‘Tapok Bol-anon’ held in Oro

BOHOL Governor Edgardo Chatto has strengthened his ties with thousands of Boholanos who migrated to Cagayan de Oro City during Sunday’s first-ever “Tapok Bol-anon 2012” held at the City Tourism hall.

Chatto, who came all the way from Bohol, attended the whole-day activity, which was spearheaded by City Councilor Dante Pajo, who has Bol-anon roots.

With the theme “Sandugo sa bag-ong Bol-anon,” the event, which is one of the highlights of this year’s Kagay-an Festival, aims to gather all the Boholanos/Bol-anons who were believed to have contributed 60 percent of Cagayan de Oro’s population.

Many Bol-anons have left their place and migrated to different parts of the country to make a living.

Over the years, many of them have chosen to settle in Cagayan de Oro and have considered themselves to be Kagay-anons. Some of them have become physicians and businessmen while some worked as housekeepers.

Nevertheless, deep in their hearts, they remain a true blooded Bol-anon.

During the event, Bol-anons from 16 municipalities of Bohol came with their families and enjoyed the whole day gathering, which was also attended by Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, who claims to have Bol-anon roots, and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter Nancy.

Chatto lauded those who joined the fellowship, citing that although they are not in Bohol, they have managed to remain intact and united.

“It is such a pleasure that wherever Bol-anons go, they always preserve their culture like the qualities of being patient, hardworking and loyal to friends,” he said.

He said with the hospitality that Bol-anons receive from Kagay-anons, he vowed to continue to help in the development of the city in whatever ways he can.

Right after ‘Sendong’ last year, Chatto came to the city and turned over a big amount to the City Government to help his fellow Bol-anons.

The amount was used for the construction of houses for the survivors in Sitio Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan.

“Part of the money was also distributed to the victims to help them start a new life,” he said.

To further strengthen the relationship among Bol-anons in the city, different organizations of Bol-anons took their oaths in front of Chatto.

Pajo, the incumbent president of Tapok Bol-anon, said Bol-anon organizations take away the loneliness of being away from their hometown.

He assured that this gathering will now be a yearly event that all Bol-anons in the city will look forward to.