The treasures of Butch Bernas

Butch Bernas: 'Be yourself.'

Last thing VRS asked Butch Matildo Jala Bernas, Ph. D. during a Zoom interview was what three words best described him.

Simple. Jolly. Traveller. 

He proved it by answering the rest of the questions with honesty, with no holds barred and without mincing words. 

As an educator and cultural worker, Butch is also a "fitspiration". With his determination to stay fit and healthy, he goes to J-One Gym Xtreme (3F Ingki's Building in Janssen Heights in Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City) where he works out regularly.  Zoom out a bit and you notice his almost to-die-for body. 

Asked if he’d agree to do some “sexy talk,” Butch begged off. 

So VRS veered away from such topic and turned serious including what his biggest fear is during this COVID-19 pandemic.

"My biggest fear during this pandemic, of course, is if get infected without available vaccine yet, " Butch admitted, "My family’s health is my main priority right now." 

How do you protect yourself from COVID-19? 

"Following health protocols (wearing face mask, washing hands with soap and water, use alcohol and observe social distancing) set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the City Health and keeping fit," said the erstwhile member of the famous Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe (BLDT) and subsequently named Mr BLDT 2010. 

 

Career-wise, shared Butch, he’s happy he decided to transfer to a new school assignment. 

Thank goodness he is fancy-free.

Butch weighs 158 lbs.; and wears medium-size shirts and size-10 shoes.

What is your motto in life? "Be yourself." 

What do you want to achieve? "Having a cross-fit body, enjoying some photo shoots for personal keeps and memorabilia."

Butch Bernas says keeping fit is the best defense against the virus, aside from following the protocols. 

What diet do you follow? "I’m following an intermittent diet for now." 

How do you keep fit? "Caloric count and going to the gym for fitness." 

What regimen do you do to achieve that fit body? "Sleep early, taking vitamins, eating foods rich in proteins, avoid eating too much carbohydrates and oily foods, drink plenty of water. If possible, no to soda drinks."

What is sexy to you? "It depends on how you perceive a person’s eyes."

What part of your body do you consider sexiest? "Having a tan skin complexion and a tantalizing eyes."

Most treasured people: "My family and intimate close friends."

Most treasured childhood treasures: "Childhood is the most unforgettable period of my life. Everyone has childhood memories. My childhood memories took place in Pilar, Bohol. We had a small convenience store where kids loved to buy our favorite snacks. I also involved myself in many church and community activities." 

Most treasured travel destination: "My Japan trip.  I love Japan because of its  incredible mountain scenery, architecture, history, culture and tradition, and of course, the incredible cuisine." 

Most treasured moment as an educator: "I graduated my PhD in Educational Management. By God's grace, I was promoted in my workplace despite several odds." 

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Prof. Dedicacion B. Saguran: ‘Never give up!’

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Aubreys BBQ Hauz (along Mansasa Junction) is now open to serve authentic BBQ made from the freshest and most delectable ingredients flavored by Aling Mary Garcia, Bohol’s BBQ queen. Smokin' starts at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Remember, where there is smoke, there is flavor!

Bet Ng Bohol Hannah Precillas of Tubigon
on GMA’s Bet ng Bayan. Courtesy: GMA

Scene: Hannah Precillas of Tubigon town, is ‪‎Bet Ng Bayan sa Kantahan for Central and Western Visayas. Bet ng Bayan is GMA Network’s reality talent search that will showcase the exceptional local Filipino talents from different regions to find the nation's best. Another pride of Tubigon, Vanessa Laura Valerie Monot has successfully passed the blind auditions of The Voice of the Philippines Season 2, ABS-CBN’s popular televised singing competition.

Scene: Rising Broadway artist Kirby Asunto will have a benefit concert on December 13 at Bohol Wisdom gymnasium in Tagbilaran City for the earthquake victims in Loon, the hometown of her mother. Guests include JM De Guzman and Arnel Pineda of Journey. For inquiries, call 09157572551/09275649047.

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Vanessa Laura Valerie Monot makes it to
The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 blind audition.
 Courtesy: ABS-CBN

Last Nov. 9 was the 65th birthday celebration of Prof. Dedicacion “Inday” Buma-at-Saguran, one of Bohol’s best educators. And it turned out to be a "crying" evening because those present (mostly teachers and parents) couldn’t help but be moved by the outpouring of emotion for Prof. Inday, you know her last day as principal of Sta. Cruz Elem. School in Maribojoc town.

The celebration made everyone cry, I guess, because they knew her as an epitome of her name “Dedicacion” (dedication), a mother of five, who got a career despite all odds, reached the peak of her career till a full fledge Ph.D., got Principal II position, reached 15 years and about 9 months of public service experience and 13 years teaching in a university and a graduate school professor doing part time teaching when she joined the public school, then happily took her graceful exit with a legacy left to the community.

If I were to write the biography of Prof. Inday, I would open it when she was around 16, a period when a girl (a born dancer and a class declaimer) is deemed too young to become the breadwinner of the family. After high school, she worked as a salesclerk in a pharmacy in Tagbilaran and in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur to help her ailing mother and two brothers.

As Prof. Dedicacion Buma-at-Saguran turned 65 last Nov. 9,
she reflects on her life and what she learned,
among them ‘to never give up on your dreams. Ever.’

The bio will discuss how she struggles hardships, fear and with motherhood and with being a wife and supporting her family.

Of course, several chapters will be devoted to Prof. Inday’s marriage to Guillermo at age 20, gave birth to five kids (Martin, Marlon, Marietta, Michael and Mark Anthony) and finished college at age 35.

She was teaching elementary, high school, college and graduate school at University of Bohol, teaching real life situations that left an indelible mark in the heart of her students. Her personality has touched every aspect of school life.

She taught Foundation of Education 1 and it was one of the most enjoyable, engaging and educational subjects she was in handling in college where aspiring education students (including yours truly) were exposed to real life situations of being a teacher. (Education is life. Education is a long process. Experience is the best teacher. But for Prof. Inday she shared, “It's therefore important to be guided by not only principles of education but one has to strongly anchor his ever action on sound life principles learned from our folks, from great men and the books and the Bible.”)

 At 50, at the peak of her career as University professor, she opted to work as a public school teacher with a salary of P8,605 per month at Santo Nino Elem. School in Getafe as a multi-grade teacher (grades 1 and 2). She would then take a habal-habal (modified motorcycle) just to reach the place to make a connection with each child - tuning in with their needs and encouraging them to aspire.

In 2004, she passed the principal promotional exam and she was assigned at Doljo Elem. School in Panglao. In 2005, she was designated as principal at Santa Cruz Elem. School in Maribojoc where she was praised for her leadership when the school was badly damaged by the earthquake. To better enhance her school management skills, she continued her doctoral degree and graduated summa cum laude in 2006.

Friends and teachers come to celebrate the
 birthday and despidida party of
 Prof. Dedicacion Buma-at-Saguran (center) who took on
 the challenges, devoting herself to a life of learning and achievement,
 overcoming adversity on her path,
 to become everyone’s teacher-educator.

Prof. Inday doesn’t look 65 and she shows no sign of slowing down. She goes to University of Bohol’s School of Graduate Studies every Saturday to meet her students. Her students, now spread worldwide, noted her as exemplary, inspiring, a passionate instructor and a wonderful character with scintillating wit.

And how will the bio end?

It will be a cliff-hanger because the life of Prof. Inday is like an extended teleserye with subplots but it will have a happily-ever-after ending like a fairy tale that Prof. Inday’s life is likened to.

Was there a point in your life that you wanted to give up?

All the questions with anticipations of doubt, worry, failures and threat of unhappiness and sorrow about my future have been answered little by little because of God’s grace for my steadfast belief that He will never forsake me so I drew and cling to Him for courage, strength and power of the mind not to be overturned to despair especially when He gave my five precious jewels as gifts of marriage. With this, I was able to endure all obstacles in life.

What motivates you to achieve great things in life?

Prayer is the secret plus the positive outlook of things and to cultivate a good perspective in life with the thought that very pain, trouble, misfortune and distress in our life is a link so we can share His sufferings while He was on earth. He never complained instead He asked forgiveness to those who offended Him. Therefore we must carry our burden so we may find a place He prepared for us after our last journey.

What are your future plans?

After my retirement what? When all questions when I was young we're answered, there still remain questions which need to be addressed, it is because as long as there is life, there is a process. We never stop shaping our life and this process ends until we die, All that I can do is serve my family, especially my husband , continuously guide my children on how to run their families in upbringing their children and also share time extending help to those who seek advices. Still when there's opportunity for more advancement as long as I'm able I would gladly take it. As a Ph.D in Education I believe it is my responsibility to educate people about life so they will be happy no matter what status they may belong.

What important lessons you have learned in life?

The important lesson in life that I learned is that life is a journey where everyone is responsible for his destination. Another, is life has no meaning when one doesn't experience its ups and down. To be fruitful to the end, whatever grace one has received it has to be shared since we cannot keep treasures here on earth when we die we can't bring anything. There are many to be shared knowledge, time, effort, money, service and attention to those who need most.

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