Parks and Recreation

There’s a lot to be told about a city or town by looking at its public parks. There’s just something endearing and sophisticated about a place where we see people reading a newspaper or a book on a park bench, kids chasing and jumping after butterflies or doves, picnicking families, youngsters practicing the latest “dougie” variations, or just plain hanging out, playing board games, relaxing under the canopy of trees.

This is Sunday fare – a little tamer, homier and less greener – at our very own little park, of course, Plaza Rizal.

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12 Exciting Things in and about Bohol this 2012

2011 was a pretty eventful year for Bohol’s culture and the arts. We know, LifestyleBohol was in the middle of most of it. 2012 is bound to be even more engaging. LifestyleBohol lists down, in random, 12 exciting things to expect for the Bohol lifestyle scene this 2012.

1. TBTK 2012. Bol-anons from all over the world will again gather in one huge homecoming panagtigum, tapok-tapok here on May 2012. Moved from July to the fiesta month of May, it promises to be bigger as ever with more participating Bol-anon individuals and associations from more countries.

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Miss World Denmark is half-Boholana

With three Filipina beauties – Philippine bet Gwen Ruais, former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Fil-Canadian Riza Santos for Canada, and Fil-Danish Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen representing Denmark – vying for this year’s Miss World title come November 6th in London, Filipinos all over are bursting with pride.

We, Bol-anon’s, on the other hand, have something to be doubly proud of. One of the three Pinay Miss World hopefuls, Miss World Denmark 2011 Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen, is not only half-Pinay – she is half-Boholana.

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Photos: Kalag-kalag

There’s no Halloween in Bohol. Kalag-kalag, that’s what we have.  These are only a few scenes from the Dampas Catholic Cemetery in Dampas, Tagbilaran City.

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The world called, they answered

And now, they’re in Bohol.

Serving for almost a year now with their host organizations in Bohol, Peace Corp Volunteers (PCV) Jessica Miguel, Kate Jaffe, Kristin Kuhn, Todd Massari and Abby Samuelson are not the usual Amerikana/Amerikano you see around town.

They’re the real deal, here to share their skills and knowledge with their host institutions and communities for a two-year volunteer program. The Peace Corps, run by the government of the United States of America, deploys volunteers all over the world with three main goals, one, to provide technical assistance (for social and economic development at the grassroots level of their host countries), two, to help people outside the United States understand U.S. culture, and, three, to help Americans understand the cultures of other countries.

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Photos: The kids are alright at Kainggit Beach!

Kainggit Beach will always have a special place in the hearts of Tagbilaranons.

Never mind the floating debris. (Yes, that organic sort.) The slippery floors and the countless accidents, slip-ups, if you may. The steep climb down and up. The gritty, post-apocalyptic finish. The

It must be the kuja.

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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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