"Unity especially amidst crisis" is an apropos term to characterize the ongoing events these days as we celebrate the 152nd Foundation Day of Bohol.

The unifying thread in the events is the renowned Boholano hospitality that is played out in the Sandugo celebration. This is a festive remembrance of a first recorded treaty of friendship between a Filipino chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who dramatized this friendship by drinking their mixed blood in one goblet as their armies roar in approval.

The happy street dancing that unleashes the freed spirit of oneness and unity among people will be shown in an exciting repertoire on the streets today. Witnesses to these will be the hundreds of Boholano balikbayans led by Betty Velosos-Garcia TBTK president and Ted Apalisok, president of the Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada and the various Bohol associations in other provinces including those in the Mindanao area.

Holding this grand reunion every three years is a trademark unique to the province of Bohol. The grand celebration has been highlighted not just by family and clan reunions but also those of schools notably that of the University of Bohol, the grand alumni homecoming of the Holy Name University, the Holy Spirit School, among many others.

This cemented social bonding among Boholanos has not escaped the attention of two tourism secretaries in Ace Durano (current ) and Dick Gordon (past). Both want these colorful, festive reunion days replicated in other provinces as well.

The well-attended Investment Forum yesterday likewise indicated that the province is turning from a kitten to tiger economy with local and foreign investors opening their eyes to the real dynamics of the Bohol economy. Particularly focused would be the giant leap forward for the tourism and agricultural sectors.

And as if on cue, Bohol appears to have gone through a Renaissance of excellence among its people - one of the province's prime resources. In the world of boxing we have the heir apparent of Manny Pacquiao in Rey Boom-Boom Bautista and promising fighter Cezar Amosot. Everyone knows the multi-awarded director actor Cesar Montano hails from Baclayon and that we have produced a Binibining Pilipinas-World beauty titlist in Anna Mariz Igpit who is from Panglao.

Fr Tony Pernia, SVD is the congregation's reelected Superior General, the first Asian to don the role. We certainly are not behind in the field of music - even casting aside the world famous Loboc Children's Choir for the moment. We have the ever-humble ABS-CBN Star-in-a-Million champ in Jerome Sala, and Luke Mejares, dubbed as the country's RnB king.

These ladies and gentlemen are our shining crown jewels to match the emergence of Bohol bannered by the beautiful Panglao Island and the Chocolate Hills as the country's prime tourist destination - eclipsing Palawan by a mile and posing a serious threat to the primacy claimed by the famed Boracay beaches.

Bohol is also literally walking along the corridors of power with Governor Rico Aumentado and Vice Governor Julius Herrera now the national presidents of the governors and the vice-governors league in the country. Aumentado is the unofficial "adviser on local governance " of President Arroyo, standing as he does as the president of the ULAP (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines). Romy Neri is the director of the powerful NEDA (National Economic Development Authority).

Even our congressmen are not mere pawns in the power game in the halls of Congress.

Rep. Edgar Chatto is chair of the Tourism Committee, Rep Eladio Jala of the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization and Rep. Roberto Cajes of the Committee on Ethics. And a number of Boholano generals are holding strategic posts within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Seretary Angelo Reyes of the powerful DENR is married to a Boholana in Tess Pernia of this city.

Not in a long time since President Carlos P. Garcia held the reins of power had Bohol enjoyed so much ascendancy in terms of power and direct access to the cellphone of the president of the Philippines.

As a city, Tagbilaran has been adjudged one of the 10 Investor-Friendly cities in the country under the stewardship of Mayor Dan Lim.

But the other side of the equation - the private sector - has not been wanting in lending shoulder-to-shoulder support to their public sector counterparts in lifting the province to unknown heights in development and recognition.

Indeed this strong bonded alliance of strengths - a rare occurrence in a naturally turbulent socio-political milieu in many parts of the Philippines - is the one engine that has been largely responsible for Bohol's 21st Century Renaissance Story.

It is a proud, glowing story to tell and retell.