Standing Strong: The Hall of Justice That Survived Two Earthquakes

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A 34-Year-Old Building Passes Its Most Critical Test

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — In the pre-dawn hours of September 30, 2025, when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake violently shook the Visayas region, the Hall of Justice Building in Bohol faced what could have been its final examination. For the second time in twelve years, seismic forces tested the integrity of this 34-year-old structure. And for the second time, it held firm.

The technical assessment report, dated October 1, 2025, and prepared by volunteer civil engineer Amon Rey Clavano Loquere, delivers a verdict that brings both relief and urgency: the building stands, but it bears the scars of battle.

A Structure with History Written in Cracks

Completed on December 12, 1991, the Hall of Justice was built as a reinforced concrete structure with masonry infill walls—a design that has now proven its worth through decades of service and two major seismic events. The building's story is one of resilience, but also of accumulated trauma.

The visible cracks that now mark its masonry walls tell a tale of compounding stress. These fissures, the report notes, are "consistent with seismic-induced damage" that first appeared after the devastating October 15, 2013 earthquake—a magnitude 7.2 monster that left Bohol reeling. The September 2025 quake didn't create new wounds so much as reopen old ones, a reminder that buildings, like people, carry the memory of past traumas.

Yet here's the remarkable finding: while the masonry walls show their battle scars, the building's skeletal frame—its columns and primary load-bearing elements—remain untouched. No cracks. No visible damage. The spine holds strong.

A Professional Assessment Under Pressure

The post-earthquake assessment was conducted under extraordinary circumstances. Judge Lindecita Arcamo of the Hall of Justice, working alongside City Engineer Teodoro Estoque and his team, responded to the City of Tagbilaran's call for volunteer engineers. Their mission was urgent: determine whether the building could safely house the judges, lawyers, and citizens who depend on it daily.

Engineer Loquere's assessment reveals both the building's strengths and vulnerabilities:

The Good News: The structural columns show no compromise. The load-bearing capacity remains intact. The building's main framework has withstood two major earthquakes without yielding.

The Concerns: The masonry walls display cracking patterns suggesting non-structural damage. More alarmingly, sections of the ceiling system have become dilapidated, creating immediate safety hazards that could deteriorate further without intervention.

The Verdict: Safe, But Not Without Conditions

"The building is deemed structurally safe for occupancy," the report confirms, a statement that undoubtedly brought sighs of relief to city officials. But this declaration comes with a critical caveat: immediate repairs are essential.

The damage, while limited to non-structural elements, requires urgent attention "to restore the building to full functional and safety standards." It's the engineering equivalent of saying: you can walk, but you need medical attention now.

A Four-Point Plan for Rehabilitation

The assessment lays out a clear roadmap for rehabilitation:

Immediate Masonry Wall Repair: Engineers must conduct thorough crack repair and reinforcement to prevent water ingress and further deterioration—a race against both time and the elements.

Complete Ceiling Replacement: All compromised ceiling panels must be removed and replaced, a task that serves dual purposes: eliminating immediate falling hazards and allowing inspection of what lies above.

Comprehensive Roof Inspection: Once ceilings are removed, engineers can finally examine the roof framing system for any hidden damage—the structural secrets that ceiling panels currently conceal.

Swift Implementation: The City Engineering Office must expedite a detailed Program of Work, including renovation plans and building permits, to fast-track the rehabilitation process.

The Hidden Advantage of Damage

Paradoxically, the ceiling replacement presents an opportunity. By removing the damaged panels, engineers gain access to structural elements normally hidden from view. It's a chance to conduct a comprehensive inspection of roof beams and framing systems, potentially identifying issues that might otherwise remain concealed until they become critical.

Lessons from a Survivor

The Hall of Justice Building's performance offers valuable insights for disaster preparedness in seismically active regions. Its reinforced concrete frame has proven remarkably resilient, while the masonry infill walls—designed as non-load-bearing elements—absorbed and displayed the earthquake's impact without compromising the building's structural integrity.

This separation of structural and non-structural elements represents sound engineering practice. The columns carry the load; the walls fill space and provide enclosure. When the earthquake struck, this division of labor meant the difference between a repairable building and a catastrophic failure.

A Race Against Time

The report's conclusion emphasizes urgency: "Coordination with the City Engineering Office is essential to fast-track the rehabilitation process." It's not just bureaucratic language. Every day that passes with compromised ceilings increases risk. Every rainfall that seeps through cracked masonry walls accelerates deterioration.

The building received the city's stamp of approval on October 2, 2025, with the document officially received by the City Engineering Office. Now the clock is ticking on implementation.

Symbol of Justice, Symbol of Resilience

There's something poetic about a Hall of Justice that refuses to fall. The building that houses Bohol's legal system has itself withstood judgment—the earth's judgment—twice. It stands as both a functional facility and a symbol: justice, like this building, must weather storms and emerge standing.

For Mayor Jane Cajes Yap, Executive Judge Lindecita Arcamo, and City Engineer Teodoro Estoque, the assessment provides both reassurance and a call to action. The building can continue serving its critical function, but only if the community invests in its rehabilitation now.

Looking Forward

As Tagbilaran City moves forward with rehabilitation plans, the Hall of Justice Building represents more than just one structure's survival. It's a case study in earthquake-resilient design, a testament to quality construction from 1991, and a reminder that buildings in seismically active regions require ongoing attention and maintenance.

The September 2025 earthquake tested Bohol once again. The Hall of Justice passed that test, but with a clear message: resilience requires not just strong initial construction, but sustained care and prompt response when damage occurs.

In the end, Engineer Loquere's report tells a story of survival with dignity, of structural integrity maintained through proper design, and of a community's responsibility to preserve the institutions that serve it. The Hall of Justice stands, scarred but unbroken, ready to dispense justice for years to come—provided the repairs begin soon.

The building has done its part. Now it's the community's turn to do theirs.

The technical assessment was prepared by Amon Rey Clavano Loquere, RMP, CE, REB, REA, a volunteer civil engineer with License No. 0110205, valid until May 4, 2029. The report was received and stamped by the City Engineering Office on October 2, 2025.

The Coconut Queen: How Chef Ninang Riza Matibag-Muyot is Transforming Filipino Heritage into Culinary Art

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In a world where culinary traditions often fade into obscurity, one Filipino chef is orchestrating a remarkable revival—not just of recipes, but of an entire cultural legacy. Ninang Riza Matibag Muyot, known affectionately as the "Coconut Chef," has dedicated her life to a mission that transcends mere cooking: she's preserving, celebrating, and reimagining the Philippines' coconut heritage as a form of living art.

A Steward of Culture Rising

Against the backdrop of Silang, Cavite's lush landscapes, Chef Ninang Riza has built something extraordinary—Shambala Silang Center for the Arts, Culture, and Ecology. This 2-hectare eco-tourist village isn't just a destination; it's a living testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. Here, traditional Filipino arts, coconut-based cuisine, and environmental consciousness converge in a harmony that speaks to both history and innovation.

But Riza's journey goes far beyond a single location. Through her multifaceted brand—encompassing CocoKusina (The Philippine Coconut Kitchen), Coconut Channel, Mana Kitchen, and her signature Mana Pulutan concept—she has created an ecosystem dedicated entirely to elevating the humble coconut from agricultural commodity to cultural icon.

The Philosophy: More Than Just Cooking

What sets Chef Ninang Riza apart isn't simply her culinary skill—it's her visionary approach to what food can represent. She has developed an entire lexicon of coconut-centered concepts that reveal the depth of her commitment:

Coconut Gastronomy represents her innovative fusion of traditional Filipino cuisine with modern creativity, transforming heritage food into works of art. Her signature Mana Pulutan concept serves heritage dishes in small plates, emphasizing the profound cultural significance of coconut-based cuisine—a presentation style that makes each bite a conversation about history, identity, and place.

But perhaps most compelling are her broader philosophies: Coconut Connection (CocoConnect) uses the coconut as a medium to bridge kitchens, communities, cultures, and traditions worldwide. Coconut Centric (CocoCentric) positions the coconut at the very core of gastronomy, cultural diplomacy, and agricultural innovation. These aren't mere marketing terms—they're frameworks for understanding food as a vehicle for cultural preservation and global connection.

Her terminology extends even further, encompassing concepts like Coconut Literacy (Cocolitracy), which educates communities about the coconut's health benefits and cultural significance; Coconut Stewards (Cocostewards or CocoAlaga), recognizing those committed to preserving coconut farming and heritage; and Coconut Empowerment (CocoPower), which focuses on empowering communities through coconut-based entrepreneurship.

From Local Stages to International Platforms

Chef Ninang Riza's influence has reached far beyond the Philippines. Her calendar of activities reads like a cultural ambassador's dream itinerary:

In May 2025, she showcased heritage coconut dishes at IFEX (International Food Exhibition) at Manila's World Trade Center, conducting live cooking demonstrations that captivated audiences. By August, she had traveled to Jordan, conducting a Coconut Food Tasting Workshop at the Philippine Embassy in Amman, where Jordanian and Filipino chefs, restaurant owners, and food enthusiasts gathered to learn about Filipino coconut heritage cuisine.

That same month, she brought Southern Luzon and Northeast Mindanao's heritage coconut dishes to life at the CARAGA Coconut Festival in Siargao Island. Come September, she was at the World Coconut Congress at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia, demonstrating her culinary artistry to an international audience of coconut industry professionals and enthusiasts.

Her catering services have graced prestigious events, from the welcome cocktail dinner for International Buyers & Delegates of the World Coconut Congress at Ascott Hotel Makati to the cocktail dinner for the Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards and Mario Miclat Book Launching at UP Asian Center.

Making History: Food as Art

Perhaps nothing captures Chef Ninang Riza's groundbreaking vision more than her upcoming participation in ManilArt 2025. The 17th edition of this prestigious art festival, themed "Across Forms, Beyond Borders," will witness something unprecedented: Chef Ninang Riza will become the first artist to present or exhibit real food as an art form at the festival.

Scheduled for October 15, 2025, her exhibition represents a bold statement about the nature of art itself. In collaboration with renowned artists Ugu Bigyan, Agi Pagkatipunan, and Danny Rayos Del Sol, she will showcase heritage coconut dishes not merely as consumables, but as legitimate artistic expressions—works that engage all the senses, carry deep cultural meaning, and challenge conventional boundaries between culinary arts and fine arts.

This Coconut Creatives (CocoArt or CocoSining) initiative transforms coconut dishes and crafts into art forms, positioning Filipino culinary heritage within the context of contemporary artistic discourse.

The Heart of It All: Shambala Silang

At the center of Chef Ninang Riza's coconut universe sits Shambala Silang, a destination that defies simple categorization. The center encompasses a vibrant array of projects that tell the complete story of Filipino coconut culture:

Mana Kitchen serves as both restaurant and catering service, offering coconut heritage dishes created by CocoKusina. CocoKusina (Philippine Coconut Kitchen) itself functions as a research and test laboratory dedicated to exploring culinary applications of coconut products—a space where tradition meets innovation.

The Coconut Channel provides a platform for documenting and promoting the coconut's multifaceted uses, health benefits, cultural significance, and historical importance. The Tawid Art Museum & Gallery showcases Filipino art and culture, while the Lunas Etnobotanical Arboretum features a botanical garden with native and endemic trees, plants, herbs, and flowers—a living library of biodiversity.

Visitors to Shambala Silang don't just eat; they immerse themselves in a comprehensive cultural experience. The site map reveals an ambitious layout spanning 30 distinct areas, from multiple gardens (Akasya, Intramuros, Mana, Binhi, Tagpo, Sapa, Narra, Kakawate, and Araro Gardens) to cultural spaces like the Ifugao Huts, Cordillera Amphitheater, and Tam-Awan Falls. This is ecological tourism with educational depth—a place where every corner tells a story about Philippine heritage, sustainable practices, and the centrality of the coconut to Filipino identity.

Advocacy With Impact

Through Shambala Silang and her various initiatives, Chef Ninang Riza pursues clear advocacy goals that extend far beyond personal achievement:

Promoting the cultural significance and culinary potential of coconut products

Supporting sustainable coconut farming and entrepreneurship

Educating communities on the health benefits and diverse uses of coconut

Fostering innovation and creativity in coconut-based cuisine and products

By developing Shambala Silang, she has created a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and ecology—inspiring a new generation to appreciate and preserve Filipino heritage. Her dedication to promoting coconut innovation and arts has made a lasting impact on the culinary world, showcasing the versatility and richness of coconut in various aspects of Filipino culture.

Cultural Diplomacy Through Coconut

Chef Ninang Riza's work in Coconut Cultural Diplomacy demonstrates how food can serve as a bridge between nations and cultures. All her coconut expositions and food tasting workshops—whether at IFEX, the Philippine Embassy, the Ambassador's residence, or international festivals—serve a diplomatic function, introducing global audiences to Filipino culinary heritage while fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Her Coconut Literacy initiatives go beyond simple cooking demonstrations. At the Jordan International Food Festival, she taught students at Jordan Royal Academy to cook "Buko Pancit," a Filipino coconut heritage dish. She mentors culinary students in coconut-based cuisine, ensuring that the next generation possesses both the technical skills and cultural understanding necessary to carry these traditions forward.

A Vision for the Future

What makes Chef Ninang Riza's work so compelling isn't just what she's accomplished—it's the comprehensive vision she's articulated for what the coconut can represent. Her 16 distinct coconut terminologies, from CocoKusina to Coconut Entrepreneur (CocoEntrep or Cocopreneur), paint a picture of an integrated ecosystem where agriculture, culture, commerce, education, and art intersect.

Her concepts of Coconut Enterprises (CocoBisnes)—fostering business initiatives promoting coconut-based products and services—and Coconut Core Culinary Ingredients (CocoCore)—identifying key coconut ingredients for various culinary applications—demonstrate a systems-thinking approach that recognizes the coconut's potential to drive sustainable economic development while preserving cultural identity.

The Coconut Expositions (CocoExpo) concept showcases coconut applications in fairs, festivals, and events, creating public awareness and market opportunities. Meanwhile, Coconut Culture (Cocultura) works to promote the coconut's cultural significance and heritage at the most fundamental level—ensuring that Filipinos themselves don't lose touch with this central element of their identity.

The Artist at Work

In her coral-patterned traditional attire and signature Coco Kusina apron, Chef Ninang Riza embodies the bridge between past and future. Whether she's stirring a pot of coconut-based heritage dishes at a live cooking demonstration, giving tours through Shambala Silang's botanical gardens, or preparing delicate Mana Pulutan presentations for an embassy dinner, she moves with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what she's fighting for.

The images from her various events tell a consistent story: crowds gathered around her cooking stations, eager to learn; tables laden with artfully arranged coconut dishes that look too beautiful to eat; Chef Riza surrounded by students, chefs, and cultural enthusiasts from around the world—all united by curiosity about this ancient ingredient and its modern possibilities.

A Legacy in the Making

As Chef Ninang Riza prepares for her historic ManilArt 2025 exhibition, one thing becomes clear: her work represents something far more significant than culinary innovation. She is engaged in active cultural preservation—taking ingredients, techniques, and traditions that might otherwise be forgotten and repositioning them at the center of contemporary Filipino identity.

In an era of globalization that often threatens to homogenize culture, Chef Ninang Riza offers a different path: deep rootedness in place and tradition as a source of innovation, creativity, and global connection. The coconut, in her hands, becomes a lens through which we can examine questions of sustainability, cultural identity, agricultural economics, artistic expression, and international diplomacy.

Her message is ultimately one of empowerment: that communities can build sustainable futures by honoring their past, that traditional ingredients can become vehicles for cutting-edge creativity, and that something as simple as a coconut can carry the weight of an entire culture's story.

Visit, Taste, Experience

For those inspired by Chef Ninang Riza's vision, Shambala Silang Center for Arts, Culture, and Ecology awaits in Silang, Cavite. Contact information is available through their social media platforms (cocokusina, coconutchannel, manapulutan, and Shambala Silang on Facebook), or via email at shambalasilang2008@gmail.com, or by phone at 0927 594 0337 / 0968 400 6949.

Whether you're a culinary enthusiast, cultural advocate, environmental educator, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of tradition and innovation, the story of Coconut Chef Ninang Riza Matibag Muyot offers inspiration. She proves that one person with a clear vision, deep commitment, and creative approach can indeed preserve a cultural legacy—and in doing so, create something entirely new.

As she prepares to present coconut gastronomy as fine art at ManilArt 2025, Chef Ninang Riza stands at the forefront of a movement that recognizes food not just as sustenance, but as heritage, art, diplomacy, and hope. The humble coconut, through her vision, has become nothing less than a symbol of Filipino resilience, creativity, and cultural pride—proving that sometimes, the most profound transformations begin with the simplest ingredients.

Power Mac Center salutes educators with ‘To My Teacher’

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They say a good education can spark change in anyone, but a great teacher can ignite change in everything. For Teachers’ Month, premier Apple partner Power Mac Center (PMC) is turning this wisdom into action through “To My Teacher,” a gratitude-driven campaign inviting everyone to celebrate the teachers, professors, and mentors who have guided us like parents.

The initiative involves on-campus activations, an online contest, and exclusive promotions for students and educators, reflecting PMC’s commitment to equipping the academe across the country with the technology and solutions they need for the classrooms of today and the future.

“‘Thank you’ is a powerful message, and we want more teachers to receive it and realize the ripple effects of their efforts and sacrifices. At Power Mac Center, we amplify that message by empowering educators and students with the technology, training, and support that extend learning’s reach,” said PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management Joey Alvarez.

A freedom ‘Wall of Thanks’

PMC will kick off on-campus Wall of Thanks activations in its campus stores, inviting students to write short messages of gratitude on sticky notes to be posted on a dedicated board for their teachers. Those who share their messages can also take home special PMC merchandise.

The photo wall will be open to the public from October 1 to 4, 2025 at the University of Santo Tomas, UP Shopping Center, and De La Salle University Manila stores. Alongside this, PMC will set up a Mac Clinic booth offering students and faculty free external device cleaning, assessment, and consultation on the following dates:

● University of Santo Tomas — October 1, 2025

● UP Shopping Center — October 2, 2025

● De La Salle University Manila — October 3, 2025

Join the fun online

All students can join the fun online through a photo contest. To participate, post a photo with your teacher on Facebook along with a heartfelt message that completes the statement, “To my teacher, ___,” answering the question: “How does your teacher improve your learning experience with the help of technology?”

Include the official hashtag #PMCToMyTeacher, set your post to Public, then submit your entry via <https://forms.gle/bmcEFxKPCF26pQLF8> to qualify. Only one entry is allowed per person. The submission period runs from October 2 to 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Entries will be judged based on the strength of the narrative and overall creativity.

Six (6) winners will each receive P3,000 Power Mac Center Gift Certificates plus accessory bundles worth P6,000. Winners will be announced on PMC’s official Facebook page <fb.com/powermaccenter> and notified through their registered email.

Celebrate teachers, earn rewards

Tie your Teachers’ Month tribute to everyday rewards. Download the new 1 Infinite app from the App Store <http://bit.ly/4hljdr2> or Google Play <https://bit.ly/42ovsyK> and earn points on every purchase. Members in Connected, Lunar, and Stellar tiers earn 1 point per P200 spent, while Astra and Cosmos members earn 1 point per P100. Points can be redeemed for premium devices, accessories, and select services and training courses (1 point = P1). Members also get up to 50% off Apple training and exclusive perks from Basecamp and Mobile Care, PMC’s training and service arms.

Power Mac Center is an Apple Authorized Education Reseller and Apple Professional Learning Provider. It assists schools and universities in completing Apple integration and maintaining systems to achieve learning results apt for the 21st-century education paradigm. To get started on your journey, visit any Power Mac Center or The Loop store nationwide or learn more at <https://powermaccenter.com/pages/education>.

Be updated on the latest news and promotions by following the OFFICIAL Power Mac Center accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Viber, and YouTube.