Reflecting On A Family Reunion In A Tourism Favorite Island

This column was written by Mr. Boy Guingguing, publisher of Bohol Sunday Post

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So sorry again for indulging in a self-serving story-the kind that smacks of "hometown decision".

It may not interest those who were not a participant of the going out party we had just concluded. But at any rate, those belonging to the Buhion Clan which had just ended its three-day of fun, food, music and camaraderie had all the reasons to celebrate if only for its pompous billing as the "grandmother of all grand reunions".

Yes Kith, it was one reunion that go down in the history of family get-togethers as the most memorable and exciting, not to mention as the most elaborate and extravagant.

But hey!, make no mistake about it. By extravagant we don't mean lavish because clan members are a bunch of show-offs. Far from it. It was just that so many benevolent sponsors came our way to rescue us from possible financial dehydration.

Truth is, it was a collective effort of clan members in cooperation with our friends in media that made the reunion a successful one. Mind you, if we were left to fend off with our own resources, we would have been thousands of pesos poorer.

All told, this piece comes as a glowing tribute to all sponsors who made our reunion successful and an affair to remember even by the coming generation of the Buhion clan.

We know that until now-- from Zamboanga Sibugay to General Santos City, two of the many places where members of the clan are happily settled, our recent reunion was still the talk of the town.

One place that reaped ohs and ahs by our relatives was the Bohol Beach Club.

Touring the premier resort according to one clan member was like being transported to another world. Well, if you are an "alien" to BBC, it is possible that as a first timer one would react that way. Our profound thanks to our coffee crony Anos Fonacier for the free entrance and merienda courtesy of his famous beach resort.

Our relatives were also mesmerized by the ambiance and scenery of the Bohol Tropics Resort and Club. There, the whole Buhion caboodle were treated to a hearty lunch. Just do not ask this BGlante who foot the bill. You'll be shocked to know that the lunch cost P13,000.

Who would imagine that clan members (about 80 all including children) were assembled in one boat cruise for a sumptuous lunch courtesy of power couple Walter and Lourdes Sultan of Travel Village Resto and Cruises. The couple also provided the air conditioned bus that brought clan members to all the tourists attractions in Bohol.

Our special thanks also went to Mayor Theresa PM Camacho who provided Getafe's favorite, king's crabs while Mayor Stephen Rances of Mabini gave us bunches of blue crabs. Another seafood provider was Alo Jardenil who gave us several kilos of shrimps.

Two friends in media, Board Member Ae Damalerio and Boy Pernia of the Capitol media affairs also gave their share of the gargantuan task of feeding our relatives.

They gave one roasted pig each. Our special thanks also went to Mavil Lechon Baka for the delicious roasted calf.

If our reunion attracted so much attention in Baclayon, it was because of the spectacular fireworks display. If we remember right, only fiestas and other important occasions are replete with the spectacle of a fireworks explosion, but in the case of the Buhion clan it was one experience they can't forget in their lifetime.

Anyway, the Bohol homecoming for the Buhions started well and ended well. It was indeed a long way since Silvestre Buhion, our great grandfather and in whose honor the reunion was dedicated, lorded it over as one of the illustrious sons of Montana, Baclayon. At least two generations of the Buhions have produced nurses (one of them is Jean Buhion Real now in the States), his brother Oscar, a popular dance instructor and professor of the Dr. Cecilio Putong Memorial High School, a journalist (that's me, Kith), a flight stewardees, teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers and other money-making pursuits.