Painted crosswalks in Tagbilaran to spread positivity

By Leo Udtohan

The TaskUs-painted lanes in Tagbilaran City, Bohol serves to brighten the city and uplift Boholanos morale as the province recovers from the physical and financial losses brought by super Typhoon Odette (Rai). Photo: Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY-  TaskUs, a global provider of outsourced digital services with a site here, gave three frequently used pedestrian lanes a much-needed and "ridiculously" refreshing revamp. 

The project, dubbed “Ridiculous Roads: Bohol”, painted lanes on JLU Building and the Island City Mall on Rajah Sikatuna Avenue, and another one in front of the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Parish Shrine in Plaza Rizal Rotunda. 

The artworks catch the eye of motorists to remind them to slow down while approaching and to make a complete stop before crossing pedestrian lanes, while encouraging pedestrians to actually use the lanes for their safety.

The painting of the pedestrian lanes was approved by and met the standards of the Public Works Department and the Tagbilaran City government.

The project serves to brighten the city and uplift Bol-anons morale as the province recovers from the physical and financial losses brought by super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), which hit the country late last year and left 108 casualties in Bohol. 

These hardships, according to TaskUs, were made doubly challenging by the rising prices of gas and basic commodities coupled with an unprecedented national inflation rate. 

The colorful crosswalks are placed by TaskUs in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to inspire hope and positivity and to remind its locals about the island's promising progress. 

Photos: TaskUs 

Created by Pahid Murals, a local arts group in Bohol that paints murals across the island, the colorful crosswalks are placed in the city to inspire hope and positivity; it also serves to remind its locals about the island's promising progress. 

The project is a follow-up to the company's voluntary employee donation campaign from December 2021 to January 2022, which managed to collect P2.6 million (US$46,200) that supported affected teammates in building back their damaged homes. Furthermore, in 2020, TaskUs also painted crosswalks in Antipolo City, Rizal to advocate for road safety. 

"TaskUs has always remained committed to supporting the communities in which we serve," said Anna Victoria Alcachupas, TaskUs' Division Vice President of Integrated Marketing. 

"Bohol is a very special place for us as it is one of the first sites that we opened during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have always been inspired by the resiliency of the Bol-anons, and we hope that, through this project, we can give them back that inspiration and hope especially during these trying times, " she added. 

All three pedestrian lanes were chosen as these were among the most frequently used by Bol-anons in the city. 

The colorful crosswalks are placed by TaskUs in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to inspire hope and positivity and to remind its locals about the island's promising progress. 

Photos: TaskUs 

Each of the pedestrian lanes boasts a dynamic, vibrant, and inspiring combination of colors with green and blue predominating the design. Bohol, after all, is known as a tropical haven for its lush greenery that houses one of the world's smallest known primates called the Tarsier, along with its pristine blue seas that serve as one of the country's most popular diving spots. 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap expressed delight at the colorful pedestrian lanes "which give hope to our locals as well as welcome the talents who are coming from and outside of the island."

"These pedestrian lanes add color to the continuously developing city of Tagbilaran, which is now considered one of the Philippines' 20 Most Competitive Cities with a burgeoning business process outsourcing workforce," said Yap. 

"In light of these recent developments in the city, we are happy to have these colorful pedestrian lanes which give hope to our locals as well as welcome the talents who are coming from and outside of the island," she added. 

Newborn abandoned outside store in Dauis

By Leo Udtohan

A newborn was found abandoned outside a convenience store in Barangay Bingag, Dauis town in Bohol  on early Monday morning, Oct. 10, 2022. Photo courtesy of Odessa Coto

TAGBILARAN CITY- A newborn placed inside an eco bag was found alive after being abandoned in Dauis town in Bohol province on early Monday morning, police said. 

Police Staff Sergeant Ritchel Pabalan, head of the Women And Children Protection Desk at Dauis Police Station, said they were notified around 5:30 a.m. Monday of a baby who had been found apparently abandoned outside a convience store in Barangay Bingag, Dauis town.

Riche Tuades, the son's store owner of 7R Store, found an eco bag when he opened the store. 

Curious what's inside the bag, he opened it only to find an infant inside. 

The baby girl which was three to seven days old has been turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

There were no witnesses when the baby was left in the area. Nonetheless, officials are seeking information about the newborn.

Palban said her team is coordinating with health authorities including nearby towns and city and checking all closed-circuit television footage possible in the area to help identify the culprit.

  

Puregold to build branches in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan

Puregold will build its newest branch in Bohol province after its acquisition manager Lalette Alea and her team have a courtesy call to Gov. Aris Aumentado on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. Photo courtesy of Dave Charles Responte

TAGBILARAN CITY- Puregold, giant retail chain, will soon open its another one-stop shopping convenience store in Bohol province. 

This came after Puregold team headed by its acquisition manager Lalette Alea had a courtesy call to Gov. Aris Aumentado on Monday morning, for the establishment of Puregold in the province.

Alea said they had been interested to open new branches and businesses in the province, however, a viable location was proving to be a problem.

"We're just looking for the perfect location," said Alea that they will open a branch first in Ubay town, at least 124 km from Tagbilaran City.

Ubay is a 1st class municipality with a  population of 81,799 people. As of now, Puregold is considered as the town's biggest investor. 

They are also looking forward for the establishment of another Puregold in Tagbilaran City, Jagna, Talibon, Tubigon, Carmen, Loay and Panglao. 

Alea said that if not for Aumentado they could not do business in the province known as a popular tourist destination. 

"We have the full support of the governor," Alea said.

Aumentado said Puregold's expansion in Bohol will accelerate growth and create employment opportunities and stir the local economy.

Puregold is offering a wide array of goods from groceries, apparel, household accessories and furniture at very affordable prices.

Last month, officials of SM Supermalls met Aumentado for the new construction of a mall that will bring employment opportunities to at least 3,000 Boholanos. 

Boholanos wear Pink

Dr. Julienne Deo Jabonillo with Ms. Guy Bernaldez during the Pink2022 in Bohol.

Cancer survivors and advocates gathered here on Sunday for the Pink2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October, the Pink Month, is a month where efforts to educate those concerned about the disease.

The Island City Mall conducted a free clinic and symposium with free consultation, sugar test and cholesterol test.

Dr. Julienne Deo Jabonillo, MD talked about breast cancer including early identification and signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.

Stories of hope and courage resounded when some cancer survivors shared their testimonies.

Gloria Roslinda shares her story during the Pink2022 in Bohol.

Gloria Roslinda, 67, a nurse, shared her journey on fighting breast cancer when she was diagnosed three years ago.

She shared how she as a patient was coping with breast cancer emotionally, physically and spiritually.

"Thy will be done.  Accept your cancer because it means you can experience the love of your family and the love of God," she shared.

Vlogger Dan Cahulogan, known for different voices in his online drama production, dramatized a life of Boholano a cancer survivor.

Vlogger Dan Cahulogan graces the Pink2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Sunday, October 9, 2022. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

'Lunar halo' visible in Bohol

A lunar halo appears in the skies of Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

by Leo Udtohan

Residents here were treated for lunar 'moon halo' phenomenon that illuminated the skies on Friday (Oct. 7) and Sunday (Oct. 9) nights. 

Some residents went outside to see the lunar halo that just appeared after mant months. 

Charles Jade Pesguira, 23, a resident of Barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City, wasn't  surprised to see the moon ring. 

"It's wonderful," said Pesguira who last saw the moon ring last September when he was in Malate, Manila. 

The Farmers' Almanac said a lunar halo just like sun halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. 

"As light passes through these hexagon-shaped ice crystals, it is bent at a 22 degree angle, creating a halo 22 degrees in radius (or 44 degrees in diameter)," it said. 

Weather lore says a lunar halo is the precursor of impending unsettled weather, especially during the winter months, Farmers' Almanac added. This is often proved true, as cirrus and cirrostratus clouds generally precede rain and storm systems.

Even Inday Charity, a Tagbilaran-based occultist, clarified that in general, there is no Wiccan or other Neopagan magical correspondence related to the lunar halo. 

Lunar halos are, in fact, actually fairly common, Farmers' Almanac said. 

Dalareich Polot: 1st Filipina to win 'Goldman Sachs and Fortune Global Women Leaders Award'

By Leo Udtohan

Bohol-based entrepreneur and chocolatier Dalareich Polot will receive the prestigious "Goldman Sachs and Fortune Global Women Leaders Award", the first Filipina to receive such distinction during the 15th Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on October 10-12, 2022 in Laguna Niguel City in California, USA. Photo: Dalareich Chocolate House

Most memorable lines from our newsmakers (and why we are moved, if we are moved): 

-Gov. Aris Aumentado on his First 100 Days in office: "True to our campaign promise to institute Good Governance, we took steps to rid the Capitol of unscrupulous people who have soiled the good reputation of Boholanos. The so-called" Ivan" who victimized quarry operators, mining permitees, and sand and gravel dealers by collecting 30% kicback, has been removed from the equation. In just three months, we have tripled the collection of quarry permit fees from industry players. While before, many local businessmen and suppliers shun away from, and were deprived of the opportunity to do business in our Capitol due to rigging of transactions to favored bidders from Cebu and Luzon, there is now a substantial increase of bidders and a more fair and transparent procurement set-up."

-Jingle Lofranco Tripoli on his Pakal's, the newest foodie destination in Tubigon town: "We have budget-friendly, drool-worthy, and super delicious menu. Lutong bahay nga pagkaon nga patok sa masa."  The blessing and ribbon cutting on Saturday, Oct. 8 was graced by Gov. Aris Aumentado and 2nd district Rep. Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado and 2nd district Rep. Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado graced the blessing of Pakal's in Tubigon town. Contributed photo

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By the time you are reading this corner, I'd assumed that Bohol-based entrepreneur and chocolatier Dalareich Polot is already in the USA. 

Well, she won the prestigious "Goldman Sachs and Fortune Global Women Leaders Award", for the rehabilitation of cacao industry and empowering rural women farmers. 

Polot, 34, is the first Filipina to receive such distinction in California in United States of America during the 15th Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on October 10-12 at Laguna Niguel City in California, United States of America. 

"Actually, I cried when I read the confirmation [in] e-mail because deep inside my heart, I know I'll get this. After all, the things happened to our world, pandemic plus typhoon Odette, I'm still hoping for a good news to get this year," said Polot, who was one of the Goldman Sachs scholars in 2011 under 10,000 Women Business Training Program in partnership with University of Asia and the Pacific and IESE Business School. 

She said the opportunity came in God's perfect time that she is only an instrument of God and just following His mission. 

"I’m very excited to speak in the world stage again and represent my beloved country, my province and city," she added. 

The 2022 Summit with the theme "Realizing Your Power" will convene the preeminent women in business—along with select leaders in government, philanthropy, education, sports, and the arts—for wide-ranging conversations that inspire and deliver practical advice. 

Among the leaders already committed to attend the summit are American philanthropist and former computer scientist Melinda French Gates, U.S. Representatives Liz Cheney and Katie Porter, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; and some leaders and chief executive officers of top companies in the world. 

"I’m also eager to listen and network with women leaders and CEOs that I will meet during the summit. I’m so looking forward to engage with women leaders," said Polot. 

Known as the “Chocolate Princess” in Bohol, Polot established the first and only Chocolate House in the province after winning the Young Women Entrepreneurs Bootcamp in 2013 sponsored by the US Embassy in Manila and SPARK Philippines. She won a cash prize that helped her to expand her family's “Dalareich Tableya" which started in 1994. 

In June 2014, she went to Europe for a scholarship grant to study food engineering on chocolate processing at Gent University in Belgium. When she came back to the country, Dalareich launched her own chocolate line—"Ginto Luxury Chocolates. "

On Sept. 8,  2017, Dalareich opened “Dalareich Chocolate House”, the first chocolate factory in Bohol. It is a bigger facility, which employs housewives and part-time students, to produce more chocolates and so visitors can see the whole chocolate production process.

Polot sources her cacao beans from small farmers from the towns of Calape, Carmen, Pilar, Sierra Bullones and Jagna.

Cacao seeds are sold at P35 per kilo for wet beans in the local market, but Polot buys these from farmers at a higher price of P120-P160 for dried and fermented beans to be able to help them.

Bohol produces only five percent of the country’s cocoa supply. 

Cacao seeds turn into cocoa powder to make “tableya,” a traditional Filipino hot chocolate beverage made from 100 percent pure, roasted cocoa beans that are pressed into coin-shaped tablets, and, chocolates.

But since the farmers could not meet her demand of 63,700 kilos a month, Polot had to tap those in Davao region. 

She launched "Adopt-a-Cacao Tree" advocacy campaign to preserve the cacao farming in Bohol and encourage Boholanos to take care of the cacao trees that had been planted near their houses.

She expanded her network in several towns and led farmers to rehabilitate and plant cacao trees. 

However, when Typhoon Odette (Rai) ravaged the Visayas region in Dec. 2017, it destroyed cacao plants.  At least 100 families were affected. 

For the past 10 months, Polot has led in the livelihood recovery of rural women farmers through cacao production and rehabilitation. 

"I am also very ecstatic that it comes with a grant that I can utilize to pay-it-forward to my adopted communities," said Polot. 

Polot's love of cacao started with the family's business of "tableya" which her mother Elsa inherited it from her mother-in-law. 

In 2019, the family's "Dalareich 100% Unsweetened Chocolate" received the gold award from the Academy of Chocolate in London. 

She won the “Best Family Support" Award for APEC “Business Efficiency and Success Target” Award 2019 (APEC BEST Award) during the Women and the Economy Forum in La Serena, Chile.

Her message to the world? 

"The past two years have been challenging for everyone in this world. Many of us felt confused, sad, disappointed, and lost, but God always sends us a message to continue to hope and pray even with all the challenges in our way. Those tears you shed will be worth it, and you understand better in His perfect time. God is always watching over us; things will fall into place in His perfect time with His great surprise that you didn’t imagine," she shared. 

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

 

Aumentado cites First 100 Days accomplishments

By Leo Udtohan

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado delivers his accomplishments in his First 100 days in office on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 at the Ceremonial Hall of the New Capitol Building in Tagbilaran City. Contributed photo

TAGBILARAN CITY-  For Gov. Aris Aumentado, "much remains to be done" in attaining his goal for Bohol-  a smart, resilient province advancing climate smart agriculture and sustainable tourism.

In a speech detailing his accomplishments in his First 100 days in office on Friday (Oct. 7) at the Ceremonial Hall of the New Capitol Building, Aumentado assured his supporters that he will be true to his campaign promises.

He shared his administration's ten-point development agenda- jobs and livelihood, peace and order, infrastructure, governance reforms, health and social services, trade and industry, eco-cultural tourism, agriculture, education and heritage and protection of the environment. 

He said when he ran for governor, he took a hard look at the many issues and concerns that beset the people caused by the two years of COVID- 19 pandemic and the onslaught of super typhoon Odette. 

"Our two main economic drivers - agriculture and tourism — suffered greatly. Many of our farmers, fisherfolks, businessmen, frontliners and ordinary workers despaired of their future,"  Aumentado said.

He revealed that even in the gloomy situation, some unscrupulous people in - and even out of -government have managed to advance their own personal interests, resulting to the reported widespread graft and corruption at the Capitol. 

True to his campaign promise to institute good governance, he took steps to rid the Capitol of unscrupulous people who have soiled the good reputation of Boholanos.

"The so-called Ivan who victimized quarry operators, mining permitees, and sand and gravel dealers by collecting 30% kicback, has been removed from the equation," he reported. 

In just three months,  he said the provincial government tripled the collection of quarry permit fees from industry players. And there is now a substantial increase of bidders and a more fair and transparent procurement set-up. 

He also said that for the First 100 days, his administration's biggest move to realize a clean and honest government was the creation of the Office for Governance, Accountability, and Reform (OGAR) that will dig into past and present anomalous transactions. 

"The office is being manned by people of highest integrity and probity who are one with your Governor in the goal of keeping our Capitol corruption-free. It is considered as the first of its kind in the history of local government administration and governance," Aumentado said. 

He also mentioned that to jumpstart the economic recovery, his administration triggered a stimulus by creating and mobilizing the Bohol Economic Recovery Task Force and convened the Bohol Investment Board composed of government and private individuals and organizations whose mission is focused on reviving Bohol's economy under the new normal, and in identifying priority areas and incentive packages for investors. 

He said that he opened Bohol for investors like Ayala group, Robinsons, SM, the Aboitiz group, Puregold, the Pangilinan group, Megaworld and many others to invest in Bohol to give jobs and income generation. 

He also pushed with much vigor the province's tourism industry. He said his administration crafted new and smart strategies to propel what we have started as a booming industry prior to the pandemic. 

The provincial government also fixed the overprice of local tourism services and products through fair and equitable regulation following reports of expensive food being sold to tourists at Virgin Island and other tourist establishments. 

He also boasted an improved tourism package during the Philippine Travel Mart in Manila a week ago, Bohol promoted their 4Fs as new tourism magnets: Food, Fiesta, Fitness, and Faith-based tourism strategies. 

"No, we cannot present Bohol with the same packaging ten, twenty years ago. We have to open new frontiers. We have to innovative, mindful that we have so many unique Boholano ingredients to present more attractive tourist offerings," said who established ties with other countries for possible economic initiatives and cultural exchanges.

He said that globally, Bohol is attracting notice like a rockstar becoming the Philippine's first UNESCO Geopark. Bohol has just been nominated for the UNESCO Global Geopark for its rare geologic monuments, biodiversity, rich cultural heritage and tourism sites, and their being managed in a sustainable and holistic mariner. 

The provincial government entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  for the maintenance and preservation of the Danajon Double-Barrier Reef, considered to be a world heritage. 

"Much remains to be done. But with your abiding faith in the present leadership coupled with God's help, I know we can do much more and much better in attaining our goal of becoming a smart, resilient province advancing climate smart agriculture and sustainable tourism," Aumentado said. 

The First 100 Days of  Aumentado was attended by Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite, board members, municipal mayors and heads of the different departments.