Apec hotties and World Aids Run in Tagbi

Mexican President Enrique Nieto
and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
From the Internet

Thank God! The Apec has ended. 

Complaints of heavy traffic in Manila were suddenly replaced by excitement and swooning when Mexican President Enrique Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were in the country for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit last week.

Netizens came up with an online survey to lighten up the mood amid the busy Apec week.

Using the hash tags #APEChottie andf #APECbae, netizens shared their two cents on who between Nieto and Trudeau should be named Mr. Apec 2015. The hash tags immediately became an instant hot topic in the social media. 

The barong tagalog worn by world leaders during the Apec was handwoven  using the finest pina fiber from Aklan.  Mayad ayad gid ja!

Beauty queen and OMG.com model Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas shared on Facebook:“It is truly amazing how the leaders from all over the world unite for an urgent  cooperation in  the fight against terrorism. Mabuhay kayo. P.S. And I love the Canadian Bae. He’s so hot! Please marry me. (Just kidding. Or not) He’s too good to be true. Hoooo.”

Police officer Melinda Mendez-Basalo of the Tagbilaran Airport  posted on Facebook: “They look more gorgeous and oozing with sex appeal! Hope we could have a more appealing and gorgeous President next year whether a Man or a Woman.”

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The World Aids Day Run in Tagbilaran City is on Dec. 5.

Bon Ryan Bongato, RN, the organizer of the event has to say:

The World Aids Day Run Bohol on Dec. 5 (Saturday) is for HIV awareness, a run for a cause big event happening here in Tagbilaran City. Organized by Cebu Plus and ABS-CBN Cebu, it will be simultaneously held in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Dumaguete. The assembly time is 4 a.m. at Island City Mall (infront of Bo’s Coffee – facing Dao terminal). 

This year’s theme is “Getting to zero, Zero new HIV infections, Zero stigma and discriminations, Zero AIDS related deaths.”

Different categories to choose from: 3k (P300.00), 6k (P350.00), 12k (P400.00) and P250.00 for all students who can present their valid school ID upon registering. Each category also separated from male and female runners. Singlets for all runners are available with different colors such as blue, green, orange and pink in neon colors with different sizes to choose. With the prints: Awareness is power, know your status, and zero stigma and discrimination” which you can also choose from.  

You can register at the Island City Mall (ICM) lower floor entrance near the activity area, the City Health Office near the City Hall in Dao, Tagbilaran City and also at Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Memorial Hospital. 

The event includes continuous Zumba while the run is being held and HIV testing and counseling booth is always available for individuals who want to know their status. Prizes are awarded after the event. 

World Aids Day, a celebration every December 1 is for HIV awareness and proper education. It was first encountered in Congo in the early 1950s, and has spread from country to country and people with HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus) numbers have grown multiple of times over the years. 

The Philippines is one of the top countries who have an alarming increase of people who have acquired it. Individuals who have this virus doesn’t have any symptoms (asymptomatic) and becomes the carriers unsuspectingly after acquiring it. HIV attacks our body by entering the white blood cells (our natural body defenses against diseases) making it unable to function as a defender of the body and immune system. The virus can take over the entire immune system about 7 to 10 years becoming into AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome) a series of diseases that the immune system is defending us from. It cannot be acquired through sweat, saliva, urine, hand contact, or even blood droppings from a person with the virus; these are all myths. It needs an open wound from the receiver to be able to enter without being exposed to air to survive. Stop the Stigma and discrimination.

Western Blot Test is the initial laboratory examination of the blood to detect the virus and then confirmed by the ELISA test to be able to determine if you have acquired the virus, more tests are developed to be able to get the results within seconds. The virus would be undetectable by other tests making you unaware of being the carrier and for those years you may spread it unknowingly. Blood transfusion, mother with virus to child (through child birth or by being breastfed), sharing of syringe (injection), and sexual (penetrative) intercourse are the only ways of spreading the virus or the mode of transmission. Getting an HIV test doesn’t mean you acquired it; it means that you valued your health. We encourage you to get tested and know your status. 

This event is supported by the Department of Health (DOH), Provincial Health Office (PHO), City Health Office (CHO), Tagbilaran Mayor John Geesnel “Baba” Yap II and Gov. Edgar Chatto. Initial main sponsors are Island City Mall, Fairfield Diagnostic and Urgent Care, Heritage Crab House Seafood Restaurant and Drink Me Liquors.  Interested companies and associations who would like to become sponsors are still welcome. We also accept volunteers for the event. 

For questions and inquiries, you may contact the coordinators: Dr. Wilnilia R. Causing, MD; Eduardo G. Gabud Jr. or Bon Ryan A. Bongato at 09287958201.

You can also join our group for updates and may post with the #WADBoholRun on Facebook. 

Run for a cause. Awareness is power.

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Mar Roxas: ‘I courted Korina here!’

Heavy rains didn’t dampen the spirits of an estimated 1,300 supporters who gathered at Trinidad Gymnasium in Bohol province on Wednesday to meet and greet Liberal Party (LP) presidentiable bet Mar Roxas.

According to the event host, there were at least 200 local officials who are running in 2016 under LP from all over Bohol attended the event dubbed “Daghang Salamat Mar Roxas; Padayon Bohol” (Thank you Mar Roxas; Continue Bohol).

Councilor- to beTessie Labunog-Sumampong, who is running for Loboc
councilor under LP, meets Presidentiable Mar Roxas.  Courtesy: Ric Obedencio

The venue was literally filled with people, mostly students from Trinidad Municipal College, wearing yellow shirts, the official color of LP.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said Roxas’ was instrumental for helping Bohol’s rehabilitation and recovery after a strong earthquake in 2013 that devastated the province.  A total of P2.3 billion check was given to Bohol through the Bohol Earthquake Assistance (BEA) when he was interior secretary.

In his message, Roxas told the crowd that Bohol is special to his heart.

He said Trinidad town (with a population of at least 30,000) was named after Roxas’ grandmother Trinidad de Leon-Roxas.

Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes said that Roxas’ visit was “Indeed a historical and unforgettable happening that is taking place in the town. Historic that in a  sense, for the first time, the grandson of the late Pres. Manuel Roxas the very place which his lolo was founded 68 years ago thru his Exec. No. 18 signed on Aug. 14, 1947.” Trinidad was formerly known barangay Ipil of Talibon town, birthplace of the late Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, before it became independent.

Roxas also told the crowd about his Bohol connection which he said was his secret.

“Nakalimutan mo sabihin na si Mar Roxas,  anak ng Bohol. Kaya ganun nalang ang aking pagtingin sa Bohol, sa Bol-anon, sa inyong lahat, ang liderato, at mga kababayan natin dito dahil sikreto sa inyo, feel kausa ako sa inyo.. dahil dito ko niligawan ang aking misis na si Korina,” he said. Although he didn’t elaborate when he courted the veteran broadcaster but it elicited applause and yells from the crowd.

Roxas also added that his visit was to know more of the local candidates.

“Kumbinsido na ba kayo? Sa palakpak ninyo kumbinsido na kayo. Gusto ko kilalanin ang mga kandidto,” he said.

A member of the LP Party, who asked for anonymity, said that Roxas’ visit to Bohol was a “loyalty check.”

An LP official said that a “close- in meeting” was conducted by Roxas with local LP key players prior to his departure to Cebu City.

Roxas challenged the local candidates to support the “Daang matuwid” campaign of the Aquino administration.

“Magiging kasangkapan tayo sa pag-unlad ng ating pamayanan.... para sa ating mahal na Bohol,” Roxas said.

Cancelled flights due to Apec

Rudyard Japhet Josol, 28, of Calape town has changed the date of his trip to Manila . Instead on Nov. 17, he decided to reschedule his trip last week of the month.

Josol and other Boholano travelers, including incoming tourists will be affected once the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit opens in Manila on Monday, Nov. 16.

Various airlines have announced the cancellation of domestic and international flights.

Josol should be in Manila for a job interview at Abojeb Manpower Solutions, Inc.

“I just informed the agency that I can’t come because of no flight,” said Josol.

“Hasol gyud kay daghan importante lakaw ma pending tungod ana pero unsaon wala tay mahimo kita nalang ang mo-adjust (The flight disruption is inconvenient, most especially that you have an important thing to do. But we can’t do anything so we just adjust our trip), ” he said.

Ludine Dano of IJea Travel and Tours in Tagbilaran told her clients two weeks ago about the cancellation of flights due to Apec.

“I told my clients about the unavailability of flights on the said dates,” said Dano.

Miraflor Lawangon of Wow Bohol Travel and Tours also said that some of her clients had rescheduled their trips to Bohol last week of November. “Others have moved their tours in December,” she said.

The closure of runways to give time to the arrival and departure of world leaders have Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, Cebu Pacific-Tiger Air (CebGo), and Air Asia Philippines canceled flights from Nov. 15 to 20.

PAL said passengers with confirmed flights can rebook prior to or within 30 days from their original flight date, with rebooking and penalty charges waived.

Affected Cebu Pacific and Air Asia passengers also have the options to either rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from the original departure date or get a refund.

Twenty flights from Manila and back are confirmed cancelled as of yesterday while more cancellations are expected in the succeeding bulletins coming from Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific.

The cancelled flights in the Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila route are:

For PAL, flight PR 2777/2778 is cancelled on Nov. 17.

For Air Asia, fights Z2 352 and Z2 353, Z2 354 and Z2 355 are cancelled on Nov. 17;  flights Z2 354 and Z2 355, Z2 350 and Z2 351 on Nov. 18; Z2 352 and Z2 353 on Nov. 19.

For Cebu Pacific, flights 5J621/622 is cancelled on Nov. 16; 5J621/622, Nov. 17; 5J621/622, Nov. 19; and 5J617/618, Nov. 20.

‘Suicide Squad’ star Margot Robbie visits Bohol 

Hollywood actress Margot Robbie
 at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
Courtesy: Margot Robbie Fans Instagram Page

While you and I were sleeping, the star of the highly anticipated DC movie “Suicide Squad” Margot Robbie had visited the Philippines, including our Bohol.

She shared a short video of her ziplining across a river. She simply captioned the video with #bohol #philippines.  Netizens identified the place-Bohol’s famed Loboc River (where councilor- to be Tessie Labunog-Sumampong hails from), one of the major tourist destinations in the country.

The Hollywood actress even asked her 1.3 million followers on Instagram to visit the Philippines or donate to the foundation.

“Suicide Squad” will be on theaters in August 2016. Robbie will star in the film along other A-list celebrities like Will Smith, Viola Davis, Jared Leto and Cara Delevingne.

In a post on her Instagram account, she said found her “heaven” in the country.

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

How to avoid falling prey to 'laglag bala' scheme

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Benjie Oliva on CPG: President Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) has been my inspiration in pursuing my career in government with utmost integrity, excellence and performance starting as a casual employee of the provincial government of Bohol to National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner and currently as Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Administrator. His virtues and brand of leadership has been my guide that honed me as a better public servant and a better Boholano. His principle and his being a nationalist has been my direction in d formulation of policies and development programs. How I wish I could follow his footsteps in politics.

Scene:  World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), the world’s largest conservation organization, named lawyer Ingemar Macarine aka Pinoy Aquaman as one of its three environmental “heroes” this year for “pioneering solo channel swimming in the Philippines to promote marine conservation.”

Scene: Ramon Einstein Acuña on the ‘”no show” of  James Reid and Nadine Lustre  (JaDine) in Bohol: Inuulit ko pong humihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa Viva, sa Vantage International Bohol, kina James Reid at Nadine Lustre, sa mga taga suporta ng 'JaDine' at sa lahat ng taong naloko ko sa ginawa kong panlilinlang. Lahat ng bumili ng tikets para sa 'big event' ay bibigyan ko po ng refund.

Benjie Oliva with Rep. Leni Robredo at the Tagbilaran
 Airport. Robredo was the guest of
 honor during the 119^th birth anniversary
 of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia on Nov. 4. Contributed Photo

Scene:  Bohol police were able to execute 26 search warrants, nabbed 53 personalities, recovered two high powered firearms and seized 355 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of about P4.2 million in its “One-Time-Big-Time Anti-Criminality Campaign (OTBT),” a provincewide operations against drug personalities, syndicated criminal gangs and wanted criminals on Nov. 5-6. To capture 50 personalities was also the “gift” of police chiefs to PSSupt. Dennis Agustin who celebrated his 50th birthday on Nov. 5, said Supt. Nicomedes Olaivar, head of the provincial Public Safety Company.

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Bohol-Buhol at Artologist Gallery

The Artologist Gallery will present an art exhibit entitled “Bohol-Buhol” on Nov. 10.

Featured artists include Boggs Castro, Rhants Anunciado, Eric Catot, Edgar Cornito, Jhacky Curambao, Roi Ferre, Irish Glori Galon, Joey Labrador, Glenn Lumantao, Henri Cainglet, Sam Penaso, Rico Tompong, Jeff Sisican, Melbourne Aquino, Chrisylli ibaya, Daisy Daqs, Elvin Vitor, Gay Bernaldez, Geovanni Abing, Gladys Bojo, Glems Barte, Josefino Montano, Joselito Alipala, Joseph ingking, Lloyd Lusica, Lucell Larawan, Milagros Fullido, Polo Joeven, Sandra dela Serna, She Lee, Vida Tirol- de Juan and Vincent Omar Daydayan. 

The artists are a vibrant mix of established and emerging artists who are natives of Bohol, some of whom are still based in their hometown and some based in Manila. Their works showcase the wealth of Boholano artistry spanning a healthy breadth of genres from realist works that stress the island’s natural wonders, to abstractions that have challenged the works of contemporary artists in the country and around the world.

The Artologist Gallery is located at 81 Xavier St. Xavier residences Unit 203, Greenhills San Juan (across Xavier School).

Bohol-Buhol  will run from Nov. 10, ( 6 p.m.) to  Nov. 20.

For details, contact 5460169/ 09178403585.

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The recent incidents of “laglag  bala” (bullet dropping) or "tanim bala" ( bullet planting) scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is quite alarming.

Cynthia Velasquez, 52, sealed her luggage with a packaging tape at her home in Anda town before she went to Tagbilaran Airport.

Cynthia Velasquez/Leo Udtohan

“This is 100 percent safe,” she said, gesturing toward her luggage, visibly secured by packaging tape on the outside.

“They are indiscriminate in choosing their victims,” said Velasquez, referring to the tanim-bala extortion ring. “Better safe than sorry,” she said.

But according to the PNP-Aviation Security Group, there is no reported “laglag-bala” incident in Tagbilaran Airport.

Tagbilaran City is the main gateway to the province.

Maria Glendale Ramos, Intel Officer III, Civil Aviation Security Bureau in Tagbilaran said that screener officers were also subject for a check-up before entering the airport.

“Our screeners undergo a pat down and secondary screening to make it sure they don’t bring anything,” said Ramos.

The “no touch policy” at the Tagbilaran Airport was also strengthened to prevent such incident. Screeners are not allowed to handle or touch baggage to prevent any incident of so-called planting of contraband or other illegal items on passengers’ belongings.

Aside from these, Ramos said that lists of prohibited items are posted inside and outside the airport to warn passengers.

Closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) were installed in departure and arrival areas, airport lounges, screening areas, and other key places in the passengers terminal, according to Ramos.

No lag-lag bala at Tagbilaran Airport/Leo Udtohan

Ramos said if anything suspicious appears on the X-ray machine, police and a witness would be called and the passenger would be the one to open his or her bag for checking.

If a bullet, or any banned substance, is found, a police officer would conduct an investigation and determine probable cause to file a case.

However, she said that although there were no reported incidents of “laglag bala” at Tagbilaran Airport, but there were cases of passengers found with bullets.

“Passenger carrying a bullet is not a new case,” she said.

She said, however, most of these bullets were amulets or anting-anting. “Many people believed that a bullet can be an amulet, that it has the power to protect its owner from danger or harm,” she said. 

In 2012, a passenger was arrested for carrying bullets at the Tagbilaran Airport.  Seven live cartridges were found neatly packed and kept in the passenger’s bag when screening officers found it on x-tray. The passenger could not offer a satisfactory explanation or the necessary documents for carrying the bullets. Passenger was immediately apprehended. A case was filed against the passenger.

Carrying ammunition on a plane is prohibited by law.

The incidence of bullets being “planted” in the luggage of travelers is very scary and I am sure, you don’t want to happen to you.

Tagbilaran Airport/Leo Udtohan

Here are five tips to avoid the tanim-bala racket: keep a close eye on luggage and never allow strangers to handle these; close all zippers, pockets of luggage and seal these; keep an eye on the luggage as it passes through X-ray machines and metal detectors; quickly retrieve bags in the X-ray machines; and never accept luggage from strangers.

Do not accept packages (padala/pasalubong) from anyone. If you accept any padala/pasalubong, check thoroughly its content even if it came from your relative and friends.

In a Facebook post, the Philippine Expats/OFW Blog Awards gave four tips on what to do when an airport personnel accused a traveller of having a bullet in his or her luggage.

1. Don't agree to have your baggage opened. Ask for the airport police or a relative who can immediately call a lawyer for you. Don't also agree when airport personnel ask you to open the luggage yourself.

2. When airport police are present, ask them to open the bag and retrieve the bullet. If the bullet found in the luggage is not really yours, it won't have your fingerprint.

3. After the bullet is retrieved by authorities, ask them to do a fingerprint test.

4. If the result shows that no traces of your fingerprints were found in the bullet then you can file a case against the airport personnel including damages for lost time and inconvenience.

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Meet Aurelio Gahit aka ‘Ondoy Gamay Kalag’

Aurelio Romero Gahit, popular known as “Ondoy Gamay Kalag (The boy with little soul)”, 64, spends most of his life at Victoria Memorial Park (ViMPark) in Tagbilaran City.

He is famous for his “graveside etiquette”-being a gentleman of tact, respect, and sensitivity at the occasion of someone’s burial. He shows us how to behave during a graveside service with the same attitude of respect and courtesy.

FAMOUS FOR HIS “GRAVESIDE ETIQUETTE” Aurelio “Ondoy Kalag” Gahit
 is being a gentleman of tact, respect, and sensitivity at the occasion of someone’s burial.
Photo by Leo Udtohan/Bohol Chronicle

“Ako si Ondoy Gamay Kalag muhangyo sa iyong malumoy nga kasing-kasing nga maghiluman kitang tanan para respetuhon nato atong igsuon nga mingpanaw,” he said.

(I am Ondoy Gamay Kalag, I am asking your kind hearts to please keep silent to respect our departed brother/sister.)

Onday Kalag said he started working for the late Doña Basilisa “Basing” Casas- Lim when he was a teen.

THE BEAUTIFUL and iconic mausoleums or tombs at Victoria Memorial Park.
Photos by Leo Udtohan/Bohol Chronicle

“Doña Basing owned the Sweet Lines,” he said.

When ViMPark was opened to the public on Sept. 15, 1972, he was appointed park coordinator.

However, it was only in 1975 when someone was laid to rest at ViMPark.

Today, VimPark houses the 5,000 remains- from ordinary to famous personalities- including the late Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, lawyer and educator Will Tirol, Lim Poh, Doña Basilisa “Basing” Casas- Lim, provincial board member Socorro Buslon-Tallo, businessman Antonio Ong Guat, Grace Christian Church pastor-teacher Nelson Rio, JJ’s Obdulio Caturza, Sr and wife Juana, Peanut Kisses matriarch Carolina Alvarez, et al.

Boy Kalag, who has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, admitted he could not recall the 5,000.

“Not at all,” he said. “However, I can assure you that they rest here forever.” Although he worried that some letters that were originally chiselled on some gravestones have since faded.

“I offer prayers for them,” he said, “And I pray that their loved ones can visit them.”

The ViMPark is divided into four phases- the gardens of Hope, Grace, Promise and Faith –named after the ships owned by Doña Basing.

Ondoy Kalag also said that at ViMPark, love is forever. He said he could not forget a man who spent over 10 years holding vigil by his wife’s grave every day, arriving when the cemetery opened and heading home when it closed,  before he fell ill.

“When his wife died, part of him died, too,” he said, “That was real love. Tinuod nga naay forever.”

He said he feels more comfortable living with the dead. Except for one horrific incident in 1993  when a mantiyanak (a woman who died in labor) appeared and stirred the neighborhood. Many people heard her singing lullabies to her baby, causing hair-raising chills and making them trembled in fear.

Onday Kalag lost his nerve at the sight of the mantiyanak.

“She appeared to me,” he said. He went to see a Catholic priest and he was told to pray at the grave of the person. After praying, the spirit was gone.

Boy Kalag has retired two years ago, but he keeps going to VimPark to assist his son, Victor, 34, who took over his job. His wife, Teofista “Itang”, 58, son Roland, 32; daughters-Abeta, 30; and Bella, 26, are there to support him.

Living all his life at the ViMPark, Ondoy Kalag said wo/man has a soul.

“Naa jud kalag ang tawo. The body, being finite, does die. Yet the soul, the essence of our loved one, is eternal,” he said.

He said visiting the cemetery on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day is remembering our loved ones.

“That they’re gone but not forgotten. Our connection lives on and will never die,” he said.

For the celebration of  Kalag-Kalag, he urged the visitors to show respect to their departed love ones by keeping the cemetery’s premises clean all the time.

He said the VimPark administration has been preparing for this annual observance since last week, in close coordination with the City police station.

He also said he had deployed numerous signages located at the cemetery’s strategic locations to keep people abreast of VimPark’s dos and don’ts.

“Definitely, loud music is not allowed in the cemetery during Kalag-kalag because we visit the cemetery to pray for our departed loved ones and not to disco,” he said.

Through history, societies have commemorated their dead in various ways.

Ondoy Kalag named the beautiful and iconic mausoleums or tombs (elsewhere in this page), that reflect people's need to immortalize the important figures of their time, or their own selves.

***

Provincial director Superintendent Dennis Agustin said that deployment of police officers at police assistance desks (PADs) on cemeteries was strictly implemented to ensure the safety of Boholanos during the celebration of Kalag-Kalag.

“We’re full alert on Oct. 30,” said Agustin.

He also urged the public to refrain from bringing firearms, deadly weapons and liquor while visiting their departed loved ones.

According to Agustin, they would not only secure cemeteries, but also places frequented by the public like the Dao Bus Terminal, airport, seaports, churches and other areas.

He also said patrol cars and ambulances from the Department of Health (DOH) or local government units (LGUs) would complement the PADs for quick response during emergencies.

Meanwhile, the prices of flowers tripled in Tagbilaran’s flower markets on Friday two days before All Saints' Day weekend.

Vendors sell flowers along C. Marapao Street corner H. Grupo Street, which underwent an extensive repair. They said they were not allowed to sell at the Tagbilaran City Square to avoid heavy traffic.

The prices of Malaysian mums went up from P180 to P350 per dozen, P35 per piece; Chrysanthemum from P70 to P120 per dozen, P20 per piece; Baby’s breath from P60 to P150 per dozen; roses- P300 to P350 per dozen, P30 to P35 per piece; and orchids from P300 to P500 per dozen, P40 to P50 per piece.

Small potted flowers, which normally cost just P50, is now at P100 to P300 each. Flower baskets now cost P150 to P300 from the usual P100 to P250. Elaborate flower arrangements are pegged at P800 to P2,000 or almost tripled the price off-season. Bouquet ranges from P300 to P1,500; while flowers arranged in stands are sold at P600 to P10,000 already.

Vendor Olive Betonio said there are enough flowers for the said tradition. She, however, said that prices of flowers are a bit more expensive this year.

Florist Eddie Dahunog said that there is enough supply of flowers but the price tripled this year because supplies of flowers are from Cebu, Baguio and Cagayan de Oro City.

“First, our flower supply was damaged by typhoon Lando. Second, the cost of transportation is higher. We buy flowers at high price,” said Dahunog.

He, however, said that he would not increase the price because the flowers are already expensive.

“They can ask for discount,” he said.

Residents who bought flowers significantly increase as the stalls opened on Friday. Most of them said that they bought earlier to avoid discomfort of overcrowding.

Flower vendors said the stalls are open 24 hours on Friday until the night of Nov. 2.

However, the prices for candles are still low and fair.

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Mainenamahal: Bohol’s entry to Eat Bulaga’s AlDub contest

Mainenamahal: Bohol’s entry to Eat Bulaga’s AlDub contest

In support for the even more expanding influence of split-screen loveteam of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza aka Yaya Dub, Eat Bulaga has launched a songwriting contest for AlDub-inspired songs to encourage more fans and aspiring musicians to join in and show their unique and creative musicality.

Composer Ralp Maligro

Song writer, composer and arranger Ralp Maligro, who was the grand winner of 2015 Sandugo festival song writing competition, composed and wrote a new song dedicated for AlDub.

Ralp, a certified AlDub fan, penned and composed the song “Mainenamahal.” It was interpreted by Ma. Charmaign Bagotchay, former hotelier and singer of defunct GMA Cebu’s Singgit Cebu.

Charmaign was Miss Bohol National High School Personality 1997 titleholder and former member of the Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe.

“The song moves me. You can feel the song because of its lyrics and melody,” she told VRS on Saturday.

The song really has a touch of AlDub as it contains words or phrases such as Mainenamahal (I love you) Ma-Alden kita  (mahal din kita or I love you, too), among others.

Ang masilayan ka sa bawat sandali langit ang aking nadarama
Sulyap ng iyong mata, at ngiti mong kay ngiti tanging hanap tuwina
Ohhhh...
Parang panaginip na ayaw kung magising
Isang hiling ko lang ay may happy ending.

Lahat ay gagawin para lang sa iyo
Gaano man ka hirap ang mga pagsubok
Di ba sinsbi mong ako’y maine mahal mo na
Kasi mahal na Maalden din kita.

For Ma. Charmaign Bagotchay, who interprets
 the song “Mainemahal,” says AlDub
 has inspired people and fans alike
 in introducing new
songs as another big push for OPM industry.  

Puso ko’y binihag mo tuluyan nang nahuhulog sa iyo
Pag-ibig na nga ba nga itong nararamdaman ko?
Ika’y biyayang hatid ng langit
Ang sinisigaw ng aking puso
Maine-namahal ko.


“Simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G... I think i'm in love again..hahahaahaha.. Congratulations mami.. Super duper good job...Super proud friend here... :),” commented SassyxianTere on Youtube.

Ralp, who is based in United Arab Emirates, is now working for another  AlDub song “Bae” to be interpreted by Charmaign.

(Note: Visit https://youtu.be/pCrTpgzvZIQ to watch the video on youtube.)


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






 Oct. 25, 2015/ Bohol Chronicle

Same faces running in Bohol in 2016; Bohol marks 2nd anniversary of quake

Same faces, familiar surnames and a mix of the old and the new, the hardened and the neophytes, in Bohol politics have thrown their hats into the 2016 ring, filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) last week.

 

Friday’s deadline of filing of COC drew more and more people seeking posts in the 2016 elections.

 

Provincial Election supervisor lawyer Eliseo Labaria said he was pleased with how the filing, which started on Monday, turned out because orderliness was maintained.

 

As of July 20, Bohol has 757,144 registered voters, said Lourdes Cempron of the provincial Comelec office.

 

Reelectionist Bohol Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado
is holding a copy of his certificate of candidacy (COC),
 the first to file in Bohol on Monday with provincial
election officer lawyer Eliseo Labaria and some
mayors. Photo by Leo Udtohan

He urged the public to register before the Oct. 31 deadline.

 

Comelec will release the official list of candidates for next year’s polls on Dec. 10.

 

On Monday, only reelectionist Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado was the first candidate in the province to file his COC.  

 

Aumentado, who is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in the province’s second district, filed his COC at 1:55 p.m. He was accompanied with his wife, Vanessa, mom Greenie, some family members and some mayors and supporters.

 

He said he is seeking re-election to finish some of his projects, including a submarine cable project to bring power to island-barangays and the construction of Ubay Airport which will start in January

 

“We have lots of programs to accomplish,” said Aumentado. 

READ INQUIRER ON AUMENTADO'S FILING OF COC

 

Labaria said he didn’t expect surge of candidates on Monday’s filing of COCs.

 

Reelectionist Rep. Art Yap (2^nd district) says
 he is running to continue his unfinished projects
 that will benefit the barangays. Photo by Leo Udtohan

On Tuesday, Former Agriculture Secretary and Bohol Rep. Art Yap has filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) provincial office here on Tuesday

 

Yap, who is seeking re-election in the province’s third district under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), was the second candidate who filed his COC at 10:30 a.m.  He was accompanied by his wife, Carolyne Varquez Gow-Yap, some mayors and supporters from the third district.

 

Yap said he is running to continue his unfinished projects.  

 

“Work is not yet done,” Yap said. He also said there are legislations to file as a representative that will benefit the barangays.

READ INQUIRER NEWS ABOUT YAP'S FILING OF COC

 

He also cleared that he has no involvement in the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds amounting to P163.2 million while he was Agriculture secretary during the Arroyo administration. But he is expecting that his possible opponent will use the issue during election campaign.

 

Former Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Reyes,
Loay Mayor Rose Marie Imboy, Board Member
Dionisio Balite and Godofreda Tirol file their COCs
on Thursday. –Photo by Leo Udtohan

 “They can always do that. That’s politics. It’s not only in the Philippines but all over the world.   The important thing is I don’t have cases at Sandiganbayan. I have a certification from Sandiganbayan that I am not facing a single criminal case. Just don’t listen to it.  The most important is people can see my performance,” he said. 

 

On Thursday, incumbent Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy, former Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che Che” Toribio-Delos Reyes and board members Dionisio Balite and Godofreda Tirol filed their COCs under PDP-Laban. They arrived 11:30 a.m. accompanied by their families, some mayors and supporters.

 

Imboy will run for governor, while her running mate Balite will run for vice governor.   

 

She will run against incumbent Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, while Balite will run against incumbent Vice Governor Conching Lim.

 

Imboy's daughter Loay councilor Rochelle Brigitte Imboy also filed her COC for mayor, while her husband incumbent board member Brigido Imboy will seek re-election. 

 

Yap, who was uncontested in 2010 and 2013 elections, has found his match. De Los Reyes filed her candidacy for representative in the third district of Bohol.

 

Delos Reyes said she was not afraid to face Yap.

 

“Definitely no,” she said, “I am confident.”

 

Delos Reyes, who runs the international beauty soap “Beauche,” run for governor against Chatto in 2013 but she lost.  Chatto is the currently the provincial LP chairman.

 

Should she win a seat in Congress, Delos Reyes said she would file bills for health, education, livelihood and agriculture.

 

“The reason why I joined is for the poor people. Number one is health. We have poor people who can’t go to hospital because they don’t have money. Second is education. Then livelihood and support to our farmers,” she said.

 

Imboy said that at first she was hesitant to run against Chatto.

 

“It’s really scary, you know he has good track records,” she said. “But upon hearing support and comments from the people that they need a new governor, they need a change, my fear was gone. If God is with us, who can be against us?”

 

On Friday, the last day of the filing, provincial and city Liberal Party’s hopefuls filed their COCs.

 

Before filing their COCs, they attended mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral, joined by their families and fellow LP members.

 

Chatto, the party’s provincial chair, filed his COC along with Rene Relampagos who is seeking reelection of the province’s first district and Vice Governor Lim, their vice gubernational candidate.

 

In Tagbilaran City, reelectionist Mayor John Gesnell Yap filed his COC at the city Comelec Office. Along with Yap were reelectionist Vice Mayor Toto Veloso and their ten councilor aspirants.

 

Aumentado said that he is praying for peaceful elections especially that some of the towns in the second district are considered hot-spots during election time.

 

“We are all aware that there was tension and election related violence in the province, I pray for peaceful and successful general elections in 2016,” he said.

 

Labaria said he was expecting that the next elections is contested in the province. He also said that he will evaluate the critical set-up in the province.

 

“We will do our best that no election relate violence will happen again,” he said.

 

 

***

Bohol marks 2^nd anniversary of quake

 

Church bells rang in Bohol for 33 seconds on Tursday to commemorate the second anniversary of the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that brought Bohol to its knees.

 

A holy mass was held at the Saint Joseph Cathedral officiated by Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso. It was attended by provincial and city officials, mostly from the Liberal Party.

 

Rodel Barace visits the site where four members of his
 family were swallowed by a giant crack. -LPU

After the mass, a photo exhibit was formally opened after the holy mass to demonstrate the post-earthquake recovery.It will run until Oct. 27 at the Bohol Cultural Center

 

But for others, last Thursday’s commemoration was a painful reminder of loved ones lost.

 

Those loved ones who were killed by the quake; they grieved and remembered the people who passed away.

 

“We will always remember them in our hearts,” said Rodel Barace of Antequera who lost four members of his family who were swallowed by a giant crack in Antequera.

 

The Barace family visited the cemetery and brought flowers and offered prayers.

READ INQUIRER ON THE 2ND YEAR COMMEMORATION OF THE BOHOL EARTHQUAKE

 

Booy Barangay Kagawad also visited the cemetery to offer prayers to his mother Linda who died during the quake due to myocardial infarction aggravated by the quake.

 

“My heart breaks for anyone who loses their mom,” said Lofranco.  He also said that her mother was also his best friend.

 

Linda was the former top-seller Individual Group Supervisor of Tupperware  Brand – Bohol  (formerly Saralee Direct Selling).

 

“I thank you God for giving me the most priceless of all treasures, help my Lord to keep alive her memory here forever,” said Clement.