BOGO ROMANCE by Ahmad Clay Escolar

Bogo City-- its people and its leader is a story of romance. It was long time ago when Bogo was just an unassuming virgin hidden far from the glamorous capital metropolis, Cebu City. She was just sitting there very much content of the meager attention, economic activity and physical adornment. She was yet to become the head turner beauty of the north. On the other hand, a young man, whose umbilical cord was buried under the bogo tree by his late father, turned to manhood and noticed her. Bogo fondly calls him as Junie Martinez. His filial affection with the innocent lady, Bogo, sparked into a flaming passion of love and conviction that Bogo will soon rise into the pedestal of beauty coveted by many. In his young masculine strength and irresistible charm , Junie wooed her and won her love and devotion. The years of romance born a lot of progress, stability, dignity and unprecedented metamorphosis wherein the lowly little girl, Bogo, emerged as the glamorous and virtuous woman of the north. Under his love, She was a perfect spectacle of the feminine potency. She then was crowned a title of a city. More than ever, she is now set to soar high, the way Junie imagined her to be back in the 70's. Her charm attracted many late and forfeited aspirants, most of them are not Bogohanons. They tried hard to grab and molest her feminine charm but try they did fail. Junie remained faithful to her and the Bogohanon. He defended her with his indefatigable strength until the forces that tried to adulterate her virtue waned. Today she stands still beside the man who clothes her with love and so much faithfulness.

Mayor Junie Martinez
Photo by: Rodge Tonacao

The marriage of Bogo, Bogohanons and Junie defined her (Bogo) of what she is now today and what she will become and more. Their faithfulness with each other withstood the strongest of lies, deception, terrorism and violence commenced by the power hungry few who wanted to break that marriage. 

In this tale of love, Bogohanons either take the character of the man Junie or the Woman Bogo. Either way, their marriage gives us discernment to whom we should entrust this city with. This tale is our history, our heritage, our identity, our culture and our own story to tell. This would guide us to our destination. This is the wisdom of the past and the rediscovered virtue of the present. 

This tale of love still runs into the pages of our history. Whether this ends in tragedy or victory, you partly hold the pen to say. Please hold it responsibly. 

By:

Atty. Ahmad Clay Escolar