Ballroom dancing was tops in the agenda as the Bohol Association of Metro Manila Inc., (BAMMI) kicked off its 2006 activities with The JB Band & BAMMI @ Captain's Bar last May 25 at Mandarin Oriental Manila.

Hosts for the evening were Ms. Ardy Batoy, BAMMI committee chair for public relations and media affairs and Bingo Dejaresco, Bohol Chronicle editor. In anticipation of a full house, the event was moved to the Grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental, turning it into The JB Band & BAMMI @ Mandarin Oriental. True enough, attendance exceeded the expectations of BAMMI officers, led by Mrs.Purita Soliven as chairperson, Atty. Bernie Calibo as president and Atty. Milet Adame, Mr. Boy Tadle, and Atty. Elmar Galacio as directors.

THE JB BAND and BAMMI at Mandarin Oriental on May 25, 2006. Photo shows (front row, l-r) Ardy Batoy, chair of BAMMI's committee on public relations and media affairs; Bingo Dejaresco, Bohol Chronicle editor; Jerome Sala; Atty. Bernie Calibo, BAMMI president; Purita Soliven, BAMMI chairperson; Tita Lapez (vice chairman, BAMMI's special project committee; Atty. Morina Cimagala, chief of staff, Office of the Governor; Sara Dejaresco, Pureza Chatto, Miss Bohol Interna- tional chairperson; Anna Mariz Igpit, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2006; Back row, l-r: Trumpeter/flutist Jimmy Perillo; keyboardist Earl Vaño; saxo- phonist Boboy Caido; keyboardist Sammy Moñiza; vocalist Efren Montes; lead guitarist Mike Agcaoili; vocalist J-Ann Talisic; drummer Alao Alcala; vocalist Don-don Mejia; band leader/bassist Boy Cabalit; percussionist Dingdong "Boogie" Pangindian. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The presence of many Boholanos who lent their support to the event is partly attributed to the revitalization of the town associations, which is also an ongoing project of BAMMI. Despite the month of May being fiesta month in Bohol and attracting hordes of Boholanos to trek back to their towns, a total of 15 of Bohol's 48 towns were represented in the Mandarin affair. Participating town association presidents and delegation heads included Mrs. Tita Lapez (Tagbilaran), Atty. Milet Adame (Valencia), Del Namoco (Dimido), Arnulfo Madelo (Garcia Hernandez),

The JB Band & BAMMI @ Mandarin Oriental was graced by a number of personalities considered the pride of Bohol, namely, Mrs. Pureza Chatto, wife of Congressman Edgar Chatto and chairperson of Miss Bohol International; Atty. Morina Cimagala, chief of staff of the governor's office; Ms. Anna Marie Igpit, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2006; and Jerome Sala, Star in a Million champion, who rendered a medley of Martin Nievera's hits. Atty. Jessica Tirol led the Boholanos who jammed with The JB.
The official candidates for the upcoming beauty and brains competition, Miss Bohol International, were also presented on Thursday. Mapuan Architecture student Cristine dela Cruz will represent BAMMI while CPA Cathy Biliran will banner the Association of Young Boholano Professionals (AYBP).

Surely, the Boholanos present at Mandarin Oriental shuffled their dancing feet as The JB Band of JB Music Studio & Management rendered a variety of ballroom music. This was to serve as catalyst for the bonding of BAMMI members during the affair.

BAMMI remains at the forefront as more events unfold for Boholanos. July 2006 marks Sandugo-TBTK 2006, awaited as the tourism super-event for the year. A grand celebration awaits Boholanos and tourists from July 18 to 31.

Sandugo is a yearly festival that commemorates the celebration of Datu Sikatuna's blood compact and alliance with Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi on March 16, 1565. The annual Sandugo festival is replete with colorful costumes and loud drum beats, street parades, church services, fireworks, beauty pageants, cockfighting tournaments and sport tournaments.

TBTK stands for Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan, the global homecoming of Boholanos from across the globe to their home province, observed every three years.

The combined Sandugo-TBTK festivities will be more celebratory as hundreds and thousands of people from around the Philippines are joined by balikbayan Boholanos on their triennial homecoming tour to their birth province.

For Boholanos in Metro Manila, all preparations and projects leading to TBTK and other events beyond it are being handled by BAMMI's special projects committee. Association president Calibo also chairs this committee, counting on members Mrs. Tita Lapez, Ms. Ardy Batoy, Mrs. Baby Luzano and Mr. Joseph Rañola. The committee has designated Rañola project director.

Working with project director Rañola to implement BAMMI's 2006 projects are Atty. Calibo and Mrs. Soliven (Selection/Screening & Awards Group), Mrs. Luzano and Mrs. Lapez (Finance & Marketing & Canvassing Group), Ms. Baby dela Cruz (Invitation, Reception & Registration Group), Engr. Afronio Ado (Printing & Souvenir Program Group), Engr. Pat Manlangit (Physical Arrangement, Decoration, Food & Beverage Group), and Ms. Olarte (Show & Presentation Production Group).

Before Boholanos head to Tagbilaran City for the main TBTK reunion-celebration, they will be welcomed by BAMMI in Metro Manila as they arrive from the USA, Canada, and other points of origin. BAMMI will also lead these balikbayans as they make a courtesy call on Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 18.

Highlights of the TBTK which count on BAMMI participation include the presentation and coronation ball of Mrs. Bohol International on July 21. Miss Bohol International will have its talent night on July 25, a motorcade on July 26 and the competition and coronation on July 28.

Again to provide the best of soul, pop and ballroom music, The JB Band is slated to perform in Sandugo-TBTK festivities to be held at the Colegio de la Medalla Milagrosa in Jagna on July 19 and at the University of Bohol College of Education on July 20. The band will also be featured guest during the July 21 coronation of Mrs. Bohol International and at the July 22 Bol-Anong Timbaya of the Tagbilaran city government.

Even with TBTK and Sandugo over, the merry-making will continue until December as BAMMI anoints the winners of popularity contest Miss BAMMI 2006 and completes the selection for the Search for Outstanding Boholanos in Metro Manila.

BAMMI's projects, which are designed to boost Bohol tourism, count on the cooperation of various Bohol town associations in Metro Manila and JB Music Studio and Management.

For more information or possible participation in Sandugo-TBTK and BAMMI activities, please contact: Atty. Bernie Calibo, President, Bohol Association of Metro Manila, Inc. (BAMMI), cell phone no. 0918-9119896; Ms. Ardy Batoy, Chair of BAMMI's Committee on Public Relations and Media Affairs, cell phone no. 0917-9889837; or Mr. Joseph Rañola, President, JB Music Studio and Management and Project Director, BAMMI's Special Projects Committee, cell phone no. 0921-4413850.