Proem

To be self-centered is to be inward looking, self-interested, or self-seeking. It means that Boholanos are now trying to assert a behavior that focuses on their self-interest.

Old Boholano Trait

Boholanos are known to be hospitable. They would give the best room in the house, the best food, or the best of everything to their visitors. The common folktale is about a family that serves fried chicken to the visitor while the members of the family dined on salted fish. This attitude is now slowly changing.

Tourism Industry

Ever since the emphasis on the tourism industry in Bohol, the self-centered behavior of Boholanos has emerged. The mentality of what can we get out of these tourists have emerged. Many Boholanos have now learned how to cash-in on tourism.

Whereas before, it was all expenses to the Boholano host and the visitors make all the enjoyment; nowadays the Boholano will just facilitate the movements of the visitors and let them pay their own way. This was an unthinkable idea up to the 1970s, but now it is very common even though there are still Boholanos who do not want their visitors to spend anything.

Spread To Other Aspects

In the 1960s, after we played basketball, we could go to any house or store and ask for drinking water. We could drink our fill to quench our thirst free of charge. Nowadays, the drinking water is already for sale.

Whereas before, the "palihog" was very common, nowadays it is practically gone. If parents have a son/daughter studying in Cebu or Manila, and someone is going there, the parents could request or palihog that money, food, etc. be brought along to be given to the son/daughter in Cebu or Manila. The person requested will go out of his way to deliver the goods to the son/daughter without pay. During that time, paying the palihog was unthinkable. Nowadays, if the palihog is done, the person must be compensated.

In former times when barrio headmen were still called Teniente del Barrio (Barrio Lieutenant) they usually call a hungos or gala to do public service work such as cleaning or repairing the road. The barrio was well cared even without expenses. When the Teniente del Barrio became Barangay Captain and became salaried together with his council, the attitude of the people changed. The barrio folks would no longer gather for a hungos. Why would they do it for free when the Barangay Captain and council are receiving salaries? Nowadays, the barangay or barrio could not be maintained without any expense.

Caveat

Cultural practices always change. My only caveat or warning is, the giving of money during elections. It was introduced in Bohol during the 1930 election. Only the voters who could not write properly were quartered and taught to write the names of the candidates. The price was P2. Nowadays, when voters are quartered, the price will be very high. Why can't we eliminate this undesirable social behavior?