A TOUCH OF BOHOL CHRISTMAS

Christmas lights up Bohol

By the time you are reading this corner, the holiday season must already be in full swing-- Christmas decorations are up, get-togethers and reunions planned and carols are played.

As joyous sights and sounds are everywhere, colorful series lights, lanterns made of indigenous materials, a house with Santa Claus collections and a giant Christmas tree are some of the main attractions for the Christmas season in the province.

Hermila “Mila” Lim collects Santa Claus 

images of different shades and shapes 

and other quirky Christmas items for the past 17 years. 

Leo Udtohan  

For businesswoman Hermila “Mila” Lim, she started decorating her home on M. Torralba Street in Tagbilaran City with Christmas decorations as early as September.

Fascinated by St. Nicolas since childhood, Mila has adorned her house with a vast collection of Santa Claus memorabilia, ranging from life-sized, singing and dancing Santas to Santa theme plates and mugs, candles, toys, dolls and figurines.

Upon entering, a visitor immediately hears the song, “Deck the Halls,” and sees a garden decorated with small and life-size snowman figures.

Inside her house, more Santa Claus images of different shades and shapes and other quirky Christmas items collected for the past 17 years are displayed. 

There are drunk Santa, a photographer Santa, a dancing Santa, a Santa Claus band, Santa in a parachute, singing and dancing Santas with reindeer and even a Tarzan Santa.

There are Santas at the doorsteps and all over inside the place. Her dining table is complete with Christmas inspired drinking glasses, place, placemats and utensils.

The Santa Clauses and other Christmas decorations were acquired during Mila’s travels with her husband Teofilo to Cebu, Manila, Israel, Australia, Hong Kong and China.

Mila and Teofilo own one of the biggest liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dealership firms in Tagbilaran City.

In 2008, Mila began her Christmas Village project. Her collection of miniature Christmas houses and objects has grown since that it captured the attention of GMA News to feature her collection.

The Barangay Hall of Poblacion 3 has been

 wrapped with holiday decorations to welcome Christmas. 

Leo Udtohan

However, some of her miniature collections were broken during the Oct. 15, 2013 earthquake that brought Bohol to its knees. For personal reasons, she stopped putting up her Christmas Village since 2016.

Instead, Mila has filled the house with Santa Claus.

“I love Santa Claus,” she says. “It gives me joy,” she adds.

To date, her collection has 350 Santa Clauses.

The spirit of the season is ever so felt by residents of Poblacion 3 in Tagbilaran City as parols (lanterns) of different colors are hanging along the busy street.

The traditional parol is a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern which has been a time-honoured Christmas symbol in the Philippines.

Follow the parols and it would lead you to the Barangay Hall of Poblacion 3.

“The Christmas parol is a reminder of the star of Bethlehem. It symbolizes the guiding light of the Three Wise Men to the manger of the Child Jesus,” says the workaholic Pob. 3 councilor Leo Cinco.

The Barangay Hall of Poblacion 3 has been wrapped with holiday decors.

Last Friday, village chief Ody Glovasa led barangay officials in the ceremonial lighting of Christmas decorations at Poblacion 3 Barangay Hall to formally welcome Christmas 2017. This year’s decorations include a giant Christmas tree, Santa Claus and his sleigh and a giant belen (manger) featuring the nativity scene.

"We are doing this every year, but we want it more colorful this year," says Cinco. 

The 30-feet Christmas tree at St. Joseph 

the Worker Cathedral becomes an attraction this Christmas 

season. Leo Udtohan

A few meters from Poblacion 3, as beams of lights illuminate the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Cathedral, which attracts attention, parishioners can see the 30-feet high Christmas tree beside the church.

The giant tree, which is adorned with parols and small baskets, uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

At the top of the Christmas tree is a cross which reminds the parishioners the true meaning of Christmas.

Lilian Foronda, 12, likes to stroll around the church’s “rotonda” to see the Christmas tree.

“Ganahan ko sa Christmas tree diri sa simbahan kay nindot (I like the Christmas tree here because it’s nice),” says Lilian.

In Baclayon town, parols with different colors literally lit the highway.  Just follow the parols and it would guide you to a biggest star at the top of a belen (manger) in Barangay Santa Cruz.

The belen is made of indigenous materials. The figures representing Joseph and Mary, the child Jesus and the three kings measuring about four feet in height, and the sheep are made from coconut husks, fibers, beads and shells.  

Villagers said they utilized materials out of coconut in keeping with up the government’s environmental campaign and the use of recyclable materials.

The “Belen” as this year’s theme is to remind everyone about the real meaning of the yuletide celebration.

The Yuletide season is definitely bright and twinkling in the Philippines,

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Christmas is the most exciting time of the year. VRS wants to hear and see your best, most spectacular story and images of Christmas where you live.

What is Christmas like for you? What do your decorations or lights look like this year? What holiday traditions do you celebrate? Will you be attending particular Christmas events such as Simbang Gabi? If you do not celebrate Christmas, how will you spend the holidays?

Send your story and favorite images of your Christmas celebrations to leoudtohan@yahoo.com for a chance to be featured in VRS.

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

Christmas Village illuminates Mila Lim’s home

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)distributed  47 brand new patrol jeeps to 47 police stations here last Monday. local government units (LGUs) were grateful for the new patrol jeeps which will improve the crime fighting and disaster response capability of their police forces. For Police Inspector Sam Dacullo, chief of Inabanga Police station, the new patrol jeep is necessary for their operations.

Chief of Loboc police station Inspector

 Joseph Lopena (right) with Loboc Mayor Helen Alaba 

(center) during the turned-over of the 47 n

ew patrol jeeps from the DILG. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Scene: Police Inspector Joseph Lopena, chief of Loboc police station, will urge authorities to put warning signages and designated photo-stops at the famous man-made forest in this province after a tourist met an accident while taking a “selfie” along the highway. Lopena said that he will suggest the idea to the   municipal peace and order council meeting by the end of this month.

Scene: A paper bag left unattended at Carmen Public Market caused a scare on Friday night. The bomb scare turned out to be a false alarm. The EOD said the bag did not contain an explosive device but two broken cellphones wrapped with electrical tape and tiny wires.  Police said they will review the closed circuit television footage to determine if the case was intentionally or accidentally left at the area.

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Wishes will come true for fans of Christmas upon visiting the “Most Christmassy House” of Hermila “Mila” Lim on M. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City. Her house features a miniature Christmas village and adorns with many Christmas decorations.

Mila started her Christmas Village in 2008. Her creation was so highly appreciated by her family and friends who would come to enjoy the wonderful Christmas display.

           

Hermila “Mila” Lim has the “Most Christmassy House” in Bohol. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan/ Chronicle

 “This is my hobby and this gives me enjoyment during Christmas time,” says Mila.

Upon entering, a visitor immediately hears the song, “Deck the Halls,” and sees a garden decorated with small snowman figures.

The Christmas village at the main entrance has at least 60 houses and colorful mini-shops. It is filled with trees of green and gold,  miniature skiers up and down the slopes, carnival rides, dancers twirling to a waltz inside a gazebo, skaters in the park, Santa Claus dancing and flying on sleighs, and a Christmas train running in circles.

Christmas Village illuminates the house of Hermila “Mila” Lim 

with magnificent displays and holiday lights every 

year from September  through January.  

Photos by Leo Udtohan/ Chronicle

She has also collected at least 120 Santa-themed items in different sizes and configurations.   Fascinated by St. Nicolas since childhood, Mila  has adorned her house with Santa Claus images of different shades and shapes collected for the past 15 years—at the doorsteps and all over inside the place. These include a drunk Santa, a photographer Santa, a Santa Claus band, Santa in a parachute, playing the violin, singing and dancing Santas with reindeer and even a Tarzan Santa.

Mila has extends her Christmas decorations throughout the house and ornaments her kitchen and dining room for Christmas as well.

The sala is turned into a dazzling winter wonderland set aglow with Christmas lights and decorations.  The fireplace area is a unique setting of a cottage modeled after Santa’s village at the North Pole. The Lim’s grandfather’s clock also reminds visitors that Christmas is only few days.

Even the kitchen is very Christmassy,  too.  Spatulas, muffin tins, dishtowels, and more – Mila incorporates them for a unique look this season. Drinking glasses and place mats bear the Christmas motif, acquired during Mila’s travels with her husband Teofilo to Israel, Australia, Hong Kong and China.

This year, four items were added to the Christmas village. She has introduced many renovations but the family tradition and holiday celebration remains unchanged.

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Tubigon lights up, ignites for Christmas

More than 2,000 people turned out to see the big switch-on on Friday night at Tubigon’s Christmas lights at the town plaza, one of the brightest in Bohol as the enormous Christmas lights display attracts visitors from neighboring towns.

Every December, the Tubigon Plaza becomes 

one of the brightest in Bohol province as an enormous 

Christmas lights display attracts visitors from neighboring towns. 

 Photo by Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

It will be illuminated for at least 8 hours a night until January , according to James  “Jingle” Tripoli of the office of Mayor Marlon Amila.

The display has 30,000 light bulbs, twinkling icicles, life-size stables with nativity figures which were made from indigenous and recycled materials.

James Lofranco said: “We started decorating the plaza during the administration of Mayor Marlon Amila, and each year it's got bigger and bigger.”

“The switch-on is a lot of work but it's also really exciting. All our friends and family come along to help and the whole community turns out to see the lights go on,” he said.

Meanwhile, the town plaza of Calape is also truly a visual in the eyes as it is decked with numerous Christmas lights and symbols.  

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

The most Christmassy places on Bohol

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest and most exciting festival of the year when presents are wrapped, foods are prepared and decorations are hung.

But where would you find the most Christmas spirit in Bohol? It's hard to say for certain, here are my top picks for the most Christmassy places around Bohol.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE – Hermila “Mila” Lim loves Christmas time so much she starts decorating as early as October to enjoy her own personal village that is set up inside her house.

Each holiday season the village fills Mila Lim’s home.
From the middle of October until the middle of January
 the room is covered with glistening lights,
small buildings, snow and tiny people. - LPU

Mila began her Christmas Village project in 2008 for her own family at her house on M. Torralba Street. Her collection of miniature Christmas houses and objects has grown since.

Mila greets visitors to her home, the start of the fun. Upon entering, a visitor immediately hears the song, “Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la... ‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la...” and sees a garden decorated with small snowman figures.

Once inside, however, visitors are magically transported to an elegant festival filled with all the symbols of Christmas.

The Christmas village at the main entrance is filled with trees of green and gold, colorful mini-shops, miniature skiers up and down the slopes, carnival rides, dancers twirling to a waltz inside a gazebo, skaters in the park, Santa Claus dancing and flying on sleighs, and a Christmas train running in circles.

As you continue through the house and see Santa's kitchen and dining room where the table is festively decorated for a Christmas meal. Drinking glasses and place mats bear the Christmas motif, acquired during Mila’s travels with her husband to Israel, Australia, Hong Kong and China.

If meeting Santa is on your Christmas to-do-list
 then a trip to Sierra-Bullones is a must.
The town has the tallest
and biggest Santa Claus in the country. -LPU

Fascinated by St. Nicolas since childhood, Mila’s home has an array of Santa likenesses, in a variety of shapes and sizes collected for the past 14 years—at the doorsteps and all over inside the place. These include a drunk Santa, a photographer Santa, a Santa Claus band, Santa in a parachute, singing and dancing Santas with reindeer and even a Tarzan Santa. Another hallmark of the home is an animated fireplace.

“It's fixed up like a little city. It gives me joy," she said with a laugh.

Mila and her husband, Teofilo, own one of the biggest liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dealership firms in Tagbilaran City.

Note: A must-see. Christmas lights adorn the houses of Allan Lumanao in Tomas Cloma Avenue cor Graham Avenue, Booy District, Tagbilaran City and Rosalinda Paredes in Dauis.

Thousands of twinkle lights bring holiday cheer
 to people at the Tagbilaran City Hall Compound. – LPU

SPARKLING LIGHTS

The Tagbilaran City Hall turns into one of the country's most magical capitals this year’s Christmas, thanks to the thousands of festive lights and decorations. The silver and white motif provided a wonderful ambience in the midst of the on-going city hall rebuilding.

The Christmas tree at Plaza Rizal. -LPU

Sparkling Christmas lights have been placed in the trees inside the FCB Main Building Compound in Taloto District, this city. They have the biggest belen, too.

The light displays at the Plaza Rizal regularly dazzle residents.  This year, a giant Christmas tree adorned with Christmas gifts attracts visitors.

TALLEST SANTA CLAUS

Christmas would obviously not be Christmas without Santa Claus, Pere Noel or Father Christmas. Whatever the name, his popularity among children (and many adults) is perennial.

                                                                                                                         

That’s why the municipality of Sierra-Bullones has the 25-feet Santa Claus, probably the tallest in the country and in the world. It took one month to finish the foundation of the Santa Claus; and two weeks to dress the Santa Claus. According to Mayor’s Office, it should be ready before the town's fiesta on Dec. 8. Their Santa Claus is a white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. It has eyeglasses, too. His other hand is carrying a bag and the other hand is making a high-five sign.

The giant Santa Claus inside
 the Island City Mall. –LPU

An animated moving Santa is sure to attract attention inside the Island City Mall. Santa has no elves but he has reindeers to help him.

CHRISTMAS TREES

Why do we love Christmas trees? To help spread the holiday cheer, the Alturas Mall has the oh-so-bright evergreens for your viewing pleasure.  The Christmas tree of the Metro Centre Hotel has the lanky conifers with long, graceful branches seem particularly enchanting to all.

Above all, the home is the most Christmassy place because it is engulfed with love, peace and unity as the season of Christmas should be.

Various parols and belens are displayed at Tubigon town plaza to bring more cheer to this year’s Christmas celebration. The holiday ambience that Tubigon affords its visitors is making the place as one of the Most Christmassy Places on Bohol. 

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