“THE lady should be commended – not attacked!

Thus Gov. Erico Aumentado expressed support for Beatriz Susana “Bea Jr.” Zobel de Ayala, who has gone out of her way to help preserve Bohol 's foremost heritage and cultural sites and at the same time provide sustainable livelihood to the residents. Like the proverbial knight in shining armor, Aumentado came to the rescue after detractors, using the media, released a flurry of tirades referring to the Dauis Renaissance Project as alleged commercialization by an apparently unholy alliance. In her “love affair” with Bohol, Zobel and colleague, Joel Floro Uichico , and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. have been pushing for community livelihood projects focused on the three “E's” – entrepreneurship, environment and education – the three pillars of the corporate social responsibility program of the Ayala Group of Companies.

The executive summary submitted to Aumentado described the projects as “aimed to provide low-income families the opportunity to earn and maximize their potentials and actively contribute to the development of Bohol and the country as a whole.” Zobel and company focused on the province's “heritage treasures including its built heritage and local traditions in craftsmanship as well as its natural resources like marine sites, forests and caves – the best used as livelihood resources for their respective communities, if done in a sustainable manner.” The efforts however struck the wrong chord in some of the residents who perceive especially the project in Dauis as one for profit of the private sector at the expense of the church. These critics even went as far as campaigning against Zobel's projects.

But Aumentado, deeply religious and a devout Catholic, has seen the wisdom of the Zobel projects. He said the church has always been a partner in the development of the province. “In fact, it is one of the anchors of Team Bohol,” he said. It is but fitting that this rich cultural heritage developed from the time when Panglao Island was the center, if not, the seat of the Kingdom of Dapitan, and the people already exchanged culture and engaged in trading and commerce as evidenced by heirlooms or buried treasure of antiques including the celadon that are typical of the Ming Dynasty.

The Dauis Renaissance Project is not Zobel's or Bishop Leonardo Medroso's brainchild. Medroso is the bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. The possibilities have already been explored in the Assumpta Development Master Plan formulated by the leaders of the Parish Pastoral Council. The plan aimed to develop the church and convent complex into an area where the products and skills of the people can be catered and recognized by tourists and pilgrims, and thereby creating economic activities. “But when the final plan was released in 2006, it would cost the parish and the communities P70 million,” the executive summary read. Through a ground-breaking cooperation agreement signed by Zobel and Medroso, the Dauis Renaissance Project was set up to implement the Assumpta Development Master Plan where the church complex, aside from serving as the pilgrimage center, now doubles as a prime tourist spot with a heritage-themed banquet hall, a museum featuring the culture and tradition of the townsfolk, a modern heritage-inspire café, and a souvenir shop that proudly showcases their crafts and industry, the summary continued.

Another Zobel-assisted revival project is its colorful tradition of jewelry making to augment the income of the community. Dauis can easily be identified as a trading post. But Baclayon was the bigger settlement and the home of the Spaniards. Zobel has helped in restoring these centuries-old stone churches as well as residences that now cater to tourists as home-stays, cafes, and bed-and-breakfasts. This allows tourists to experience “authentic Boholano hospitality” – food included – and the proximity to the church and museum that houses relics including psalm books with the pages made of animal skin. At the same time, this opens self-employment opportunities for the residents who have undergone the necessary training courtesy of the foundation – and minor changes in the homes to include water heaters for the bath or shower and very clean restrooms. Tagbilaran, the present capital, used to be a part of Baclayon.

Aumentado lauds Zobel's preservation efforts. He also commends the help the foundation extended in providing the twist in the livelihood – and the lives – of former whale and dolphin hunters. The predators are now protectors of these marine creatures, knowing that the more of them frolicking in the waves augurs well for tourism. They have since converted their fishing boats into tour and dive boats after Zobel made available to them micro-finance loans. Tourism has also cut the need for Baclayon resident and even Pamilacan islanders to leave home to seek employment. Training from the foundation in the areas of catering services, massage services and souvenir making have made entrepreneurship and self-employment possible, with the add-on value of making the bond with the family even stronger.