No other municipality in Bohol has gained as many reputations as Loon. Invariably, the town is referred to as:

BOHOL'S PREMIER TOWN OF PROFESSIONALS, for having produced the most number of professionals, a fact that is attributed to three major reasons - - big population, adoption of the American educational system way ahead of other municipalities, and lack of arable land for large-scale agriculture to which the Loonanons' proclivity to get an education or engage in the retail business to finance the education of their children are attributed. The town has produced a lot of accomplished individuals who hold key responsibilities in government and private establishments in the Philippines and abroad.

BOHOL'S NUMBER ONE TOWN OF ADVENTURERS, because of the townsfolk's propensity to find the proverbial greener pasture in other parts of the country and abroad where they excel in business and in the practice of their professions;

THE HERITAGE TOWN OF WESTERN BOHOL, THE LITERATURE CAPITAL OF BOHOL, and THE TOWN OF SONGWRITERS for having produced many noted writers, poets, journalists, artists, musicians and composers who nurture a rich cultural tradition amid imposing heritage structures and lush environment; and

THE RTW CAPITAL OF BOHOL, for being home to individuals who have excelled in the art and business of manufacturing and selling ready-to-wear clothing.

The Center for Culture and Arts Development under the Office of the Governor confirms that Loon is ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE CULTURAL HUBS OF BOHOL. Erstwhile Gov. Rene L. Relampagos bolstered this fact stating that the strong support provided by the municipal government to Loon's cultural reawakening contributed much to Bohol's triumph in the Galing Pook awards. The cultural renaissance program of the province is among the top ten most outstanding local government projects in 2000.

Meanwhile, Loon is a PRODUCER OF THREE BAR TOPNOTCHERS, the most number for any municipality of Bohol. They are Natalio P. Castillo Sr. and Fermin R. Mesina, both third placers; and Manuel S. Ferandos, sixth placer. Jose Mesina almost made it to the top ten by placing eleventh.

Furthermore, Loon is the only Bohol town that is a consistent GOLDMINE OF YOUNG AND PROMISING BASKETBALL PLAYERS who end up as varsity athletes while pursuing their college degrees.

Following are some Loonanons who have made significant strides in their respective fields of endeavor:

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COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS

Natalio P. Castillo, a working student from Cabilao Island, placed Loon in the national political arena. This third placer in the 1938 bar examinations served as executive secretary during the incumbency of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia before he became member of the House of Representatives. His son, Natalio 'Chito' Castillo Jr., became a member of the Constitutional Convention.

Ramon Lapez, also from Cabilao, worked his way through college, graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law, and served as member of the Batasang Pambansa. He had a lucrative shipping business and a law firm and is best remembered as a philanthropist and for helping countless Boholanos land jobs aboard foreign vessels.

Romulo Luminarias Neri, current Secretary of Economic Planning and Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Mario L. Relampagos, current Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management.

Fermin R. Mesina, Philippine bar third placer, former councilor of Davao City and commercial attaché to Tokyo and Saigon.

Purisimo R. Castillo, lawyer son of Natalio P. Castillo who, at a very young age, was appointed commercial attaché to Spain. He died in 1967 at age 29, aborting a promising career in foreign relations and politics. His two children by his Swiss wife are very proud of their Loonanon roots.

Ricardo Dospueblos Miranda, governor of Davao when it was still a huge undivided territory.

Pio Ferandos, lawyer, guerrilla leader, war historian, book author and judge of the Court of First Instance of Cebu.

Jovencio Orcullo, Bohol provincial fiscal and judge of the Regional Trial Court.

Franklin Procianos, judge of the Davao Court of First Instance.

Irma Zita Masamayor, Bohol RTC Judge.

Ramon Enriquez Nazareno, judge of the Lapulapu City Court of First Instance. His father Vivencio Pueblos Nazareno and grandfather Catalino Nazareno served as 'presidente municipal' (mayor) of Loon. Ramon himself became mayor but in the adjacent town of Calape, his wife's residence.

Lino Nazareno, former Undersecretary of Agriculture.

Rosendo 'Kapitan Sendoy ' Lopez Sr., Dr. Rosendo C. Lopez Jr. and Dr. Cesar Tomas 'Yul' M. Lopez, three generations of mayors.

Rene L. Relampagos, scion of the Lopez clan and youngest son of Esperanza, one of Kapitan Sendoy's daughters. His term as provincial executive is unprecedented in terms of the number of regional and national awards accorded to Bohol in the field of local governance.

Juan 'Aning' Relampagos, father of Rene who served as mayor of Loon and later member of the Provincial Board. Another Relampagos, Ignacio (Gene), was also mayor and Board member.

Cleofe Mesina-Factoran, commissioner of the National Police Commission; wife of former Secretary Fulgencio Factoran Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Melchor P. Monreal Sr., lawyer, most outstanding alumnus of the University of Bohol, awarded several times as most outstanding municipal treasurer of the Philippines, and regional director of the Department of Finance in Iloilo, Zamboanga and Tacloban. He served as first secretary/treasurer and Loon's representative in the first-ever board of directors of the Bohol Electric Cooperative, Inc. that was established on August 11, 1971. A national expert in local government operations, especially in fiscal management, he was responsible for the establishment of many local government units (e.g., Bien Unido, Bohol), particularly in launching the operations of their basic offices and departments.

Vicente T. Cubero a.k.a. Captain Francisco Salazar, hero of the Battle of Moalong, considered the most successful ambush staged by the Boholano guerrillas on September 27, 1942 against the Japanese imperial forces; he claimed to have his family roots in Barangay Pondol.

Mariano Sumatra a.k.a. Mariano "Anoy" Datahan, founder of the Eskaya communities in Bayabas, Guindulman and Taytay, Duero.

Joel C. Molina and Cesar P. Juaton municipal mayors of Hinundayan, Southern Leyte and Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, respectively; and Luis P. Martos Jr., vice mayor of New Corella, Davao del Norte.

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VOCATION LEADERS

Msgr. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, former seminary rector, nominated and appointed on April 29, 1985 by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, as Auxiliary Bishop of Davao and Titular Bishop of Zaba in Numidia; currently Bishop of Butuan.

Rev. Dr. Aloysius L. Cartagenas, rector of the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos of Cebu City, the first Diocesan priest to assume such position after 135 years of the seminary under the Vincentian priests. Earlier, from 1990 to 1996, he took his masteral and doctoral studies, focusing on the Church's social teachings, at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. In July 2002, he was given an award by the Foundation for the Advancement of Church Research and the Theology Department of the University. Fr. Aloy was ordained priest on April 26,1985 at the very young age of 24.

Seminary rectors, parish priests and missionary priests scattered all over the globe.

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MUSICIANS, SONGWRITERS AND PERFORMERS

Justino 'Ning' Romea, composer of the Bohol Hymn (Awit sa Bohol), RPC Song (now UB Hymn), and many other school anthems. He is best remembered for the love song Ako Kang Paabuton, the folk song Sa Daplin sa Baybayon as well as most of the songs featured in the annual 'drama' presentations in his native Napo for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger.

Bernardo 'Leon' Romea, Ning's father, acknowledged as the original playwright, director and composer-musical arranger of Napo's stage plays that are mounted on May 25 of each year without fail. It is believed that Napo holds the record of staging the longest running series of annual plays in Bohol, if not the whole country.

Alan and Alfred Dancel, masters on the keyboard. Alan served as accompanist to The Reycards, Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and other noted Filipino performers during their local and US concerts.

Sonia Leornas Sanguenza a.k.a Sonia Singson, interpreter of Vehnee Saturno's Isang Dakot, grand prize winner of the 1981 Metro Manila Pop Music Festival. Sonia still sings during major events sponsored by Filipino communities in Texas, USA.

Joan Almedilla, best interpreter of the Metro Cebu Pop Music Festival and winner of the Yamaha Musicmate's Most Beautiful Voice contest. She conquered New York when she played the coveted role of Kim, originally essayed by Lea Salonga, in the Broadway hit Miss Saigon. Joan was discovered during an audition for the Apollo Night show in Harlem that became her ticket to the Kim role. An executive producer for Cameron Mackintosh Company which produced Miss Saigon saw Joan on television during the Apollo show, liked what he saw and heard, and invited her to audition for Kim, which role she eventually got. Her Broadway debut happened on July 7, 1995. Joan's accountant father Agapito 'Pepe' Almedilla comes from the upland barangay of Cansubayon.

Michael 'Luke' Mejares, erstwhile vocalist of the Manila-based South Border band and now solo artist; son of Leonides Sabaricos Mejares from Napo and Elvira 'Babie' Porticos from Catagbacan Norte.

Jerome P. Velasco, lead guitarist of the mainstream band Teeth that popularized Song of the Year awardee Laklak; Jerome's mom is Cely Pedrigal from Cantam-is Bago.

Reigh P. Monreal, 1990 finalist and 1992 grand prize winner of Bangga sa Awit, a Cebuano developmental songwriting contest.

Loon Children's Choir, finalist in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, placing second in 1981 and third in 1985. The choir was able to record an album containing Filipino folk songs and local compositions.

Felipe G. Larido and Maria Asuncion M. Robles-Larido, composers of Pagmaya Kristohanong Katilingban, grand prize winner in the Diocese of Tagbilaran Golden Jubilee Theme Song Competition; organizers of Polyphonics, the most enduring Loon-based church choir; and trainers of the Loon Children's Choir and Loon Children's Flute Ensemble.

Maria Fe Evelyn R. Larido-Tampos, interpreter of Pagmaya Kristohanong Katilingban, Miss Bohol Yamaha Musicmate winner, and piano teacher.

Ben L. Mejorada, U.S.-based composer and poet.

Felipe Zuasola, policeman composer of Mithing Loonanon, one of the cuts in the Loon Children's Choir album.

Lou Corciega, Polyphonics vocalist and composer of the Birhen sa Kasilak hymn.

Loon Philharmonic Orchestra. For many years, this group played on special occasions at the town plaza or public market. One of its pioneers, Ray de la Cruz, served as music master of the Bohol Symphony Orchestra.

Melchisedech Monreal, Roland Cajegas and Jonas Mejares, singing priests of Loon.
Fr. Edik, vocalist of the Singing Priests of Tagbilaran (SPOT), recorded songs for the San Jose Seminary's cassette productions. Fr. Roland, singing priest of Calbayog City, played the lead role in a musical mounted by the city's theater group that went on a national tour. Fr. Jonas, singing priest of Iloilo City, recorded and released an album for commercial distribution, a cut of which became a most requested song in the Iloilo airwaves in the '90s

Fidel Larido, music teacher and church accompanist; Berning Marcojos - Segundo, erstwhile resident organist at Cebu's Basilica Minore del Santo Niño; Casiano M. Pangilinan, piano tuner; rondalla players; and many band leaders and singers currently performing locally and abroad.

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