Time there was when the names of President Carlos P. Garcia, the famous Chocolate Hills and the fabled Panglao beaches were the only ones that made Bohol a conversational piece.

No longer, it would seem.

For there appears to be a new wave of Boholano stars in the fields of sports and the arts that have lighted up the stadium for the world to see.

In the world of sports, the boxing world has seen the rise of the heir apparent of Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao in the person of Boholano Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista. It is not just this editorial's opinion.

No less than Freddie Roach, the boxing trainor who had reshaped "The Pacman" into a mean fighting machine also thinks so. "Boom Boom" Bautista, the reigning World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific Bantamweight champion and No. 1 ranked contender for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) trained under the Wild Card Gym of Roach and scored a sensational third round knockout of veteran Columbian Felix Flores Murillo last September 20 in Los Angeles to annex the crown.

Bautista later survived a second round knock down to impose a one-sided victory against hard-hitting but outclassed Mexican Gerardo Espinosa. He is now undefeated in 19 fights.

Freddie Roach, world renowned boxing trainor says of Bautista: "I love the kid (Bautista). He reminds me of Manny Pacquiao. Young, baby face but a killer inside the ring. He wants to hurt people."

"Bautista has the same kind of charism as Manny. He's got a good smile and is very likeable. In his two fights in America, the Americans loved him," Roach said.

Bautista will fight on May 20 in the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera's WBC Super Featherweight title defense against fellow Mexican Rocky Juarez at the staples center in Los Angeles City.

"Boom Boom" will face dangerous Nicaraguan Robert "El Chucky" Bonilla in a 10-round non-title boxing match.

Reigning WBO super featherweight King is Boholano pugilist Cezar Amonsot who will fight on May 12 after he won the crown over Mexican Christian Favela, then won a unanimous decision over Thailands Decho Bankluaygym in Mandaue City. Also fighting in the May 12 American slugfest is another promising Boholano, Atong Denoy.

The three Bautista, Amonsot and Denoy are expected to bring fresh laurels to the Philippine boxing collection record. Manny promoters in America are scouting for Filipino world-class boxers and are arranging "Fight Nights" of Filipinos against Mexicans and Puerto Ricans.

On the other hand, in the field of international ballroom dancing which is now considered a major sporting event (at least in the SEA Games), Boholano pair Jonathan Cajes Reyson and Cherrel Justiniani Deiparine had won at least two world-class dancing events: Champion in 2005: Singapore World Dance Sport Competition representing the Philippines and the champion in Latin category, World Dance Masters Competition besting 104 other couple-finalists from all over the world. Both used to be members of the University of Bohol Dance Troupe.

Of course we all know now that Panglao's pretty daughter Ana Mariz Arcay Igpit became Binibining Pilipinas World 2006. Cesar Montano, meantime, the versatile Baclayon-based actor has gathered major local and international awards in the field of acting and directing films. And so had Jerome Sala honored Pilar town and the province of Bohol by romping away with the coveted - rather unexpectedly, in the "Star in a Million" of ABS-CBN.

There are other stories of Boholano talents that will surely, someday, join the distinguished list of achievers as Boholanos National Artist Napoleon Abueva, renowned multi-awarded director Maryo de los Reyes and novelty singing great Yoyoy Villame.

The meteoric rise of Bohol as a tourism gem and most preferred destination of tourists today came about the same time that Boholanos today are marking their names over their rivals in their respective fields of excellence.

We can only welcome such developments with a proud sigh - our time has come. Viva Bohol! The Renaissance - Bohol style has begun!

May the winners' tribe increase!