Some of the distinguished persons getting ready for the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the
soft opening of Tabok Bistro. From left (front row) are: Rep. Edgar Chatto, Atty. Patrisha Chatto,
Mayor Pureza Chatto, Atty. Rene Paredes, Fr. James Darunday, and Dr. Rosalinda Paredes.
Contributed photo

 “TABOK” is a Visayan term for “to get to the other side”. For residents of Tagbilaran and Dauis of yesteryears, “TABOK” means to get from the Tagbilaran side to the Dauis side via a small boat traversing the narrow bay between the mainland and Panglao Island— all prior the construction of the causeway.  
With the existence of the causeway, the term “TABOK” slowly went out of use, out of style – until a couple named Sonny Gadugdug Paredes and Recelle Adlaon-Paredes, decided to revive the word’s power and sentimental value in order to bond “historical authenticity and beautiful modernity”! Yes, Sonny and Recelle are happy with the name  “TABOK BISTRO” for their new venture in the food and accommodation service.
The couple, Sonny and Recelle, is engaging in an enterprise that will definitely revive the term “TABOK”  and make it synonymous to good food, good ‘home’  and good gig.  

Enter “TABOK BISTRO”!

Tabok Bistro is class on its own. It provides its customers with:
• good food – from an array of several menu selections.
• good ‘home’ – with its cozy, comfortable and affordable three bedroom
accommodation
• good gig – for its wholesome live musical entertainment

This is not to mention its good ambience and location that would allow a guest or a room resident to see Tagbilaran and Dauis by day and night without the struggle of craning one’s neck for a good view of said places. Definitely, “TABOK BISTRO” is built at a vantage point where the term “overlooking the city” is true and really true.  
Cong. Edgar Chatto together with his wife Balilihan Mayor Pureza and daughter Atty. Trisha graced the opening of the new hangout.
Also present during the event was Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo. She and Cong. Chatto did the honors during the ribbon cutting ceremony signifying the soft but formal opening of the establishment.
Chatto said: “I would like to congratulate the pamilya ni Sir Rene and Ma’am Linda, Sonny, and Recelle for this new facility na makadugang sa options for dining services dire sa atong lalawigan.”
The solon said he is encouraging other entrepreneurs to continue with investing in the local economy in anticipation of the return of the tourism industry of Bohol.
For her part, Mayor Sumaylo said that she is elated that another business has set up shop in her town. The new bistro is a welcome to Dauis – an addition that can help the town’s economy grow and perhaps create jobs for local residents.
The Paredes couple invited The Bohol Tribune to the soft opening rites of “Tabok Bistro” on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.
Located at sitio Tabok in barangay Totolan, the bistro is nestled in the repurposed home of Sonny’s aunt, Amee Gadugdug-Cañete, the sister of Dr. Rosalinda Paredes.
Sonny told The Bohol Tribune that the structure is supposedly the house of his aunt, Amy, a retired nurse who used to work in the U.S.A. and who just recently came home. His aunt wants a smaller house here in Bohol. His aunt’s wish gave Sonny a light bulb moment resulting to an idea – the “Tabok Bistro”. Sonny pitched the idea to his aunt for the latter to lease the property to him so he could convert it into a business enterprise.
Sonny’s aunt, Amee, spent some time with The Bohol Tribune to share her thoughts about the place. She said that the old house was already in disrepair as she and her husband migrated to the United States years back. Due to sentimental reasons, Amee and her husband refused to let others rent the house. And now, she is very happy at how the property turned out to be an exiting business enterprise owned by his nephew and niece-in-law.

WHY A BISTRO

Sonny said he wants a business that is related to food. At first he and his wife thought of having a cafè but opted to have a place with some wholesome live entertainment.

“It is a small place for a group of friends to unwind,” Sonny describes his new business venture.

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD

The bistro offers not just great food and drinks, but also a cozy place to hang out with a fantastic panoramic view of Tagbilaran-Dauis Bay as viewed from the upper deck of the property.
Aside from the good food, Tabok Bistro also offers accommodations. It has three rooms that guests can occupy.

“Dali na, TABOK lang ug naa ka na sa BISTRO.
Welcome to “Tabok Bistro”.

The owners and managers of Tabok Bistro, Recelle and Sonny Gadugdug Paredes, oblige to a photo opportunity before the soft opening ceremony. Photo by Jonas Añuver

More photos from the guests. From left are Rep. Edgar Chatto, Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo, Mayor Pureza Chatto, and Atty. Patrisha Chatto. Photo by Jonas Añuver

The members of the Paredes family are enjoying the event from the balcony of Tabok Bistro. From left are Rane Paredes (daughter of the owners and managers), Recelle Paredes, Atty. Rene Paredes, Dr. Rosalinda Paredes, and Sonny Paredes. Contributed photo

The mother (Recelle Adlaon-Paredes) and daughter (Rane Adlaon-Paredes) tandem of Tabok Bistro.