Wake-uppers:
Scene: Bohol’s First Lady and Balilihan Vice Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto on the death of Loy Palapos: “Farewell Sir Loy! Loreto "Loy" Monceda Palapos safely returned to His Creator on the day of love, Valentine's Day, February 14, 2015. Among his many other community involvements, Sir Loy committed himself to dedicated service for decades in the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was BCCI President from 2001 to 2006. He was at the helm when BCCI first hosted the Visayas Area Business Conference which earned BCCI the recognition as Outstanding Chamber in the entire Visayas Region by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Sir Loy, our Outgoing BCCI President, having been reelected as such in 2013, had the chamber in his heart even in the remaining few days of his life. He was texting the BCCI Board of Trustees inspiring and encouraging each of us to maximise attendance and participation in the then forthcoming BCCI General Assembly. Little did we know that that would be his last text to us. Thank you, Sir Loy! May you have eternal rest in the loving arms of your Creator.” On the other hand, Ariel Fullido of Centerstage Band, who worked with Loy for 20 years shared, “All through his busy life...a dedicated civic leader, educator/professor/teacher, PR man, media practitioner, writer/columnist, broadcaster, manager, a disciplinarian and perfectionist, a friend forever, and a loving family man.”
Scene: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also joined the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in lamenting the death of radioman Engr. Maurito Lim. “The killing of Maurito Lim is a despicable and cowardly act of the highest order. The IFJ expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and colleagues of Maurito Lim,” said IFJ Asia Pacific acting director Jane Worthington. The NUJP said it had "run out of condemnation in the face of the murder of yet another colleague." A P170,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Chairman Mau. The Bohol Provincial Police Office thru PSSupt Dennis Agustin announced the offer as it formed Task Force Mao to probe Lim's murder. see video
Scene: Showbiz reporter Chesca Litton and businessman Tyke Kalaw tied the knot at Eskaya Beach Resort in Bohol exactly on Valentine’s Day.
Scene: We Are All God’s Children: A Concert for a Cause is on March 20, 7:30 p.m. at the Bohol Cultural Center Tagbilaran City. It will feature inspirational diva Jamie Rivera and The Singing Priests of Tagbilaran with guest Jerome Sala, ABS-CBN’s Star in a Million champion. All proceeds from the concert will go towards St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Parish renovation fund. Tickets are available at St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Parish Office.
***
As Jenali Alexis Mandin Calipusan meandered through the Island City Mall on Sunday, most of the hundreds of shoppers malling around didn't realize that a self-made, global social media phenomenon was in their midst.
But Shiela Mae Aquino knew.
 |
| Jenali Alexis Calipusan has become an Internet Belieber. –LPU |
Alexis and friend Cyril Cailing passed her near the mall escalators. Her eyes widened. She nudged cousin Gia Aquino and mouthed the words, “That's Justin Bieber of Bohol!”
Alexis and Cyril made their way to the Activity Center to perform.
Other Holynamians who watched Sunday’s event at ICM went to see Alexis and Cyril and posed for pictures.
To hundreds of thousands of teens and students, Alexis has the voice of Justin Bieber, also an internet-born star.
They scream when they hear her singing Justin’s songs.
And more or less, she can be Justin’s lost twin if Alexis would clad in t-shirts and jeans and accessorized with sports hats or hoodies!
Since posting her first YouTube music video on Sept. 6, 2013 by a certain Ashley Uy, Alexis has become an Internet Belieber. She has created a buzz that her YouTube video covering Justin Bieber's “U Smile” has 390,000 views. She is not lip-syncing but it is her real voice.
For Alexis, her rise to Internet stardom was a mix of the right song at the right time.
 |
| Jenali Alexis Calipusan as a member of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir.-Contributed. |
“Shocked and blessed, it’s worth it... akong paghuwat,” said the 18-year-old Alexis.
Alexis has been posting several videos of her singing, most of which are tagged with "Justin Biber Voice-A-Like."
“I'm excited and happy,” said Alexis, clad in a black T-shirt and gray pants with hoodies. “I love music!”
Belieber
She sounds like Justin’s. Her voice is a replication of Justin’s and Alexis can dance as well. She does a lot of things that are very appealing.
A Belieber since 2009, Justin’s music inspired Alexis.
“He inspired me so much," said Alexis.
She chose U Smile, Catching Feelings and Believe as her favorite songs.
In 2013, Alexis who was a Criminology student at HNU met Cyril, an IT student, who is a guitarist. The two clicked on music and formed the group JAM-C.
 |
| Jenali Alexis Calipusan and Cyril Cailing are making beautiful music together.- LPU |
Alexis’ meteoric rise has taken the family by surprise.
Alexis’ family always knew she had a special spark to share. Now, thanks to her love of singing and a YouTube video gone viral, the world knows it too.
Apparently, Alexis is not new in singing. She was a member of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir. She had toured Europe, the USA and China together with the other members of the Loboc Children’s Choir.
Her mother, Jeniffer, noticed her talent in singing.
“We just support her,” Jeniffer said.
Alexis has stopped schooling. She helps her mother in their carenderia, the Tres Hermanas, in Poblacion, Loboc town.
The YouTube star has only one thing to say about reaching your dreams: Everything you need will come to you at the perfect time. You just have to be patient and wait for it.
Youtube Reactions
Youtube users were amazed by how Alexis’ voice resembled with that of Justin.
“This is awesome. I've been listening to your voice.. and damn you sreallly sound like justin bieber !! \m/ You must be in The Ellen show.. well, i'm way addicted to all of your covers..” said Roselle Carrera.
“kaboses talaga! Justin Bieber should watch this! or Scooter Braun,” said Irish Gasmen.
SCJ commented: “Woah i thought he was lip singing at first. He sounds just like justin! so cool…..but whats his name? It cant be lady alexis “
Another youtube user Firerose23 said, “You're really good and sounds like Justin Bieber! Keep it up :) +TheEllenShow you should see this!”
Meanwhile, some netizens forwarded Alexis’ video to Ellen Degeneres and requested her to invite her on her show. Although there is no response from Ellen, the TV host is known for inviting Pinoy singers to perform on her show.
ABS-CBN reported about Alexis on their news website. ABS-CBN's daily morning show Umagang Kay Ganda also featured Alexis on Feb. 16.
(Note: Catch Jenali Alexis Calipusan and her music tonight on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA 7.)
***
Oscars 2015: Who will win? Who should win?
The 87th Academy Awards take place on February 22 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The stars will be out in full force for the ceremony, but who will take home the famous golden statuette?
Here’s my prediction of the wills, coulds and shoulds for Oscars 2015.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will Win: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)
Could Win: Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
Should Win: Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will Win: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Could Win: Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
Should Win: LauraDern (Wild)
BEST ACTOR
Will Win: Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
Could Win: Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Should Win: Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler).
BEST ACTRESS
Will Win: Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
Could Win: Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
Should Win: Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
BEST DIRECTOR
Will Win: RichardLinklater (Boyhood)
Could Win: Alejandro Inarritu (Birdman)
Should win: RichardLinklater (Boyhood)
BEST PICTURE
Will Win: Birdman
Could Win: Birdman
Should Win: Boyhood
***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.
