Former Boholano stars of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will bring the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok kalibutan (TBTK) in May to a rare hardcourt spectacle. Peter Naron, himself an ex-PBA cager, has started arranging their exciting participation to the grandest homecoming of Boholanos from around the world. This year’s TBTK, acclaimed by many as a phenomenon setting the trend for the provincial reunions in the country, will be held for the first time in Bohol’s fiesta month for which a record convergence of homecomers is expected. All past TBTKs, which started when Gov. Edgar Chatto was then a vice governor, were held here in the Sandugo month of July. Rep. Rene Relampagos was the governor during the first TBTK.

In this year’s first meeting led by TBTK overall coordinator and City Councilor Anne Mariquit Oppus, Naron mentioned such Boholano ex-PBA players as Rey Evangelista of Purefoods, Edgar Macaraya and Sandro Limpot of Sta. Lucia, Jemuel Torreon of Red Bull and Gilbert Dimape of Talk & Text. Oppus, meanwhile, reported that US-based TBTK chairperson Betty Veloso-Garcia is set to meet in Rome this month with a Boholana wife of an Italian who is a potential candidate for the Mrs. Bohol International, another TBTK highlight. Chatto, a brother-in-law of Garcia, wants the TBTK in May to be more successful and most tightening of the bonding among Boholanos considering its being done in the fiesta season of their home province. The presence of former PBA players can lead to a sports development program partnership with the provincial government.

The governor declared 2012 as a flag year for capitol linkages with different development program partners from local, national and international levels. Former professor Reinerio Augusto Real discussed with Naron the possibility of the rare exhibition game participation of former University of Bohol (UB) varsity players who had also played in the PBA and other major leagues in the country. Real represented to the TBTK meeting the alumni of UB, formerly the Rafael Palma College (RPC). Alumni associations of different schools reunite during the TBTK 2012, which for the first time will gather them in a grand inter-school homecoming itself. Naron asked the alumni groups to assist in locating other former Boholano players of PBA, the country’s only play-for pay league, and other major leagues in the country. There may also be current players of PBA and other leagues who have Bohol roots although this fact is unknown to many, Naron said. Naron’s brother, Edward, who is already abroad had likewise played in the PBA. The former PBA star will try to convince non-Boholano ex- PBA standout Nelson Asaytono, whose girlfriend is a Boholana, to play in the TBTK game set at the HNU gym.

The TBTK 2012 will officially start on May 8, a Tuesday, during which top TBTK organizers, including those based abroad, will be led by the governor in paying courtesy call on Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III at Malacañang. If plan does not miscarry, a festival of Boholano foods will run daily in a known Manila hotel probably a week before or after the TBTK to further promote the grandest homecoming of Boholanos. In the same TBTK meeting held at capitol on Thursday, Jimabil Magallano-Ramirez of the GreatMinds Leadership Academy announced the grand presentation of zarzuela Buhi sa Kanunay in Boholano setting on May 19 as a climax TBTK show. The meeting was also attended by Liza Flores of the governor’s Special Projects Unit; Rey Anthony Regis, Department of Trade and Industry; Evelyn Butalid, Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Enriqueta Butalid, Council for Culture and Arts Development; Marianito Jose Luspo, Holy Name University Cultural Office; Tibbs Bullecer, Jr., HNU Alumni Association, Basilides Cempron, Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School; and Maria Linda Namocatcat, DepEd and Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. Oppus got updates of the preparations for the rest of the majorTBTK activities which include the showcases of Boholano products and talents, Miss Bohol International, investment forum, and Ten Most Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) Awards. The Confederation of Boholanos in the USA and Canada (CONBUSAC), which biennial convention in Canada last year was keynoted by Chatto, will hold its mid-term meeting here during the TBTK. (Ven rebo Arigo)