Beautifully brutal TAPP

Trail Run utter success

The FARM, Cambaol, Alicia, Bohol, February 10 (PIA)—They came back sore, several limping from cramps and abrasions from unexpected falls but the look of satisfaction and contentment were the common feelings in the faces of all winners to finishers of Bohol’s notably most brutal: The Alicia Panoramic Park Trail R 2018 course as yet. 

Endurance runners from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Leyte all flashed the thumbs up signs at the finish line when asked about the trails.

This as they showed nerves of steel and unparalleled determination as two runners hobbled off to cross the finish line in a classic one-two finish with only 23 seconds difference. 

The two successively broke the tape amidst the modest cheering of a crowd two hours and eight minutes after completing the brutal 21 kilometer The Alicia Panoramic Park (TAPP) Trail Run 2018. 

Meanwhile, a Boholano marathoner from Inabanga surged into the podium to finish fifth, the only one among locals who barged into the top spots in the grueling race that rolled off at a brisk pace, 5:30 AM February 10. 

Bonifacio Monjas of Leyte and now of Naga Cebu, wearing number 18 racing bib and Paul James Zafico #140, of Cagayan de Oro played to the hilt a rivalry to the finish as both picked the pace to outrun each other as the chasing runner was about a minute behind them when they claimed the first and the second place. 

Monjas completed the entire loop in 2:08:17, just 23 seconds ahead of Zafico who clocked in at 2:08:40. 

Behind them was Andy Tunacao (#9) of Hilongos, Leyte, the pack leader as the runners assaulted the wicked ridges of Cambaol Alicia, towards the DENR ranger station sitting on top of the Binabaje Peak where the first checkpoint was located, some 5 kilometers into the race.

Ilongo, Roger Molinos (#158) completed the race in 2:36:01, about 3 minutes ahead of the runner in pursuit and Boholano pride Candelario Logronio (#21) chested the tape at 2:39:35.

In the women's category, Baybay City runner Noriebelle Guinto (#137) picked the gold spot for the 21K challenge finishing the race in 3:32:19, ahead of Precious Mae Villaber of Cebu (#144) came in five minutes later at 3:37"23 to pick the silver post. 

Another Baybay City runner Fe Hoffner Von Styggenien (#49) picked bronze finishing at 3:43:49 after the gunstart. 

Jade Abellana (#66) came in fourth clocking a 4:04:01 followed by Jessie Ejoc (#75), 14 minutes later at 4:18:38.

179 runners signed up for the 21K, another 193 for the 5K run according to Richard Anania, TAPP Trail Run 2018 race director. 

For the 5K male category, crossing the line first was Julius Abayabay (#5079), 2nd Daryll Gelicame (#5025), 3rd James Palma (#5181), 4th Benjo Namoc (#5009) and 5th Lloyd Lester A. Liwagon (#5200).

For the 5K run which hied off from The Farm at 5:00, Alicianhon Tarcela Titus (35143) crossed the finish line first and was the swiftest even after conquering the notoriously not for the beginner Alicia trails.

Following her was Rosario Romero (#5129), Mikee Alanis Tuyor (#5180), Czarina Platino (#5023) and (#5171)

Alicia Mayor Marnilou Ayuban and Vice Mayor Victoriano Torres III handed the awards and tokens to the winners as well as witnessed the giving of finishers medals to runners who each completed the race course within the cut-off time. 

The TAPP Trail Run is the first running event Alicia has offered as part of its Foundation Days and we were thinking a maximum of 50 runners signing in, admitted Alicia Tourism and Information Officer Gudelia Lumugdang. 

Race director Richard Anania however said the turnout was more than expected. Over 300 runners braved the Cambaol ridges, if only to prove they can conquer themselves and mountains before them. 

On this, Mayor Ayuban hopes that they can sustain the activities at the TAPP and hopefully reap the tourism benefits of their environment friendly trail race. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Bohol paddlers take their trades to the skies, as endurance runners from across the region geared up for The Alicia Panoramic Park Trail Run 2018, a punishing 21 kilometer trail run that takes runners into brutal ascents and steep ridge running, a new sports tourism product of Alicia town. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Antequera Duathlon 2018 

registration until Feb 28 

TAGBILARAN CITY, February 1 (PIA)--If Alicia had a trail run and an off-road bike race in two days, Antequera will do it in one: the Antequera Off-road Duathlon 2018. 

Now asserting as a viable sports tourism destination, Bohol is at it again this summer, with another grueling race showcasing Antequera's trails and immersion into locals in a rub-bike run event. 

Set at 6:30 AM this March 18, the 5 kilometer (km) run, 25 km bike and 3 km run speeds off in the classic leave no trace race: participants who litter could lose, so they must provide for their race provisions while organizers put up aid stations where participants can refill water bottles or hydration packs. 

"We want this with least environment impact, so participants are advised to pocket their litter and empty them at the aid stations, outside help from non-participants or spectator, like food, hydration, tools, or medical assistance from any person not directly involved in the event in the entire bike course is strictly prohibited," one of the race organizers, Russel Villas said. 

"Even pacing from a non-competitor or vehicle is not allowed at any time on the bike course, participants may walk their bike if needed, but they can't complete the bike course without their bikes," he added. 

Participants must complete the entire bike course unassisted, strictly following the designated track and specified as race course, or face disqualification, return to the transition area on the same mountain bike they started as a bike change would be ground for disqualification and immediate ejection from the race. 

Open to participants 16 year old and above and who have at least trained or participated in an off road race, the Antequera Duathlon is still accepting registrations until Feb 28 at Bohol Bike Shop in Tagbilaran, for individuals at P600 and relay at 1,200, which includes race kit; finishers medal, jersey and post race meal. 

Open for three categories, the race accepts 29 years and below, 30-39, 40-49 and 50 and above for the male category and 35 years old and below and 35 years old and above for females. 

Set to go, rain or shine, this March 18, at exactly 6:30am of March 18, race clock officially stops at 1:00pm of the same day, or 6 1/2 hours after gun start, according to Vice Mayor Simon Leo Jadulco, head of the organizing team. 

"Duathletes who are still on the road by the cut-off may still finish the race beyond and still get their finisher’s medal and shirt, but they will not be included in the official list of finishers as the race provides no time extensions," he added. 

As to the off-road bike segment, organizers said only 26, 27.5, 29 inch wheels mountain and fat bikes are allowed with minimum 1.9 tire size for the race. 

Those using a tire size 1.9 below, will be disqualified for a podium finish in all categories. 

Concerned about safety, organizers also said "riders with bikes that have safety issues will be disqualified." 

With this, racers need to get their bikes checked-in at the transition area on March 17, Antequera Town Center from 3:00-5:30pm, when they can also claim their race kits. 

Another bike check-in will and race kit claims is set 4:00am-5:30am on race day and upon mandatory 2 hours check in, race bibs, proper running and biking apparels, hydration bottle and helmets are also presented, personal audio devices, strictly prohibited. 

All bikes must be checked-in and mounted on the racks at the transition area by 5:30 AM race day, no extensions or late check-in of bikes are allowed. 

Before that, participants may still have full access to their bikes before these are hung in racks at the transition area, which would not be removed until the start of the bike leg. 

Race briefing is set March 17 at 5:30pm at the transition area and a carbo-loading dinner will be served later. 

For Tagbilaran City based-bikers, a truck for bikes will be available only at 3:00pm March 17, 2018 from the Rizal Park, Tagbilaran City, and will ferry the bikes back to Tagbilaran after the race on Sunday, according to duathlon organizers. 

Campsite are provided at the plaza or at the Antequera Training Center for overnight stay. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Even before the sores of Alicia Trail Run could be healed, runners would again hit the training regime for the Antequera Duathlon 2018 this March 18. Registrations are only until the end of February, according to Vice mayor Simon Leo Jadulco, duathlon organizer. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

DA funds molecular lab in support 

of Bohol's bid as Phil dairy capital 

TAGBILARAN CITY, February 6 (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture (DA) is funding the construction and operation of a genetic molecular laboratory here in Bohol, at the Ubay Stock Farm (USF) in Ubay town. 

Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol revealed this as he explained the new direction in the country's livestock dispersal program during this term, during his first official visit to Bohol January 26. 

Speaking before a gathering of dairy industry stakeholder members of the Bohol Dairy Producers Association (BODPA), the Cebuano speaking secretary explained that the molecular laboratory is a long overdue support for the region's livestock industry. 

The molecular laboratory is a research and development facility which will be the center of a wide variety of scientific research in multiple disciplines in cattle and carabao breeding and genetics, biotechnology, nutrition and forage or pasture, animal health, reproductive physiology, management, product development as well as socio-economics and setting policy directions to the country's livestock industry. 

The DA, which is facilitating the entry into the country of some 5,000 heads of girolando cattle breeds here would largely be using artificial insemination (AI) and genetic engineering to make sure the succeeding calves bred would retain if not enhance the local dairy production as envisioned by the government as better breeds. 

AI is basically a reproductive tool which harnesses the potential of outstanding males or sires. 

Girolando, according to Pinol is a Brazilian accidental bred when a Holcein jumped off the coral and bred with a Gir, which produced a girolando offspring that increased the breed's capacity to milk, several times. 

Now the record keeper for the world's most milk harvest at 105 liters in a day, the girolando which are now in quarantine prior to its shipping to Bohol would need the scientific laboratory to keep its milk production capacity at its peak, Pinol said. 

The other goal is to make Bohol the country's leading supplier of girolando breeds, Sec. Piñol revealed, even as he explained that cattle can only give milk if they give birth to calves. 

Planned for reproduction using the trusted artificial insemination, the molecular laboratory can largely help in enhancing breeds and engineer them to best suit the tropical climate, taking specific characteristics from other milking breeds and increase production. 

Moreover, the molecular laboratory operates as a research station where communal farming adopting communities can consult on issues of the animal health through diagnostic services and other support services. 

And then revealing the current administration's directions into animal dispersal, Piñol said he is now more keen on communal dispersal programs instead of the individual dispersal program. 

During the individual dispersal regimes, a poor farmer who is given the chance to have a say to the dispersed farm animal would always sell the animal he can't feed anymore if he can't feed his family. 

That is why, when it's tuition fee times, more government dispersed animals are reported as they fell of ditches, died or were sick they have to be slaughtered, he poignantly illustrated those in the poverty bind. 

As the DA intends to bring to Bohol 5,000 dairy cattle to support the country's dairy supply and give it a boost, the calves would be put in dispersal programs for the cooperatives instead, where many people can have a say to an animal. 

DA wants cooperatives to be dispersed with at least 240 calves which they would feed and fatten and when matured, would milk on their own ad earn. 

The system too allows the province to graduate from importer of the Girolando to be a top exporter of the world's top milking cow bred to farmers all over the whole country. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol reveals the government move to set up a molecular laboratory in Bohol as a long overdue support to livestock here. He said the laboratory would be a crucial hub for the reproduction of the girolando cattle, which has to bear calves to milk. With the secretary are Gov Edgar Chatto and the Provincial Veterinary officials led by Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Bright prospects for Bohol 

investments in 2018-BIPC 

TAGBILARAN CITY, February 6 (PIA)--Investment authorities in Bohol see a shining 2018 as they foresee an investment capitalization soaring well above the predicted figures. 

No less than the authorities at the Bohol Investment Promotion Center, an attached office of the Office of the Governor, bared this bright prospect at the weekly radio forum Kapihan sa PIA. 

This too as the BIPC tracked the registered the investment capitalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Bohol topping the P1.5 billion in 2017. 

While the rise in capitalization has not surpassed the 2011 reported investments capitalization which zoomed from 800 thousand to P1.7 billion, BIPC Bohol head Maria Fe Dominese said investments have spiked again in 2016 on to nearing a full recovery surge in 2017. 

Speaking at the Kapihan Thursday, February 1, Dominese however believed 2018 would be a huge spike with the completion of the Panglao Airport and the brood of businesses it carries. 

The BIPC also pointed out that the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCC) granted citation in 2017, would be an edge in attracting more and more investments, according to Imma Mylie Alo during the hour-long radio forum aired live over DyTR. 

The PCC has handed to Bohol, who was then among the 14 provincial finalists in the search for Most Business Friendly LGU in 2017. 

After PCC deliberations, it conferred to Bohol the Most Business Friendly LGU for Class 1 provinces, an acknowledgement of the ease of doing businesses here. 

Dominese added that the office has pegged the annual investment capitalization target P1 billion for 2017, which has been surpassed. 

The BIPC pointed to the devastating 2013 earthquake which was a low point in MSME growth with everyone scampering for a way to rebound and get Bohol back on its feet. 

The BIPC, which has set up its Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) and its outreach program with partner agencies called Asenso Negosyo Caravans to the towns, also noted that from 2,545 new business registrants in 2014 or after the earthquake, they tracked 4,583 new business name registrants in 2017. 

Along this, the BIPC, an office under the office of the governor, noted an increasing trend in the number of registered MSMEs as well as the employment these generated. 

In the past five, years, while the office notes an increasing trend in the number of registered MSMEs, employment generation subsequently increased. 

In 2017 for example, BIPC tracked some 5,372 registered MSMEs and nailed 11,962 new hires, the job generation now filling up the job slots that could also help circulate the capital infusing it into the economy as the paid worker starts to spend his pay. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

The BIPC led by Maria Fe Dominese sees a brighter future for Bohol investments as the Pangalo Airport opens in 2018 and the PCC citation of Bohol as the most investment friendly province would attarch more and more investors. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)