Hello, England!

LONDON —“The English weather is unpredictable,” a friend warned me.

“Bring an umbrella,” a sound advice from another friend.

Then, a third friend lectured me about Geography 101:

England is the largest country in Great Britain and the United Kingdom (UK). It is sometimes, wrongly, used in reference to the whole United Kingdom, the entire island of Great Britain, or indeed the British Isles. This is not only incorrect but can cause offence to people from other parts of the UK.

The Maison Dieu (House of God), is a medieval building 

in Dover, England which forms part of the Old Town 

Hall buildings. Photo by Leo Udtohan

The official name of the UK is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".

The name refers to the union of what were once four separate nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent. Only Northern Ireland is part of the UK now).

The United Kingdom is made up of:

• England - The capital is London.

• Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh .

• Wales - The capital is Cardiff.

• Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast.

Many people think that “English” is the same as “British”.  It is not!

People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK.

And last reminder, “Don’t forget your British accent!”

I was travelling alone to England, one of the most visited countries in the world. It offers travellers endless possibilities when it comes to fun things to see and do.

After arriving at London Heathrow Airport, I bought an Osyter Card at the airport Tube. (Tip: Bring Pounds since shopping centers or stores here don’t accept Euros after the Brexit.) I headed straight to Victoria Station, London’s busiest rail station. Inside the train, I got my first look at my fellow riders. There were couples, young and old, and a few single travelers like me. There’s an air of excitement and expectation that seemed old-fashioned in this age of hurried high-speed travel.

Riding the rails from London to Dover in Kent county (province) is a once-in-a-lifetime smorgasbord of scenery.  The trains to Dover are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned, unreserved seating but may be crowded in rush hours.

The attraction starts the Dover Port where 

one can see the White Cliffs Country, 

unspoilt coastlines, historic castles, breathtaking 

views and unique heritage and history.  

Photo by Leo Udtohan

Just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday (August 9), I arrived at Dover. It was not getting dark. In the summer, it stays light until 9 p.m. and in the winter it gets dark about 4 p.m. but the sunsets we get can be lovely.

I was in Dover to cover the swim of environmental lawyer and triathlete, Ingemar Macarine, nicknamed “Pinoy Aquaman,” who dared to plunge into the cold waters of the English Channel considered as the Mount Everest for open sea swimming.

Several swimmers had attempted to cross the English Channel but not one of them was Filipino. Until now.

Pinoy Aquaman, his coach Roel Catoto and your VRS literary flattened the road for our daily routine. It was a 30-minute walk from the house of Carmelo Rebolos to the Dover Port where Macarine had to practice swimming for two hours every day before swimming the English Channel.

Our generous host Carmelo, whose grandmother was from Bohol, cooked us adobo and sinigang. The pricey and smelly dried fish I brought from Bohol was another appetizer. He said Pinoy Aquaman needed more carbs for his swimming.

Last August 13, the Filipino Community in UK gathered at the Dover Port to show support to Pinoy Aquaman.  His destination was Cap Gris Nez, a promontory on the French coast, about 34 km (21 miles) from his point of origin, Dover town. He had swum almost 4 km in 50 minutes when Eric Hartley, the boat skipper, decided to pull him out from the weather due to strong wind and waves to stay safe.

Canterbury City is a popular cultural and
 entertainment destination with great shopping, galleries
 and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused
on Chaucer's medieval England and the city's Roman past.
Photo by Leo Udtohan

Pinoy Aquaman was surprised since he had endured strong waves and winds in the Philippines in many of his swims. The tidal current was too strong. He tried with all his might and determination, but took the pilot’s advice and aborted the swim to stay safe.

 “I feel disappointed that I was not able to finish it because of the weather,” he said.

It was Ingemar's second attempt. The first was last year but he was not able to swim due to bad weather.

But the Philippines' Aquaman will not give up. He will definitely make another try.

“Tuloy ang laban,” said Ingemar.

Blamed it on the English weather, as they say, is unpredictable and treacherous.

To mend a drooping spirit, Carmelo said, “This,” gesturing around the room where a videoke sing-along was going on. “Party!”

Then, the three of them— Carmelo, Ingemar and Roel—stood up to join the singing and dancing, enjoying the night, relishing the youth energy.

It was after the swim did I realize that Kent was beautiful.

For travellers, Kent is truly the Garden of England, with breath-taking countryside, stunning coastline, world-famous attractions and delicious food and drink.

                                                                                                                                 

Good food, drinks and company. Lawyer Ingemar Macarine, Carmelo Rebolos, Roel Catoto and Charles and Jay Berryman. There's never been a better time to eat out with new restaurants now popping up here at a faster rate than anywhere in the country. Photo by Roel Catoto

Incredible locations include The White Cliffs of Dover, Leeds Castle, Hever Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, The Historic Dockyards Chatham, Dreamland Margate and Port Lympne Reserve.

The place is also famous for its award-winning sparkling wine since vineyards are here in Kent. Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame  can be found here.

Like so much of England, Dover was heavily influenced by its Roman heritage (the town suffered severe damage due to its role as a naval base during WWII), and you can explore a number of Roman-era attractions here, including the remarkable lighthouse on Castle Hill and the Roman Painted House.

The Dover White Cliffs are one of the great icons of British tourism and attract millions of visitors every year.  According to Carmelo, the iconic white cliffs of Dover are embedded in the national consciousness, and are a big ‘Welcome Home’ sign to generations of travellers and soldiers.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Dover so you could expect many Filipino seafarers roaming around the town.

The Dover Castle perched high above the English Channel built in 1168 is an English Heritage’s second most visited attraction in the country, with Deal, Walmer and Richborough castles making for a unique collection of coastal fortifications. 

The Dover Museum at the Market Square houses three floors of objects and displays recounting the town's rich history, from its Roman beginnings to the modern day. It's also home to the world's oldest known seagoing vessel, a Bronze Age wooden boat thought to be about 3,000 years old. Other highlights include an impressive collection of Saxon-era artifacts and jewelry.

In Dover, they take their food so seriously that it is easy to overlook the other charms of this picturesque town. Dover not only hosts a popular food and drink, but it has bewildering selection of fine restaurants like The Allotment where  we were treated for a sumptuous dinner by  Charles and Jay Berryman. They had travelled five hours from Exeter, Devon to Dover just to support Pinoy Aquaman.  It was my first time to order Roast lamb with spring herb crumbs and to get drunk and come home tipsy!

When Pinoy Aquaman was not practising or sleeping, we sneaked into the neighboring town of Folkestone, a 30-minute drive from Dover. The historic old center is charming, if small. Tourist attractions and things to do in Folkestone are plentiful and include spending time in seafront amusement arcades and pavilions, taking a refreshing stroll along the wide promenade with fine views across to France in clear weather, or dining in a restaurant or café in the town's trendy Creative Quarter.

The Church of St. Mary and St. Eanswythe, around Old High Street, is worth visiting for it houses the remains of St. Eanswythe. Also popular here is the statue and the house of William Harvey, who discovered the body's circulatory system.

On our last day at Kent, Carmelo brought us to Cantebury, an enchanting city full of history. He has been living in London for years so the tour was a big yawn for him. But he seemed to relish it as much as a promdi like me did.

It was summer but I was shivering from spring chill but I didn’t mind. Why would I when awesome scenes and sights are passing by---Canterbury Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Augustine Abbey, the Old Town and --- yes, yes, yes! --- Chaucer’s famous tales!

But Canterbury isn’t just a showpiece for the past – it’s a bustling, busy place with an energetic student population and a wide choice of contemporary bars, restaurants, venues and independent shops.

With huge skies and clear air, England offers freedom, space and a place to think. To be continued...

***

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

‘Pinoy Aquaman’ English Channel bid aborted

DOVER, United Kingdom — Environmental lawyer Ingemar Macarine, also known as the “Pinoy Aquaman,” was about  3.8 km (2.3 miles) from this town when his swim was stopped because of bad weather.

He started his longest solo, unassisted swim at the English Channel, “Mt. Everest” for open swimming, at 2:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 13, (9:30 a.m. Philippine time) after facing high winds during his swim from Dover town, United Kingdom to France.

Environmental lawyer Ingemar Macarine who was 

almost an hour in the waters of the English Channel 

on Sunday, August 13, 2017, had to cancel his effort due

 to bad weather.  Photo by Leo Udtohan

The shortest distance between England and France over the English Channel is 34 km (21 miles).

Macarine, 41, was swimming freestyle. When he lifted his head to breathe, he could vaguely make out his destination on the horizon, Cap Gris Nez, a promontory on the French coast due to strong waves and gusty winds.

He was only wearing a latex swimming cap, an ordinary swimsuit and goggles. His shoulders and armpits, neck and crotch are coated with sunblock and petroleum jelly, to keep his muscles flexible and prevent chafing.

If he succeeded Macarine, an election officer of Tubigon town in Bohol province, would be the first Filipino swimmer to swim across the Channel.

Many swimming enthusiasts were tracking Macarine’s progress on the social media.

The journey was expected to take 15 hours in a 16 degrees Celsius temperature, but Eric Hartley, skipper of the support boat from the Pathfinder Charter, called off his bid when he noticed that the wind was getting stronger and colder.

Shortly after stopping his swim across the English Channel, 

Ingemar Macarine (right) chats with Pathfinder skipper

 Eric Hartley and Channel Swimming Association observer 

Keith Oiller on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan

Also with Hartley in the boat was CSA observer Keith Oiller who detailed to Macarine the rules of the English Channel.

“I stopped the swim really for safety grounds. “Because wind was blowing, it’s hard to control the boat with the current condition,” Hartley said. “The wind speed is too strong than what was forecast at 3 knots. It’s important to keep him beside the boat,” said Hartley.

Hartley said the wind that was gusting and it was unsafe for everyone involved.

“Safety is always first,” he said.

There have been less than half a dozen fatalities in the 137 years that it has been taking place, the CSA said.

Last week, two fatalities were recorded.

His goal had to swim the English Channel to promote clean seas, Philippine tourism and international friendship.

Macarine – who has swum seas in the Philippines and the United States – had waited patiently for days to swim the Channel.

Since arriving in Dover on July 28, he has been practicing for two hours daily at the port.

Although he didn’t finish the swim, he said he was satisfied with what he was able to accomplish.

Macarine said he would come back next year to fulfil the ultimate swim of his life.

“Tuloy ang laban toward reaching that goal,” he added.

***

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

From Bohol to the World- ‘Pinoy Aquaman’ to swim English Channel

From Bohol to the World

‘Pinoy Aquaman’ to swim English Channel on Sun

 DOVER, UNITED KINGDOM- For mountain climbers, Mt. Everest is the ultimate challenge. For swimmers, it's crossing the English Channel.

And only a few people who try this succeed.

But for environmental lawyer and tri-athlete Ingemar Macarine, who earned the moniker “Pinoy Aquaman”, he will attempt to swim the English Channel at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 13 (August 13, 9:30 a.m. Philippine Time).

If he succeeds Macarine, 41, will be the first Filipino swimmer to swim across the Channel.

Environmental lawyer Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine 

will be the first Filipino swimmer who attempts

 to swim the English Channel which is considered as the "Mt. Everest"

 of swimming on Sunday. He is practising two hours a 

day swimming in almost freezing water at Dover Port.  Photo by Leo Udtohan

The swim will be the first crossing by a Filipino swimmer of the sea passage that separates the United Kingdom and France to test of physical and mental strength and courage.

Fewer people have swum the English Channel than have climbed Mount Everest.

Macarine, who is swimming to promote clean seas, Philippine tourism and international friendship, spent two hours every day since he arrived in the United Kingdom last July 30.

He said hopes to complete the 21-mile (34 km) swim in under 15 hours.

The wind and weather are also a problem - as the Dover Straits are prone to local weather conditions that can change very quickly and which do not match the forecasts.

The water is nearly freezing water (15-16 degrees Celsius) though Britons have anticipating summer this month.

“I have been training at the Dover Harbor for two hours every day. The water temperature is around 16 degrees so it is very cold compared to the Philippines where I trained in the 30 degree water temperature,” said Macarine, an election officer of Tubigon town.

Hypothermia is an issue for swimmers, but swimmers are unclothed and exposed to the elements unlike any other endurance athlete.

“Hypothermia would be my number one challenge as I am used to the tropical waters of the Philippines,” he added.

Captain Matthew Webb made the first unassisted 

and observed cross-channel swim in 1875; 

he made landfall in 21 hours and 45 minutes. 

Dover Museum 

There are a lot of factors that combine to make the swim hard but the cold is the biggest hurdle, said Eric Hartley of the Pathfinder Charter and Channel Swimming Association (CSA) observer Keith Oiller.

Swimmers said that it's not about the distance since lot of people can swim but the cold water.

Last Tuesday, a man died during an attempt to swim the English Channel as part of a gruelling triathlon. Newspapers reported that Douglas Waymark, 44 from Cheltenham, got into difficulty about half way across, 12 nautical miles from Dover.

Oiller said the tides are also hard to predict as they are strong and change direction approximately every six hours.

They also change in height and flow speed every day.

There is also the problem of the number of ships using these waters - because to go from England to France you have to swim across the shipping lanes.

CSA requires swimmers to attempt the challenge clad in nothing more than ordinary swimming trunks, swim cap, and goggles.

Wetsuits and other floating devices are absolutely not allowed. The rules also dictate that a swimmer should not touched the boat nor can be touched by another person during the entire course of the swim.

Your VRS with (l) Channel Swimming Association (CSA) 

observer Keith Oiller, coach Roel Catoto, 

Lawyer Ingemar Macarine and Eric Hartley

 of the Pathfinder Charter at Dover Marina. 

Ever since Captain Matthew Webb's first successful Channel swim in 1875, thousands of swimmers have attempted to emulate his feat. Most are content to complete the swim, others are determined to set new records.

It all started in 1872 when JB Johnson tried to swim the Channel, but failed, abandoning his attempt after 1 hour and 3 minutes. Reading of his exploits, Captain Webb (1848-1883) became inspired to try it in 1875 for 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Since then, interest has grown in Channel swimming, and there is always a waiting list of people booking places with pilots from the Channel Swimming Association and the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation in the hope of adding their names to the list of those who achieve it.

So far 1,753 swimmers have made a total of 2,280 solo crossings across the channel since 1875, according to the CSA.

15 Things you probably didn't know about

swimming across the English Channel

Swimming the English Channel is a lot more complex than it seems.  Read on...

1. First recorded crossing of Channel was by an Italian prisoner-of-war in 1817; Giovan Maria Salati made his escape from a prison barge in Dover and swam to Boulogne using straw as a buoyancy aid.

2. Captain Matthew Webb made the first unassisted and observed cross-channel swim in 1875; he made landfall in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Pinoy Aquaman “meet and greet” the Filipino community in UK. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan

3. In 1926, the American Gertrude Ederle (pictured) became first woman to swim the Channel - her time was 14 hours and 34 minutes.

4. The record for fastest-ever cross-channel swim is held by the Australian Trent Grimsey, who managed six hours and 55 minutes in 2012.

5. King of the English Channel is Kevin Murphy, with 34 solo crossings.

6. The Queen of English Channel Alison Streeter who swum the English Channel 43 times - more than anyone else in the world.

7.   For a swim to be officially recognised, you must not be assisted by any kind of artificial aid – and you are only permitted to use goggles, one cap, a nose clip, ear plugs and one costume, that must be sleeveless and legless. For Macarine, he will be using swimming cap, trunks and goggles.

8. You are allowed to grease yourself up for insulation. Macarine will use sunblock.

9. You must enter the sea from the shore of departure and finish on dry land at the other side, “or touch steep cliffs of the opposite coast with no sea water”, according to the Channel Swimming Association, founded in 1927, which regulates attempts.

10.  Swimming the Channel is not cheap and will set you back a few thousand pounds, the largest chunk of which goes towards a registered pilot and escort boat. Macarine has already spent £ 10,000 or half-million pesos. He swim is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission thru Chairman William Ramirez, Commissioner Mon Fernandez Maxi Green & Ramsey Quijano; COMELEC courtesy of Chairman Andres Bautista; Speedo Philippines thru VP Manish Mahtani May Valentino Crissa Brozas; Maldita Man thru Irene Chan;  First Consolidated Bank (FCB) thru Pres. Argeo Melisimo Pie Puerto;  Martello Building Consultancy thru Andy Cruttenden; Kennington Masonic Lodge 1381 thru Worshipful Master Michael Duque Carmelo N. Rebolos; Bohol 2^nd Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado; and Sparklab.

11. The distance swum is approximately 34 kilometers (21 miles), but changes according to the current. Tides need to be taken into account and most swimmers tackle a sort of S-shaped course.

12. Swimmers usually start at or near Shakespeare’s Cliff or Samphire Hoe at Dover and aim to finish at Cap Gris Nez (between Boulogne and Calais), France.

13.  Because you are not allowed to touch another human during the course of the swim, any fuel in the way of food will be passed to you by a long pole from your escort boat. That is feeding time.

14. The Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with 600 tankers and 200 ferries passing through every day. Your escort and pilot’s job is to make sure you don’t get mowed down.

15. You must book one to two years ahead for a slot to attempt a crossing. In the case of Macarine, he booked last year.

***

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

A new twist of kuradang in Sandugo festival

TAGBILARAN City—Wearing colorful costumes and dancing with limping and swaying motions, participants danced in the main street to the applause of spectators who came to celebrate the province’s Sandugo festival.

The “Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo” (Competition of Kuradang and Re-enactment of the Sandugo) was just introduced last year after replacing an almost two-decade cultural dance to wean the Sandugo dances from the Sinulog dances of Cebu.

Local historian and cultural worker Marianito Luspo said that the introduction of the folkdance “kuradang” theme was prompted by observations from culture and heritage enthusiasts noting that the competition has become similar to Cebu’s Sinulog festivities and has languished in terms of ingenuity.

Street dancers liven up the celebration of Bohol’s Sandugo festival. 

Photo by Leo Udtohan

“Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo” used the kuradang as the main basis and inspiration of the dance competition to make it more rooted in Boholano aesthetics in music, dance and content.  It had also put emphasis on the Sanduguan of Spaniard Miguel Lopes de Legazpi and a native chieftain Si Katuna.

“Well, it’s unique and special because it really comes from our culture,” said Luspo, one of the members of the Sandugo Artistic Committee.

“It is an attempt to make the festival more relevant by basing the whole concept on the nature of the culture of the place,” he added.

Luspo said kuradang is not only done in Bohol since it’s a popular native dance in the Visayas region particularly Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Panay.

For two years, the Sandugo Street dancing use the dance

 steps of the Kuradang replacing the almost 

two decades festival to make it more “Boholano.”  Photo by Leo Udtohan

“It’s a Visayan thing but we infused it in our  important historic event in Bohol to make it something special. It is packaged  to reflect something we have and which we can rightly we proud of,” said Luspo.

Kuradang is dance during social gatherings such as birthday, baptism, wedding and fiesta because of its lively moves and the life it gives to the gatherings. It is dance with the accompaniment of the rondalla that it makes kuradang flared, brisk and romantic.

The kuradang, a courtship dance, imitates the playful "birig" or courting movements of the aggressive rooster and coy hen.

The province’s official dance is kuratcha Boholana. However, many people considered kuradang their unofficial dance because of its popularity and familiarity in the island.

Luspo said it was well received and embraced by the people. The reactions from the audience and dancers, it seemed kuradang has seeped through the fancy of the Boholano young and old.

“They feel it comes from inside of us. It is not something that is imposed from outside.  This is something worthwhile, something we can proud of, something we can claim our own,” Luspo said.

It also drew millennials, attracted to both the music and the new twist of "Binol-anon kuradang.”

 “I was overwhelmed they showed us how to dance the kuradang with dignity and pride,” said John Rel Alagadmo, 18, a student of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in this city.

Excitement filled the air about 3 p.m. on July 29, when the sound system blared the festival music, an original composition with a samba beat.

Ten contingents from different towns danced in the parade. They wore costumes and props in vibrant colors and designs.

Each rendered their own interpretation of kuradang during the final performance at CPG Sports Complex.

The contingent of barangay Napo in Loon town was declared champion for two years.  It brought home P250,000 and also harvested other prizes such as the Best in Kuradang and “Kuradang King and Queen” for second time and Best in Music.

The San Isidro town was adjudged as first runner-up with P200,000 prize, and Pilar town  was declared second runner-up with P150,000 prize.  

Pilar also won the “Best Pair of Datu Si Katuna and Gen. Legaspi” and Best in Costume/Production” with an additional  P15,000 prize.

Others contingents include Balilihan, Baclayon, Catigbian, Concepcion, Mabini; San Miguel, Tubigon and Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City.

***

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

WATCH MY VIDEO ON GMA 7

Serendipitous moment for Miss Bohol 2017

Wake-uppers:

Scene: A male title holder (MTH) created a stir when he posted on Facebook that he was “raped.”  MTH went to a spa that when he was half-asleep the masseur took advantage of the situation. MTH woke up when he discovered the masseur already sucking his nipple and stroking his ting-a ling. The male masseur, who was brought to barangay hall for interrogation, admitted he was smitten by MTH’s manliness and beauty that he almost raped him. “Lesson? Huwag pagnasaan ang inyong client,” said MTH’s friends. The plot is thickening.

Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelinckx 

Courtesy: Miss Bohol/Gerald James Cabal

Scene: Could it be true that a sexy model cum young businesswoman had a “nightcap” at a hotel with a popular  businessman from Manila who was here for a visit not too long ago? “What a sweet pair,” said VRS. “You see,  she’s perfect for him, but he is already taken. Ouch!”

Scene: Prof. Marianito Luspo on the 2nd Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo:  “Well, it’s unique and special because it really comes from our culture.  It is an attempt  to make the festival more relevant by basing the whole concept on the nature of the culture of the place. I am not saying kuradang is only done in Bohol, it’s a Visayan thing but our way and our way we infused in our important historic event in Bohol made into something special. It is to reflect something we have and which we can rightly we proud of.”

***

Pauline Amelinckx overwhelmed the competition during the recently-concluded Miss Bohol pageant.

Pauline, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies major in European Studies at the Cebu Doctor’s University, impressed the judges and the audience.

She said joining the pageant was one of the “toughest decisions” of her life.

She was not totally expecting to be called winner of Miss Bohol 2017, however, it was her destiny to become Miss Bohol.

“It was an amazing night filled with emotions but also with friendship. The Miss Bohol journey was an amazing experience and I am glad to have experienced it with amazing co candidates who became my friends. I will surely miss all the time we spent together but I am looking forward to the next time we meet, the next time we eat, and the time that we look back on this day with a smile,” she posted on Facebook.

Miss Bohol 2016 Glyssa Perez was 

one of the ladies present at the final 

screening of Miss World Philippines. 

Courtesy: Glyssa Perez Facebook

“Thank you to all the people who have helped and supported me, thank you for the bonds of friendship we were able to strengthen together and thank you for sharing this amazing experience with me. It will become a memory dear to my heart because of you all,” she added.

Tubigon continues to dominate the provincial pageant scene, winning yet another crown. Miss Bohol winners from Tubigon were Amir Paraguya Sol (2010) and Farrah Faye Mian (2011).

Unlike in Tagbilaran City which holds barangay level search for Miss Tagbilaran in advance to find the finest girl, Tubigon and other towns have discovered beauty queens effortlessly and learned how serendipitous things can be.

“I guess it's serendipity, it's not something you plan,” said a pageant watcher.

With so many Miss Bohol winners avidly angling for attention in public, some really have to bustle and hustle to stay in the public eye.

Kudos to these beauty queens who have managed to stand out by way of their successful and effective career moves and gambits:

Queenie Melody Fullante has made her fans ecstatic by finally doing something to serve the community as head of Dauis Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante

Courtesy: Queenie Fullante

After Miss Bohol, she got involved with advocacy efforts in the JCI Chocolate Hills after she was chosen as Miss JCI Philippines.

For her part, Miss Bohol 2016 Glyssa Perez was already attracting a lot of attention — especially from motorists and commuters — with her beautiful face from huge billboards in the city and selected towns, endorsing RC Lucky Graphics.

In addition, Glyssa  is working at Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) under Sec. Martin Andanar assigned at the ASEAN affairs.

She is currently training for the Miss World Philippines on Sept. 3. Glyssa, Miss Philippines-Australia 2014, will step out of the shadow of her famous cousin Miss Universe -Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina. She will carve her own name in the national pageant. Her cup runneth over!

***

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

Balikbayans arrive for Sandugo festivities

Wake-uppers:

Mikey Gatal with his high school 

classmates-Father Alberic Bonje, Jorge Besa 

and Roel Rosco. Courtesy: Mikey Gatal

Scene: The 163rd Bohol Day Governor's Awardees:  Ambassador Fernando "Ding" Borja (Diplomacy/International), Relations, Fr. Arnold Zamora (Music), Atty. Ingemar Macarine  (Advocate for Environment/Long Distance Swimmer),  Carmen Gatal (Community Service) and Mr. and Mrs. John and Geesnell Yap (Business). Special Citations: Dr. Jeong Taek Lee, Country Director, Korea Project for International Agriculture (KOPIA) and  Engr. Tadashi Aoi , Project Manager, Japan Airport Consultant.

Scene: The first “ToFarm Film Festival” in Bohol on July 26-28, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The festival features farmers, agriculture and bounties of nature. Contact BITGAP and KABOG for direct purchase of tickets. Text 09172034705/09102450515/09277932406/09128109145/09332253163.

***

They’re back again for the Sandugo.

The Sandugo beat, hugs and smiles greeted our balikbayans from abroad as early as last week.

Pushing a cart filled with baggage that includes “pasalubong” for his friends, US-based socialite Mikey

Gatal has been coming to Bohol and all for the Sandugo festival.

“It truly feels like home,” said Mikey who arrived with his mother Fely.

Aside from the Sandugo, Mikey came for a reunion with former high school classmates at Divine Word College High School Batch 1987 which was held at Boffo Resort in Loon town.

Mikey Gatal with his mom Fely. Courtesy: Mikey Gatal

He said he plans to join the 2nd “Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo” street-dance on Sunday.

Kuradang is dance during social gatherings such as birthday, baptism, wedding and fiesta because of its lively moves and the life it gives to the gatherings. It is dance with the accompaniment of the rondalla that it makes kuradang flared, brisk and romantic.

The kuradang, a courtship dance, imitates the playful "birig" or courting movements of the aggressive rooster and coy hen.

Mikey said although he visited some places he wants to explore more. He said he plans to make a countryside tour. He said it never fails to amaze the towns for a relaxing encounter with sight.

It is, indeed, a time for milestone high school reunions.

According to Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin, overall coordinator of the Bohol National High School (BNHS) Class of 1987, the 30th (Pearl) anniversary celebration on July 21-22, 2017 anchored on the theme "Polished Over Time."

She said Boholanos from different parts of the world came home not only to be with their families, to attend weddings and to witness the Bohol Sandugo Festival, but to relive the 30 glorious years of their high school life.

The Divine Word College-High School 

Class of 1987 Pearl reunion. Courtesy: Mikey Gatal

A combination of "advocacy" and "lingaw-lingaw," the BNHS Class of 1987 turned over to Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School principal Virgilia Omictin P20,000 for the SpEd classroom ceiling repair from Pia Madronero-Bongulto of San Diego, California, more than 600 K to 12 books for the regular classes and more than 100 pairs of school shoes for the SpEd students from the San Joaquin Kalawaan High School of the Pasig City Schools Division, through Nicolasa Clarito-Enierga, and P10,000 worth of sports equipment.

Balikbayans who joined were Noel Cericos and Doods Bullen from the United States, Annaliza Preciado-Yano and Jadel Salazar-Karasawa from Japan and Jessica Vidal-Glyde from Australia.

Moreover, Leo Madanguit, Rolland Clarete, and Clarissa Matela - Arado from the United States got in town for their July 14-16, 2017 Divine Word College of Tagbilaran 30th year HS reunion, so with Paulino Biloy, Jr. from Hongkong, also for his church wedding to Shirmie Cuadra last July 21, while Holy Spirit School graduates Ma. Nerissa Virtusio - Clarete, Jacqueline Malanog - San Pedro, and Rebeca dela Serna also from the United States, made it in time for their July 22-23, 2017 pearl anniversary reunion.

On the other hand, those balikbayans from the US also participated in their Holy Spirit School Elementary Class of 1983 gathering last July 20 at KEW Hotel in preparation for their grand 35th anniversary reunion in 2018.

The Holy Spirit Elem. Class of 1993 gathered 

for their reunion in preparation for their

 big 30^th event next year. 

Courtesy: Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin

Boholano movie actress and performer Leah Scarnet "Scarlet" Geulen-Boiser, Bohol Quality Corporation CEO Raymond Ong, Tagbilaran City Community Hospital's Rey Inting, accomplished Chicago, Illinois businessman Leo Madanguit, and Tagbilaran City Information Officer Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao - Gabin are among the graduates.

Welcome greetings from friends and relatives also filled the arrival area at the Tagbilaran Airport and pier for Saudi Arabia-based couple Marvin and Jolzeccar Uy-Fronteras and  Miss Bohol International 1999 Chan Cajegas-Casabal and her family.

Unlike past years, balikbayans didn’t come in a single large group, but traveled individually.

Some came as early as May to attend some reunions and fiestas. Last May, erstwhile society writer Gisela Mae “Jiji” Apalisok came home to attend their town fiesta. I told her to wait for July. “Next year perhaps,” she said.

***

Pinoy Aquaman swims from Cebu

 to Bohol before English Channel trip

Triathlete lawyer Ingemar Macarine, known as "Pinoy Aquaman," swam nonstop for eight hours covering at least 18 kilometers from Argao town in Cebu to Cabilao Island in Loon town in Bohol province last Sunday.

Helen Castano with triathlete lawyer Ingemar Macarine,

 known as "Pinoy Aquaman," swims Cebu

  to Bohol, his last intense training session before 

embarking on the English Channel swim. 

Macarine was one of the Awardees during the 

163rd Bohol Day on July 22.  Leo Udtohan

Macarine said his latest feat was not easy because of the jellyfish he encountered along the way.

"During the first 8 kilometers I was really thinking of abandoning the swim because of the jellyfish. l suffered for the first 8 kms, the good thing  no more jellyfish along the way but I encountered the strong current,” he said.

The Cebu-Bohol stretch is part of his training as the first Filipino to swim through the English Channel, known as the “Mount Everest” of swimming, next month.

“This is my last swim before I depart for UK next week to start my training for the ultimate swim of my life that would be August 14," he said.

"So, I will try to swim again the English Channel because last year I was not able to swim because of the bad weather," he added.

Last May, he successfully endured New York's freezing Hudson River as he swam from Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to Bannerman Island for one hour and 49 minutes, about 8.4 kilometers.

Macarine swam from Guinsiliban, Camiguin Island, crossed the Macajalar Bay, and reached Talisayan town in Misamis Oriental to promote peace in Mindanao last June.

***

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

Just a few more days; power and water crisis still in Bohol

Jenalyn Castaño went to bed early on Friday night since the province was plunged into darkness.

As soon as she awoke, she reached from her bed and flicked the nearest light switch.

There was light.

A student is using a rechargeable flashlight 

while studying her lesson. The province of Bohol

 is plunged into darkness after a strong earthquake

 hit Leyte last Thursday. Leo Udtohan

"Nakurat ko kay naa nay kuryente mao gi-charged nako dayun akong cellphon  (I was surprised that there was already electricity that is why I immediately charged my cellular phone)," said Castaño, 30, who lives on Lamdagan Street in this city.

"Hopeful ko padayun na unta ni nga musiga na (I am hopeful this will continue)"

Although power had resumed in Bohol last Friday night but it was limited only in the capital city of Tagbilaran and for a limited hours. An average six-hour rotational brownout had been implemented in Tagbilaran due to acute power deficiency throughout Bohol because of the shutdown of a geothermal power plant in Leyte, the province’s main energy source.

Power barge

Local leaders said the power supply in Bohol will be fully restored soon.

Acting provincial administrator lawyer John Mitchell Boiser said Bohol has sought to harness energy from two power barges which came from IloIlo City and General Santos City.

“That is another option to address the power outage since the power lines in Leyte will take weeks to restore,” said Boiser.

He said the power barge from IloIlo City is expected to arrive in Bohol in three to seven days, while the power barge from General Santos City would take about three weeks to reach Bohol.

Boiser said officials of the energy companies last Thursday inspected three proposed docking sites of the power barges in Cortes, Maribojoc, and Loon towns.

Once the barges arrive and are ready to operate, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will then have to install lines to transmit power to electric distributors.

Each barge can generate up to 32 megawatts of power.

Bohol has a power demand of 70-80 megawatts, Boiser said.

In the meantime, Bohol Light Company Inc., the main power distributor in Bohol, tapped Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) in Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran to supply power in the city although its capacity was not enough to meet the demand. The SPC Island Power Corporation which owns the BDPP was given provisional authority to operate by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last week.

Residents have been hit by the double whammy

 of a power blackout and the subsequent 

water service interruption after the Leyte earthquake. 

Leo Udtohan

The BDPP’s capacity to release power to the province’s capital was granted following an appeal made by the provincial board members, according to Totsie Escobia, provincial information officer.

Escobia said the request was also expedited through the efforts of Gov. Edgar Chatto, who was in Canada for an official function. Bohol has been and still is dependent on its power supply from Malitbog Geothermal Plant in Leyte province being connected with submarine cable from Maasin City to President Carlos P. Garcia island town of Bohol.

Power requirement for Bohol was between 70-80 MW during peak hours, said May Hope Arcenal, BLCI spokesperson.

Bohol has three hydro plants in Hanopol in Balihan town, Loboc town and Sevilla town with a combined capacity of less than 10MW.

 Arcenal said BDPP can generate up to 12 MW which was alternately distributed by the BLCI to its consumers in Tagbilaran City. But it was not enough since Tagbilaran's power demand was 25 MW, she added.

Some areas in Tagbilaran City had power for only an hour due to limited supply and high demand. Arcenal said mall owners and big establishments in the city used generator sets to help maximize the power. Water was also a problem that residents stormed supermarkets and water refilling stations to buy potable water. Arcenal said water is also rationed in some barangays.

Tagbilaran residents are waiting for water until dawn.
Photo by  Leo Udtohan

The Bohol Electric Cooperatives 1 and 2 also started to ration electricity to its consumers.

Double whammy

Residents affected by the power outage also lost flowing potable water.

Many residents on Lamdagan Street in Cogon were carrying their containers as they lined-up to wait for their turn to get water from the water tankers sent by the city government to ration water to the affected areas.

The community is among the 15 barangays (villages) in the city that are affected by the temporary water supply cut-off.

 “We have endure the long line because we don’t have water in the house,” said 15-year-old Jezzrel Taal, 15, about the water service interruption, on Saturday afternoon.

Residents along Graham Avenue in Barangay Booy also queued for their water ration until Saturday night. Others went home when the fire truck didn’t return.

“It doesn’t matter if we don’t have electricity for as long as we have water,” said Bebei Lim, 46.

The Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI) in Tagbilaran City used portable generator sets to power one of the water pumping stations along the J.A. Clarin-Dao road for its consumers. But the supply was limited to few areas.

People bought mineral water at P30 to P50 per container instead of the usual P15 to P20 in water refilling stations.

The owners said the increase in prices was due to the added cost since they were using generator sets to operate.

Some residents would go to Caingget Beach and Bulok-Bulok Spring to wash their clothes and take a bath.

But Mia Cadenas, 59, a resident of Barangay Sto. Nino in San Miguel town said many coped with the situation.

“We were getting used to not having any electricity. The big problem was we could no longer watch our favorite telenovelas,” said Cadenas.

The water service interruption was not a big deal for some since they could still get clean water from the deep well and spring.

Stores in Tagbilaran and municipal halls also offered free charging of  cellphones.

In Jagna town, Councilor Anthony Aniscal allowed residents to charge their cellphones for free using his generator set. 

Tourism affected

The tourism industry has been affected by the power outage.

Resort owners and operators in Panglao Island, the province’s tourism jewel, complain that the constant power outage in the province is cutting down the number of tourists visiting the area.

Resort owner Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan says the power crises 

has affected his resort in Panglao town. Leo Udtohan

Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan, owner of Dumaluan Beach Resort 2, said they had several booking cancellations due to the unstable power supply in the province.

Dumaluan Beach Resort 2 is a six-hectare property in Barangay Bolod in Panglao which was established in 1998. “Definitely, we are affected by the power interruption.

Although it is business as usual here, our tourist arrival declined due to power and water issues,” said Dumaluan. Dumaluan said that the decline started during the Abu Sayyaf infiltration last April.

The military forces killed all the Abu Sayyaf members in Inabanga town on the northern tip of Bohol, about 81 km from Panglao where tourists would usually go. Dumaluan said they had been relying mainly on three generator sets which were very costly to operate for his 107 rooms.

They are spending P30,000 to P50,000 daily for fuel to run the generators.

“We have no other choice since we need to cater the needs of our guests who are staying in our resort,” said Dumaluan. Most of the guests are Europeans.

Dumaluan is calling on the government to help address the power situation in the province.

In case for Panglao, Boheco 1 is distributing power in Panglao town with at least 6 megawatts. Dumaluan is urging for a power plant to be centrally located in Bohol as the province is only relying on power plants based in Eastern Visayas.

“Now that Leyte is affected, Bohol is also affected. They have to not only listen now, they have to learn not only to learn but to work now because this happened thrice already,” he said.

The first was on Oct. 15, 2013 when the province was hit by a magnitude 7.2 tremor that brought Bohol to its knees. The next month, Supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit most parts of the Visayas and affected the power suply on Nov. 8, 2013.

More than three years later, another strong earthquake hit Leyte province on July 6 but still affected Bohol. Smarting from the Bohol earthquake and Yolanda, Dumaluan purchased three generator sets for his resorts. He also put up his own wastewater treatment facility and a seven-meter long and four-meter wide water tank. “But it is still not enough,” he said.

But the effect on smaller beach resorts was worse. A resort owner (who asked for anonymity) said her guests left the resort due to the brownout and inability of water.

“It is hurting us because this is causing financial setback on our part,” she said.

Davon (family name withheld upon his request), a Russian guest, said he had to cut short his three-day Bohol trip.

“I have no choice here,” he said, because he could not sleep well with the noise coming from the generator set.

But Josephine Remolador-Cabarrus, head of the Bohol Tourism Office, assured that the power crisis in Panglao was just temporary since the provincial government was closely coordinating with the Department of Energy to speed up the restoration of power in Bohol.

She said that Bohol was able to respond the power outage in 2013 that lasted for a month. The province's tourism industry then bounced back in 2015 and 2016.

“Considering that tourism is very resilient industry, it would somehow bounce back. We always have to hope even they said that hope is the greatest sin, but hope is the thing that will get us going. I know the industry will bounce back,” she said.

***

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