Wake-uppers:
Scene:
Eighty
exhibitors from Central Visayas and Mindanao are expected to participate in
this year’s Sandugo Trade Expo on July 23-27 at the ICM Food Court (for food products) and The
Block (for non-food items which are usually home furnishings, fashion
accessories, travel and tourism services, etc).
It’s a "tradition" of the Sandugo
which started with the showcasing of the best products of Bohol, then has
reached out to the neighboring provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor
and then in the recent years has attracted the exhibitors of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao provinces. Anchoring the theme,
“Gearing up for Asean 2015,”this year’s trade expo will serve as a
platform for earthquake-affected small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to
showcase their products to potential buyers, especially in the tourism
industry.
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“Never hold your breathe” is the #boholselfie
entry of Neiman Flint Gatal. “My girlfriend came back home from Australia and
she really misses the beaches here in Bohol so I took her scuba diving in the
wonderful reefs of Balicasag island,” says Neiman. “We both love the beach and
the sea, I for one have been diving for 13 years and all I can say is that
Bohol is one of the most majestic places to dive.” Join the #boholselfie photo
contest and win cash prizes!
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Scene: Tell
us your favorite thing about Bohol thru #BoholSelfie
photo contest. July is Bohol Sandugo Festival. Here at #BoholSelfie, we'd like
to celebrate by making a list of your favorite things about Bohol. To
participate, join the #BoholSelfie photo contest that showcases how creative we
are in capturing Bohol's magnificent sceneries by taking selfies of our
own. Tell us your favorite thing about
Bohol. Is it a beautiful province? The best beaches? The highest waterfalls? A
particularly delectable dish? A relatively unknown custom? Tell us what it is
and why it's important to you. The contest is on July 1-26. Winners will
receive cash prizes. Visit www.facebook.com/boholselfie.
Scene: Join the Pitik Tres: Tipik sa Usa ka Dugong Bol-anon
streetdancing photo contest. The contest is open for both amateur and
professional photographers. Participants shall pre-register at the contest
information booth located in front of Fuji Films at BQ Mall on July 23-27. Big cash
prizes await the winners. Text or call Pitik
Group Coordinator Nilo Sapong at 0926-778-2282/0918 355 5551.
***
Millions
of German football fans reacted with unbridled joy when Mario Goetze struck
late in extra-time for Germany to win the World Cup 2014 with a 1-0 victory
over Argentina.
Soccer
used to be their game -- the South Americans, the Europeans, and the Africans.
Today, it is our game, too. It is now woven inextricably into the fabric of
Filipino life that we’re glued on TV to watch the action, embrace its athleticism
and share the excitement.
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Bohol
learns to love soccer. Youngsters wait for a kick during training organized by
BOHFA.
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Like
other provinces, we do not have football culture yet. There were a handful of football
teams before but it lacked the support from the local government units. Despite
of this lack of appreciation of the football game, football teams are now
sprouting like mushrooms in towns. It is a manifestation that a changing Bohol
has become younger and more diverse, and the kids simply love soccer more than
their parents. Thanks to the Azkals! Thanks, thanks to Bohol Football
Association (BOHFA) headed by Edmar Thaddeus Simpao.
Although
BOHFA has no financial support from the provincial government, it is still conducting
free clinics to teach young people about athleticism and discipline. But lately
the BOHFA has been going the extra mile. This month, their clinics have been
emphasizing responsible citizenship, self-respect, education, and good behavior
as valuable assets on and off the field.
The
excitement grew bigger when Elmer Lacknet Bedia visited Bohol and personally
mentored the 150 participants in the free football clinic recently organized by
BOHFA. Bedia gave an extra lesson on football along with the keys to the game.
I
brought my nine-year old nephew Kotik during the free clinic. It was important
for Kotik to learn how to be with other kids and to learn team spirit, football
could teach that. Football has given him a lot of confidence.
"If
you can teach these kids at a young age to be active on football, it really
does go a long way," said Bedia.
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Football
is all about sportsmanship and responsible citizenship, according to (l-r) Edmar
Thaddeus Simpao, Elmer Lacknet Bedia, Kelvin Dinsay, Karl
Paumig and Mr. Racho.
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Most
of the participants have had no shoes and uniforms. They might be poor, but the
smiles on their faces when they took to the field were as wide as the Bohol grandstand.
They played every game with great enthusiasm, unbridled joy, knocking the ball
around, dribbling, taking pride in the way they showed off their repertoire.
Bedia
is Philippines’ Mr. Football. At 13, he was
playing football using coconut drupe which was wrapped with cloth in his
hometown in Barotac Nuevo, IloIlo, and the rest is history.
At
24, he was recruited by an Australian professional team, the Brisbane Olympic
United Football Club. From 1986 until now he remains in Brisbane with his wife
Maria Theresa Salazar Bedia and their six children.
In personal development sessions, Bedia and BOHFA
officers gave the participants plenty of advice on technique, tricks, shooting,
dribbling and spontaneity.
By
reaching the kids who will one day play professionally, BOHFA hopes to produce
great players.
“Gusto
ko may magiging member ng Azkals from Bohol,” said Bedia.
Bedia
also brought and handed football equipments, shoes, socks and balls to the poor
football playing kids of Bohol.
He
also supports the anti-bullying campaign (also for Mexico’s anti-bullying
campaign, El Bullying No Es Un Juego
or Bullying is not a game). He and other people in the world within the
entertainment and sport communities have raised their voice against school
violence.
“Never
do bullying,” said Bedia. “I emphasized to be a good player, show respect and
not to bully with other player.”
Many
students are bullied in schools and in the internet. Not only to students
because bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone.
“Hopefully
this message gonna be around the world to keep the sport as the number one
sports,” shared Bedia.
***
Thanks for your
letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow
leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.
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