By: Rey Anthony Chiu

In case you may be wondering where Frony, the 165 kilo python has wandered, wonder no more. From its home in Upper Santa Filomena, Alburquerque Bohol, the lovable snake that has grown to an abnormally large size, has settled in a newer cage along the highway in Laya, Baclayon. Forced out of Alburquerque due to an operational problem with business permits, Paradise Python, the commercial name for Frony now finds a new home in nearby Baclayon. Pythons like Frony belong to the constrictor family which are non-poisonous but deadly when threatened. By constrictor, this means that they will practically squeeze the life out of their prey as they tighten up their coil every time their prey breathes. This also means that constrictors only stop constricting until every bone in its prey has been creaked or broken so it can be swallowed whole without sticking in the mouth. On the positive side of things, this puts the constricting snake temptingly close to the tourism circuits which pass on tour transport not a hundred meters from the highway. This development also augers well for Mayor Alvin Uy.

In an interview last week, Mayor Uy clarified that they did not offer for the python’s new site. Other than Frony, which is the site’s main attraction, the new site in Laya also features Bohol’s endemic wild cats: The Malay civet cat, Philippine mongoose and a soon to be put up flying lemur. The site has also a cage for Brahminy Kite, Green Heron, hornbill, crakes and rails and a few orioles. Relocated since this week, the place has still to put up its wildlife permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The lawyer mayor whose family owns a fleet of passenger buses, said that the python in his town can add up to the come-ons for his town, which has been pegged in the tourism map of Bohol for the centuries-old Baclayon Church and its antique laden museum, the eco-tourism dolphin watching in Pamilacan Island, the heritage homes at the Poblacion, the buggy rides and the unforgettable broas or lady fingers and Aproniana Gift shop which has in itself a tourist destination.

He also admitted that it was the owner of the country’s largest and longest python in captivity who requested for a business permit after they have arranged for the lot owners of the new site beside Coco Palms Resort in Laya to be Frony’s new home. It may be recalled that Alburquerque town mayor Efren Tungol has aired his problem with the operation of the python facility in Upper Sta. Fe, Albur due to the failure of the owners to register its businesses that cater to tourists visiting the python facility. Frony owner Eugenio Salibay however accuses the town official of pressuring him to exact political vengeance.