DESCENDING from a family of public servants with her Calope ancestors — two brothers — serving as mayor of Balilihan, Bohol, during World War (WW) II and a decade following the war, and a grandfather on her father’s side serving as mayor of Jetafe, Bohol, before the war, it is no surprise to family, friends, and the community that Charina would tread the same path.
Personally, as a cousin, I’m delighted. It’s about time the legacy of our Calope forefathers is honored and sustained through the aspirations of a third-generation Calope who exemplifies leadership, offering considerable experience, diverse exposure, and a track record of community service for Balilihan and her fellow Boholanos.
Born on April 26, 1975, to parents, the late Felipe Garcia Torregosa (Konsehal Pepe) and Salud Racho Calope in Balilihan, Bohol, she is married for twenty-five years to ship captain Lemuel John Racho Asunto. She is a seafarer’s wife, and a mother to Phillip Caesar Asunto, a pilot.
To expand her horizon and ready herself for future endeavors, she completed her academic requirements for Master of Public Administration at the University of Bohol in Tagbilaran City. Born and bred in Balilihan, she completed her elementary education at Balilihan Central Elementary School as class valedictorian in1988. Her high school years were spent at the Holy Spirit School where she graduated in 1992 and went on to Velez College in Cebu City to complete her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT) in 1997. Her batch comprised the pioneer graduates of BSPT at the time.
Charina is a healthcare provider, an entrepreneur, and a farmer rolled into one. As a healthcare provider, she has consistently coordinated for the Philippines, particularly in Bohol, for thirteen straight years, the conduct of international medical missions. The biggest projects so far are with “Faces of Tomorrow,” providing free surgical treatments to cleft lip and palate patients. She provides reliable linkage with international mission groups and connects the teams with the provincial government of Bohol.
Her latest passion is being a farmer where in addition to managing the family’s rice field, she collects and personally attends to her rare ornamental plants, fruit-bearing trees, and root crops. “Nothing can be more satisfying,” says Charina. “Aquaculture, and raising chickens and ducks are done alongside rice farming,” she added. Presently, she is in the process of balut and salted-egg production to cater to the local market with the end-view of helping small-scale vendors increase their profit by selling the products at farm gate prices.
As an involved citizen of Balilihan, she has been actively engaged in community politics in various capacities for over thirty years which is not unexpected since as earlier highlighted, she is descended from two Balilihan mayors, Simplicio Daray Calope (serving Balilihan in 1941 and 1945) and Atty. Getulio Daray Calope (serving Balilihan from 1955-1959), and Tiburcio Jumao-as Torregosa (her grandfather on her father’s side) who was documented as mayor of Jetafe, Bohol before WW II. Former mayors Simplicio D. Calope and Atty Getulio D. Calope were siblings of her grandfather, Troadio D. Calope and my grandmother, Pateria Calope Lungay (on my mother’s side). Moreover, Konsehal Pepe, her late father, after serving the National Power Corporation-Bohol Diesel Power Plant for over thirty years, joined politics, ran and won, and served as municipal councilor of Balilihan from 2009-2013. Going back farther, a Racho ancestor, Bartolome “Tome” Racho was a Capitan o Gobernadorcillo of Balilihan in 1887, while the late President Carlos P. Garcia, was Charina’s grandmother’s (Dionesia Camacho Garcia) relative on her father’s side. It’s not a wonder that public service is a genuine calling. She comes from excellent political stock.
In this 2025 local election, she is throwing her hat in the ring by running for vice mayor under the opposition party. Charina explained, “I am tagged as ‘maisug.’ I will not deny it because being courageous was one quality the party considered when they nominated me for the post.” “I believe it’s a legacy I can identify with especially that Papa was known as ‘Mussolini’ in his hometown Jetafe,” she added. ‘Pepe’ originated in Balilihan, sticking with him for decades until his passing.
I am pleased to be writing this story for three reasons: Charina is a Calope cousin; March is woman’s month, and I wanted to end the month by writing a woman story; and Charina will honor and continue the legacy of our Calope forefathers. What could be more fulfilling than that!
My prayer for your candidacy: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
***
The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10 a.m. at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. X @ShilohRuthie./PN
