- 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 Retrieved8 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 Retrieved8 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 sweetkinampay 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, BoholComposer
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 Retrieved25 January ,2007 . ]Other Bohol provincial symbols
While the
Philippines has its national bird (the "Agila" or thePhilippine 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. TheBlood 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 andMiguel López de Legazpi , and behind that are shown the world famousChocolate Hills . The lone star in the top left is to honourCarlos 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 theDagohoy 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 calledBohol Islands from the "Looking Back" album (2007).
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