HNU now Bohol’s first solar-powered university

Wake-uppers:

Seen:  Spotted in Bohol last Friday was Gigi Caciuleanu, world famous choreographer, professor and contemporary dance innovator on cultural management, identity and Diasporas and the transformative power of dance. He is in Bohol to share his specific technique and his original style of contemporary dance during the Bansay sa Ting-init 2016’s 2^nd Bohol International Workshop. Gardy Labad is the project director.

Danicop Ticugan Spring in Loon town.  Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Scene: We fell head over heels for places like Loon’s Danicop Ticugan Spring, one of the least-visited springs in Bohol.  It is accessible to hikers and visitors who want to beat the heat. You can indulge in the soothing coolness of the spring. The trees growing on cliffs and mountain slopes give the place a cool ambience to beat the summer heat. And the good thing: No entrance fee.

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The Holy Name University (HNU) has joined the ranks of universities in the country adopting solar power harvesting technology as a way to bring down energy costs.

School officials on Friday assembled on the rooftop of the HNU’s fifth floor at Scanlon Building to inaugurate a solar photovoltaic power plant composed of 1,100 solar thin film panels provided by OrionGroup International Inc.

Some employees and guests check the 1,100 solar thin film panels provided by OrionGroup International Inc. on the rooftop of the Holy Name University (HNU) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province.  HNU is the first academic institution to fully integrate solar power energy system in the province and the Visayas. 

 Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Also present were former HNU president Fr. Florante Camacho, Dr. Christopher Bernido, chairman of HNU’s board of trustees, some deans, teachers and the media- Bohol’s Queen of All Media Ardy Araneta, Dave Albarado, Rey Chiu, Liz Butron and Angeline Valencia.

The solar power plant is capable of producing 100 kilowatts of electricity, said Engr. Rynor Jamandre, president of OrionGroup International Inc.  

Jamandre said solar power is the use of the sun’s energy. He said that concerns over pollution, environmental degradation and resource depletion have led to an increasing awareness of the importance of developing solar energy.

HNU (formerly the Divine World College of Tagbilaran), founded in 1947, is the first academic institution to fully integrate solar power energy system in Bohol and Visayas.

Jamandre also said that HNU’s solar power plant is the largest thin film solar installation in the country as of today.  He said most projects are using crystalline solar panel. The power production can be remotely monitored from an Android or iphone devices.

HNU president Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD, said it would save the school roughly 20 to 25 percent of its monthly energy cost.

“We believe there’s other energy in the environment we could tap.  The solar energy is safer and cheaper. We really contribute to the cooling of the earth,” he said.

There are many advantages of solar power, said Jamandre.

“Of course, you save your energy bill every month; the roof will always be cooler because you have a cover of solar panels. And the most important is we save carbon emission. It’s very important because global warming is a reality. We are doing our part to make it happen one project at a time,” he said.

The solar power can be used for many years, said Jamandre.

With the project, HNU joined other Manila universities in the use of solar energy, namely La Consolacion College,  Manuel L. Quezon University,  St. Scholastica’s College and Mapua Institute of Technology.

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BBM’s whirlwind visit to Bohol

While you and I were sleeping, Vice Presidentiable Sen. Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. had a whirlwind visit to Bohol last Thursday to meet local officials and renew social ties.

His tandem, presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was not present.

Vice Presidentiable Sen. Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. 

meet the members of the Bohol United Opposition (BUO)

 in Tagbilaran City.  Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Marcos was to meet some members of the Bohol United Opposition (BUO). But before the program would start, the venue had power outage. 

He blamed the administration for sitting on the power supply problem in the country.

“Ang  experience ko sa kampanya saan ako pumunta may brown-out e. Yesterday, the day before yesterday ganyan din. Pinuputulan kami ng kuryente everywhere we go. I don’t know  kung ito’y  artificial or talagang..but there is really a big demand that cannot be supplied sa power sa Visayas including Mindanao,” Marcos told Bohol reporters.

He said the administration’s lack of foresight and planning has worsened power supply in Visayas and Mindanao.

“Luzon is beginning to feel it,” he said, “The problem is wala talagang ginawang plano kasi itong gobyiernong ito para sa infrastruktura  na kailangan natin kaya nagkaganito. They have been in power for 6 years they have not able to do anything. Matagal na naming winawarningan yun tungkol sa power supply pero wala naman silang ginagawa.  That’s why this is it. Ito, dedicated sa akin itong brown-out sa akin.”

He also said the government has to examine sources of energy.

“It is very difficult to re-open the power nuclear plant. We already sold the fuel already.  There’s no fuel anymore. If we are going to rehabilitate it to standard of today, sa laki ng gagastusin natin  we might need to put up a new one. But we have to examine the potential of nuclear, we need to examine alternative energies,  we need to examine the traditional sources of energy because we have to increase our power supply and we have to lower our cost of production.”

In other developing and developed countries, they are using nuclear because it is the cheapest to produce power, he added.

Bohol has no power supply based in the island and the existing power load is dependent on the power from the geothermal plant in Leyte. In 2013, the power supply was disrupted causing blackouts and water shortage when Leyte was hit by Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda).  

Marcos spoke before at least 200 members, mostly mayors and vice-mayors, of BUO, a local political party organized by Bohol 2nd district Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado. 

BUO is also supporting presidential aspirant Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay. 

Prominent members of BUO who met Marcos were former Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-delos Reyes who is running for Bohol’s 3rd district representative against incumbent Rep. Art Yap and Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy who is running for governor against incumbent Gov. Edgar Chatto.

Marcos also told reporters that he met Vice Gov. Conching Lim.

“Magkilala na kasi kami. Siya ay dating member ng Blue Ladies,” he said.

“Blue Ladies” was Imelda Marcos’ gang or sort of ladies in waiting composed of the strong, high-profile women or the wives of the country’s top businessman and the Marcos cronies. They were the center of social life in the Marcos years. They were called Blue Ladies, after the color the campaigners of the late Ferdinand Marcos wore when he ran for reelection in 1969 (Sergio Osmeña ran against Marcos).

Marcos in his speech said that he was ready to serve the country.

He also said that it was not a problem whoever would win president since all presidentiables were his friends.

“Maraming nagtatanong eh, Mr Senator kapag ikaw nahalal  bilang Presidente, e hindi mo naging kasama o ka-partido ang Presidente mo, anong gagawin mo? Eh, ako Bakit naman? Tingnan natin ang listahan.  Si  Miriam, siya katandem ko, magkasama kami, magkasundo kami sa maraming bagay.  Si Jojo Binay, galing Norte, natural allies. Si Mayor Duterte, matagal ko nang kaibigan si Mayor Duterte, isa sa tagahanga  ng administrasyon ng aking ama, so magkasundo kami nun.  Si Mar Roxas, kaibigan ko rin. Bukod pa run, pinsan siya ng asawa ko..Araneta ang asawa ko. Madali kaming magtrabaho together.  Si Grace, kapatid ko, e walang problema," said Marcos who laughed on the last part about Poe. 

He continued, "Kaya sinasabi ko, kaya ako nalang ang best position na maging best president. Biro lang ha, kung minsan nagbibiro ng ganyan.“ 

Before he left the venue, he took a look of an old photograph showing his father, the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, who was with the late Gov. Erico Aumentado and former Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.

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Duterte-Cayetano political rally in Bohol ‘phenomenal’

Phenomenal.

That’s how the local chapter of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) described the political rally of presidentiable candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his running-mate Sen. Alan Cayetano, in Bohol province last Sunday, April 3.

Duterte and Cayetano were warmly welcomed by Boholanos as if they were Bohol’s favorite sons.

Supporters called the visit “redemption,” “Duterte festival,” and “Duterte phenomenon.”

In Ubay town, where Duterte and Cayetano arrived at past 3 p.m. on Sunday, a crowd of 10,000 greeted them at the town’s gymnasium.

A sea of people at the Duterte-Cayetano rally in Tagbilaran City, in Bohol province, last Sunday (April 3).  Presidentiable candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has drawn remarkable seas of humanity to many of his high-energy rallies in Ubay, Tagbilaran and Panglao towns. Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Ubay, about 113 km from the capital city of Tagbilaran, has a voting population of 40, 803 and is the largest in Bohol’s second district.

At past 6 p.m., the tandem arrived at Tagbilaran City, about 113 km from Ubay, where their supporters waited for them.

Residents lined up the streets chanting “Duterte, Duterte,” as the mayor peeped through his car window waving and greeting the people.

The tandem paid a courtesy call to Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. They also met priests and seminarians at the Priests Home in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS) compound.  Duterte also visited lawyer Victor dela Serna, his mentor at San Beda College.

Roads around the Tagbilaran City Square were closed to traffic starting 2 p.m. An estimated crowd of 30,000 were already at the venue at around 3 p.m.  

Traffic flow was moderate and manageable, according to the Tagbilaran City Police Station. At least 20 policemen secured the premises, along with SWAT members.

At 6 p.m., the crowd swelled to 60,000, an event really unexpected since Bohol is touted as bailiwick of the Liberal Party (LP).

During the rally, actor Cesar Montano sang his own composition to show support for Duterte. The supporters were singing along with him for the last few lines.

Cayetano told the crowd that the Department of Tourism will be transferred to Cebu and a department of Fisheries will be created in Visayas. He also rallied to create more and better jobs and raise incomes to enjoy the benefits of a growing country.

 

In his speech, Duterte reiterated his vow to stop crime, illegal drugs and corruption in government within six months of his administration.

He cited illegal drugs as the root of all evil and warned druglords and their runners to watch out.

“Pagbantay mo kay pusilon mo nako (Be careful, I might shoot you),” Duterte said.  The crowd cheered.

Illegal drugs continue to hound the province despite numerous operations and significant accomplishments from law enforcement agencies.

He also pushed for federalism, not only to end the decades-long secession in Mindanao but to bring progress across the Philippines.

“What Duterte did, he just shook Bohol,” said Lito Alagadmo, 38. He said he attended the rally to support Duterte.

"He's a breeze of hope totally different from traditional politicians. He is focusing on solving the problems of our country that I think many Filipinos want to hear," said Hazel Panlita, 35, who attended the rally with her friends.

"I've been to several political rallies through the years and never I have seen enthusiasm as displayed here tonight," added Panlita.

Not everyone was a Duterte fan.

Lilia Yorong, 46, from barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City attended the rally.

“I’m not a Duterte fan. I support Liberal Party but I eventually like to hear more specifics on how Duterte would achieve his goals,” she said.

Often drawing laughs, loud applause and sustained cheers from the crowd, Duterte hasn't shied away from attacking his rivals, and he kept the heat on Sunday, criticizing Roxas, Poe and Binay, saying they had no specific plans of action on how to solve criminality, poverty and illegal drugs.

“I can talk about stopping corruption, I can talk about suppressing criminality. I can even kill the drug lords,” the tough-talking mayor said.

Duterte also proclaimed the official PDP-Laban provincial bets (Senior board member Dionisio Balite for vice governor, Donald Sevilla for board member of the first district of Bohol, et al) and local bets­ (Arlene Karaan and her slate in Tagbilaran City, et al).

The rally in Tagbilaran ended at 9:30 p.m. but Duterte and Cayetano proceeded to nearby Panglao town for another rally where at least 20,000 people were waiting for them.

Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary General for Visayas and PDP-Laban provincial chair, expressed confidence that Duterte and Cayetano will gather victory in the province in the May 9 presidential elections.

“We will promise 65 t0 70 per cent Boholano votes for Duterte and Cayetano,”  said Dumaluan, who is also running for mayor in Panglao town.

Bohol, touted to be a bailiwick of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), has a total number of 798, 768 registered voters.

"The enthusiasm is spreading like wildfire. People are supporting Duterte of their own volition because they believed he is the catalyst for real change,” he said.

He said the people find Duterte’s platform relevant.

“People are tired of our corrupt system. Besides the corrupt system, we see problems on poverty, drugs and criminality. And we don’t like anymore that our lives are being controlled by the Imperial Manila. If Poe, Roxas and Binay will win, it’s still the same. But Duterte is offering federalism, "he said.

"We want change. Duterte is a man of word. He will walk his talk. We saw him in Davao, we saw he is a principled man," he added.

He added another factor is that the Duterte’s grandmother from Saligumba clan was from Bohol.

Dumaluan said that PDP-Laban didn’t worry about Bohol as Liberal Party country with incumbent Gov. Edgar Chatto as the ruling party’s head.

Unperturbed, he said “No, the governor can’t control the people. It will be problem if they will be carried away by the people. The Boholanos know Duterte is a Boholano because his grandmother was from the Saligumba clan. The Boholanos would feel for fellow Boholano,” he said.

Dumaluan also urged his party mates all over the province to consolidate and solidify its forces behind Duterte and Cayetano.

He said there were candidates who obtained their certificates of nomination and acceptance (Cona) from PDP-Laban including Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy who is running for Bohol governor against Chatto and former Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-delos Reyes who is running for representative in third district of Bohol against Rep. Art Yap, dumped Duterte in favor of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard bearer Vice-President Jejomar Binay.

At least 20,000 supporters, wearing blue and red shirts with Duterte’s face and name on it, have gathered at the Panglao gymnasium as early as 4 p.m.

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Cold springs and cave pools to beat the heat on scorching Bohol days

With skyrocketing temperatures, high humidity and a scorching sun, it can feel like you want to cool down immediately.  

But whether you’re in search of ice, water or simply super-strong air-conditioning to escape the heat, VRS can find you dozens of cascades, natural springs and parks around town to discover the places for us to beat the heat.

Fall in love with these natural springs just a few hours away from the city.

Note: The photos on this page that you’re marvelling at are the natural cold springs in Bohol I have had visited this summer.

Duwangon Spring in Bilar 

Bilar- Often bypassed in favor of neighboring Carmen town, Bilar is blessed with springs and waterfalls. The Logarita Cold Spring is found inside the protected Rajah Sikatuna National Park. In Barangay Zamora, you can have a relaxing cold dip at the Duwangon Spring. It is known for its fresh, clean and cool water....the iciest cold spring in Bohol!   Entrance Fee: P10 (Logarita Cold Spring); P5 (Duwangon Spring)

Candijay- The Canawa Spring is mysterious yet another natural wonder. The water is crystal blue. Locals said that divers attempted to measure the depth of the water but they failed to reach the bottom of the spring. You can make a sidetrip to Can-umantad Falls, the tallest waterfalls in the province, and the Candabong rice terraces.  In barangay Cogtong, the Anahaw Spring offers a total health experience for the physical well-being of the old, not-so-old and the very young. The people of Cogtong wash their clothes and fetch water from this spring for drink.  It was lately discovered the spring has remarkable healing properties because of its high alkalinity and polarity. Entrance Fee: P10 (Canawa Spring); No entrance fee for Anahaw Spring

Logarita Spring, Bilar

Jagna- This town shimmers with beaches made of smooth white pebbles or smooth slate. It also offers cascades and natural springs.   The Lonoy Spring, about 5 kms from the town proper, offers a clear and cool spring. It’s the second iciest cold spring in Bohol!  According to residents, there were five natural springs which were sources for drinking water. Due to its abundant supply of water, residents called it “galanay” or “galonoy” (abundant). Barangay Lonoy is where the Battle of Lonoy took place in 1901. Entrance Fee: P10

Valencia- The town’s Badiang Spring continues to attract visitors with its underground freshwater spring.  The spring water is diverted to fill the two swimming pools. Entrance Fee: P20

Garcia-Hernandez- The Ughuban Spring, located in Barangay Cambuyo is totally an amazing place because of its natural view. It has a cauldron (kawa)-shaped body of cold water. The mahogany trees surrounding Ughuban gives it a more relaxing feel. Since there is no entrance fee, you will enjoy swimming to sawa. You can also visit Roxas Park in Barangay Calma, about 4.2 kms from the highway.  The resort has two standard sized swimming pools whose cool and fresh water continuously flows from a rock spring.  Entrance Fee: P30  (Roxas Pork)

Dimiao-  Take a dip in the small pool of Kuremo Spring  which is actually a catch basin for the very cold water that comes from the mountains. There is no entrance fee. Enjoyment guaranteed!

Baliaut Spring, Baclayon

Baclayon- A natural swimming pool along the highway on the shoreline where fresh cold water from its natural outlet blends with seawater making it a favorite spot for locals during a hot and sunny day to cool off. No entrance fee.

Lila-  You can also quench the summer heat at Tinugdan (Tinubdan) Spring. Soak in the refreshing cool waters of this cold spring, the third iciest cold spring in the province! There is no entrance fee so you can swim here to sawa. Tibubdan comes from the native word “tubod,” which means “spring” or “source of water.”  Since there is no entrance fee, there’s an overload of happiness for swimmers!

Clarin-  The Caluwasan Spring, about 4 kms from the highway, here is refreshing and cold.  The place is relaxing and full of life, however, plastics and other wastes are left at the sides of the spring. No entrance fee.

Loboc- This town is not only known for its majestic Loboc River, the river of life. It has also Loktub Spring in Barangay Gotozon. It is a natural swimming pool where fresh cold water from its natural outlet blends with the river during high tide. No entrance fee for unlimited happiness!

Lonoy Spring, Jagna

Antequera- This town is blessed with waterfalls and karst caves. The Inambacan Cave and Spring, about 2 kms from the town proper, is a haven for nature lovers. No entrance fee.

Loon- The Danicop Ticugan Spring is one of the least-visited springs in Bohol. You can indulge in the soothing coolness of the spring. The trees growing on cliffs and mountain slopes give the place a cool ambience to beat the summer heat. No entrance fee.

Cave pools are also getting popular for summer escapade.

Dauis- Visit the Hinagdanan Cave Pool. It is known for its natural underground swimming pool of very cool spring water. The stalagmites and stalactites added attraction to the chilly water. Entrance Fee: P50

Anda- The beach is just the beginning in Anda. It feels like a hidden oasis where people ca n enjoy and relax with its white sandy beaches and bright turquoise sea. Besides the seas, the town has many cave pools.  These natural freshwater springs that flows from caves into the sea are favorite swimming destinations for locals and visitors of this town. Try Cabugnaw cave pool, Kalorenzo, Banilad cave pool and Tigdao cave pool. Free entrance.  

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

Blessed Assurance!

Jesus lives! This is the day the Lord has made!

Today’s Homily centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It assures us that God has accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our sins; it assures us that there is life after death; and it assures us that Christ is with us in the present and in the eternity future.

 

As we celebrate Easter Sunday, let us sing together Bill Gaither’s Because He Lives:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Now, let us sing Fanny Crosby’s Blessed Assurance:

Note: Blessed Assurance is one of my favorite hymns written by blind hymnist and Queen of Gospel Song Writers Fanny Crosby. It has touched my heart since my childhood days and even until now I hum this whenever I remember with my heart at peace. Indeed, God has given us a blessed assurance through Christ. 

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long...

Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Let’s move on to the old Jerusalem, the birthplace of Easter!

Note: On this page are pictures at the village of the Compassionate God in Barangay Fatima, Inabanga town.

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The Holy Week started with the celebration of the Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ’s passion and death by marking His triumphant entry to Jerusalem.

Several important events for the Christian faith were the Last Supper, the washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the kiss of Judas, the Calvary, the death of Christ, Deposition and the Burial and Resurrection.

Inside the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran City, a giant scaffolding rose right before the church’s interior.  It has reached to the ceiling of the dome which is being painted.

The painting is expected to finish on or before May 1, the city’s fiesta, church officials said.

The St. Joseph Cathedral the Worker Cathedral is one of the parishes founded by the Jesuit missionaries in 1595.

Although the bamboo scaffolding might be distracting during a worship service, it didn’t hinder hundreds of Boholano Catholics to attend Palm Sunday o Bendita sa Lukay.

Many brought palm fronds to church and re-enacted Christ’s entry to Jerusalem, waving the leaves at the priest as he made the entrance procession to the altar before the start of the Mass.

Bringing palm fronds, Florencia Dacaldacal, 72, was able to attend the 9 a.m. holy Mass officiated by Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

In his Homily, Bishop Medroso reminded the Boholanos  to reflect on the sacrifices of Christ for our salvation and carry the cross of Christ.  He also reminded the people that Christ is the only hope amidst trials and failures in life.

“This Holy Week, we should be like Jesus. We should follow His cross. The Holy Week is also a perfect opportunity for us to be reunited with the Church,” said Bishop Medroso in local dialect.

After the Mass, the faithful waved their palm fronds as the priest blessed them with holy water.  In Catholic belief, the waving of palms symbolizes the discipleship and a sign of the faithful’s desire to follow Christ.

Outside the church, several vendors were selling palm fronds since Saturday night. They sold palm fronds at P10, P20, P30 and P100.

For cotton candy maker Vic Maamo, 64, Palm Sunday was an opportunity to earn a living.

He said he ordered 50 bonds of lukay (young coconut leaves) from Catigbian town, at least 33 km from Tagbilaran. He bought it for P25 per bond.

Maamo said he could earn as much as P5,000 in a day compared to selling cotton candy which earn him only P1,000 on Saturdays and Sundays in front of the church.

“God’s mercy helps my family. We can buy rice and viand. And there is a little left for us to buy clothes for the kids,” he said.

After the Mass, the churchgoers returned home and hanged their blessed palm fronds on their front doors or windows as a sign of welcoming Christ in their homes.

But Dacaldacal believes that hanging the palms can also ward off evil.

“It has power because it was blessed by a priest,” she said.

Other faithful observed that while the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral has an ongoing painting, the Holy Week was also a perfect time to repainting the Christian faith. 

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

Antequera keeps basket weaving tradition alive

At the newly-built Antequera Municipal Hall, the Tourism Information Center looks like another office. It's actually a working art gallery of baskets.

In a community where the livelihood of most families is basket weaving. They wove baskets from native grasses and plants out of necessity since 1911. Before these baskets became art, they were tools.

BASKET WEAVERS in Antequera town keep an -old tradition alive through the 2^nd Basket Festival. Basket weaving is one important aspect of native culture for both practical tools and beautiful pieces of art. 

Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

"The people of Antequera have been keeping the tradition alive through a lot of hard work and a love of the process,” said Russel Villas, information officer of Antequera.

He also said that the weavers were not just ordinary weavers.

“All of the basket makers here in Antequera are artists," he said.

Weaving baskets is something Rodel Barace, 29, of barangay Obujan-Tagubaas, has been doing since he was a little boy.

He learned from her mother and grandmother, who used to sell baskets at Antequera and Tagbilaran markets.

He said it's more than a family tradition; it was a way of life, a livelihood.

Barace said that the basket he is weaving reflects his town, known as Bohol’s basket capital.

"This is what I am doing since I was young and I represent a community,” he said.

When the strong earthquake hit the province in 2013, Antequera was one of the severely damaged towns.  However, the quake had not stopped the residents from weaving basket.

The style of weaving is unique to the residents of Antequera. A family in Barangay Bicahan started weaving in 1911 with “ bukag,”  a big basket  as product.   Over the generations, different families have developed their own artistic flair.

“Through the years, we are making different styles and sizes,” said Barace.

THE MAJESTIC, grand and impressive Mag-aso Falls 

in Antequera town is a favorite summer destination. 

Leo Udtohan/Chronicle

Selling baskets and other handicrafts was a way of supporting the families. Before good roads attracted visitors to visit Antequera, residents then walked long distances to sell their family’s baskets. On foot, they travelled to Tagbilaran City, at least 18 km from their hometown.

Almost everyone in the town knows how to weave. You can visit houses and see their quick, skilled hands can pull strips of  “uway” and other native plants into the form of a basket and other native products in just a couple of hours. Bamboo, rattan, nito, buri, wicker, sig-id and other vines can be dyed and woven into native products such as hampers, lampshades, wall decors, furniture, fashion accessories and even animals such as duck, cat and tarsier, in all shapes and sizes.  

Last March 17, the town was celebrating the 2nd Basket Festival honoring the local tradition of basket making.   There was a display of their native products, street-dancing and a dance showdown at the town plaza.

“This is the second year of our celebration. In fact, it boosts the basket revenue of our town considering it has experienced a downfall in production in the market,” said Villas.

He also said that after the 1st Basket Festival, many suppliers contacted the tourism office to have their designs drafted and weaved by the local weavers.

Antequera Mayor Jose Mario Pahang said that the festival was an avenue to showcase their handicrafts to the world.  Councilor Lani Labado, tourism chair, said that the town’s native handicrafts are widely accepted in the world market.

The festival featured a street parade with participants in bright-colored basket themed costumes, dancing to the beat and rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs.

This year, residents have noticed the newly-built town hall.

And weavers who have witnessed the festival were inspired to keep the old tradition alive.

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Incidentally, the dry/summer season has officially begun last Friday. Have you started writing your summer go-to checklist yet?  Why not going local? Bohol is one of the country’s top tourist destinations, after all.

While Antequera retains its glorious native products, it’s grand, impressive, crystal-clear water of Mag-aso Falls remains a favorite summer destination. It was destroyed by the quake in 2013 and typhoon Seniang in 2014 but Mother Nature has carved a new view of the falls. All summer long, Mag-aso falls is hard to beat.  Other interesting places to see are Inambacan Falls and Celing spring and fish spa.

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

Dolce Amore in Bohol: ‘Kilig pa’ more!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The Department of Education (DepEd), in cooperation with the provincial government  of Bohol,  Australian Embassy and  Asia Foundation Partnership in the Philippines conducted the "Eskwela Agrikultura" Agri Senior High School Summit last March 9. It brought together agriculture and tourism industry stakeholders to discuss the development goals of the province senior high school opportunities in tourism.

Scene: Fans remembered the 6th anniversary of Rebecca del Rio’s death last Friday. Rebecca Del Rio (Ma. Lourdes Buslon in real life) was the 1st Filipina to win Asia's Best Supporting Actress in the 1958 Asian Film Festival. A native of Sierra-Bullones town, Del Rio hit her peak in the ’50s and she made numerous movies under Sampaguita Pictures. She was touted as the “most glamorous kontrabida” of her time. Rebecca del Rio may be a darling to baby boomers but perhaps a bit of a "stranger" to the new generation of movie lovers.

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ABS-CBN’s Dolce Amore has been keeping Filipinos glued to their TV sets. Last week, many Boholano followers could not get over to the kilig serye’s episode on Bohol, trending on social media and unwittingly disrupting the diurnal of Boholanos.

‘KILIG PA’ MORE. Dolce Amore which shows the beauty of Bohol last week has been keeping televiewers glued to their TV sets with so much ‘kilig’. Courtesy: Star Creatives

“I did watch the episode. It was not only kilig but it showed the beauty of our province,” said Karen Digal-Asoy who personally met LizQuen during their taping in Sevilla town.

“I can’t get over the movie..so much love and kilig,” said Anita Dacaldacal.

The Bohol episode shows Tenten (Enrique Gil) finally agreed to join Serena (Liza Soberano) in her trip to Bohol.

They immediately headed to Nanay Melds (Frenchie Dy)'s community with a friendly guide (Buboy Villar) who helped them find the way. They crossed two streams (unverified locations) and Sipatan hanging bridges in Sevilla town, and had a long walk on a forest road of Loboc and Bilar.

When they reached the community, they were greeted by a marching band and a group of residents who made them feel like VIPs. Serena finally got the chance to hug her Nanay Melds once more.

DR. DOLOREICH DUMALUAN and his wife Malou 

meet LizQueen at Dumaluan Beach Resort in Panglao town 

where the breathtaking beach scene of Dolce Amore’s Bohol 

episode is shot here. Contributed Photo/Roldan Cuevas

Serena and Tenten excitedly explored the beauty of Bohol with Nanay Melds and Tatay Cardo (Rommel Padilla). Nany Melds told them that she was working at the floating restaurants.

They went to Loboc River cruise.  There was Lobocanon singer Sam Varquez who was singing “Welcome to Bohol...” while they were enjoying the ambiance of the river. They also joined the local folks to dance tinikling.

After the cruise, the group headed to Chocolate Hills. The place was a perfect setting to discuss love and destiny.

Quote and unquote: "Ang pag-ibig nila ay hindi dahil bumagal ang ikot ng mundo o kumanta ang mga ibon o biglang lumiwanag ang madilim na paligid. Ang pag-ibig nila ay nagsimula sa gutom lamang. Isipin mo yun... Ang happily ever after, hindi ibig sabihin na happy-happy ka lang lagi. Ang ibig sabihin ng happily ever after ay dahil pinili mong maging happy sa taong kasama mo at mahal mo at kahit ano'ng mangyari, paninindigan mo yun dahil mahal mo yun e. Bumagal man ang ikot ng mundo, umawit man ang ibon o hindi, magliwanag o dumilim man ang mundo, magmamahal ka dahil pinili mong magmahal."

There was a scene at Dumaluan Beach Resort where Tenten enjoyed his morning swim and Serena defended him from the three women who made fun of him because of his lisp problem.

Dolce Amore’s Bohol episode, according to data from Kantar Media, registered a national TV rating of 37.5 percent.

Kilig much!

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Willy Ramasola’s post on Grace Poe goes viral

JP Maslog is rubbing elbows with LizQueen during

 the loveteam’s recent visit to Bohol. Contributed Photo

Willy Ramasola’s Facebook post on presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe goes viral.

His post in full read: "To my FB friends who support Grace Poe, please explain to me why people should vote for her.

"Her own husband is a natural born American and he cannot even vote for his own wife this coming May. Her children according to her will remain American citizens. As senator, the number of bills she filed which became law is none. Big fat zero. Her other public service experience was at MTRCB which consisted of watching movies and classifying them as PG or GP or R.

"So tell me why people should vote for Grace? Give me a very good reason aside from her being the adopted daughter of FPJ. Thanks."

Well, Willy has a point.

Unexpectedly, his post caught the attention of many personalities, including singer Gab Valenciano, son of Gary V.

Valenciano said, "Dear Willy Ramasola, I do not know who you are so I cannot comment based on your character and personality, instead, I will comment based on your post."

Gab also reminded everyone that dual citizenship exists and that her family’s own American citizenship should not be taken against her.

“Sen. Grace is my friend above anything. And I defend my friends. So what if her husband is an American citizen. So what if her kids are keeping their American citizenship. Get with the times. There is something called dual citizenship. People who are well travelled and have spent time away from their hometown could have gained more insight, could have gained an understanding of what it means to advance any kind of system beyond the ‘Filipino way,’” he said.

Valenciano also blasted the existing double standards in the Filipino political system which have served as hindrances to someone like Poe who just wants to serve her country.

“Our political system is rotten to its core, and the whole world knows this. A true Filipino is Filipino by blood, not by paper. People move countries to expand their way of life, not relinquish their homeland. She purely and sincerely wants what’s best for our country and will do anything and everything to serve with the best of her ability, no strings or bs attached. That’s what I admire most about her. We Filipinos are so freaking fickle. We lambast and rebuke her yet have the balls to support someone who goes against a Filipino’s moral code. It’s an outrageous double standard that is so hypocritical, it’s sickening. Let’s disqualify the “inexperienced” candidate who doesn’t meet the requirements of residency and continue glorifying the corrupt, unscrupulous and indecent,” he said; adding he wasn’t paid to endorse but would just like to defend his friend from the hate he believes she doesn’t deserve.

“My issue here isn’t about who you want to vote for. Vote for who YOU personally believe in. That’s fine. But do not use these technicalities to question someone’s ability or inability to lead,” he said.

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