says Roger Gatal.

Seen: Mama Rene Salud is in Bohol. The famous designer is here for a vacation with a “friend”.

Scene: The Jose Mari Chan Concert on Oct. 28 at the Panglao Island Nature Resort. The charity concert is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bohol’s first radio, dyRD. Donations for dyRD’s Inyong Alagad are now accepted during the radio program while donors will be given concert tickets.

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Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla (right) has witnessed the release of JT, a hawksbill sea turtle treated by the team of Dr. Alessandro Ponzo (left) of Physalus.

Edward Guyano (aka Inday Charity) and I were very early in Jagna to witness the release of the hawksbill sea turtle which was treated for four months after it ingested at large amount of plastic (bags and red balloon).

"The turtle was nearly dead because the stomach is full of plastic. It was too weak.  It has lung and intestinal infections as well as pneumonia,” said Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, D.V.M. of Physalus.

The turtle is now safe, to say the least. Anyway, here is a backgrounder of “JT” courtesy of Julissah C. Evangelio, MSc. Ecological Marine Management:

A hawksbill sea turtle called JT was released last Friday at the Marine Protected Area of Brgy. Cantagay, Jagnal. The release was witness by the Physalus Team headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, BRUMM, Juliet Paler of DENR, Leonarda Vallejos of BEMO, representatives from BIDEF, KAYAKASIA team, MAO and LGUs of JAGNA, Cantagay Brgy. Captain Joel Rosario, Jeremy Horowitz, Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and some residents of Cantagay.

JT was found floating lifeless by a fisherman in the sea waters of Brgy. Can-upao, Jagna on June 18, 2011. With the help of Ms. Mytee Palo of BANGON and the Jagna MAO’s, JT was handed over to Physalus and the team managed to get hold of the turtle and started the therapy as soon as possible. It was very sick, with lung infection and gastric problem and did not eat for the first few weeks to almost a month. This was due to the ingestion of plastic bags and plastic balloons found in the stool after more than 2 months. The plastic caused the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the animal to feed and debilitating the animal. Unfortunately some of the foods that turtles commonly eat, like jellyfish and squid, resemble the shape and colors of plastic bags and deflated balloons and they can get easily confused. That is why the ingestion of plastic is one of the major threats for most of the marine wildlife in the world.

The turtle has been treated daily with vitamins and antibiotics for the first two months by the medical team of Physalus headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo.  In collaboration with the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals, the Municipal Agricultural Office and the LGU of Jagna, it has been taken cared 24/7 for more than 4 months by its expert marine biologists to be able to ensure the successful rehabilitation of the animal. JT was being tube fed for 2 months and slowly fed with whole squids. After JT had fully recovered and became very active, it could consume 10-12 squids a day and gained almost 2kgs from 4.2kg since the day it was stranded to 5.75kg after 4 months.

"We will have our BYOP or Bring Your Own Bayong.  We urge the people not to use plastic because it is non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, "said Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla.

Again, thank you, Doc Ale for reminding us to take care of our marine animals. Thank you for teaching us the importance of “reduce, reuse and recycle.”

(Oppss! Edward also discovered that the turtle “JT” was named after Justin Timberlake.)

And thank you, too, Prony & MariMar

After Jagna, Edward and I were at barangay Sta. Fe, Alburquerque to attend the 15th birthday of Prony (Python reticulates), the biggest and longest python in captivity.

MariMar entertains the crowd in her deadly “animal show.”

A visit to Bohol is not complete without Prony (and MariMar), the superstars of Albur!

After singing “happy birthday,” Georgia “Jing-Jing” Salibay, the python lady gave Prony a kiss! Visitors had the chance to have photo ops with Prony inside the cage. Of course, Jing-Jing was there to assist those who have phobia.

“Taga-saan po kayo Madam? Sir?” asked MariMar.

“Taga-Manila po kami,” answered by a visitor.

“Taga-Manila din ako! Taga-Manila Zoo!” answered MariMar.

The audience once again thrilled to MariMar’s “animal show” with her deadly acrobatic movements like that of kagwang or flying lemur. MariMar was also getting the biggest applause.

Good show, MariMar!

Jing-Jing Salibay and Prony

The whole barangay was invited for food and fun!

The feeling of nostalgia was heightened by seeing Prony so big and healthy. I saw Prony when she was small.
“Prony is a self-developed and trained Python found in the Philippines.  If she is a human being, she is now a dalaga like me” said MariMar.

It was on October 21, 1996 when Prony was found by Sofronio Salibay which measured 5 feet and 5 kilograms. Now, Prony weighs 250 kilos and measures 26 feet long.

Animal and snake experts says that the growth of Prony is abnormal as pythons which live in the wild with the same sizes are already 50 years old comparing to Prony who is only 15 years old.

Prony is very choosy snake! They fed Prony live chickens before but due to her large consumption and the cost of chickens, they fed her with virgin dogs. However, the animal rights activities protested the feeding of dogs. From then on, the Salibay decided to give her two goats or one white pig, and they must be live during feeding time or Prony will just snub them. After eating, Prony can sleep for the whole month!

“Prony is really a superstar!” gushed Edward. She is rubbing elbows with politicians and celebrities (including Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky  Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, coach Freddie Roach, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, et al) who are starstruck by the snake's star appeal.

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