Summer Love Would Always Be Special

It’s the time of the year when the humid and sweltering heat makes everyone slow down including Your Roving Eye. With the solitude and silence to encourage me, my reveries take me back to those unforgettable summers of yesteryears when things were quite uncomplicated and worry- free. No wonder, they’re often called the halcyon days of your life.

 And the world stood still…

Then you remember those summer flings and romances that by their very nature are fleeting and aren’t meant to last very long.  And because they aren’t your regular relationships, there’s a hint of urgency and a heightened sense of intimacy where you drop off all kinds of pretenses.

 And summer love's a beach

All these and heightened by the best musical soundtrack that seems to come out during summer make up the main ingredients that make summer flings seem magical and truly unforgettable.

When summer ends and you have to go your separate ways, your entire memory of that romantic phase will have to be from the so- called honeymoon phase of any relationship when you have just started to discover each other and when you are lulled into believing that this is it.  

 cherish that one special summer love

For as long as you know how to handle it responsibly and you’re not toying with someone’s emotions, your summer flings would somehow be up there when you look back and recall those wonderful and bittersweet romantic dalliances of your youth.

I did and no regrets. They never fail to put a smile on my face & I would always consider them as some of the best things that ever happened in my life.

As the younger generation go about enjoying the summer of their lives, some, if not most, will find that one spark that could magically change a part of their lives. 

Be it from the summer basketball leagues, summer classes or perhaps, a participation in a community event, there would be the chance that summer love will be abloom.  

Be ready then for the summer of your life!

Visiting One of Bohol's Most Beautiful Towns

A few weeks back, I was in the municipality of Buenavista to emcee the Katahum sa Buenavista 2016 Pageant, an annual search for the town’s fairest and the glamorous highlight of the town’s foundation anniversary which is marked every February 11. 

 idyllic & scenic Cambuhat River

After all, when the Spanish friars first came to the town, they were so awed and impressed by its beauty that they named the municipality as Buenavista which literally means a good view. The name Buenavista is a combination of two Spanish words namely buena which means good and vista which is Spanish for view or place.

I was billeted at the Buenavista Tourism Business Center which is located a few kilometres from the town proper. The hostel has air- conditioned and non- air conditioned accommodations that range from single & double to dormitory types that are perfect for seminars and retreats. It also has function rooms for business meetings or social events like wedding receptions.

While I was there, I chanced on the Philippine Councilor’s League- Bohol Chapter officers who had one of their regular business meetings there. And there was a bonus! Guess who would drop by to say hello? PCL National Chairman Alma Moreno and a senatorial bet this May. 

 still the Loveli- Ness that we used to watch on TV

 Alma Moreno with Bohol's PCL Officers

She pinched hit for Cong. & boxing champ Manny Pacquiao who couldn’t make when his private plane wasn’t cleared for flying to Bohol. But Loveliness sure was a crowd drawer with her charming ways and her humility. Even Your Roving Eye couldn’t resist getting a photo with the erstwhile movie queen from the 70’s and 80’s.

 with Buenavista Mayor Sample Tirol

 with Katahum sa Buenavista 2016 winners

Thank you to Mayor Ronald Lowell “Sample” Tirol for the invitation, to Vice Mayor Dave Duallo, Kag. Rena Sotto Erojo, Project Chairs educator Jeanylette C. Ayson, Ph.D.  & Kag. Christine Torregosa for the warm welcome. 

Relaxing Weekend at Alona Tropical Beach Resort

Yesterday, we took a break from a hectic schedule in the city. I simply couldn't say no to the cajoling from my beautiful dates Danah, Danica, Danise & Danzel. It was an awesome stay at Alona Tropical Resort in Panglao, Bohol where everything was simply divine.

Your Blogger was able to reconnect with Aya Montero who is now overseeing the operations of her family- owned resort then meeting the soon-to-be married Louie Gomez sans her fiance who is in Singapore

After the kids retired early in the evening, I sneaked out and jammed with JAM403 together with Louie & her dad and of course Aya and Josh

Here are some of the photos

Stargazing & Chilling by the beach with resort owners & pals

Why Your Summer Love Would Always Be Special

I would like to digress from the usual pageant stuff & lifestyle news that Your Blogger has been churning out.

With the humid and sweltering heat encouraging me to just laze and doze at my fave corner of the house, my reveries take me back to those unforgettable summers of yesteryears when things were quite uncomplicated and worry- free. No wonder, they’re often called the halcyon days of your life.
 .

Then you remember those summer flings and romances that by their very nature are fleeting and aren’t meant to last very long.  And because they aren’t your regular relationships, there’s a hint of urgency and a heightened sense of intimacy where you drop off all kinds of pretenses.

All these and combined with the best musical soundtrack that seems to come out during summer are the main ingredients that make summer flings seem magical and truly unforgettable.

Order from HERE  

Make this the summer of your life
 

When summer ends and you have to go your separate ways, your entire memory of that romantic phase will have to be from the so- called honeymoon phase of any relationship when you have just started to discover each other and when you are lulled into believing that this is it. 

For as long as you know how to handle it responsibly and you’re not toying with someone’s emotions, your summer flings would somehow be up there when you look back and recall those wonderful and bittersweet romantic dalliances of your youth.

I did and no regrets. They never fail to put a smile on my face & I would always consider them as some of the best things that ever happened in my life.

It's More Fun In Bohol This Summer

Bohol is an island province of the Philippines strategically located in the heart of the Visayas islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City.

The iconic Chocolate Hills

Caramel Hills

Dimiao Peak

Morning Hills

Bohol, home of the world- famous Chocolate Hills, is currently one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations not only for its powdery white sandy beaches and posh resorts but also for its eco- adventure tours , rich cultural heritage and varied attractions

stunning underwater scene in Balicasag Island

a typical beach in Anda for a quiet getaway

white pebbles in Jagna overlooking Mindanao Sea

relaxing retreat  somewhere in Panglao Island

postcard- pretty secluded beach in Panglao Island

whale & dolphin watching in Pamilacan & Balicasag islands

virginal Puntod Island

A devastating 7.2 earthquake struck the province some months back. It took only seconds to topple down centuries- old churches and stone towers that have withstood other forces and ravages of nature

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Tagbilaran City

The resilient and deeply spiritual Boholanos have stood up once again and are rebuilding their houses as well as their lives 

Lola teaches her grandson how to weave coconut frond for "puso"
Photo Credit: Dennis Saco

traditional pottery industry in Bohol

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012 Idy Casenas Cagas of Jagna 

a lazy summer afternoon in rural Bohol

Maydan Duma with daughter Danica brave the zipline in Danao

One of the best reasons why you should visit Bohol are the Boholanos themselves. Very warm, friendly, hospitable and accommodating to visitors and guests 

in the tourist town of Panglao, the "bayanihan" or community spirit thrives

some of the world's best handwoven baskets
& handicrafts can be sourced at Antequera, Bohol

Bohol offers some of the best food there is

Spain’s heavy religious influence in Bohol is evident in some of its historic and magnificent stone churches which survived the quake. Palatial ancestral homes all over the province instantly bring you back to the past.

The Philippine Tarsier, considered by some to be one of the smallest primate, is indigenous to the island.

Bohol’s population of approximately one million who are called as Boholanos or Bol- anons speaks Boholano, the main language spoken in Bohol. 

Like Cebuano, its close neighbor, Boholano is a Visayan speech variety. Tagalog, Chinese, and English are also spoken by many of the residents.

tranquility in Inabanga River

eerily enchanting & beautiful mid- morning in Maribojoc

Sipatan hanging bridge

lush foliage in Loboc River

Inambacan Falls is one of Bohol's best- kept secrets

Sierra Bullones does have its own rice terraces

Bilar Man- Made Forest

Bohol is blessed with sunshine practically all year through with maximum rainfall between the months of June and October. The interior is cooler than the coast. Typhoons rarely visit the island province

turn-of-the-century museum in Loboc, Bohol

Balicasag Island off Panglao, Bohol

seclusion, serenity & solitude in a secret cove somewhere in Panglao

stunning skyline during sunset in Ubay

This summer, make it to Bohol!

Photos:

Roger Gatal

Judd Gesite

Ryan Macalandag