More than 5,000 leaders from the 19 towns of the third district thronged the Loboc gym Monday night to share the celebration in advance of the 50th birthday of Congressman Arthur Yap.
Toning up the show of force in the jam-packed Loboc gym were Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice-Gov. Concepcion Lim, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II, Provincial Board Member Elpidio Jala; candidates for Provincial Board Member—Sancho Bernales and Alexi Tutor; Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president Albert Uy; Senior Citizens Federated president Melchor Daniel, DPWH 3rd Engineering District Head Aramis Torrefranca; and municipal leaders from the 19 towns.
Around 3,500 managed to be inside the gym, while around 2,000 stayed up outside just to express support to the congressman without complaining.
Hide original message
Chatto said he has been impressed at how Yap managed his time to be able to visit all the 436 barangays in the 19 towns of third district in his first term, and facilitated projects in all the areas.
The vice governor, for her part, said it also impressed her how Yap has chosen to become a Boholano and touched the hearts of the people.
In his message, Yap expressed that he shared his 50th birthday to the people to be one in thanking God for the blessings.
Yap announced then that he brought the famous Aegis band to entertain them as a surprise gift, not for himself, but to the people who stood by him and gave him reason to work hard in Congress—draft laws to benefit the people and funnel projects for the barangays and municipalities of his district.
The congressman also expressed how the lives of the people in the barangays he visited inspired him to aspire to advance to a third term and finish all the projects and programs that they had started in the spirit of unity.
In return for such inspiration, he had to sacrifice quality time for his family.
On this, he thanked his wife and children for understanding and his wife’s clan in Bohol for support, and for making Bohol a home to cherish, for which he intends to leave a legacy of service that the people will continue to benefit even beyond his life.
A representative of the beneficiaries of the Balay Bol-anon core shelter project of Rebuild Bohol Foundation, that Yap formed for the earthquake victims who lost their homes, came up on stage to express gratitude to the congressman.
Other beneficiaries of the scholarship program and medical assistance also showed up as their testimonies were featured in the video presentation during the program.
Yap’s wife, Carol, and mother-in-law, Annie Varquez-Gow represented the family.
Loboc mayoralty candidate Artemio Delfin and vice mayoralty candidate Erwin Baquial, together with their SB slate led hundreds of the host group.
Leading the delegation from Batuan were mayoralty candidate Antonio Jumawid, vice mayoralty candidate Marcelino Sumampong and the Sangguniang Bayan members in the slate.
The Sevilla group were led by incumbent Mayor Ernesita Digal and incumbent Vice-Mayor Emily Dagaang and SB members.
Dimiao incumbent Vice-Mayor Jimmy Balbon, Valencia Mayor Katrina Lim and Vice-Mayor Jorge Buslon, and Bilar Mayor Norman Palacio and Vice Mayor Arnold Calamba were on travel but sent their delegation.
Dimiao mayoralty candidate Gilberto Lagua, vice mayoralty candidate Russel Yecyec and SB slate led their group.
Thousands in the crowd came from Anda, led by incumbent Mayor Metodio Amper, vice mayoralty candidate Vicente Tinio and SB members; Candijay, led by incumbent Mayor Christopher Tutor, Vice-Mayor Jesse Sales and SB members; Mabini, led by mayoralty candidate Jun Jayoma, vice mayoralty candidate Crispina Vergara and SB members; Alicia, led by incumbent Mayor Marnilou Ayuban, Vice-Mayor Basilio Balahay Jr., vice mayoralty candidate Victor Torres and SB members; Pilar, led by mayoralty candidate, now Vice-Mayor Wilson Pajo and vice mayoralty candidate Wilfredo Bernante and SB members; Sierra Bullones, led by mayoralty candidate, now Vice-Mayor Alfredo Gamalo, vice mayoralty candidate Fredo Buslon and SB members; Carmen, led by mayoralty candidate, now Vice-Mayor Pedro Budiongan Jr., vice mayoralty candidate Romeo Bigay and SB slate; Loay, led by mayoralty candidate Jescelo Adiong, vice mayoralty candidate Hermes Entero and SB slate; Lila, led by incumbent Mayor Regina Salazar, incumbent Vice-Mayor Frederick Raut, party bets Jed Piollo and Alfonso Lim and SB members; Garcia-Hernandez, led by mayoralty candidate, former mayor Miguelito Galendez, vice mayoralty candidate Lito Dajalos and SB slate; Jagna, led by incumbent Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and Vice Mayor Bonifacio Virtudez Jr. and SB Members; and Duero, led by Mayor Conrada Amparo; Guindulman, led by mayoralty candidate Elpidio Bonita and vice mayoralty candidate Abigail Gutang and SB slate.