Bohol is ASEAN cultural capital on its 156th Foundation Day

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHO July 22 (PNA) -- Highlighting the celebration of Bohol’s 156th Foundation Day on Thursday is the declaration of the province as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cultural capital for the month of July.

Since Gov. Vilma Santos of Batangas, the ASEAN cultural capital for June, could not make it to the event, the ASEAN flag will be turned over to Gov. Edgar Chatto by UNESCO ASEAN Head Huber Gijzen, DepEd Usec. and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair Dr. Vilma Labrador and UNESCO Commissioner Cecille Guidote-Alvarez during the commemorative program at the Bohol Cultural Center.

Gov. Chatto, Vice-Governor Concepcion Lim, and Representatives Rene Relampagos, Erico Aumentado and Arthur Yap will hand the ceremonial key of Bohol to UNESCO to be represented by Gijzen.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim will be the guest speaker in the commemorative program.

The Bohol Day celebration, highlighting the province as the July ASEAN Cultural Capital, will be the major part of the yearly Sandugo Festival anchored on the theme “Bohol Crossing Borders Towards ASEAN Regional Partnership.”

The day-long activity will kick off with a commemorative mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral to be celebrated by Bishop Leonardo Medroso that will be followed by the traditional flag-raising ceremony at Plaza Rizal then a wreath will be laid at the foot of the monument of the only Boholano President of Philippine Republic, the late Carlos P. Garcia.

The opening of an art exhibit will follow at the National Museum–Bohol Branch which used to be the old provincial library, showcasing the masterpieces of new-generation Boholano artists side by side the works of Boholano national artist, Napoleon Abueva, with the theme, “Art Expressions of Boholanos’ Bravery and Heroism”.

Gov. Chatto will cut the ceremonial ribbon to signal the opening of the exhibit for public viewing.

The motorcade from Plaza Rizal to the Bohol Cultural that follows will feature Higantes or over-sized mascots of Francisco Dagohoy, Tamblot, Datu Sikatuna, President Carlos P. Garcia, and Capt. Francisco Salazar.

The commemorative program follows, then the coronation program of the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council (PAFC) at the Bohol Cultural Center in the afternoon.

In the evening, the launching of Teatro Abatan will highlight the signing of the Bohol-UNESCO-Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC) agreement at the Abatan River Main Village Center in the town of Cortes.

The Provincial Government Night-Sandugo 2010 will clinch the celebration at the city tourist port, featuring the Alicia Musika Kawayan and other Boholano artists. (PNA)
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