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. 

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"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.

How to safely celebrate Christmas 2020 during Covid (Part 2)

Christmas 2020 will likely feel really different as our government advised us to simplify our Christmas celebrations. Contributed Photos

We love the traditions that come with Christmas. The coronavirus pandemic may mean our Christmas won’t look exactly the same as it usually does. 

VRS wanted to know how our friends are planning to navigate, connect, celebrate and reflect the holiday season. 

After all, a global pandemic doesn’t have to ruin the festive season completely. 

Vera Villocido-Gesite-  Christmas during this pandemic means going to church and going back to family. It will be mostly just staying at home with food and singing with just my siblings and their children.

Mikey Gatal-  Due to the current situation, my holiday events are being canceled. For sure Santa Claus will not stop from giving Christmas presents. You know what, he is an elderly, so he might rethink of not working. The good thing is, I heard, he can send some of his hunky Santa grandsons. I am lucky I have my BFF as the Santa hunk Ha! Ha! Ha! Better be safe than sorry after all.

Edison Gumapac- I will celebrate Christmas together with my father, my brother and his family in a simple gathering of thanksgiving. Even this time of pandemic it will not change our culture and traditions of finding joy this holiday that comes from our family. As it is said "family is love. " Maybe this Christmas, it's hard to feel some fun and  happiness compared to last year because the pandemic limited our activities. But it doesn't mean Christmas won't look exactly the same as  it usually does, but we can get creative and find some new ways to celebrate. 

Anthony Ceniza- I believe Christmas is everywhere... I will celebrate Christmas with my boss, colleagues and friends at Dumaluan Beach Resort. I am praying a safe and simple celebration especially to my family in Cebu. I'm so excited for my Christmas gifts from my bossing Dr. Doloriech and Madam Malou Dumaluan!  Christmas means Emmanuel, God is with us! 

Doris Isabel J. Racho- I will celebrate Christmas with my friends thru gift giving as what we did last year. 

  

Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado- This may not be the kind of Christmas everyone expected but I will always be grateful and thankful to God for the gift of life, family and friends. Nothing is more important than celebrating this season with  your loved ones. On Christmas Eve, simple dinner will be prepared. Small get together with the family- my husband, kids, in-laws, nephews and nieces is what we are looking forward to. On Christmas day, mass will be celebrated in commemoration of my Father in-law, the late Governor Erico B. Aumentado's 8th death anniversary.  Despite the crisis we are facing today, I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and may our New Year be brighter than ever! Hopeful for a very fruitful and productive year ahead!

Butch Bernas- Celebrating Christmas same as usual with my family and there is a bit twist with glam phoshoot this yuletide season amidst the threat of the COVID19. Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year everyone!

Jeycelle Espejo-Inting- I usually don't celebrate Christmas being alone for q sometimes now. Maybe just stay in my apartment and use the two weeks vacation for my online job.

Arnel Corbita- Going to church will be my priority. I want to thank God for all the blessings. After church, I'll go back home for family bonding.

Bhea Minion-  I know we all want to roam and go for a walk but because of the pandemic we have a hard time doing it. I will celebrate Christmas with a family reunion. The presence and feeling of love for each other is enough.

The Christmas decors inside the Tagbilaran City- General Services Office headed by Chris John Rener Torralba, Ph.D. Photos:  Leo Udtohan

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And here’s today’s inspiring story contributed by Gerwin Yudelmo, a call center agent in Cebu City, who founded the #ProjectHope. He got the story from a friend of his friend and forwarded it untitled to VRS.  Enjoy reading.

The Little Match Girl Story

This is the story of a poor little girl who lived with her father. Her father used to send her to the streets to sell the matchsticks. It was New Year’s Eve and it was terribly cold out there. 

The Match Girl was noticed by no one and so she couldn’t sell the matches that day. She was afraid that if she would go home, her father would beat her. She used to miss her mother and grandmother who were now in Heaven.

It was so cold that she finally, dared to lit a match and made herself warm. Soon, the match turned into a fireplace and she made herself warm. But it didn’t last for long. Without thinking, she lit the second match. This time, the wall turned into a veil and she could see a dining room with lots of delicious foods. But in a couple of seconds, it vanished.  

When she lit the third match, a beautiful Christmas Tree appeared. It had many beautiful candles. She wanted to hold the candles. But as she reached, the candles flew to the sky and turned into stars. Next, when she lit the match, she saw her grandmother whom she loved the most. One by one, she struck the whole bundle of matches as she didn’t want her grandmother to go away.

The next day, it was the New Year. The match girl was sitting at the corner with red cheeks and a smiling face. The people there thought she was trying to keep herself warm last night. But no one knew the magic moments she spent last night. 

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