Tagna-Tagna 2019

It’s time of the year to dust off the Crystal Ball as astrologers, feng shui experts and die-hard believers of horoscope want to know what will happen in the Year of the  Earth Pig (which will officially start on Feb. 5).

The Chinese astrology said the Pig occupies the last (12th) position in the Chinese Zodiac. You are a “Pig” if you are born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019.

Astrologers said 2019 is a great year to make money, and a good year to invest! 2019 is going to be full of joy, a year of friendship and love for all the zodiac signs.

They added, “It’s an auspicious year because the Pig attracts success in all the spheres of life.”

As a tradition, VRS is up with its annual “Tagna-Tagna” for the 2019. Last year, our “Tagna-Tagna” was 98 percent credible! A cheers!  

A time for a bountiful harvest for our Boholana beauty queens.  Contributed Photos

Read what the Year of the Earth Pig Oink, oink, oink!!! for our favorite Boholanos who make yours and our lives a bit more exciting this year.

2019 is a bountiful harvest for our Boholana beauty queens.

Karen Gallman will make Bohol and the entire county proud. After the pageant, she has a busy career in modeling. The Ubay native will set up her own foundation to help young students.

Glyssa Perez will have a major victory in a national pageant! She will have more modelling stints and endorsements.

Another beauty queen Pauline Amelinckx will shine this year as she will receive a crown and sash.

Former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate  Vivoree Esclito will have another new album in this year. She will also star in some teleseryes to showcase her natural acting.

Ingemar Macarine — He will conquer the English Channel in 2020, not this year.  The “Pinoy Aquman” will continue to swim  here and abroad to promote clean seas and marine environment.

Achinette Joy Villamor—She will produce more award-winning films in 2019.   Her film, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness,” won several awards and accolades here and abroad.

Hannah Precillas- A new album and another showbiz break.  

Rich Asuncion—Another showbiz break.

Another “Pinoy Big Brother” hopeful Yamyam Gucong , the Iskulit Bai ng Bohol will be given the chance to shine  more this year.

Vivoree Esclito is one of the few Boholano talents
whose star will be on the rise this year. Contributed Photo

AR De La Serna and Carlo Roy Roslinda— A busy career. 

Danica Joy Galon — A promising modeling career. 

Loboc Children’s Choir— More performances here and abroad to show to the world what hidden talents we have.

Dalareich Polot— A scholarship at Oxford University! Bohol’s Chocolate Princess  will receive the Best Entrepreneurship Award from The Takeda Foundation in Japan.

Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado and Atty. Marie Nickie Bolos— A wedding bell this year!

Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan (of Touch of April) and Arch. Junibe Froilan, Fred Namoc and Nice Tirol and Eden Descallar and Mikel Ceballos.— They will welcome the stork’s visit before the end of the year.

Queenie Melody Fullante— A hot boyfriend to color her lovelife.

Lutgardo Labad, Marianito Luspo, Joey Labrador, Sam Penaso and Ralph Maligro— A busy, busy good year to share their talents.

The stork will pay, Anna Maris Igpit and Tommy Taylor, Benjie and Atty. Joan Oliva, Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso, David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros, Abdul Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace, and Doxson Asoy and Karen Digal, a surprise visit.

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And now, the blind items:

•Bohol will produce more topnotchers in the field of education, nursing and engineering.

• The wedding of a couple who announced their engagement in 2018 will either not be pushed through or will be postponed indefinitely.  Not all those who were engaged last year will really walk down the aisle. Some might call it quits, knock on wood.

• A scandal will shake the political scene!

•A prominent couple will confirm that they are living apart even as they pretend to project an “ok image.”

• A high-ranking official will “out” himself.  Love wins!

• A beauty queen will make a “controversial” announcement!

• A young politician will find himself in a headline-hogging controversy.

• A wealthy politician is proposing to buy a big store here. No elaboration.

Your VRS with the living legend... Atty. Ingemar
“Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine. The Pinoy Aquaman
will conquer the English Channel in 2020, not this year. 

• A popular radio program will undergo a major revamp.

• A beauty pageant will draw controversies.

• The crystal ball said that a new talent from Bohol will make a big name this year.

• A couple will reconcile and start life anew. Marital love will triumph over infidelity.

•A prominent family will file a case against another prominent family for some, ehem, “money matters.”

• Some politicians will suffer from depression due to cyber bullying and lack of funds before the elections. A severe depression will attack them after the elections.

• Sadly, some politicians and big personalities will fall into the drug net.

• Women who are running in the May 2019 elections will win.

• The winner for Bohol governor has letter “A”, while for the Vice-Governor, the winner has letters “O”, and “M”.  The Crystal Ball only flashes a winking smile.

Disclaimer:  I don’t claim to be 100 per cent accurate. As I said, these are all “tagna-tagna”. Cheers!

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Poor signal during mock elections in Bohol

The only problem the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices encountered during the mock elections held on Saturday, Jan. 9, was poor signal on the transmission of vote results.

In Bohol province, mock elections were held in two barangays each in Cortes and Alburquerque towns.

The provincial Comelec office said the vote-counting machines (VCMs) that the votes in the mock canvassing had been 100 percent transmitted shortly after 4:05 p.m. Saturday. 

The mock elections aimed to have all votes accounted for in the 2019 midterm elections.  It was also to test the automated voting machines, transmittal of votes and results to the canvassers in the head office, as well as its new Voter Registration Verification System.

Some election officers in Bohol during the mock elections
 held in  Alburquerque town, Bohol, on Saturday, Jan. 19,  

to test the integrity of the vote counting machines (VCM). 

On Saturday, votes from the clustered precints had to be transmitted to three servers: the Comelec Central Server, the Transparency Server, and the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).

The Comelec Central Server and the Transparency Server receive the transmitted votes straight from VCMs.

 

The NBOC, which will declare the final results, gets the votes through a careful step-by-step process.

In this process, the votes from polling precincts have to be transmitted to the municipal board of canvassers (MBOC) then to the provincial board of canvassers (PBOC), before being beamed to the NBOC.

During the mock canvassing on Saturday, the transmission to the Comelec Central Server and the Transparency Server finished an hour earlier than the transmission to the NBOC.

Environmental lawyer and triathlete Ingemar Macarine,
 also known as the “Pinoy Aquaman”, with Ric Obedencio
 (of The Freeman/Philippine Star, extreme right) ,
Allen Doydora (of DYRD, extreme left, ) and your
VRS during the mock elections on Saturday, Jan. 19.
Macarine is the election officer of Tubigon.

There were two precints  each for Cortes and Alburquerque towns which catered 100 voters per precint.

In Barangay Dangay in Alburquerque town, there were four precints in cluster at Dangay Elem. School with 87 voters.

The transmissions from Dangay Elem. School did the Comelec Central Serve and the Transparency Server, but it failed to reach the municipal Municipal board of canvassers. But it was later solved by an IT from the Comelec.

Christopher Peralta, election officer 2 of Alburquerque Comelec office, said that there was no problem during the casting of votes.

 He said the only problem was poor signal.

 “Number 1 la siguro  sa problema nato karun is yung pag-receive ng  mga result galing ng cluster precints. Naka-pagtrasmit na sila pero sa MBOC is hindi natin matanggap,” he said.

But in 2016 elections, he said Barangay Dangay had 100% successful transmission of vote results.

Peralta said that the mock elections was an opportunity for the Comelec in Bohol to find ways to address this particular problem should this happen during this year’s elections.

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5 ways you can’t get HIV

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The OMG’s outreach program was held in Lila town last Jan. 12 organized by US-based socialite Mikey Gatal. It was supported by US-based topnotch lawyer Sandy Roxas. The charity event was also a homecoming of balikbayan couple Alot and Babat Bagotchay of Los Angeles California.

Scene: Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla died of cardiac arrest on Jan. 14. He was 69. Abrenilla, known to many as “Bic-Bic”, was a former legal staff director of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). He was elected mayor of Jagna in 2010, 2013, and 2016. Abrenilla used what he learned about NEDA’s internal control system to effectively manage Jagna town’s limited resources. “Your loss has left all of us deeply saddened,” nurse Oliver Acebes posted on Facebook.  Resident Dexter Ranis also said, “We lost a great Mayor in our town but his memory will remain.” Municipal government employees were also mournful upon learning their mayor had died.

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The OMG charity event organized
 by US-based socialite Mikey Gatal
 and supported by topnotch lawyer
 Sandy Roxas was held in Lila last week.

Various posts are circulating in social media that eating fish caught in Bohol and on the Mactan Channel can cause HIV infection.

The Department of Health 7 said persons can’t be infected with HIV by eating fish caught at the Mactan Channel.

The Commission on Population (Popcom) in Central Visayas said that there’s no truth about the text circulating.  It said that the virus (HIV) will die when exposed to air, heat, moisture and acid.

HIV can only be passed on from person to person if infected body fluids (such as blood, semen, vaginal or anal secretions and breast milk) get into your bloodstream  through unprotected sex, from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, injecting drugs with a needle that has infected blood in it and infected blood donations or organ transplant.

The latest fake news circulating on the HIV rumour mill means that many are misinformed. In fact, the fake news just keep reinforcing HIV-related stigma and have had a long-lasting and damaging impact on many people’s perceptions about how the virus is spread.

Remember, you cannot get HIV from…

1-You can’t get HIV from kissing. Yes, even torrid kissing!

2- You can’t get HIV from shaking hands or hugging.

3- You can’t get HIV from being bitten or scratched.

4- You can’t get HIV from sharing food, water utensils and other household items.  HIV can’t survive in water, so you won’t get HIV from swimming pools, baths, shower areas, washing clothes or from drinking water.

5- You can’t get HIV from animals such as fish, mosquitoes and other insects. The virus cannot survive to insects and animals.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Devotees make annual pilgrimage to Black Nazarene in Bohol Calvary

Wake-uppers:

Members of the Bohol Provincial Police Office
Press Corp welcomed acting provincial police
director Senior Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez
during the change of command on Friday, Jan. 11.
 They also gave their snappy salute
to outgoing provincial director Senior
 Supt Angeles Geñorga, Jr. and Tagbilaran
City police chief Supt. Patricio Degay, Jr.  Photo by Allen Doydora

Scene: Provincial police director Senior Supt Angeles Geñorga, Jr., who served the province for 11 months and five days, was replaced by Senior Supt. Julius Cesar Gornez on Friday.  Senior Supt. Angelito Dumangeng, deputy regional director for operation, presided over Gornez’ installation, on behalf of Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas. Geñorga’s sudden relief came as a major surprise. “I assumed my post on Jan. 16, 2018 short of one week for duty, but I am not short of what ought to be delivered in the span of time. I am confident that I have accomplished our mission. I would not speak in detail of what we have delivered but the statistics shown would speak of how we performed as a team,” said Geñorga. Gornez, who was also a former Tagbilaran City police chief, vowed to continue the war against illegal drugs, fight against criminality and corruption. “I will commit to supporting relevant ideas in improving our service,” said Gornez. He also enjoined the provincial police force here to make Bohol a safer place to live with as a drug-free province. Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto didn’t attend the turnover of command. He was represented by provincial administrator Ae Damalerio. Out of 48 mayors in Bohol, only Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap attended the event. Sources said Geñorga was one of the provincial police directors and station commanders reshuffled by Camp Crame to avoid connivance between law enforcers and politicians in preparation for the May 13 midterm elections.

Scene: Yamyam Gucong , the Iskulit Bai ng Bohol, was introduced as an official housemate. A native of Inabanga town,  Yamyam hopes to infect everyone with his positive personality. Yamyam, 25, said he wants to enter the PBB house to experience the life of the rich. He is driven to become a successful housemate so that he can fulfil his dream and be able to help give better life to his family.

Scene: Mr. Football Philippines Elmer “Lacknet” Bedia personally mentored the 100 participants in the free football clinic conducted last week in Panglao town. The event was hosted by Panglao Dolphins Football Club.  Bedia also wished that through the clinic, Bohol Football Association (BOHFA), through its president Edmar Thaddeus Simpao, hoped to produce great players. “With this beautiful game in football, we can help them refresh their attitude and teach them how to behave and focus on their beautiful life. Hopefully, we can find some of these kids one day that represent Bohol to play for the country,” said Bedia.

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Monique Bag-o lives north of this town, but she made a vow to travel to Barangay Malinao in Garcia Hernandez town to climb Bohol Calvary during the annual feast of the Black Nazarene.

A healing session was conducted by visionary
 Marina Reblinca during the feast of the
 Black Nazarene in Garcia Hernandez town,
 Bohol province on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Pilgrims walked more than three kilometers
 to reach the summit of “Bohol Calvary”
as part of their annual spiritual journey.
 Photo by Leo Udtohan

That pledge, made to the Black Nazarene, was in honor that she begot a son whom she brought along with her on Wednesday’s fiesta.

She attributes many of her life’s miracles to the iconic Nazarene image, which she said were all granted because of her deep faith and devotion.

Bag-o, 50, said she asked for a son since she had already three daughters now aged 27, 25 and 22. At 43, she gave birth to Kurt Daniel in 2011.

Another devotee Leonola Baguhin, 68, hiked with her son, Leonard, who had a stroke last year. He wanted to be healed for his ailment.

Bag-o and Baguhin joined hundreds of pilgrims in the yearly feast. Many people started the trek about 7 a.m. at Barangay Malinao — which is about 3 kilometers from the village proper.

A Holy Mass was held at 10 a.m. inside a small chapel officiated by Rev. Fr. Mario Renca, assistant parish priest of the Saint John the Baptist Parish Church. Others had to stay outside the chapel to hear the Mass.

At least 1,000 people attended the fiesta, said Barangay Malinao chieftain Honorio Jaminal.

“There are more people coming here if we compared to last year’s 600,” he said.

For many of the pilgrims, the climb up the mountain is about carrying the faith on the Lord Jesus. Wednesday’s celebration was a huge gathering of people whose faith in the Black Nazarene is similar.

Radio personality Edward Guyano and 

your VRS with Marina Reblinca during

 the feast of the Black Nazarene in 

Garcia Herandez town, Bohol, Jan. 9. 

Photo by Jessa Ylanan

It was on May 29, 2011 when Marina Reblinca, a visionary and healer, brought the image of the Black Nazarene from Palawan to Bohol Calvary (originally named Mount Kalagan) in Barangay Malinao, Garcia Hernandez town.

She established a small chapel funded by devotees.

Reblinca, 65, said while she was in Palawan, the Nazarene told her he wanted to be in Bohol Calvary.

“I just followed the Senior’s order,” said Reblinca.

“Then, people from all over Bohol came here,” she added.

She said people were healed because of their strong faith in the Black Nazarene. They believed that touching or rubbing the statue with a towel would heal them physically and spiritually.

“Yung iba hahawak lang sa pisi o sa lubid, gumagaling na sila kung talagang ang paniniwala ay galing sa puso. Pero hahawak ka lang wala sa puso hindi ka talaga gagaling kahit anong gagawin mo,” she said.

She also said that the Black Nazarene protected the place during the strong earthquake in 2013 and some strong typhoons.

Since then, devotees consider the mountain, with its serene silence, holy.

During the feast, devotees were treated to a free lunch.

Retired Filipino-Australian football
 legend Elmer Lacknet Bedia
with officers and members
of the Panglao Dolphins Football Club.
  Photo by Leo Udtohan

Jaminal said six pigs were butchered for the fiesta, while two lechons were donated by some devotees.

“Everybody in the community has been helping a lot,” Jaminal said. “Many gave donations for the foods and drinks and flowers.”

After the lunch, devotees waited for the “patunob,” wherein the image of the Black Nazarene was placed on the parts of the body for healing.

When Reblinca placed the little statue of the Black Nazarene at the devotees’ heads, shoulders and hands, the devotees prayed and kissed the image asking for healing and miracles.

Others would wait for the flowers she blessed for healing and success in business.

Rosalinda Huertas and her sister Calpia said their family has ties to the holy mountain, and they’ve both hiked up the mountain for the Black Nazarene.

“It’s very spiritual,” Huertas said. “I’m Catholic and I believe in the Black Nazarene, so it’s very meaningful to have the strength to make it up the mountain.”

Mae Janice Galon, 34, left her job as an internet cafe attendant at B&J Computers in Jagna town to attend the fiesta. She considered her journey to the mountain packed with spiritual significance.

Yamyam Gucong Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN

“For me, the significance of the Holy Mountain in my life is very helpful. Once I stepped there I felt the peace, the light of life even though I have so much struggles knowing the fact about a life of a single mother,” she said.

“The every single step I did is worth sacrificing that is to lessen my sins and the obligation I have in my shoulder. Every time I am there I forgot every worry I have and focus the possibilities in life for me and for the future of my kids. I am empty if I cannot go there. I am not complete if I cannot go there,” Galon added.

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Change in lifestyle tops their #2019Goals

Along with the New Year come new beginnings, a new hope and, for others, a fresh start. 

For me, the best way to greet 2019 is to start its first day on a healthy and a fabulously positive note.

VRS asked some Boholanos what are their #2019Goals.

Atty. Ingemar “Pinoy Aquaman” Macarine- Only one - conquer the English Channel!

Cristopher Boncales- To travel more places in the Philippines and to discover more Asian countries being me tagged as #theAsianSweeper.

Benjie Oliva- I want to more productive and exercise more. I want to travel to Europe with my wife, Atty. Joan.

Jhoel Lim- Ticking off more travel bucketlists.

Daisy Gultiano- I need to be more fit, healthier and eat what’s good for my body.

Roger Ryan Laway Magtagad- My #2019Goals?  Continue to explore and discover aspiring models to be part of The Art Nouveau or TAN Models.   I will focus more on my career, work harder and take better care of myself. I want to search for my true love forever Errrrrrrr

 

Ariel Llanos- To have a healthy lifestyle.

Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin- My goals for 2019: Hopefully, to shed off the extra pounds of flesh and start a healthy lifestyle, to spend more quality time with family, to look at the brighter side of life, even with all the negativity in the world, and to always be grateful to God for both blessings and challenges that continue to define my personhood.

Melinda Mendez-Basalo- My goals are just simple: Intense family bonding by travelling together, more success in our Aviation Security at Bohol- Panglao International Airport and unity among all government and private agencies working at the said airport to make every civil aviation client arrive to his/her destination happy, secure and safe most especially to our Boholano travellers.

Lourdes "Malou" Brunidor- I want to start a healthy living by religiously doing my morning exercise. I want to eat more fruits and veggies.  And, most of all to be more prayerful.

Vilma Yorong- I want to welcome the New Year with a fresh start. I hope more people  can avail the best services that our office has to offer.

Atty. Ted Lagang- I want to maintain a simple lifestyle while spending quality time with my family and real friends.

 Glorivic Yap-Dela Serna- This 2019, I want to manage my time better and more prayerful.

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Additional “reminders” to welcome your most awesome year yet.

1. Lose Weight

2. Getting Organized

3. Spend Less, Save More

4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest

5. Staying Fit and Healthy

6. Learn Something Exciting

7. Quit Smoking

8. Help Others in Their Dreams

9. Fall in Love

10. Spend More Time with Family

And some inspiring words from Pope Francis:

1. Don't gossip.
2. Finish your meals.
3. Make time for others.
4. Choose the "more humble" purchase.
5. Meet the poor "in the flesh."
6. Stop judging others.
7. Befriend those who disagree.
8. Make commitments, such as marriage.
9. Make it a habit to "ask the Lord."
10.Be happy. This joy should translate to love of neighbor.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.