Classical Music in Bohol’s 

Arts Month’s at Meridian 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 16 (PIA)—If only for some few hours, Boholanos sat and allowed themselves to be transported to the soothing classical music, as the Office of Governor’s Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD) and the local arts council brought in the biggest gathering of musical artists at the Meridian Hotel. 

Set in time for the National Arts Month, the Musical Tertulia, or the social gathering featured not just the well loved Bohol musical groups and individuals, it also put in two featured artists: a grade 12 multi-awarded pianist grandson of a Boholano and a professional violinist in most Italian classical orchestra. 

Billed as Uplifting Classical Music, the social gathering of musical artists centered on one genre of music: the classics, which most Boholanos are deprived of. 

"Classical music" as opposed to the baroque, is noted for its development of highly sophisticated instrumental musical forms, like the concerto, symphony and sonata and is distinguished for its use of sophisticated vocal and instrumental forms, such as opera. 

Classical music largely refers to the art music from the 1750s to the early 1820s, the same period when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven created ripples in the music world. 

And if you even wondered why doctors would recommend that would be mothers should listen to classical music, such is so because playing or listening to classical music can increase one's creativity as music stimulates emotional and cognitive abilities, allowing the brain to think in new and different ways. 

The Bohol musical tertulia opened with Rohmar Binibini playing Harold Arlen Harburg’s Over the Rainbow and followed by De Guzman-Buenaventura’s Mala-ala mo Kaya by soprano Trini Dawson and baritone Sid Manalo. 

Then, to the grand piano, Aida Cloribel Kirsten played Malagueña by Lecouna. 

A short lull and the Tagbilaran City Children’s Choir under the baton of Enriquieta Butalid, renders a Ramon Santos arrangement of Tuksuhan and Nitoy Gonzales’ Usahay. 

Then, an original Bisayan composition with piano accompaniment by Butalid had Soprano Vida May Tirol de Juan and tenor maestro Joshibiah de Juan rendering Gugmang Nag-inusara. This was followed by the duo doing a Cebuano Medley arranged by Eudenice Palaruan. 

Another city group: the tagbilaran City Youth Singing Ambassadors under conductor De Juan rendered a Pasek-Paul and arranged by Huff version of A Million Dreams. 

The tertulia’s part one capped with the Jeduthun: The Singing Boholano Priests singing an acapella version of Lead Me Lord and a popular Filipino pop music “Narito na ang Lahat.” 

When the first part of the gathering of musical treasures set the mood for the afternoon, Part 2 rolled off with the weeping violin rendition of Massenet’s Thai’s by Italian concert master and solo violinist Tullio Vidmar. 

When everyone else thought the best classics are by European musicians, Boholana Lyell Mae Cartagenas-Arellano and lyric soprano Claire Avergonzado Carnecer allowed Arellano to embellished the vocal melody of a Delibes piece Flower Duet. This brought the modest crowd to the memory lanes of the Philippine opera. 

The soprano duet pressed on local talent that could be at par with the sopranos in the world stage. 

And when it was child piano prodigy’s time, US based and multi awarded pianist Devun Norberto Jumamoy Amorandto, fingers cajoling the keyboard, played Chopin’s Ballade No, 2 in F and Impromptu Fantasy. 

The Tagbilaran City Chidren’s Choir came in again for their rendition of Singenburger’s Ave Maria and Cavatina. 

Then, the Italian violinist who was married to Rhea Fernandez, and who has been a professor at Liceo Conservatory of Music in Cagayan teaching violin and music history, took the stage again in his rendition of Abelardo’s Cavatina and V Montiff’s Czardas. 

The last musician pianist Amoranto did Gerswin’s Prelude No. 2 and Khachaturian’s Toccata. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

Young pianist Devun Norberto Jumamoy Amoranto who won third place in 2017 at the US International Duos Piano Competition and god son of a Boholano came home to play classical music to Boholanos at the tertulia. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

DENR launches “RIVERS 

For Life awards” for ‘19 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 16 (PIA)—Consistent with the idea of shared ownership to make communities realize a better environment management and conservation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launches in Bohol its awards Recognizing Individuals and Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERS). 

The awards, formally called Rivers for Life would be given out to the best rehabilitated and most improved water quality from the country’s class 3 rivers, this June 2019 in time for the DER’s 32nd anniversary, authorities from the government’s environment agency shared. 

The program is basically to raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve the country’s rivers as the lifeblood of the earth and human civilization, and taking the cue from Manila Bay clean-up, tap concerted action to protect the country’s rivers from degradation and pollution and assure their suitability, sustainability and further improvement, explains Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Charlie Fabre at the Kapihan sa PIA Thursday. 

Aware that the government could not lend a presence enough to cover the protection and management of the entire river systems in the country, this time it looks at communities and stakeholders to help them come up with appropriate mitigation measures and interventions to help address the continued worsening conditions of river systems nationwide, the DENR official said. 

Earlier, the DENR PENROs and Community ENROs submitted an inventory of all rivers in their respective areas of responsibility and from these, the DENR regional committee selected class C rivers for adoption. 

According to the DENR, Class C rivers are those which may not be safe for swimming owing to the presence less than 100 coliform presence in the water. 

The goal, Fabre reiterates is to improve the water quality that flows to the ocean to at least an upgrade into Class B, which is now safe from swimming and other water activities. 

He reiterated that the problem with these identified rivers however are not as complex as the headwaters from which these rivers get their flow is still classified class A, which means the quality is good that people can drink from it. 

In Bohol, the class C rivers which have been identified for adoption and are now official entries into the regional search for the best managed rivers are Abatan which flows from its headwaters in Calape, San Isidro, Catigbian to the estuaries in Cortes-Maribojoc, Wahig, which flows from as far as Pilar, Sierra Bullones to the Inabanga water basin and in the south is Manaba River which flows from Garcia Hernandez to the seas. 

According to DENR’s Marcial Ugay, PENRO, which has in its jurisdiction a class C river Abaran adopts the Cortes River for the RIVERS project, CENRO Tagbilaran picks Manaba River in Garcia Hernandez and CENRO Talibon adopts Wahig. 

The DENR offices here have initiated the activities that would bring in the possibility of these adopted rivers to be picked in the regional competitions to for the adopted body of water to flow into the national finals and be hailed best rehabilitated body of water. 

The activities to be implemented by the DENR and its horde of volunteers include aesthetic and water quality improvement which uses a baseline data and includes monthly water quality sampling for a year, solid waste management data of the place, partnership and community mobilization including documents on Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs), partnerships and other engagements. 

Judging would also include conducted and programmed information and education campaigns complete with documentation and copies of IEC materials produced, all of these to be considered for the June 2019 awarding ceremonies. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Free, fast wifi to open in 

BISU thru Google-Smart 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 16 (PIA)—Private sector partnership now joins in the government orchestrated move to provide the infrastructure for development in opening a fast and free wireless fidelity (wifi) connection at the government’s state college here. 

Thanks to Google’s Google Stations in partnership with Smart Communications, the ripples from the Presidential promise of making accessible free wifi hotspots anyone can connect to, gets to Bohol Island State University, this month, according to Smart. 

During the 2016’s State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to put up free wifi hotspots in public areas in the country. 

Even as the government stirred itself to provide a strong broadband backbone from which this wifi can get through, a latest report from the World Bank on fast broadband speeds says, every 10-percent increase in broadband internet penetration, this translates to a 1.38-percent increase in a country’s gross domestic product growth. 

As shown that internet penetration is directly proportional to economic growth, the government through its Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) put up its Pipol Konek: Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project which aims to accelerate the Philippine government’s efforts in enhancing internet accessibility for Filipinos so that, in turn, economic, social, and educational opportunities will be bolstered, and the growing Digital Divide can be bridged. 

Pipol Konek have live spots in Alburquerque HS, gym, Anda, Baclayon HS, Calape RHC, Dagohoy, Danao, Dauis, Tagbilaran City, Garcia Hernandez, Guindulman, Getafe plaza, Maribojoc town Hall and RHU, Loon town hall and plaza, Baclayon in Montaña and Plaza, Loay, Lila, Mabini, Jagna, Guindulman plazas, Sagbayan, Pilar, CPG Pitogo, Pangalo, San Miguel, Sierra Bullones, Sikatuna, Trinidad, Valencia, Talibon, Tubigona nd Ubay. 

Along this, the government has also pressured telecommunication companies to up their services, to which, Smart readily responded. 

With Google, Smart has made google stations fast and efficient, according to the DICT. 

With a strong broadband carrier partner, Google has announced that they are bringing their fast and free WiFi initiative, Google Station to the Philippines, and to BISU in Bohol. 

According to google, Google Stations are basically high-quality, free WiFi hotspots that anyone can connect to. 

The company first rolled out the service in India, before it expanded to Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia and now, in the Philippines. 

And the good things, Google Stations will be developed in more than fifty locations by the end of this month,” Mahesh Bhalerao, Global Director of Google’s Next Billion Users Partnerships was cited in news reports. 

Google with both PLDT and Smart for the initiative would now make also it possible for the provision of hotspots in public locations like malls, markets, bus stations, and markets. 

Among the 50 google stations which would be live and operational within the end of February would be the one at Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2), Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), Araneta Bus Port, Cebu South Bus Terminal, Clark International Airport, Davao International Airport and Batangas Port. 

In the schools, Google Stations would be up in Ateneo De Naga University, BISU in Bohol, Bukidnon State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba, Columban College Inc., Holy Cross of Davao College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Southern Luzon State University and the University of Cebu-Main Campus. 

For public places, google puts up its stations at the City Hall of Baguio, City Hall of Mandaluyong and at Ali Mall and Gateway Mall, among others. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

King of Kinatkatay test: 

80 m to 618 m in 4 kms 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 15 (PIA)—A cranking assault that would take one from 80 meters to 618 meters in less than four kilometers is by far, the toughest climb that this year’s extreme cross country mountain bikers (XC MTB) strings as the hardest obstacle in this year’s 4th season of Kinatkatay sa Binabaje, 2019. 

And if one thinks this is a breeze, take note: this isn’t just any leisurely adventure spin with your trusted rig that you have to lay your bike aside for that mandatory picture after frantically summoning all your leg power reserves to surmount a technical climb. 

No, there is enough time to recover, but unfortunately, that does not happen inside the 30 kilometer race loop, as there would be equally aggressive bikers on the same trail eager to get this pain over and done with, fastest. 

For those who have not familiarized themselves with that track, the 80 meters to 618 in less than four kilometers is a good start. Now, think it over and over. Again. 

And for one, as the bikers crank from the starting line to kilometer 4 in frantic painful cadence to the break-away, be wary: it is one that would be taking the XC MTB riders from 0 to 300 meters, so expending on the reserves to gain a good headway may turn out to be a much more tiring effort. 

As to the downhill, the longest stretch which might be a good recovery section for the clearly screaming muscles would be at kilometer 20 when it goes from 618 feet to less than 50 feet in less than 4 kilometers too. 

But the downhill here is no focus let up time. Chain's on the big ring, ride the line and do not ever stray or you will be out for good. 

Want to know where is that stretch were one would most likely devote all the remaining strength for the sprint? It is the last 6 kilometers or so to the finish line where the highest climb is 100 meters no more. 

So now, to the more important questions: Which should do best, a 29 or its 27.5 twin, or a 26 inch wheel set? 

Well, it depends on who is spinning. 

For those who know they have inadequate training for the long climbs, a 26 would be lighter and handles better in the climb as it entails shorter wheel spin. 

Downside, watch for the over spin and potential cross chains as the trail twists and turns in no time at all, so putting in the right gears is the key. 

An adequately trained competitor would have properly gained the strength and endurance for long cadenced spins and a 29 or a 27 would be great on the same spin ratio. But owing to the bigger wheels, a 29'r should be skipping past the obstacles on a comfortable cranking. 

But even if you have that easy to pedal 26’r or a seemingly superior 29’r, it still boils down to the right group set and the right combination of gears, considering you have no issues with the cranking pace. 

A compact double on the crank, or the 2x is generally lighter and should be less confusing if you are in a flurry of shifting to get to a comfortable painless cadence. This however would be accompanied by a bigger range cassette, say 10 x 40 or 46, or 50 if one wants a whistling climb. 

The 26rs however can opt for a less complex cassette and it is a gamble on the weight that could work as advantage. 

This does not say too that a 3x is an inferior crank: the options are wider and like they always said, it’s the knee that counts. 

At this, Alicia has opened the trails for the weekends for track reading, according to Godelia Lumogdang. 

Starting line is at the Municipal Hall, and local guides can point you to the trails. 

Now, do we wish you all the luck? (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

WALK WITH PRIDE. Some sections of the Kinatkatay route could be seemingly impossible to ride but it is always alright to walk tour bike and be saved from expending eneregies that tyou just might need for the sprint later. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

‘River clean-up’ goal: change 

Water quality after 6 months 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 14 (PIA)—To have substantial improvements in the rivers’ water quality by June 2019: this fairly sums up the mission the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its horde of community volunteers in embarking on the simultaneous River Clean-Up this Friday, February 22. 

And according to the new Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Charlie Fabre, the task may not be that tough a challenge for Bohol than in other Central Visayan provinces. 

Fabre, who had a long stint as PENRO of Negros Oriental and an even longer stint as Regional Director for Caraga, said he has seen all the 10 rivers which DENR 7 identified for the February 22 simultaneous clean-up, and the three Bohol rivers are better than the 7 others in the region. 

While the DENR monitored higher coliform levels at the lower banks of these Bohol rivers, its headwaters are still mostly category A, meaning, these can be sources of drinking water, or at least safe for swimming. 

Should Bohol succeed in elevating the water quality of its identified rivers, then the clean-up picks another location based on the current local inventory and the need to get these rivers into shape again, according to Fabre. 

It may be recalled that after the DENR led governments and the civil society in successfully cleaning up Manila Bay in what media would call as Battle of Manila Bay, DENR secretary also looked at the implementation of the Clean Waters Act of 2004 or the Republic Act 9275. 

The law basically applies to water quality management in the country’s body of water by control of pollution from land based sources. 

Here, the DENR spearheads and institutionalizes activities that would affect the water quality of a certain body of water. 

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA, PENRO Fabre, citing the DENR appeal for greater public participation in the Simultaneous River Clean-Up set this February 22, admitted that the community mobilization towards cleaner rivers is the kick off activity of the river rehabilitation program in Central Visayas. 

“We have witnessed in the Manila Bay Clean-up how public participation made a lot of difference. In Central Visayas the state of our rivers is not a hopeless case, let us come together and prove that we can also make it happen,” said DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Gilbert C. Gonzales as cited by DENR 7 social media accounts. 

DENR 7 has organized a simultaneous river clean-up in ten (10) identified priority rivers in the region, these are the 20 kilometer Batuanon River that empties into Mandaue City, Bulacao River which empties into the Cebu South Road properties, and Luyang River from its headwaters of Cantumog to Barangay Luyang in Carmen, all in Cebu. 

In Negros Oriental, the DENR also identified Banica River from spills of Casaroro Falls in Valencia and which empties to Dumaguete City, the Panamang-an River from Cabanlutan to the shorelines of Bais City and the Sicopong River which runs from Tanjay to Santa Catalina. 

In Bohol, identified rivers for the simultaneous river clean-up are Wahig River in the Inabanga basin, Abatan River from Kawasan Balilihan Section to Cortes and Manaba River which empties into Bohol sea in Garcia Hernandez. 

For Siquijor, the environment agency has identified Señora River from Cambugahay to Lazi. 

These rivers, according to Fabre have been under category C: those which have below 100 most probable number coliform levels from animals and human wastes. 

Bohol Rivers are crucial especially Abatan which is being used for eco-tourism activities, Fabre asserted. 

This is not just a one shot deal. The clean up would be made sustainable, thus the kick-off, he added. 

While several regions have already started their river clean ups, three of the DENR offices in Bohol coordinate with groups and individuals volunteering for the river clean up, according to Marcia Ugay of the DENR. 

CENRO Talibon coordinates for the clean-up activities in Inabanga’s Wahig, CENTO Tagbilaran picks the coordination for Manaba River while PENRO Tagbilaran takes care of Abatan River. 

Any individual or groups joining the volunteer work on Friday can call PENRO Bohol at (038) 416 0151. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

Conduct of the clean-up activities would be sustained for the next months as the DENR monitors the water quality to attain the desired clean-up goals, said PENRO Charlie Fabre at Kapihan sa PIA. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)