Rich Asuncion and Benj Mudie's baby Bela gets baptized

Kapuso actress Rich Asuncion and Benj Mudie  marked another family milestone on Sunday, August 25, with the baptism of their daughter,  Bela Brie.

Rich Asuncion and Benj Mudie

 with their daughter,  Bela Brie. P

from IG: benjmudie

On Instagram and Facebook on Thursday night, August 29, Rich shared photos of the baptism, with the caption: “Bela Brie Baptism!”

The photos show Bela Brie smiling with Rich and Benj.

The baptismal gown, according to Rich, was the same garment worn by husband Benj and his siblings. This was kept by Benj's mother over the years so that the next generation may also wear the same, like Rich's baby.

Some of the celebrities who were present at the event were Sunshine Dizon, Yasmein Kurdi, Mike Tan and Sheena Halili.

The baptism was held at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Taguig.

Welcome to the Christian world Baby Bela Brie! Congratulations to the parents!

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Two big people are marking milestones last week: National Food Authority Manager (NFA)-Bohol manager Maria Fe "Peng" Evasco for her birthday (no need to reveal how old she is since she doesn’t look it) and Dave Sibbaluca Maulas for a triple birthday celebrations, a house blessing and a thanksgiving (you know for passing the bar).

Surrounded by family and friends, 

Birthday Girl Maria Fe "Peng" Evasco 

 flashes a big smile on her birthday. 

Friday last week (August 30), Peng hosted a buffet for her friends and NFA employees and Dave on Saturday (August 31), with a dinner buffet at  his new home at Barangay Mansasa.

NFA Manager Maria Fe 

"Peng" Evasco on her 'ty-nine year.'

When it was time to blow the candle, everybody gathered around Peng. As a collective "Happy Birthday" reverberated around NFA, the Birthday Girl flashed a sweet smile.

Perhaps not many people know that Peng was a radio dj and a writer before she joined the government. 

Dave, a popular student leader in his college days, is a lawyer and a certified public accountant (CPA).

NFA information officer Jhoel Lim kept busy entertaining Peng’s guests, making sure that food was replenished on the buffet table. The waiters of Saya's were very polite, asking the guests, always with a smile, if they needed more drinks or whatever.

Atty. David Maulas with his wife

Jennisa and  daughter Danielle Quinn.  

Photo: FB account of Atty. David Maulas 

"I am so very thankful, incredibly grateful and wonderfully blessed! Thank you everyone for your loving wishes and birthday greetings and for being part of my journey," said Peng.

Dave and his wife Jennisa recently moved their family into their new dream  home in Barangay Mansasa where they wanted a place to watch their kids play and grow up.

The long buffet table was loaded with food, with fresh fruits during Sunday's celebration.

Lawyers David Maulas, REA

and Ralp Ryan Lagura, CPA of Maulas and Lagura Law Offices.

In high school, Dave thought  of becoming a lawyer. Believing it was the best route, he took up Accountancy but ended up with a Management Accounting degree.

To pursue his other passion, that is teaching, he finished Masters in Business Administration and  taught in a University.

He also obtained a Real Estate Appraiser and Broker license.

In 2014, he entered law school. Midway, he got married to Jennisa and fathered a lovely daughter Danielle Quinn.

He passed the bar examination and he is on his way to become one the province’s best young lawyers.

Last week, Dave with his friend lawyer-accountant Ralp Ryan Lagura  opened the
MAULAS & LAGURA Law Offices at the Ground Floor of Castelcelo Building, at the back of Robinsons Bank near Garden Cafe/Save 'n Earn and old City Hall.

"Blessings come in different sizes. Some are so small that we sometimes take them for granted. Others are too big that we are sometimes consumed by them,"  Dave said.

"I thank the Almighty for this yet another milestone, without discounting those several others which came before this. I thank Him for all the people I met, who helped mold me to be what I am today. Most of all, I thank the Lord for the blessing of a family," he added.

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

For a change, a food trip on V-Day

Wake-uppers:

NFA-Bohol administrator Maria Fe Evasco (center),
NFA-Bohol Information Officer Jhoel Lim and Aldetrudis Quijada
 inside the warehouse. Evasco asked the public  to be ‘rice-ponsible’.
 Leo Udtohan 

Scene: National Food Authority (NFA)-Bohol manager Maria Fe Evasco said that the 30,000 sacks of rice which arrived from Cebu last week was an allocation to augment the low NFA rice stock in the province.   She stressed that there was no rice shortage in Bohol, considered the rice bowl of Central Visayas, since there was enough supply of commercial rice.

Scene: Feliz compleaños to erstwhile Tagbilaran Mayor Joe Torralba, Walter Toston, Dr. Cyrilda Tallo, Maximiel, Feb. 9; former Tagbilaran City Councilor Ann Mariquit Oppus, Feb. 10; former Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim and Lloyd Guttierez, Feb. 11; Raul Gatal, Feb. 12;  Atty. Handel Lagunay and Fr. Val Pinlac, Feb. 14; Melchor Daniel, Feb. 15; Engr. Jes Tirol, Elvie Macalandag and former Tagbilaran City Councilor Lucille Yap-Lagunay, Feb. 17; Fr. Joe Sumampong, Feb. 20; Gov. Edgar Chatto, Feb. 21; and Fiel Angeli Gabin and Dr. Jojo Maniwan, Feb. 24.

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In case it slipped your mind, Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday, and you still have some time to plan your dates.

Fortunately, there are a number of destinations, restaurants and activities to choose from, depending on your preferences.

The universe is vast, but somehow you  found each other. The K of C
promenade in Tagbilaran City is ideal place for contemplating your
place in the cosmos. Leo Udtohan

In Tagbilaran City and nearby towns, there are various dining establishments and coffee shops that dishing up treats and savory meals will surely make every individual believe in the saying that the way to a man’s heart is his stomach.

CRAWL FOR FOOD TRIP

To make the love month even more memorable, have an intimate dinner at Mithi (formerly the Panglao Island Nature Resort), Amorita, Amarella, South Palms and Astoria.

If you’re spending the day with your family, make a stop at Mosia Cafe (V. Inting Avenue,  Tagbilaran City), Tamper Cafe and Brunch (P. Del Rosario Street, Tagbilaran City) and Tuko Cafe (Gallares Street), Cafe Majestea (Luisa Galleria, Gallares Street), Hugot Cafe (Venancio P. Inting Avenue Tagbilaran City), The Library (Panda Tea Garden Suites, J.A. Clarin St, Tagbilaran City) indulge in milk tea, waffle, salads, sweet treats and pastas. This is also a great spot to get some family photos.

Smoque Bohol Bistro and Cafe (CPG East Avenue along ACE Medical Center in Bool District, Tagbilaran City will have a Valentine’s Day set menu. Visit the restaurant to make reservation or call 0918 300 8180.

Visit the Lite Port Center Mall along Gallares Street for a wide-array of restaurants. Craving for some spicy kimchi or intense bibimbap? Visit Bohol Pearl Korean Restaurant to satisfy those cravings!  You can also start the day of hearts right at this chic Moon Cafe and Restaurant.   

The Gerarda’s Family Restaurant is serving delicious Filipino cuisines with a twist.  Gerarda’s takes their cooking to heart and serves dishes that would absolutely satisfy your palate. 

Visit Cresencia (Poblacion, Baclayon), Tableya de Maria Clara (Ma. Clara Street, Tagbilaran City)10:31 By Chef M (Miguel Parras St, Ext, Tagbilaran City, Bohol),  Just Sizzlin’ (P. Del Rosario Street, Tagbilaran City), The Buzzz Cafe (Island City Mall, Luisa Galleria and Alona Beach) and Kinaham Resto Bar (M. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City), Peacock Garden (Baclayon), Swiss Garden Restaurant (Alona Beach, Panglao), Socorro (P. Del Rosario Street, Tagbilaran City) , Miravilla Resort (Booy, Tagbilaran City), Time Out Resto Bar (BQ Mall), Walk Express (BQ Mall), Gerry's Grill (BQ Mall), Mang Inasal (Gallares, Street, Tagbilaran City), STK (Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City), Prawn Farm (ICM), Chicken Ati-Atihan (Putong Street, Tagbilaran City), Rai-Rai Ken (ICM), Payag (CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City), Cuisina ni Tisay (Chap Complex in Carmen), Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast Italian Restaurant (Alona Beach, Panglao),  JJ's Seafood Village (Tagbilaran City), Garden Café (Tagbilaran City near St. Joseph Cathedral), Persona Mesa  (J.A. Clarin Street, Tagbilaran City), Tarsier Botanika (Tawala, Panglao), BringHouse Garden and Restaurant (0047 Cabalit St, Tagbilaran City,(038) 412 4736), Shiang Ma Nou (J. Borja Street cor C. Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City) and Heritage Crab House Seafood Restaurant (V.P. Inting Street, Mansasa Seaside, Tagbilaran City).

Denrick’s offers a dinner buffet for P499 per person on Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m,   There will be an acoustic live band to set the evening mood at Denrick’s Restaurant. Don’t forget to try their  grilled squid and crispy sisig. For inquiries and reservations, call 412-3640/09178259759/09209476369.

On Feb. 14, some restaurants and cafes in Tagbilaran City
 and nearby towns give dining pairs a private time to enjoy
 the delicious food and each other’s company.
Courtesy: Smoque Bohol Facebook

Gather all your girl friends and head out for some drinks. Publicity (Lite Port) has a new cocktail menu that you might enjoy. Visit Atmosphere (Metro Center Hotel)  for a fruity mix of passion fruit, raspberry puree, hibiscus, and soda water and Martin’s Bar Corner M. H. del Pilar & C. Gallares Street, Tagbilaran City) to chill out.

If you want to have a post-Valentine, celebrate at The Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort on February 15 to watch 'Your face Sounds Familiar' first runner up Michael Pangilinan in a Valentine dinner concert. Tickets are still available. P2,500 comes with dinner buffet or P 800 with two round of non-alcoholic drinks. Call 038 416 0702 for more info.

If you have a tight budget, make sparks fly at Acacia de Bubu (Burgos cor Butalid Streets, Tagbilaran) for a yummy barbecue!

LOVE YOURSELF & OTHERS

Treat the number one love in your life, yourself to a spa day. Take this time to take a break from all the stress in your life. Book at Body and Sole  and Masaje de Bohol depending on your body’s needs. You can also have other treatments done like a facial and manicure.

Have a make-over! Change your hair and make-up. Call Ryan Sines, Tracy Torres Remolador, Jojo and Bebei Tagoctoc, Charlow Arbasto, Jonathan Ucat, Ramil Dolauta, Tamara, EP Relampagos, Donna Vitos and Rolly Ingking. For the latest collections, see EJ Relampagos, Henry Baron, Omie Auza and Maximiel.

See Bohol's first cosmetic surgeon Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan of Touch of April General and Cosmetic SurgiCenter (4th Floor, Lim Hong Khu Medical Arts and Wellness Center, Tagbilaran City; 09283687041) and face the world confidently with a beautiful heart!

Appreciate the opportunity to experience the love being shared with us by our family and friends.

Fill up some of your community service hours. Do some charity works. Spend time with the less fortunate, give love on Valentine’s Day. Share your blessings by visiting Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, Sunshine Home  and Holy Trinity Orphanage Home in Albur town. Visit the Philippine National Red Cross-Bohol chapter if you want to give the safest blood possible to save life.

ROMANTIC PLACES

On Valentine’s Day you can hit the beach for sun, sea and sand and other romantic places.  The Morning Hills in Loay town, in itself, is a destination that speaks of romance in so many ways. Here, you can enjoy a much sought peace and quiet, an authentic serenity that can be rarely had in the city.

You can visit K of C Tagbilaran for a romantic date, and the scenic view as the sun sets over the city is also sure to take your breath away.

If you have time, Jardin Necitas in Pilar town offers an experience that is easy to fall in love with. The entire ambiance filled with glowing flowers offers romance, relaxation, and intimacy.

You have many reasons to celebrate V-Day even though Feb 14 divides the world into “the haves,” or those with a significant other, and the “have-nots,” the ones with zero love life.

Celebrate V-Day with your own style.

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