Bohol is so religious even tricycles have biblical quotes

Bohol. A piece of paradise. Seventy-three islands, 1.3 million people, 411,000 hectares. Close to zero crime. Two years in a row the best-governed province in the country.  Governor Ed Chato has a program called HEAT (Health, Education, Agriculture, Tourism) which he brings to all the underprivileged barangays. I love it. I applaud his stand on the environment, and his insistence that tourism benefit the community. Over lunch he made this remark: “Yes, we need investments, but we reserve the right to choose what kind of investments come in. We will definitely not take in anything that will harm our ecology.” Their tourist intake is 1,000 visitors a day — but the period I was there, in Lubong, there were 2,000 people that came in. I saw many Europeans. I was told that quite a few Swiss and Germans have tied the knot with islanders and set up businesses there.

They addressed the NPA situation without firing a bullet. Insurgents have become tour operators or bus drivers. From one flight a week, they boast 12 flights a day! Soon they will be putting up an international airport. Then their economy will go through the roof. The key is to keep the island beautiful and pristine. Our tour guide, Boyet, laughingly said that by academic training he is an airport mechanic. His friends earn about P180,000 monthly but he is much happier in his job because he has a lot more friends.

There are churches all over the island. In fact the second oldest stone church in the country is in Bohol. It’s so religious even tricycles have biblical quotes.

The cost of living is low: P200 a day will get you by.

The island is gorgeous but the people are in a class of their own. I always thought that Ilonggos reigned supreme in terms of sweetness. After spending a week in Bohol with my family, I am now not so sure. The caring is effusively sweet and feels refreshingly genuine. What struck me was their resonance with dancing and singing. They are good — really good. Performance standard: good! What is impressive is the universality of it. It’s almost like everyone sings and dances. I jokingly asked the governor, and was surprised to hear that even he and his wife sing.

My whole family was in town — my mother, stepfather, six siblings and their children. We must have numbered about 30. This time we decided to spend it in Bohol because my siblings are all divers. The diving in Bohol is a major tourist attraction.

The hotel we ended up choosing was Bellevue, which opened just a month before we got there. Even upon arrival, the dancing and singing that greeted us was vibrant. Key assets of the hotel: the view, its white sand beach. Then there’s the food: they have a great salad bar. Third is the service: the people are so sweet! From the management to the front desk to the waiters to housekeeping, one feels an ambience of care — this seems to be Bohol’s strongest attribute, and something that Bellevue has clearly capitalized on.  

In fact, in terms of caring and concern for guests, I would rate them A-plus. At the airport, the hotel called to inquire because my sister had left her medicine in her room and she didn’t even know it. They called us up and brought it speedily and in time before our plane departed.

My birthday was something else. I had no less than the Loboc Children’s Choir serenade me. Then fire dancers, which left us spellbound. Then the best reggae band in Bohol. My nephew, who is a music major, agreed they are really good. I pointed to the full moon, the rainbow, and the aura around the moon, and I asked: “My goodness, did you arrange this, too?”

Up to the last detail, I was touched. Even the cake. My body does not respond well to white sugar. It makes me tired and sleepy. So even the yummy chocolate birthday cake was made with muscovado sugar and no white flour. What a great treat.

The commitment to the environment seems to have reached a broad base in Bohol. When there was a push to put up a limestone factory, everyone refused. Another time, oil exploration was proposed but the fishermen and the private sector united in resisting so the oil exploration transferred to Cebu. These stories remind me of Costa Rica — a country that has been able to address poverty big-time through ecotourism. I was told that there the commitment to the environment is deeply embedded in the culture and consciousness of the people. Because of the beauty God has given us, that’s where we should go if our country is to see the light of day. Greedy politicians would never see the light of day if the people were knowledgeable and united.

Ah, Bohol: an island paradise that is abloom. It is also an island that shows what our other islands can be like in the future if governed well and if the people are united. Come visit Bohol and see the Philippines at its shining best!

My new year offering to all of you

Coconut oil! I started using it on October of last year, which makes it just barely three months. When I wake up I take two teaspoons and swish it in my mouth for 20 minutes, while I take a shower, etc. Then, after brushing my teeth, I drink two tablespoons. Then I lather it on my body. After my morning meditation, I take another two tablespoons of coco nectar — a really yummy, sweet treat that is just pure coconut. In the evening, I use coconut oil to clean my face. I have even used it in my bath to moisturize my skin while I relax in a bathtub. This makes traveling much simpler because I do not have to bring much — just virgin coconut oil.

I have tried many coconut oils and I really like the one I am using now. This is produced by the indigenous people of Brookes Point in Palawan. I never liked swallowing oil but this one I can take. There is a sweetness to it. I have even asked the people there to offer to the Divine before they start working, and to offer again after. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the community. My aspiration is for them to get out of poverty in record time so if you use this amazing oil for your health you will be assisting this most noble endeavor.

Benefits of coconut oil: it smoothens the skin, reduces stress, cholesterol levels and even helps in slimming. It boosts the immune system, helps in digestion, speeds up metabolism, relieves kidney problems, prevents heart problems, prevents diabetes, kills viruses, maintains strong bones, protects against cancer, kills parasites, bacteria, protects against the sun — whew! And it’s so reasonably priced. I have tried putting essential oil on the coconut and it’s great as scented body oil. I even use on Drake, my Alaskan malamute, which is why he smells so good and his coat is so healthy.

If you need superb-quality virgin coconut oil with great energy, and you would like to help an indigenous community get their lives together, please contact me. I can personally assure you of great quality. I use it myself.

For the Avatan River Cruise contact Emmy Roslinda (0920-9067446). She heads an NGO that coordinates with the community. If you want to get a really good tour guide that will entertain and educate you, call Boyet Boncales (0928-6100010). He was really good and can handle big groups.

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I can be reached at Regina_Lopez@abs-cbn.com.