Happy fiesta, Bohol!

Wake-uppers

Seen: Singer-actress Manilyn Reynes was spotted in Bohol for a vacation. At the Tagbilaran Airport, she was mobbed by fans. Police officer Melinda Mendez-Basalo said “Manilyn is our family's favorite singer and actress.” For baby boomers, Manilyn Reynes started out in showbiz at the tender age of ten. Thirty years later, she is still a regular face on television.

Seen: Also spotted in Bohol last week were Nonito “The Flash” Donaire Jr., former beauty queen Precious Lara Guigaman and husband Marco Alcaraz.

Scene: The 2nd Calamay Festival in Jagna town, the home of the original calamay.  The 29-feet replica of the famous calamay added fanfare to the celebration. Amiela Balaba, Jagna information officer, said that “Jagna’s calamay is delicious, tasty and world-class ang quality.”

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One of the “white lies” we were told as children-and many believed until adulthood- is that Bohol province sinks about an inch during May, the merry month of fiestas here in Bohol province.

May 1, the mother of all fiestas, starts the month-long fiesta 

celebrations in Bohol province. Faithful can visit the 

St. Joseph Cathedral to see the sleeping image of St. Joseph.  

Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Our folks told us that it is due to the thousands of Bol-anons who come home to attend the many town and barrio fiestas celebrated during the month.  In case you are in doubt,  you can check the Tagbilaran airport and piers to see the throngs of passengers and balikbayan arriving in Bohol.

It took several years for me to realize that my elders were right after all. All the "lies" that they told me are true. You know, true lies.

Well, today, in every sitio, barangay (village), town, somewhere, we are celebrating.

The fiesta celebration is not complete without the famous lechon (roasted pig), humba (stewed pork) and plenty of beer and tuba to match.

If you are adventurous enough, you can practically go round the whole province without any money and eat for free and experience the famous Boholano hospitality.

Everyone is welcome, no invitations required!

May 1 - Tagbilaran City (Saint Joseph the Worker)
May 4 – Alburquerque (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Mabini (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Sagbayan (San Agustin)
May 8 - San Miguel (Saint Michael)
May 10 - Calape (Saint Vincent Ferrer)
May 15 - Bilar  (Saint Isidore the Farmer)
May 15 - Trinidad (Saint Isidore)
May 15 - Tubigon (San Isidro Labrador)
May 19 - Candijay (Saint Joseph)
May 29 – Talibon (Blessed Trinity)

Last Saturday of May (Holy Trinity)- Talibon

P.S. Pakapin lang ning June He! He! He!

June 13- Sikatuna- (Saint Anthony de Padua)
June 15- Loay  (Holy Trinity)
June 24- Garcia-Hernandez (Saint John the Baptist)
June 29- Loboc (Saint Peter the Apostle)
June 30 –Inabanga (Saint Paul the Apostle)

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Inday Sara Duterte arrives in Bohol

Despite storm of attacks, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte's supporters here are unstoppable.

On Friday afternoon, hundreds of thousands of supporters and fans showed up during Duterte’s daughter’s sortie in Bohol.

Former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was here for the Bohol-leg of the nationwide caravan Biyaheng DU30.

Sara arrived in Tubigon town at around 4 p.m. where she was mobbed by fans and supporters.  Inday Sara’s team gave candies, fans, bawlers, stickers and t-shirts. They had quick stops at Calape and Loon towns.

Bohol welcomes Inday Sara Duterte. 

Contributed Photos. Winston Rabe/JP Maslog

At around 8 p.m., Sara met provincial senior board member Dionisio Balite, who is running for vice governor in the province, for a dinner.

She said all her visits were smooth sailing.

“Okay raman. So, far kaluoy sa Ginoo, okay tanan areas naadtuan (In God’s mercies, everything went smoothly),” she said.

But the Central Visayas, according to her, the supporters are warmth.

“Mas enthusiastic ang mga tawo. Mainiton ang pagdawat (People are enthusiastic. They welcomed us warmly),” she said.

Last week, Sara was a banner headline on TV and newspapers when Sen.  Antonio Trillanes IV, who himself a vice presidential candidate, accused Rodrigo Duterte of having P211 million in an account in a bank branch in Metro Manila in 2014.

Trillanes said Duterte did not declare the P211 million in his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN). Trillanes said from 2006 to 2015, Duterte held seven join accounts with his daughter Sara at the BPI branch on Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City, nine joint accounts at BPI-Edsa Greenhills branch and one joint account at Banco de Oro Unibank-1 in Davao City. 

Failure to declare an asset is a ground for an employee’s dismissal from government service

But Sara dared her father’s accuser, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, to file a case against them.

Police Officer Melinda Mendez-Balo 

with Manilyn Reynes. Contributed Photo

“Kung tinuod gyud nga naa siyay legitimate nga complaint sa gina-accuse niya, i-file niya sa court para makatubag ko og tarung (If it is true that what he is accusing us is a legitimate complaint, file it in court so I can answer properly),” she said.

 “It is clearly a black propaganda given the fact that Duterte is leading the survey with only a few days away from May 9,” said Duterte supporter JP Maslog.

The younger Duterte served as Davao City mayor from 2010 to 2013 when her father was vice mayor.

She also denied that she and her siblings had properties that they did not declare.

According to the Land Registration Authority, the Duterte children have 35 properties, 11 of which are under the mayor’s daughter’s name and four under her husband’s.

She said she had declared all of her properties in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), adding most of her assets came from her parents after they separated.

“Pagbulag nila in 1998 gibalhin tanang properties sa among manag-igsuon kay maoy gi-require sa korte (When they separated in 1998, their properties were divided among us siblings because that was required by the court),” she said.

“Even sa balay sa akong mama supposedly iyaha, gusto sa kong mama ibutang sa akong pangalan para walay makailog nga lain (Even the house of my mother which was supposedly hers, my mama wanted to place it under my name so it would not be taken by others),” she added.

She said she did not have any idea of the properties owned by her brothers Paolo, now vice mayor, and Sebastian.

The accusations, she said, were just black propaganda orchestrated by her father’s detractors.

“Silang tanan. Kalaban. Of course, nag-dako ko sa pulitika and kana tanan part na siya sa isa ka election (They are all enemies. Of course, I grew up in politics and all of these were part of one election),” she said.

Welcome to the 2^nd Calamay Festival in Jagna town, Bohol. 

Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

“Mao nay gitawag nato nga black propaganda. In fact, naghinay-hinay siya gawas una pagbabae, mamatay tao. Karun, kana na jud (That is what we call black propaganda. These are slowly coming out. First was him being a womanizer and then a killer. And now this).”

She said her family was prepared for mudslinging and accusations because every election even in Davao, such issues would usually come out.

The younger Duterte thanked their supporters that despite the accusations, they remained loyal.

“Pasalamat ko sa ilaha, through thick and thin, naa sila. Sa kalisud naa sila (I am thankful to them. Through thick and thin, they are there with us. In difficulties, they are with us).

The Visayas, considered as a stronghold of administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas, may be slowly slipping away from Roxas’ grasp, according to his allies and party mates who are now supporting Sen. Grace Poe and Duterte. 

READ INQUIRER ON SARA DUTERTE'S VISIT TO BOHOL. 

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

Another feather in Marc Batoy’s decorated cap

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Spotted in the US is Bohol's most popular emcee par excellence Gloria Leodivica Araneta. Araneta was spotted in Palto Alto, CA inside the Standford Shopping Center.

Scene: The “mother of the school” (MOTS) is in hot water as parents and residents of the barangay have petition for her removal as MOTS. The petition says “this MOTS has proven on numerous occasions that unfit to perform the position that has been assigned and is paid to do.” The parents also ask the “Mother Colony” (MC) to find a place where MOTS’ toxic attitude is acceptable. A high-ranking official in MC said, “Ay nothing is new! MOTS is our regular client!” Clue: Where is it? South or North?

Scene: The son of a famous businessman has been seen unkempt and wandering around, begging for transportation money. Nothing was heard about this son until lately when unsavory stories started cropping up in the circle making intrigeras tsk-tsking and saying “Sige pa, suyop pa.”  The son’s friends who delivered the goodies are now hiding...

Scene: The First Bohol International Choir Festival is on March 18-22. It will bring together international choir groups from all over the world showcasing each country-participant’s style and showmanship.

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Summer Gimik 2014: Can-uba Beach attracts visitors

Can-uba Beach

Who needs a holiday this summer when the country will be basking in a heatwave? There's only one place we want to be when the sun breaks through---  the beach!

The sand is definitely one of the first elements that come to mind when people think about beaches in Bohol. But is sand really necessary to call a place a beach?

Searching for summer destinations in Bohol for GMA News, my roadtrip has led me discovering Can-uba Beach in Jagna town. It’s a hidden gem in Bohol which is now gaining attention as a summer-getaway.

Well maintained by the residents of barangay Can-uba, this beach is absolutely clean and safe, perfect place for swimming. It doesn’t have sand but have the famous pebbles or marbles (lag-it) so smooth you could triple-skip them across the water’s surface.

Beachgoers can walk along an entire coastline covered in pebbles. Can-uba beach is one of the few beaches in the eastern side of Bohol that are completely made of pebbles or marbles.

Can-uba Beach is a living proof that sand definitely doesn’t make a beach.

Distance: 51 minutes (63 kms) from Tagbilaran City

Location: Barangay Can-uba, Jagna, Bohol

Entrance: Free

Amenity: Cottage available for Php 50

Pasalubong to buy: Calamay

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Students of Bohol Island State University-Main Campus have witnessed a new page in the school’s history following the successful completion of the school’s first automated Supreme Student Government (SSG) elections last Friday, March 14. 

A part-time model and student, Marc Joseph Batoy is considered a heartthrob. So, what’s in a woman that turns him on?  ‘I could find a woman sexy if she walks confidently and has a sense of humor. ’ Courtesy: Marc Joseph Batoy

The automated election was part of the school’s system strategic plan. “Providing an Automated Enrollment Service and Online Payment Gateways to its students/clients has already been proposed as part of Bohol Island State University's Information System Strategic Plan for the period 2014-2016,” said the official BISU page on Facebook.

 “We are both nervous and excited,” said Marc Joseph Batoy, a part-time model and incoming 4^th year Electrical Engineering student.

“Nervous because you really don’t know what to expect, who will win or lose; excited because this is it. We are looking forward to this day,” he added.

Incidentally, Marc Joseph Batoy was running for senator under the Council of Envisioned Students Towards Progress (CESTP).

The partial and unofficial results (as of Friday):

For President: Alvin Alleluya has 2,475 votes against Francis Bukid who has 1,268 votes and Roland Nino Baldo’s 1,031 votes.

For Vice-President, Ian Ray Oclarit has 2,116 votes against Immaculada Leopardas with 1, 478 votes and Cristuto Lagura’s 1,074 votes.

From 15 senators who run, 12 will be chosen, and luckily, Marc is on top 5 with 2, 129 votes.

How was the campaign trail? “It’s okay, worth it ang kakapoy,” Marc revealed. 

What were the girls’ reactions seeing a handsome young man campaigning for senator?

“Not sure, but think nothing!” he said blushing. (How about those eyes and kilig factor?- Bjosh)

Marc is considered a heartthrob. He is a devoted son. He has been so devoted to his studies  that he must have forgotten to attend to his love life, never mind if women of all shapes and sizes from all levels of the social ladder are ready, willing and able to wait and meet him.

Marc shared to VRS that he will make important laws for the studentry. 

“I’m happy because not all are being given this kind of trust to serve my fellow students,” said Marc.

Winning the senatorial race will be another feather to Marc’s decorated cap. He was Mr. Olive-C Bohol 2012-2nd runner up, Mr. Teen-Bohol 2012- 1st runner up, Mr. BISU Main Campus 2012,  Mr. BISU (whole BISU system) 2012, Mr. Regional SCUAA (State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association) 2012 and Mr. National SCUAA 2013-2nd runner up.

A Pisces (March 1), Marc stands 5’9”; weighs 136 lbs.; and wears medium-size shirt and size-9 shoes.

He gives VRS readers an idea of what stuff he’s made of.

What is your favorite subject? Electrical circuits. (Wikipedia says electrical circuit is a network consisting of a closed loop, giving a return path for the current.-Bjosh)

Why do you think education is important? Education is the best investment of life. It opens up dozens of opportunities, provides security, gives better understanding and teaches the lesson of humanity. Education will never leave a person empty-handed.

What is your favorite quote?  Paulo Coelho’s "To live is to experience things, not sitting around pondering the meaning of life."

How do you manage your time in modeling and studying? Studies are really my priority. If there are competitions, shows and practices I see to it that I never leave my studies behind. So, I spare time to finish my tasks in school before going to an event or show or do it right after.

What is sexy to you? Confidence is sexy. Intelligence. Heart and Humor. That goes for man or woman.

What part of your body do you find sexiest? My smile!

What do you find sexy in a woman? I could find a woman sexy if she walks confidently and has a sense of humor.

Status? Single.

What qualities do you want in a girl? Intelligent, family-oriented, sweet and would always makes me smile.

What do you want to achieve? I want just want to be a licensed Engineer.

I hate people…That are not true to their words.

I avoid people….that are insensitive and closed-minded.

My greatest pleasure is...being able to represent region 7 in a national competition.

My worst moment is…when I was betrayed.

My biggest fear is...Failure.

I pray for…my family's safety, my studies and for those people who are affected by the calamities.

The most important person in my life is....my Mother!

 If I were to be reincarnated as an animal I would be…a dog.

My most traumatic experience was...honestly, nothing!

Am I afraid of growing old?... No, growing old is inevitable, I would love to experience diff. things through my years. I'd rather be afraid of not growing up than growing old.

My favorite memory verse is... Matthew 6:33. It says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

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