In photos: Christmas in Bohol after

In photos: Christmas in Bohol after ‘Odette’

by

Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo – Philstar.com

December 29, 2021 | 4:53 pm

BOHOL, Philippines – In Manila, a mere internet connection or social media glitch is enough to drive people crazy and make hashtags like “Facebook down” trending on Twitter.

But in Bohol, just last week after much of the Visayas was washed away by Typhoon Odette, it’s amazing how people can still smile and greet strangers with lovely “hellos”, as they scooped up debris and broken pieces that they were left from their homes or hung clothes soaked in a flood of mud. Their smiles were so bright that it couldn’t be said that they faced days to a month of dark nights with no electricity and a meager supply of water.

Of course, that didn’t mean they weren’t sad. This could even be one of the worst Christmases of their lives. But while in Manila, people can complain about the kind of gifts they received last Christmas, in Bohol, even a bottle of mineral water or a package of cookies was greeted with an endless “Thank you” as if they were the best gifts they have ever had. ever. It was nothing short of humiliating.

Last Christmas my family and I went to Bohol despite concerns about water and electricity shortages, to distribute some relief items and help spread some joy among the typhoon victims. The trip, however, turned out to be more to our advantage: the strength, stamina and calm of the Boholanos, even with another zone of low pressure looming on the horizon (raised to an orange rain warning starting today), They inspire and lift the Christmas spirit to much higher ground that no flood could ever reach.

The sky might cry, but there was no tear to be seen in any eye in Bohol, not even in large ones like the tarsier.

Some of the following images may seem dystopian, but life and tourism continue in Bohol. If there is anything Bohol after Odette for the New Year, it is definitely: “Hope has overcome despair.”

Loboc’s once-flourishing floating restaurants, animated by the angelic carols of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir, have almost sunk like the Titanic.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Loboc’s once-flourishing floating restaurants, animated by the angelic carols of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir, have almost sunk like the Titanic.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Miles and miles of residential houses in Loboc dry their muddy clothes, furniture and appliances in the sun after flood damage. As of last week, they relied on rationed and spring water from the mountains for drinking and cleaning.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Even markets, banks and convenience stores were emptied by floods in Loboc and its neighboring towns.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

‘Kapit lang’: Of the five tarsiers in the Loboc observation area, only these two were recovered after Odette. The other three were believed to be still alive and hiding behind rocks. Conservationists, however, said that more than a hundred tarsiers were still safe in their care at a more remote conservation facility in Bohol.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

A view of the Chocolate Hills from the top of one of the hills. One tour guide said that if there were any good things Odette did, it was first that debris was washed off the hills and surrounding rice fields, and second that the rice fields were sufficiently irrigated.

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Visitors exploring the Chocolate Hills and its surroundings aboard bug carts and ATVs. The muddy puddles left by Odette provide additional opportunities for adventure.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Untouched by wars and storms: The Hinagdanan Cave at Dauis on the island of Panglao remained pristine even after Odette. A local tour guide said that there are 30 other underground caves with small natural lagoons near Hinagdanan, but this is the largest and with the largest entrance. It got its name from “hagdan” or “ladder”, as ladders were once used to enter the cave, which was discovered by the private owner of the land after cleaning up the decaying branches.

For a tip of any amount, a local tour guide would assure visitors of their safety and take pictures of them inside the cave. There are life jackets and floats that can be borrowed for free. The water is subject to high and low tides because it connects to a nearby sea. Fish can also be seen in the waters, but little swallows live among the stalactites and stalagmites. Locals believe that a karst formation forms the face of the Virgin Mary.

One can stay and swim in its cool refreshing natural waters, slightly salty until 4-5pm just because only a couple of generator-powered lamps were working and the cave owner is saving on diesel that powers the generator. Only some parts of Bohol have been restored with light and water as of today.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

After a day of adventuring in Chocolate Hills and diving into the Hinagdanan Cave Lagoon, end the day with a feast of organic food and desserts at the nearby Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao. Although parts of the farm have been destroyed by the typhoon, its restaurants, resorts, cafes and community centers for raffia weavers and other local artisans have remained operational.

In addition to homemade ice cream in different quirky flavors and honey-flavored drinks, grilled seafood and flower salads are among the restaurant’s must-haves. Inside the enclosure, you can also visit the organic farm from where the restaurant obtains its ingredients.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Wild dolphins spotted en route to Balicasag Island from Panglao.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

While corals were bleached out by the typhoon, goldfish still thrive to greet divers off the shore of Balicasag Island in Panglao.

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One of the many sea turtles sighted at the Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary after Odette.

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Ship Graveyard: Small ships sunk by Odette on Balicasag Island (left) and Panglao Harbor.

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Some of the local fishermen and boat guides who received aid packages courtesy of Philstar.com, using prize coupons from Grab Philippines. The destruction of their boats disrupted the livelihoods of local fishermen in Bohol.

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Care packages purchased from GrabMart were distributed to Odette victims in Loboc, Alona Beach and Panglao. Since only the large resorts along Alona Beach had generators last week, some locals camped outside the resorts for the night along with their children to enjoy some light.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Rather than cancel their trips, many Bohol travelers packed some relief items in their luggage and distributed them to locals in typhoon-hit tourist destinations like Loboc. Even those on the front lines of COVID-19 at the airport were happy to receive any kind of help, especially bottled water.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

The Virgin Island near Panglao has a Padre Pio Chapel that has been closed due to the pandemic. The chapel was also damaged by Odette.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

A small yacht sits atop a small commercial building in Panglao, but it was just a quirky addition to a restaurant, which was not displaced there by the typhoon.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Dark clouds hover over the 18th century St. Augustine Church and its bell tower in Panglao.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

The church of San Agustín is located near the ruins of the original one that is presumed to have been built by the Jesuits in 1782. The church is known for its ceiling murals depicting the sacraments. Outside, locals set up makeshift tents to cheer young visitors despite Odette.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

A full moon at Alona Beach provided some light to the island that still relies heavily on diesel generators after Odette destroyed many of Bohol’s power lines.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

Although tourists missed the Christmas carols from Loboc’s famous children’s choir at these parties, some talented people with special needs still serenade travelers at the airport. They may be thirsty from the lack of clean water, but the artists sang with all their hearts, assuring everyone that Bohol and those devastated by Odette will soon rise again.

Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Affinity-Bernardo

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