Chandrina & Abdul Wallace welcome a girl

Baby Abrianna Isabelle is here!

Chandrina & Abdul Wallace welcome a girl

Wake-uppers:

Tessie with Isabel Granada and Whitney Tyson 

Scene: Prof. Jose Marianito Luspo posted on Facebook: Preparations are under way for the launching of “Old Warrior and Other Poems” a book of poetry penned by Nestor Maniebo Pestelos, a long-time resident of Bohol who has been known more for his various community development involvement both here and outside the province. The launch is slated to be at the Atrium of BQ Mall at 3 p.m.  on May 14 (Wednesday). “Old Warrior and Other Poems” consists of 33 poems written by the author in the past several years that reflect his poetic insights into issues and concerns of a life well lived. Its lead poem, “Old Warrior” is expressive of the burning ideals, frustrations, weariness and continued commitment to a cause he has dedicated himself to since his youth – the betterment of humanity and the transformation of communities.

Scene: Coffee? Food? Books? Music? Arts? Wifi? Visit Tambahayan Cafe along Ma. Clara Street, Tagbilaran City beside Cristal E-College, basement of 5 by 5 Convenience Store. Tambay na on May 14 for the soft-opening. The cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Scene: In a sudden turn of events, a town where there is a bamboo bridge will have a new mayor this week. “It gonna rock the town,” says VRS.

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last week were veteran actress Isabel Granada, comedienne Whitney Tyson and Inquirer entertainment columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal at Cuisina ni Tisay (owned by Tessie Labunog-Sumampong) at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Carmen town. Also spotted in Panglao Island last week was Miss Philippines-Tourism 2014 Parul Shah.

***

Beauty queen Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace gave birth to her first child last Tuesday, May 6 at exactly 10 p.m. at the Holy Name University Medical Center, Tagbilaran City.

Chandrina, who is married to Abdul Wallace, said her first child weighed 7.6 pounds and measured 50 centimeters.

Hello World! Meet Abrianna Isabelle Schreurs-Wallace.

The beauty queen said she named her Abrianna Isabelle.

Chandrina said that Abrianna Isabelle is her “ultimate treasure.”

News of the birth attracted a small crowd of friends stopping by to pay a visit.

"The father is having one of the happiest moments of his life, like any father, especially when they have the joy of having their first child from such a wonderful wife as Chandrina,"  shared VRS.

"Chan Chan is doing fine. She is smiling a lot. She is as happy as the father," VRS said.

On Tuesday, Abdul’s sister Miss Bohol Sandugo 2000 Mellanie Wallace (based in New York, USA where she works as a nurse) took to Facebook to comment the arrival of her niece.  “Our little angel, Abrianna Wallace! 7.6 lbs , 50 cm. Look at those legs!! Grandma Vicky is the happiest!! I'm a happy Auntie!” she wrote. “ Awww, Mom's finally a granny,” she later added.

***

Today is Mother’s Day! Since I can’t find the best words to express how precious our mothers, nanay, nana, mommy, mom, inang, ina, Mama, et al, here are some stories shared to us by Cecile Abuyabor (of Tagbilaran City) to remind us why our mothers are the best.

Flowers for Mother

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.

As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.

He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother.

But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars."

The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."

He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.

As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.

She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."

She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.

The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.

And here’s another (inspirational) story...

My Mom Only Had One Eye

My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family.

There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.

How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, ‘EEEE, your mom only has one eye!’

I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, ‘ If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?’

My mom did not respond… I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.

I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.

Pestelos’  poetry book, Old Warrior and Other Poems.

Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet her grandchildren.

When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, ‘How dare you come to my house and scare my children!’ GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!’

And to this, my mother quietly answered, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,’ and she disappeared out of sight.

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.

My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

‘My dearest son,

I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.

I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.

You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.

I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,

Your mother.’

***

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

Media walk out on TOSP’s presscon and Candijay’s spring, falls & rice terraces

• Media walk out on TOSP’s presscon

• Candijay’s spring, falls & rice terraces

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last Holy Week was Miss Universe 2006 Miss Photogenic Lia Andrea Ramos.

Seen:  GMA star Rich Asuncion also spent her Holy Week in Bohol with her family. Also spotted in Bohol was Direk Maryo delos Reyes who will direct GMA’s new teleserye Niño.

Scene: After years of absence, Alona Beach has a party place! U Lounge Bar (formerly Opps Bar)’s opening on Alona Beach brought just about everyone out it the block.  It’s the night life you want, U Lounge Bar offers drinks, dancing and music with a perfect Alona beach ambiance. There’s a big selection of beers, wines, cocktails and shooters.

Quir Nicole Maghuyop

Seen: Quir Nicole Maghuyop is joining ‪‎Miss Teen Philippines 2014. Visit http://www.missteenphils.org or Miss Teen Philippines on Facebook page for updates.

Scene: Cuisina Ni Tisay, the home of traditional Boholano cuisine is in Carmen town.  It can be found inside the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (Chap) before the Chocolate Hills Complex. Owner Tessie Labunog-Sumampong posted on Facebook: “New beginning, New hope, New adventure!!! GOD will always provide!”

Scene: The 15 candidates of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014. The organizers aim to make this year’s Mutya an affair to remember.

Scene:  From Jammy Ungab, this message she posted on Facebook:  Lesson learned thus far today.... You need to pack a lot of patience in your backpack when you take a bus... in Bohol... like... seriously. I'm reaching out to all municipal mayors or to the honorable governor of Bohol. I have an idea for you. It would be sweet, really sweet to put 4 or 5 BUS STOP in every municipality. You probably don't know how it feels because you have your own transportation, but it is super annoying when the bus stops each and every time to drop off and pick up passengers. And by every time, I meant, almost every farking minute, almost every 20 meters. And do you know what's worse? When the bus stops to drop off a passenger, and a passenger from 4 meters away who wants to get in, waits for the bus to stop in front of her. Seriousfarkingly???!!!! People are lazy to walk 4 or 5 meters towards the bus. I almost went crazy, and definitely reached my quota of saying "Jeeeeeeeez" and "faaaaaaaark" for the day. The less than two hour trip became almost 4 hours because of the bus stopping for like vagigazimillion times. So I guess our travel lives will be better with a BUS STOP. This is my cry. Hear me. Please don't despise me. Thank you! But on lighter side of things, pretty farking amazing scenery on the east side, ya dig! All good! Whoooop!

***

I still have my hangover of last week’s Holy Week. I had my visita iglesia-- covering news of the church activities--- especially the Easter Sunday celebration when I heard the Loboc Children’s Choir singing Alleluia! and saw the non-liturgical ritual of burning Judas in Baclayon’s hugos. You see, even in Holy Week, your favorite news reporters, anchors and writers need to work to give you the latest news.

The good thing about journalist Mike Ligalig is he knows how to share info. He doesn’t forget to “text blast” if there are press conferences and other news events.

We come to attend the media/presscon whenever there is an event an organization wants to inform the community about or breaking news.

It was surprising to learn that last week’s presscon of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) turned ugly. I just found out that my media colleagues didn’t like the presscon and walked-away.

It was Rey Anthony Chiu of PIA who tagged me on Facebook to cover the event. One hour after, I got the same invitation from Mike. (Thank heavens! I had a busy day so I wasn’t able to attend the presscon or else I’d have a heart attack.)

“It was a horrible press conference,” said EG, a radio reporter. “Everything was unprepared to think it was a national event or something.”

The media colleagues “lectured” the organizers about press and media conferences.  That a great press conference can mean blanket coverage in newspapers, radio, TV and blogs -- but a horrible press conference can haunt the organizer.

Reporters want to hear a little about the news, then ask questions and get quotable answers.  We hate sitting for almost one hour before opening up for questions. 

Reporters want documents. Make sure there are enough copies to go around -- and post those documents online for reporters and bloggers who are interested in the press conference but couldn't make the trip.

It was not the first media walk out. Last April 12, media people had to wait for couple of hours for a presscon organized by Edcom only to find out the resource person was not able to make it.

“For those who invite media people to cover your events,” said EG. “Please have a heart. We are also human beings. We have busy schedules. We have families.”

As you are reading this page, please excuse me, ehem, I need to visit my friends this week for the fiestas. May 1 marks the beginning of merriment in Bohol as almost everyday fiesta celebrations are held where people are rotating here and there to partake lavish preparations.

Ang humba, lechon, imbutido ug bahalina, ayaw kalimti! Cheers!

***

If you’re looking for another summer adventure, try the enchanting Canawa Spring and Can-umantad Falls in Candijay.

The cold Canawa Spring

Canawa Spring is located in barangay Canawa. Its shaped like a pan or cawa. Its refreshing cold aquamarine water meanders into the streams irrigating rice fields on the plains near the idyllic pastoral town of Canawa.

According to residents, Canawa has unfathomable depth. Years ago, divers tried to solve the mystery but they could not reach the bottom of the spring.

“ Even its source remains a mystery,” said our guide-driver.

Four or five kilometers from Canawa Spring is the Can-umantad Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Bohol.  To see the falls, go to barangay Cadapdapan (not barangay Can-umantad) to also marvel the lustrous rice terraces before reaching the falls.

Can-umantad’s natural crystal clear pools are good for swimming while its cool and green surroundings are ideal for picnic.

Can-umantad Falls

Believe me, a trip to this place is a very worthwhile experience for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Oopps, here are some tips:

* Barangay Lungsud-daan, Candijay, is a good landmark for meet-up. It is situated along the highway.

* It’s advisable to take habal-habal or 4-wheel vehicles to access the bumpy section of the road. The road directions are easy to follow. Look for the signs. Caution: Taking the habal-habal is costly.

* Free and plentiful parking is available.

* Entrance fee is Php 10 (adults) and Php 5 each for kids in Canawa Spring, while it is free in Can-umantad Falls.

* Bring change of clothes and towel.

* There is a small restroom in Canawa Spring and Can-umantad Falls.

* Bring your own food and water. Refreshments are sold at the parking area in Canawa Spring but not in Can-umantad Falls.

***

Selfie at Can-umantad Falls

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