July is the busiest month for me, what with the Sandugo Festivities, meetings to attend, reports to submit and people to entertain. The day merge into another, that each day seem to be like any other day. That’s why I’m very grateful to all the visitors in this province. They are the ones who unknowingly remind us of how lucky we are to be living in this paradise. As I would often comment, working in Bohol is not working at all, it’s like having a paid vacation (of course I don’t mean that I would work for free hehehehe). Imagine white, sandy beaches literally on your backyard, century old churches everywhere, the Loboc river cruise which is just a 20-minute drive from Tagbilaran and the world renowned Loboc Children’s Choir who up to this time still bring tears to my eyes everytime I hear them sing. The world famous Chocolate Hills, the Sagbayan Peak, Hinagdayan Cave, Alona Beach, Balicasag Island (great for snorkeling and diving). These are just some of the sites frequented by tourists but most of the locals take for granted, not because they don’t appreciate them but because they have been there as far as they can remember. Only when visitors gasped how beautiful they are that we take a second look, agree and thank our Maker for putting all these lovely sites in this island. And such warm, friendly and hospitable, people that some commented that hospitality is the national pastime of Boholanos. Of course, all is not perfect in this paradise, we still have problems, like infrastructure, communications, peace and order, poverty, waste management, water, etc., etc. But fortunately for us, the people responsible for their solutions acknowledged their presence and most of all, are doing something about it. I can mention all the initiatives planned, undertaken, and being undertaken but it will take much space and effort and I would rather not do that for obvious reasons (if it is not obvious to some readers, then it’s not my problem right? ;-) )
Anyway, I’m not a poet and can’t wax lines on these beautiful sites nor am I a musician to write lyrics, so I will just post some pictures and see for yourselves or better yet come visit us and experienced paradise.