MikeLigalig.com

by Ven Arigo
Bohol Chronicle

Thousands of Boholanos worldwide are expected to come home for a grand reunion in May next year 2012 - the set date for the holding of the 5th Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibouk Kalibutan (TBTK) set on May 8-18 next year.

The next (TBTK) will be the 'supermodel' of the 2011-2016 Pinoy "homecoming years" program as declared by Pres. Benigno S.Aquino III.

This explains why the TBTK 2012 was launched simultaneously with the revival launching of the "Balik Pilipinas" campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in New York last June, according to TBTK Chairperson Betty Veloso Garcia.

The New Jersey-based Garcia flew in from the United States last week and presided together with Tagbilaran City Councilor Anne Mariquit Oppus over the meeting on TBTK preparation.

Oppus is the overall coordinator of TBTK, which will be held here for the fifth time and the first ever to be done in the fiesta month of May instead of July during which are held the traditional Sandugo festivities.

"Bonding" among relatives and friends is more pronounced in the fiesta season because most Boholanos come home on the occasion.

Garcia, a sister-in-law of Gov. Edgar Chatto, said the DOT is supporting the TBTK 2012 promotion and marketing.

Top Philippine tourism officials, some senators and congressmen, and Gov. Edgar Chatto himself witnessed the twin US launchings of the Balik Pilipinas program and next TBTK, also projected to be the grandest ever.

Accompanied by his wife, Bohol First Lady Pureza Veloso-Chatto, the governor was then on the way to the convention of the Confederation of Boholanos in the USA and Canada (CONBUSAC).

CONBUSAC officials and members are most eager to come home for TBTK, regarded as the grandest reunion of Boholanos and a phenomenon in Philippine provincial homecomings..

Two weeks ago, Chatto and First District Rep. Rene Relampagos guested during the gathering of the Boholanos in Hong Kong where the commitment to TBTK calendar was further sealed.

In their meeting at the capitol last Tuesday, Garcia, Oppus and other organizers tentatively set the TBTK and its major activities on May 8-18 next year.

Boholano grand homecomers from around the world are set to pay a courtesy call on Pres. Aquino at Malacañang on May 8 and then proceed to their mother province.

The following are the other major activities as tentatively set.

May 8 -- Courtesy call on the Governor at the capitol, formal opening of Bohol Product Showcase with the welcome party hosted by the province and Showcase of Boholano Talents

May 10 -- Swimming Competition, Miss Bohol International Talent Show, Presentation of Mrs. Bohol International Candidates and Final Canvassing, and Basketball Competition

May 12 -- Fun Run and Mrs. Bohol International Coronation Ball

May 13 -- Eucharistic Celebration and Awarding of the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW)

May 14 -- School Reunions for the Holy Spirit School, Bohol Island State University and PMI Colleges, Investment Forum and Miss Bohol International Competition

May 15 -- School Reunions for the Holy Name University and University of Bohol, TBTK Meeting and Election, and CONBUSAC Midterm Meeting

May 16 -- School Reunions for the Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association (BPHSNAA), Bohol Institute of Technology and Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School

May 17 -- Gala Night for BPHSNAA and School Reunions for Bohol Wisdom School and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary

May 17 and 19 -- TBTK Derby

May 18 -- Family Reunions, TBTK Motorcade and Recognition Night

With prominent support, Garcia and Oppus hope to convince airline companies, hotels, resorts and related establishments to grant discounts to the home comers for the TBTK.

The TBTK 2012 will be formally launched here probably in November. It was suggested to coincide with the first-ever Bohol Food Festival which was also mulled during the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by, among others, the governor's wife who is a younger sister of Garcia; TBTK Philippine coordinator Betty Balatero; Liza Flores, provincial coordinator and head of the governor' Special Project Unit; Jerome Gabin, DTI; N. Tolentino Gallares and Pie Pardon, FCB; Marissa Diadula, Office of the Provincial Agriculture; Marie Bernadette Manigque, Council for Culture and Arts Development; Maria Leticia Zafra, JCI Chocolate Hills; reigning Mrs. Bohol International Rose Soy, Glorivic Yap-De la Serna, Bayanihan Center; former PBA star Peter Naron and former City Vice Mayor Jose Veloso.

Also present was Babie Bonite of the DCPNHS alumni group and overseas seafarers' sector. She is the wife of Elias Bonite who is based in Saudi Arabia and the TBTK coordinator for the United Arab Emirates and Middle East.

TBTK organizers planned to invite some of today's hottest young stars to enliven a TBTK event such as the showcase of Boholano talents or Miss Bohol International competition.

Names of Coco Martin, Anne Curtis, Jodi Sta. Maria, Mateo Gudoccilli, Maja Salvador, Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsey, all ABS-CBN properties, and Boholana Rich Asuncion of GMA were suggested.

Outside theTBTK meeting, some personalities at capitol preferred KC Concepcion, citing her involvement in the global cause against hunger.

They hinted that a TBTK activity can at the same time raise funds for identified beneficiaries like a certified food-poor community.

Besides, they said, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan can assist the Boholanos in TBTK by bringing the Concepcions here. The actress is a daughter of the senator's wife, megastar Sharon Cuneta and actor Gabby Concepcion. (Ven rebo Arigo)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=43735.0