Things to do on Valentine’s Day in Bohol

Wake-uppers:

Scene: United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg visited Bohol on Thursday to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding for the implementation of development projects in Tagbilaran City. He was welcomed by PA Ae Damalerio and Rep. Art Yap at the Tagbilaran Airport. Ambassador Goldberg was also welcomed by Gov. Edgar Chatto and other officials at the Bohol Tropics. The MOU, which picked Tagbilaran under the Cities Development Initiatives, was signed by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and Gloria Steele of the US Agency for International Development.

 

MGen Jet Velarmino, AFP and PSSupt Dennis Agustin
honor the fallen 44 at Camp Dagohoy.  -LPU

Scene: MGen Jet Velarmino and PSSupt Dennis Agustin led the offering of flowers and lighting of candles for the fallen 44 at Camp Francisco Dagohoy on Thursday. “For all of us who remain, may their legacy of bravery and courage in sacrificing their lives serve as a beacon of hope in our country’s pursuit of peace and justice. May their dedication to service serve as an example to all Filipinos,” read the statement of the BPPO. Meanwhile, PPSupt Agustin has designed his own kayak for the fallen 44. The kayak has colors red and black and has markings “Fallen 44.” “It’s one way of my expression in support and sympathy to the fallen 44. Sa akin lang yun. Personal lang yun. Mahilig rin tayo sa sports. When doing sports, nasa puso pa rin  natin mga kaibigan mga comrades natin. Mahilig tayo sa kayak ..  naka-pag soul search tayo nakapag-isip nakapagcontemplate, at the same time expression ko lang yun,” PPSupt Agustin said.   

 

Scene: Feliz compleaños to erstwhile Tagbilaran Mayor Joe Torralba, Walter Toston, Dr. Cyrilda Tallo, Maximiel, Feb. 9; former Tagbilaran City Councilor Ann Mariquit Oppus, Feb. 10; Atty. Zoilo Dejaresco, Jr., Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, Lloyd Guttierez and Dr. Antonio Porticos, Feb. 11; Raul Gatal, Feb. 12; Valentino Gamutin, Atty. Handel Lagunay, Joselino Baritua, Gary Silagan and Fr. Val Pinlac, Feb. 14; Melchor Daniel, Feb. 15; Engr. Jes Tirol, Elvie Macalandag, Louella Husain and Tagbilaran City Councilor Lucille Yap-Lagunay, Feb. 17; Fr. Joe Sumampong, Feb. 20; Gov. Edgar Chatto, Feb. 21; and Fiel Angeli Gabin and Dr. Jojo Maniwan, Feb. 24.

 

***

Love is in the air.

 

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, VRS has tracked down the Valentine's Day destinations in Bohol for traditional and new holiday ideas for lovers.

 

 

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg visits Bohol.-LPU

CHAP, for adrenaline junkies

 If the thought of a candlelit meal or spa treatment has you tapping your Nike with boredom, bond over a shared challenge this Valentine’s Day. The Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP) has The Rush, Islands in the Sky, Burma Loops and Planks, Earthquake and Vine Walk.  The adventure course trails that will test your strength, endurance, strategy and patience and it will test your relationships, too! Don’t forget to experience the authentic Boholano cuisines at Cuisina ni Tisay!

 

Sagbayan Peak, for fairytale lovers

Different animals and Disney characters can be found at the Sagbayan Peak. There’s a mini-castle to free your imagination as you and your beloved roam its medieval turrets. You can play Rapunzel or you can ask the seven dwarves or Snow White for some tips on how live happily ever after.  

 

Morning Hills, for nature lovers/stargazers

The universe is vast, but somehow you found each other. The Morning Hills in Loay town is ideal place for contemplating your place in the cosmos. It’s ideal also to visit the place at daytime to love nature.

 

Provincial Library, for bookworms

If your love bloomed over torrid prose and pub philosophy, then you need a break with intellectual clout. Visit the Provincial Library to feed your mind. Since February 14 falls on a Saturday this year, the library is open half-day.

 

Choco shop, for Choco lovers

Chocolate's a classic for Valentine's Day. Buy it for your spouse, your significant other, your kids, your parents. Visit the Chocoreich Cafe which offers you the chance to sit down and indulge in hot chocolate, baked chocolate treats, and chocolate candy, while on the premise. Always busy and always delicious, Tambahayan Cafe (along Maria Clara Street) is the perfect tambahayan for Valentine's couples.

 

There are plenty of things to do on Feb. 14! –LPU

Dinner menus, for food lovers

What better way to celebrate with your significant other than sharing a romantic meal? Yes, visit the Bohol Bee Farm and The Buzz for all-organic food.  Have an intimate dinner at Panglao Island Nature Resort, Amorita, Amarella, South Palms and Astoria. Bring your someone special to Gerarda’s, Garden Cafe, Payag Restaurant, Dong Juan (at Luisa Galleria), The Prawn Farm (at Island City Mall) and RaiRai Ken (at Island City Mall). For best ambiance, bring your date at Cafe Lawis in Dauis (beside the Dauis church) for a complete dinner set for two. Make sparks fly no matter your budget at the city at  Aubrey's BBQ Hauz (flavored by Nanay Mary Garcia) at Mansasa Junction (“Chicken Paa for only 60 pesos. We also accept packaged orders on Valentine’s Day,” says Leslie Ramirez) and Acacia de Bubu (Burgos cor Butalid St.) for yummy barbecue!

 

Single on Valentine’s Day?  There’s no need for a firing squad! In Bohol, there are plenty of things to do solo on Feb. 14. Watch movies, eat pizza, read books and swim in the beach.

 

Other places to explore on a date: K of C Tagbilaran and Tagbilaran Plaza.

 

Whether you're in love with love or anti–V-Day, celebrate V-Day with your own style.

 

Remember, saying ‘I love you’ doesn’t have to cost anything.

 

***

Benjie and Joan Oliva have baby Edelle Ross baptized

 

New parents former NYC Commissioner Benjie Oliva and lawyer Joan Jagonos christened their daughter Baby Edelle Ross, on Jan. 25, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus Church in Pasay City.

 

The family shared special family photos via Facebook Saturday.

 

“We are beyond grateful dear God for our princess is a gift from above. We pray for strength and wisdom to train her in the way she should go. Give us patience and joyful hearts. Let us, parents and godparents, be an example of Your love and forgiveness. We thank you Father for the honor of being her parents,” Benjie captioned the photo album.

 

Baby Edelle Ross with her parents Benjie and Joan Oliva
with godfather Dingdong Dantes who promised
 to guide his friends’ daughter in her spiritual life.
 –Courtesy: Oliva Family

The three-month-old was well-behaved and half-asleep as the priest baptised her. “We welcome you into the Christian world,” said the priest, as Joan cradled Edelle Ross in her arms.

 

As previously reported, Benjie and Joan chose their nearest and dearest to act as Edelle Ross’ godparents.   Actor and NYC Commissioner DingDong Dantes was one of the godparents who stepped forward during the service and promised to support his goddaughter throughout her life.

 

Benjie and Dingdong are now officially mag-kumpare.

 

***

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

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.

***

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.)

***

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.

***

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