THE Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac) will expand its ongoing artificial insemination (AI) and livestock dispersal projects in Bohol. Reelected Conbusac President Carlos Cagaanan and Gov. Erico Aumentado signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) outlining their responsibilities in the expanded projects during the recently concluded rodeo and horse show the highlights of the celebration of July as Sandugo Month – at the Pres. CPG Multi-Purpose Complex in Tagbilaran City. The MOA formalizes the expansion plans hatched during Conbusac's “Sleepless in Seattle ” 13th biennial convention at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington State in the United States in early July. As convention speaker, Aumentado reported the successes of the ongoing AI and livestock dispersal projects as well as updates on the establishment of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team in Bohol using the convergence strategy with Conbusac. Proud of the successes and moved by the PowerPoint Presentation showing a farmer shedding tears of joy on receiving his first and very own carabao – for keeps –the confederation members began pledging more financial assistance in order to help their ‘sanos back home.

In his message for the convention souvenir program, Aumentado had said the carabao is a valuable and essential farm input that, more often than not, spells the difference between a farmer's being dirt poor and economically empowered. With Conbusac's donations, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, provincial veterinarian, procured AI equipment and materials like liquid nitrogen tanks and thermos bottles to keep carabao and goat semen in, as well as motorcycles to bring the technicians even to Bohol 's remotest barangays to do the procedure and to monitor the twin projects. Lapiz said the AI fast-tracked the dispersal project, catapulting Bohol to the top in Central Visayas and third nationwide in 2007 – and improving – where livestock production is concerned. With the provincial government's and Conbusac's responsibilities in the expanded project laid out, Cagaanan and Nat Calacat, president of the Bohol Association of Washington State (Boawas) requested the province to open a trust fund account for them to course through donations they can solicit. Aumentado readily did so, just like the SWAT account. To note, Conbusac has just completed depositing last month to this account their commitment of P1 million as counterpart for the project. The amount will be used to procure Ferfrance assault rifles, an M-14 conversion kit with scope, uniforms with boots and cap, bulletproof vests with compartments for special gadgets and spare ammunition, among others.

Dispersal

Meanwhile, Cagaanan and his wife Mely who is vice president of BOAWAS, Miss Conbusac 2009-2011 Gwynne Masalta and her father Silvino of Cabilao Island in Loon town who now reside in Houston, Texas and other Conbusac members trooped to Barangay Del Monte in Alicia and Candabong in Anda two days before the rodeo to distribute 20 carabaos to as many families. Although born in Houston , Gwynne speaks fluent Boholano – complete with that distinct Loon accent. She wowed the farmers in Alicia by singing the Visayan ballad Matud Nila to the accompaniment of an old guitar. Mayor Pedro Miasco followed suit with a kuradang number that prompted Calacat and Bohol First Lady Peregrina Aumentado to dance to the lively tune – completing Masalta's immersion into Boholano culture for the day – including travel across rough barangay roads not included in the fully concreted Bohol Circumferential Road .

Rodeo winners

Meanwhile, winners of the 1st Gov. Aumentado Rodeo and Horse Show Cup, the main feature of the 1st Bohol Livestock Partners' Congress, romped away with a total of P73,000 in prizes. Mabini town was overall winner in the rodeo events that included calf wrestling, calf lassoing on foot and on horseback, among others. Runners up were Catigbian, Ubay and Inabanga towns. On the other hand, the horse show competition winners are the L. Sumampong Horseback Riding of Loboc town owned by Veronica Eleazar; Camp Equine of Dr. Rafael Bacalla, newly inducted Bohol Horse Club (BHC) president, and the Getafe Riding Stable of William Torrefiel. Some of the rodeo events were participated in by women. On the other hand, women riders also competed in the barrel race of the horse show. Aumentado also inducted the pioneering set of officers of the BHC and did a cowboy's job that day – branding a calf. Lapiz said organized only this year, Bohol 's horse riders are nevertheless members of horse clubs in nearby Cebu and are even winners in national events. Lapiz said rains did not dampen the day's festive mood. The rodeo and horse show gathered some 3,000 Bohol Livestock Aides (Bala) for their congress that day, some people's organizations, the events participants and the spectators that filled the bleachers and grandstands. The crowd included stable owners and horse fans from Cebu.