5 Miss Tourism Int’l beauties get warm welcome in Bohol

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.

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.

Miss Tourism International 2013 beauties (l-r) Lisa karls Dottir of Iceland, Phan of Vietnam, Maria Rautio of Finland, Kylie Miller of New Zealand and Lucie Klukava of Czech Republic at Alona Tropical in Panglao Island, Bohol.

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.

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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.)

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