“There is something exciting happening in Panglao Island.” So scream the buntings during the ground breaking of the newest addition to the tourism facility of Bohol in Panglao Island. Yes, indeed! The destruction brought by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol to the ground last October 15 may have slowed down tourist arrival to the province. But definitely it did not dampen its attractiveness to investors. Proof of that was yesterday's ground breaking of Phase 1 of Panglao Bay Hotel and Resort, another 5-star calibre facility at Doljo Point in Panglao, Bohol's tourism jewel island. Owned by Monorealty Inc., a leader in the construction business, and to be managed by Raintree Hospitality Group, Panglao Bay Hotel and Resort will rise in more than 20 hectares of prime part of Panglao Island at the Doljo point in Brgy. Doljo. The ground breaking of its Phase 1, aptly denominated as Modala, a leisure village, was presided yesterday morning by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and the leading promoters of Bohol's tourism industry – Cong. Rene L. Relampagos, 1st District of Bohol; Cong. Aris Aumentado, 2nd District; and Cong. Arthur Yap of the 3rd District and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan represented by Board Member Benjie Arcamo, chairman of the Committee on Tourism of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

According to Engr. Mendoza, they chose the name “Modala” for the phase 1 of the project because “Modala” in Visayan means to bring. Thus Phase 1 will bring the construction of more facilities to complete the whole plan and concept of the resort. It also means that the project will bring better livelihood opportunities to the local residents and bring more income in taxes and fees for the local government unit. It is also a name that encourages everyone to bring their families, friends to the facility to experience the unique flavour that Modala will bring to everyone who comes. Gov. Chatto and the three congressmen exulted Monorealty headed by Engr. Manuel Mendoza for a new concept in tourism industry and for setting a trend that could influence new locators to Bohol, especially Panglao. Modala is expected to be opened for business in the last quarter of 2015. According to Mendoza and Anabelle Wisniewski, President and CEO of Raintree Hospitality Group, Modala will be a leisure village that is an active lifestyle destination where one can enjoy fine white sand and lush greenery. Initially it will be a 47-room village with two levels of unique retail spaces.

Modala's design is clean and contemporary with a touch of local influence and located in a green and natural environment. Mendoza promised to retain all the trees and greenery to preserve the natural beauty that promises a great sea and ocean view at the same time. The experience will be something hard to forget. Gov. Chatto described it as a new tourism haven and real magnet for tourists and visitors. Congressmen Relampagos and Aumentado said it will be a project that will bring not only good fortune to the investors but also good life to the Boholanos as it would afford jobs for the local people. When completed, Modala will consist of these amenities: Welcome Pavilion, Lobby Lounge, Main Dining, Room Accommodations, Fitness Center & Spa, All ASEAN Type Restaurant, Rental Shops, Beauty Salon, Souvenir Shops, Adult/Kiddie Pool and Dive Pool, Ballroom with Pre-Function, and Business Center. Future phases of the planned development will feature more luxurious and exclusive boutique hotel properties and villas. Adjacent to these will be a Fisherman's Village that is an outdoor retail and restaurant complex providing spectacular views of the ocean and the islands beyond.

The Agora welcomes Modala and thanks it for what it promises to bring Boholanos to a better life in the future. NOTES. It is with extreme sadness and sympathy that the Agora extends to the family of Sunday Post Publisher -Founder, Ciriaco “Boy BG” Guingguing who passed away last week. Boy BG was not only the publisher of The Agora. He was a dear friend and kumpare for a long long time I could not recall when it started. We shared many things, especially principles that a media man must possess in order to give justice and meaning to the word “fourth estate.” We may not have agreed all the time on many issues but we respected each other's mind like true veteran chroniclers of truth and fairness. When both of us fell ill, he with problems in his kidney and me with myocardial infarction, we had the same one good Samaritan who extended financial help. God saw it fit to reward him ahead with eternal life, but that is to say that I, too, and the rest of all of us will have our time. Goodbye my friend and kumpare. May God send a thousand angels to escort you to the grandiose room He has already prepared for you. I will miss you. Your readers of the BGlante will miss you. Your radio listeners of Inyong Alagad will surely miss you, too.