CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS DIE HARD; they are cultivated and nurtured, not severed and laid to waste. This is the kind of tie that binds the Province of Bohol and the People’s Republic of China, which started centuries ago between our Filipino forefathers and the Chinese traders who came to our shores. To prove this, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto warmly welcomed Her Excellency, Ambassador Ma Keqing and her delegation, to the Province of Bohol yesterday. Her Excellency Ma Keqing is the People’s Republic of China’s newly-installed Ambassador to the Philippines. The Chinese Ambassador and her party were accorded due honors upon their arrival at the Tagbilaran City Airport and were then warmly received in the People’s Mansion, now Bohol Tourism Center, by Gov. Chatto and his ever-lovely and supportive wife, Pureza, Cong. Rene Relampagos of the First Congressional District, Social Economic and Environmental Management (SEEM) Cluster Head Liza Quirog, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II, Board Member Benjie Arcamo and the Provincial Government of Bohol’s (PGBh) Heads of Offices.

Gov. Chatto personally handed over the Symbolic Key to the Province of Bohol to Amb. Ma Keqing, who in turn presented a token of appreciation to the governor, in behalf of our Chinese brothers. The Chinese delegation was treated to a sumptuous lunch showcasing Boholano delicacies hosted by the Chatto-Lim Administration while listening to a repertoire of songs by the famous Holy Name University (HNU) Chorale. During lunch, Gov. Chatto and our guests not only exchanged pleasantries but also talked about Chinese and Filipino Cultures and how the two are different from, yet similar with, each other. Their conversation soon managed to concentrate on tourism where Rivers Loboc and Abatan were prominently discussed, especially one another’s attributes and contributions to Bohol’s tourism industry. “In tourism, what is important is highlighting what is natural,” Gov. Chatto proudly informed our guests.

Chatto added that “Loboc and Abatan Rivers are differently packaged despite their many similarities to significantly avoid and eliminate competition altogether.” And “in Bohol, our promotion runs like this: ‘Come to Bohol; it is the Heart of the Islands, truly Philippines,’” Gov. Chatto delightedly informed our guests. Amb. Ma Keqing and party will be staying in our island province until Monday, where they will visit not only our tourism sites but also, they will be gracing several gatherings of different sectors. On Monday in fact, HE Ma Keqing will speak before university students, professors and staff from different schools at the Bohol Cultural Center on new Chinese national leadership and China foreign relations and policies. On Monday night, their last night in Bohol, a Fellowship Dinner will be hosted by the PGBh at the Bohol Tropics Resort which will be quite an unforgettable one for the Chinese Ambassador and her party for it will be attended by top government officials, church leaders, heads of the academe, the military and other sectors. “On their last night in Bohol, our Chinese friends will be treated to a night of cultural performances and a toast of friendship will be participated in by everyone. This is to show them our rich heritage and what true-blooded Boholanos are made of,” Gov. Chatto proudly told everyone. (jlv/EDCom)