There’s something about Ferome / Ima Leopardas responds to bashers & haters

He is regarded as one of the top male hosts in the province today, but Ferome Jusgorge Balabag Almine is quick to reveal that his career as an event organizer and host was not without difficulty.

For this Sunday’s edition, however, Ferome put down his microphone for a while and offered a rare glimpse of his life and career.

“It is my passion to talk and inspire others,” said Ferome who started hosting at a very young age. “It is always my drive to put smiles in other people’s lives through my hosting gigs. It is always my passion also to organize and help other people in realizing their dream events.  Hosting for me is a fulfilling job.”

Ferome became an eager student, absorbing all that was there for his to learn from the veterans in the industry.  They were his elementary and high school teachers and some wedding coordinators who influenced his career.  

However, Ferome shared the road to hosting events is not easy. “No and never it will be easy because it is our job to entertain the audience in all walks of life and cultures. I learn to be patient, dedicated and flexible to meet the demands and expectations of my clients.”

Ferome Almine as event organizer and host: ‘It’s my passion and love.’ 

He also said that he needs to bend with the standards of the organizers and the audience.

“The most difficult things in hosting is putting myself to people’s emotions,” he said.

Does he suffer from burn-out? “Sometimes but I don’t entertain burden and burn-out because I enjoy organizing and hosting events.  Again, it is my passion and love.”

Ferome shared that hosting the Sandugo festival street-dancing was his most memorable event in his hosting career. “It was a privileged for me to host a prestigious festival of Bohol. It’s my first time that my voice would be telecast on GMA 7 and over radio coverage to all radio stations in Bohol.”

Just like other hosts, Ferome had his own share of bloopers, booboos, blunders and hilarious moments. And though the incidents were not funny at that time, he can laugh at those experiences now because they somehow helped him become better at his job and in a way, shaped him into who he is now.

 “I loose my big modulated voice and it becomes rustic. I have colds, sore throat and fever prior to the show,” he said.  “I force myself to produce modulated voice. I shout and I make sure that I still do my best despite of my health condition. The show must go on.”

Through the years, many people and clients saw Ferome move up the professional ladder and gain respect in the industry as organizer and host. In fact, he is the resident host of the Alturas Group of Companies and he will be hosting four events ( hosting the Sandugo Dance contest on July 12, Sandugo Festival BodyBuilder 2015 on July 18, Mr and Miss Teen ICM on July 19 and Atty. Carandang’s wedding on July 25 at Panglao Island Nature Resort; and hosting weddings for SilverBlue Wedding and Things, Yowev_Your Weddings and Events Supreme Weddings by Mae Supremo, Mr Jose Suarez Events Team Jazz Duo by Gigi) this Sandugo month. It just goes to show that people respond to Ferome in a positive way.

What do you want to achieve? “I want to be a millionaire before I reach 25! Ha!Ha!Ha!”

And as he celebrates his 13 years as an event host, Ferome shares with VRS readers 13 little-know things about him.

1. I am religious.

2. I’m a kagawad in Mansasa, Tagbilaran City.

3. I became an Outstanding Barangay Official as SK chairman and barangay kagawad.

4. I am a cheerful giver.

5. I am a registered nurse.

6. I am a daydreamer. I’ve dreamed to work outside the country or wish to be a famous TV host.

7. I have seven dogs. They are Choco, Chup2x, Carlo, Carla, Charles, Ally and Great Dane.

8. I’m planning to open this year a shop that could cater all services in the path that I am into (organizing and 

hosting). I plan to put up my own convenience store. Dream lang naman! He!He!He!

9.  I have my best buddies with me.

10. I am with the Alturas Group of Companies as a resident host.  See me at the Island City Mall!

11. I am not allowed to party with friends despite of my age! Ha!Ha!Ha!

12. I am a loner. Gusto kong mapag-isa.

13. I am single but I prioritize my work, my best buddies and my family. By the way I have two mommies! My real mom is Fe Balabag-Almine  and my aunt/Mamy Halida Blanco, who is the wife of our Punong Barangay Manolo P. Blanco who is also my second father.  (Ferome’s father is Inspector Romeo Almine. He has two brothers Ferome Myko and Ferome Carltome.- LPU)

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Ima Leopardas responds to bashers & haters

:

Nothing wrong with repeaters because in most cases, they turn out to be winners, right?

Of the 23 candidates in this year’s Miss Bohol pageant set for July 18, only Miss Bohol 2014 fourth runner-up Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas of Baclayon is the repeater.

“Yes, I have joined Miss Bohol last year, God knows why I am joining again this year. And to whoever is reading this long post right now, I would just like to remind you that (with emphasis! -LPU) YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE CAPABLE AND POWERFUL. YOU ARE STRONG. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE DEEPEST AND WORST STRUGGLES IN LIFE YET YOU STILL MADE IT AND YOU ALWAYS WILL. NEVER FORGET THAT SOMEONE OUT THERE LOVES YOU AND THAT SOMETIMES IN LIFE, WE ENDED UP BEING IN A SITUATION WE NEVER WANT TO BE IN. BUT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. NEVER GIVE UP. CHIN UP. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE THAT ONLY YOU CAN MAKE...GO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE,” Ima, an www.omg.com model, posted on Facebook.

Ima also shared that “we are all in this world for a reason.”

Imaculada Leopardas: ‘I will always be a living example of a true beauty queen.’ 

Courtesy: Chris Ramasola/www.ramasola.net

She added: “If they say, "Beauty Queens come and go" well I say, "People come and go".. And no matter who we are..Rich or Poor, Thin or Fat, Black or White, Happy or Sad, Famous or Not, we will all come back to Him someday. We are alive for a reason. And I believe that I am who I am now for a reason. Sometimes at night, I wonder why people keep on following my posts and honestly, it is very overwhelming. Yes, I used to be "Invisible"..somebody who was always one of the audience but I was a sincere Servant Leader.”

For her bashers and haters: “For as long as I am still breathing, I would always be the Ima I've known for 19 years. I will make my family proud. I will never forget my bestfriends for life ‪#‎GIBS . I will always be a good daughter. Be a living example of a true beauty queen.. And at the same time, I'll always have in my heart those important people in my life who changed me, motivated me and loved me just the way I am.”

Some fans also showed their support for Ima. Others gave their words of encouragement.

“Haters gonna hate and bashers gonna bash but they will be gone,” one fan said.

Popular pageant repeaters are Janine Tugonon (who placed first runner-up in the 2012 Miss Universe pageant) and Diane Necio (who won 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-International) were repeaters. In fact, some winners in the international contests were repeaters, too.

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

Ima Leopardas is loveless but happy

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Congratulations to Aster Caberte, Central Visayas Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for having been chosen Best DTI Executive in the Philippines during the recent "SPRInts (System on Performance, Rewards and Incentives) Huwarang DTI 2015" awarding ceremonies.

 

Why do we need a designated holiday to celebrate love? -LPU

Scene: From Reigh Monreal this info: Congratulations to the Bohol Island State University (BISU) for being listed by the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) among the Top 5 performing teacher education institutions in the country in Category B (500 to 999 takers from 2009 to 2014) with a running passing average of 85% for both BEEd and BSEd. The other four: De La Salle University (Manila), 99%; University of Saint La Salle (Bacolod), 86%; Ateneo de Naga (Bicol), 85%; and University of Southeastern Philippines (Tagum), 85%. Tops in Category A (1,000 and above examinees): University of the Philippines – Diliman, 97%; University of Santo Tomas, 94%; Philippine Normal University (Manila), 93%; St. Louis University (Baguio), 87%; and Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro), 90%.

 

Scene: The Splash Day the 13th at the University of Bohol. “If you are an alumni/alumna and you wish you experienced this kind of fun during your time! don't worry ... you will have your chance... just join us in our Grand Alumni Homecoming this July 2016,” says Janice Aurora Tirol, Ph.D., dean of Student Personnel  Services.

 

Scene: Valentine gimmicks were held at different schools in Bohol.  To spice up their V-day celebration, the students of  Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School had love wall, kasal-kasalan, love knot, et al . One student said, "I am taken by you." On the other hand, people bought flowers at downtown Tagbilaran a day before Valentine's Day. Prices of fresh blooms escalated on Friday morning. According to Boholano florist Eddie Dahunog of Eva's Flowershop, there was a low supply of flowers. Dahunog added that some people were practical that instead of buying fresh flowers they preferred V-items made of plastic. “People are practical now that kahit plastic basta makapgabigay lang sa kanyang minahal. Kasi sabi nila ang plastic forever daw ang presko hindi tumatagal. The most important is your true love,” said Dahunog.

 

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Would you believe that beauty queen Imaculada Cleofe Edubas Leopardas has been loveless for  many years now (her last boyfriend was when she was in high school)? How does Ima cope with this barrenness in her lovelife?

 

"I'm fine," said Ima who has signed a non-exclusive contract with OMG (www.mikeygatal.com/ www.omg755.com/www.boholster.com) of US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal (who took his oath as US citizen last yesterday, Feb. 14).  The contract signing was attended by Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal, Roger Gatal, Nikki Gatal-Quintia, Marjo Gatal-Dumas and Kiss FM dj Robert James.

 

Imaculada Cleofe Edubas Leopardas:
 ‘Love is a choice and when you choose to love,
 you choose to get hurt.’ Courtesy: Miss Bohol

“OMG! I love it! The moment I knew that I was gonna be one of the endorsers, I really thanked Mr. Mikey Gatal for choosing me,” said Ima, a BS in Psychology Major in Industrial Psychology School student at Bohol Island State University- Main Campus. “This has been one of my dreams and OMG turned it into a reality. And I am in love with the charity works that we've been doing because that is so me.”

 

During the contract signing, Mikey expressed his gladness on Ima and other models as OMG models. "Ima is beautiful and talented.”

 

On Valentine’s Day, Imma together with other OMG models Neil Namuag, Adelyn Joy Esclamado, Pham Marzon, Erika Gatal abd Gercy Daraido had a charity event in Baclayon, Ima’s hometown.

 

“It’s one of the most amazing things in my whole life! The first thing I know was I was once a pupil of Baclayon Central Elementary School and the next thing I know, I am leading a charity work, and that just felt really amazing,” shared Ima. “And it made me feel really happy knowing that I served as an inspiration and a good example to those children.”

 

Ima is loveless. She has remained fancy-free, so a VRS Q&A with her focused on her present state of being.

 

What keeps you busy? I'm busy being myself. One day, I found myself dreaming about making my family proud and the next day, I found myself living that dream. There is one thing that I would like to always do in my life and that is to make my mother be really happy and that's what I'm doing now. I am busy learning everything about life so that I can make each day count. I have this habit of inspiring people for as far as I know, dreams do come true. Everyday, I think of the many things that I can be and I never stop discovering and improving myself, for I know that life is a gift and I don't have an intent of wasting it.

 

Who/what inspires you?  My family is my inspiration. Even if I haven't seen my father for eight years for he has to work abroad, even if I would say that really, my life story is like the MMK on TV and even if we have been through those many darkest moments in life, still I learned. I learned that life can be unfair, but one should always get up no matter how many times you fall. And it strucks me to the point that I will do anything just to make them happy and proud. I love my family so much. (Ima’s parents are Engr. Eleazar Leopardas, Sr. and  Ma. Gloria (nee Edubas). Her supportive siblings are Vanessa Joy, Roman Ceferino and Eleazar Jr.- LPU)

How long do you think you can survive being single? Honestly, this question made me smile. Well, I have this theory and it is a theory of bread. You like eating a piece of bread only if there is a sandwich spread.

 

Ima Leopardas with her fellow OMG models (l-r): Adelyn Joy Esclamado, Gercy Daraido , Erika Gatal,
Pham Marzon and Neil Namuag. Courtesy: Roger Gatal

Now what happens if there's no more sandwich spread? Well you have to eat and enjoy the bread and hope for the better sandwich spread that you may have next time. The sandwich spread stands for the person you fall in love with, and the bread is you. You see, there will always be that one person who can make your heart beat faster and slower at the same time. But in my case, I am not searching for someone because I am waiting for the right one. I wouldn't mind waiting too long, for the love from my family, best friends and supporters are more than enough to me.

 

With you, once a relationship is over, it’s over na jud, no more second time around? Any kind of relationship deserves a second chance, for this time, you realized how much you really care for that person and by that, you don't want to lose the person again. But if circumstances won't allow you to be together again, I think it's best to let it go. It will hurt, of course it will really hurt for it was true. Everything happens for a reason. The most important thing there is, you have to learn from it, accept it, move on and be better, not bitter.

 

What lessons (or “mistakes”) did you learn from your past relationship that will guide you in your future relationship?  I loved too much, that is the mistake. It was way back in high school and that was my first love. I have no regrets, for the person made me happy and made me see how beautiful people can be, just the way they are. Everything I learned about love and pain, I owe it to my past and I am forever thankful for that. But at the end of the day, the past has turned me into the best version of myself because I chose to look at the positive side of life.

 

Love can wait, says Ima. Courtesy: Miss Bohol

What is love to you? Love is when you give it first to someone who deserves it and that someone should be yourself. Love is a choice and when you choose to love, you choose to get hurt. Love isn't love until someone asks you what is love and you cannot explain it, because you only feel it. Love is when all you ever wanted was to make that person happy, even if you're not the reason behind that happiness.

 

What is your favorite love quote? "Love is not blind. It sees but it doesn't mind." We love people the hard way, we love people the wrong way, but in the end, it will never be about how many lovers you had, for it is about how true you are when you fall in love.

 

How does a single girl spend Valentine’s? A typical single girl spends Valentine's Day by liking the Facebook status of those happily inlove Facebook friends, she would look like she's not jealous of those girls who had a lot to receive on Heart's Day and she secretly hopes that someone would offer her some flowers and chocolates. You might ask me why I know all these things, so here's the answer: Yes, I'm single.

 

What’s your most memorable Valentine? I surprised my mother with a personalised gift which was from my savings, I wrote her a letter and I spent February 14 with her, that was my most memorable Valentine's Day. Every year, I always surprise my mother, not only on a Valentine's Day but also on her special occasions like her birthday. I never get tired on making her happy because seeing her smile makes me happy, too.

 

What qualities do you look for in a guy? Someone who has a good morale, someone taller than me, the one whom I can learn more about life, someone not just with the looks but also with a stable job, someone three or four years older than me, is honest, loyal, respectful to his mother, the one who knows how to make me laugh and can handle me at my worst and most of all, the one who can make me feel in love again...now that's what others may say "the impossible to find" kind of man. But I believe that that someone exists somewhere and at the right time and at the right place, I am going to see that man in God's will.

 

Who is your celebrity dream date? Mario Maurer. I really like him because he is the kind of handsome who is really humble and that makes him even more handsome. I really cannot forget his role in his movie, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and he really looks so cute.

 

Nonetheless, there is no hurry for Ima.

 

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