Awit sa Bohol

The "Awit sa Bohol" or "Bohol Hymn" is the official provincial hymn of the province of Bohol, Philippines. The lyrics and music were written by Justino "Ning" Romea and arrangement was made by Ms. Maxelende Ganade. The original lyrics are in Boholano with an available English version. The Cebuano translation is credited to Ms. Maxelende Ganade. [http://www.bohol.ph/article35.html?sid=f986dd68e37736def50683bffcdff43a Provincial Symbols of Bohol] www.bohol.ph Retrieved 8 December, 2006.] During every program or gatherings, the Boholanos sing the Bohol Hymn after the Philippine National Anthem. [ [http://www.bohol-island.com/about/symbols.htm Provincial Symbols of Bohol] www.bohol-island.com Retrieved 8 December, 2006.]

According to Bohol.ph: "The Boholanos are a freedom loving and independent people, who take pride in their Island, wherever they are. No wonder, the province even has its own provincial anthem".

Awit sa Bohol

"(Lyrics in Boholano)"
"Yuta kong minahal"
"Hatag ni Bathala"
"Sa adlaw'g gabii"
"Taknang tanan"
"Dinasig sa "
"kinaiyahan"
"Sa mga bayani yutawhan"
"Imong kalinaw giampingan"
"Lungsod sa bungtod nga matunhaw"
"Ug matam-is nga kinampay"

"Puti ang kabaybayonan"
"Walog sa suba binisbisan"
"Bahandi ang dagat ug kapatagan"
"Gugma ang tuburan"
"Sa kagawasan sa tanan"
"Panalanginan ka"
"Ihalad ko lawas ug kalag"
"Sa mutya ko'ng Bohol "

Bohol Hymn

"(English version)"
This is the land I love,
The land God gave to me,
Caressed by the sun,
Bathed by the sea,
And kissed by the cool breeze
Night and day.
Here’s where the early heroes lived,
Here’s where they wrought peace and here they bled,
Here rise the marvelous cone-shaped hills,
Here’s sweet kinampay grows.

Blessed with white sandy beaches,
Rivers that water valleys,
Seas teem with fishes and cows graze
on the plains,
In ev’ry home love reigns,
God keep my homeland always free,
Let her forever be,
I pledge my strength, my heart and soul,
To my dear home, Bohol

Composer

Justino "Ning" Romea is a native of Barangay Napo, Loon, Bohol. He is the composer of the Bohol Hymn "Awit sa Bohol". He is also the composer of the Rafael Palma College or RPC Song (now UB Hymn) and many other school anthems. He is best remembered for the love song "Ako Kang Paabuton", the folk song "Sa Daplin sa Baybayon" as well as most of the songs featured in the annual 'drama' presentations in his native Napo for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger. [ [http://www.bohol-island.com/loon/lights.htm Loon's Leading Lights] www.bohol-island.com Retrieved 25 January, 2007. ]

Other Bohol provincial symbols

While the Philippines has its national bird (the "Agila" or the Philippine Eagle), flower ("Sampaguita", "Jasminium sambac"), dance ("Cariñosa"), leaves ("anahaw"), and tree ("narra"), Bohol has also declared its own provincial symbols.

Provincial Seal

The provincial seal features the Chocolate Hills which are Bohol's famous tourist attraction symbolizing the abundance of natural beauty in Bohol. The green color symbolizes that Bohol is an agricultural province with most of its people depending on farming for livelihood. The Blood Compact between Sikatuna and Legaspi symbolizes the Boholano's love for peace.

Bohol flag

In the official flag of the province of Bohol has several symbolism. For colors, the blue stands for nobility, the white for purity and red for courage. The bolos commemorate the Tamblot and Dagohoy rebellions. The two arms in the middle depict the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi, and behind that are shown the world famous Chocolate Hills. The lone star in the top left is to honour Carlos P. Garcia, the Boholano president of the Philippines.

The independent trait of the Boholanos is well known, through its history of resistance against the Spanish, American and Japanese invaders, and is expressed by the prominent placement of two large "bolos" (local swords) on the official provincial flag.

The independence of the Boholano also reflects itself in the relative absence of large landownership on the island: most farmers still own their own often small, patch of land, a big contrast to some other islands, such as Negros, where large areas of land are held by a few families.

Provincial bird

The provicial bird is the "antolihaw" or "dimodlaw" ("Oriolus chinensis"), a bright yellow bird which can be found all over the province especially during the summer when it will make a loud noise: 'waw-waw-waw'.

Provincial tree

The molave ("Vitex parviflora") is declared the provincial tree. A small tree, it is richly branched with trifoliate leaves. The flowers are violet-colored and the fruits pea-sized and dark purple to black. It is a native to Bohol, and grows well on its limestone soils.

Provincial Fruit

The provincial fruit is the Bohol "mangga", or mango, ("Mangifera indica Linnaeus"), which does very well in Bohol. The limestone soil is responsible for the sweet and tender fruit, which is said to be the sweetest in the Philippines. About half a million mango trees grow in Bohol.

Provincial Plant

The ubi kinampay (The purple Boholano yam; "Dioscorea alata Linnaeus") is a rootcropt chosen as the provincial plant. This plant's meat ranges from white to light to dark purple color with an excellent aromatic taste. It is eaten cooked, alone or mixed with other vegetables. It is also dried and then used to flavor ice cream, candies and cakes. Even before declaring the ubi as the provincial plant, the annual Ubi Festival has been celebrated every January.

Provincial flower

The white gumamela ("Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linnaeus") is the provincial flower. This white flower symbolizes the characteristic innocence and naturalness of the Boholano. Its long bowing styles bring about a language of welcome, its tender structure with pollens characterize the people's simple tastes and modest needs. The greenish, close-knit petals represent the loyalty and constancy of the Boholano family towards each of its members, conscious of the bond that joins them together in the good and bad times.

Provincial Hero

The provincial hero Francisco Sendrijas, most popularly known as Francisco Dagohoy or Dagohoy. He led the Dagohoy Rebellion which is considered as the longest revolt in the Philippine history.

Provincial Dance

The provincial dance is the "Kuratsa Boholana".

References

External links

* [http://www.bohol.gov.ph/phymn.html The Bohol Hymn]
* [http://www.bohol.gov.ph/adminprof.html Bohol Provincial Symbols]
* [http://www.bohol.gov.ph/pseal.html The Bohol Provincial flag and seal]

Eddie Florano wrote an alternative song called Bohol Islands from the "Looking Back" album (2007).