At
the risk of sounding like a broken record (pardon me, but I don’t mind), I am
again putting out the lyrics of my favorite Bohol hymn that has a humbling effect on me and, I’m
sure, on anybody who digests its lyrics:
Yuta kong minahal, /Hatag
ni Bathala; / Sa adlaw’g gabi-i,/ Taknang tanan / Dinasig sa kinaiyahan /Sa mga
bayaning yutawhan / Imong kalinaw gi-ampingan / Lungsod sa bungtod nga matunhay
/ Ug matam-is nga kinampay.
Puti ang kabaybayunan / Walog sa suba binisbisan / Bahandi sa dagat ug kapatagan / Gugma ang tuburan / Sa kagawasan sa tanan /Panalanginan ka / Ihalad ko lawas ug kalag / Sa mutya kong Bohol.
Puti ang kabaybayunan / Walog sa suba binisbisan / Bahandi sa dagat ug kapatagan / Gugma ang tuburan / Sa kagawasan sa tanan /Panalanginan ka / Ihalad ko lawas ug kalag / Sa mutya kong Bohol.
And
maybe while humming that hymn, you and I can further reflect how beautiful our
province is. Truly, God’s little paradise.
In
fact, Bohol’s recent visitors, the five beauties of Miss Tourism International
2013 were listening attentively to the Bohol hymn during the welcome program in
Panglao. They even asked for a translation of the hymn.
Clean
and white-sandy beaches, interesting places, friendly locals and fascinating
history.
That
is how the 5 beauties of the Miss Tourism International 2013 want to share
Bohol to the world when they visited the island province last Thursday and
Friday. They are in the country for a 13-day tour to experience and promote the
tourism of the Philippines.
Miss
Tourism International 2013 beauties Maria Rautio of Finland, Lucie Klukava of
Czech Republic, Lisa Karls Dottir of Iceland, Thu Phan of Vietnam, Kylie Miller
of New Zealand were warmly welcomed by the members of the Rotary Club of
Panglao at the Tagbilaran Pier.
They
visited the Loboc River, one of the tourist spots you don’t want to miss during
your Bohol tours. They had a sumptuous lunch while cruising the river. During a
stopover, they played the ukeleles and danced “tinikling” with a local dance
group housed in a nipa hut along the
river which entertains the “cruisers.”
They
also visited the tarsier conservation place to see the tarsier, the smallest
primate in the world.
The
beauties were also amazed when they arrived at Alona Beach in Panglao. It is a place for gorgeous beaches and a
diverse menu of aquatic attractions.
The
beauties also visited an orphanage in Albur town and they had a courtesy call
to Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes and department heads at the Panglao Municipal Hall.
“The tour is to introduce Bohol’s sights and sounds that everything is
back to normal after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last year,” said Deo Guden,
guide and staff of Panglao Mayor Nila Montero.
As
a tourist destination, Bohol is loaded with many attractions. Yet for all its
advantages, the province has a big problem attracting travelers after the quake.
The
event is one way of promoting the tourism industry in Bohol and the country.
“I
like the sunset here, it’s a beautiful island,” said Lisa Karls Dottir. “Manila
has many buildings, here you still have space. The nature is connected so it’s
beautiful here.”
“I
am so excited that I can be here in the Philippines. You have a nice country,
the people here are nice with good heart. Am really glad I can be here with my
friends. Salamat,” said Lucie Klukava.
“I
love being in the Philippines. I love the weather, I love the people,” said
Kylie Miller. “Everybody is smiling. I love talking to everybody finding more
about your culture. It’s really fun. Thank you for having me.
“I
come from the ice of Finland. It’s really different for me; here the climate is
really warm as you people are really warm. I love you all,” said Maria Rautio.
It
was Miss Vietnam Thu Phan’s first visit in the Philippines. “This is my first
time in the Philippines, I’m excited.”
They
have been to Oslob, Cebu, Intramuros in Manila, as well as experienced
Camarines Sur’s wakeboarding, deer farm, and falls. After Bohol, they will have
tour in Manila.
***
Miss Panglao ready to
win the crown
Also
joining the tour were the Rotarians of Panglao and beauty queens of Panglao: Candy
Cumayas (who will compete in Mutya ng
Pilipinas 2014 in August), Miss Panglao 2013 Catherine Tabaniag and Mary
Rose Butalid.
Mary
Rose will compete in Miss Bohol 2014 on July 19.
Deo
Guden revealed that Mary Rose and Candy are in “prison” (as in “gilaming”) at
Alona Tropical Beach Resort (owned by Mayor Nila Montero) in Tawala, Panglao,
for strict training and eating the right foods.
The
beauty queens of Panglao (l-r) Candy Cumayas (with trainor and “yayo” Deo Guden),
Mary Rose Butalid and Catherine Tabaniag.
|
Is
it true that they have strict diet, mainly egg white and water, coupled with
physical activities to stay slim and fit?
“Well,
I don’t have any specific diet. I just eat less, I stay away with carbs,” revealed
Mary Rose, the youngest candidate of this year’s Miss Bohol 2014.
Deo
admired the commitment of Candy and Mary Rose to their eating plans.
“No
rice at all. Carbs maybe like root crops and fresh fruits. No sugar, as in no
candy, no desserts,” shared Deo. “Last but not the least, eight hours of beauty
sleep daily is prescribed.”
At
16, Mary Rose stands 5’8” that even Miss Tourism International beauties were
starstrucked when they saw her.
“She’s
tall and beautiful,” said Lucie.
Mary Rose Butalid |
During
break, I had Q and A session with Mary Rose:
How do you feel about competing at the Miss Bohol 2014? I feel privileged given the chance to represent my
municipality but at the same time, I feel pressured and challenged because I am
the youngest of the batch and I am competing with a set of competitive girls.
How do you stay motivated to eat healthy, exercise, and
prepare for your upcoming pageant? Imagining
myself wearing the Miss Bohol crown keeps me motivated.
If you were to change something in yourself, what would
it be? None for two reasons, I will
always be thankful for whatever strengths and weaknesses I may have because it
makes me who I am and I am contented of what God has given me.
Other than confidence, what would you say is the most
important quality for a pageant contestant hoping to capture her next crown? She should be self-motivated, that drives a
candidate in winning the crown.
What is your favorite quote? Money is the universal provider for everything but not for happiness
and love, a passport to everywhere you wanted to go but not in the kingdom of
God.
What do you find sexy in a man? His expressive eyes!
Anyway,
the early favorites of Miss Bohol 2014 (not reflective of the final outcome) who
are already catching the attention of pageant fans are: Miss Tagbilaran,
Miss Loon, Miss Tubigon, Miss Dauis, Miss Panglao and Miss Anda. Binibining Pilipinas or Mutya ng Pilipinas potentials are Miss
Panglao, Miss Getafe and Miss Barbra Pearls.
At
the pageant night, there will be surprises from dark horses. So, watch out!
Who
will be Miss Bohol 2014? Find out on July 19, 8 p.m. at the Bohol Wisdom
Gymnasium.
(Tickets are now available for Miss Bohol 2014. Tickets are
priced at P50, P200, and P500. To buy, contact 09177937435/09173125700/09276190091/09153716337.)
***
Thanks for your
letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow
leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.
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