So Baba is not just the nickname of City Councillor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap. If so, then he’s no longer a name but soon a brand if not a legend. The branding of Baba Yap caught the fancy of the curious as Baba has metamorphosed into “Building Acting Barangay Advocacy”. Launched in Taloto, the councillor’s namesake was all over the place, with the event replete with all the trappings of Baba’s political plans in the future. Although the young alderman is coy about any political plan in the future, the buzz is that he was trying to bring city hall services right in the doorstep of the grassroots. Whatever that means, it’s all up to Baba to go for it, if indeed he is right for the picking of whatever political ambition he has in mind. Meantime, the curiosity seekers can keep on guessing what he is up to.

Barangay folk availed of the various services as the young leader’s “Building an Active Barangay Advocacy” made its debut caravan there on February 25. Yap is one city hall figure whose deeds do the talking. His BABA has provided Tagbilaran an active synonym to the province’s HEAT Caravan, a service delivery craze introduced by Bohol’s prized leader, Gov. Edgar Chatto, according to city constituents. BABA services included medical care, sports clinic, free notary and legal counselling, livelihood training, tanod capability enhancement and even animal or veterinary care thru dog vaccination. Taloto residents availed of free blood pressure, sugar and dental check-ups as well as mother-child care and special child therapy services. Children also got free slippers thru BABA’s Tsinelas Program as they were entertained in games. There were sports clinics in basketball, zumba, taekwondo, karatedo and arnis.

Livelihood trainings involved backyard gardening for which seedlings were dispersed, hog raising, and even architectural consultation and game cock seminar. Tanod enhancement services included seminar on basic self defense, basic training on life support and first aids, and disaster preparedness training. Further, BABA offered free manicure and pedicure, haircut and “koto” booth, cellphone repair, family portrait and photo booth special services. There were exciting activities such as Sayaw sa Barangay 2012 or barangay dance contest and raffle draw dubbed the Oras-Oras Barangay Pabuenas. Yap thanked the support of the provincial government under Chatto, including Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio and capitol executive assistant Anthony “Anggong” Damalerio, Taloto barangay council led by captain Faro Cabalit, JCI Bohol Jaycees led by its president, lawyer Bryan Gaviola, APO Fraternity & Sorority headed by its president, LJ Lumayag, and Bohol Motorists Club led by Jerry Cervas.

He likewise thanked the support of the legal team of lawyers Adam Relson Jala, who is a former Third District congressman, Warren Jeffrey Yap, Bryan Gaviola and Carlo carandang. Yap deeply appreciated the medical team composed of eight doctors and dentists as well as 20 nurses. Thru the provincial administrator, the TaRSIER 117, which is the province’s quick emergency response system, also assisted in the service mission. The BABA launching in Taloto started in a holy mass which was followed by a motorcade to the service booths where grateful barangay people felt their closeness with the government. Compared by his circle of close peers and fellow government men to a still water that runs deep, Yap, a promising city leader, vowed to sustain his advocacy toward empowering the grassroot sector. Already, Yap has earned the respect and admiration not just of his generation who has foreseen him on heavier, more challenging duty to his city. (Ven rebo Arigo)