Will Pauline win the Miss Universe PH?

Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelinckx will represent the province at this year’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant. Photo courtesy of Mikee Andrei

Since the Bohol bet, Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx, has been consistently topping online beauty pageant surveys, Boholanos are pinning their hopes on her to bring home the country’s Miss Universe Philippines crown.

"Her personality makes her win the crown! She is obviously brought up well. Everyone she works with would love to work with her again. She is open to criticism but she knows how to filter. Even she is smart, she isn't complacent and very diligent during trainings," according to Manila-based Boholano designer Mikee Andrei.

"Pauline is an epitome of authenticity, beauty and genuinity talaga, " Mikee added. 

During the preliminaries held Friday night, October 23 in Baguio City, Pauline won the heart of the judges and the Miss Universe PH followers with her amazing smile and how she effortlessly connected with the camera. 

Pauline grabbed four awards - - Miss Creamsilk, Miss Downy Sweetheart, Miss Cetaphil Sun and Miss Beautiful Face. 

“She has a good fighting chance,” according to Khim Roger Ryan Magtagad of The Art Nouveau (Tan) Models.

“The smile never left her face,” observed Helen Castano who covered the Miss U 2017 in Manila. 

Will Pauline win the Miss Universe Philippines? Will, rather can Pauline (who is up against other gorgeous girls) take the crown from reigning fellow Boholana beauty queen Gazini Ganados?

Puhon!!! 

Manila-based designer Mikee Andrei on Pauline Amelinckx: 'She is an epitome of authenticity, beauty and genuinity.' 

Speaking of "puhon," during the preliminary interview, Pauline and Caroline Veronilla of Misamis Oriental described the word "puhon"  as a beautiful word from their local language. 

Pauline defined "puhon" as “hopefully” and Caroline said "puhon" means “soon or someday”. 

"I would like to choose the word "puhon." It means hopefully. It's the word that we use whenever we talk something that gonna will happen in the future. Like I gonna join the Miss Universe Philippines "puhon", hopefully with God's blessings," said Pauline. 

Caroline said,  "I have always love the word "puhon."  "Puhon" is translated into "someday", "soon". And it is something that inspires me, it gives me hope, it makes me to look to the future. Puhon. Sometimes we use it, 'Kita ra ta puhon.' 'Sabay rata puhon.' So, someday. And that is something I look forward to. "

Their definitions sparked a debate online  on which candidate defined it properly. 

Well,  in Engr. Jes Berlamino Tirol's  Kapulungan (Binisaya-Iningles), "puhon" is an expression that signifies, "God willing; May it be in the future." 

It is synonymous with the word "haraw" and "hinaot" which means "May it happen." 

"Haraw" can be used for bad or good wish but "hinaot" is used only for a good wish. 

The five semi-finalists were chosen last Friday night but they won’t be known until the precious envelope is opened on coronation today, Oct. 25.

(Watch the GMA-7 telecast LIVE from Baguio Country Club on Sunday, October 25, at 9 a. m., with replay at 10 p. m.) 

Let us pray that Pauline will be the next Miss Universe, puhon!!! 

Hinaot unta! Puhon!!! 

Stand by.

* * *

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

Queenie Melody Fullante says ‘God made all things beautiful’

Miss Bohol Queenie Melody Fullante (right) with Miss Bohol 2017 

Pauline Amelinckx and OJ Cimfranca hosting the Miss Bohol 2019. 

Contributed Photo

“To be Miss Bohol is such a life changing experience but to host the pageant is a whole new level of kilig!  I am sincerely thankful to the Miss Bohol organizers for their trust and confidence in me,” said Queenie Melody Fullante on Facebook.

Melody, who was crowned Miss Bohol 2014, posted photos of her along with her co-hosts-  OJ Cimafranca and Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelinckx-during the Miss Bohol 2019 held last July 20.

Quoting from the Bible, Queenie said, “God has made everything beautiful in its time. -Ecclesiastes 3:11.”

She said the pageant brought a lot of sweet memories.

“Being able to stand on the same stage with the candidates made me appreciate our ladies more, they have aced each round with confidence, class and eloquence - very quintessentials indeed,” said Queenie.

On her Facebook account, Pauline Amelinckx said the pageant brought back a lot of fond memories, being on such a familiar stage.

Pauline, who was crowned Miss Bohol 2017, said the pageant helped her to grow and bloom.

“The journey toward the pageant back in 2017 and all that has happened after because of it has really helped me grow and bloom. The people I was able to meet and the people I got closer to are now irreplaceable and I am thankful for having them in my life now,”   said who was crowned Miss Global Beauty Queen Philippines 2018. 

 She said pageantry is not superficial.

“It’s not. With the right attitude, you can allow any experience to mold you into a better you, if only you are open to self-improvement and personal development,” she said.

***

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

Will Gazini Christiana Ganados bring the next Miss U crown?

Remember Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados? She was crowned Mutya ng Central Visayas Regional PRISAA 2017 in February 2017 and then became Miss Bohol 2017 first runner-up (representing Loon) in July 2017.

Boholana beauty Gazini Christiana
Jordi Ganados aspires for Binibining Pilipinas 2019 crown.  Miss Bohol Photo

Now, she is an official candidate (representing Cebu) in the 56th edition of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant slated for June 9, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

***

TAG ’89 MeetUp! 2019

For the first time in the history of Tagbilaran City, or even in Bohol Province, the graduates of a particular class, from eight (8) high schools in the city, will jointly celebrate their 30^th (Pearl) grand homecoming celebrations.

From July 1 to 7, 2019, the classes of 1989 from Bohol National High School (BNHS), Bohol Institute of Technology (BIT), Bohol School of Arts and Trades (BSAT), Divine Word College of Tagbilaran (DWC-T), Holy Spirit School (HSS), Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS), Manga High School (MHS), and the University of Bohol (UB) will come together for the “TAG ’89 MeetUp! 2019” activities.

This is an ambitious project that entails the full support for the preparations from the coordinators of the eight (8) schools for the event to be successful, considering that many balikbayans from different parts of the world will come home just to participate in this milestone.

The group will introduce the first Tagbilaran’s Bridges-Friendship 5K Walk on July 1, 2019 starting at 4:30 a.m from the Friendship Park in Bool, Tagbilaran City, to Mansasa, then to Dauis Bridge, to Dauis Church, and back to Friendship Park and the 10K Run starting at 4:30 a.m. from the Friendship Park in Bool, Tagbilaran City, to Tagbilaran’s Rizal Park, to Dauis Church via the Causeway Bridge, and back to Friendship Park via Mansasa and Dauis Bridge that will be part of the 53rd Tagbilaran City Charter Day Anniversary activities.

Mannie Rey Amoguis of BNHS Class of 1989 is the overall chair.

On July 6, 2019, Hale will perform in the concert for a cause to be staged at the CPG Sports Complex.

***

Gabin is new Audio-Bohol prexy

City Government of Tagbilaran’s Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin led the new set of officers of the Association of United Development Information Officers (Audio) – Bohol as its president for 2019-2020 who took their oath of office recently before Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, inducting officer.

Fiel Angeli Araoarao – Gabin is Audio’s new president.  

Other officers are Liezl Del Rosario (Civil Service Commission), vice-president for national government agencies (NGAs); Nicolas Sendrijas (Local Government Unit of Calape), vice-president for LGUs; Marichu Cua (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), secretary; Elvira Bongosia (Philippine Information Agency or PIA), assistant secretary; Rosario Chatto (Bureau of Internal Revenue), treasurer; Jojeline Ruiz (LGU Trinidad), assistant treasurer; Gualberto Jaspe (LGU Pilar), auditor; Bruce Zabala (Bohol District Jail), first district Press Relations Officer (PRO); Mirasol Intong (LGU Buenavista), second district PRO; and Maria Cristina Jumao-as (LGU Jagna), third district PRO. 

The organization is under the guidance of the PIA-Bohol headed by Information Center Manager Rey Anthony Chiu.

Gabin started as Audio-Bohol secretary in 1999, then served as Audio-Bohol president from March 2003 to August 2005 and became president of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (Radio)-7 composed of IOs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor from February 2004 to August 2005.

In September 2018, she was Radio-7 convention director in the regional gathering held at Dumaluan Beach Resort in Bolod, Panglao. She was also president of the DML Montessori School, Tagbilaran City Science High School, and Bohol Child Head Start Federated Parents – Teachers Associations (FPTA).

***

Bohol hosts 9th PABO biennial

annual convention

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo who rose to the ranks in his 43 years of service in the department, inspired the delegates as guest of honor of the 9th biennial annual convention of the Philippine Association of Building Officials (PABO) held in a resort last week.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Romeo Momo (seated, 4th from left) was the guest of honor during the 9th biennial annual convention of the Philippine Association of Building Officials (PABO) held in this city. Contributed Photo

He underscored the crucial role of the building officials in the implementation of infrastructures that change the developmental landscape of the country while zooming in on the real essence of public service.

According to Engr. Alan Cahiles of Lila, the national convention director, from the 800 who originally made prior confirmation, the total number of registrants reached as high as 1,200 even during the opening ceremonies who were composed of the city and municipal engineers in the Philippines headed by Engr. Ma. Virginia Rosario, city engineer of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

*   *   *

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

Serendipitous moment for Miss Bohol 2017

Wake-uppers:

Scene: A male title holder (MTH) created a stir when he posted on Facebook that he was “raped.”  MTH went to a spa that when he was half-asleep the masseur took advantage of the situation. MTH woke up when he discovered the masseur already sucking his nipple and stroking his ting-a ling. The male masseur, who was brought to barangay hall for interrogation, admitted he was smitten by MTH’s manliness and beauty that he almost raped him. “Lesson? Huwag pagnasaan ang inyong client,” said MTH’s friends. The plot is thickening.

Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelinckx 

Courtesy: Miss Bohol/Gerald James Cabal

Scene: Could it be true that a sexy model cum young businesswoman had a “nightcap” at a hotel with a popular  businessman from Manila who was here for a visit not too long ago? “What a sweet pair,” said VRS. “You see,  she’s perfect for him, but he is already taken. Ouch!”

Scene: Prof. Marianito Luspo on the 2nd Bangga sa Kuradang ug Subli sa Sandugo:  “Well, it’s unique and special because it really comes from our culture.  It is an attempt  to make the festival more relevant by basing the whole concept on the nature of the culture of the place. I am not saying kuradang is only done in Bohol, it’s a Visayan thing but our way and our way we infused in our important historic event in Bohol made into something special. It is to reflect something we have and which we can rightly we proud of.”

***

Pauline Amelinckx overwhelmed the competition during the recently-concluded Miss Bohol pageant.

Pauline, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies major in European Studies at the Cebu Doctor’s University, impressed the judges and the audience.

She said joining the pageant was one of the “toughest decisions” of her life.

She was not totally expecting to be called winner of Miss Bohol 2017, however, it was her destiny to become Miss Bohol.

“It was an amazing night filled with emotions but also with friendship. The Miss Bohol journey was an amazing experience and I am glad to have experienced it with amazing co candidates who became my friends. I will surely miss all the time we spent together but I am looking forward to the next time we meet, the next time we eat, and the time that we look back on this day with a smile,” she posted on Facebook.

Miss Bohol 2016 Glyssa Perez was 

one of the ladies present at the final 

screening of Miss World Philippines. 

Courtesy: Glyssa Perez Facebook

“Thank you to all the people who have helped and supported me, thank you for the bonds of friendship we were able to strengthen together and thank you for sharing this amazing experience with me. It will become a memory dear to my heart because of you all,” she added.

Tubigon continues to dominate the provincial pageant scene, winning yet another crown. Miss Bohol winners from Tubigon were Amir Paraguya Sol (2010) and Farrah Faye Mian (2011).

Unlike in Tagbilaran City which holds barangay level search for Miss Tagbilaran in advance to find the finest girl, Tubigon and other towns have discovered beauty queens effortlessly and learned how serendipitous things can be.

“I guess it's serendipity, it's not something you plan,” said a pageant watcher.

With so many Miss Bohol winners avidly angling for attention in public, some really have to bustle and hustle to stay in the public eye.

Kudos to these beauty queens who have managed to stand out by way of their successful and effective career moves and gambits:

Queenie Melody Fullante has made her fans ecstatic by finally doing something to serve the community as head of Dauis Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante

Courtesy: Queenie Fullante

After Miss Bohol, she got involved with advocacy efforts in the JCI Chocolate Hills after she was chosen as Miss JCI Philippines.

For her part, Miss Bohol 2016 Glyssa Perez was already attracting a lot of attention — especially from motorists and commuters — with her beautiful face from huge billboards in the city and selected towns, endorsing RC Lucky Graphics.

In addition, Glyssa  is working at Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) under Sec. Martin Andanar assigned at the ASEAN affairs.

She is currently training for the Miss World Philippines on Sept. 3. Glyssa, Miss Philippines-Australia 2014, will step out of the shadow of her famous cousin Miss Universe -Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina. She will carve her own name in the national pageant. Her cup runneth over!

***

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

Students fleeing Marawi seek help to study in Bohol

Wake-uppers:

Seen:  A quick look at the Miss Bohol 2017 official candidates line-up shows some of the early favorites already catching the attention of pageant fans from here and abroad.  The early favorites (not reflective of the final outcome) are Miss Loon, Miss Tubigon, Miss Jagna, Miss Trinidad and Miss Talibon.

Miss Bohol 2017 early favorite: Miss Loon  

Courtesy: Gerald James Cabal

Scene:  Friends of the female student (who is a daughter of a prominent family) who is at the center of a sex video scandal appealed not to share the video to spare the students from further trauma. “We all make mistakes but stop sharing the video,” said a friend who asked not to be named. A city official (who asked for anonymity) urged the public to stop circulating the sex video to put an end to the issue. However, the scandal is widely discussed in schools and social media channels and went viral. Remember, the parties who uploaded the video without permission as well as anyone who “shares, reproduce, or sells” the sex video without the consent of female student and her boyfriend can be held liable of violating Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.

Scene: Board Member Niño Rey Boniel is back in Bohol province on Saturday —albeit in jail.  Niño, the primary suspect in the slay of his wife, Mayor Gisela Boniel of Bien Unido town, was ordered by a judge to stay at the Talibon District Jail while the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention filed against him were resolved by the court.

***

Aslimah Matua, 19, dreams of becoming a teacher.

But the incoming junior student of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City may have to pursue her dreams in Tagbilaran City, after she and her family fled the gunbattle between government troops and terrorists holed out in a section of her home city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur province.

Aslimah spent weeks with her parents and 13 siblings in an evacuation site in Iligan City before they joined 12 other families in evacuating to this Bohol provincial capital.

When the latest batch of evacuees arrived here on Monday, six families sought refuge inside a mosque in Barangay Poblacion 1 while six others stayed with their relatives in Barangay Taloto.

Arlene Karaan, Poblacion 1 village chief, said among the problems raised by the evacuees was their children’s education.

The Marawi students with Tagbilaran City

 village official Arlene Karaan (right) who helps

 them find a new school in Bohol province.  Leo Udtohan

“So far, only elementary pupils were able to enrol,” Karaan said. “We are trying to facilitate the enrolment of college students who wished to continue their studies.”

Aslimah and three other cousins were hopeful they would be given a chance to study in Bohol.

“I want to go to school. I want to finish college to fulfill my dreams,” Aslimah said, echoing a similar wish expressed by her cousins Nor-fatima Matua, 21, an education student; Aslimah Amer Lomala, 17, a Grade 11 student; and Samia Musa, 17, who is in Grade 7.

Karaan accompanied them to Bohol International College (formerly Bohol Institute of Technology) last Wednesday to inquire about school requirements.

“Gusto ko talaga matuto (I want to learn),” said Matua. “Gusto ko talaga makapagtapos ng pag-aaral dahil may motivation ako sa buhay (I really want to study, and I’m a motivated person).”

Lomala said, “ Siyempre  para naman sa kinabukas namin ,  para sa kinabukusan namin at mga kapatid namin.  Ako kasi ang  ate kaya nasa akin ang susi na makapag-aral sila kasi mahirap din kami. Sana matuloy ang pag-aaral dito sa Bohol (I want to study for our future, for the future of my siblings. As the eldest, I am the key that my siblings can study because we are poor. I hope we can study here in Bohol).”

“ Sana mabigyan kami ng chance na makapag-aral dito sa probinsyang Bohol para kahit papaano na matulungan ang pamilya namin na nangangailangn ng tulong (We hope we will be given  the chance to study here in Bohol so that we can help our family),” said Nor-fatima.

Lomala said her parents and eight siblings left Marawi because of the horror brought about by the conflict.

“Masyadong magulo dun. Kinakailangan naming tumakas kasi baka madamay kami sa gulo. Hindi kasi kumikilala ang mga bomba tsaka yung mga baril baka mamatay kami dun. (It’s chaotic. We had to escape. Bullets and bombs do not distinguish civilians from soldiers and rebels. We might die there),” she said.

The family of her cousin, Nor-fatima, also came here, scared of being caught in the crossfire.

Since, they have nothing left, Matua, Nor-fatima, Lomala and Musa will visit Bohol Vice Governor Dionisio Balite to ask for possible financial assistance or scholarship grant. 

***

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