Wake-uppers:
Scene: There were tears,
loud cheers and embraces as Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga, the man accused of the murder
of environmental lawyer Mia Mascariñas-Green, was arrested on Friday
afternoon. "I'm happy they made an
arrest, it is a welcomed news to all of us who are seeking justice for her
death," said Pat Ruiz, one of the convenors of the “Justice for Atty. Mia
Kalinaw sa Bohol Movement, in an interview Saturday. "However, our attention now be focused
on how justice will finally be rendered to her death." Amor Maria Vistal, a friend of Green, posted
the Facebook, “God is good. God heard our prayers.”
Scene: Provincial Board
Member Niño Rey Boniel on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping
and detaining the best friend of his wife on the night he allegedly took and
killed Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel.
Seen: One of the
candidates in Miss Bohol 2017 is always late. “She has the potential to get the
crown. But of course, she has an attitude problem,” said a beauty pageant
expert VRS. “While other girls were having fun during the
many activities, she missed it,” added VRS.
***
The
news about a funeral wreath left at the town’s cemetery scared many residents
days before the Inabanga town would celebrate its fiesta on June 30.
 |
| Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy spearheads the Raffia Festival. Courtesy: Ric Obedencio |
The
“fake news” about a possible bombing on the town fiesta also circulated in text
messages and social media worried some residents to go home to celebrate the
feast of St. Paul.
“That’s
not true,” said Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy on the “fake news” reported.
“Dili
nata anang news nga dili tinuod. Let’s try to live a normal life. Let us try to
be an instrument nga atong lungsod and province nga maglinawon. Let us do our
share,” she said.
To
prove that there was no threat, the town held the Raffia Festival Streetdancing
on Friday afternoon as part of the town's fiesta. It was participated in by 10 contingents
clustered from the 50 barangays.
The
dancers dressed in colorful costumes and props spread cheers. They also proudly showcased raffia products
during the street-dance competition.
Since,
Inabanga town just launched the the public free WiFi hotspots, residents
flooded Twitter and the social media with hashtag #IloveINB during the event.
Raffia,
a natural fiber obtained from "buri" palm, is one of Bohol's leading
showcases of its hand woven industry.
The
festival aimed to enliven the raffia loomweaving industry which was affected by
the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the infiltration of the Abu Sayyaf members on
April 10.
 |
The
dancers proudly display raffia strips, locally
called hulahula, during the Raffia Festival in
Inabanga, Bohol
province. Courtesy: Ric Obedencio
|
Some
of the weavers lost enthusiasm and interest to continue weaving due to the impact
of the quake. Eventually, the basket
industry declined.
“Nahinay,
nahilum. Naapektuhan gyud. So karun,
sugod ta, atong banhawun,” said Jumamoy.
Jumamoy
said there were more than 1,000 individuals who were engaged in home-based
raffia loom-weaving spa in the 50
barangays of the municipality.
Now,
at least 500 plant-based weavers are still making raffia.
Before
the earthquake, Jumamoy said Inabanga’s raffia-based crafts have gained
momentum and are now recognized worldwide.
She
said a room at The White House was decorated with raffia. She also said actress Angelina Jolie was also
seen carrying a bag made of raffia designed from Inabanga.
“Raffia
in Inabanga is 100 percent hand woven. That’s the beauty, it’s natural,” she
said.
 |
Some
dancers and members of the Bohol media
at the media wall inside the Inabanga
gymnasium.
Contributed Photo
|
Raffia
fiber is stripped from dried young buri palm
leaves, some dyed, others in their natural colors and woven by hand or modern
looms.
Jumamoy
said that loom weaving has been the most important cottage industry in Inabanga
since Hispanic times.
She
said during the Dagohoy uprising, woven cloths were made into uniforms for
resistance fighters.
Through
the years the weaving industry evolved and were sold locally as well as abroad.
Jumamoy
said next year’s festival will be bigger and brighter.
Slowly,
the Inabanga weavers could feel the urge to keep the tradition alive and to
move on despite the tragedy that struck them and their town.
***
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