Graduation
noisily celebrates the future and farewell to student life.
Teacher Jeycelle
Espejo-Inting had been crying last week. "I can't stop feeling sad,"
she shared. What's got her so heavyhearted? Her students graduated from high
school at Cogon High School (Day and Night Class) last April 4.
Jeycelle Espejo-Inting (center) with her students |
The 9th batch of graduates composed of 193
students was led by Christine Ortega, valedictorian of the day class; and Velyn
Aninipot, valedictorian of the night class, respectively.
This
school year's 90 graduates from the day class is the first batch of Cogon Day
High School products. The day class was created at the start of this school
year to cater the growing population of the Cogon High school which was
originally established as a night high school 11 years ago.
The commencement exercises was attended by the
parents, guardians and the 40 solid faculty members of Cogon High school headed
by Tagbilaran City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Evangel Luminarias and
the two equally active principals of CHS Day and Night classes, Grace Marie
Campos and Nilo Sendrijas.
Jeycelle Espejo-Inting with her 4th year class |
The event was hosted by the CHS faculty
president Ms. Jeycelle C. Espejo – Inting.
“It feels so great! I’m so proud of my students,”
said Jeycelle, CHS faculty president who emceed the event. “On the other hand, I’m a bit worried and sad
because I know not all of them can pursue higher education due to economic
status of their families.”
Jeycelle also shared that most of the students
of Cogon High are not rich; it made her proud that these students are working
hard to finish their studies.
Celian Janice Pesquira and Jerwin Jala |
Speaking
of graduates and honor students, we have our own batch in the family: my cousin
Jomari Galleros (from Holy Infant Academy in Booy) and Cesarius James Pesquira
(from Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School; Congrats Maam Concepcion
Bagotchay, the school principal). My niece Celian Janica Pesquira (Booy South
Elem. School) was first honor with five “best” awards, while Jerwin Jala was
with honors.
I was not there when they marched up the stage in their graduation dress and togas because I hate hearing graduation/marching music. Personally, it makes me sad. It is one of the saddest music in the world, next to old Christmas songs bringing back my elementary, high school and college days-- that was ages ago, in nineteen-forgotten.
I was not there when they marched up the stage in their graduation dress and togas because I hate hearing graduation/marching music. Personally, it makes me sad. It is one of the saddest music in the world, next to old Christmas songs bringing back my elementary, high school and college days-- that was ages ago, in nineteen-forgotten.
Anyway,
I say "Good luck and God bless!" to the graduates and honor students in
our family and all the graduates out there! Aim high!
***
Summer Gimik
2014: Bet and Choy Farms
Looking
for an alternative to beaches and swimming pools for your next vacation? Try
going to Bet and Choy in Catigbian town.
Revive, renew and replenish at Bet and Choy. |
Last
week, my summer gimik destination was
Bet and Choy Farms. As I saw the place, it was a relaxing breeze
of the countryside.
The entrance has smell of perfect aroma of luffa (sikwa)
and squash (kalabasa) hanging around with ornamental plants to complement the
place.
“Bohol
tourism is booming but those tourism developments are designed for foreigners,
ngayon ang tanong saan pupunta ang local tourists? We want to give them the
facilities which are affordable and presentable,” said former Catigbian Mayor and
owner Roberto “Bertsal” Salinas. “You see, na-hit namin ang vacuum na while
Bohol tourism is booming ma-entertain natin mga foreign tourists, on the
other hand, Bet and Choy will entertain local tourists.”
Built
on a two-hectare property, Bet and Choy (named after Bertsal’s grandchildren) is
a destination appropriate for family gatherings, reunions and field trips. The
slides, rides and attractions were designed to provide visitors with a day
filled with aqua thrills and adventure.
Entrance at Bet and Choy |
The
Brent Pool Side is for adults and it gives thrills with splash where visitors can
experience swimming and relax in this large pool while soaking up rays of the
sun.
The Cocoy Water Park is ideal for kids. It has
large water slides and rides for everybody's fun and amusement. It is actually
a playground for kids submerged in knee-high water but many adults can also be
found enjoying this playground.
Unlike
other resorts, visitors can bring their food and drinks, even snacks, inside
Bet and Choy for free!
“They
can bring all they want. Bet and Choy does not collect corkage,” added Bertsal.
There
are picnic huts for rent at Php 100-Php 400. Unlimited use of facilities such
as the basketball court, karaoke sing-a-long, pool table, dart boards may
be arranged.
Bet
and Choy personnel are friendly and they are trained to assist visitors.
“At
Bet and Choy, the facilities are maintained in accordance with the highest standards
of safety and cleanliness,” said Bet and Choy staff Jackie Tolop.
Bet and Choy owner Bertsal (2nd from left) |
“The
place is very beautiful. We can relax and enjoy here,” said Ma. Catherine
Cutang of Bohol Island State University. “The facilities are very good. Of
course, the good thing is we can bring our own food without corkage. That is
amazing and great.”
Other
exciting activities that Bet and Choy has to offer are fishing and wildlife
adventure. Fishing
is one of the leisure activities that all guests of this farm can fully enjoy
even if this is their first time at the rods. The wildlife park houses Philippine eagle,
Philippine king cobra, pythons, birds, chickens, pigs and cows.
Entrance Fee: Php 20
(for adults), Php 10 (senior citizens and students), free (kids below 85
centimeters)
Brent Pool and Slide-
Php 100, kids below 85 centimeters are free.
Cocoy Water Park- Php
100, kids below 85 centimeters are free.
How to get there: For those who want to commute, you can ride a bus bound for Catigbian at
Dao Bus Terminal for Php 45. At Poblacion, ride a habal-habal for Php 10 or
walk, it’s just 400 meters from Poblacion Highway.
Reservation:
0915-813-9823/0912-518-0937.
***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.