Photos: Keep running, running at the CPG Oval

The April weather finally feels like summer, and that’s cause célèbre, among others, to — run!

Since our roads are pretty much the domain of vehicles — no pedestrian/ side walk, no bike lanes — the oval at the CPG Sports Complex is pretty much the Tagbilaran runner’s go-to running track. Recent improvements have made it even more inviting to the serious field sports buff. A “rubberization” project is on the works, the asphalt’s already been laid.

The Blossoming of the Baji

Late February, a call for visual and literary artists to partake in an all-Boholana multi-arts exhibition to celebrate women’s month and weave a collective story of the Boholana was echoed via intrapersonal and social media. An artwork by a Boholana, by blood or by heart – this was the only basic criterion for submissions. No specific theme. No preferred genre. No screening team. Just pure art. Pure Boholana.

Two weeks later, on the eve of the International Women’s Day, Baji: An All-Boholana Arts Exhibit opened its doors to the Bol-anon public – unveiling the diversity of the response and creating an exuberant narrative of the baji’ng Bol-anon in words, pictures and pixels – 40 artists and over 80 artworks.

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Code Orange: 2011 International Women’s Day

An intermittently rainy International Women’s Day didn’t stop women from the communities to gather and march to celebrate the victories and struggles of the women’s movement.

The march started in Cogon Shrine, this city and through the main thoroughfare of Tagbilaran, the CPG Avenue, towards “agora”, now the Tagbilaran City Square.

One of the principal issues bannered in this year’s IWD celebration is the resounding “No to Panglao Reclamation” campaign.

Other issues highlighted as well, are the fight for women’s reproductive right, pushing towards the passage of the RH Bill; violence against women; land reform; and young women’s education.

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A case of exploding bananas

Or how Lobocanons burst forth to save their church.

San Pedro Apostol Church, more commonly known as the Loboc Church, is the second oldest stone church in Bohol, first built in 1602. It is not only an architectural marvel, a repository of local artistry, Loboc Church is also of important historical value not only to Lobocanons and Bol-anons but also to the very tapestry of Philippine history.

The National Museum affirms this and has listed the San Pedro Apostol Church of Loboc, Bohol as a National Cultural Treasure. The National Historical Institute’s Registry of Historic Structures also includes San Pedro Apostol Church Historical Landmark as a National Historical Landmark.

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In Calunasan: “the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down, is weaving when it comes up in the morning*”

It is about four o’clock on a fine Friday afternoon. Rippling gently with the soft breeze, is a huge rainbow-colored umbrella canopy that stands rather prominently in the middle of the fairgrounds semi-encircled by small nipa sheds cum exhibition kiosks, proudly displaying local hand-woven crafts of varying designs and sizes. Bags, placemats, baskets, trinkets and what-not’s made out of bamboo, buri and nito.

At one kiosk, three women are busy weaving pieces of nito and bamboo strips into what would become placemats and baskets. Rhythmic folk music played by a local kumparsa (string ensemble)wafts in the air, conflating with the buzz of excitement and anticipation from a good mix of crowd ranging from pre-schoolers dressed in Filipiniana to teeners to the leather-skinned community elders. Calunasan Norte is more than ready to receive its guests.

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