Christmas ‘gifts’ for my fave Boholanos

Christmas ‘gifts’ for my fave Boholanos

 

Sumad karon, ang kalibutan nagpangilin
Ngano kaha natawo ang batang buotan gayud
Kinsa siya, wa ba hi-ilhi
Siya manunubos sa yuta nga karon mikunsad gikan sa langit

Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sayawan ta ang bata
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sa makalingaw nga hadla
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayon

Pasko na usab, sayawan ta ang bata
Pasko na usab, sa makalingaw nga hadla
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayon.

—Sumad Karon by Susan Fuentes

 

Four days before Christmas Day and here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos, with some new additions, inspired by Sumad Karon, a Visayan Christmas song classic by Susan Fuentes, Hajji, APO and Passionata, from their music album Mananaygon, which opens today's VRS.

 

Here they are:

 

Queenie Melody Fullante- A boyfriend who will love her forever and ever, amen! The guy must be romantic, confident, artistic, foreign, free spirit (aka the bad boy), intelligent/witty and considerate!

 

For Anna Maris Igpit and her Aussie football player Thomas Taylor —Marriage contract!  Remember that marriage is not a noun, it’s a verb! He! He! He!

 

For Marianne Domivee Chatto and Haibon Lim Mapute— A chain to bind them and lock their hearts forever and ever. Amen!  Same for Fer Mary Baliquig and her beau; Elvie Bongosia of PIA and her labidab and  Clyde Ebojo and his girlfriend. 

 

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. 

For David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros—  Wedding bells!!!  

 

For Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso— Marriage contract (indefinite)!

 

For Alfeo Jabinez and Amy Fiel Booc — A marriage contract? Nope, it’s too early. Meanwhile, they may live(on?) happily ever after as sweethearts.

 

For Dalareich Polot —A perfect holiday with someone special. She’s been working so hard for her Chocoreich! Remember, all work and no play (and no lover) makes Jane a dull girl.

 

For Pat Ruiz- Inner strength to continue her advocacies! Same for Zenaida Darunday, Pat Ruiz, Atty. Kins Aparece, Salvio Makinano, Judge Raul Barbarona, Rosalinda Paredes, Mightee Palo, Alvin Acuzar, Dorris Dinorog-Obena, Isidore Ancog, Ellen Gallares and Vera Gesite.

 

For Nonito Donaire — More wining bouts! Same for Aj Banal, Jedara Docena and siblings, Caesar Amonsot and Boom-Boom Bautista.

 

For Candy Cumayas—Another beauty pageant to join to prove that a probisyana charm and beauty can capture the country! Same for Mary Rose Butalid.

 

For Tessie Labunog-Sumampong — Home sweet home! (Figure that out.) As the songs goes (to the tune of Moon River by Andy Williams: Loboc River, wide than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday, Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, Wherever you're going, I'm going your way.....

 

For Nene Lungay, Marianito Jose Luspo and Napoleon Abueva— More years to showcase their talents. Same for Tadiyandi, Baji,  Arte Malaya, Glenn Lumantao, Joey Labrador,  Joyle Alipala, Ric Ramasola, Loboc Children’s Choir, Alicia Bamboo Ensemble, Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, Loboc Youth Ambassador, Katipunan Elem. School Rondalla, HNU Diwanag Dance Troupe and Bohol Master Singers.

 

For Mikey Gatal — A Roman holiday with his special someone.

 

For Geraldine Topsnik and Immaculada Cleofe Leopardas— Hot boyfriends!  Same for Idy Cagas, Felisse Marie Carvajal, Farrah Faye Mian and Trisha Chatto.

 

For Cesar Montano and Rich Asuncion— More challenging roles in teleseryes and movies.  Same for  TinTin Ng and  Lailette Boiser.

 

For Mila Lim and Dr. Mary Grace Uy — A New Year (and more years) full of hope and goodwill. Same for Musette Hontanosas, Vicky Wallace, Doc Joy Yap, LJ Lumayag, Dr. Angelito Lechago, DonDon Suganob, Primitiva Ontong, LJ Lumayag, Fiel Gabin, Kit Oppus, Meljun Daniel, Nora Pahang, Concepcion Bagotchay, Romy Tagaan, Ate V Yorong, Judith Uy-Sumatra, Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos, Marina Salamanca, Dodong Almedilla, Freda Tirol, Sarah Dejaresco, Roygie Jumamoy, Dr. Evangel Luminarias,  Hans and Lani Schoof,  Atty. Jas Montes,  Dr. Nenita Po, Greenie Aumentado, Dr. Cristeta Tirol, Dr. Henya Tirol-Sotelo, Fancy Baluyot, Amalia Tirol, Liza Quirog, Betty Veloso, Conching Lim, Pureza Chatto  Paz Trotin, Gen Jamisola, Daday Uy-Fuertes, Barbara Ong, Jojo Baritua, Helen Binangbang, Tessie Pagdato, Sylvia Fernandez-Maristela, Baby Collins, Connie Geonzon,  Gerry Egos, Edi Borja, Reigh Monreal, Malou Cempron and Atty. Eliseo Labaria.

 

For Joy Suarez — A new world-class resort to manage!

 

For  Maximiel Tallo, EJ Relampagos, Jong Magallano, Omie Auza, Henry Baron, Rhigel Dulfo, Tracy Remolador Torres and Sony Pamaong— Fashion shows to display their artistic collections!

 

For Sam Penaso— More exhibits abroad and flanking to showcase his world-class talent.

 

For Peddy Bolanio and Glee Orcullo — More "talkative" and “controversial” guests on Showbiz Rampa.  Same for  Inday Charity (dyTR’s Showbiz Chikka).

 

For Chito Visarra, Fred Araneta and Gerry Pabe (dyrd’s Inyong Alagad) — More  explosive news and “controversial” guests. Same for Atty. Salva Diputado and Ted Ayeng (dyTR’s Cuentas Claras).  

 

For Atty. Victor dela Serna, Nestor Daarol, Felix Cempron, Ted Ayeng and Atty. Salva Diputado—A silencer that will prevent them from flaunting on radio to throw “feisty” words this Christmas time. He He He

 

Eden Descallar–Ceballos and Mikel Ceballos— A long-delayed stork’s visit. Same for Loida Lagonoy-Viloria and George Viloria; and Dr. April Lumuthang-Froiland and Arch. Junibe Froilan.

 

For Diane Uy-Yap and Atty. Wrenly Yap—A healthy baby due in February next year.

 

For Che Toribio-delos Reyes— Good things in life.  And a sign that screams, "DON’T!!! In 2016!

 

For Dr. Maria April “Doc April” Lumuthang-Froilan- A big clinic for her Touch of April to beautify  the province of Bohol!

 

For Governor Edgar Chatto, Reps. Erico “Aristotle” Aumentado, Rene Relampagos and Art Yap and Mayor Baba Yap — Divine guidance and enlightenment for political will.

 

For  Inday Rufing  — A hot “partner” to love him dearly. Same for  Inday Charity, Ryan Sines, John Torralba, Emerson Pinos, Julan Cordova, Alexis Cadeliña, Deo Guden, Rico Guigue, Charlow Arbasto, EP Relampagos, Gerry Lugod and Butch Bernas.

 

For Kimpoy Mainit, Humfrey Nicasio, Hannah Precillas and Kirby Asunto— A big break to showcase their singing prowess!

 

For Marc Joseph Batoy, Danilo Torcende, Adryan Mila, Carlos Alfonso Cuerquiz and Ar-Ar dela Serna — More exposures to prove to all that Boholano men naay ikabuga!

 

For Dame Rose Soy —Eternal youth beauty for Bohol's Queen of Tourism.

 

For AD— A chastity belt! He He He

 

For Ardy Batoy —A vacation! The Bohol’s Queen of All Media deserves a break!

 

For Benjie Oliva and Atty. Joan Jagonos-Oliva —Another “joint venture.” He He He Same for Abdul Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace.

 

For Baby Tagoctoc— He may continue to shine!  Bohol’s most influential and powerful bading deserves a vacation, too.

 

For Raul Gatal—  A round-trip ticket to a quiet place far from his “haters.”

 

For Josephus Anthony Bumaat — Another kilig novel as engrossing as Anh To Be Surprised.

 

For Atty. Greg Delgado — A seductive girlfriend!   Same for  Van Delima, Doc Homer Singco and Lemuel Belarmino.

 

For Leah Tirol-Magno — A baking session and an outlet to show her delectable world of baking mastery.

 

For Mizken Tirol-Andan— A partner to color his world.

 

For Bishop Leonardo Medroso, Msgr. Jeff Malanog, Fr. Warli Salise, Jr.,  et al— Good health and more years to share the gospel as Veritas de terra orta est! (“Truth shall spring out of the earth”). Same for pastors Nelson Rio III, Bobby Rio, Vicente Agustin, George Lungay, Franco Trigo, Rey Rodriguez and Bro. Libby Aba.

 

And...

 

—No more painful and violent deaths. Well, we all have to go. But I hope and pray that deaths won’t be as painful. And I wish to see the end of the chain of deaths that had hounded the province in 2014.  

-—Safe arrival, peaceful and successful events with Pope Francis in the Philippines.

 

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OMG’s Tsinelas and Apple campaign in full swing

Wake-uppers:

Scene:  Kristian Nikko Chatto Geangan and Liezel May Lodonia Turtoga from the College of Teacher Education (CTE) were crowned Mr. and Ms. Bohol Island State University- Main Campus (BISU-MC) 2014, reported Christian Ariel Fementira. “Nikko was also adjudged Best in Interview, Best in Shorts, Best in Production Number, and Fans Choice Award, while Liezel was Best in Shorts and Best in Production Number.” Christian also added that “Nikko and Liezel will represent the Main Campus in the provincial SCUAA Meet in October.” The pageant was the highlight of the one-week celebration of BISU-MC Intramurals 2014.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (3^rd from left) with (l-r) Loon 

Councilor Rex Masamayor, Bohol 1^st district Rep. Rene Relampagos, 

Tagbilaran Councilor Jerry Pabe, Magdalo-Bohol VP 

Jun “Alerto” Gutierrez and Engr.  

Roland Calipusan of Magdalo-Ubay chapter.

Seen: Spotted in Bohol was Sen. Antonio Trillanes lV in a quick visit to Tagbilaran on Aug. 31 to meet the members of Samahang Magdalo-Bohol chapter.  The meeting also served as the venue to discuss local concerns in membership and some needs in medical and financial assistance to their members. The Samahang Magdalo is a non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission advocating good governance and social justice.

Seen:  Five survivors of the Bohol earthquake will meet and eat with Pope Francis when he visits the country in 2015, according to Bishop Leonardo Medroso in a radio interview on Radyo Veritas.

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Do you smell Christmas in the air? Welcome the “ber” months! 

The start of September also means that Christmas is just around the corner as the world’s longest Christmas season unfolds in the Philippines. 

Now that the “Ber” month is finally upon us, US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal gives early Christmas presents to schoolkids while enjoying his “makabuluhang bakasyun” in Bohol after visiting Thailand and HongKong.

Mikey Gatal continues his advocacy to change the lives of schoolkids 

through his tsinelas and apple campaign.-LPU

“Giving warmth, love and hope. That’s what Christmas should be all about,” said Mikey.

The moment he set foot on Bohol soil, Mikey went to the Holy Trinity Orphanage in Albur town. He spent time at the orphanage and gave Crocs slippers to kids through the One Heart for Hope headed by Mikey’s friend Merlita Helms. 

Last Friday, Mikey and his angels (Wardiflex Vallespin, Mayen Gatal, Allysa Inting, Joemar Gatal and Pham Marzon) donated slippers and apples to 309 pupils of Tamboan Elem. School in Carmen town. Mikey and the team were warmly welcomed by master head teacher of Tamboan Julieta Valentos and her colleagues.

Tamboan Elem. School is also the home of the talented Tamboan Elem. School Ukelele Ensemble. The 48 members of the group play and learn the tricks of the ukelele musical instrument. These young kids were also the recipients of the OMG charity event.

The 11--year-old Grade 5 student Novem Vallentos walks to school with her worn-out slippers, beamed with joy as she received her new pair of slippers and apple from Mikey.

Novem, like many other poor children from the province, did makeshift repairs on her rubber slippers so she can still use them. She used wire she picked up from the streets to make her slippers wearable.

“Thank you Kuya Mikey! I have a new slipper,” said Novem.

After the sumptuous lunch served by the teachers and performance of the Tamboan Elem. School Ukelele Ensemble, Mikey and his angels proceeded to Anda town.

In Anda, Mikey and his OMG Team were welcomed by Virgen barangay captain Flor Flores of the Flower Beach Resort (www.flower-beach.com, Phone: +63918 579 6166; Email: requests@flower-beach.com).

Mr and Ms. BISU-MC 2014 Kristian Nikko

 Geangan and Liezel May Turtoga

310 pupils of Virgen Elem. School received their slippers and apples. “Nindot among tsinelas nadawat, tam-is among apple nadawat,” echoed the pupils. . 

“I applaud Mikey and friends in America for this great work for the community. Thank you for making these kids happy,” said school principal Valeriano Balo.

Inspired by popular broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez’ tsinelas campaign and RJ Garcia’s apple drive campaign, Mikey’s Tsinelas and Apple Drive Campaign originally started as a public service segment on his popular website www.mikeygatal.com when Bohol was hit by a killer quake. Mikey learned that most of the schoolchildren of Bohol had to either walk barefoot or wear tattered slippers to school. Some of them get to eat apples for the first time. He also launched the OMG alkansyang bagols (coconut shell coin banks) to teach kids about saving money.

“Through this project, we can restore their dignity and revive hope. It is our dream that none of them will never attend school barefooted,” said Mikey.

Today, Mikey’s Tsinelas and Apple Drive campaign is in full swing as he is partnering with several friends in America, Merlita Helms and Atty. Sandy Roxas, who share his vision of ensuring that schoolkids in Bohol have a decent slippers (and apples to eat) which they can use every day.

Next week, Mikey will be back to the US, but the children hope he will be back soon....with some goodies!

***

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

‘Big loss’

Wake-uppers:

Baning Penales

Scene: The Tagbilaran City Schools Division welcomes its new superintendent Evangel Medel-Luminarias, Ph.D. Luminarias was a professor of the University of Bohol until she was appointed schools division superintendent of Toledo City.  

 

Scene: Urbana “Baning” Penales celebrated her 87^th birthday with luau birthday party last August 18 in California, USA. “It turned out to be one of the memorable birthdays she ever had,” reported by an Amboy VRS. “Her daughter Gloria Penales Pabualan from Houston, Texas came to personally assist the decorations and preparations, she brought with her the hunky and cutey guy Nildjan Penales Romero who recently passed the RN licensure in America. Guests arrived in strides and so happy to see them enjoying the whole night line dancing.”

 

Scene: The MikeyGatal.com website owns by US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal will turn 5 this month. On September 1, Mikey Gatal Kids Foundation in cooperation with the Guindulman Association of California, Southern Area or GACSA will have a fundraising event and annual fiesta celebration which will be held in Bellflower, California to benefit the kids of Guindulman town. Hollywood celebrity/model Thomas Sautebin is the expected guest to grace the event. Visit www.mikeygatal.com or www.boholster.com.

 

Scene: A fire that hit seven houses near Pook Pantalan, Tagbilaran City yesterday morning caused at least P100,000 pesos in damage to property. No one was reported injured in the fire. Many of the residents tried to save their belongings as the fire destroyed their homes. Saturday's fire came a day after a blaze destroyed two houses in Dauis town.

 

Seen: Christian John CJ Sajulga and Kelley Maribel Manuta were crowned Mr and Miss University of Bohol High School 2012. They will compete for the Mr and Miss UB Personality this September.

 

Mr and Ms UB HS

Scene: The Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between JCAD and BOHECO II took place at Bohol Yacht Club, Puerto San Pedro, Bien Unido, Bohol last August 22 for the Construction of Mini-Hydro and Wind Power Projects.  “Another initiative of Mayor Niño Rey Boniel for the good of Bien Unido and his constituents,” said an LGU employee.

 

Seen: Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno has made history by becoming the first female chief justice in the Philippines.

 

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"Sana ay maging handa ang mga tapat at may kakayahan nating mga pinuno na magsakripisyo at tumugon sa tawag ng panahon…Hindi ito madali ngunit kung sama-sama tayong lahat, hindi malayong maabot natin ang minimithi natin magandang kinabukasan para sa bawat Pilipino."— Jesse Manalastas Robredo (1958-2012)

 

There has been an outpouring of tributes for the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. He was widely considered to be incorruptible, in a country where graft is endemic and politicians often distrusted.

 

Tributes also came in via social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook where many offered prayers for Robredo, remembering him as a good public servant.

 

Last Wednesday, flags in all government offices and public schools flew at half mast.

 

Relampagos with Robredo

Rep. Rene Relampagos posted on Facebook: “Secretary Jesse Manalastas Robredo is in God’s loving embrace. Let us remember this honorable man’s humility and good deeds, and look upon his life as a source of inspiration. To all his colleagues, friends, and family, we sympathize and offer our most sincere condolences.”

 

Leo Almote shared a poem on Facebook which expressed Robredo’s death, life and contributions. “Waters of Masbate, you have become purer. For three days, an honorable man slept on your sea bed, upon waking, he shall find himself back in the sky. Surrounded by light, wearing wreaths of gold, because of his virtue, your waves are now sacred. While our tears create ripples on your surface, we hold your hand and honor your memory, Jesse your name is Integrity.”

 

Robredo was a former official at an ice cream company before he was elected mayor of Naga City in 1988 at the age of 29, making him the youngest mayor in the country at the time. His success in turning the once-sleepy city into a trading, housing and education center won him many honors, including a 2000 Ramon Magsaysay award, considered Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize.

 

On the other hand, people who have never heard of Captain Jessup Bahinting before may know him only as the pilot of the plane that crashed off Masbate.

 

What they don’t know is that he was a regular presence in relief work after major disasters, a pastor who used his skills and his aircraft to bring help where it was needed, Cebu newspapers reported.

 

Robredo in Bohol with Gov. Chatto and Rep. Aumentado.

In Bohol, there are those who were touched by his goodness.

 

“He’s really kind and a charitable person,” said Jea Dano (of IJea Travel and Tours, 31-A Airport Road, Cogon District, 6300 Tagbilaran City, Tel No: (038) 412-3885, www.ijeatravel.com) who met Bahinting several times when she was working at the Tagbilaran airport.

 

Flag half mast in public schools.

JCI Sen. NB Director John Enerio, who organized a medical mission in Jan. 2010, said Bahinting was a good man.

 

“When we had the Texas Medical Surgical Mission, we had no less than 8,000 patients (beneficiaries), Capt. Bahinting escorted from Cebu to Tagbilaran boxes of medicines with his plane free of charge (gratis). And even park his plan at Tagbilaran Airport in case there is a need for airlift (he had his plane like a waiting taxi and he was at the Bohol Cultural Center, the venue of the medical mission.”

 

Captain Bahinting was born in Larena, Siquijor, but his family moved to Negros Oriental when he was a teenager. He went to a flying school in Davao City.

 

According to reports, Captain Bahinting sent his own Cessna, at no cost to the government, to fly in antivenom from Camiguin to Cebu City. This act saved the life of a Cebu City zookeeper who had been bitten by a cobra.

  

Preacher David Oman Mackay of LDS Church said, "No success can compensate for failure in the home." This quote must have guide Robredo and Bahinting.

 

 

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