Saturday, May 29, 2021

Pandemic-fueled summer blues

A beach in Barangay Bolod in Panglao town, Bohol, normally a site teeming with tourists, has instead been filled with a handful locals who enjoy the pristine and white sandy beach. Photo:  Leo Udtohan



Normally at this time of year, the beaches on Panglao Island, the crown jewel of Bohol tourism, would have been a site teeming with tourists.. 

Hotels and resorts would have been fully booked. Restaurants would have been fully open and its white beaches are populated by Chinese and some Europeans eager for some warmth after a winter.

Instead, the beach is almost empty.

In Bohol, a province heavily reliant on tourism, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown has affected the tourism and hospitality industry.  

For businesswoman Anecita Nerves-Arcay, patience is a virtue — especially when facing in a crisis. 

Her only wish this year is that she will finally open her hotel on Panglao Island in Bohol province. She was set to inaugurate her five-story ARC Homes at Barangay Poblacion in Panglao town on March 26 last year, but the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, forcing provinces to close their borders and restrict the movement of people to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. 

"2020 was unpredictable. It was difficult and sudden," Arcay said.

Although Bohol fully reopened its doors to tourists in December, Arcay decided to wait because there were only a few visitors coming in, as people take a wait-and-see attitude with the health crisis still raging.

“We needed to make sure our business is sustainable in this new market with special protocols put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of guests. If we see numbers [of tourists] go up this year, we can start to operate,” she said.

She also reduced the rental fee for her tenants in a commercial building she owns to cope with the pandemic as unemployment numbers jumped along with the COVID-19 case numbers.

After a year, Arcay is hopeful that her hotel can cater to tourists soon.

Panglao has at least 4,753 rooms in different resorts, hotels and related establishments.

Tourism companies are desperately scrambling for ways to minimize their losses and survive the harsh pandemic.

On Alona Beach in Barangay Tawala, some resorts, cafes and restaurants are still closed. The busi­ness cen­ter in Alona is so quiet that cats slept on ta­bles of shut­tered cafés.

Some es­tab­lish­ments at­tempted to open but only to close down af­ter a few days due to low sales and high op­er­at­ing cost, es­pe­cially with the need to strictly com­ply with health pro­to­cols. 

“No one is com­ing. A few lo­cals come oc­ca­sion­ally,” said a café owner.

In Barangay Bolod which has at least six beach resorts only three are operating.  The beaches here are filled with few local residents only Saturdays and Sundays. 

Habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver Dave Rulona, 40, still finds himself without passengers because of the drop of tourist arrivals. He said most guests from Tagbilaran  come in their own cars.

Before COVID-19, he charges P120 from Panglao to Tagbilaran.  Now he charges P200, an increase of P50 from the pre-COVID rate because habal-habal drivers are allowed only one passenger per trip. Yet still, some still find themselves without passengers.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap bared that Bohol province lost P15 billion on revenues during the last eight months of the community quarantine. Monthly, the industry loses some P308 million in room accommodation in Panglao.

When Bohol closed its borders last March 2020, most resorts followed suit, forcing many hospitality workers to return home with uncertain job prospects.

The pandemic has also affected some 200,000 tourism industry workers and 40 % of them lost their jobs.  Some establishments retrenched their workers. Others were given two or three days to work if the resort has long-term staying guests. 

Tourism workers who lost their jobs shifted to fishing. Some augment their income by planting vegetables. But most sur­vived on “ayuda,” or fi­nan­cial and food aid from gov­ern­ment agen­cies, although these were not enough to sus­tain their fam­i­lies.

The pandemic also paralysed those in Jagna and Anda towns which lured tourists alike by its pristine beaches, villa hideaways and marine life.

Marjun Precones, proprietor of Jagna Rock Resort in Barangay Larapan in Jagna town, opened his resort under the new normal even with a handful tourists. He said before the pandemic, tourists came to his resort to chill and relax since beaches in Panglao were crowded. 

Tourism makes up 15% of Bohol economic output. Bo­hol hosted 1.5 mil­lion for­eign and do­mes­tic tourists in 2019, with Chi­nese visi­tors lead­ing the ar­rivals, fol­lowed by Kore­ans, records from the Bo­hol Tourism Of­fice showed.

These tourists dis­ap­peared when prov­inces started clos­ing their bor­ders as strict quar­an­tine guide­lines had to be fol­lowed in March 2020 in a bid to con­trol the spread of COVID-19.
Anthony Ceniza, resort supervisor of Marilou Resort and businesswoman Anecita Arcay. Contributed Photo


In 2020, there were 85,000 tourists from January to February 2020 before the lockdown.

Tourism leaders are trying everything they can to revive lagging business in the industry.

In September 2020, Bohol hosted the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), and it highlighted the preparedness of the island of Panglao to host group events, especially with its adherence to the health safety guidelines authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

In November 2020, Bohol reopened to local visitors arriving by plane, ending the travel ban in hopes of reviving a lockdown-devastated tourism industry that has fed so many Boholanos who are working in the different tourism services.

Since the reopening, there were 1,275 tourists who came to Bohol from November 15, 2020 to January 31, 2021 in the travel bubble concept.

By tourist bubble concept, it means that a COVID-19 negative tourist has to stay together with his group, travel only on travels organized by a DOT-accredited tour operator on board a DOT-accredited transport provider, and go to tours only in designated stops, never veering away from their established itinerary.

BTO said from November 15 to December 14, there were 184 local tourists came to attend meetings, incentives, conventions and conferences, and exhibits (MICE) and events.

A few days later, following the same concept, Bohol again issued the same to free and independent travellers, there were 389 tourists who came from December 15 to December 31,2020.

This dry season, struggling resorts and hotels have offered discounted room rates and promos in hopes of persuading frazzled parents and stressed-out workers to come to Panglao for a mini getaway.

The Roman Empire Boutique and Wellness Hotel in Barangay Tawala offered 90% discount room rates which include free breakfast and use of their Olympic-size swimming pool to fill their 80 rooms.  

“It was just to inform everyone that we are alive,” said Roldan Cuevas, manager.  He hopes the promotion can be effective in boosting visitation.   

While room rates aren’t deeply discounted at Marilou Resort in Barangay Bolod, they are typically lower than those on the weekends.  

"It's not going to be a profitable year, but we're just trying to balance the losses," said Anthony Ceniza, the resort supervisor.

Ceniza is optimistic, but understands that international travellers would have fear having to socially distance.  As of this time, he focuses on domestic tourists.

"It's going to be an amazing experience this year for people that choose Panglao because it won't be so busy. They will experience better customer service,” said Ceniza.

The provincial government with Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the “Balik sa Bohol” program, backed by the campaign motto “Balik sa Bohol (Come Back to Bohol).”

The “Balik sa Bohol” online sale which gave 70% tour discount for at least two weeks participated in by 13 resorts, hotels and tourism accommodation establishments, one adventure park, and six local tour operators.  All have earned their DOT Certificates of Authority to Operate, or the local government permits and each holder of the Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) seal.

Bo­hol still strug­gles to re­main afloat even if it has re­opened to visi­tors late last year.

It eased its entry protocols as part of efforts to resuscitate the province’s slumping tourism industry.

Starting March 1, tourists and returning residents can now visit Bohol and may no longer need to undergo quarantine.

Boholanos, whether locally stranded individuals (LSI) returning Overseas Filipinos and Workers (OFW), authorized persons outside residence (APOR) and even non-APOR local.

For tourists, they can present to Bohol a negative COVID-19 test result via an RT PCR test and the test should be taken 72 hours before flying to Bohol, present a confirmed hotel booking, and a registered Bohol Tourist QR Code.

Tourists to Bohol can travel to sites and destinations that have been granted by DOT the Certificate Authority to Operate, or LGU permitted and UBE Seal grantee from the provincial government, as long as they do not veer away from the tour itinerary provided by their DOT-accredited tour agent and travel only in designated areas.

Bohol has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the country, with 3,882 confirmed cases and 54 deaths, according to the May 28, 2021  data from Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF). 

Cuevas said that Bohol wants the economy to get back to what it was before, but said some locals are worried that tourists might cause infections.  But he believes that Bohol is well-prepared for tourists.

"Just follow and respect the health protocols," he said.  “It remains to be seen how many tourists will want to come to Bohol.”

One who is excited to welcome tourists to Bohol is Helen Bagayas, 34, an on-call massage therapist. She goes occasionally to Panglao for home service. She has been offering Swedish massage and ventosa (cupping therapy) for tourists for the past years. She said it was good before Covid since she can earn enough. During the pandemic, she augments her income thru buy and sell of bags, perfume and dress.

Bagayas, a mother of five, said she is praying Bohol’s tourism will bounce back.    

“We are like bamboo. Although we can be knocked down by life, tough times and challenges, just like the bamboo, we bend and far more flexible. We can come back stronger than ever through patience, strength and determination,” said Bagayas.

Arcay, on the other hand, said that while the pandemic is affecting the community in unprecedented ways, it has brought out a trait that is one of the most important qualities  for Boholanos – resilience.

“This time of patience will teach us to plan better and bounce back stronger than ever,” Arcay said. 

The pandemic won’t last forever and travels are anxious to hit the road when it is deemed to be safe.

Meanwhile, the winds in the end of summer make people become restless.

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

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Sexy talk with Catherine & Forrest Earl

Forrest Earl Todd Jr.: 'Sunrise would be my sexiest time of the day.' 



So, what is sexy to Forrest Earl Todd Jr. and Catherine Tabaniag, the two The Art Nouveau  (TAN) rising models who are making boys and girls — and other creatures  — admire and swoon?

"Well, of course it would be those people who have great physical features, we can’t really deny that. But, having blessed with those great bodily features, they also have to be God fearing and has great respect to their parents and to other people," said Forrest Earl. "Beautiful both inside and out, now that’s what sexy really means."

“To me,” said Catherine “it is having an intelligent mind." 

Catherine, 22, was crowned Miss Panglao 2013 at age 16. She also named Miss
 Bohol Association of Catholic (BACS) Academics 2014, Miss Philippines Earth Bohol 2017, Miss Philippines Earth Runner Up 2017, Miss Silka 2018, Mutya ng Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) 2018, Miss JCI Visayas 2019 and Miss JCI Philippines 2019. 

In 2019, she joined Miss Bohol and she was declared first runner-up. 

Forrest Earl, 22, was a Mister Teen Bohol 2012 finalist. He was crowned  Mr. Alturas Campus Icon, Mr. HNU College of Nursing  Sports Fest and Tagbilaran Saulog Festival King 1st runner up. 

A professional model, Forrest Earl is an Arian (April 1, 1999). He stands 6’ tall; weighs 165 lbs.; and wears medium-sized shirt, large-sized underwear and size-10.5 shoes.

A teacher, Catherine is a Scorpion (Oct. 27, 1998) who is a graduate from Holy Name  University. She stands 5’6” tall; weighs 121 lbs.; and wears small-sized shirt, small-sized underwear and size-10 shoes.

What is your motto in life? 
Catherine:  "Everything happens for a reason."
Forrest Earl: “Always strive for the best. "

What do you want to achieve?
Catherine:  “As of now, I’ve been struggling a lot due to pandemic and my adulting phase in life so all I want to achieve is peace of mind and have a well mental health." 
Forrest Earl: “To become a licensed medical doctor one day."

What diet do you follow? 
Catherine: "Just one cup of rice in every meal. And I avoid carbs and junk foods." 
Forrest Earl:" None. I just eat healthy balanced diet foods."

How do you keep fit? 
Catherine: "I always check my weight. And I also managed to hit the gym as possible as I can or to have home workout." 
Forrest Earl: "I just eat a balanced diet and play different kinds of sports everyday like basketball, tennis, table tennis and more."

How do you protect yourself from COVID-19?
Catherine: "I always follow health protocols that our government has implemented. I also update myself with the latest news, and, of course, staying at home." 
Forrest Earl: "By observing proper health care protocols and also by keeping my immune system healthy." 
Catherine Tabaniag: 'Everything happens for a reason.'

 

Who is/are your role model/s and why?
Catherine: "Gazini Ganados is my role model. Even though she grew up with a broken family, she managed to reached all her dreams and won competitions like Bb. Pilipinas Universe. She is really an inspiration and role model to everyone." 
Forrest Earl:  "My parents. Mainly because they are the ones who I see everyday from when I was young. I’m really blessed to have such hardworking and great parents. They are my heroes and my greatest inspirations." 

Part of your body that you consider sexiest:
Catherine:" My curves. "
Forrest Earl:  "I’d say my nose. "

Singer with a sexiest voice: 
Catherine: "Michael Pangilinan." 
Forrest Earl: "Because I’m a reggae fan, I would say Bob Marley. I just love how passionate his voice is when I hear his songs and also how meaningful his songs are. You can really feel the love and positivity." 

Sexiest movie: 
Catherine: "Fifty Shades of Grey." 
Forrest Earl: "As much as I would like to say “365 Days” haha, I would still choose the Harry Potter Movies, because since I was still a child I have already been following that movie series." 

Sexiest clothes: 
Catherine: "Crop top." 
Forrest Earl:  "Any clothes as long as it’s a perfect fit." 

Sexiest perfume: 
Catherine: "Victoria’s Secret." 
Forrest Earl: "Giorgio Armani." 

Sexiest time of the day: 
Catherine: "Midnight." 
Forrest Earl: "5:00 am - 5:30 am. Sunrise would be my sexiest time of the day." 

What are your future  plans?
Catherine: "To become a teacher with doctorate degree." 
Forrest Earl:  "My long term goal would be, first of all to repay my Mom and Tatay for all the hardships and efforts that they have given me. I would like them to be free from worries and live their lives like kings and queens. Then, my second long term goal would be to have a peaceful, loving, and joyful family for the rest of my life. My short term goal would be that in a few years after I graduate from college, I would like to try and compete in an international pageant to see how far I could get in this industry."

* * * 
This important message from Edison Gumapac, a teacher from Manga National High School in Tagbilaran City, he culled from the internet: 

Dear All, 

Whenever you find a perꜱon infected with COVID- 19 in your neighborhood or near your workplace, being taken to quarantine/iꜱolation centre in an ambulance, please do not take video or pictureꜱ, in fact diꜱcourage the perꜱon who you find iꜱ making a video or taking photoꜱ

Don’t embarraꜱꜱ the perꜱon! 

Inꜱtead ꜱtand in your balcony or at your window or your gate a few feet away and  give him/her a thumbꜱ up,  wiꜱh him/her good luck and a ꜱpeedy recovery.

Becauꜱe the way the viruꜱ iꜱ ꜱpreading, ꜱoon you will find an ambulance, infront of everybody’ꜱ gate / door. 

Pleaꜱe underꜱtand how thiꜱ perꜱon muꜱt be going through.

Pleaꜱe 
1. Reꜱpect him/her. 
2. Pray ꜰor him/her. 
3. Make him/her feel you are a good human being. 
4. Do not ꜱpread panic and “fear of inꜱult” among otherꜱ.

The perꜱon iꜱ juꜱt unwell, not a criminal. He/she will get cured but the memory of how people treated him, will ꜱtay with him/her forever!!

We are all in thiꜱ fight together!! Let's ꜱpread love and build conꜰidence

Be ꜱafe, ꜱtay at home.

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

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Women power in Audio-Bohol

Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap is flanked by figures of women empowerment in the Audio-Bohol: incoming president Ma. Lydia D. Bantugan of the Department of Agrarian Reform – Bohol and outgoing president Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao – Gabin of the City Government of Tagbilaran.

Former Tagbilaran City beauty queen and information officer of the City Government of Tagbilaran  Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao - Gabin turned over the leadership  as  president of the Association of United Development Information Officers (Audio) – Bohol to Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Bohol’s Ma. Lydia "Merly" Diez- Bantugan. 


The simple but meaningful ceremonies was held at the newly-opened Green Thumb Farm Al Fresco Resto in Purok 4, Barangay Sambog, Corella identified as one of the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) -7 learning sites for agriculture, as well as tourism bubble destinations in Bohol owned by Jares and Rona M. Denque.

Fiel, who served as Audio president for two years, was thankful for her “purposeful, fruitful, colorful, and insightful service as president. 

She challenged her information officer-colleagues to be creative by doing concerted efforts and actions that transcend beyond the “usual” talking and exchanging updates in one’s comfort zones, as information to be shared should not only be confined or limited to those from or about the LGUs and NGAs, but most importantly, about necessary or critical information that can inspire and motivate the human spirit and even help save lives, especially during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Merly, for her part, encouraged fellow officers to cooperate and work hard for the attainment of the mission of Audio-Bohol by cascading information from the local government units and national government agencies in Bohol. 

She also formally requested the provincial government of Bohol, through Governor Arthur Yap, who graced the occasion as inducting officer, to provide an office space for Audio-Bohol at the Old Provincial Capitol Building where the Audio-Bohol members can converge and share updates during the monthly meetings, as well as keep records.

Gov. Yap told the information officers that “You are a very important sector to our province in these critical times. Your work is to inform, to educate, to inspire, to raise the people's consciousness on issues, this need not be belabored". 

He expressed gratitude and pride to have been invited to administer the oath of the incoming officers who are tasked to steer the direction of the group that is committed to disseminate news about the development and progress in Bohol. 

The governor also reminded the Audio officers, as development information officers of the province, not to be swayed by news that are fake, unimportant, and has leaning toward discrimination.  

Back in 1999, there used to be two organizations of information officers (IOs) in Bohol: the Bohol Association of Public Information Officers (BAPIO) composed of IOs from the local government units (LGUs); and the Association of Government Public Information Officers (AGPIO) with IOs from the national government agencies (NGAs) as members. 

Then came the time when the two groups were merged to establish what is now known as the Association of United Development Information Officers (Audio) in Bohol committed to cascade developmental information. 

The group has expanded its membership and strengthened itself to become one of the most active, if not the most cohesive group of information officers in Central Visayas. 

One of the many factors of this is the many years of support and guidance of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Bohol serving as convenor, under the guidance of different information center managers. 

For years, the Audio-Bohol has been working in tandem with the PIA-Bohol which is being housed at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Building at K of Drive, Barangay Poblacion 2, Tagbilaran City.

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Monday, May 10, 2021

Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad celebrates 'lonely birthday'

Fashion designer Aileen Pasagad 
celebrates 'lonely birthday'

No roses, no candles, no cotillion. None of such traditional practices when a woman spends her 50th "debut," her celebration of   achievement and the blessing to start new venture of life. 

Fashion designer Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad turned 50 last Sunday (May 9) and, as she told VRS weeks ago, “I’m having a grand party. Please come."

Initially, Aileen wanted to celebrate her special day with an Oscar-themed party. But had to scrap it due to the pandemic. Plan B was to celebrate with a handful family friends. 

She ended up celebrating with her family...at home.

Aileeen is a descendant of Francisco Sendrijas, better known as "Francisco Dagohoy," a significant historical figure in Bohol. 

She was born in Inabanga town, but love brought her to Bilar town as the wife of  Zosimo Pasagad, a seafarer. 
Family: where love emanates. Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad with daughter Jesseth and sons Jairus and Josh.


Their union produced three offsprings: daughter Jesseth Nez, a petroleum engineer who was Miss Bohol 2018 3rd Runner-up and is now the Operations Engineer at the Malampaya Offshore Platform of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., and sons- Jairus Zim and Josh Ron Zimon, still students.

Aileen started designing gowns for her dear daughter when she joined beauty pageants and eventually decided to make designing a full-time business that is the "Aileen Pasagad Couture", after taking a short course at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP) - Cebu. 

From having highly-satisfied clients, she is now the fastest-rising designer in Bohol.

This year 2021 would have been her most meaningful as she was excitedly looking forward to her 50th birthday celebration, with preparations made to make it special and memorable.

It took time for the family to step back and assess the situation since recently, Bohol has been having a sudden surge in the COVID-19 positive cases, with 50% coming from Tagbilaran, with the number expected to rise, especially with the coming month-long fiesta season in Bohol. 

Considering that Tagbilaran City has become the COVID hotspot in the province, the family decided that organizing a birthday celebration in this crucial time is a careless and insensitive move and in case a guest tests positive, attendees will all be close contacts, resulting to the crippling of the local fashion and events industry, as people would be required to undergo quarantine. 

What would have been an “Oscar’s Night”-inspired party showcasing the glamor of Hollywood last May 9 was cancelled as a responsible decision for the health and safety of everyone. But it didn’t stop the family from having an intimate gathering attended by family and close associates that will be an offshoot to the grand 50+1 celebration next year, God willing.
Aileen found a “new family” in the Bohol Designers’ Circle (BDC) with Ladoi Aquino, Christian Bustrillos, Christian Relator, Bebei Tagoctoc, Ryan Sadudaquil, Nikki Simporios, Kim Villamor, and Charlowe Arbasto.


What is her ultimate 50th birthday wish? 

"I wish the COVID-19 pandemic to finally end, so we can all reconnect with our loved ones and share meals with friends without fear of getting sick," she said. 

What is her plan for the next years? 

"I also wish to stay healthy in the next years of my life, so I can continue to support my children in their dreams and see them grow into successful adults. Having a healthy mind and body will also allow me to run my business more passionately," Aileen said. 

"Lastly, I wish that I can continue to provide my clients with the best service," she added. 

 
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Saturday, May 8, 2021

Virtual Saulog King & Queen 2021 winners bared

The judges of Virtual Saulog Tagbilaran Festival King and Queen 2021 helping promote a “safe” festival following COVID-19 protocols (left to right) - CCCA’s Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin, SMART communications’ Jennie Lagura, Fr. Val Pinlac, IBEX’s Jamm Mandado, and CCCA’s Jeycelle C. Espejo - Inting.

For the past years, Saulog Tagbilaran, a festival that expresses thanksgiving to G-d through Saint Joseph the Worker, the City’s patron saint, has drawn thousands of local and foreign tourists who witnessed its grandeur and prestige.  


More than anything, it showcased the talent and creativity of the city’s 15 barangays. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a twist to the approach of how the celebration was conducted this 2021. 

Donald Jack Gibb is  Virtual Saulog Festival King 2021. 



Government authorities and event organizers, rightly prioritizing citizens’ health, are keen to give life to a low-key, but meaningful festival.

After a year’s hiatus brought about by the pandemic, Saulog Tagbilaran this year was totally different from what locals and visitors were accustomed to. 

The greatest challenge was to be more creative in how festivities were done to make Saulog a “safe” festival as it has gone “virtual”. 

All performers observed standard health and safety protocols to prevent the virus from spreading. Likewise, it showcased colorful costumes and props and synchronized dance routines of the performers.  

Kudos to the City Government of Tagbilaran, through the Saulog Tagbilaran Executive Committee 2021 led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II as overall chair; Mutya sa Tagbilaran Committee chaired by First Lady Jane Yap; and the City Events, Culture, and Arts Office (CECAO) headed by Joseph Alexis Cadelina for coming up with the Virtual Saulog Tagbilaran Festival King and Queen 2021 which invaded the social media as it beautifully portrayed the religious, cultural and tourism values and inculcated positivity amidst the pandemic without sacrificing people’s safety, as well as strengthened the Tagbilaranon’s culture of resilience through the arts.
Camille Joyce Resane is Virtual Saulog Festival Queen 2021

 

Taloto’s Donald Jack Gibb was adjudged Virtual Saulog Festival King 2021, while Ubujan’s Camille Joyce Resane was proclaimed Virtual Saulog Festival Queen 2021.

 Following closely were Cabawan’s Forrest Earl Todd, Jr. (1st Runner-up) and Poblacion 2’s Sean Rey Tupaz (2nd Runner-up) for the Saulog Festival King, while for the Saulog Festival Queen, Taloto’s Kyra Hopkins was 1st Runner-up and Poblacion 2’s Claire Ann Virtudazo was 2nd Runner-up.

The special awards went to Dao’s Johnjay Karaan as Mr. Ibex, Taloto’s Kyra Hopkins as Miss Ibex, and Ubujan’s Rj Dominic Amores and Camile Joyce Resane as Mr. and Miss Smart.

Tagbilaran City Livelihood Development Unit Consultant Rev. Fr. Valentino Pinlac chaired the panel of judges, with IBEX Operations Manager Jamm Mandado, SMART Communication’s Jennie Lagura, Miss Tagbilaran 1987 and City Council for Culture and the Arts Secretary (CCCA) Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin, and CCCA Treasurer and Mutya sa Tagbilaran resident judge Jeycelle C. Espejo - Inting as members.
 
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Wednesday, May 5, 2021

So long Sir Ricky, my idol and mentor

Vanessa Aumentado, Marisa Cartoneros, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto and Chatto and Veloso families have fond memories of veteran journalist Ricky Lo.

"Kumusta na ang society chronicler ng Bohol?" 


That was how veteran entertainment editor and TV host Ricky Lo greeted me everytime we saw each other in Bohol and some instances at The Philippine Star Office in the Port Area in Manila. 

Sir Ricky was one of the few journalists whom I looked up to as my idol, mentor, and friend.  

Ricky Lo is Ricky Lo.  He was revered and feared in the industry that his "Funfare" was the column to be in. To be mentioned in his column (which I was mentioned countless times) meant pride or humiliation, depending on how he chose to write about the celebrity.

I am his fan forever. In fact, his "Funfare" column was the first section in the paper I read first. For generations, many Filipinos got their fix of the day’s entertainment news from him. 

As a Funfare contributor until 2014,  I missed Sir Ricky’s call and text asking for showbiz scoop since there were many celebrities who visited Bohol. 

"Leo, totoo ba nandiyan ba si ___?  Kasama si ___?" he asked. 

He encouraged me to write articles and even gave me tips. 

Even when I started my column "True"  in the now defunct “The Bohol Sunday Post” for years (and transfered to The Bohol Chronicle with my "Bared" and later to "VRS"), I usually compare my style of writing as similar to that of Ricky Lo that it earned me the monicker the "Ricky Lo of Bohol."

When my articles were published in The Philippine Star, he kept my cheques in his wallet until he could give it to me personally. 

The year 2009 was my most memorable year with  Sir Ricky. He was in Bohol for a vacation  with his friend and fellow journalist Raoul Tidalgo. (He was a family friend of the Veloso, Chatto and Castillon families). We spent the day talking about the ins and outs of showbiz, blind items and sundry and we laughed out hard. 

Sir Ricky was very instrumental in promoting Bohol to the world in his widely read column in the Star. 

We exchanged text messages as I gave my feedback on "Star Talk" ,  where he was one of the mainstay hosts. Then, "Showbiz Stripped" which metamorphosed into "The Ricky Lo Exclusives" that lasted for almost four years. 

One time, I decided to visit him at the Philippine Star at the Port Area Manila. He and other staff members (former associate entertainment editor Maridol Bismark, Jerry Donato and Bum Tenorio) were busy for the deadline. But Sir Ricky had time for a chit chat. The good part was I didn't left the office empty handed! Sir Ricky gave me some pasalubong items including his book "Conversations with Ricky Lo" which became my guide on how to handle interviews and write feature stories. 

Sir Ricky was all that — and more.

Your VRS with veteran journalist Ricky Lo.

Several years ago, I pitched about the plight of child star Rebecca "Bikay" Lusterio (who starred in Muro Ami and Panaghoy Sa Suba where she won several accolades including Best Child Actress and Best Supporting Actress) who wanted to study in college.

Bikay told me she might not be able to go to college due to financial constraints. At that time, she had a brother who was still studying in college and she felt she maybe an additional burden to the family if she wished to pursue her dreams.

Bikay helped her poor family and financed her way through high school by selling seashells on Alona Beach. 

I told Sir Ricky about it and he wrote it in his column. Several scholarships were offered to Rebecca who preferred to study at Colegio de San Juan de Letran as a full-time academic scholar until she graduated in college. 

"Magsulat ka Leo about Bikay. Daming nakagusto sa story niya," he told me. He admired Bikay's natural acting, humility and unassuming ways. 

And everytime I wrote about Bikay and her activities, Sir Ricky was always kind to give  space in the paper. 

When Bikay graduated in college, she went to Philippine Star to personally thank Sir Ricky for all his kindness. Sir Ricky told me he was touched by Bikay's gesture. 

That was Sir Ricky. With him, it was always kindness and friendship. He was that generous, very giving in every way, whether with his time, materials things and friendship.

Thank you Sir Ricky. 

You will always remain in our hearts and you will be constantly thought of with fondness and deep love.

Rest in peace Sir Ricky, Gan Eden welcomes you. 

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


Saturday, May 1, 2021

Fiesta fanfare greatly missed

No fanfare, no banderitas. May 1 is the start of merry month,  fiestas are much more than just a good time. Their absence is deeply felt amid the stress of the pandemic. Photo: Leo Udtohan

Saturday's fiesta was indeed a sad day for candle vendor Mara Valmoria. 

Valmoria, 25, found no reason to celebrate since she is one of the millions who were crippled financially due to the pandemic. 

"Only a few are coming to church to attend masses," she said. 

Selling candles at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran City is the only way to support their hand to mouth. 

Before the pandemic, she went to different towns where fiestas were held for a living. It was the life of the fiesta.

She said she received fiesta invitations from acquaintances where she could eat for free in different houses. 


Fiesta in Bohol is characterized with abundance of food, drink and music.

"And I can bring" bringhouse" too given by the house owners, " she recalled. 

But when pandemic started last year, Valmoria felt the impact- drastic loss of livelihood and invitations. 

For the second time, Tagbilaran closed its borders to all visitors on May 1, in time of the city fiesta celebration. Police were assigned at the borders to check those who traveled to the city. Only those residents, frontliners, workers, businessmen and with emergency cases were allowed to enter. 


Present! (From left to right) Radio personality Edward Guyano, your VRS, actress and performer Scarlet, Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin, fashion icon Maximiel and media assistant Helen Castano have observed social distancing during the feast at Espejo-Araoarao residence in Cogon village, Tagbilaran City. Contributed Photos 


In this province of Bohol where majority is Catholic,  May 1 is city's fiesta in honor of St. Joseph the Worker.  It also starts the merry month of May wherein fiesta is held every day in Bohol.

The travel restriction is to curb the spread of the coronavirus. People from other towns usually come to Tagbilaran to attend fiesta and stroll in malls.

A week before the fiesta, the province lacked the fiesta ambience.

The fanfare was to a certain level silent and somber as it is mostly virtual,  following physical distancing protocols.

The streets and highways were almost empty with less vehicles. Malls - Alturas Mall, Plaza Marcela, Island City Mall and BQ Mall- were closed to prevent people from gathering to keep people immobile at home.

Tagbilaran resident Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin, 51, cancelled the feast  because of the surging COVID-19 cases. 

“I missed those times that friends come to the house for the vesperas dinner. Everything is sad and controlled now," said Gabin, a government employee.

Before, Gabin said that the weekend before May 1, she and her family were supposedly busy for the general cleaning of the house in preparation for the fiesta.

She said they would hire additional people to do the house cleaning, marketing, cooking, serving food and dishwashing, a week before the fiesta or else it's hard to find someone to do the work.

If her house is open to her friends, relatives and even strangers during fiestas, this time it was closed.

She just prepared a small feast for the family as a thanksgiving to St. Joseph the Worker even the ambiance is totally different.

Tagbilaran City has a total 257 active COVID-19 cases, the locality that has the most number of cases in the province. Bohol has 873 active cases and  41 deaths.


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