FEATURE

Calamay, pottery tradition

in Albur’s altar carvings

From hand-painted ceiling fresco depicting a revered tradition, to hand-carved figures of tigpang-kalamay and tigpanghimo og koon, Bohol churches are getting popular for its trivial details hidden in plain sight.

If the Loboc Church of Saints Peter and Paul still has a painting depicting the Lady of Guadalupe Extremadura saving the town from the November 26, 1876 flood, thanks to Canuto Avila and companion painters, Alburquerque Church of Santa Monica also has early Boholanos detailed at the bottom of the newly carved baroque altar, thanks to Arsenio Lagura Jr., and his team of wood-carvers.

FATHER’S SON. Alburquerque woodcarvers now occupy a small shop within the church complex, doing repairs, restorations and commissions for church religious icons, thanks to that workshop in 2016. (PIAbohol)

And while Loboc church frescoes, not murals, were done in the 1920’s, the Alburquerque carvings came in 2017, when the Lagura-led group completed the intricately carved altar featuring baroque pierced carvings and gothic sunburst with he dove symbolic of the holy spirit.

Long before Boholanos identified Alburquerque as the home of artisanal Asin Tibuok, the town’s calamay and vanishing pottery industry which the town is known for.

“Aron mahinumduman,” Lagura shared when asked what motivated him to include the carved images in the wooden retablo.

Lagura, who used to work at a furniture shop since his teens, has since tried sculpture, because he needed to use a skill when wood-working became a little bit of a bore for him.

It was after the earthquake in 2013, that Lagura picked up an enhanced skill when he and several Boholano wood carvers joined the Sandugo Lalik Festival, he shared.

“The lalik festival aims to develop and enhance the wood-carving skills of local artisans and boosting livelihood,” former local seminary rector and Alburanon priest Fr. Valentino Pinlac was quoted in news interviews.

OLD AND NEW. The lalik festival in 2016 produced new urnas which were sourced out using old discarded wood, and allowed new carvers to experiment on the design motifs for localization.

The festival has workshops on wood carving featuring the urna and the nail-less joinery technology of the mortise and tenon, and capped with the Boholano urna carving competition, which Lagura won hands down.

With the help of the National Commission for Culture and Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Diocese of Tagbilaran, local word carving workshop was held.

“While the festival marked the formal rebirth of the long-forgotten urna wood-carving tradition of Bohol, the subsequent project of building the period appropriate main altar (retablo mayor) became the biggest challenge,” Lagura recalls, in an interview years back.

EARTHQUAKE BAROQUE CHURCH AND NEO-BAROQUE RETABLO

The result is a stunning rendition of a modern baroque still complete with curving and flowing forms signifying that same movement when science and the Protestant Reformation questioned the mighty church in the 14th century.

EARTHQUAKE BAROQUE. With the earthquakes the threaten construction, the Spaniards supervised the construction of squat structures with thick walls, often sacrificing the aesthetics over longevity, Alburquerque church however has an espadana, bell gable incorporated in the wall, which still risks toppling in an earthquake. (PIABohol)

The stone church of Santa Monica is built in the mid-18th century, conscious of the threat of earthquakes, builders made sure that the church is a squat structure with over-a-meter wide walls of piled coral stones, reinforced with flying buttresses and an espadana or bell tower built on the reinforced walls to lessen the possibility of crumbling.

In the early 2000 however, noted that the church retablo did not match the old church, many believe that the neo-classical movement could have forced the change of the elaborate altar to a simpler and more orderly design, which may have also forced the people to cover the circular wooden posts with the rectangular shaped tin cover.

NEO-BAROQUE ALTAR

Structured similar to an urna, Santa Monica feature a localized depiction of the grada in an elevated main body of single tiered three-niched altar, a crown and broken pediment to allow for a cross topping and complete with decorated finials and elaborately done wood flanges: all hand carved in shallow to pierced carvings.

THREE ALTARS. Not only did the local wood carvers come up with one altar, they worked on making three huge altars and four more smaller altars, using the same baroque designs characteristic of the 18th century church. (PIABohol)

At the base of the altar is the tabernacle niche flanked by four framed carved images of the tigpangkalamay and potters, each carrying baskets of calamay or earthen pots on their heads and accompanied by carved angels also bringing calamay or pots.

The altar main body has three niches, all complete with the baroque clamshell alcoves signifying protection at baptism, flanked by pierced carvings of a grape-vines with grapes in a creative interpretation of the double solomonic columns of the baroque art.

In it are Santa Monica (center), her son Saint Augustine bishop of Hippo and the virgin Mary.

These elaborately carved columns are also topped with decorative acanthus leaves in the stylized version of the Corinthian volutes, all rising to another superfluously decorated frieze that carries the retablo crown.

ALTAR FLANGES. A popular design motif of the baroque arts are the flowing curving lines and s or c scrolls, ably recreated by Boholano wood carvers from the old existing church arts. (PIABohol)

The altar crown feature a farmed image of angels holding the stylized gothic circular sunburst with a dove, signifying the Holy Spirit.

When Canuto Avila left the marks of history and tradition in Loboc Church, Lagura and his crew of woodcarvers have successfully etched a tradition of Albur, while celebrating creativity, skill and the desire to give local woodcarving tradition its rebirth. (PIAbohol)

CELEBRATING CALAMAY. Local artesans led by Arsenio Lagura Jr., incorporated the traditional calamay industry in the church altar in Alburquerque, while showcasing the rebirth of the forgotten tradition of woodworking and using it to decorate the sacred altar. (PIABohol)

Bohol gives P5M for TESDA

domestic work training center

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Expect more technical and vocational trainings for domestic work for Boholanos, this as the Provincial Government through Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado signed a memorandum of agreement with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Bohol (TESDA-Bohol) for the turn-over of a P5 million for the construction of a Training and Competency Assessment Center, in Pilar.

The new training center would be for domestic works Technical Vocational Training Program with National Certification II at the Provincial Training Center in Pilar town, according to the governor.

Signing with the governor was TESDA Deputy Director General for Special Concerns Felizardo R. Colambo as National Language Skills Center Chief Technical Education and Skills Development Specialist Mitzi Samon-Endriano, while TESDA-VII Regional Director Engr. Gamaliel B. Vicente, Jr., TESDA-Bohol Provincial Director Floro T. Ringca, and provincial Officials witnessed the ceremony at the Capitol Ceremonial Hall.

Speaking at the handing out of training certificates to 45 language training graduates as a program proposed by the Bhol Tourism Office, the governor said “This initiative goes beyond our continued collaboration with TESDA. It demonstrates our firm commitment to providing quality education across all parts of the province by constructing facilities that will empower Boholanos with the skills needed to access greater employment opportunities.”

The governor, who also intimated the need to come up with more technical skills training courses, has initiated talks with TESDA over the establishment of yet another training on heavy equipment repair utilizing the equipment of the Provincial Motor Pool, has been aggressively promoting the province for investments, having prepared the skills that may be needed.

While the formal education sector offers hotel and restaurant management and hospitality courses, the non-formal technical vocational education training in Bohol will now find a center through TESDA, which will equip trainees the competency to serve the tourism industry.

“As Bohol continues to enhance and diversify its tourism offerings, it is imperative that we also elevate the skills of the Boholanos who serve as frontliners of this vital industry,” Aumentado said in his solidarity message.

Now with five training centers and an annex in Balilihan, the TESDA Provincial Training Centers are found in Bilar, PIlar, Jagna, Tubigon and Inabanga, each center offering distinct specializations in a bid to serve those who need the skills and competency for global work standards.

On the diverse training courses now available at the provincial training centers and its partner technical vocational institutes offering these trainings, Aumentado hopes that in the future, “Boholanos who need the necessary work skills can benefit from these, so they can expand their knowledge and capacities and elevate the competencies of the Boholano skilled workers.”

During the graduation ceremonies and handing out of certificates of training for Korean Language and Japanese Language Level A1 with NC 11 certifications, the governor shared his hopes: that all of these efforts form part of our vision to build a “smart, resilient, and inclusive” province to make Bohol a globally recognized model of sustainable development.

“By emphasizing human development as a key driver of progress, we not only stimulate growth, but also strengthen our communities, empower our people, and ensure that development remains inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful for all,” he said. (PIABohol)

DOMESTIC WORK TRAINING HUB. Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and TESDA DDG for Special Concerns Felizardo Colambo sign the MOA for the construction of P5M Training and Competency Assessment Center to rise in the TESDA PTC complex in Pilar, as Bohol diversifies skills competencies for the tourism and hospitality industry. (PIABohol)

BOHOL CRIME SITUATIONER

Average monthly crime

rate down 1.42% in ‘25

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Average monthly crime rates for Bohol in 2025 went down 1.42 percent, or from 4.18 in 2024 to 2.76 in 2025, reports from Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) in Camp Dagohoy, showed.

“And to sustain this, BPPO commits to continue to steadfastly pursue and strengthen its operational and administrative initiatives to sustain gains in peace and order and further enhance public safety,” shares Camp Dagohoy deputy operations chief Police Major Joseph Lopena, during the recent joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council, January 22 at the Capitol Ceremonial Hall.

In fact, even police community affairs and development unit chief, Police Major Joseph Berondo said they have been priming the force to sustain police visibility and intensify operations under PNP Flagship Programs; continue intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs and high-value personalities; strengthen enforcement against loose firearms and wanted persons; and intensify the campaign against illegal gambling.

To do this, they intend to strengthen coordination and collaboration with partner agencies, local government units, and stakeholders in the implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, crime prevention and crime solution efforts, and the enhancement of the intelligence community, Maj. Lopena added.

This too, as total crime incidents in Bohol in 2025 registered lesser by 58 cases or 0.79 percent compared to 2024, data from the reports of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) show.

The crime situation, as reported by BPPO’s Major Lopena in lieu of BPPO Chief Police Colonel Patricio Degay, revealed that there were a total of 7,251 crime cases reported in all police station blotters across Bohol in 2024, which shrunk to 7,193 by the following period in 2025.

This came, despite a noted 2.92 percent or 92 cases rise in crimes involving peace and order, or from 3,156 cases to 3,248, Lopena points out.

The increase in peace and order violations however was drowned by the notable 3.66 percent or some 150 cases decrease in public safety violations.

According to Camp Dagohoy, index crimes or crimes in violation of the Revised Penal Code decreased 33.9 percent or 253 cases from 746 to 493 in 2025, while non-index crimes or crimes in violation of special laws increased 14.3 percent or 345 incidents, from 2,410 in 2024 to 2,755.

As to the 8 major crimes which police put focus on, as these are indicators of peace and order, except for homicide which bloated from 8 to 16 cases or a 100% spike in 2025, all other crimes like physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping and motor napping all sagged.

Physical injury went down 28.7 percent from 209 to 149, rape at 22 percent less from 118 to 92 incidents, robbery at 17 percent from 58 to 48, theft at 53 percent or from 293 to 137, carnapping from 1 to zero at 100 percent and motor napping at 31 percent or from 29 cases to 20, the operations chief said.

Murder cases for both years 2024 and 2025 all reached 29 apiece.

For the non-index crimes, incidences of violations against the comprehensive dangerous drugs act of 2002 rose 34% or from 960 cases in 2024 to 1,287, anti-gambling law at 25.76 percent from 229 to 288, comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition of RA 10591 at 108.2 percent from 73 to 152.

This crime incidences show how your local police have been pro-active, as these are all from police initiated operations, Maj. Berondo pointed out.

As to plainly reported non-index crimes, violations against other special laws rose 11.42 percent or 49 cases from 429 to 478, and attempted and frustrated felonies at 2% from 98 to 96 and other Revised Penal Code violations other than index crimes registered a downtrend of 27 percent from 621 to 454 cases.

To this, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has pushed for the immediate approval of the PPOC budget for its plans, programs and activities, so the council could immediately work to sustain these small victories.

The governor has also been giving incentives to successful police anti-crime operations, which have been helping police units coordinate and build an intelligence network that lead to intelligence-driven operations that toun out positive results, according to Camp Dagohoy officals. (PIABohol)

ENHANCED POLICE PRESENCE. Camp Dagohoy intends to follow on the successes of the enhanced and intelligence driven anti-crime operations as the directives of the Regional Director Maranan and Chief PNP General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., according to Camp Dagohoy officials. (PIABohol/LV Bongosia)

December Bohol inflation

rate sags to 0.2% - PSA

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Over-all inflation rate of the price of basket of goods consumed by majority of Boholanos dropped to its lowest point at 0.2 percent in December 2025 from its previous 1.6 percent in November, as monitored by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently.

The drop becomes even more pronounced as December 2024 recorded a 3.4 percent inflation rate.

This brings the average provincial inflation from January 2025 to December of the past year at 1.7 percent, noting the 2.9 percent inflation rates nailed in February and March before going into a downward trend to 1.0 in October, reports PSA Bohol Chief supervising statistician, Jessamyne Anne Alcazaren.

By November of last year, PSA’s price monitors noted a sudden spike of the prices of basic consumed commodities and services at 1.6 percent.

But while many predicted a continuing rice in prices with the Christmas spending in full swing, December proved to have a tame inflation.

Top three main sources of the slowing of the December 2024 inflation are notable prices housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 0.3 percent, transport at 3.7 percent and alcoholic beverages and tobacco with a 1.5 percent inflation rate, she added.

These three own up the biggest shares in the December inflation downtrend at 78.9 percent, 20.7 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

The provincial inflation rate could have gone down some more, had food and non-alcoholic beverages maintain their negative inflation rates as recorded in November, the PSA presentation showed.

PSA pointed out that “Food and non-alcoholic beverages zoomed past its usual minimal price differences per month, but from -2.9 percent inflation in November, it leapt to 0.8 percent.”

Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulse contributed 283.3 percent for 0.57 percentage points; fish and other seafood as 254.6 percent owning 0.51 percentage points; meat and other parts of slaughtered animals as 113.9 percent with 0.23 percentage points.

Add to these domestic and household services with 45.1 percent owning up 0.09 percent and electricity with 22.5 percent and 0.04 percentage points, which affected the inflation rate during the Christmas season.

With this food inflation in December 2024 was recorded at 1.6 percent, but by November 2025, it sprung to the double at 3.1 percent, bringing the food inflation in December to 1.8 percent. (PIABohol)

ALL TIME LOW. Despite a 0.8 percent headline provincial inflation, the acceleration of inflation was primarily contributed by the year-on-year increase in the index of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, cites Bohol PSA CSS Jessamyne Anne Alcazaren. (PIABohol)

DILG denies ties with

‘bogus’ award bodies

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Over the awards for public officials which now proliferate on social media, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bohol, the agency which conducts various performance audits on local governance and confers these awards and incentives to exemplary LGUS denies any involvement on these.

In a statement issued January 27, the DILG categorically denies any association with any awards other than the 11 awards that it manages.

These DILG-managed awards and assessments include the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), Good Financial Housekeeping, Anti-Drug Abuse Council Functionality, Peace and Order Council Functionality, Local Legislative Award (LLA), Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance, Local Council for the Protection of Children Functionality, Local Council on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children Functionality, Subaybayani Award, Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays and the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award.

The DILG statement came after a supposedly First District mayor awardee declined the award as Top Mayor for the First District in the Province of Bohol, an award given by an entity which calls itself Civic Accountability Council (CIC).

Alburquerque mayor Don Ritchie Buates, in his facebook post said “I am sorry, I will return this to whoever is organizing this award. I can not accept [awards] if there are no government agencies involved in your awards.”

Getting ballistic against CIC as the awarding body, Mayor Buates added that a true award can be had with indicators and criteria set, with the DILG as they are the overseer of all transactions and activities of the LGU.

CIC gave mayor Buates a 9.8 over 10 rating citing increasing tourism [to] Albur and improving infrastructure.

To this, the DILG noted that “while this level acknowledges that other government agencies and private organizations and institutions are not prevented from giving due recognition to deserving local government units and elected local officials, the general public and most especially our local officials are strongly advised to be most prudent in giving acknowledgement and credence to award-giving bodies.”

And as an advice, the local government department said, “one may take foremost consideration to the track record of these institutions, the criteria they use, the methodologies they employ, and the mandates and objectives of the organizations, as well as their members.”

A cursory look at the facebook account of CIC showed that it could be based in Tagbilaran City, can be contacted by email at igitbohol@jakol.com, and had only three posts.

On January 17, it posted a new profile, and then an award to another Bohol mayor in the Third District, and then Mayor Buates’.

Mayor Buates went on sharing a similar award scam he encountered while he was still a town councillor.

As Sangguniang Bayan member then, a group sold him a book, after which he was given an award and posted on social media.

Calling these awards a scam, the young mayor added that the award has a price tag, and the amount one gives determine the award.

“Let us not dupe the public, stop, whoever you are setting up these awards,” the mayor urged.

“We understand that there is an apparent clamor to gate-keep the giving of awards and recognition in local governance. Absent such mechanism as of the moment, however, we urge everyone to exercise due diligence and critical thinking not only in verifying the legitimacy of such awards and recognition but also in joining, accepting and promoting such,” the DILG in Bohol capped its statement. (PIAbohol)

DECLINED. Alburquerque mayor Don Ritchie Buates declined the award as Top Mayor for Bohol’s First District conferred by a group calling itself Civic Accountability Council, noting that it did not have any criteria and audits and did not include government agencies like the DILG, which oversees governance awards and incentives. He also said his picture used as AI generated. (PIABohol/Mayor Don Buates FB)