Signs of Progress
June 25, 2004
If the sprouting of malls is an economic indicator, then Tagbilaran City is really on its way to being progressive. First, there was BQ shopping mall, which opened late last year and gave the local shoppers a taste of what really is a shopping pleasure. Then today, the Island City Mall (ICM) opened, a sister (or should I say brother or relative) of another two department stores, Alturas Supermarket and Plaza Marcela. It sits on a ten-hectare lot and boasted of a parking area that can accommodate more than 300 cars. Its blessing and inauguration held this afternoon is a hodgepodge of local celebrities, all the who’s who in the business and political world of Bohol converged with a thanksgiving mass celebrated by 15 priests. The food was realy good but personally, what I enjoyed most was people-watching. It never ceases to amaze me how some people have mastered the art of table hopping and appearing to know all the important people personally, they even shared anecdotes! I also get to make “saway” and “pamantay” of some guests’ attires, the invitation said “attire:formal” but I haven’t seen anyone wearing a gown, unless the definition of the word formal attire have been changed while I’m out there somewhere. In fairness, I really did enjoy myself but beat a hasty retreat when I felt a painful crink in my neck from too much swiveling around trying to catch the goings-on around me.
Then there’s the traffic! If this is another indication of growth and prosperity then I’d rather be backward and unprogressive. Personally, I think driving through the streets of Tagbilaran is a test of patience, your driving abilities and your hand-feet-eyes coordination. Tricycles (motorcycles attached with a small cab that can accommodate 3 passengers) and multicabs have the habit of suddenly stopping in front of you without using signals to pick or unload passengers. They are also fond of showing off their maneuvering skills by cutting you off or overtaking at the wrong lane. These invariably cause traffic jams not to mention the toll on your patience and temper. Even the soothing voice of Josh Groban on the CD player have no effect that I am thinking instead of recording a mantra to play during traffic jams that keeps repeating “Keep your cool….” or “Murder is a sin and the penalty is death….” ;-)
If the sprouting of malls is an economic indicator, then Tagbilaran City is really on its way to being progressive. First, there was BQ shopping mall, which opened late last year and gave the local shoppers a taste of what really is a shopping pleasure. Then today, the Island City Mall (ICM) opened, a sister (or should I say brother or relative) of another two department stores, Alturas Supermarket and Plaza Marcela. It sits on a ten-hectare lot and boasted of a parking area that can accommodate more than 300 cars. Its blessing and inauguration held this afternoon is a hodgepodge of local celebrities, all the who’s who in the business and political world of Bohol converged with a thanksgiving mass celebrated by 15 priests. The food was realy good but personally, what I enjoyed most was people-watching. It never ceases to amaze me how some people have mastered the art of table hopping and appearing to know all the important people personally, they even shared anecdotes! I also get to make “saway” and “pamantay” of some guests’ attires, the invitation said “attire:formal” but I haven’t seen anyone wearing a gown, unless the definition of the word formal attire have been changed while I’m out there somewhere. In fairness, I really did enjoy myself but beat a hasty retreat when I felt a painful crink in my neck from too much swiveling around trying to catch the goings-on around me.
Then there’s the traffic! If this is another indication of growth and prosperity then I’d rather be backward and unprogressive. Personally, I think driving through the streets of Tagbilaran is a test of patience, your driving abilities and your hand-feet-eyes coordination. Tricycles (motorcycles attached with a small cab that can accommodate 3 passengers) and multicabs have the habit of suddenly stopping in front of you without using signals to pick or unload passengers. They are also fond of showing off their maneuvering skills by cutting you off or overtaking at the wrong lane. These invariably cause traffic jams not to mention the toll on your patience and temper. Even the soothing voice of Josh Groban on the CD player have no effect that I am thinking instead of recording a mantra to play during traffic jams that keeps repeating “Keep your cool….” or “Murder is a sin and the penalty is death….” ;-)
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