Barong, Filipiniana gown showcase at The Inaugural

By Leo Udtohan 

Who are you wearing?  Creations of Boholano fashion icon EJ Relampagos during the the Inaugural ceremonies of the provincial government of Bohol last Thursday, June 30. Photo: Rep. Vanessa Aumentado 

Who are you wearing?

Filipiniana was still the attire of choice at the Inaugural ceremonies of the provincial government of Bohol held Thursday (June 30) at the Bohol Cultural Center. 

Most male lawmakers still opted to wear the traditional barong Tagalog, traditionally paired with dark pants and black formal shoes.

The terno, with its distinct butterfly sleeves, was worn as tops paired with matching pants or in the traditional manner, as dresses accented with artful folds, beautiful embroidery or delicate beading.

It is a Filipino heritage to wear Filipiniana and barong Tagalog. It makes politicians look dignified yet native with the essence of servitude. 

Who are you wearing?  Creations of Boholano fashion designer Noel Bompat Estopito during the the Inaugural ceremonies of the provincial government of Bohol last Thursday, June 30. Photo: Reps. Vanessa Aumentado and Alexie Tutor

Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado wore a stylish hand embroided piña silk barong designed by Boholano fashion icon EJ Relampagos. 

Vice Governor Victor Balite was also in a barong, while his wife Ruselle wore a blue  Filipiniana dress.

2nd district Rep. Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado, was also wearing a piece designed by EJ, a burgundy terno. 

EJ said Vanessa is a very simple person. She  wanted a simple, no beadwork, no lace gown. 

"So what I did, I draped her gown from a fitting form and added some dyed feathers to complete the look," EJ shared. 

Board Member Mimi Boniel wore a tinalak print midi skirt designed by EJ. It was paired with a piña cocoon barong embellished with Ifugao tribe accessory beads. 

3rd district Board Member Tita Baja wore an emerald green gown carved with cabbage roses on some parts of the dress through fabric manipulation. 

"It was her request as well to make it simple. She only wanted to look slim and emphasize the curves so that brought me the idea in creating her modern Filipiniana,"  EJ said. 

3rd Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor and 2nd district Board Member Jamie Aumentado Villamor were wearing the creations of another Boholano designer Noel Bompat Estopito. 

Tutor was wearing an orange gown. Her daughter, Issa, also wore Estopito's. 

"The Color Orange will always shout out “Kumbati!” I am proud of wearing this color. It symbolizes life, vibrance, good vibes and good will," Tutor said. 

"Today marks the beginning of another chance and opportunity to serve the 3rd District of Bohol, whom I love dearly. Tersero, I will always do the best that I can to take care of you," she added. 

Atty. Jamie was wearing a serpentina terno dress which perfectly matches her taste and style.

"I have always wanted my getup to be simple, low key, yet striking. White is my color. I chose this basket weaving sleeves because it perfectly showcase one of Bohol’s booming industries. I always love anything woven, it is a reminder of hard work, creativity and interconnection," said Jamie the talent, creativity and work ethics of Estopito.

In his Facebook post, Estopito said 

in designing garments, it is in his heart to ensure that every creation celebrates a woman's body; no matter the size, no matter the shape.  

"Taking inspiration to what is local, and to what is inherently Boholano combined with classic minimalist design approaches will always be my guide in bringing out the innate elegance within a woman," he said. 

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Most memorable lines from newly minted leaders (and why we are moved, if we are moved) during their inaugural addresses:

Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado-" Today the pride and honor of the Boholanos have been restored. For standing and taking his oath before you is a true Boholano by blood, by heart and by action and who is now tasked to carry the yoke of leading our beloved province of Bohol. With total humility I accept totally the trust you have entrusted me."

 "We are not out witch-hunting; we are on a clean-up drive. There will be no more bypassing of the normal bidding procedures. There will be no more transactions done by or coursed through people who have no official functions in the Capitol. There will be no more 'Ivans. We may be able to unmask the face or faces of that notorious “Ivan” or not but we will make sure that our dealings will be transparent and above-board. We owe this to our fellow Boholanos. And I personally owe this to my late father who had served his people with no stain of corruption. "

Panglao Mayor Boy Arcay-"Today is the end of the abusive and careless administration in our town. Today is the beginning of providing real service and service to the people that will provide opportunity and hope for comprehensive development for all the people of Panglao. This is also the day my calvary begins, but if we help a lot and bear the cross, we will be able to bear it, no matter how hard."

"Let’s make our town business-friendly. Let’s eliminate under-the-table transactions and illegal solicitations by traders."

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap- "Before being elected as your Mayor, I am a wife first and a mother to Janah and Jaby. But today, I am now a mother to over 105,000 Tagbilaranons. I am responsible for your wellbeing and welfare. A mother not only to a few but to all," she said. "I am here to serve you, within the tenets of democracy and equality, without discrimination based on age, gender, religion, or political affiliation. Under a participative and consultative brand of leadership, we will obtain an inclusive progress for all. Malungtaron nga Asenso Para sa Tanan."

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Search for 'Queen of Bohol' 2022 begins

By Leo Udtohan 

Sandugo Queen 2019 Madisson Rain Lucido appears on 

noontime variety show"Eat Bulaga!"

This August, Bohol is opening its doors to members of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/allies, nonbinary/genderqueer, pansexual+) community to join the Miss Gay competition: Queen of Bohol 2022. 

Queen of Bohol will surely catch the Boholanos’ attention as a pageant for alternative or gay beauty pageant in Bohol. 

The organizers said the Queen of Bohol will serve as an eye-opener to embrace, promote, protect, empower and advocate the well-being of the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities.

 

"This is not merely just a beauty pageant but it is for a cause. We extend our helping hands in the humblest ways to our chosen charity or programs who are our beneficiaries," founders Richard "Tamara" Pancho, creative director; Kim Villamor, consultant; and Roger Ryan "Khim" Magtagad, chairperson, said.

Formerly known as Sandugo Queen, the Queen of Bohol is looking for an

LGBTQIA+ who is a paragon of intellect, physical fitness, good character, benevolence, equality and inclusivity. 

Sandugo Queen 2019 Madisson Rain Lucido is enjoying her journey on noontime variety show "Eat Bulaga!"

The screening is on July 4 at 1 p.m .to 3 p.m. at JJ's Seafoods Village. 

Just like any other pageants, finalists will have to prepare for the different rounds like the casual, talent, costume, and swimsuit round.

Coronation will be on August 26.

* * *

This inspiration short story "The Teacher’s hand" shared to us by Edison Gumapac of Manga National High School. He said the story speaks of more than thankfulness. Read on.

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment — to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student’s art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher’s true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went — until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas’ desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.

The little boy looked away and muttered, It’s yours, teacher.

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, Take my hand, Douglas, we’ll go outside. Or, Let me show you how to hold your pencil. Or, Let’s do this together. Douglas was most thankful for his teacher’s hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

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Tagbilaran City welcomes new police chief

By Leo Udtohan 

Lt. Col. Regie Real receives the new responsibility as the chief of police at Tagbilaran City Police Station from outgoing chief Lt. Col. Mary Grace Peralta in a turn-over ceremony on Friday afternoon, June 17, 2022. Photos: Leo Udtohan

The police force here will be led by a woman for the second time after Lt. Col. Regie Real took the helm of leadership as the newly installed chief of police during a  turnover ceremony held Friday.

Presided over by Police Col. Osmundo Salibo, provincial director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), the office symbol, property, equipment inventory book, unit saber and unit color were turned over by Lt. Col. Mary Crystal Peralta to the incoming chief.

The ceremony was also attended by former Usec. Art Evangelista of the Office of the Transport Security who represented governor-elect Erico Aristotle Aumentado.

Reelected Tagbilaran City Councilor Eleazar "Ondo" Borja represented Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap. 

In her message, Real, 47, who hails from Cagayan Valley, acknowledged the achievements of her predecessors and promised to do equally or do better.

 "We will provide the highest level of service possibly we can to the citizens," said Real. 

Prior to her designation as the new chief of police, Real became part of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces from  

2011-2012, deputy police chief of LapuLapu Police Station from 2017-2018, and acting chief of Police Community Relations'  affairs and development office at the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7).

She said her being a female top law enforcement officer in Bohol’s capital is her first assignment as chief of police. 

Peralta would be assigned at PRO-7.

She made history as the first female chief of police in Tagbilaran City. 

In 2021, she was recognized as Region-7 Best Junior Police Commission Officer (PCO) for the Quad Concept of Operations (Community Relations, Police Operations, Investigation, Intelligence and Preemption).

Her hardwork and dedication of the Tagbilaran City Police paid off as the Police Regional Office awarded the unit as the Best Component City Police Station in Region-7 during its120th Police Service Anniversary in 2021. 

In her valedictory address, Peralta said she had experienced the biggest challenges in the city and province. Among her most unforgettable moments were the pandemic, the onslaught of typhoon Odette (International name: Rae), the 2022 elections and the repa investment scam. 

During the pandemic, several quarantine protocols were then implemented based on evaluation of Inter-Agency Task Force.  The strict implementation of COVID-19 protocols in the province, earned her "frenemies". She was even tagged as "maldita".  But for those who know her, she is described as "maldita with a heart." 

Outgoing chief Lt. Col. Mary Grace Peralta with some members of the Bohol media- Ric Obedencio, Helen Castaño and Dave Responte. (Not in photo Rey Tutas and Allen Doydora). Contributed photo

"I showed to you the leadership of a woman, a public officer, and most of all, a mother," Peralta said. 

Tagbilaran City, a third class component city, has a population of 104,976. 

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This inspirational story about an eagle shared to us by Anthony Ceniza,  choreographer extraordinaire: 

The Eagle does not fight the snake on the ground. It picks it up into the sky and changes the battleground, and then it releases the snake into the sky.

The snake has no stamina, no power, and no balance in the air. It is useless, weak, and vulnerable unlike on the ground where it is powerful wise and deadly.

Take your fight into the spiritual realm by praying and when you are in the spiritual realm God takes over your battles.

Don't fight the enemy in his comfort zone, change the battlegrounds like the Eagle and let God take charge through your earnest prayer. You'll be assured of clean victory.

Pray without ceasing.

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Ubujan's Bhea Minion is Mutya material

By Leo Udtohan

Bhea Minion's dream is to become a beauty queen.  Photo: Mac Gaso

As they've been saying, newly-crowned  Mutya sa Ubujan 2023, Bhea Minion, 17, is a Mutya sa Tagbilaran material. That was what many people (those in the audience at the Ubujan covered court where the first barangay Mutya search was held last Friday, June 10) thought as soon as Bhea appeared onstage during the swimsuit competition.

Bhea won the major awards- best in swimwear, gown and interview. 

"She has the biggest chance," said Roger Ryan "Khim" Laway Magtagad of TAN Models. 

Her winning as queen of Ubujan is her road to Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2023. 

"She is sexy and beautiful, she's confident," said Khim. 

Bhea was the first TAN Next Top Model in 2020. 

Manga National High School Supreme Student Government also shared that Bhea's dream is" to become a beauty queen to inspire others."

"From a childhood dream to reality, the stars clearly aligned for her tonight," said Manga NHS SSG in a Facebook post. "Her determination to win the crown led her to victory."

Bhea is a Grade 11 student of Manga NHS taking the STEM strand. 

The Mutya fever is back. A search is conducted in every barangay to find the finest girls to compete in Mutya sa Tagbilaran, one of the most prestigious and most awaited pageants in province. 

“Barangayan level pa, pero bongga na, Asenso pa more," quipped Roger, who is also part of the GlamTeam (Official Hair & Make Up Artist). 

The ongoing pandemic has changed the norms of our daily lives. Reinvention is key to stay afloat. 

* * *

"Doctor's tips to women" (shared by Edison Gumapac of Manga National High School) : 

1. You should not finish all housework in one day. Those who have done it are stressed and some are already buried.

 

Bhea Minion (center) wins Mutya sa Barangay Ubujan 2023

 on Friday, June 10, 2022.  Photo: Manga NHS-SSG 

2. Take time to rest, it's not a sin to sit, put your legs on the table and eat something you like.

3. Sleep if necessary for headache to disappear. Those who refuse to take vacation leave, take time off or break time, if not, their families will miss them because they have prematurely gone on the journey without return.

4. Stop taking sedatives to sleep, you're destroying your brain and organs. Sometime you'll start forgetting things. Relax your brain, worry less, go for a walk, laugh, smile more, everything will happen eventually.

5. Meditate. Have a quiet time and relax. Breathe fresh air. Breathe out all negativities.

6. Stay in front of your mirror, smile for yourself. That turns on a positive aura around you, so you can shine with your own light.

7. Go buy you a snack or something to drink. Just do something for yourself, even if your partner doesn't do it for you... do it yourself, so you can download things in your head.

8. Get the appliances needed to ease your job and avoid stress as it is women's largest silent killer.

9. Ask help when you don't feel good, do something about it, go to health center, hospital or call some nearby doctor. Don't self medicate.

10. Control your pressure and sugar level occasionally, whether you're sick or not. Doing this has saved a lot of women in the past. Trust this good advice I give you and give yourself the value you deserve, love and care, you are a great woman and don't forget you are beautiful instrument for creation.

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

Miss Bohol titleholders win this year's elections

By Leo Udtohan

Mutya sa Bohol 1986 and Engr. Gemma 

Manding-Inting

 is the only woman elected in the 

Tagbilaran City Council. 

Contributed photo 

So you think that only businessmen heed the Pied Piper call to the political arena? Think again.

Beauty queens are, too.

Two of them are former Misses Bohol-- Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado and Gemma Manding-Inting who won this year's elections. 

The face of politics in Bohol province isn't only changing, it's getting beautified as Cadorna-Aumentado was elected as first  congresswoman of the second district of Bohol. 

Miss Bohol 2001 Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado is the first woman representative of the second district of Bohol. Contributed photo

As a registered nurse and Miss Bohol 2001, Aumentado said she will focus on health, tourism, youth and agriculture.

“I feel the pressure because I am a neophyte. But I am confident I can bring the services to the second district of Bohol,” she said.  “I will serve the people with competence, commitment, passion and dedication.”

Bohol’s second district has 14 LGUs with 346 barangays.

Engr. Gemma Manding-Inting was also elected as Tagbilaran Councilor. She will be the lone woman in the city council. 

Her advocacy is autism awareness and services for special children.

Manding-Inting, one of the Tagbilaran's Five Prettiest in 1985, was crowned Mutya sa  Bohol in 1986. 

* * *

These "50 life lessons" from Regina Brett, a New York Times best-selling author and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, are fun to read. They’re insightful and full of personality. 

The universal lessons are relatable to anyone who needs a little reminder of what’s important in life. Soak in and reflect on. 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado with her husband Bohol governor-elect Erico Aristotle Aumentado at the provincial Capitol. Photo: Van-van Aumentado Facebook 

 

 

 

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

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