Preparations for this year’s TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan) are now in the homestretch.

The steering committee headed by  Neneng L. Corales at the helm is refining plans and providing controls in place with the loyal and dedicated efforts of its members who have pledged their time and efforts  without counting the cost. 

The provincial government under Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and the city government of Tagbilaran under Mayor Geesnell “Baba” Yap have both extended support to make the task of the committee in their rounds to campaign for registration and attendance more effective.  There are additional commitments to display the TBTK tarps and to advertise in the TBTK Souvenir Journal

The Committee has made advances in their campaign in changing the way residents look at TBTK.  While TBTK was regarded in the past as a celebration only for balikbayans and which the locals felt that they were relegated to being only second class Boholanos, visits with LGUs and other government agencies as well as private entities have started to open minds and have clarified the original intention of TBTK that it is not a celebration only for balikbayans but also for the Boholanos in various parts of the country. Acceptance of this shift in the way the locals look at TBTK is not easy to achieve, but the committee is encouraged by the response of those that it has met so far.

This year, the Steering Committee is trying its hardest to get Boholanos from all over the province and from other provinces to experience how it is to be celebrating with those coming from abroad.

A 15-minute radio program, “Balik Bohol” conceptualized by  Peter Dejaresco, chairman of the Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp. kicked off last week. The new radio program aims to reach out to Boholanos all over the world where radio and the internet can be accessed to invite them  to come back home on an occasion like this which is celebrated only once every three years.  As the name implies, Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan is a get together of Boholanos from all over the world.  You can represent your part of the world whether here or somewhere else. “Balik Bohol” is aired 10”00-10”15am (Mon-Thurs) over dyRD-AM and Kiss 102.3FM and heard worldwide through www.dyrdam. com.

Interviewed by “Balik Bohol” since its launching date were  Dr. Neil Bonje, chairperson of TBTK based in the United States, Larry Galang, president of the Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada (CONBUSAC), Atty Jun Blanco and Edith Rose Santos of the Ciculo Boholano of Cebu, Retired General Charlie Holganza, of Tapok Tapok Bolanon of Manila, Dante Pajo, president of Aksyhon Kaliwat Bolanon (AKBO) of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Or.,Pempe Gonzaga of Tagbilaran Association of California,  Jonas Amora of the Association of Andahanon of Metro Manila.  During tomorrow’s episode of “Balik Bohol,” Dondon Simangca, vice president of TBTK Kuwait will be interviewed during the “Balik Bohol” radio program hosted by Dejaresco and Corales.

Meanwhile, majority of the resorts  are slashing their rates as a gesture of solidarity with the TBTK organizers to accommodate Boholanos, both local and  overseas.    South Palms Resort Panglao located in Bolod, Panglao is partnering with TBTK and  is giving a 50% discount on their published rates to any duly registered TBTK participant.  As sponsor it has been declared official resident of TBTK.  Other resorts and hotels offering discounted rates will be announced later.

This week two groups of professionals accommodated the Steering Committee and allowed them to speak in each of their meetings.  The Philippine Dental Association Bohol Chapter met at JJ’s Seafood Village last Tuesday.  The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) also met on the same day   at Bohol Tropics.  Both groups manifested their acceptance of the committee’s invitation and the support for TBTK which was generous and unprecedented.  Late in the afternoon, the Committee met with representatives of Camella Homes to finalize the provisions in the Memo of Agreement as Camella Homes agreed to become one of TBTK’s major sponsors.

Other major sponsors are the Provincial and City governments, Primary Homes, Fortune Group of Companies of Chatteau de Paz, Smart, UNAHCO, Fortune Agrivet and Hola, and South Palms Resort Panglao.  Some other companies  are also working out their support and sponsorship of the various activities of TBTK. (Neneng Corales)