Tireless in Tagbi

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines — Our plan was to do a Visita Iglesia of at least seven (if not 14) churches in this province dotted with centuries-old of them, but because of the sudden summer rain, Raoul Tidalgo, a few other Boholano friends and I made it to only three.

But we were “tireless in Tagbi” that Maundy Thursday just the same.

We had a quick breakfast at the Bohol Tropics Resort (the only one of its kind in the heart of the city; for inquiries, call 038-411-3510 to 14) where we chanced upon BTR’s Emily Yap with star-guests Melissa Ricks, Kitkat and Joross Gamboa (with his mother Monet, his siblings and Fil-Am girlfriend Katz) who happily announced that he has just wrapped his scenes in Far Away Life, an indie film produced by a foreign company intended for a world premiere at an International Film Festival director Maryo J. delos Reyes and company are putting up in July as part of the TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan, a gathering of Boholanos from around the world held every three years). Joross said he plays a Filipino lover looking for his long-lost foreigner girlfriend.

“I wanted to relax so I invited my family over for the Holy Week,” said Joross. “I wanted them to enjoy the wonderful Bohol Tropics Resort experience. I’ve been staying here for more than a week now for the shooting and for a show at the resort’s newly-opened state-of-the-art venue.”

Melissa and Kitkat were taking it easy for two days before going to Cebu City where they (along with Joross) had a show over the weekend.

The three churches we visited were the San Isidro de Labrador Church in Puerta Mayor, the Sta. Monica Parish Church in Alburquerque and the one in Baclayon, the hometown of Cesar Montano who is widely rumored to be running for governor of the province in 2010 (but is reportedly being “discouraged” by well-meaning friends because he might not be, well, “winnable”).

Along the way, under intermittent rain in strategic areas, we came upon a few “surprises.”

We passed by a humble bamboo and nipa house. Raoul said, “That’s the house of Rich Asuncion.” Rich’s parents, Richard (Angalot) and Melinda, welcomed the “intruders” with a big smile. Rich was dosing off at the sala and so were her little sisters Rhea and Rica Mae on separate chairs. Tired from a day on the beach, we were told. We roused Rich and had her pose with her parents in front of the house and proceeded on our way.

Next stop was the vacation house of Cesar (and wife Sunshine Cruz) in Baclayon. The couple was not around; they are vacationing in the States. The two-storey house is newly-renovated. Displayed on a table at the recreation hall on the ground floor are framed family pictures including one with Cesar and son Diego (whose mom is Australia-based Teresa Loyzaga).

After a late “organic” lunch at the Bee Farm (which serves, among other delicacies, bougainvillea salad...yes, anything that the bees eat is also edible for humans), we were back on the road.

We stopped at the Butterfly Garden in Bilar. If you are a butterfly lover like someone in our group, you wouldn’t stop marvelling at the hundreds of different butterfly fleeting from one flower plant to another around the netted garden highlighted by rows of kantutay which, according to the very knowledgeable guide, happens to be the favorite flower of the winged creatures. It was a very educational stopover. In barely 20 minutes, we learned more about butterflies (life span and all) than we would perhaps ever do from books. No kidding!

Tired from the oppressive summer heat (as if we never left Manila!) and the road trip, we decided to unwind at Mit-Hi, the world-class spa of the Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) in Barangay Bingag, Dauis, which offers every body-pampering service you can think of. [For inquiries when you are in Tagbi, call (63-38) 415875 or 502-2451.] From the massage bed, you get a magnificent view of the sea especially during the late hours before sunset. Very relaxing!

Starving but with spirits lifted, we capped the day with a leisurely dinner of chicken barbecue downed by fresh buko juice, with buko pandan for dessert, at Payag, the famous chicken house where Anna Bayle and bosom friend Floy Quintos ate the same stuff when they were in Tagbi two years ago.

Did we forget the Loboc River night cruise, the eyeball-to-eyeball friendly encounter with the Tarsier, the Chocolate Hills and the many other attractions of Bohol which we love to see again and again?

Of course, we did not. Neither did we forget to pack our bags with boxes of delicious Hontanosas Peanut Nuggets made with love by Musette Tumulak.

But those didn’t happen on Maundy Thursday.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])