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.

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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.

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

Charlow Arbasto-Raul Gatal war heats up

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Read the famous TV ad lines of a noodle brand.
"Ang tunay na lalaki marunong maghintay!"--- Char!
"Ang tunay na lalaki binibinyagan muna bago ikasal!" –Somewhat true!
"Ang tunay na lalaki ay nauubos na!!"---- True! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Scene: Chenny Lyn Rana was crowned Miss Jagna 2011 last Sept. 27. This year’s Miss Jagna focused on environmental issues as well as setting awareness campaigns for the proper care of the environment.

Miss Jagna 2011 Chenny Lyn Rana with one of the pageant’s judges Bohol’s fashion icon EJ Relampagos

Scene: The members and officers of Jagna Association of Southern California had their fiesta celebration last Sept. 24 in Buena Park, California, in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel.  “Some great entertainment, good foods, and line dancing marathon,”  US-based socialite Mikey Gatal reported. Miss Conbusac 2001 Lauren Anne Chavez attended the event.

Seen: The BQ Mall Management is now busy preparing for the Valentine 2012 concert. “They might bring Pilipinas Got Talent champion Jovit Baldivino,” says VRS, who is known as Lady Char. “However, the management has to decide if they have to include Sarah Geronimo.  They need to finalize everything this first week of October. The BQ Mall Management has been so successful organizing Valentine concerts,” adds VRS. 

Seen: WARNING: Do not read this blind item if you are eating. A government employee in the business corner of the higher building (GEHB) left a disgusting impression to people of the building of the highest ranking official (PBHRO). “GEHB who is pasosyal-sosyal, excused herself for a quick "CR" break. Knowing her for her kaartehan, she stayed in the toilet for hours,” said VRS. After GEHB left, the PBHRO smelled something bad that when they checked the toilet they saw the yuckiest sight -- GEHB's toughened golden remnants clogged the toilet bowl. The clue? She’s always happy and she is the favorite subject of PBHRO because of her personality problem.

Seen: One of Tagbi’s hunkies looks barely recognizable with all the facial hair. This hunky turned bearded man had a tough time in a faraway place, you know, to heal a broken heart (his girlfriend of how many years junked him for a common friend). Love hurts!

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You, too, must have been wondering whether or not Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal and make-up genius Charlow Arbasto are quarrelling or not.

If you're going to look back at the Facebook posts of Charlow, it's very clear that there's a “rift” (take note: in quotation marks) going on between the two.

Para Bellum?

Friends or enemies? (L-r) Charlow Arbasto and Raul Gatal together in this undated photo. Contributed photo

“I don’t believe in plastic surgery, But in your case, Go ahead. RAUL GATAL...,” posted Charlow.

According to Charlow, he was hired by Raul to make-up and provide gowns for Holy Name University’s contestants for the PRISAA 2010. Charlow exposed that Raul didn’t pay him.

Really now, while other (fighting?) friends would rather keep things under wraps, Charlow is open about their "rift" in social media like Facebook for public consumption.

Here’s the catch: Charlow’s patience is “ming-awas na ang gantangan.” In a text message he sent to Bared last night, Charlow said, ”La najud ko other way para macontact siya.  Gekapoy nako ug wait then I have the right nga maningil kay dugay na intawon. Sige g likay. Dili ko ganahan nga makuwetz ra tanan aq getrabahuan. Baga siyag skin.”

Other Charlow’s angry Facebook posts last Thursday were deleted last night. 

However, Charlow still considers Raul as a friend. “As what I’ve said a while ago, I don’t hate him, I just don’t appreciate his existence.”

Bared tried contacting Raul for a comment but he was not answering his phone. He had been evasive in the past when asked about personal issue.

(Paging Raul/or Charlow: Bared is open for your reaction, whether a confirmation or a denial, anytime you are ready. Feel free.)

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Top 50 pick up lines

Ask your friends and they will swear that they are using pick up lines to start a conversation and to flirt. Thanks to the ever-so dead and dull nature of the sentences! Here are the 50 most famous pick up lines which are patronizing, dismissive and yet incredibly widespread (the sobrang cheesy lines!):

May kakambal ka ba? Kasi you’re in my heart yet you’re in my mind.

Kung magiging subject ka, gusto ko ikaw ang pinkamahirap pra sa ‘yo lang ako babagsak!

Ang ganda naman ng damit mo bagay sayo, pero mas bagay tayo.

Hindi lahat ng buhay ay buhay, tulad ko, buhay pero patay na patay sayo.

Sa hinaba-haba man ng tulog ko.ikaw pa rin ang dahilan ng pag-gising ko

Alam mo gusto ko sanang mag pulis para ikaw ang MOST WANTED KO!

Pag ikaw ang kasama ko, tinatamad na ako kasi ang sarap magpahinga sa piling mo.

Sana ulan ka at lupa na lang ako. Para kahit gaano kalakas ang patak mo, sa akin pa rin ang bagsak mo.

Maghanda ka na ng salbabida…Kasi lulunurin kita sa pagmamahal ko.

Isang beses lang kita minahal…Pagkatapos nun, hindi na natapos.

Bagyo ka ba? Kasi the moment you left my area of responsibility, You leave my heart in the state of calamity.

Hindi na ko mahuhulog sa ‘yo.. Kasi ‘pag kasama na kita, lumulutang na ako.

Bagay sa ‘yo maging amo…Inalila mo kasi ang puso ko.

Buti pa email…May attachment.

Marunong ka bang mag-ayos ng cellphone? Sira yata itong iPhone ko… Wala kasi yung number mo.

Para kang algebraic expression. Minsan mahirap maintindihan. But when you’re in the simplest form. The best ka talaga naman mathemagician.

Hindi ka naman camera. Pero tuwing nakikita kita. Napapangiti ako.

Kung maging superhero ako, Hindi ako si Superman, Hindi rin si Batman O si Spiderman I’m Your Man… KailanMan!

Maliit ba ako? Di kita maabot eh!

Diabetic ka ba? Kasi i’m planning to be the sweetest person for you!

Buti pa ang keyboard ng pc… Lagi magkatabi ang U and I…

Calculator ka ba? Kasi sa ‘yo pa lang, solved na ako.

Para kang test paper, Nauubos ang oras ko kakatitig lang sa ‘yo

Pakipulot naman yung puso ko…Nahulog na kasi sa ‘yo.

Dalawang beses lang naman kitang nais makasama…… Now and Forever.

Facebook ka ba? Gusto kasi kita i-Like eh.

Para kang tindera ng sigarilyo…You give me “hope” and… “more”.

Google ka ba? Kasi lahat na ng hinahanap ko nasa iyo na eh.

Aanhin pa ba ang relo, kung titigil din pala sa ‘yo!

I didn’t know that angels could fly so low!

I’d better get a library card, because I’m checking you out.

If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?

I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?

Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off?

Was your father a thief? ‘Cause someone stole the stars and put them in your eyes.

What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?

Is it hot in here or is it just you?

Where have you been all my life?

Your legs must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all night.

I hope you know CPR, cos you take my breath away!

If you don't wanna have kids with me, then why don't we just practice?

That outfit would look great in a crumpled heap next to my bed.

Were you arrested earlier? It's gotta be illegal to look that good.

Am I dead, Angel? Cause this must be heaven!

Apart from being sexy, what do you do for a living?

Be unique and different, just say yes.

Damn girl, you have more curves than a race track.

Do you know karate? Cos damn it honey, your body is really kickin.

Excuse me. I'm from the FBI, the Fine Body Investigators, and I'm going to have to ask you to assume the position.

Gee, that's a nice set of legs, what time do they open?

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