After the TBTK, what's next?

AFTER the fanfare of the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) died down, the next question that springs to mind is, what's next? With three Bohol hosting attempts, this year's organizers have finally agreed that the global gathering of Boholanos has finally found its name. And a place it can rightfully call home.

This year's TBTK has committed to a mission, says elected TBTK Chair, Maria Elizabeth Veloso-Garcia. In an e-mail to the Post, Veloso-Garcia said the gathering of Boholanos from around the world will continue to promote Bohol 's tourism industry. More than that, TBTK will also serve as the marketing arm to promote Bohol .

The commitment popped despite a typically Boholano heated passion for position that marred the otherwise generally successful reunion of sorts. The Post earlier reported that the capping elections for TBTK 2009 turned from bad to worse. The chaotic election left everything hanging including an extended term for the chair, pending elections. Incepted in 1999, TBTK attempted to do the seemingly impossible. It aimed to cause Bohol to “sink an inch” capitalizing on the expatriates heeding the primeval call for home.

The reunion also becomes a venue for locally prioritized projects to be seen and committed for funding by successful expatriates, via the investment forum. Staggering to set up parameters for the gathering, organizers met and connected by burning lines, exchanging mails, passing gossip and patting everyone's back for that zap of power. There is just one big push about inviting Boholanos to the gathering, early organizers shared to the Post. “Most are fueled by the primeval call for home, propelled by the longing to touch base and anchored finally by the embrace of kin and friends,” they said. This has also made up the essence of a big brotherhood of extremely patriotic people called Boholanos.

In 2003, the second TBTK was molded but no quite. Activities need to be honed well, schedules to be streamlined to assure the widest of participation, but then, there was just one willing to take the lead to make things happen. Things looked promisingly well with Veloso-Garcia devoting her time and energies for the organization and orchestration of seemingly irrelevant activities. And when the big days came, all fell into place.

This year, officially the third TBTK finally rolled into gear with that same jolly old feeling of reunion, reaffirming familial ties, strengthening bonds with loved ones, reliving the fleeting past and basking in the pleasure of country-living. TBTK, the ‘transplanted” Confederation of Boholanos in the US and Canada (CONBUSAC) gatherings used to be hosted by Boholano organizations in the US and Canada .

Now, in Bohol , it has become a convenient reason for Boholanos and their family friends to tag along. In her election in 2003, Veloso-Garcia drew a plan to get as many groups to hold their functions in Bohol in time for the global gathering. Indeed, three years after, the TBTK reunions exceeded what was expected, she shares to the Post. Then, Boholanos have found another reason to gaze back home: TBTK 2009.

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