Classes suspended in Tagbilaran due to orange rainfall warning

By Leo Udtohan

Students go home after classes are suspended on Wednesday morning, Oct. 26, 2022 due to the orange rainfall warning. Photo: Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- The local government here  suspended classes Wednesday morning, Oct. 26, due to the orange rainfall warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

"Due to the Orange Rainfall Warning in Bohol, all classes at all levels (Nursery, Kinder, Elementary, Secondary, College) in Tagbilaran City Public and Private Schools are hereby suspended today (Wednesday October 26,2022)," Mayor Jane Yap posted on Facebook. 

According to the Department of Education’s Order No. 37, “In-person and online classes in all levels are automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Yellow, Orange and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA.”

“If the Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe,” it read.

Students go home after classes are suspended on Wednesday morning, Oct. 26, 2022 due to the orange rainfall warning. Photo: Leo Udtohan

Pagasa said a low pressure area (LPA) is within the area of responsibility which is currently 1,010 kilometers east of eastern Visayas.

On Monday, the heavy downpour caused up to waist-deep flooding in several road networks in Tagbilaran.  The floodwater rose waist-level along Lamdagan Street. 

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Bohol police now ready for 'Kalag-Kalag' 2022

Col. Osmundo Salibo, director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, says police is preparing to go on full alert for the “Kalag-Kalag” (Undas). Photo: Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) will field at least 832 police officers to secure public and private cemeteries during the observance of All Saints’ Day or “Kalag-Kalag,” the police provincial director said.

"The BPPO is in full blast in our preparation for Undas 2022.  Aside from that our police personnel we have also force multipliers to be deployed and other agencies  to make sure Undas 2022 will be incident-free in the province of Bohol," said BPPO provincial police director Col. Osmundo Salibo said in a press briefing Monday.

There will be at least 1,757 force multipliers such as tanod, Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups, Patrolya ng Bayan, Alpha Kappa Rho and Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma.

He added that  352 personnel from the 47th Infantry Battalion of the  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be utilized to ensure that all security measures are in place.

The full deployment of police officers will occur a day before “Kalag-Kalag” when people are expected to visit their deceased loved ones in cemeteries.

BPPO will also secure other places of convergence such as churches, malls, public transportation terminals and tourist destinations where many people are expected to make use of the long weekend for leisure.

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Bohol's NMYL leaders: Exploring a new way to lead

By Leo Udtohan

YOUNG BLOOD. The officers of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL)-Bohol chapter headed by board member Jamie Aumentado Villamor.  Photo: Leo Udtohan

I was impressed by what I saw last week's reorganization and election of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) held in Mandaue City, Cebu. 

NMYL is a league of elected young lawmakers aged 40 years old and below, which includes vice governors, vice mayors, provincial board members, city and municipal councilors and Sangguniang Kabataan federated presidents and chairpersons.

I thought NMYL was a powerful group of young, brilliant minds with enough passion, perseverance and social understanding to "change the world."

For NMYL-Bohol chapter, lawyer and board member Jamie Aumentado Villamor was elected as chairperson. 

She wants young legislators in the province to be organized with the aim to make their ranks more effective and productive.

“Bohol will take active part in the efforts to engage the youth in the economic recovery and growth of the province of Bohol through legislative advocacy," said the 32-year-old lawmaker from Bohol's second district. 

Other elected officials were Dimiao Vice Mayor Jessie Tagupa Paluga, vice chairman;  Balilihan Vice Mayor  Esther Patrisha Veloso Chatto, secretary;  Bien Unido Coun. Leonardo Benitez Querubin Jr., treasurer;  Sagbayan Coun. Angelyn Tecson Camacho, auditor; and  Balilihan Coun. Marianne Domivee Chatto- Calipes, press relations officer. 

The board of directors for first district were Coun. Al Pilongo Coquilla (Antiquera), Coun. Virgelle Gail Bagolor (Tubigon) and  Coun. Kien Alphe Mino Garsuta (Alburquerque). 

Coun. June Reign Golosino Reyes (San Miguel), Vice Mayor Casey Shaun Monillas Camacho (Getafe), and  Coun. Maria Celeste Cepedoza Lerion (Danao) were elected board of directors for second district. 

 

3rd district board members were  Coun. Arnielito Soriano Olandria (Candijay),  Coun. Edsel Rarioa Tutor (Jagna),  and Coun. Abigail Marie Lagura Gutang (Guindulman).

Villamor, granddaughter of the late Gov. Erico Aumentado and niece of Gov. Aris Aumentado, finished her Bachelor of Laws at Lyceum of the Philippines University in 2015. She took up her Masters in Political Economy at University of Asia and the Pacific. 

As a volunteer lawyer at the Child Justice League, she provides pro bono counsel. 

Before she was elected board member, she was the corporate board secretary of National Irrigation Administration (2018-2021), policy and legislation head of the League of Cities of the Philippines (2017-2018) and legislative consultant of the House of Representatives (2013-2018). 

As board member, Villamor is the chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Industry, Committee on Natural Resources and Environment Protection and Committee on Culture and Arts. 

"I’ve learned and seen firsthand that inclusive political participation is not only a fundamental political and democratic right but it is also crucial to building stable, strong and reliable economy. So we the youth should not only represent NMYL, but make sure our voices are heard and actions are taken," Villamor said.

Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL)-Central Visayas chairperson and

Cordova Councilor Larenz Lagon and NMYL-Bohol chapter chairperson and NMYL-Central Visayas vice-chairperson Jamie Villamor answer questions from Cebu media. 

Priority agenda:  

-Maximize youth involvement and participation in consultations, policymaking and legislative processes. 

- Strengthen local communities by advocating and enacting laws for the farmers, fisherfolks, small enterprises, MSMEs and the indigenous groups. 

- Champion children and youth welfare in the Province of Bohol through enactment, review, amendment (when necessary) and/or ensure implementation of local laws. 

Action plan:  

- Recommend to the provincial government and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to tap NMYL representatives in consultative meetings, roundtable discussions and technical working groups, among others; 

-Collaborate and partner with private and public sectors, both in the national and local, for projects and programs; 

- Promote Bohol eco-tourism sites, heritage and faith; 

- Promote and support local products; o Conduct peer education, legal and medical aid programs in the localities; 

-Help provide opportunities for NMYL members to participate in public policy making and acquire knowledge and skills through trainings and classes; 

-Establish and strengthen linkages and networks, both in the local and national level. 

PAST & PRESENT: Former NMYL-Bohol chapter chairperson and board member Aldner Damalerio with NMYL-Bohol chapter chairperson and NMYL-Central Visayas vice-chairperson Jamie Villamor. Photo: BM Aldner Damalerio

Villamor was also elected vice chairperson of NMYL- Region 7 with Cebu Cordova Councilor Larenz Lagon as chairperson.

Meanwhile, former NMYL-Bohol chairman and board member Aldner Damalerio told his fellow public servants to be "service-oriented, results-driven and vision-directed." 

It is really true that the youth has been equated with energy. They may also provide fresh perspectives with creative, innovative minds. And it is a sign of things to come. 

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

Gov. Aris Aumentado as chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-7: 'I thank President Bongbong Marcos for the trust he placed on me. I am truly grateful and humbled. This will inspire me and other governors to do more for Central Visayas.' 

Mayor Jane Yap on Tagbilaran City being hailed as "Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit" (LGU) under city level category 3 from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI): 'Tagbilaran, this is our win. Thank you very much Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for recognizing our efforts. Rest assured that we will continue to work together to reach the highest potential of our beloved Tagbilaran City.' 

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

Carmen when it sizzles

By Leo Udtohan

I'd visited the chocolate hills complex in Carmen last Friday, my second visit after the pandemic. 

It was scorching hot- the best time for sightseeing at the complex so off we hie to the highest hill to marvel at G-d's creation. 

"Beautiful! How great thou art," I gushed. Our media friends- veteran broadcaster Bob Galero, Rey Tutas, Dave Charles Responte, Willy Ramasola and Helen Castaño-shared the same feelings when they saw the iconic hills. 

We were at Carmen to cover the kick-off ceremony for the construction of Carmen Police Station Building that will be serving the 29 barangays in Carmen town, a tourist destination in Bohol province. 

Police Major General Ronaldo Olay, director of the Directorate for Logistics at the Philippine National Police (PNP), represented PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr who wasn't able to attend the cermemony due to overlap of schedule.

He read the message of Azurin assuring the tourist destination would benefit the help of the police and the local government.

"The construction of soon to be the new Carmen Police station exemplifies the PNP's desire to effectively reserve peace and order in the community by upholding the  rule of law and recognizing the needs to ensure operational readiness and capacity by improving the facilities, services and other features including physical development thru infrastructure projects," said Olay.

He added that a new patrol car and a 150 cc motorcycle will also be given to Carmen police station. 

Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Santos said that  even before she embarked on her first 100 days in office, she has always regarded peace and order as the backbone to progress and development of her town. 

In fact during her first term in office in 2010, she successfully entered into an agreement with Gen. Romeo Brawner, who was then the commanding officer of the Army's special forces at Bilar town, Bohol to dispatch a team in Carmen to comprise the Carmen Task Force that was instrumental in maintaining the peace and order and security of our visiting tourists.

After she assumed office in June this year, and knowing the needs of the policemen of Carmen, she went to visit Police General Rodolfo Santos Azurin, Jr. at Camp Crame. And in one of the many concerns that she raised to Gen. Azurin, he gave the commitment for the realization of the construction of a new and modern PNP building. 

This project was actually started during the incumbency of her brother, former Mayor Jun Toribio, when he caused the donation of the LGU to the PNP of a portion of the municipal owned land as site for the construction of the PNP building.

Unfortunately, after the title of the land had been issued in favor of the PNP, the project fizzled off, did not anymore continue. 

"Here we are now, a witness to start anew of that dream. This proposed modern PNP Building will be used to cater the needs of our constituents. This will bolster the morale of our policemen and further empower them towards maintaining the peace and order of our town," said Delos Reyes during the kick off ceremony. 

Delos Reyes said it was the LGU which submitted the design and layout to the PNP to replace their small and old police station.

The groundbreaking will happen anytime soon.

Also present during the ceremony were Lt. Col. Maribel Guitigan of Regional Logistics, Research and Development Office, Major Jason Guitterez of the Regional Engineering Unit, Col. Osmundo Salibo, director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office; Major Jason Torino, battalion executive officer of 47IB, Napolcom provincial supervisor Atty. Peter Elizalde, Major Sam Dacullo, police chief of Carmen;

Board member Nathaniel Binlod, Carmen Vice Mayor Romeo Bigay Jr, Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay captains were also present. 

And more, more projects to Carmen, she said. 

Oh well, that's another story better told another time. 

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Kudos to Francisco Dagohoy Eagles Club

After more than two years of lockdowns, quarantines and social isolation, the Fraternal Order of Eagles - Francisco Dagohoy Eagles Club (FDEC) conducted its community programs with its first face-to-face community engagement held recently at Bolod Elementary School in Panglao town. 

New members were required to render community service as part of their mandatory requirements to be part of fraternal strong brotherhood. 

They helped in Brigada Eskwela at Bolod ES, donating of 50 gallons of paint, contruction materials. They also constructed the school's twin flagpole.

The members also conducted the CVAC cleaning at Cabawan road and Bohol District Jail. 

They also joined the coastal cleanup and mangrove planting at K of C Drive. 

"Earned, not given," said "Kuya" Seaman 2nd Class Anwar Sinajon of the PCG Tagbilaran Substation. 

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Philippine Eagles is the first born fraternal socio-civic organization in the country. It is a movement, an idea kindled by the founders- to nurture with the fire of brotherhood.

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

Gov. Aris Aumentado as Bohol marks the 9th anniversary of the 2013 earthquake: "This should serve as an opportunity to remember the lives lost, houses and structures destroyed, and lives changed. We thank the Almighty for being with us after the calamity we suffered, but we will continue to work together to continue our recovery from the earthquake." 

Former Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan on Panglao's participation during the recent Philippine Travel Mart: "Luoy kaaayo ang Panglao. Makagasto, makapalit mi og booth gusto makakuha og area. This is the  negligence of the leadership in Panglao. Ang leadership sa tourism industry is poor." 

Bohol's Chocolate Princess Dalareich Polot during the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in California, USA:  "I found a huge family and like minded women change-makers in Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. What a blessing to speak on stage today.  Thank you so much Goldman Sachs Foundation and Fortune for bringing me here and giving me grant for my community project."

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

Photo captions:

Carmen Mayor Che Toribio- Delos Reyes says she has always regarded peace and order as the backbone to progress and development of her town. Photo: Leo Udtohan

A modern police station will be constructed in Carmen town, Bohol province after the kick-off ceremony on Friday, October 14, 2022. Photos: Leo Udtohan

Members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles - Francisco Dagohoy Eagles Club (FDEC) and teachers of Bolod Elementary School in Panglao during FDEC's community service. Contributed photo 

The Academy announces participants in Jonas Gwangwa Music Compositition initiative

By The Academy | 12:30 PM October 13, 2022 

LOS ANGELES, CA and LONDON, U.K. – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in partnership with Mercury Studios, today announced Peter Edwards and Oleta Haffner as the participants selected for the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative, a one-year career development program for Black British musicians interested in composing music for film.  Part of the Academy’s ongoing global outreach and engagement efforts, the program aims to foster broader representation in film music composition.

The Academy and Mercury Studios hosted an event celebrating Edwards and Haffner at Abbey Road Studios in London yesterday evening (October 6).  Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang welcomed guests, Academy Executive Vice President, Impact and Inclusion Jeanell English spoke about the importance of the Academy’s talent and development programs, and Academy member Misan Sagay (Writers Branch) reflected on the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative and its goals.  Academy members Gary Yershon and Nainita Desai (Music Branch), who spearheaded the creation of the program with Sagay, then joined composers Segun Akinola and Bankey Ojo, along with Natasha Baldwin, Executive Vice President, Classics and Screen at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), for a panel discussion on the challenges of the industry, their own career journeys, and how the program can help to pave new paths for participants.

“We are so honored to have Peter and Oleta, two incredibly talented composers, participate in this program, through which we seek to provide the connections, tools and opportunities needed to expand access to the global film industry,” said English.  “We also thank Mercury Studios and all of our partners for making this program possible.”

"Talent discovery and development is at the heart of what we do at Mercury Studios so we are looking forward to working with Peter and Oleta over the next year,” said Mercury Studios Co-President Marc Robinson.  “We hope this initiative will only expand as we continue to create ways to engage composers around the world." 

Edwards is a composer, musical director and pianist who has been working in the London jazz scene for 12 years, and Haffner is a London-based composer who writes music for animated short films and theater productions.  Throughout the year, they will receive access to Academy members across various branches in order to gain an understanding of the filmmaking process; one-on-one mentorship with a member of the Academy’s Music Branch to learn about the practical aspects of composing for film; access to Academy events and screenings in London; and introductions to leading practitioners from all areas of film music, among other mentorship programming.  They also will be matched with a filmmaker who is in the process of making a short film and will be given the opportunity to compose music for the film.  

The composition work will be funded by two grants from Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Decca Records and Mercury Studios, a full-service, global production film and television studio.  Additional programming and support will be provided by UMG’s Abbey Road Studios.

Gwangwa, who died in 2021, was a prominent South African jazz musician and composer.  He received Oscar® nominations for Original Score and Original Song for his work, with George Fenton, on “Cry Freedom” (1987).

For more information on the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative, visit https://oscars.org/learn/jonas-gwangwa-initiative.

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.