Month-long Ubi Fest ‘21 enters 7th day today

The month-long celebration of the Ubi Festival in the New Norm is on its seventh day today at the
Old City Airport, Tagbilaran City.
Gov. Art C. Yap formally opened the activities last Monday that would culminate on February 24,
2021.
At the opening program, Gov. Yap underscored the efforts of the Boholano Ubi growers of expanding
and sustaining the Ubi industry in Bohol.
Gov. Yap encouraged the farmers to produce more by tilling more Ubi areas as he acknowledged the
good harvest and high yield this season.
He said more production could be achieved if the Ubi growers would want to do the same way the
Advanced Rice Technology (ART) 160 (Hybrid Rice) and ART 120 (Inbred Rice) programs of the
provincial government.
Yap stressed that at first, the Boholano rice farmers believed that achieving the target of 160 sacks of
palay yield per hectare for hybrid rice and 120 sacks of palay yield/ hectare for inbred were remote and
impossible.
But he said during this harvest season, the barangay San Isidro in Talibon has registered a significant
record when there were farmers surpassed the targeted yield from 160 sacks per hectare for hybrid to 220
sacks while the targeted 120 sacks per hectare for inbred to 140 sacks.
The governor expressed high hope that the Ubi industry in Bohol will flourish.
However, he explained that reaching the height of this endeavor would be based on the strong
determination of the Boholano farmers.
Board Member Aldner Damalerio in lieu of First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto, Miss
Universe Philippines 3 rd Runner-up Pauline C. Amelinckx, Ambassador for Tourism and Roman Dabalos,
Head-PATCO-Bohol delivered their messages of support as Board Member Ricky Masamayor
represented Vice Governor Rene L. Relampagos to give the message.
City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap in his welcome message also lauded the efforts of the
Boholano farmers who have been engaged in Ubi farming.
Aside from selling Ubi products and agri-commodities, the first week of the celebration was
highlighted with contests. Winners were: Bugno sa Rondalla – 1 st prize (San Isidro), 2 nd (Panglao), and 3 rd
(Sikatuna); Ubi Balitaw – 1 st prize (Reymart T. Paderog/Shiena Jane C. Arais-BUGA), 2 nd (Christian
Kient Lacea/Anna Ricci Gomez-Sikatuna), 3 rd (Aida A. Rejas/ Jay Rennan M. Mijares-Carmen).
Del Horest Voice Alike – 1 st (Lito Hangad – Balilihan), 2 nd (Raul Arbotante – Panglao), and 3 rd (Rico
Casul – Carmen); Sarah Geronimo Voice Alike – 1 st (Sarah Jane Lugo – Loon), 2 nd (Algie Olayon – Anda)
and 3 rd (Ma. Alyn Sayson – Carmen).
Motorcade winners – 1 st prize (Tagbilaran City), 2 nd (Panglao), and 3 rd (Loon); Pinaka of Different Ubi
Varieties – Kinampay (Arnulfo Calag – Baclayon), Binanag, Tam-isan and Kabus-ok (Allan Madronero –
Dimiao), Iniling (Nicolas Cabusao – Carmen), Baligonhon (Jacky Gonzales – San Miguel) and Binato/
Binugas (Esmeraldo Maligsa – Bohol Ubi Growers Association(BUGA)).
Highest Volume of Ubi Display winners – 1 st (Dauis – 1,902.65 kilograms), 2 nd (Jagna – 1,899.11
kgs.), 3 rd (Carmen – 1,842.60); Cooked Ubi Eating Contest – Arnulfo Calag (Baclayon) – male category,
Rosalia Gascar (Carmen) – female category; and for the Tabirak Eating Contest – Robie Sapid (Balilihan)
– male category, Jennifer Aranzado (Dauis) – female category.
There are 19 Ubi known towns participating the Ubi Festival ’21 in the New Norm. These are the
towns of Anda, Carmen, San Isidro, Jagna, Loon, Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Balilihan, Sikatuna, Baclayon,
Dauis,Panglao, Duero, Loay, Valencia, Sevilla, San Miguel and Pilar. Participating associations are the Bohol Ubi
Growers Association (BUGA) and Cabudlan Farmer’s Association in Ubay town.
Assistant Provincial Agriculture Larry M. Pamugas emphasized that the conduct of the month-long
celebration of Ubi Festival in the New Norm has strictly followed the basic health protocols to avoid the
possible spread of corona virus.

FESTIVAL OPENING. Gov. Art C. Yap (left photo) delivers his inspirational message during the opening
program of the 21 st Ubi Festival in the New Norm at the Old City Airport, Tagbilaran City last Monday of which
he underscores the efforts of the Ubi growers in Bohol in expanding and sustaining the Ubi industry in the
province.