Pride of BOHOL

Being a proud "boholana", let me tell you something about my place. Small yet very nice, lovely place to stay, you can see loads of reserved places, beaches, animals, and so many others that you could not find in any other visayas places anymore. People in Bohol have managed to maintain it, probably because its reputation and promoting tourism.

Sometimes the best experiences in traveling are the unexpected finds. And so it is with Bohol, that island province that is nestled in the heart of Central Visayas and is aptly called "God's Little Paradise" by those who are caught off-guard by its mystery and charm.

Located southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte, Bohol is comprised of 47 towns and its capital, Tagbilaran City. Oval in shape like the proverbial ubing kinampay or purple yam, its total land area is 411,726 hectares including 73 other islands and islets. Upon hearing about Bohol, most people would surmise it to be a typical uncolorful province with only the world-famous Chocolate Hills as its attraction. But the marvelous 1,001 nature-perfected conic hills aren't all there is. Blessed with Mother Nature's bounty, Bohol has numerous natural attractions that will captivate a person, hold him in breathless admiration and beckon him to keep coming back for more.

Bohol's beauty lies in its unpolluted waters and shorelines of white sand beaches. Lovers of scuba diving can explore the depths of Bohol's waters which are rated among the best diving havens in the world and famous not only for its richness in marine life and corals but also for its being the home of the world's rarest shells such as the Gloria Maris and the Golden Cowry.

it is also the home of the Tarsier, the big-eyed insect insect-eating primate whose size is smaller than one's fist. Scientists regard the tarsier as the oldest mammal now inhabiting the earth.

Other added attractions are waterfalls amidst verdant forests, caves with stalagmites and stalactites, natural parks, exotic wildlife, centuries old churches, and many historical landmarks. Delicacies too, which are truly Boholano like the sticky concoction in a coconut shell called calamay, mouth-watering peanut kisses, hojaldres, kinatloan and many more.

Bohol has a rich historical and cultural heritage. History tells us that the first international peace treaty, otherwise known as the "Blood Compact" between Sikatuna and Legazpi, was made on the island.

Boholanos are said to be valiant in character as accounted for by the Tamblot and Dagohoy rebellions. At the same time they are peaceful, self-reliant and deeply religious. But the peace-loving Boholanos are not docile, weak or submissive people when their rights are trampled or provoked.

Determined to go with the national trend towards progress, the province has now joined the bandwagon of urban and countryside development. Industries have sprouted along continuous improvement of infrastructure and other physical resources. Like her booming neighbor Cebu, Tagbilaran is already fast becoming highly commercialized with increased trading activities. And with the recent declaration of Panglao Island as the first tourism estate in the country, investors keep pouring in.

It's only a matter of time, given the necessary impetus for economic development, that progress for Bohol will finally be achieved. And this dream is not far behind considering the resiliency and industry of the Boholano people.

Come to Bohol and taste a different kind of experience as its surprises unfold to pleasure and thrill.

BOHOLANA - "BISDAK", Pride of Bohol

When I was still at university in Manila (Philippines Christian University), in my block section, I was the only one from Bohol. There were from other Visayas provinces but not exactly from where I came from. I tell you what, when everybody learned that I was from "J" and "H" place, they started teasing me by talking boholano way. But to tell you honestly, I never ever learned the correct way of speaking boholano, due to the fact that we used Cebuano in our island than boholano. Even here at work, all the Filipinos tease me all the time. The truth is, I am from Bohol, whether I speak boholano or cebuano, still I am a very proud "Boholana".

BOHOLANO is a local dialect of Cebuano/Visayan that is spoken in the island of Bohol. It is sometimes described as a separate language, as it is a dialect only for Boholano people.

Boholano, especially the dialects used in Central Bohol, can be distinguished from other Cebuano dialects by a few phonetic changes. Like for example the "y" sound in Cebuano becomes "j" ("iya" in Cebuano becomes "ija"), the "k" sound sometimes becomes "h" ("ako" in Cebuano becomes "aho") the "l" sound sometimes if it is used in the second or following syllable becomes "w" ("kulang" in Cebuano becomes "kuwang").

Here are some examples:

Cebuano: Iyaha man na. = Boholano: Ijaha man na. In Tagalog means "Kanya yan", and in English goes "That's his or her".

Cebuano: Akoa man ni. = Boholano: Ahoa man ni. In Tagalog means "Akin to", and in English goes "This is mine".

We call ourselves as BOL-ANON, well for obvious reason people who lives in Bohol. Boholanos refer to our island homeland as the 'Republic of Bohol' with both conviction and pride. A narrow strait separates the island of Cebu and Bohol and both share a common language, but the Boholanos retain a conscious distinction from the Cebuanos.

My favourite BANANA BREAD...

Every time I think of baking - I always bake this delicious BANANA BREAD or BANANA CAKE. They are being baked with almost the same procedure, they just differ in portions. My husband and I love it, also the rest of our friends here.....Nice to have it with coffee during work break time.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter or margarine. Beat the egg slightly, and mix into the creamed mixture with the bananas. Mix in sifted ingredients until just combined. Stir in milk and nuts. Spread batter into one greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until top is brown and cracks along the top.

You can try yourself, uummm yummy...

17 Rules For A Better Way To Live

Hey guys, I really feel very down today! Been busy at work, feel extremely exhausted and feel the need to pause for a while, motivate myself with inspirational thoughts I have compiled myself. Hope these help you too, as I feel so much better now after reading these, which is one the things that I have learned - keep in reading inspirational thoughts especially if you are feeling down.

Rule One... for a Better Way to Live: Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.

Rule Two... for a Better Way to Live: Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!

Rule Three... for a Better Way to Live: Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.

Rule Four... for a Better Way to Live: Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family. Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.

Rule Five... for a Better Way to Live: Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeat again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!

Rule Six... for a Better Way to Live: Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.

Rule Seven... for a Better Way to Live: Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound of whining will certainly frighten away any opportunity for success. Never again. There is a better way.

Rule Eight... for a Better Way to Live: Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!

Rule Nine... for a Better Way to Live: Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find "tomorrow" on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, "If I had my life to live over again..."Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day!

Rule Ten... for a Better Way to Live: Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.

Rule Eleven... for a Better Way to Live: Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self- pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously.

Rule Twelve... for a Better Way to Live: Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.

Rule Thirteen... for a Better Way to Live: Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self- starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.

Rule Fourteen... for a Better Way to Live: You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day -- not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal -- to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished.

Rule Fifteen... for a Better Way to Live: Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.

Rule Sixteen... for a Better Way to Live: Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valley you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.

Rule Seventeen... for a Better Way to Live: Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

God bless you all, see you here!!

My Life's Journey to Success - "The Pride of Bohol": Being a winner as a "breadwinner"... DOLE Contest (Department of Labor and Employment)

My Life's Journey to Success - "The Pride of Bohol": Being a winner as a "breadwinner"... DOLE Contest (Department of Labor and Employment)

My Life's Journey to Success - "The Pride of Bohol": Being stocked in the middle of nowhere - Angola, Africa!

My Life's Journey to Success - "The Pride of Bohol": Being stocked in the middle of nowhere - Angola, Africa!

Being stocked in the middle of nowhere - Angola, Africa!

This is how my life started in "Africa", in the middle of nowhere…

A very rich country, blessed with enormous diamond, one of the most highly prized gemstones in the world is because of its many desirable qualities and few weaknesses. Don’t get too much excited guys, will create a new post just for diamonds alone!

Never ever that came to my mind to come to work to Africa, well I prayed that I could be able to get a job out of the country, only to earn more money to send my sisters to a decent university, where they can finish their studies, which was my life’s focus back then!

When I first came here way back mid 2000, I was still very young back then! They used to call me “nene” a tagalog shortened for young sister or a young girl. I liked the way they all treated me. Anyway, I got an Accounting Clerk position job but I tell you what? I am not actually doing a proper accounting job at all, which one way or another, I feel envious of those who really practicing of what we essentially studied, but because of money, I was able to stay! I was earning 5 even 6 times of what I used to earn in Manila, well overtime is included. One of the things that I like in this company is that, we are free food & lodging with room cleaners, a dept which takes care of our clothes (both washing & ironing), also we just go to the kitchen eat & leave our plates unwashed. … “what an easy life, I may recall” This is how we feel lucky compared to the rest of Filipinos anywhere in the world,

except,” we are like prisoners staying the middle of bushes, with no shopping, cinemas, no outlets where you can spend your day off to hang-out, or to relax during weekends”.. We describe it as “tough life behind auspicious condition”.

I was on a 12 month contract, now I am under 9 months with 1 month paid & airfare paid ticket. Imagine the amount of excitement I used to feel every time I go on leave to spend 1 month with my family, and feel sad whenever I come back for another 12 months! My formula for living here in the jungle is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.

I managed to stay until have completed the degree of my 2 sisters and found the man of my life, an English man working as Geologist here.

To be continued as a married woman….

Being a winner as a breadwinner... DOLE Contest (Department of Labor and Employment)

"Luke 6:38 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that we meet with all, it shall be measured to you again".


Spiritually, this bible verse is the best quote that I can describe to my family! My father is a Born-Again Christian Church Minister (Pastor), while my mother is a Bible woman. Being the parents of 7 children, they still managed to serve people by giving them moral, spiritual & sometimes financial support anytime people asked for help! Helping people, spreading the Lord's Gospel is our main concern, apart from giving advice to people on how God's blessings may flow unto our home freely and explaining to people the very secret of receiving God's blessings - IS GIVING & SHARING THE BLESSINGS that God has given us, as He will bless us more. Also, they conduct Bible studies, spending time to talk to people, hearing their problems, and they all try to extend their help to anyone who needs help.

SOCIALLY:

My both parents are both members of our local money-savings type of group, an insurance company, and not all insurers are church members. One way or another, this helps them save money for future use and at the same time insurers may receive P50,000 if one of the immediate family members die. At the moment, the total members are almost 70% of the total Island population, Island of Hingotanan in Bohol. The main reason for having this is that, HELPING PEOPLE FINANCIALLY & SPIRITUALLY, as all the members are required to attend weekly Bible study which is being handled by my parents, alternatively...

ECONOMICALLY:

My mother is buying any empty shells which basically, encourage people in the Island not to throw all the empty shells anywhere, which results to dirty environment. They collect them together instead, making money & saving the environment at the same time!

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAMILY TO WIN THE AWARD - DOLE CONTEST!

Both my parents were studying in Zion Bible School in Davao, way back late 1970's & early 1980's, while having me as their first child by the age of middle 18! My father got the degree & was ordered from the head to be assigned in any churches in Bohol Islands. In short, we went back to the Island where they came from (Nocnocan Bohol) & headed straight to Hingotanan Island, where they stayed as our 2^nd home since then. As a full time pastor in a small island, not much to expect, they've managed to bring our small family into a happy one living together serving the Lord. Many many years later, we became bigger & bigger until they both blessed with a total of 7 children, though difficulties & struggles of feeding, clothing, giving education, sending us to school & giving quality lives were their main concern during those times, they still managed to brought us into lives where people see as an "encouragement & inspiration" to everyone, DESPITE OF TRIALS... Needless to say, that all their children are honor students in their local schools & while they also continue receiving awards as the "Most Outstanding Parents" for couple of years.

Since they didn't have money to send me to college, they had to ask one of my auntie to support me, and what a blessing from God that she offered him even before he asked for it. An answered prayer! Ms. Prescilda Basalo, who is now Mrs. Prescilada Custard was a great blessing for the family. I managed to finish college at the Philippine Christian University, and I just finished at that time when a huge problem came into our life, that my mother had to come to Manila, had to leave my little sisters behind only to get a job, first to support the family & second, to pay their debts (more than P100,000 - capital + interest) resulting from the money they were in-trusted to finance a seaweed farming. God didn't allow it to grow & work, so all the seaweeds were flashed by huge waves during the super typhoon way back 1994! In short, they lost everything! The lender, who was a family friend, a relative (but quite far) & my mother’s ex-boss when she was still single, who happened to become one of their good friends, turned into a bad nightmare into their lives. She (the lender) sued my father, she despised our family & she insisted them to pay the whole amount! So, since there was no way for them to pay that huge amount, she hired a kidnapper to kidnap my father, in fact, he was gone for almost a week during that time, and what did we do instead? Nothing but to cry & continue praying that God would help them to resolve the problem. He was then released after realizing of not getting any ransom or payment at all!

I myself also did manage to get a job locally while my mother and other sisters (Geraldine & Jovelyn) who finished high school, had to sacrifice not to enroll to college, only to get a job in Manila to help paying their debts. But all our income still wasn't enough, and every time my mother visits the Lender's house in Manila to pay, she gets words that hurt her feelings & what else can she do? Nothing but to cry & pray... Plus a feeling of a mother, who was away from her small children in Bohol, learning every now & then those they were sick and need money for their foods & medicines. It was the biggest trial that my family had ever encountered. But despite of all of these, we didn't lose hope, yet we still continue serving the Lord hoping to get the reward in the end! We struggled for almost 2 years, and my mother decided to go back home to sort my little sisters out while she missed them so much as a mother. But not long after that, after a year that I worked locally as an Accounting Clerk, I got a job in Angola, in a diamond mine company; imagine I was still 21 at that time, I applied for that job I saw in Sunday issue of Manila Bulletin. I thought that this might be the Lord's answer of family prayers, though I was under qualified to get that job! In short, after securing all the requirements, interviews, which I passed thru and waiting for not even 6 months, I left Philippines for Angola, West Africa at the age of 22! Even before I left, but was sure of departing, I advised my sisters to enroll to universities and after that, I was happy & full of blessings while leaving Philippines to get the reward that God has promised to anyone who stays in Him and continue trusting the Lord in the midst of trials!

It was then the start of living an abundant life...... My two sisters, Geraldine & Jovelyn have finished their studies already; in fact, Geraldine is in Taiwan at the moment, a graduate of BS Computer Engineering course from Adamson University, while Jovelyn is a graduate of BS Commerce Major in Management from TIP, who is now working in Metrobank Head Office in Makati. I managed to give a beautiful house to my parents in Hingotanan Island in Bohol, of course with the help of her other sisters as well, plus a House & Lot in Laguna (In-House Financing) - installment basis until now, while she still has another 3 sisters in college, 1 a Nursing student (3rd year), a Civil Engineer student plus a freshman’s Medical Technology. Guess what? I is still in Angola until now, for more than 7 years now!

My both parents are still continuing serving the Lord with the same titles in life, more than any bachelor's degree in this world, helping people knowing the true God and living as a "Model" / "Encouragement" / "Inspiration" to everyone! If you continue living in the Lord, He'll be there forever.... One thing I’ve learned in life is that, we should hang on up to Him despite of all the difficulties we are facing right now, and "there's should always a rainbow comes out after the rain".

God bless you all, and hope this serves as a blessing to anyone who comes to read my story.