True: Intramurals, shopping, and other tales

Tagbilaran, Friday, 21 September 2007

Barangay officials 'Rest and Recreation' in the Land of Pines

Proem:

• Food for the soul: Faith is a tool. When the world is darkest and you are struggling to survive, faith can get you over the worst. The best application of faith is to trust in your own strength and in God, your constant companion. Have enough faith to turn to God for help. And always know this: you are never asked to endure more than your soul can take. Every prayer is answered. Philosophy of Sylvia Browne of Novus Spiritus.
• Could it be true that barangay officials in Bohol are having their "rest and recreation" in the land of pines and strawberry, Baguio City? According to True Very Reliable Source (VRS) and other "sources," these barangay officials are supposed to attend the provincial congress. VRS is questioning the venue of the congress. Why in Baguio City when in fact they can hold the congress in Bohol or in Cebu, which is cheaper and more affordable? This head of an Alphabetic league (as in ABCDEF...). who has been suffering from hydrocephalus has lost his guts in his leadership. He publicly admitted he just gave in to the clamor of the majority. An untimely and costly congress which only show his incapacity to mange his league. The registration is P8,500 plus P5,000 roundtrip tickets and 1,000 transportation (from Manila to Baguio) and P7,000 for the allowance. Where these barangay captains get their budget? Is the congress worth the expenses? The synchronized barangay and SK elections are approaching. As required by the Comelec, the 50% expenses will be shouldered by the Comelec, 25% by the National Youth Commission and the remaining 25% from the barangay. Is their budget allocated for this after their expensive R&R? Another text message sent to True saying: If you cannot stir a message to your colleagues what for you are a leader? Kawawang nilalang and taxpayers are urging the DILG and stakeholders to measure if these barangay officials have learned "something" from the said congress for the betterment of their people.
• Could it be true that boxing icon Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista is currently courting a Miss Tagbilaran winner? According to VRS, this (fading) beauty queen who hails from Barangay Bool is playing hard to get and she is now suffering from hydrocephalus (who changed a lot, snubbing neighbors and friends because a boxer icon is in love with her). Is she worthy to be loved by the boxing icon? Or just a pasttime?
• The long wait is over. Congratulations to Brownbuds (Mendel's Legacy) for their first self-titled album. Brownbuds has popularized the song "Byaheng Bohol" and gave birth to what is ska reggae (faster beat reggae). The band is composed of equally-talented young Boholanos: Arlon Seno on drums, Amiel Gim Penecios as the vocal lead; Milo Miranda on the bass, Elcid Tirol with the guitar, Richard Bhern Piodos on the keyboards, Jeus Joy Sab and Alloysius Goyeneche on the percussion with their director and manager Morris Sarabia. They are still young and very active in their musical efforts; their unmatched staying power in gigs is garnering favorable critical comments on their band achievements. All music and artistic ideas are deliberate and discuss and pass thru judgment, filtering it which often is up to date to the taste and reception of their audience. To know more about Brownbuds and their album, please contact, 09289877887.
• Feliz compleaños to Arlaine Cecile Berdin who turns a year wiser, today, Sept. 16. Arlaine is an active member of tubagbohol whose ideas are considered futile. The same birthday greetings to Jeroen Hellingman (of Netherlands), the creator and webmaster of the most popular website on Bohol, www.bohol.ph, Sept. 16. Jeroen is Dutch, and was born in the medium sized town of Vianen, very close to the center of the Netherlands; Rodelyn Gallo-Hellingman is a Filipina who grew up in Cabanungan, San Isidro, Bohol, and although she was born in Davao del Norte, she is a genuine Boholano. Their sons are Joshua and Raphael.
• More (healthy) years to Joan Cajes, daughter of Cong. Ondoy and Mayor Babie Cajes, Sept. 19; and to the ever beauteous and virginal Manuel Ferdinand de Erio (who just recovered from a great pain), Sept. 22; Jaicon Lopez and Jan Mejkal Manalo, Sept. 29.
• Our sincere sympathy and condolences go out to Purisima Veloso-Datoy's family and to her friends of Mansasa District, this city who joined our Lord. The late Purisima was the first Rafael Palma College (RPC) Queen.
• Last night, Fil-AM pop sensation Amber (who popularized the song Kembot) was at the Island City Mall Midnight sale. Truly, ICM gives total entertainment to the Boholanos. With convenient supermarket formats that organize products according to how customers would shop. ICM cuts down shopping time by putting related products in groups. Fore hassle-free, no-nonsense shopping make ICM a one-shop destination for the entire family.

It's September, an affair to remember. Schools and universities in Bohol are once again in full of color and energy as they celebrate Intramurals. Students love Intramurals because it signals a week of no classes. Students can participate in sports and other activities to hone their talents. I love to watch opening of Intramurals because of field demonstrations-so vibrant, colorful and energetic. Others will do acrobatic and dance the latest craze in town.

Intramural sports or intramurals are recreational sports organized within a school. The term derives from the words intra muros meaning inside the walls, indicating that matches are conducted between members of the same school (as opposed to varsity teams who compete with other schools).

Last week, I'd witnessed the opening of the Holy Name University (HNU) Intrams that packed the Dampas ground to the rafters. I was surprised to see how students showcased their talents. There was a concert of Christian Bautista organized by the Central Student Government (CSG) last Wednesday, but how true, the CSG officials promised that the first 100 students who would arrive at the Oval would have the chance for photo ops with Christian, didn't realize? According to VRS, Christian's talent fee was so expensive that the CSG has to shell out P200,000, that is, excluding food and accommodation.

The same student leaders had "threatened" the officials and organizers to "withdraw" their support for the launching of the university's "new" service. The reason? They didn't receive tee shirts from the organizer. In the first place, these student leaders have not shown their support from the very start of the "program." It is just a start of their "administration" and we hope they can give more programs and projects that can benefits the studentry.

On the other hand, all alumni of the University of Bohol, formerly Rafael Palma College, will converge at the UB quadrangle on September 21, starting 7 p.m. to rock and party with songs and dances from the 50s to the present which became a part of the UB-ian's life from 1946 to 2006.

The search for the Mr and Ms UB Personality is the most awaited event in UB. The organizers are reminded to make it more "interesting" and "appealing"-with better concept rather than superficial and dull.

Don't give up

This is inspirational. Many thanks to the person (who asked for anonymity) who forwarded this article:

One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?"

I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,

tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me... My CHILD... what can I do for you?" and I said "Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this message.

God smiled and answered ... "request granted...."

Las Vegas, baby

Got a letter from socialite and fashionista Mikey Gatal, the man behind the website www.mikeygatal.com, who finds Las Vegas (again) the best entertainment capital of the world. Here, Mikey dished out bucks shopping (and gambling!), the hedonist way. According to Raul: He (Mikey) is a true-blue fashionista, whose fashion philosophy is combining comfort and style with practicality and common sense. I've witnessed his metamorphosis from a simple and naive province-bred lad into a sophisticated, self-assured, dignified and cultured gentleman who has embraced the culture and lifestyle of his adoptive country without shedding the vestiges of his Filipino identity and culture.

Dearest Leo,

I have been in Las Vegas many times and every time I visited the Strip it's always been a memorable one and this last trip was no exception and you know why? Two of my friends who are lovers traveled with me, namely Hector and Yusuke!

They say that three is a crowd but not to us because we are so close and have known each other very well even Yusuke is just a newfound friend! We had so much fun in Las Vegas from the moment we checked in at Bally's Hotel & Casino, we hurried up to change outfits as I usually like to do for pictorial purposes, hahaha, then go straight to the slot machines and luckily one of us won for we have something to pay for our dinner buffet!

On the second day, before we ate lunch at the Flamingo Hotel, my Friend Yusuke helped me in experimenting a new hairstyle and as you can see in the picture I am sporting a new look! (nakuryentahan look?) hahaha but you be the judge if I look good, ok?) as soon as we reached the hotel's restaurant, we asked about the price of the buffet and I backed out because it's $25.00 each person and I said to them I'd rather eat at McDonald's and spend 5 bucks only, they did not stop me and what shall I do? I passed by the casino and each time I pass a slot machine, someone hit's the jackpot and the second one too, so, I decided to try my luck at the 3rd aisle and randomly played one of the slot machines and viola, I hit the jackpot as well, I was so happy and I returned to my friends right away at the buffet and showed them the money, they were shocked and from then on we decided to go on shopping spree at the Designer's Outlet Mall and I bought them something to remember from my winnings and I said to myself that's it for me and never played again for that day! By the way, we promoted the website, by wearing the www.mikeygatal.com shirt every time we went bar hopping and I strike a pose ala Chippendale style too at Rio's Hotel!

Lastly, it's not about the money but the beautiful friendship that blossomed into a wonderful relationship between the three of us that matters most and life is too short, so make the most out of it, ok?

I love you all in Bohol, www.mikeygatal.com

You can email me at leoudtohan@yahoo.com. Or you may read online at www.bohol.ph. Interact at www.tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com. Or be "in" at www.mikeygatal.com/connect. Visit the journal of the high-minded progressive Boholano, www.boholrepublic.com.

Leo P. Udtohan

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