Road signs in Bohol turn into #highwayhugot lines

Wake-uppers: 

Scene:  Visiting Bohol will be more  convenient and affordable with the new  opening of night flights at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA), the country’s first eco-airport. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that following the operationalization of additional navigation systems, BPIA is  expected to boost the number of flights and eventually lower airfares.

Scene: Jagna's "Pansit Yaning" is now available in many local stores after the Lubcanan Association for Cultural and Environmental Heritage (Laceh) was able to secure a Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad) permit. The nutri-pancit (noodle) comes out in many colors: malunggay (horseradish) green, squash yellow and camote top purple. There are 67 families engaged in dried noodle making in the town.

Scene:  A new and advanced medical services of Bohol Doctors' Hospital after Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III,  president and chairman of the board of Cebu Doctors’ Group of Hospitals, and Dr. Disi Yap of Englewood Hospital inked the memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Friday.  The CebuDoc Facebook said, "It was part of the CebuDoc Group of Hospitals to expand its healthcare brand in the whole Visayas."

Scene: The SidlaKasilak 2019 or Festival of Lights was held last Friday, Sept. 6,  in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Luz or Birhen sa Kasilak (Our Lady of Light). The highlights of the event were the street- dancing presentation and Dance of Lights competition whose contest criteria revolve solely on the lights, choreography of lights such as movement, synchronization, formation and dynamics and quality of lights such as design, color harmony and brightness.

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The next time you visit north of Bohol, you need patience as some roads are under repair at the boundary of Carmen and Dagohoy towns.

To keep you cool and safe, the DPWH- 3rd Engineering Office makes road signs with hugot lines as warning signs for the motorists. 

Here are some of them:

"Pag-amping pirmi bisan buwag nata."

"Crush, pag-amping ha? Pakaslan pa tika."

And....

"With or without lovelife take care always."

Motorists who have passed the area enjoyed reading the road signs and taking photos with different hugot lines.

"It's unique..it's amusing," said Lito Alagadmo who visited the #highwayhugot with his wife Helen.

However, for 18-year-old SamSam Panilag, the signs tell him with quirky messages as well as road safety reminders.

"How to navigate our roads with a broken heart,"  he said.

Relate much?

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This interesting article shared by teacher and cultural worker Jeycelle Espejo-Inting of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School:

ADVICE TO 40-YEARS OLD & OLDER

Because none of us have many years to live, and we can't take along anything when we go, so we don't have to be too thrifty.

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate.

DON'T WORRY about what will happen after we are gone, because when we return to dust, we will feel nothing about praises or criticisms. The time to enjoy the worldly life and your hard earned wealth will be over!

DON'T WORRY too much about your children, for children will have their own destiny and should find their own way.  

Care for them, love them, give them gifts but also enjoy your money or what is left of it, while you can. Life should have more to it than working from the cradle to the grave!!
 
50-year olds, don't trade in - your health for wealth, by working yourself to an early grave anymore. Because your money may not be able to buy your health.

When to stop making money, and how much is enough?   

           
(A HUNDRED thousand, One million, ten million, One billion?)

Out  of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can consume only three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand mansions, you only need eight square meters of  space to rest at night.

So, as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough. You should live happily. Every family has its own problems.

Just DO NOT COMPARE with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better etc., but challenge others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality of  life and longevity.

DON'T WORRY about things that you can't change because it doesn't help and it may spoil your health.

You have to create your own well-being and find your own place of happiness. As long  as you are in good mood and good health, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.

One day passes WITHOUT happiness, you will lose one day.

One day passes WITH happiness and then you gain one day.
  
In good spirit, sickness will cure;
In a happy spirit, sickness will cure faster;
in high and happy spirits, sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years of  healthy life of pleasure.

ABOVE ALL -Learn to cherish the goodness around... like your spouse and FRIENDS........... They all make you feel young and "wanted"... without them you are surely to feel lost !!

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

Loon’s ‘Festival of Lights’ post-depression feeling

Wake-uppers:

Scene:  The rice infested with “bukbok” (weevils) which were given to Loon residents came from the buffer stocks of the provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO), according to the results of the investigation of the provincial government of Bohol.

Scene:   Bohol 2nd District Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado made an unprecedented mark in the latest survey conducted by the Center for Research and Publications of the Holy Name University. He was the lone public official with a zero dissatisfied rating, maintaining his net satisfaction at 92 percent. This rating was eight points higher than last year which was +84.  “That’s a record  for the first time  in the Bohol Poll that there is no dissatisfaction in absolute numbers.  We are so happy because this young man is trying his best to be of good service to his people,” said Boy Pernia. “Naningkamot nga makatabang sa iyang igsuon  dinha sa Segundo distrito labi na pirmi isulti nga mga pobre kuno ang Segundo Distrito.  So, mao naningkamot siya. And I think resulting to people nga narecognized sa iyang effort to bring about a change or better life with them.”  Incidentally, Aumentado and his wife Vanessa celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary last Friday.

Scene: Our dear Ruth “Neneng” Udtohan (Nov. 4, 1983-Sept. 9, 2001) is lovingly remembered on her 17th death anniversary. Treasured in our hearts you'll stay, until we meet again someday.

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Dr. Joahna for Board Member?

The 2019 elections (will they be pushed through or not?) are eight months away and already, sizzling news are filtering in as to who is running for what position.

Dr. Joahna Cabalit-Initay

A few days ago,  some members of the Bohol media met Dr. Joahna Cabalit-Initay at the Godillos Restaurant (owned by Engr. Nolan Evangelista) along Rajah Sikatuna Avenue (near island City Mall).

In 2016, she made headlines when she fought against incumbent Rep. Rene Relampagos. It was a tough experience since she was a newbie in politics.

But she said her only weapon was genuine service.

There was a report (largely ignored because it was tucked in the inside pages) that she is planning to run for congressman again?  The big question is: Is she or isn’t she? 

 Asked about her "future political plans" by your VRS, Dr. Joahna answered first with an enigmatic smile.

“I think for board member in the first district of Bohol,” she said.

She shared about her programs—livelihood for indigents and free life insurance for the head of the families— if ever she will be elected.

As a financial advisor, researcher and consultant of private firms and a graduate studies professor, she is an advocate for health and wellness programs.

Last Friday, Bohol Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite has announced his plan to run for Congressman.

“I will run for Congressman in the third district of Bohol. Kamatayon ray makababag (Only death can hinder my plan),” Balite said.

 He is expected to clash with former Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-Delos Reyes.

In the latest Bohol Poll 2018, it said that 76 percent were satisfied with his performance as vice governor while only six percent were dissatisfied which resulted to a net satisfaction rating of +70, the same net satisfaction rating as last year.

 Dr. Joahna Cabalit-Initay with some members
of the Bohol media : Rey Tutas (dyRD), Bob Galero
(dyRD), Dave Charles Responte (dyTR),
Allen Doydora (dyRD) and your VRS. Contributed Photo

Balite also announced that PDP-Laban has endorsed Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr for governor.

He also claimed that he has been appointed as the ruling PDP-Laban’s highest ranking official in the province, the same post claimed by Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, a long-time member of the party.

Both claimed to be the provincial president and the provincial chairman.

Balite aid Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, national president of the ruling PDP-Laban, signed his appointment as provincial chairman on Jan. 11, 2018.

Dumaluan, however, said that after the party’s election in 2012, there had been no elections held since then.

“It’s fake. There is no such position as chairman. Being at a higher rank than him, Balite should observe delicadeza, courtesy and decorum,” said Dumaluan.

As I’ve said, the 2019 elections (if that will ever happen) are only eight months away and it’s never too early for anybody "with an intention" to, well, stand up and be counted.

Right, Board Member Joahna?

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Post Loon’s Sidlakasilak (Festival of Lights) depression is a real thing. It’s that blue, miserable, nothing-will-ever-be-magical-again feeling you get after you leave Loon town last Sept. 6. 

 For the 19th time, the Sidlakasilak would tide you over for a few glorious hours as you sink into blissful, glorious immersion. 

In Loon’s Sidlakasilak (Festival of Lights), the fusion of lights
 creates more drama and ethereal effect against the darkness of the night. Leo Udtohan

Loon’s festival of lights is one of the most important and religious festivals in Bohol.  It is one of its kind in the province because the street-dancing is done at night. 

The street-dancing competition is held in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Luz or Birhen sa Kasilak (Our Lady of Light). 

Eight schools joined this year’s competition.

Unlike most street dancing competitions, which are known for their colorful costumes and props, Loon’s version is very challenging and different.

The emphasis is on the lights, how to make it move and dance. The LED lights dazzled in festive colors of red, green, blue and silver—leaving the crowd mesmerized and in the magical mood.

The fusion of lights creates more drama and ethereal effect against the darkness of the night.

This year’s event, I saw familiar faces: Reigh Monreal, Mayor Elvi Peter Relampagos, Grace Ramada, Gov. Edgar Chatto and Rep. Rene Relampagos. 

There were also University of Bohol’s Registrar Leah Tirol-Magno and husband Art, and Emerson Pinos who was one of the judges.

There was also Bohol 3rd District Rep. Arthur Yap, deputy speaker for Visayas, who said it was his first time to witness the festival of lights.

"Loon impresses me," he told Loonanons.

Mayor Elvi expressed his gratitude for the huge success of this year’s Festival of Lights.

Special mentions were the organizers, participants and the Loonanons here and abroad for joining the whole event.

A fireworks display capped the event.

Take a bow, Loonanons!

As I left Loon after the Festival of Lights, colors seem duller.  Nothing is sparkly or exciting. Will anything ever feel good again?

(Winners: Grand Champion: Sandingan High School; 1^st runner-up: Gov. Jacinto Borja National High School; 2^nd runner-up: Loon South National High School)

***

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

Festival of Lights, Bamboo Flowers and US Ambassador Thomas

• Bohol’s Festival of Lights, Dance of Lights

• When Harry meets Mabi and friends

• Bamboo Flowers Red Carpet on Oct. 26

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Multi-awarded Boholano lyricist and composer Jimmy Borja posted on Facebook: I want to share some good news with my FB friends. My song is the title and theme song of the new TV series "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" which will start airing first week of September 2013 on ABS-CBN (Philippines) and on The Filipino Channel (worldwide). This song is the second most recorded that I've written after "Sana Ngayong Pasko". Lani Misalucha's version was the one that made it immensely popular, and there have also been other stellar versions including Jed Madela, Martin Nievera, Nyoy Volante, etc. I still have a clear recollection of the night I wrote "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin", it was at Boy Morala's recording studio in Makati where I was the resident songwriter in the mid 90's. Jude Michael who was then a Polycosmic/Polygram artist at that time had asked me to write a song for him. I wrote it on a Korg X5 keyboard, it came together pretty quickly, I got the melody and lyrics in about an hour. I did a quick worktape/demo of it and Jude cut it on his CD. It was not a single but a few years later, it found its way to Lani Misalucha through her producer Ben Escasa who was also Jude's producer. And since then, the song just exploded. It's been a blessing, I can't thank God enough for it.

Scene: Our dear Ruth “Neneng” Udtohan (Nov. 4, 1983-Sept. 9, 2001) is lovingly remembered on her 12th death anniversary. Treasured in our hearts you'll stay, until we meet again someday.

***

Bamboo plant grows abundantly in our country. It is known for its flexibility and versatility. It can be used in making furniture, musical instruments, kitchen utensils and other items for practical use.

Courtesy: Bamboo Flowers/Facebook

I bet you didn’t know that bamboo grass bears flowers. In Loboc River, bamboo flowers are hanging like chandeliers.

But what some people probably don’t know is that when the flowers bloom, the bamboo dies.

In northeast India, the people fear bamboo flowering. According to an ancient belief, when bamboos flower, there is death and destruction.

That is what Bamboo Flowers is all about. A film by Boholano certified master director Maryo J. Delos Reyes will be screened during the Sining Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition this week.

The film’s Facebook account says, “The film talks about the youth's problems, hopes and aspirations; about love and life; about sacrifice, forgiveness and acceptance; about life and death.”

There is a popular saying, "The Filipino is as pliant as a bamboo." The bamboo is generally considered pliant, and symbolically it has been compared to the Filipino character. The Filipino character is similar to the bamboo because it has flexibility, endurance and harmony with nature. Like the bamboo grass, people bend with the wind, surviving the many trials in life.

Bamboo Flowers premieres on Sept. 8 at SM Megamall, Cinema 7 and opens at SM Theaters Nationwide starting Sept. 11. There will also be a special Red Carpet Premiere at Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City in Bohol where the film was shot in its entirety on Oct. 26.

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Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. loves not just music but also the environment. In his visit to Bohol, he went to barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City last Friday, Sept. 6, to know the efforts done in the Mabaw Reef Pride Campaign.

Photo taken from the Twitter account of Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

Finally, Ambassador Thomas met the famous Mabi, the clownfish mascot of Mabaw Reef, who has been making the rounds of elementary schools and other reef conservation activities in the province since 2011.

And Mabi also brought his friends, Meloy (a panther grouper or melo-melo) and Agaw (a threadfin bream fish).

The Taloto schoolkids had a great story teller as Ambassador Thomas read to them a story about the importance of marine environment.

Mabi, who has a Facebook account, posted, “I'm very excited to see you in this very significant event.”

The Mabaw Reef Pride says that it is a 84,339 sq. m. patch reef, about 3 km off the shores of Taloto, Ubujan and Manga in Tagbilaran City and home to more than eight species of Acropora corals and 70 fish species including the orange-and-white clownfish, locally known as bantay botbot. It has been declared a no-take zone marine protected area (NTZ-MPA) by the city government through an ordinance enacted in April 2006.

RARE, an international conservation organization, with its Philippine office located in Bohol, is organizing the event.

Ambassador Thomas also visited the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center and Garden Cafe. He praised Garden Cafe as he posted in his official Twitter account (@AmbHarryThomas), “Great food, better business! Eat @ #gardencafe - opportunity by and for the deaf in #bohol started by @PeaceCorps volunteers.” He also posted Garden Cafe’s menu.

 

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Ambassador Thomas said he missed Bohol.

 "Farewell #Bohol! Leaving with memories of gracious ppl, success stories from @USAID_Manila & partners @Rare_org."

Ambassador Thomas’ visit to Bohol maybe his first and last as an ambassador. US President Barack Obama has appointed Philip S. Goldberg as Thomas’s successor.

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Loon Mayor Lloyd Lopez expressed his gratitude for the huge success of this year’s Festival of Lights.

Special mentions were the organizers, participants and the Loonanons here and abroad for joining the whole event.

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Loon’s festival of lights is one of the most important and religious festivals in Bohol calendar and a visit promises unforgettable memories.  It is one of its kind in the Philippines because the street-dancing is done at night. 

The street-dancing competition is held in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Luz or Birhen sa Kasilak (Our Lady of Light). 

Unlike most street dancing competitions, which are known for their colorful costumes and props, Loon’s version is very challenging and different.

The emphasis is on the lights, how to make it move and dance.

This year’s festival had six schools and three barangays contingents. They wowed their crowd in the street-dancing...and they danced their way to the 260-year-old Nuestra Señora De La Luz Church, the biggest church in Bohol, where the contest would culminate.

Courtesy: Ric Obedencio

The people appreciated the entertainment and jaw-dropping sight of the dancing lights. The beat of the drums and lyres also added fanfare during the night.

One contingent carried sakayan with lanterns shaped like baskets and fishes. The dancers used traditional candles underneath the lanterns. The lanterns were shaped into flowers, leaves and bulbs.

Of the school-based category, declared winners were: Sandingan National High School (grand winner), Sta. Teresa High School (first runner-up) and University of Bohol- Loon (second runner-up).

A fireworks display capped the event.

Take a bow, Mayor Lloyd Lopez!

Take a bow, Mr. Reigh Monreal and friends for a job well done!

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