Are you ready for your summer getaway?

At the South Palms in Panglao, the highlight here is the fantastic beach.
The rooms are stylish and well-appointed. – Contributed Photo.

Summer has started.

 

This was the official announcement last Wednesday from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa). The agency reiterates that Philippines does not have a "summer" as we only have two seasons: dry and wet.

 

And there’s no better way to build memories and beat the heat than an epic summer escapade!

 

Not decided where to go for a summer getaway?

 

Take a cue from our Boholano friends.

 

Benjie Oliva—  Anda, Bohol. To patronize our own and to support our local tourism industry.

 

Donglee Camacho— In the municipality of Anda because it is complete. They have a church and a beach.

 

EJ Relampagos—  Japan because it’s the most picturesque country according to a friend who has been travelling the world...and I love to take pictures of details.

 

Edik Dolotina—  My hometown. To relax with family. A family staycation during holidays is joy like no other.

 

The glorious, powdered-sugar sand in Anda town in Bohol. –Photo by Leo Udtohan

May Hope “Dice” Arcenal—  It would be Palawan and Batanes. Why Palawan because would like to experience the beauty that it offers being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. About Batanes would love to be part of their unique culture and enjoy the vast greeneries and unharmed environment with the touch and display of true  honesty.

 

Queenie Melody Fullante—  Wish I was still a student so I could spend wisely my summer vacation. Anyway, I’ll be spending my Holy Week in Davao. Once back in Bohol on Easter pohon, back  to normal routine: work, JVI projects, and Queenie Duties. And I think will start to bustle for  Miss Bohol 2015. Nothing really biggie for me this summer but thank God for my inborn suntan, everyday feels like summer.

 

Merly Diez Bantugan—  Part will be spent with the family at the white beaches in Panglao, trip to Cebu for a change and part with friends in Palawan this mid-May... for  unwinding and purely leisure, may God bless these  plans!

 

Ryan Sines— I want to spend my summer at Alexis Cliff Dive Resort in Panglao. I haven’t been there. If I am not busy, I will try to set a sked with my friends after the Saulog and Mutya sa Tagbilaran. I’ve heard Alexis is a hidden paradise fronting the sea. I would like to try cliff diving for a super summer adventure!  

 

DinDin Calope— Bantayan Island. I wanna experience the best beach and shoreline and the serenity... as what I’ve heard from people.

 

The cold and clear running water from the
Ughuban Spring in barangay Cambuyo
 in Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol is
perfect for your summer relaxation. –Photo by Leo Udtohan

Reigh Monreal—  Have you heard of the three Bohol Surprise tour packages? Each package takes you to a circuit of stopovers beyond the usual nature and heritage tours. The tours have been developed through a project called Ecotourism Bohol which is assisted by the Japan International  Cooperation Agency. For details, please inquire at the Bohol  Tourism Office. It is, therefore, still Bohol for me this summer. Why go to other places when there are a lot more to discover in your own?

 

Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan— Summer getaway? Just in our very own Bohol where white, pristine beaches are also found. Why? I will be hitting two birds  with one stone. If I stay, private practice continues-beautifying Boholanos especially the balikbayans...on call all the time! He!He!He!

 

Karen Batuhinay—  No vacation leave for us this summer. We will be on duty at the airport serving incoming and outgoing tourists/passengers of Bohol.

 

Tess Labunog-Sumampong—  I love to go to Tagaytay! I’ve never been there. I want to experience Tagaytay’s cool weather, refreshing scenery and great food. My friends said that it is a food haven with its many restaurants, cafes and farms offering a wide array of food options.

 

Ariel Fullido—  My dream summer escapade is an inter-island mini cruise, counter clockwise just around Bohol, in a yacht from Panglao, to Anda, hopping from Balicasag and  Pamilacan isles. Then off to Pitogo and the underwater grotto in Danajon reef in Bien Unido, before speeding around the islets of Taibon. In tubigon, try to anchor at Dumog and sample the white sand dunes, before taking  a dive in Cabilao, and berth at the end of the day at the harbor view of Bohol Tropics. Now is the time to view from a distance the coastlines around the paradise island of Bohol!

 

The golden leaves become more transparent
during the summer in Loboc-Bilar forests. - Photo by Leo Udtohan

Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado—  I will be in Sagada. It is both cultural and personal. Cultural because it will be my first time to visit the place, interact with locals, see the hanging coffins.  Personal because being in  a pristine mountain range will give me that much needed breather for  me to reflect and think things over. #WhereDoBrokenHeartsGo

 

Mayette Gasatan —  My summer getaway will be here at South Palms Resort in Panglao. As an officer of this resort, I have to see to it that we will give our best Boholano services and products to our tourists. I am doing this not because this is my job but I’m also happy and proud offering our tourists assets (our beaches and our being hospitable- a unique trait of a Boholano) to the tourists.

 

JP Maslog—  Exploring my home province of Bohol would be my best option this year specifically the least known yet equally awe-inspiring as the world renowned  sites like the chocolates of Carmen or the surrealistic beaches  of Panglao.

 

PSSupt Dennis Agustin—  Bohol. Because we have to comply with the security requirements in our Oplan to keep the Lenten season safe and protect vacationers and tourists.

 

Van Delima— There are a couple of my favorite spots for lounging around Bohol or just so to on any beach to kick back and relax, perfect for the hazy days of summer 2015. Well, most families or rather individuals might spend their vacay on a cozy resort with infinity pools; or a trip to Venice beaches in Italy for the lucrative high tax payers. Me? I am the opposite of both worlds, a summer getaway could mean an aura and an atmosphere of totally spontaneous relaxing and partying, good food and art. While I plan to stay in Anda de Boracay for a night or two, then paddle on a boat rental to Lamanok Island where I wish to spend hours on shore semi-NUDE. I can set up camp for the night bonfire , beer etc then back en route head amongst the greenery of the island where I would probably meet backpacking locals or tourists. Being thrown into something where I don't really know what to expect is exciting, I want to blissfully spend the summer holidays with relatively affordable and fun experience!

 

Pat Ruiz— I am going to the towns of Placer and Corpus in Masbate. Natural and pristine beaches; simple organic food and simple people.  Most of all, no congestion. I was there last year for two days. Now, a week. Will share  you some photos.

 

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

Meaningful hotspots this Holy Week

It’s Holy Week!

 

It’s a time to reflect on how Jesus suffered and sacrificed for us.

 

It’s this time of the year when I can’t help reading a very “disturbing” article about The Scientific Death of Jesus Christ (author unknown), expressing the intense pain that you and I, can shed quiet tears because of the overwhelming love of God showed each one of us when He allowed His only begotten Son to suffer that excruciating pain for our sake!

 

I first published that short article in this corner in 2011 and I’m reprinting it for the benefit of those who missed it back then. Here it is:

 

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty.

 

At the time crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals are condemned to be crucified. Yet it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion Jesus
was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet.

 

Each nail was 5 to 8 inches long.

 

The nails were driven into His wrist. Not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There's a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself so that He could breath.

 

Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support himself with His legs because of the pain so He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using his legs just to continue to breath. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the suffering, the courage.

 

Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours. Yes, over 3 hours! Can you imagine this kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding.

He was simply pouring water from his wounds.

 

From common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side. But do we realize His wounds were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped and an even large nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that His face was torn and his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men would not have survived this torture.

He had no more blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds. The human adult body contains about 3.5 litres (just less than a gallon) of blood.

 

Jesus poured all 3.5 litres of his blood; He had three nails hammered into his members; a crown of thorns on his head and, beyond that, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into his chest.

 

All these without mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying his own cross for almost 2 kilometres, while the crowd spat in his face and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, where his hands were nailed).

Jesus had to endure this experience, so that you can have free access to God. So that your sins could be "washed" away. 

 

All of them, with no exception! Don't ignore this situation. Jesus Christ died for you! Do not believe that He only died for others (those who go to church or for pastors, bishops, etc). He died for you! It is easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but when it comes to God, sometimes you feel ashamed to forward to others because you are worried of what they may think about you.

 

God has plans for you, show all your friends what He experienced to save you.

 

Now think about this!

 

***

Clueless on where to go this Holy Week?

 

For those wishing to adhere to tradition, VRS has picked some places to make your activities meaningful.

 

Fatima Hill- The Fatima Rosary Hill in barangay Buenavista in Carmen town is the home of the Madonna of the Miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary. The shrine was built sometime in the early 1940s. There is a concrete chapel, a spring and a souvenir shop. Spiritual recollection becomes more enhancing on top of this hill where one can look at the wide plains of Carmen and Sierra-Bullones. Don’t forget that it is holy and quiet. Burn a candle and pray.

 

Spiritual recollection becomes more enhancing
at Fatima Hill. Through reflection on our lives,
 Lent will help to make us ready for the next days
 and living more fully in an increasing light.-LPU 

Village of the Compassionate God the Father- Located in barangay Fatima in Inabanga town, the place is peaceful, tranquil and something different.  There are life-size structures of the 14 Stations of the Cross with a big figure of the God the Father of All Mankind at the top of the hill.

Virgen sa Kaluoy in Calape- The image of the Virgin is believed to be growing from an empty giant shell. From a mere obscure figure, the image now is very visible, showing the beautiful virgin with the giant shell in the background.

 

San Antonio de Padua Shrine- Located in barangay Tinibgan in Calape town, it houses the miraculous image of St. Anthony of Padua, one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints. Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of lost and stolen articles.

 

Kruz Daku in Loboc – It is one of the favorite destinations of the pilgrims during the Holy Week. A huge white cross 80 feet in height is on top of the highest hill, where one can view the towns of Loay and Loboc.

 

Lenten Procession in Baclayon- During Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, the streets of this town are filled with life-size religious statues depicting key events of the Passion and Death of Christ on decorated carrozas which are solemnly paraded along the streets followed either by devotees reciting the rosary.

 

Hugos in Loboc- The ritual that dramatizes the first meeting of Christ and Mary after His resurrection, and takes place at dawn on Easter Sunday.  It begins with two processions, where statues of Christ and Mary are carried from opposite ends of the community. The statue of Mary is covered in a black veil of mourning. Eventually, they will meet at midpoint, during which an angel (typically played by a young girl from the community) will lift the veil, ending Mary’s mourning and Holy Week celebrations.  Well, what makes it special is the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir sings during the mass and the ritual.

 

The Village of the Compassionate God the Father
is a perfect place to celebrate the Holy Week.
The time of Lent is precious, a time to slow down,
 restrain ourselves, and prepare our hearts
for the remembrance of Jesus' death.-LPU

Amulet hunting-It is a folk belief that anting-anting (amulets) are especially potent if collected, made, or charged on Good Friday. In Lamanok Point in Anda town and in Kalagan in Garcia-Hernandez, some albularyo search for anting-anting in caves and forests.

 

There’s no place better than Bohol to make your Visita Iglesia pilgrimage, a good try for spiritual journey. There are 14 churches to visit in remembrance of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

 

Mediate and pray at Alburquerque (Sta. Monica Parish), Anda (Sto Nino Parish), Alicia (San Joaquin),  Antequera (The Nuestra Señora del Rosario), Baclayon (The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception), Balilihan (Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish), Calape (San Vicente Ferrer), Candijay (Saint Joseph),Corella (Parish of Our Lady of the Village), Cortes (Santo Niño Parish), Dauis (Church of Our Lady of the Assumption), Dimiao (San Nicolas Tolentino Parish), Duero (Immaculate Conception), Garcia Hernandez (St. John the Baptist), Getafe (Santo Niño), Guindulman (Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion), Inabanga (San Pablo Apostol), Jagna (San Miguel Arcángel Parish), Lila (Virgin of the Holy Rosary), Loay (Santissima Trinidad Parish), Loboc (Church of San Pedro), Loon (Church of Our Lady of Light),  Maribojoc (Santa Cruz Parish),  Panglao (San Agustin Parish), Tagbilaran City (Cathedral of San José), Talibon (Most Holy Trinity), and Valencia (Santo Niño Parish).

 

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

'Hot Cop' Neil Perez invades Bohol

Wake-uppers:

Former National Youth Commissioner
for Visayas Benjie Oliva takes his oath Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) administrator for Visayas before DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima.

Scene: Congratulations to Benjie Oliva as the newly appointed administrator of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for Visayas. CDA is to promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments for equity, social justice and economic development. Benjie, a former National Youth Commissioner for Visayas and administrative officer of the Department of Agriculture, took his oath before DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima.  

 

Scene:  Japanese engineering giant Chiyoda and Mitsubishi Corp. have signed a contract to build a new airport in Bohol, Nikkei reported. The two companies said construction of the new Bohol airport will begin shortly. The airport is expected to be completed in 2017.

 

Scene: Alexis Calipusan, the voice-a-like of Justin Bieber, catches the world attention.  The Huffington Post said that “This Girl Sounds So Much Like Justin Bieber, It's Scary.”  Taylor Trudon wrote “Press play on the video above and close your eyes. Think you're hearing a young Justin Bieber? It's actually the voice of 18-year-old Alexis Calipusan. The teen girl from the Philippines is giving the Biebs a serious run for his money with her identical acoustic cover of the radio hit "Baby." According to EllenTube, Alexis combined forces with her friend Cyril Cailing, to create Jam-C. The duo has also covered "U Smile" and even Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud."  Meanwhile, Seventeen said “This girl is Justin Bieber’s voice-twin- she sounds exactly like him when she sings. Seriously, you won't be able to tell the difference.”

 

***

Pageant watchers and entertainment lovers got the biggest surprise of their lives when Mister International 2014 Neil Perez (real name: Police Officer 2 Mariano Flormata Jr.) visited the province last week.

 

The "hunk cop" was in Bohol for Wedding and Beyond Magazine photo shoot in an exclusive resort in Panglao Island. 

 

Recently proclaimed Mister International 2014
 Neil Perez visits Bohol. More than with his looks,
he has his infectious humility and natural friendliness. 
Courtesy: Raymund Isaac/Butch Bernas/Kit Solis/Ryan Sines

An instant crowd favorite, he also attended the birthday party of Rhigel Dulfo, founder-director of Ramp Models Association of Bohol (RMAB).

 

“He’s nice and very friendly,” said hairstylist Ryan Sines who had a photo opportunity with Neil. “He has a nice smile and very seductive eyes and... humot! We’re like so bagay Ha! Ha! Ha!”

 

Butch Bernas was also impressed on Neil. “He is handsome. A down to earth kind of person even though we had only a few time together with my friends. He is smart and has a good body physique.”

 

Neil’s manager and handler told Butch that they love the beauty of Bohol that Neil wanted to come back.

 

He also visited the Bohol Provincial Police Office to share his experiences as Mister International to his fellow police officers. He also talked about healthy lifestyle.

 

After winning the crown last month, Neil has been doing the rounds in his capacity as Mister International.

 

Here’s what you know about Neil Perez courtesy of Missosology:

 

His real name is Mariano Flormata Jr.

He is a graduate of Criminology at the Manuel L. Quezon University.

He stands 5'11''.

His hobby includes playing the guitar and doing some sketching.

He joined the police force in 2008. In his six years, he has gained 13 medals for showing excellence in responding to disasters and civil disturbance.

He specializes on bombs and explosives.

His father is a retired police sergeant assigned with the so-called Manila’s Finest, the Western Police District which is now called the Manila Police District.

You can spot him at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as part of the Aviation Security Group. 

 

***

It’s graduation season again!

 

Speaking of graduates, we have our own batch in the family: My nephew Charles Jade Pesquira will finish high school at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School and my cousin Shiela Mae Aquino will graduate high school at Holy Name University-High School. Celian Janica Pesquira, a grade 5 pupil of Booy South Elem. School, is first honor.

 

It’s a déjà vu! Was it only yesterday when I myself graduated from elementary (Booy South Elem. School), from high school (University of Bohol-Day High School) and from college (University of Bohol)? That was ages ago, in nineteen-forgotten.

 

Graduation is a celebration of your achievement and marks the beginning of an amazing journey. I am sure parents and the whole clan are very proud of their graduates. Cases in point:

 

Youth leader and Booy Kagawad Clement Paulinel Ingking has finished Bachelor in Hotel and Restaurant Service Technology at the Bohol Island State University –Tagbilaran. He shares:

 

Photo shows Clement Paulinel Ingking in his graduation
 toga visiting the tomb of his mother Linda before the graduation rites
 last Friday at Bohol Island State University in Tagbilaran. 

Amidst all the excitement about Graduating and moving on to new things is an underlying fear. As much as I’ve tried to embrace changes in my life, change still makes me uneasy. Despite all of the changes that have occurred since she died last Oct. 15, 2013 - during the wrath of 7.2 magnitude earthquake, these changes feel harder. It scares me to know that I will no longer be surrounded by my family on a day-to-day basis, nor will I be in an environment I know. I’m worried that it will be easier for my memories of her to fade; I’m terrified I’ll begin to forget. 

 

As the years since my Mama’s death have grown in number, fewer and fewer of my friends are people who actually knew my Mom, and it scares me to think that moving on after college, and on with my life, will only make this worse. This, in itself, is a thought that has brought me to tears on countless occasions. 

 

Thus, I know and I believe that God has His own plans for me and that everything happens for a reason. I Love my Mama Linda so much and I owe my life and everything that I am today. 

 

Thank You so much Mama Linda! I LOVE YOU!

 

On the other hand, Fatima Mapesos, former staff of the late Rep. Erico Aumentado shares her excitement that Roland Sacristan, a scholar of the Aumentado family, has finished his Bachelor of Science in Psychology major in Industrial Psychology.

 

“It seems like it was only yesterday this young soul graduated high school. One day, he went to the office for a plea to Sir. He wanted to pursue college but his parents couldn't afford to send him to school,” said Fatima. “Somebody denied him at first but I told Sir about his ambition and his achievements. When you invest knowledge to people, you don't just give them hope but you give them a life, even a life for the lives of whom those that person is striving to lift for not just themselves.”

 

Roland is proud to say he was able to reap the harvest:  

 

Time travels fast. It seems like my 14 years in school only happened in a week-time. Monday- when I got to read and write my own name, Tuesday- when I learn to solve simple Math and speak good in English, Wednesday-when I got to meet my high school friends and became competitive in the world of academe, Thursday, I entered college and time flies too fast to finally come to Friday to mark my metamorphosis. Time indeed is magic.

 

Roland Sacristan has made through
all the storms and hurricanes in his college
life as a working student. 

Although, I will not be graduating with flying colors, I am proud to say that I made through all the storms and hurricanes in my college life by myself. I am proud that I am a working student and I am never ashamed to be such.

 

Of course there are always those people who came to support me. To name them all is going to lag your computer. I would like to express my warmest appreciation and gratitude to my loved ones, to my family, to the Aumentados, and above all to God.

 

For all the students out there who may struggle to finish college, keep these words: Dreams come true if you believe they are. Think of your dreams every single moment to keep you standing, to keep you from falling and to make you fly!

 

I love you God!

 

To all graduates out there, be the best of who you are, transcend yourself beyond your limits and reach for that star! 

 

***

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