SK Bahi will definitely impress you

Youth leaders of Barangay Bahi in Alburquerque town in Bohol push their mobile classroom to teach schoolkids this pandemic. Photo: Leo Udtohan

How's your barangay’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) doing so far? Are they living up to your expectations of them? If not, they can probably learn a thing or two from the SK of Barangay Bahi in Alburquerque town. 

The SK officials of Barangay Bahi has successfully implemented "Project Tulak Karunungan - eSKwela Program Mobile Kariton Klasrum" last July 18 with some 100 grade school pupils as their beneficiaries.

Last week, your VRS had personally witnessed how SK Barangay Bahi chairman Kien Alphe Garsuta and his councilors and a volunteer pushed their cart filled with books, papers, and chairs while they roamed around in the village. 

Their destination was sitio Pantad at least 1.5 km from village proper on a mission to teach children whose studies has been interrupted by a pandemic through their "kariton klasrum" (cart classroom). 

As I accompanied them, I personally witnessed their dedication as well as their endurance. When they reached a hilly part of the road, they pushed the cart with all their might  or else the cart would push back against them.

"We created this mobile classroom so we can just go to them so would not leave the barangay. That's what we thought 'pushing wisdom,' we 'push wisdom' to the children," said Garsuta.

When the "mobile classroom" debuted last July 18, there were only 20 students. Now, they have already taught 100 schoolkids. 

Garsuta, 23, said his team noticed that children got bored at home during the quarantine with activities limited only to watching TV and using cellphone. 

"We want to continue what they have learned in their schools, " said Garsuta, who was also the municipal federated SK president. 

Garsuta’s team looked for a design. But it was their fellow SK Lourdes Ungab who designed the pushcart and transformed it into a makeshift, mobile classroom. 

The SK of Barangay Bahi in Alburquerque: Their routine includes pushing the mobile cart on some up and down slopes that they pass along the way. Photo:  SK Bahi

Garsuta always believed in the capability of the youth to implement projects that don’t have to be costly. He also wants to minimize the use of the SK’s funds.

The cart costs them P8, 000 including labor, and another P10, 000 for educational materials such as papers, books and pencils, chairs, pails and soaps. 

The cart was perfect for the task which is small enough to roll in roads. 

The schedules would depend on their availability but they were able to teach thrice a week with Sunday as the group's fixed day.  They just finished eight session last Sunday, August 2. 

The class lasts for two hours would start at 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. held in a vacant lot. 

It begins with a prayer and singing of the Philippine National Anthem, Bohol and Alburquerque hymns. 

A story telling would follow, then a five-minute exercise. 

Children from kindergarten to Grade 4 were grouped by their levels with assigned volunteers-teachers who would teach about reading, writing, counting, and proper handwashing. 

"We teach children the tracing of letters, basic reading, basic writing, identifying colors and shapes, as well as spelling, and then we teach them proper hand washing because we are here in the pandemic. We taught them how to sanitize and wash their hands," said Garsuta. 

The community gladly welcomed the "mobile classroom".

One of them was the 25-year-old Antonette Pabio whose five-year-old Jayshine Dave attended the class.

"This is a big help for our children especially now  there are no classes, no teachers because of  COVID-19. It's okay for me to bring my son here because he will also learn something," she said. 

 

Pabio said making children stop schooling in midstream breaks momentum of the learning process and makes them lose interest and the motivation to study to better themselves.

Hence, the mobile classroom refreshes what they learned from school.

Kimberly Channel Garsuta, 9, one of the students, said she was energized to study again. 

She would be in Grade 4 this August 24 if classes will push through. 

"I want to attend here because I learned a lot and then I'm happy I have a lot of friends here," she said. 

After the sessions, the youth leaders have to clean the area and  place the chairs and other materials in the cart. 

Going back is also challenging due to a slopping ground.

But these youth leaders have no qualms since they have a  meaningful and fulfilling day. 

Garsuta is a kind of a youth leader who can motivate his peers and lead by example that will make the youth group stronger and more effective.

He also encourages other youth to also do their share in making a difference in the community.

Garsuta said they have to learn to adapt and evolve just like the coronavirus is doing, by improvising, innovating and pioneering without stopping education. 

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Local farm sites: Agriculture for food security and sustainability amid pandemic

Candijay-born politician-turned organic farmer Robert Olaer, with wife Brenda from the Yu political clan of Calape, owners of Iyaah Eco-Farm in a pose with Audio-Bohol president Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin from the City Government of Tagbilaran.

The members of the Association of United Development Information Officers (Audio) in Bohol had been looking forward to July 29 and 30, 2020 as another exciting learning opportunity. Dubbed "Blogging Forum", the activity included lectures and expository tours to farm tourism sites being assisted by the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) for Central Visayas headed by Dr. Carolyn May O. Daquio based in Barangay Cabawan, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. 

Recently, Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap emphasized the importance of agriculture to Boholanos incorporating agriculture in the tourism industry. 

Farm tourism is the business of attracting visitors to go to farm areas, generally for educational purposes, while encouraging economic activities that can provide both the farm and community income. 

However, due to the CoVid-19 strict health and safety standard protocols, the AUDIO-Bohol group composed of information officers from the local government units and national line agencies in the province led by City Government of Tagbilaran's Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao - Gabin as president, were divided into two groups for July 29 and 30, but with the same itinerary. 

The Audio members with Robert and Brenda Olaer, ATI-RTC 7's Doris Isabel Racho, and PIA-Bohol's Rey Anthony Chiu and Elvira Bongosia at Iyaah Eco-Farm.

ATI-RTC 7's Doris Isabel Racho facilitated the activity which started with the opening program sharing the ATI TRC-7 agricultural development thrust, as well as its staunch commitment to the “Bayanihan to Heal Act”, while teaching new trends in communication such as blogging and vlogging and showcasing different farm technologies. 

After the lecture of Bohol Bloggers' Collective former president and content writer Jhuriz Dugaduga about blogging who taught the group on how to make interesting posts that attract engagements using the social media, Jomer Balag, the owner of Jolit's Eco-Garden in Cambacay, Batuan town, took the Audio members for a brief tour of the area and explained the fruit fermentation process using molasses to provide the necessary nutrients to his plants in the farm. 

The visitors were also served all-natural passion fruit juice. Nestled in the interior part of the province, the place is, indeed, a haven of locally produced vegetables and ornamentals that are a sure delight to every "plantliner".

The most-awaited part of the visitors was the chance to choose and buy the ornamentals that made the ATI coaster look like a crowded "lasang" (forest) on the way back to Tagbilaran.

Jomer Balag of Jolit's Eco-Garden explains the fermentation process using molasses.

IYAAH Eco-Farm, coined from the word “kinaiyahan” (nature), an acronym meaning “Inigsoonay'ng Yano Alang sa Agrikulturang Hamugaway”, is situated on a 10,500 square meter-property less than 5 kilometers away from the center of Tagbilaran City.

 It is classified as an integrated diversified farm that has been registered as one of ATI-RTC 7’s learning sites.

The owner, former Candijay Sangguniang Bayan member Robert Olaer, supported by his wife Brenda, shared their passion for the conservation of nature and its sustainability which aligns with their strong advocacy to have a “Happy Living, Healthy Lifestyle, and Holistic Life”.

 According to Olaer who is the Tagbilaran City Agriculture and Fishery Council (CAFC) chair,  Kapunongan sa mga Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KBOOM) vice-president, and Central Visayas Farm Tourism Association (CeViFTA) vice-president, they are basically teaching “harmonious living by eating locally-produced organic foods, while constantly communicating with nature. After all, nature does it all.”

Capping the educational part of the one-day activity was the lecture on vlogging by noted Panglaoanon graphic artist Rowell Clenuar, founder of Travel 29, the marketing agency that popularized the Alicia Panoramic Park, who challenged the Audio members to harness their creativity. 

On behalf of group, Audio-Bohol president Gabin expressed profound gratitude to the ATI-RTC-7 for sponsoring the blogging forum geared towards teaching a more interesting platform of sharing knowledge while expressing oneself, refining communication skills, expanding professional networks, making a difference to the general public,  and learning how to appreciate and be engaged in the promotion of agriculture  towards food  security and sustainability, especially  in this time of pandemic.

PIA-Bohol’s Rey Anthony Chiu and Elvira Bongosia also provided coordination.

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Sweet memories

Someone forwarded this article he culled from the Internet. I think this is worth sharing. 

As a kid,  Regardless of the weather, our dinner time was at 7:00PM and bed time was 9:00PM.

Eating out at a #restaurant was a huge deal, and usually to celebrate a special occasion.

There was no such thing as fast food on every other day, and having a bottle of soft drinks or a large ice-cream from the local shop was a real treat. Boy oh boy! Pass your final exams and then you may get a new pair of shoes or set of clothes! 

You took your school clothes off as soon as you got home and put on your ‘home’ clothes. There was no taking or picking you up in the car, you either boarded the school bus or rode on public transport!  Or simply walked back. You got home did your chores and your homework after dinner. 

We didn’t have #cabletv #wifi or #Netflix, we had only a few channels to watch and not available 24/7.

We played shatong, tumbang preso, Hide & Seek, marbles, jack stones, and any other game we could come up with.....  At home, we stuck to chess, scrabbles, ludo, snakes and ladders. 

Staying shut in the house was a PUNISHMENT and the only thing we knew about "bored" was --- "You better find something to do before I find it for you!"

We played music via records, magnetic tapes or listened to the radio. 

We went to the local shop for groceries and candy used to be a few cents or at the most one cent.

We ate what Mom made for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even snacks were homemade. Bottled water was unheard of. We drank tap water. At home it was boiled and cooled . While playing outside straight from the tap.

We weren't AFRAID OF ANYTHING.  We played until dark... sunset was our alarm.

We hung around with real friends not virtual. We rode our bicycles or walked to meet our friends at their houses. Friends houses were extension to our home.

If someone had a fight, that's what it was and we were friends again a week later, if not SOONER.

We watched our MOUTHS around our elders because ALL of our aunts, uncles, grandpas, grandmas, AND our parents' best friends were all extensions of our PARENTS and you didn't want them telling your parents if you misbehaved! Or they would give you something to cry about.

We respected the Police, Firemen, Ambulance workers, Teachers, Doctors and Nurses. 

We never answered back..... ever!! 

We got detention at school for not doing homework, being late to class or being naughty. Our teachers spanked us when we deserved, and our parents did not complain about it.

Those were the good days. So many kids today will never know how it feels to be a kid the way we used to be 😁.  I loved my childhood and all the friends I hung around with. Good Times 🤓😘

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COVID-19 leaves beauty industry unemployed

There’s no denying that the majority of freelance makeup artists and hairstylists are affected by the COVID-19.  But Roger Ryan" Khim" Magtagad is at your service at the BQ Mall.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

With business disrupted and provinces on lockdown to contain the pandemic, the economy slumbers. 

 

Most projects are at a standstill. Beauty pageants and events have been cancelled and postponed.

 

So sad the virus has all but completely shut down their industry.

 

For the freelance make-up and hairstylists  their jobs---which involves face-to-face, one-on-one contact — the very thing that the entire world has been told to avoid to stop the spread of the virus--- they are left to find creative ways to survive financially and emotionally. 

 

Andrew, a Tagbilaran-based freelance makeup artist, hasn’t worked since March 16. He primarily does wedding makeup and worked a wedding that day, but he's been self-quarantining ever since.

 

“My June weddings were cancelled," he told VRS. 

 

Another make-up artist Pickles said that next year's project is totally empty. 

 

"No bookings compared to last year's, " he said. 

 

But the pandemic didn't stop them to makeup lost time and to render community volunteerism during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

They have volunteered to paint social distancing markers around Tagbilaran City. They also helped to check the home quarantine pass and monitor social distancing in both public and private establishments. 

 

Roger Ryan" Khim" Magtagad of The Art Noveau volunteered to assist frontliners at malls and public markets. 

 

"This quarantine I would say is life changing. It had swayed me how many times, made me blank for awhile and made my life uncertain at some point. I belong to the events industry that is greatly affected by this pandemic. No events means no job and no job means no money and no food to eat, " shared Khim. 

 

He thought it was the end. 

 

For freelance makeup artists and hairstylists, their lives have already changed dramatically during this pandemic.  But Nina and Angela are at your service at the Dao Public Market. Photo: Leo Udtohan

"The Art Nouveau Models and my closest and trusted supported me and motivated me. They provided me not just material things but also wisdom and determination," he said. 

 

He said it was a challenge venturing into a new platform of work that he was not used to it. 

 

"I have been managing and handling models for more than 10 years. So I have to adjust everything on this also," he said. 

 

"I want to be able to take part in helping flattening the curve for COVID- 19. As a new member of the Glam Team, I am one of those who is very blessed to receive aid from  (Tagbilaran City First Lady) Ate Jane Yap our very active and loving 1st lady. Under the administration of Mayor Baba Yap, I am very happy and honored that I am able to help my community and work to make this community sanitized to prevent the spreading of the virus. I will render myself and continue to volunteer in maintaining the safety protocol in Tagbilaran City."

 

COVID19, he said, is still here. He encouraged everyone to protect ourselves and the community.

 

"As much as I want to help, this is the only thing I can do that is why I am giving my all because I know it will make a difference. It is very risky for me but I want to help and I want to tell people to be responsible and to stay at home when it's not needed. We should ask not what the government can provide but ask ourselves, 'What can I do to help flatten the curve?', " said Khim. 

 

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'Dolphin therapy' at the island of dolphins

Pods of dolphins found in the sea waters off Garcia Hernandez town in Bohol province. Photo courtesy:  Jervin Galido

When "Dolphin therapy" became a "fad" in 2005, yours truly, frequently visited the Pamilacan Island to see the friendly mammals. 

 

I have had depression that a friend told me to see dolphins. 

 

My friend said that dolphins have reputation for their healing powers over the last couple of decades.

 

There are reports dolphins can use their natural ultrasound to zap tumors, heal muscle injuries and stimulate the brains of disabled children. Dolphins have relieved chest pain and restored faulty vision.

 

That explained that there are many facilities scattered around the world that offer various forms of dolphin-assisted therapy for people with mental and physical ailments. 

 

Essentially, it’s an expensive opportunity to swim with dolphins.  In the USA and Mexico, the program includes five 40-minute sessions with a single dolphin in a pool over three days. The cost is $575.

Parents of children with severe autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or other disabilities spend thousands of dollars on such dolphin-based treatments in hopes that the animals can reach their kids in ways that psychiatrists, physical therapists or medications never could.

 

But I didn't shell out money to see the dolphins in a facility. I had experienced them in their own natural habitat. 

 

Although my friend told me that I could swim with dolphins at Pamilacan Island, but it didn't offer therapy. 

 

Some experts said that the appeal of dolphin therapy is based more on mystical beliefs than on any real results. 

 

There’s no real research to support dolphin therapy, but I believe the animals bring joy, confidence and self-esteem to children and adults. 

 

During my visits to Pamilacan Island, swimming with dolphins had improved my feelings of well-being while reducing anxiety. 

 

When I learned that pods of dolphins re-appeared in Garcia Hernandez town last week, I am happy because their appearance means abundance of foods from our seas. 

 

The presence of dolphins in the sea waters off Barangay Cayam enticed residents to look for them in the open sea. 

 

Those who had a close encounter with the  dolphins  have been posting photos and videos of animals enjoying the newly quiet sea in the social media. 

 

Ruel Baguhin, 37, considers the presence of dolphins in the municipality as “rare” and “surprising” since the last time residents have seen the aquatic mammals was some decades ago.

 

Residents have been spotting bottlenose and spinner dolphins as well as orcas or killer whales starting last June 29.

 

The presence of dolphins in the waters off Barangay Cayam prompted residents to look for them in the open sea.

 

Those who had close encounters with the dolphins posted photos and videos of the sea mammals on social media.

 

According to National Geographic, orcas or killer whales are considered the largest among the dolphins and are among the world’s most powerful predators. They are recognized through their distinctive black-and-white colors.

 

John Brian Galendez, 29, a resident of West-Lungsodaan in Garcia Hernandez town, saw “hundreds” of dolphins last Saturday afternoon.

 

He said he and friends spotted them at around 5 p.m.

 

“It was my first time seeing dolphins here although I learned that some fishermen have had sightings of them in the past,” Galendez said.

 

The Bohol Sea is said to be one of the breeding grounds of whales and dolphins.

 

Whales and dolphins sightings were popular in the seas of Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Lila and Pamilacan Island in Baclayon town, known as the highway of the whales and dolphins. 

 

However, it diminished in early 1990s due to rampant whale and dolphin hunting.

 

Since then sightings of these creatures became rare.

 

An outcry from local and foreign conservationists triggered the ban on the hunting of dolphins and whales. 

 

The Philippines, one of the first countries in Southeast Asia with policies protecting marine mammals, banned the catching, selling, or transporting of dolphins and whales since 1992 through Fisheries Administrative Order 185.

 

In 1998, the Animal Welfare Act was also put in place. In 2001, the Fisheries Administrative Order 208 on the conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered fishery species, which includes whales and dolphins.

 

Does dolphin therapy work? I don't know. 

But I feel better. 

 

 

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Gardening during a pandemic

Elvie Bongosia's caladium.

Going to the grocery stores and markets to find pots and planters feels like an act of desperation already during this time. Aside from braving the masked lines, flower pots and planters are becoming rare to find.

 

Why? People are turning to gardening as a soothing and family-friendly hobby.  Fruit and vegetable seed sales are skyrocketing.

 

People are also looking for activities to spend their free time. Parents, too, are turning to gardening as an outdoor activity to do together with children stuck at home after schools shut.

 

Helen Castano passed along some vegetable seeds and my initial burst of excitement has turned into dread.

 

Since it was ages ago that I last did gardening in my elementary school, I asked Helen for tips on how to make my garden grow.

 

 "Simple," she said. “Water them every day, put them out in the sun, and talk to them.”

 

 Helen has snake plants and cactus to complement her garden. She said gardeners without yards of soil can plant vegetables and flowers in trash bags, she said.

 

She said "now is a wonderful time to be a home gardener, because you’re home and have time."

 

Elvie C. Bongosia of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Bohol, a green thumb and advocate of plants, has a pretty all-pink caladium collection.

 

 "You are beautiful no matter what shape you are," she said of her succulent plants.

 

 Maria Fe H. Evasco turns her place into "plantastic."

 

For Miss Tagbilaran 1987 Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin, there’s a reason why so many people own indoor plants these days.

 

Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin's coral cactus plant and the water lily painting from visual artist Joey Labrador are a perfect match in the dining room.

Not only do they bring color and beauty to an area, but studies have proven that these ornamental plants instantly improve a person’s physical and mental well-being.

 

 "They are effectively purifying the air and reducing stress through their calming presence," she said.

 

Her indoor plant collection, mostly snake plant varities, are gifts from her friends.

 

"I always believe that there is beauty in simplicity," she said. Her coral cactus plant and the water lily painting from visual artist Joey Labrador are a perfect match in the dining room.

 

Fiel emphasized that simple plants will do, since "gardening is not about expensive plants and pricey pots".

 

On the other hand, Fiel's hubby, Jerome John from Siquijor, is so much into edible urban landscaping everyday, before and after office work.

 

He has "law-oy" corner with Kamunggay (Moringa), Tanglad (Lemongrass), Kangkong, Camote Tops, Alugbati (Spinach) and Sibuyas (Spring Onions).

 

Moreover "Balay Kabilin" is not just a place to enrich our minds, but also to scout for some plants. When we visited Prof. Marianito Jose M. Luspo last week, he was planting some onions on the vacant lot. The "Balay Kabilin" has kamunggay and ornamental plants, too.

 

When his friends visit him at "Balay Kabilin", Sir Luspo expects for the "Great Botanical Raid” to begin.

 

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Fossil of 15-million-year-old Megalodon tooth found by friends in Maribojoc

Christian Gio Bangalao,  Fel Vincent Vargas and Jestoni Alagon (not in photo: Geo Rodell Nacorda) accidentally found an unusual fossil while hiking in a mountainous barangay in Bohol province. Photo courtesy: Jestoni Alagon

Christian Gio Bangalao, Jestoni Alagon, Fel Vincent Vargas and Geo Rodell Nacorda went on a hiking trip when they accidentally found an unusual fossil in a mountainous barangay in Maribojoc town. 

It was part of their spiritual activity as members of the Singles for Christ. 

Bangalao, 25, said that while they took respite in an uphill road in Barangay Jandig in Maribojoc, he tripped over something protruding from the earth.

"Pagduko nako naa koy nakit- an unusual. Murag shell pero lahi ra sa shell. Mao na-curious ko," said Bangalao. 

Using a stick, he dug the soil and he got half of the object since it broke. Later he got the half which was still intact. 

Vargas, 23, said they had no idea what was it but they suspected it was a tooth of an animal. He took photos and posted it on Facebook. A friend, he said, told him to inquire with the reseacher at the National Museum of the Philippines- Bohol Area Museum and Satellite Office (NMPB). 

Personnel from the NMPB headed by Charlemeine Tantingco, museum researcher, came to check the specimen and the area where they found it. 

The fossilized tooth of megalodon shark that lived around 15.9 to 2.6 million years ago was discovered by four friends in Barangay Jandig in Maribojoc town, Bohol. 

Photo courtesy: Jestoni Alagon

Days after their discovery, they were informed that the fossilized tooth belongs to the Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) previously known as Carcharocles megalodon, a huge shark that lived during the Miocene to Pliocene period, which lasted from around 15.9 to 2.6 million years ago. 

Jestoni Alagon, 23, said that the discovery would give better understanding of the sharks of Maribojoc past and present, as they remain as an important part of the town's unique natural heritage. 

The quadrumvirate donated the fossil tooth to the National Museum-Bohol branch last May 28, 2020. 

This isn't the first time a megalodon has been found in Marobojoc town. In 2018, 

Venjo Busalla found a fossil at Maribojoc’s town plaza. 

It is currently on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila. 

Coming across a megalodon fossil is considered a rare find, according to Professor Jose Marianito Luspo. 

He said the discovery of the fossil would give better understanding of how the island of Bohol was formed--- from part of the sea floor and became land.

Prof. Marianito Luspo said the discovery of the fossil would give better understanding of how the island of Bohol was formed.

"There was a time that sea creatures used to swim in the area. Because the rise of coral which later became limestone then became foundation of the island, the remains of these sharks and megalodons became part of the landscape, " Luspo said. 

The four didn't expect that their spiritual activity on May 24, 2020 would led to a bigger discovery that will provide key insights into the influence of geological changes on the evolution of mammals. 

They hope the fossil will eventually be available for exhibit.

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