Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!

Christ is risen from the dead. We are one with Him again.

Easter is about victory, and there are songs that celebrate the power of Christ’s resurrection.

I serve a risen Savior,

He's in the world today;

I know that He is living,

Whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy,

I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him

He's always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and He talks with me

Along life's narrow way.

He lives, He live, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart.

—  I Serve a Risen Savior (Ackley)

           

The miraculous lesson of Easter is 

that through Jesus' death on the Cross, 

we have been granted a second chance—permission

 to leave our old lives behind and stand before

 the pristine, unmarred canvas of a new day, with 

all its potential for joy and choices that honor God. 

Leo Udtohan

I know that my Redeemer lives!

What joy this blest assurance gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead;

he lives, my everliving head!

He lives triumphant from the grave;

he lives eternally to save;

he lives exalted, throned above;

he lives to rule his church in love.

He lives to silence all my fears;

he lives to wipe away my tears;

he lives to calm my troubled heart;

he lives all blessing to impart.

—  I Know that My Redeemer Lives (Nicole Mullen)

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone,

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

— Because He Lives (Bill and Gloria Gaither)

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The Curls’ ‘Sa Isip Lamang’ is now available

on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon

The Curls’ Sa Isip Lamang is finally available on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and other music streaming services. The Curls is a Philippine music duo composed of Glee Orcullo and Feby Ingking.

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

Pedy & Glee tackle showbiz that is light and free-wheeling; Ray hunting threatens ocean's 'gentle giants'

Veteran broadcaster Pedy Bolanio and Glee Orcullo indubitably make a perfect pair. I am referring to the kind of partnership they have onboard their dyRD program, Rampa Showbiz.

Veteran anchorman Pedy Bolanio (in photo) 

and Glee Orcullo tackle issues in a manner

 that is light and free-wheeling on dyRD’s Rampa Showbiz. 

Courtesy: Jeanette Laila Busano

Try tuning in every Monday to Friday (except Wednesday) at 3 to 3:30 p.m., 1161 on your AM radio dial, and there you will find how Pedy and Glee tackle showbiz and boxing news and other issues in a manner that is light and free-wheeling. They make sure the community gets to hear  the latest showbiz and sports news as its finest.  Unlike other programs, when they laugh, they are free to laugh and their voices remain normally calm.

When Cindy Ella, Inday Tikling and Sister Rose left the program, Glee came in.  It’s been four years now since Pedy and Glee became partners on the airwaves. It was management’s decision to take Glee in as Pedy’s partner.

Pedy knows Glee’s strength as a journalist. She does write news and report news on radio with another veteran broadcaster Fred Araneta on dyRD’s Breakfast News (Monday to Saturday at 7 a.m.) for eight years. 

Pedy and Glee agreed listeners enjoy the lighter side of the world.

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Ray hunting threatens ocean's 'gentle giants'

They are known as the ocean's gentle giants, but an alarming rise in manta ray hunting could threaten the very existence of the species.

Manta fishing has become big business for fisheries who are selling their gills to be used in soups and traditional Chinese medicine.

Last week, a couple was arrested after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel saw the slabs of sliced manta ray, locally known as “sanga,” on the couple’s motorbanca in the port of Baclayon town.

The manta ray is known as the 'gentle giant' of the ocean, 

but hunting has become so common that experts

 believe the species could be close to extinction. 

Courtesy: Ralph Barajan/PCG-Panglao

They bought two tons of manta ray meat for P40,000 which they intended to dry and later sell for at least P300 per kilo.

But instead of reeking in profit, Gomer Valeroso, 49, and his wife Milagrosa Valeroso, 47, ended up in jail.

The two would face charges for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550) that prohibits the hunting, killing or selling rare, threatened or endangered species listed in the Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Manta ray, known as “gentle giant” is on the list of endangered species.

Violators face a fine of P120,000 or prison term of 12 to 20 years.

Erick Salcedo, deputy commander of Philippine Coast Guard -Tagbilaran City, said their personnel in PCG substation in Panglao and Pamilacan islands conducted a mobile patrol on Thursday afternoon near Baluarte in Baclayon town.

They spotted a motorbanca (MBCA The Original Double D) which was loaded with cut-up manta ray meat while still docked at the pier.

The manta ray is known as the 'gentle giant' of the ocean, 

but hunting has become so common that experts

 believe the species could be close to extinction. 

Courtesy: Ralph Barajan/PCG-Panglao

A Coast Guard personnel also later found slices of manta ray meat inside a yellow jeepney (with plate number 074807).

It turned out that couple transported the manta ray meat from Jagna town to Baclayon on board the jeep and then loaded these to the motorbanca so they could take these home on Pamilacan Island.

Salcedo said they contacted the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to check if the pieces of meat belonged to the endangered species of manta rays.

Pedro Milana, Jr. in-charge of BFAR-Bohol, confirmed that the cut-up marine animal belonged to manta alfredi and manta birostris both protected under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 193 and Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The couple, however, claimed they didn’t know that what they bought were endangered species.

They said they bought the 2,000 kilos of meat from Tita Oclarit, a resident of Jagna town, for P40,000.

The fishes measured at least two meters each.

“We didn’t know that what we were doing was illegal. We bought the meat because this is our livelihood,” said Valeroso.

The manta ray is known as the 'gentle giant' of the ocean, 

but hunting has become so common that experts 

believe the species could be close to extinction. 

Courtesy: Ralph Barajan/PCG-Panglao

Valeroso, who sells dried fish, said they intended to dry the meat and sell it P300-400 per kilo.

The confiscated manta ray was buried by BFAR in Calape town.

Manta ray can grow up to 25 feet across and weigh around 5,100 lb.

It is considered a “vulnerable” species in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species.

The BFAR also prohibits taking, selling, purchasing, possessing, transporting and exporting manta rays and whale sharks.

A fine of P500 to P5,000 and imprisonment for six months to four years or both will be imposed on the violator.

Still, hunting has become so common that experts believe the species could be close to extinction.

Salcedo said the manta ray may have been caught in the seas off Bohol where manta ray hunting has long been recorded in Bohol waters especially in Pamilacan Island, which used to be the lair of former hunters of dolphin, Bryde’s whales, whale sharks and manta rays in the area.

Fishermen catch manta rays, locally called “sanga,” to cook them as “kinilaw”(ceviche) or “linabog” (a stew-based dish cooked in tomatoes and chilis).

But some customers preferred the dried stuff.

Dried gills and meat from manta rays and stingrays are allegedly sold to Chinese pharmacies, as Chinese traditional medicine believes the meat can cure chicken pox, infertility and cancer.

***

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

IN THE NEWS 

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Couplenabbed for trying to sell meat of endangered manta ray
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/875065/coupled-nabbed-for-trying-to-sell-meat-of-endangered-manta-ray

2,000 kgof manta ray meat seized from Bohol couple
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/875131/2000-kg-of-manta-ray-meat-seized-from-bohol-couple

GMA NEWS

What will Glee will sing for you

Barely a week after the finalists in the Sandugo song festival were selected from many participants, the finalists are now getting ready for festival on July 21.

Unlike the previous song festival, the organizers have decided to include something new- original novelty, upbeat and love songs.

Fifteen original Boholano compositions have already been selected as finalists: (Novelty)-Nalingaw ko sa Bohol by Raul Saletrero; Dear Tatay by Rudy Tutor; Kaniadto ug Karun by John Rey Fuertes; Naay Forever by Marvin Russel Elaba and Ang Gusto Ko by Maria Luza Brua; (Love)-Barotong Papel by Dr. Nandie Maniwan; Dili Na by Humprey Mark Nicasio; Balik na Pinangga Ko by Sergie Peter Balaba, Hagit by Engr. Soc Saletrero; and Bahandi O Kadungganan- by Analiza (Glee) Orcullo;  and (Upbeat)- Pahimangno by Nice Tumulak; Bagyo ug Linog by Arnel Mascariñas; Kupido by Charlven Remolador; Tambayan by Clyde Ebojo and Ikaw ug Ako by Ralph Maligro.

The Dagohoy Marker in barangay 

Magtangtang in Danao town, Bohol, 

reminds us that the life of Francisco Dagohoy

 (Sendrijas) is one of the timeless treasures 

of the Philippines, whose gallantry 

and heroism must never be relegated 

to the dustbin of history. Leo Udtohan/Bohol Chronicle

Not only will they be competing for a chance to have their song be the signature song for this year’s song festival, but also for the P50,000 prize (one winner in each category; P5,000 for the best interpreter and P10,000 for consolation prize).

 “I’m really happy that I’m a finalist,” gushed Glee.

Glee recalled that it was a case of self-discovery as to how she got into singing.

“It was more of an informal training. I’d love to sing at home during family gathering,” she said.

She said she was nervous when she performed her entry in last year’s Sandugo song festival.

“Although I didn’t win but still I performed and did my best,” she reminisced.

She said her Bahandi o Kadungganan is based on her personal struggle on life and love.

Glee tried tempering her much-vaunted belting prowess to achieve an easy-listening vibe, and to make the song more “singable.” But, as it turned out, it’s still the blistering high notes that her listeners crave.

“I tried hard not to cry when I’m singing,” said Glee. “I will sing it in all sincerity and honesty.”

A newsreader of dyRD’s 7 o’ clock News, Glee said she will write more songs.

I guess Glee is also busy for an upcoming album in collaboration with another singer Feby Ingking. Better still, they love to sing together. The Curls!

***

Keep your kidneys healthy

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. — John Donne from Meditation 17 (better known as No Man Is An Island)

Yes, Mary Anne Michelle Porticos and I had “chika” moments when we bumped into each other somewhere in Tagbilaran City.

Our chika covered many things- from beauty pageant (she was the committee chairman of Miss Tagbilaran for many years), to travel (she was an Oceanjet loyalist), food, business and health.

Yes, health. Many times she advised me to take care of my kidneys.

She said high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure put one in three Filipinos at an increased risk of developing kidney disease (when the kidneys can’t properly do their job of cleaning toxins and wastes from the  blood).

But even if you don’t fit in any of those risk categories, it’s important to take care of these critically important organs.

“Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect our quality of life,” she reminded me.

She shared the eight golden rules on how to take care of our kidneys: Keep fit and active, keep regular control of your blood sugar level, monitor your blood pressure, eat healthy and keep your weight in check, maintain a healthy fluid intake, do not smoke  and do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis.

As Michelle said, “The most important thing you can do to keep your kidneys safe is to take care of your body to reduce your chances of developing diseases that put a strain on your kidneys. Healthy kidneys like a healthy body.”

And last week, Michelle’s friends got what may be one of the saddest text messages ever — Michelle has joined the Lord — followed a day later by another one — Michelle’s remains will be cremated today (June 12).

That fast. How fleeting life is, how ephemeral, how temporary!

Thank you Ma’am Michelle…you are “safely home.”

***

Who’s rich, who’s poor?

Here’s a great story about a rich dad who wants to show his son the difference between rich people and poor people. But in the end, it’s the rich dad who learns the lesson. Read on and see how lucky we all are, rich or poor.

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

When they returned home, the father asked the son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me,” the father added. “What did you learn from the trip?”

The son answered:

“I saw that we have one dog and they have four.

“We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

“We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

“Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

“We have servants who serve us but they serve others.

“We buy our food but they grow theirs.

“We have walls around our property to protect us and they have friends to protect them.”

The father was speechless.

Then the son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your family and friends.

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

‘Unang Gugma’ is all about poignant love ; ‘Old Warrior’ releases new book

• ‘Unang Gugma’ is all about poignant love

• ‘Old Warrior’ releases new book

 

To start off, what young people today don’t know is that, while the names of the Visayan troubadours Max Surban and the late Yoyoy Villame were making waves in the music industry, there was Boholano singer-composer Emil Loseñada, who made his name in the music world singing Tagalogand Cebuano songs, in--demand for concerts during his younger days in the same way that the likes of Daniel Padilla, Sam Milby and company are today.

 

Emil, who is also known as Milyo Nario, has been in the music industry for six decades yet he remains very relevant in our lives.

 

Emil Loseñada ,Glee Orcullo and Atoy Cosap
 have teamed up to release a new album “Unang Gugma.”

Recently, Emil is now back in the limelight and collaborating with broadcasters Glee Orcullo and Atoy Cosap for their new album Unang Gugma (First Love).

 

Singing is his first love that eventually turned into a lifelong passion. Emil’s top selling albums were Sa Aking Pagbabalik, Its 5am, Ang Iyong Dangal Sayang/Hilo Hilo na Ako,  Matud Mo and Mag-Playing Playing Ta. His major hits were Pasawaya Ko Day (with Dulce), Dolor, Mingbalik AKo, Guhit ng Palad,  Inday, Ikaduhang Bathala and  May Kahati Pala Ako.  Emil also has written songs for other local Philippine recording artists like Max Surban, Willy Garte, Verni Gonzales, Roel Cortez, Butch Ilagan, Del Horest, etc.   His songs were later adapted to films like The Rookies and the Mighty Kids (1987), Ang Nusog at Tatlong Itlog, Bodyguard: Masyong Bagwisa Jr, Boy Tipos and Mga Parung-Parong Bukid.

 

In Unang Gugma, Emil sings Unang Gugma, Honey, Uminit Na and Oh Babes.

 

Who knew dyRD’s news anchors Glee and Atoy could sing, too? It shouldn't come as a surprise to us, really, that some of our media friends also happen to be good singers. 

Glee and Atoy are gifted with a pretty good singing voice, but can keep an audience glued to the radio just by talking.

 

Glee is no stranger to singing. She showcases her vocal chops when she was a TV host in Cebu City. In Unang Gugma, she writes and sings Ayaw Nagbalik, Bakit Ba and Bakit Ganon.  Glee sounds as if she’s singing you to sweet slumber with sadness in her heart and caressing you with every word of every line of the songs. Well, all about love and heartaches. Ouch! (Her boyfriend left her for another nilalang, right Sir Peddie B.?—LPU)

 

Atoy has floored listeners with his gentle yet poignant melodies in Unang Gugma. He writes and sings Pahiri , Samtang Nagpitik ning KasingKasing and Kon Sala Man.

 

“The songs we chose for the album are based on our experiences,” Glee told VRS. "Easy listening tunes that most talk about love and heartaches."

 

Unang Gugma album is available at dyRD News Room. You may text/call 0910-135-7858.

 

***

I welcome the month of August with positive notes, high hopes and inspirations. After all, life is beautiful.

 

I have to thank whoever gave me a copy of Old Warrior and Other Poems last year. I opened the book while caught by boredom and I couldn‘t put it down. I was inspired to finish the poems by Dr. Nestor Maniebo Pestelos, a long-time resident of Bohol.

‘Old Warrior’ Dr. Nestor Maniebo Pestelos has released 
his book “Old Warrior’s Poems and the Bohol Quake Assistance Story.”

 

In case you didn’t know, the book’s Foreword will remind you that Nestor didn’t grew up surrounded by books as Emily Dickinson and many other poets were. Neither did he have highly educated parents nor did he have any formal education in poetry. So how do the precise words and phrases seem to flow so effortlessly from his neurons to his pen or to his laptop screen?

 

Dr. Nestor Pestelos earned his Master of management Degree from the Asian Institute of Management under the UNICEF scholarship and pursued successfully a doctorate degree on educational management at the University of Bohol. He organized the Bohol Local Development Foundation (BLDF) to serve as partner of government in implementing programs and projects under the theme poverty reduction and sustainable development.

 

According to Nestor, his poems assumed another dimension as it paved way to build more core houses to benefit those rendered homeless by the quake on Oct 15, 2013.

 

Last month, Nestor has released the book “Old Warrior’s Poems and the Bohol Quake Assistance Story” with Australian-based writer Milwida Sevilla-Reyes, a former classmate of Nestor at the Quezon National High School in Lucena.

 

The 227-page book, twice the size of the previous “Old Warrior and Other Poems,” has added a part two which documents the experiences of BLDF, the non-government organization headed by Nestor. Publication of the new book was made possible through a cash donation by Corazon Maxino Verzosa, a realtor in Metro Manila.

 

Proceeds from the sale of the book will help enable BLDF implement its new initiative, the youth livelihood and drug rehabilitation project.

 

Copies of the book are available at Crescenia Café, Baclayon Food Station, in Poblacion, Baclayon and Darunday Manor in Tagbilaran City. You can call Florencia Gilay-Pestelos at (038)- 540 9327 and 09173041484; Email: fgpestelos@yahoo.com;  Lorena Sensen Balala- 09353635241; and Romulo Pasco- 09173066158; Email: glennmoli@yahoo.com.ph).

 

Oops!!! Before I get carried away, let me share with you some entries (only the printable ones) from Old Warrior and Other Poems:

 

In Old Warrior he writes:

Gone are the trenches

Gone are the nightly vigils

Gone are the songs to occupy poem-bullets.

 

In Silence he writes:

I remember the silence of roses in your eyes

And this longing you wrap it like a shawl

Around your frail body

In rain or sunshine.

 

In Afternoon Rain, he writes:

Yes, as raindrops disappear

And the sky seeks a new reason for being

The afternoon remains puzzled

In these desperate moments of missing you.

 

Anyway, the poems are introspective and insightful.  As I said, it will make you think that life is beautiful.

 

Thank you, Sir Nestor for sharing your poems!

 

***

 

They happen about…once in a blue moon

 

Boholanos living in some parts of Bohol missed out on Friday night's full moon, but some residents of Tagbilaran City had a spectacular view of the 'blue moon' as it lit up the sky briefly.

 

Wet and cloudy weather was to blame in Visayas region, where the Pag-asa said the blue moon began at 6:45pm.

 

The Blue Moon was briefly seen in Bohol province.  Photo  by Leo P. Udtohan

Tagbilaran was also predicted to miss out due to bad weather, but the moon was pictured revealing itself through rain clouds for some minutes before it disappeared.

 

Like other sky-gazers, Glendon Villagonzalo, 14, a grade eight student of Cogon High School enjoyed the unusually brief blue moon.

 

“I thought I could not see the moon because of the bad weather but I am very happy I got a glimpse of it,” said Villagonzalo.

 

Joshua Galleros, 16, a grade six pupil of Booy South Elementary School in Tagbilaran missed tonight’s celestial phenomenon. When he went outside to check the moon, it was covered with clouds.

 

Blue moons aren’t actually blue, but they are as rare as the saying goes.

 

Each month has one full moon. But, every once in a while the cycle of the moon and our calendar match up to give us two full moons in a month. The second full moon in a month is commonly referred to as a blue moon—this July, the first full moon was on July 2, and the second full moon is on July 31.

 

 The famous phrase "once in a blue moon" means rare or seldom.  It’s not because of the color of the moon, but because of how often you see two full moons in one month, according to NASA’s National Space Science and Data Center.  

 

The next blue moon will be in January 2018.

READ: 'BLUE MOON' DELIGHTS BOHOLANOS' ,  PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

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

BOHOL CHRONICLE, AUGUST 2, 2015 ISSUE