Loboc residents ask Our Lady to calm the river

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- The famous river in Loboc town has started to subside on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12, after it reached critical level following the continuous rains brought by low pressure area and shear line.

As of Thursday afternoon, the water level of Loboc River in the area was already at

90 meters above sea level, lower compared to Thursday early morning.

There were 74 families in Barangay Valladolid were evacuated since Wednesday. They were part of the 626 families or 788 individuals evacuated in the province in 18 towns. 

Before the water level went down, residents turned to prayer. 

Residents placed an  image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Extremadura in front of the river at the Museo de Loboc building.

Expressions of religious piety have been practiced in Loboc town as a response to plagues and pandemics even during the arrival of the image on May 24, 1843.

Vir Jala, 50, said they seek comfort in prayer and appeal to God and the saints for mercy and protection from illness and loss of life.

"My parents taught us to seek help from Our Lady," said Jala, a father of three.

The veneration of sacred images and placing them outside the window of a house or a church is a religious expression known as "dungaw” (to look out).

Even passers could not help but look up to the image, and waved to the image.

The devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe originated from the hilly town Guadalupe  in Spanish region of Extremadura, close to the Portuguese border.

Church records said the Augustinian Recollect brought the image of the Lady carved from black wood.

Like its Bohol descendant, the Spanish image is dressed like a queen, stands erect, and holds the Child in one arm. Both the mother and child are dark-skinned, and belong to the tradition of the “Black Madonnas” of medieval Western Europe.

###

Photo caption:

The image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Extremadura was placed in front of the Loboc River in Loboc after it swells due to inclement weather, known as "dungaw” (to look out) to calm the river. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

Bridge in Bohol closed after damage sustained from heavy rains

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- The Wahig Pamacsalan Bridge in Pilar town in Bohol province was closed to motorists on Thursday after sustaining heavy damage from days of incessant raining. 

The damage created a big hole, making it dangerous for vehicles and people to cross.

The bridge connects villagers from Lumbay and Poblacion to essential amenities in town and neighboring Sierra Bullones town. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado who personally checked the bridge on Thursday afternoon had already instructed the provincial engineer's office to conduct rapid assessment to repair the new bridge. 

"We will repair it as soon as possible," he said while talking to village officials. 

Local officials advised motorists to take an alternate route while the bridge is awaiting assessment from authorities.

Barangay Captain Geronimo Tutor said the bridge was damaged for the second time after damaged by typhoon Odette in Dec. 2021. 

On Friday, Jan. 13, barangay officials would hold a "bayanihan" to fix the temporary bridge by putting material across the space to allow people to cross and travel into town for services. 

Meanwhile, Aumentado visited evacuation centers to distribute relief packs to the evacuees with Provincial Social Welfare and Development and local governments. 

He distributed packs to 146 families in Clarin town and 38 families in Inabanga town on Thursday. 

A total of 626 families or 788 individuals evacuated in the province due to inclement weather.  

Classes and work in all public institutions were also suspended on Thursday. 

###

Photo caption: 

The Wahig Pamacsalan Bridge in Pilar town in Bohol province sustained heavy damage from two days of incessant rains. Photo courtesy of Gov. Aris Aumentado 

Woman's body found floating in creek in Calape

TAGBILARAN CITY — A body of a woman  was found floating in a creek in Calape town in Bohol province Thursday morning, Jan. 12, police said.

Police Master Sergeant Cromwell Enriquez, desk officer at Calape Police Station, said that their station had responded to information of the body of a woman found floating in the creek at Sitio Lamak in Barangay Bonbon in Calape town at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12.

The victim was identified as Debraliz Castro, a resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz in Calape. 

The water in the creek rose due to days of incessant raining. 

Police said the victim allegedly suffered from mental disorder and post partum. 

Dr. Manuel Relampagos III, the municipal health officer, who examined the victim said Castro had drowned. There was no sign of struggle and foul play.

Meanwhile in Dagohoy town, a resident of Barangay San Miguel, was still missing. 

In a Facebook post, Dagohoy Mayor Hermie Relampagos said local rescuers tried to search for the missing person who was believed swept away by the flood, which rose due to days of incessant raining.  However, they failed to locate the missing person on Thursday. 

Heavy downpours triggered flooding in some parts of Bohol.  Some 626 families or 728 individuals in Bohol were forced to evacuate as several major rivers and dams overflowed. 

###

Photo caption: 

A woman drowned Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023  when she was swept away by the flood, which rose due to days of incessant raining, while crossing a creek in Calape town, Bohol. Photo: PNP Calape

626 families evacuated in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- At least 626 families or 788 individuals in Bohol province were evacuated due to nonstop moderate to heavy rains due to low pressure area and sheer line. 

In a situational report from the  Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) at 2 p.m. Thursday, it reported 626 families composed of 788 individuals who were evacuated from at least 18 towns. 

The evacuees were brought to the temporary shelters or centers. 

In Clarin, there were 40 families evacuated in Barangay Bonbon, 45 families in Barangay Nahawan and 61 families in 

Poblacion Norte.

There were 146 families in Jagna, 74 families in Barangay Valladolid in 

Loboc town where the river was at critical level on Thursday morning. 

There were15 families evacuated in Barangay Estaca in Pilar town. 

At least 38 families evacuated in Inabanga town, 23 families in Dagohoy town. 

In Lila town, four families in Barangay Poblacion, 15 families in Barangay Calvario. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado distributed relief goods to the affected families. 

Bohol has been on red alert status since Wednesday due to bad weather.

### 

Photo caption:

The Loboc River  after the water slowly subsides on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 after 74 families were evacuated.  Photo courtesy of Mayor Raymond Jala.

Aumentado suspends classes in Bohol due to inclement weather

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY — The provincial government of Bohol has suspended classes on Thursday, Jan. 12, in all levels in public and private schools, due to incessant rains. 

In an advisory, Governor Aris Aumentado said that flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.

He said the provincial government through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) will continue to monitor and keep the public posted on weather updates.

The inclement weather on Wednesday flooded some areas in Bohol.

In Pilar town, water flooded Purok 3 in Barangay Del Pilar. 

The National Irrigation Administartion - Central Visayas advised preemptive evacuation for communities close to Wahig River as the Malinao Dam overflowed. 

Three persons were rescued in Getafe town after their pump boat sank due to inclement weather. 

According to Pagasa, scattered rain showers will continue to prevail over several parts of the country due to the shear line and a low-pressure area (LPA). 

The LPA was last seen 475 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, the state weathe bureau added. 

### 

Photo caption: 

The Malinao Dam in Pilar town, Bohol on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2023 after it reached full capacity that families nearby where advised to leave the area. Photo: NIA-7

Heavy rains fail to dampen devotees to join Traslacion in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY- A heavy downpour didn’t stop hundreds of devotees from joining Sunday's traslacion or Walking of Faith to honor the image of the Black Nazarene.

The procession, which started at around 3:30 a.m., was a 13-kilometer walk which brought back the image of the Nazarene back from Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran to the Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish in Dauis town where the image is housed.

The Nazarene’s carriage and glass-encased urn was covered with few flowers.

Many in the procession didn’t bring umbrellas. They were drenched barely two hours into the procession, but stayed on, chanting prayers and singing hymns to the Nazarene.

The procession passed through J. A. Clarin Street, then proceeded to Plaza Rizal rotonda, St. Joseph the Worker Shrine-Parish, Burgos Street, and Borja Bridge, and to the Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish (Dauis church)  at around 5 a.m.

Police estimated the crowd of devotees  at about 2,000.

Policemen were deployed on road intersections and along the procession route together with several security volunteers and barangay tanods.

However, the rain stopped when it reached Dauis town to the delight of the devotees.

For government employee Edward Guyano, it was sign of a miracle. Though he and others got wet, he said it was only a little sacrifice compared to the sacrifices of the Nazarene to the humanity.

It was followed by a Pontifical Mass officiated by Bishop Abet Uy.

"Daghan ang naulanan apan wala mahadlok. Atong i-ampo nga kitang tanan, ilabina na ang mga kabatan-onan, madasig sa pagsunod sa panag-ingnan sa Poong Nazareno. Dili na kita mahadlok sa mga hagit ug kalisdanan sa kinabuhi," said Uy during his homily.

(Many got wet because of the rain but did not fear. Let's pray that all of us, especially the youth, will be encouraged to follow the example of Poong Nazareno. That we are no longer afraid of life's challenges and difficulties.)

"Kung aduna may mga suliran ug pagsuway dili ubta ta mawad-an og paglaum. Let us be strong like the Poong Nazareno for we know that difficult roads will bring us to heaven and to eternal life," he added.

(If there are problems and trials, we should never lose hope. Let us be strong like the Poong Nazareno for we know that difficult roads will bring us to heaven and to eternal life.)

On the feast day, Jan. 9, Eucharastic celebrations will be held at 6:30 a.m. and 5 p. m. It will be followed by a mobile procession at 6 p.m.

The replica of the image of the Black Nazarene was given as a gift by the Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila for the 80th canonical anniversary of the Diocese of Tagbilaran last November 2021. It is temporarily housed at Dauis Church until constructon of his shrine will finish.

###

Photo caption:

Heavy spells of rains could not dissuade the faithful from joing the traslacion or Walk of Faith for the Black Nazarene in Bohol province on Sunday early morning, Jan. 8, 2023.

Diocese of Tagbilaran holds Requiem Mass for Pope Benedict XVI

By Leo Udtohan 

TAGBILARAN CITY — A Requiem Mass was held at Diocese of Tagbilaran on Wednesday, Jan. 4, to honor the life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The pope emeritus, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, passed away on Dec. 31, 2022 at the age of 95.

Bishop Abet Uy led the Eucharistic Celebration at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral-Shrine at 12 noon. 

In his homily, Uy said that Pope Benedict was given the nickname "God's Rottweiler" for his uncompromising conservative views.

He stressed that the pope was completely the opposite of the caricatures that his enemies made of him.

"Caricatures are simply not true or exactly the opposite. He was meek, humble, warmth and very compassionate who listens and makes one important," Uy said. 

The prelate also shared on how Pope Benedict tried to teach the joy of discipleship.

He said Tagbilaran Bishop Emeritus Leonardo Medroso, and Boholano bishops 

Antonieto Cabajog of the Diocese of Surigao and Crispin Varquez of Borongan in Eastern Samar could vouch for the pope. 

"They said he's gentle, simple, holy, loving kaayo, same sa Ginoo," said Uy. 

The prelate ended his homily borrowing the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "The happiness you have a right to enjoy has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist. Only he gives the fullness of life to humanity!" 

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope at age 78 and took the name Benedict XVI. 

He served as pope from 2005 to 2013 and was the first pope to resign from the papacy in almost 600 years.

Photo caption:

Bishop Abet Uy of the Diocese of Tagbilaran officiates the requiem mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Photo courtesy of Bishop Abet Uy