THE FATHER OF TBTK

The Boholano is the envy among Filipinos. He is simple, hardworking, hospitable, and he values his roots as if it is the essence of his existence. Compared to his brothers and sisters from the other islands who search for some greener pastures abroad and forget where they come from, the Boholano never cuts his umbilical cord from the land of his birth. Wherever he goes, even criss-crossing the globe and finding material luxury somewhere, he always comes home to the comfort of his family and friends. It is a burning instinct not duplicated anywhere else.

It is this homing instinct that brought about TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan), a reunion of Boholanos all over the world every three years. The first international gathering was made in 1999, as a part of the annual Sandugo Celebration. TBTK 2003 is the second. The third concludes this week. If there is somebody who can be credited for this great undertaking, he would be Dr. Nick Lopez, although he refuses to admit that credit is his alone.Dr. Lopez acknowledges that every Boholano abroad, or even those in the other provinces and cities of the Philippines , always wants to help his province and provincemates, in whatever way he can. He also admits that, although the means differ, the noble purpose of giving a helping hand is the pivotal inspiration. Every Boholano loves Bohol .

Christened Nicanor Kamantigue Lopez, Nick was born in Loon, Bohol . His father was Rosendo Torrefranca Lopez, a law graduate from Loon. His mother was Cecilia Kamantigue, a teacher from Imus, Cavite . They are ten children in the family, all of them professionals and successful in their fields of endeavor. Fe L. Pernia finished BSC at USC, and retired after years of working at PNB. Esperanza L. Relampagos has a Master's Degree and once headed the local SSS office, and is the mother of former Governor Rene L. Relampagos. Rosendo finished his degree in Medicine from Manila Central University , the father of Mayor Cesar Lopez, and was once Mayor of Loon. Caridad L. Nazareno finished a course in Education, and retired from BIR. Josefina L. Paña has a degree in Education, and worked with the PCSO, Natividad L. Cartagenas is another retired teacher. Inocentes is a top-notch lawyer, who was once a Regional Director of the Comelec, and Provincial Attorney of Bohol. Bienvenida L. Gaviola is a Pharmacist who worked with NSDB, Manila . Nick is second to the youngest, Alfia L. Borromeo, a BSE-HE graduate from PWU,who was once a Social Worker in Dumaguete, who is now based in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Nick Lopez is married to Estela Sullano a Nurse from the Velez School of Nursing. They have four children, all of them practicing their own professions. The eldest, Christian, earned his Doctor of Medicine from Temple University . He is presently a Cardiology Resident Physician at the Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago . Chris Stephen finished his BSBA on International Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh , and now works at Deutch Bank, Jersey City . John Christopher has a BS in International Business from the University of Villanova , Pennsylvania , and is now connected with Waahobia Bank in North Carolina . The youngest is Christine, who finished BS in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania , and is now working in Lippencot Publishing House, Pennsylvania .

Nick Lopez commenced his formal education at the Loon Central Elementary School . He enrolled at the Sacred Heart Academy , also of Loon, for his secondary education, after which he took a Liberal Arts course at the Divine Word College . After only one semester he transferred to the University of San Carlos for his Pre-Medical course, where he stayed for only a year. He went to Manila and finished his Pre-Medical course at the Far Eastern University. He also finished his medical degree in the same University. After passing the Medical Board Examination, and a stint at the V. Luna Hospital, he went to Surigao City , where he was Resident Physician in Surgery at the Surigao Provincial Hospital .It was in the land of promise where he met and fall in love with Estefa Sullano. The beauty from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur became the reason for his relinquishing his single-blessedness. They got married in 1972.

A Doctor-Nurse combination could be ideal, especially in the American setting and, in the case of Nick and Fanie leaving, the country was a decision fraught with gargantuan uncertainties. She left ahead and he followed six months later, leaving behind Christian, then only one-and-a-half years old, and Chris Stephen who was barely six months, to his sister, Mrs. Esperanza Relampagos, in Tagbilaran. Sacrifices had to be made for self-development both economically and professionally. Their first years there were never a bed of roses. She had to pass the State Board Exam. For lack of time and some financial constraints, he had no other option but made a one-year self-review for the Educational Council of Foreign Medical Graduates. An internship at the Catholic Mercy Medical Center followed. But the first great prize both enjoyed was the reunion with their two sons. For three years he was Resident Physician of the Catholic Mercy Medical Center in Philadelphia . For 22 long years he was Emergency Room Specialist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania Hospitals . He is the PRO of the Filipino Doctors Association of Philadelphia, and member of the American College of Emergency Physicians. His wife Fanie is a Head Nurse at Nazareth Hospital , Philadelphia . A friend calls him a Doctor educated and trained in America , who knows his original roots. He is a Filipino; Boholano by blood, in heart and soul.

Then came another turning point, when he was elected fourth President of CONBUSAC (Confederation of Boholanos in USA and Canada ), and the only one who was reelected to the same position. When he took over the reins of the organization the membership increased from 9 to 29 associations. It was during his first term that he realized that all Boholanos want to give back to their native province anything good, although the ways and reasons may differ. He put up a newsletter (Ang Bol-anon) to promote cohesiveness. Conbusac ventured into its first medical mission, with Dr. Ramie Cadag and Dr. Pepe Recitas among the prime movers. This mission became an annual event, one of the best gifts received by Boholanos from Boholanos abroad. The distribution of used clothings (85 boxes during the initial stage) is a continuing project, aside from the 13 brand new computers given to public schools.In the Conbusac Convention in Houston , Texas in 1997 the Confederation invited some Boholano government officials to the affair. It was in the gathering that the proposal to hold a convention in Bohol was conceptualized and approved by the Council of Leaders. TBTK (Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan) was born, and it took its first stride in Tagbilaran City and Bohol Province in 1999.

Four years later TBTK 2003 was in full swing. More have joined the homecoming, more meaningful activities were lined up, and more significant ideas to make it better had been envisioned. No less than Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon believes that the movement should be duplicated nationwide. This is not a one-man-job, but a concerted effort to preserve Boholano culture and solidarity. Nor is it flaunted as an end-all movement as there may be some who are not yet attuned to its novelty. But the seed has been planted 10 years ago. It has germinated now and it is growing fast. The third TBTK has more participants; even the Boholanos in Mindanao are presently enjoying the fruits Dr. Lopez had sown. There are many who could be credited to this magnificent movement, but there is only one father to a child. The father of TBTK is Dr. Nick Lopez.

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