Showing posts with label Melinda Mendez-Basalo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melinda Mendez-Basalo. Show all posts

Monday, March 4, 2019

Bohol welcomes Ms Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman


After winning the Miss Intercontinental 2018 crown, Bohol native Karen Gallman is now back home, even for a short while.

A warm welcome greeted the beauty queen
upon her arrival at the Bohol-Panglao International
Airport on Monday, March 4, 2019. Photos by Leo Udtohan
A warm welcome greeted the beauty queen upon her arrival at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport at 3:55 p.m. on Monday.

A group of fans unfurled a tarpaulin, congratulating her for bringing honor to the province while waving flaglets of the Philippines as soon as she stepped out of the airport in Panglao town.

She was also welcomed by her relative, Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol’s 2nd district.

Gallman made history when she became the first Filipino woman to win the Miss Intercontinental crown after 46 long years.

Her homecoming was sponsored by the municipal government of Ubay where she is from and former beauty queen Vanessa Aumentado.

According to Vanessa, Gallman would have a homecoming parade in Ubay on Tuesday afternoon.

Gallman was born at Barangay Fatima in Ubay to Gavin William Gallman, a retired Australian soldier, and Ubay native Editha Boyonas.

She spent her childhood at Barangay Bood before migrating to Australia at age 8.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

2 teen housemates from Bohol in ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ Lucky 7

The housemates of the latest season of "Pinoy Big Brother" (PBB): Lucky 7 were revealed one by one last week.

Meet:  Ma. Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito,
the “Go Better Girl ng Bohol.” Contributed Photo/PBB 
Two lucky teens were from Bohol. They were: Ma. Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito, the “Go Better Girl ng Bohol”  and  Fenech Aimee Veloso, “Ang Ballroom Baby ng Bohol.”  

Vivoree  was introduced on the late night talk show, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" last week as new teen housemate.

Vivoree, 16, who hails from Loon town, is a grade 10 student of Tagbilaran City Science High School.

“She can sing and play the guitar,” said teacher and cultural worker Butch Bernas, who was Vivoree’s grade 7 adviser.

Bernas added Vivoree is a “shy-type student.”

On “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” Vivoree talked about her expectations of PBB.

“I expect to learn different things. Yung experience po, magandang experience and new friends – new true friends,” she said.

When asked what’s the difference between a friend and a true friend, Vivoree answered, “A friend is just someone you can talk to. While a true friend is someone who’s going to be there no matter what happens.”

Meet:  Fenech Aimee Veloso, “Ang Ballroom Baby ng Bohol.”   
Contributed Photo/PBB

Vivoree, who dreams of becoming a performer, said that the reason she auditioned to for PBB was to, “At first po, try lang po talaga. Minsan lang po yun nangyayari, yung mga auditions po sa lugar namin, so sinubukan ko po. But then nung nagtagal po, narealize ko na I’m doing this for something not just for nothing. And that dream isyung pumasok sa bahay ni Kuya.”

She hopes that her stint inside the "PBB" house will be able help her overcome her insecurities.  She said she was bullied because of her being ma-balbon. She shared, “sinasabi nila na pinaglihi ka ba sa unggoy?” But since then she has learned to, “just shrug it off and go on with life.”

Veloso, 13, who hails from Barangay Manga, Tagbilaran City, was introduced on “It’s Showtime.” She said that she auditioned for the reality television show in order to prove that is he is an independent girl.

Veloso said is a “lola’s girl.”

The other teen housemates are Edward Barber (Ang Cheerful Charmer ng Germany),  Yong Muhajil (Ang Pag-a-son ng Angkan ng Zamboanga),  Kristine Hammod (Ang Sporty Spice ng Laguna),  Rita Gaviola (Ang Badjao Girl ng Lucena), Kisses Delavin (Ang Miracle Daughter ng Masbate) and  Christian Morones (Ang Courtside Kusinero ng Zamboanga).


***
Battle against illegal drugs

Jorge (not his real name) was holding a placard while marching on CPG Avenue in Tagbilaran City for Tuesday’s anti-illegal rally organized by the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO). His placard read: “drug addicts don’t grow old they die young.”

Jorge, 27, surrendered to Getafe Police Station last month for fear of his life.

Participants during the anti-illegal 
drugs rally in Tagbilaran City, 
Bohol, waving their placards
 with messages denouncing 
drug menace in the province.  
Leo Udtohan/Chronicle
He said he joined the rally to show his support to stop illegal drugs in the province.        

“I decided to take a stand against drug use for the future of my children,” he said.

His friend was also waving his placard which read: “Undanga ang drugas, unaha ang pamugas.” (Stop drugs, and look first for rice).

At least 1,000 participant from the different sectors including surrenderees from different towns joined the rally which started at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 12 hours  after two half-brothers who were suspected drug pushers and users were killed by unknown assailants on Pamaong Street, in this city.

The activity kicked-off at Camp Francisco Dagohoy, passing through  Sen. Jose Clarin street and CPG Avenue, two of the major  thoroughfares in the city.  It culminated at the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex where key leaders gave their speeches.

Participants were seen waving placard with anti-drugs messages. One placards raised by a policeman that caught the attention of onlookers were “Droga ayaw hununga? Menteryo luag pa!”.  (You will not stop drugs? The cemetery is still spacious). Other messages were “Sa druga walang forever”  (In drugs there is no forever),   “Hay naku! undang namu patay jud mong Bato”,  (OMG, stop drugs or else  Bato will kill you)” and  “Di musunod sa Tokhang matikwang (Those who will not follow Tokhang will be displaced)!”

SPO2 Melinda Mendez-Basalo 
explains the impact of drug problems
 in the province during the anti-illegal 
drugs rally organized by Senior Supt. 
Felipe Natividad of the Bohol
 Police Provincial Office. Contributed Photo 
SPO2 Melinda Mendez-Basalo said the rally was aimed at creating awareness among the masses, particularly the younger generation, about the hazards of using drugs and for the promotion of a drug-free society.

“This is big help for the PNP to reach out to remote sectors in the province as well as in the country to send our message of our intense campaign illegal drugs,” she said.

Senior Supt. Felipe Natividad, BPPO director, said the rally was conducted to inform the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is serious in fighting against illegal drugs in the province.

The BPPO reported that  30,287 drug personalities across the province have surrendered to authorities and pledged to cut their involvement in illegal activities since July 1, 2016.

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


Sunday, May 1, 2016

Happy fiesta, Bohol!

Wake-uppers
Seen: Singer-actress Manilyn Reynes was spotted in Bohol for a vacation. At the Tagbilaran Airport, she was mobbed by fans. Police officer Melinda Mendez-Basalo said “Manilyn is our family's favorite singer and actress.” For baby boomers, Manilyn Reynes started out in showbiz at the tender age of ten. Thirty years later, she is still a regular face on television.

Seen: Also spotted in Bohol last week were Nonito “The Flash” Donaire Jr., former beauty queen Precious Lara Guigaman and husband Marco Alcaraz.

Scene: The 2nd Calamay Festival in Jagna town, the home of the original calamay.  The 29-feet replica of the famous calamay added fanfare to the celebration. Amiela Balaba, Jagna information officer, said that “Jagna’s calamay is delicious, tasty and world-class ang quality.”

***
One of the “white lies” we were told as children-and many believed until adulthood- is that Bohol province sinks about an inch during May, the merry month of fiestas here in Bohol province.

May 1, the mother of all fiestas, starts the month-long fiesta 
celebrations in Bohol province. Faithful can visit the 
St. Joseph Cathedral to see the sleeping image of St. Joseph.  
Leo Udtohan/Chronicle
Our folks told us that it is due to the thousands of Bol-anons who come home to attend the many town and barrio fiestas celebrated during the month.  In case you are in doubt,  you can check the Tagbilaran airport and piers to see the throngs of passengers and balikbayan arriving in Bohol.

It took several years for me to realize that my elders were right after all. All the "lies" that they told me are true. You know, true lies.

Well, today, in every sitio, barangay (village), town, somewhere, we are celebrating.

The fiesta celebration is not complete without the famous lechon (roasted pig), humba (stewed pork) and plenty of beer and tuba to match.

If you are adventurous enough, you can practically go round the whole province without any money and eat for free and experience the famous Boholano hospitality.

Everyone is welcome, no invitations required!

May 1 - Tagbilaran City (Saint Joseph the Worker)
May 4 – Alburquerque (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Mabini (Santa Monica)
May 4 – Sagbayan (San Agustin)
May 8 - San Miguel (Saint Michael)
May 10 - Calape (Saint Vincent Ferrer)
May 15 - Bilar  (Saint Isidore the Farmer)
May 15 - Trinidad (Saint Isidore)
May 15 - Tubigon (San Isidro Labrador)
May 19 - Candijay (Saint Joseph)
May 29 – Talibon (Blessed Trinity)
Last Saturday of May (Holy Trinity)- Talibon

P.S. Pakapin lang ning June He! He! He!

June 13- Sikatuna- (Saint Anthony de Padua)
June 15- Loay  (Holy Trinity)
June 24- Garcia-Hernandez (Saint John the Baptist)
June 29- Loboc (Saint Peter the Apostle)
June 30 –Inabanga (Saint Paul the Apostle)

***
Inday Sara Duterte arrives in Bohol

Despite storm of attacks, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte's supporters here are unstoppable.

On Friday afternoon, hundreds of thousands of supporters and fans showed up during Duterte’s daughter’s sortie in Bohol.

Former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was here for the Bohol-leg of the nationwide caravan Biyaheng DU30.

Sara arrived in Tubigon town at around 4 p.m. where she was mobbed by fans and supporters.  Inday Sara’s team gave candies, fans, bawlers, stickers and t-shirts. They had quick stops at Calape and Loon towns.

Bohol welcomes Inday Sara Duterte. 
Contributed Photos. Winston Rabe/JP Maslog
At around 8 p.m., Sara met provincial senior board member Dionisio Balite, who is running for vice governor in the province, for a dinner.

She said all her visits were smooth sailing.

“Okay raman. So, far kaluoy sa Ginoo, okay tanan areas naadtuan (In God’s mercies, everything went smoothly),” she said.

But the Central Visayas, according to her, the supporters are warmth.

“Mas enthusiastic ang mga tawo. Mainiton ang pagdawat (People are enthusiastic. They welcomed us warmly),” she said.

Last week, Sara was a banner headline on TV and newspapers when Sen.  Antonio Trillanes IV, who himself a vice presidential candidate, accused Rodrigo Duterte of having P211 million in an account in a bank branch in Metro Manila in 2014.

Trillanes said Duterte did not declare the P211 million in his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN). Trillanes said from 2006 to 2015, Duterte held seven join accounts with his daughter Sara at the BPI branch on Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City, nine joint accounts at BPI-Edsa Greenhills branch and one joint account at Banco de Oro Unibank-1 in Davao City. 

Failure to declare an asset is a ground for an employee’s dismissal from government service

But Sara dared her father’s accuser, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, to file a case against them.

Police Officer Melinda Mendez-Balo 
with Manilyn Reynes. Contributed Photo
Kung tinuod gyud nga naa siyay legitimate nga complaint sa gina-accuse niya, i-file niya sa court para makatubag ko og tarung (If it is true that what he is accusing us is a legitimate complaint, file it in court so I can answer properly),” she said.

 “It is clearly a black propaganda given the fact that Duterte is leading the survey with only a few days away from May 9,” said Duterte supporter JP Maslog.

The younger Duterte served as Davao City mayor from 2010 to 2013 when her father was vice mayor.
She also denied that she and her siblings had properties that they did not declare.
According to the Land Registration Authority, the Duterte children have 35 properties, 11 of which are under the mayor’s daughter’s name and four under her husband’s.

She said she had declared all of her properties in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), adding most of her assets came from her parents after they separated.

Pagbulag nila in 1998 gibalhin tanang properties sa among manag-igsuon kay maoy gi-require sa korte (When they separated in 1998, their properties were divided among us siblings because that was required by the court),” she said.

“Even sa balay sa akong mama supposedly iyaha, gusto sa kong mama ibutang sa akong pangalan para walay makailog nga lain (Even the house of my mother which was supposedly hers, my mama wanted to place it under my name so it would not be taken by others),” she added.

She said she did not have any idea of the properties owned by her brothers Paolo, now vice mayor, and Sebastian.

The accusations, she said, were just black propaganda orchestrated by her father’s detractors.

Silang tanan. Kalaban. Of course, nag-dako ko sa pulitika and kana tanan part na siya sa isa ka election (They are all enemies. Of course, I grew up in politics and all of these were part of one election),” she said.

Welcome to the 2nd Calamay Festival in Jagna town, Bohol. 
Leo Udtohan/Chronicle
Mao nay gitawag nato nga black propaganda. In fact, naghinay-hinay siya gawas una pagbabae, mamatay tao. Karun, kana na jud (That is what we call black propaganda. These are slowly coming out. First was him being a womanizer and then a killer. And now this).”

She said her family was prepared for mudslinging and accusations because every election even in Davao, such issues would usually come out.

The younger Duterte thanked their supporters that despite the accusations, they remained loyal.

Pasalamat ko sa ilaha, through thick and thin, naa sila. Sa kalisud naa sila (I am thankful to them. Through thick and thin, they are there with us. In difficulties, they are with us).

The Visayas, considered as a stronghold of administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas, may be slowly slipping away from Roxas’ grasp, according to his allies and party mates who are now supporting Sen. Grace Poe and Duterte. 

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