Boholano icons in heaven

So many Boholanos icons have been leaving us that there appears to be a “traffic jam” as far as tributes to the dear departed in the community are concerned.

Can you imagine having the best pool of talents there — made up of great Boholano artists who have all gone ahead of us?

Since there’s only happiness in heaven, and, Boholanos like tapuk-tapok, they can organize a show.  Bohol’s most illustrious son Carlos P. Garcia can be the over-all chairman of the Boholano gathering in heaven. He can name it Tigum Bol-anon sa Langit.

Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr. and Cecilio Putong can host the gathering. For the intermission, what about a vaudeville production number from Pinay? Since Yoyoy Villame is also there, give him a song-and-dance number since he’s good at both. And Karyapa and Inday Potenciana? They’ll make the event more memorable of their poems and songs.

If they wish to make a drama, Justino Romea can direct it. They will hear the love song Ako Kang Paabuton, the folk song Sa Daplin sa Baybayon as well as most of the songs featured in the annual 'drama' presentations in his native Napo, Loon, for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger. Justino’s father Berrnado “Leon,” can help write the script or direct.

Carlos Garcia and Cloviz Nazareno can read their poems.

What about a dance number in heaven? Oscar Real can be there, along with beauty queen Marecor Recio-Boligao. Linoi Almirol can provide gowns for the show.

Do they make movie in heaven? They can since the empress of drama is already there: Rebecca del Rio, the first Filipina to win the Asia’s Best Supporting Actress.

Oh, surely they would need media coverage. Bohol’s dean of journalists Atty. Zoilo Dejaresco can take care of that — with wife Charing.

Francisco Dagohoy, Tamblot, Datu Si Katuna, Anoy Datahan, Vicente T. Cubero a.k.a. Captain Francisco Salazar, Alberto Cainglet, Tomas Cloma, Myla Miravillosa, and Vicente Nunag can be the sergeant at arms during the program.

Other Boholano luminaries who attend the tapuk-tapok are Celestino Gallares, Macario Sarmiento, Fernando Rocha, Eutiquio Boyles, Filomeno Caseñas, Agapito Hontanosas, Conrado Marapao, Perfecto Balili, Jacinto Borja, Juan Pajo, Esteban Bernido, Lino Chatto, Esteban Bernido, Venice Borja-Agana, Pio Castro, Simeon Toribio, Nino Ramirez, Honorio Grupo, Don Aniceto Clarin, Simplicio Apalisok, Venancio Inting, Pedro Belderol, Genaro Visarra, Alfonso Uy, Salustiano Borja, Anecito Clarin, Olegario Clarin, Jacinto Borja, Claudio Gallares, Juan Torralba, Miguel Parras, Jacinto Remolador, Gregorio Peñaflor, Timoteo Butalid, Andres Torralba, Mariano Capayas, Socorro Tallo, Antonio Ong Guat, et al.
Carolina Alvarez and Iluminada Tirol can prepare sumptuous meal. Osang, Bohol’s Broa Queen can prepare refreshment, too.

This is just a thought.

As Abraham Joshua Heschel taught, “death is the end of doing, not the end of being”. As we troop to the cemeteries, we can reflect on how our memory of those who have died is shaped by our ongoing experience and the experience of the particular holiday.

Thank you, Jose Mari Chan

The next night, my friends and I were at the Panglao Island Nature Resort for a nostalgic date with Jose Mari Chan’s “Constant Care” for the Inyong Alagad of dyRD, Bohol’s first radio which turns 50.

Jose Mari Chan, already into his 60s, looked young and sounded almost like the way he did during his heyday years ago.

His Bohol show featured all the songs Boholanos have learned to cherish through the years, like the classic hits Beautiful Girl, Constant Change, Please Be Careful With My Heart, Can’t We Start Over Again, and others.

Good show, Jose Mari Chan!

His illustrious four-decade career has made him a musical legend. With over 100 hits for the past 52 years Chan’s reputation as a hit-maker is firmly etched in the hearts of music lovers in the country.

“Nainlove ko balik,” said a 50-something mother who was seated beside us, “Idol jud nako siya!”

***

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

Thank heavens for Doc Ale, Prony & MariMar

Wake-uppers:

Seen: An urban legend: The real reason why Filipino high jumper Simeon Toribio failed to clear the bar and settled for the bronze medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics was because he was already feeling the call of nature but was not allowed to take a bathroom break.

Scene: The 3rd annual MG Halloween Party is on October 31, 2011, 8 p.m. at the Metro Center Hotel. Members of www.mikeygatal.com and www.boholster.com are also invited to celebrate the 41st birthday of US based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal. “Wear your wackiest and scariest Halloween costumes, this is going to be fun ever,” says Roger Gatal.

Seen: Mama Rene Salud is in Bohol. The famous designer is here for a vacation with a “friend”.

Scene: The Jose Mari Chan Concert on Oct. 28 at the Panglao Island Nature Resort. The charity concert is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bohol’s first radio, dyRD. Donations for dyRD’s Inyong Alagad are now accepted during the radio program while donors will be given concert tickets.

***

Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla (right) has witnessed the release of JT, a hawksbill sea turtle treated by the team of Dr. Alessandro Ponzo (left) of Physalus.

Edward Guyano (aka Inday Charity) and I were very early in Jagna to witness the release of the hawksbill sea turtle which was treated for four months after it ingested at large amount of plastic (bags and red balloon).

"The turtle was nearly dead because the stomach is full of plastic. It was too weak.  It has lung and intestinal infections as well as pneumonia,” said Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, D.V.M. of Physalus.

The turtle is now safe, to say the least. Anyway, here is a backgrounder of “JT” courtesy of Julissah C. Evangelio, MSc. Ecological Marine Management:

A hawksbill sea turtle called JT was released last Friday at the Marine Protected Area of Brgy. Cantagay, Jagnal. The release was witness by the Physalus Team headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, BRUMM, Juliet Paler of DENR, Leonarda Vallejos of BEMO, representatives from BIDEF, KAYAKASIA team, MAO and LGUs of JAGNA, Cantagay Brgy. Captain Joel Rosario, Jeremy Horowitz, Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and some residents of Cantagay.

JT was found floating lifeless by a fisherman in the sea waters of Brgy. Can-upao, Jagna on June 18, 2011. With the help of Ms. Mytee Palo of BANGON and the Jagna MAO’s, JT was handed over to Physalus and the team managed to get hold of the turtle and started the therapy as soon as possible. It was very sick, with lung infection and gastric problem and did not eat for the first few weeks to almost a month. This was due to the ingestion of plastic bags and plastic balloons found in the stool after more than 2 months. The plastic caused the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the animal to feed and debilitating the animal. Unfortunately some of the foods that turtles commonly eat, like jellyfish and squid, resemble the shape and colors of plastic bags and deflated balloons and they can get easily confused. That is why the ingestion of plastic is one of the major threats for most of the marine wildlife in the world.

The turtle has been treated daily with vitamins and antibiotics for the first two months by the medical team of Physalus headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo.  In collaboration with the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals, the Municipal Agricultural Office and the LGU of Jagna, it has been taken cared 24/7 for more than 4 months by its expert marine biologists to be able to ensure the successful rehabilitation of the animal. JT was being tube fed for 2 months and slowly fed with whole squids. After JT had fully recovered and became very active, it could consume 10-12 squids a day and gained almost 2kgs from 4.2kg since the day it was stranded to 5.75kg after 4 months.

"We will have our BYOP or Bring Your Own Bayong.  We urge the people not to use plastic because it is non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, "said Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla.

Again, thank you, Doc Ale for reminding us to take care of our marine animals. Thank you for teaching us the importance of “reduce, reuse and recycle.”

(Oppss! Edward also discovered that the turtle “JT” was named after Justin Timberlake.)

And thank you, too, Prony & MariMar

After Jagna, Edward and I were at barangay Sta. Fe, Alburquerque to attend the 15th birthday of Prony (Python reticulates), the biggest and longest python in captivity.

MariMar entertains the crowd in her deadly “animal show.”

A visit to Bohol is not complete without Prony (and MariMar), the superstars of Albur!

After singing “happy birthday,” Georgia “Jing-Jing” Salibay, the python lady gave Prony a kiss! Visitors had the chance to have photo ops with Prony inside the cage. Of course, Jing-Jing was there to assist those who have phobia.

“Taga-saan po kayo Madam? Sir?” asked MariMar.

“Taga-Manila po kami,” answered by a visitor.

“Taga-Manila din ako! Taga-Manila Zoo!” answered MariMar.

The audience once again thrilled to MariMar’s “animal show” with her deadly acrobatic movements like that of kagwang or flying lemur. MariMar was also getting the biggest applause.

Good show, MariMar!

Jing-Jing Salibay and Prony

The whole barangay was invited for food and fun!

The feeling of nostalgia was heightened by seeing Prony so big and healthy. I saw Prony when she was small.
“Prony is a self-developed and trained Python found in the Philippines.  If she is a human being, she is now a dalaga like me” said MariMar.

It was on October 21, 1996 when Prony was found by Sofronio Salibay which measured 5 feet and 5 kilograms. Now, Prony weighs 250 kilos and measures 26 feet long.

Animal and snake experts says that the growth of Prony is abnormal as pythons which live in the wild with the same sizes are already 50 years old comparing to Prony who is only 15 years old.

Prony is very choosy snake! They fed Prony live chickens before but due to her large consumption and the cost of chickens, they fed her with virgin dogs. However, the animal rights activities protested the feeding of dogs. From then on, the Salibay decided to give her two goats or one white pig, and they must be live during feeding time or Prony will just snub them. After eating, Prony can sleep for the whole month!

“Prony is really a superstar!” gushed Edward. She is rubbing elbows with politicians and celebrities (including Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky  Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, coach Freddie Roach, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, et al) who are starstruck by the snake's star appeal.

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