2145. Dodong Manalo rang the bell at the gate and said when ushered into the house, that it would be a brief visit. Actually, he was in the neighborhood, a guest in another home at the eve of the fiesta in Baclayon. In a few minutes, he was saying goodbye in his familiar American accent, having stayed in the US for most of his adult life. More than a year ago, Dodong retired from his US job and decided he had to go back to Bohol, back to his roots, he said. He used to teach philosophy at a local university (Holy Name University) in Tagbilaran City. Now he teaches English in the same institution.

In the brief time that he stayed in the house, he was able to say that he would like to be of some help to the community in Bohol. That was one reason he came back, he said. He had built a house in Dauis to show probably he was serious in settling down in the land of his birth. He said he had been invited to attend a meeting of the purok in his place and wondered if the activity was linked somehow to our Foundation, which seeks to strengthen local settlements such as the purok.

We told him that the Foundation has not yet reached Dauis. Launched 14 Aug, the Foundation operates in Baclayon on a limited scale due to scarce resources. Baclayon is where the Foundation’s office is located. The BLDF does not yet seek foreign funding for its activities. We do not want to compete with other NGOs on this aspect. At the same time, we would to try in new modality and find out if an NGO can sustain its operations through local resources and fund raising without involving foreign donors.

We were able to give him our brochure. It’s hard to tell what he really thinks about this development niche we are trying to feel.

Earlier, the BLDF chair, Former Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Ma. Rocha came with two daughters, Inda and Mitos and a grandchild, Carla. We were able to review with him the content of the website. Inday, who works as nurse in Germany, said this would be useful to Boholanos leaving abroad. Sometimes they are asked facts and figures about Bohol and its municipalities and they do not know where to get reliable references. This website solves the problem, she said.