Writer’s paradise
These past three days, I had my morning walk at Baluarte in Baclayon for a dose of fresh air, the sound of waves lapping the massive quayside which by the way is provided with a flight of steps on both sides presumably for people to easily climb up and down should they fancy a swim, and plain sightseeing.
Wednesday morning, a flotilla of fishing vessels was docked on many parts of the subdivided quay since it was market day. Fishing vessels make for a picturesque jetty! I didn’t miss to take video clips and send the same to friends via Messenger for them to drool over, haha, nah, to appreciate. You can’t possibly enjoy unique moments by your lonesome! It must be shared.
These past few days also, we were fortunate to have been invited to gatherings of close friends. Music, fellowship, and lots of banter and conversation filled the events. One can’t miss the feeling of being home.
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Birthdays and music
August 4, 2022, we joined the first birthday of Sven John O. Rodriguez, the only child of my then law classmate, now lawyer John Rey Rodriguez and pretty wife Sheina Jobelle Odvina-Rodriguez at Your Lounge Café, Tagbilaran City. It was a joint birthday celebration since Justice – in law school, we had a small group consisting of about five to six individuals who became close and stayed in touch through the years, and we called each other Justice, inspired by Judge Glenn Pergamino’s exhortation in one of our Constitutional Law classes that we should all aspire to join the Judiciary – John Rey’s birthday also falls in August.
The birthday was refreshing in the sense that so many friends and family relations of both the Odvina and Rodriguez families were present including their childhood and school friends. I guess I fall under the “school friends” category. Tasty food matched with good music plus the heavy downpour made up for a chill and fun night. Thank you so much for the invite.
While at music, we also listened to good seventies music courtesy of the acoustic band, Nostalgic Strings, composed of Jovil Angcog, Jonietta Binaluyo, and Erico Joseph Cañete at Genaro’s Grill in Baluarte, Baclayon. For the music afficionados, the band plays every Sunday, 6:00-9:00 P.M.
Maybe I should practice a few tunes so I can be up and about whenever the band motions me to sing just like last weekend!
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Lions community
July 30, 2022, I was privileged to host the induction ceremonies of the Bohol Island Lions Club, Bohol Lady Lions Club, Bohol Premier Lions Club, and Bohol Island Leo Club at Jj’s Main Hall, K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City. Lion Johnny Chan, acting district governor of District 301-B2 served as guest of honor and inducting officer.
Below are excerpts of the inaugural speech of President Steve Galvan of Bohol Island Lions Club for Lion Year 2022-2023:
“On this term we’ll renew the focus of our club resources on the “Lions Global Service Framework” or the “Five Pillars of Lionism.”
That in the Province of Bohol and beyond: (1) No child goes to bed hungry; (2) We Lions be “Knights of the Blind” and serve the visually-impaired; (3) We help expand access to life-saving treatment for children fighting cancer; (4) Help nurture a greener and cleaner environment; and finally, (5) Help control the global epidemic of diabetes and assist diabetic patients.
In our pursuit of these global causes, we will clothe our actions with a 1917 agreement now a guiding principle for Lions everywhere: “No club shall hold out as one of its objects the financial gain of its members.”
As volunteer-stewards, we shall merely help relay these humanitarian donations from donor to donee. Every donated centavo from our donors shall be transmitted in full to our beneficiaries, bereft any promise of compensation for our hard work.
And, as an American, I call upon my fellow Lions to honor the hours of others. In other words, please be on time. In all our next club activities or meetings, let us rise above our habits and be living testimonies of the word “international.”
With strength that withstands earthquakes. With hearts that defy storms. We the Lions of Bohol – proud and strong – shall serve.”
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Food for Thought
Be beautiful for whatever reason. Inner beauty radiates from within. If the inner self wavers, let your outer beauty bring back the balance. You are your one self, after all. – Chrysanthemum 07
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
