We had the opportunity to join the opening ceremonies of the 21st national annual convention of the Speech Communication Organization of the Philippines (SCOP) last Thursday afternoon at the Bohol Tropics Resort this city.

Dr. Claire Z. Manalo of Centrol Escolar University is the incumbent president of SCOP composed mostly of English teachers from schools all over the country including speech enthusiasts like student leaders.

The SCOP convention, which banners the theme: "The Art of Management Through Speech Communication" ends today. More than 100 SCOP members and participants joined the national gathering.

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A jubilant Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, accompanied by his manager, Tony Aldeguer, arrived here yesterday morning with a rousing welcome accorded by the city government through his sponsor and benefactor, City Mayor Dan Neri Lim.

We observed the growing number of fans and supporters both from Bohol and the rest of the country that the Bohol's promising pugilist is having right now and we are happy for him.

But his father, Alberto and mother, Susan, are starting to feel the discomfort of having a son who is now in the national, if not international, limelight in the world of boxing. It's a matter of handling a growing success.

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We are now ready to bestow Boom Boom the honor of being an adopted son of the City of Tagbilaran although he has been long considered as one by the present city hall leadership.

In other words, the resolution that we will sponsor during the regular session of the 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday will just be some sort of a formality. Tony Aldeguer is already an adopted son of Tagbilaran. There is no reason why his ward would not be.

Reports said that the Boom Boom's family is also moving from Can-olin, Candijay to this city to avoid further complications in their lives now that he is just two fights away from reaching the status of Manny Pacquiao.

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We wish Vice-Mayor Jas Montes a nice trip to Kuala Lumpur as she leaves for Manila today with other national officers of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines en route for that sojourn.

City Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso would be the acting city-vice mayor and shall preside over the regular session of the city council on Wednesday. Yours truly will be the acting majority floorleader again.

Montes is slated to be back on Friday yet.

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