By Ardy Araneta Batoy

For this edition of VOX POPULI, the Bohol Tribune ventured on getting the response of the netizens regarding reasons a tourist may come and visit Bohol.

The first Survey Question was:

“SA IMONG NAKITA UG NAHIBAW-AN, UNSA MAN ANG MGA HINUNGDAN NGA MOBISITA ANG USA KA TURISTA DINHI SA LALWIGAN SA BOHOL? PALIHUG HATAGI KUNO MI UG DILI MO MENUS SA TULO (3) KA MGA HINUNGDAN.”

The netizens’ comments/answers to the second Survey Question are the following:

  Malinawon, Musika, Mabugnaw (from: Rufina Maceren Artiaga)

  Generally 1. friendly & hospitable mga Boholanos, 2. Clean & pristine beaches and 3. Many naturally beautiful attractions (from: Erwin Baquial)

  Pakapiniglami-ang sikwate. (Rony Malanog)

  1. Blessed with the wonders of nature 2. Blessed with God-fearing people 3. Blessed with talented and intelligent people. (from: Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos)

  Peaceful, hospitable people and religious (from: EfChitrof)

  Rich culture in terms of Spanish churches and buildings…rich culture in terms of songs, dances, musical instruments, religiosity (from: Inday Ling)

  Friendly and Hospitable and our commitment. 2. Will stand up for the moral right. 3. Will stand and defend every person’s life and dignity.4. All Boholanos people are free and equal in dignity and rights. 5. To participate in the cultural Life of the community. (from: Jaime Bullicer)

  God fearing, kind and hospitable ang mgabol anon (from: Mary Ann Sevilla)

  Prestine white beaches, Awesome natural green river, Accomodating and Friendly people, Proud Bol-anon here (from: Armie Salome Calamba)

  Gifted with d beauty of nature. It is like a little paradise. People are kind, beautiful & accommodating. (from: Dr. Fe Marfe Jimenez)

  Bringhouse 2. Hospitable 3. Daghangwapa ug gwapo (from: JruFamilar)

  Its beauty, its people and its leaders! It is undisputed that Bohol is one of the most beautiful islands in the country. For me, one can never know “nature at its best” without experiencing Bohol. 😍 The Boholanos, without sounding self-righteous, are one of the most welcoming people. Proof: everybody is invited over to our house during fiesta celebrations. And our leaders too are people with so much compassion to service. Yes, they may not be perfect, but they are trying their best to do what is right and what is just for every Boholano. Bohol and its people may be shakened by this pandemic, but just as we were able to build back Bohol after the earthquake of 2013, I have no doubt that we will be able to survive this challenge as one Filipino community.  God bless Bohol! God bless the Philippines! (from: Mayor Kat Lim)

  Good piece for an oratotical contest. Beautifully crafted answer, Mayor Kat Lim! (Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy to Kat Lim)

  Unta ma undang na ning Covid ma’am Ardy kay mag pista na ta pohon aring Valencia! Hehehe! (Mayor Kat Lim to Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy)

  Lagi mayor, oi. LORD, INTAWN, KALOY-I MI. (Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy to Mayor Kat Lim)

  You’re welcome Ma’am Ardy! 😇 I remember you used to lecture about what to reply when somebody says “thank you” to us. No need for a very long response. A simple “you’re welcome” is enough. Hehehe! (Mayor Kat Lim to Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy)

  Right, mayor! (Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy to Mayor Kat Lim)

  A perfect message. (Andy Luega Manatad to Mayor Kat Lim)

  • God-fearing, respectful/courteous, freedom-loving/fun-loving and independent people (from: Annette Borromeo Skelton)

  Ambungan, Maanyag, Bahandi.. (from: Arnel Libot)

  Peace—ideal retirement place. (from: Peps Bunachita)

  People itself 2. The Tourist Destinations 3. All the Facilities / Amenities that we can offer (from: Mary Rose Molina Edubas)

  Kung ikaw inday ug ondoy mangita ug bana o asawa pilia gyud ang bol anon kay magmahal knimo hangtud sa kahangturan. Hehe 2. Daghan kaayo ug nindot nga mga tan awonon. 3. Buotan ang mga Bol anon. I LOVE BOHOL!!! (from: Flor P. Alo)

  You are greeted with “Dayon Kamo”. 2. You are invited to sit and eat at the table if it is mealtime even if you are just passing by. 3. You have a bring house going home during fiesta. You know you are in Bohol. (from: R Myra A Cook)

  Clean, peaceful and beautiful like mam ardy (from: Dennis Raymond Policarpio Maturan of Manila. He is the son of the late singing champion, Diomedes Maturan.)

  Nature, culture, history.  (from: Paolo Giuseppe Vistal)

  It’s that package: 1-ang Lugar; 2-ang Kultura: 3-ang mga Bol-anon. (from: Cha H. Chiu)

  MAOY AQNG YUTANG NATAWHAN…. GAMAY RAY CORRUPT…. MOST OF ALL TUNGOD KAY MALINAWON. (from: Rodolfo Madanguit)

  Maam di pa daghan ug mga langyaw mao linaw pa, hehhee (from: Maria Cleo Ranis Gales)

  Tourism, yutang natawhan, manggiloy.on/manggi.hatagon ang mga boholanos (from: ChingbLoquellanoClarete)

  Dili ko motabang ug hatag rason maam oyyy. Your answer is as good as mine. Heheheee (from: Myrna Torrefranca)

  There are 101 reasons…Bohol has it all (from: Wilma Gran)

  Chocolate Hills, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, and Francisco Dagohoy…hehe kon pwede nay ika-upat unta mam ards hehe, apil ang world’s famous Loboc Children’s Choir (from: Ariel Fullido)

  Korekkkkk apil ang ika 5 : ALTURAS GROUP OF COMPANIES. (Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy to Ariel Fullido)

  Pwede pod ika-6 mam ang CenterStage band ay feelingon lagi ko mam oy ahahaha (Ariel Fullido to Ardy Ines Araneta Batoy)

  HA HA HA HA, OF COURSE, ARIEL (Ardy Batoy to Ariel Fullido

  • Mainampuon, Matinabangon, Linaw ug Maanindot nga mga talanawon (from: Remlih Olebuc)

  Ask pud maam unsay dili angay ipa-sigarbo sa lalawigan sa Bohol (from: Erwin Baquial)

  Peace and quiet nga imbis ag ubang lugar sa pilipinas ky daghan pud beach og tourist spots, muari gyud sila para peace and quiet.

  Pagkasikat sa bol-anon ngasobrara ka buotan og pagkama-amigohon nga ag mga dabawenyo, manilenyo og Cebuano ky dali ra muduol nato . . . .  Unique boholano phenomenon nga whole month of May gapista og magpakaon og bisperas nga wa gyud naho nakita salaing lugar lol . .. Bonus nga nadunggan naho sa mga taga laing dapit: sobra ka gwapa daw mga babaye pero ayaw daw pa-istoryaha kay sobrahan ka thick og accent nga lahi2 eg.taga-Jagna, Dauis, Hanopol, etc. (Anonymous)

  Mga Gwapa ug Gwapo ang Taga Bohol, apil na akong bana ana.. (from: Procesa Maestrado Campos of the USA.) 

  White sand beaches, chocolate hills, hospitable people (from: Jennifer Aguaviva Adlaon) 

  Maampoon…. (from: Krissy PadelVaño)

I am proud of Bohol because we, 1. Boholanos, are known to be very religious & God-fearing. Often cited example by visitors from other places: When the church bells ring at 6 p.m. for Angelus or Oracion, kutob sa tawo nga nakadungog mohunon gjud ug mag-pray.( Hasta karonba, ma’am Ards?) 2. Bohol has become a popular tourist destination with the famous Chocolate Hills, the endangered tarsier & numerous beach resorts; 3. Boholanos are hospitable, honest and peace-loving. (from: Maria Natividad Yang)