Bohol residents, tourists celebrate New Year at the beach

Bohol residents and tourists celebrate the first day of 2019 in beaches. PHOTO by Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY — Most residents here have chosen to spend the first day of the year at the beach.

For Rosemary Malasarte, a resident of Graham Avenue in Barangay Cogon, it was a double celebration on Tuesday as she turned 28.

“Nagtapok mi karun kay birthday naho then naglingaw-lingaw pud mi,” said the birthday celebrant. Her family and friends brought the Media Noche leftovers to Caingget Beach.

“Family bonding namo sa New Year unya ang sobra namo ni among gida diri sa dagat,” said Aiza Gahit, Malasarte’s cousin.

Other residents enjoyed swimming at the beach because of the good weather.

Caingget vendor Celsa Ramo said they opened their stalls on Jan. 1 for people who would come to the beach to swim.

Although vendors didn’t sell “koja,” a seashell that made the beach popular, tuba (coconut wine), kamote (sweet potato) and other seafoods such as sinugbang isda (grilled fish) and lato (caviar) were available.

Since malls were closed on Jan 1, the people chose to celebrate the New Year in beaches.

The white sandy beaches in Panglao Island was also crowded with residents and foreigners who enjoyed a fun day at the beach.

At the Dumaluan Public Beach Resort in Barangay Bolod, residents rented cottages.

“We’re having a great new year, lots of fun in the sun,” said Ida Irke, who enjoyed a jet ski with her friends from England. /ee

Panglao Island’s white sandy beaches was crowded with residents and tourists on New Year’s Day 2019. PHOTO Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas