Jesseth Pasagad: 18 lessons in life

Wake-uppers:

Scene: This piece of good news from Elizabeth Lamdagan-Haroun: Rev. Fr. Elpidio “Boy” Biliran Jr is the newly appointed superintendent of all Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools. He was appointed by his Eminence Luis Cardinal Antonio Tagle.

Scene: From eventologist Mizken: Runway Icons’ Bohol’s Top Model 2014 (Season 2) is looking for a female model. She must be at least 5’4” and above, model built structure and 14-24 years old. Audition dates are on June 7 and 14, 2014 at Door 1, JJ’s Seafood Village, K of C, Tagbilaran City. Bring two (2) pieces of close up studio shot and bring all black lingerie with stiletto heels. For more info, text/call 0919-913-2119.

Scene: From Charles Ceasar Edulan, CPA: Please help Georgia Jauslin, a Filipino from Panglao Island, Bohol, realize her ultimate dream of becoming the next SWISS Explorer (writer and traveller around the world through Swiss Airlines/Lufthansa). To vote, visit http://www.theswissexplorer.com. Folks, today is the deadline!

Seen: Spotted in Jandayan Island, Getafe town last week was the famous Filipino-Japanese sumo wrestler Akira Takayasu. “It was Akira’s first visit to Bohol,” said VRS. Akira’s mom, Bebelita Reblingca Bernadas-Takayasu, hails from Bohol.

Scene: Former Catigbian Mayor and now CEO of Bet 'n Choy Farms Roberto “Bertsal” Salinas turned 63 last May 29.

Scene: Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014 second runner-up Karen Rossana Jumawid Llorente was crowned as Miss Boholympics 2014 besting nine other candidates from other local government units (municipalities) in Bohol. Llorente, a graduate of Tagbilaran City Science High School last March 2014, won the Miss Cabawan 2014 title on March 14 which qualified her for the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014 pageant. She succeeded Tagbilaran City's Rizalee Rose Cempron Razo as Miss Boholympics 2013 who was Miss Poblacion 2 2014 and became first runner-up in the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014.

Seen: Spotted at Habhaban sa Baluarte last Friday were Palanca winner Marjorie Evasco, poet and community development consultant Nestor Pestelos, Dean Carrie Tharan of Miriam College and Rose Sabijon Rara of Holy Name University.

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Her answer came quick and easy, and she didn’t stammer nor hesitate at all, showing her presence of mind and grace under pressure during the one–on-one interview of the candidates of the Mr and Miss Teen Bohol 2012.

Unruffled, Jesseth Nez Sendrijas Pasagad answered all my questions (She was smart, articulate and you could feel she speaks from the heart and she thinks as well. Her answers are unconventional for pageants, er, patty pageant answers), including those from my co-interviewer Jeycelle Espejo-Inting, and we gave her the highest score.

Jesseth Nez Sendrijas Pasagad

“She’s confident not to mention beautiful,” said Jeycelle on Jesseth. Eventually, she was declared 1^st runner-up and Miss Talent during the final night.

“From those years at Science High School that I’ve trained her, Cielo and their friends, I can say that she has enhanced her leadership, grace and terpsichorean skills, having coached her for Miss Teen Bohol 2012,” said the 1987 Miss Tagbilaran Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin. “A descendant of Francisco Dagohoy Sendrijas, she is an impersonation of courage, beauty, grace, talent and leadership rolled into one. I hope she will continue to depict beauty with a purpose.”

Jesseth, the daughter of Zosimo and Aileen Pasagad of Bilar, Bohol, finished her high school at Tagbilaran City Science High School (TCSHS) with high honors. She is now a sophomore at the Palawan State University where she is taking up BS Petroleum Engineering and a President's Lister.

Why she is taking-up petroleum engineering?

“Actually, I was supposed to study Political Science in Ateneo de Manila University  because I somehow feel that fighting for true justice is innate in me (trivia: from my mother who belongs to the Sendrijas clan, we trace back our blood lineage  to the great Boholano hero Francisco Dagohoy who led the longest revolt  in Philippine history). I never really knew about petroleum engineering until the mother of my friend mentioned it to me. I did some research about the said course and it immediately caught my interest,” shares Jesseth. “I decided to take petroleum engineering initially out of curiosity because it is not the usual degree that students take. Practically speaking, I took this course because it deals with the energy industry which I believe will continue to prosper through the years since we all need energy resources in our daily lives, especially oil and petroleum. I also think it has a huge impact in today’s society.”

Jesseth is all grown-up. Her parents are her greatest inspirations in life.

“I am deeply thankful to my parents for their love and support that paved the way to my success in life,” she shares, smiling. “They are the epitome of selfless love. I would trade my life for their welfare and security.”

Jesseth will turn 18 on June 5 yet but a birthday celebration will be held tonight.

What we shall expect tonight? Butch Bernas, the production and cotillion choreographer shares,“The theme is enchantment. The production is somewhat like a continuation of her video from the forest scene and bring it to the real venue… with ballet and jazz.” I won’t spoil the rest.

“I chose enchantment as the theme of my debut because I’ve always been enchanted of people who exude that indefinable aura and down to earth attitude that captivates the rest of us long before we’ve set our eyes on them,” says Jesseth. “I can also relate this transition from being a shy insecure girl to a brave and smart woman as a spell that seems to bind my carefree youth to my upcoming life as an adult.”

VRS asks her to make a list of the 18 lessons she has learned in life. 

1. The road to success has a series of speed bumps called failures. You just have to drive well so you won’t crash.

2. You have a voice in everything.  Life will always give you options.

3. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

4. Think twice before you say or do something. Otherwise, regrets will rain on you.

5. Promises are sacred. Always keep your word.

6. Everybody has their own story, everybody has a problem so stop being rude and be kind. You don’t always know that what’s going on in another man’s life.

7. Your attitude will be tested when you are at your peak. Be humble.

8. Change is not always bad. Change for the better. Change for what is right.

9. Follow your heart but bring your mind with you.

10. Life is a give and take process. Don’t expect to receive something you haven’t given.

11. You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.

12. Falling in love is easy, staying in love is not.

13. Develop your personality, let yourself bloom. Nothing will happen if you choose to live in the shadows.

14. Be the change you want to see.

15. Never give up. If you fail, learn from it.

16. Family is forever. Treasure your loved ones.

17. You are beautiful. Don’t let others bring you down.

18. Pray, pray, pray.

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Graduation & Summer at Bet and Choy Farms

Graduation noisily celebrates the future and farewell to student life. 

Teacher Jeycelle Espejo-Inting had been crying last week. "I can't stop feeling sad," she shared. What's got her so heavyhearted? Her students graduated from high school at Cogon High School (Day and Night Class) last April 4.   

Jeycelle Espejo-Inting (center) with her students

The 9th batch of graduates composed of 193 students was led by Christine Ortega, valedictorian of the day class; and Velyn Aninipot, valedictorian of the night class, respectively.

This school year's 90 graduates from the day class is the first batch of Cogon Day High School products. The day class was created at the start of this school year to cater the growing population of the Cogon High school which was originally established as a night high school 11 years ago.

The commencement exercises was attended by the parents, guardians and the 40 solid faculty members of Cogon High school headed by Tagbilaran City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Evangel Luminarias and the two equally active principals of CHS Day and Night classes, Grace Marie Campos and Nilo Sendrijas.

Jeycelle Espejo-Inting with her 4th year class

The event was hosted by the CHS faculty president Ms. Jeycelle C. Espejo – Inting.

“It feels so great! I’m so proud of my students,” said Jeycelle, CHS faculty president who emceed the event.  “On the other hand, I’m a bit worried and sad because I know not all of them can pursue higher education due to economic status of their families.”

Jeycelle also shared that most of the students of Cogon High are not rich; it made her proud that these students are working hard to finish their studies.

Celian Janice Pesquira and Jerwin Jala

Case in point: Velyn Aninipot topped in almost all subjects and she is a consistent topnotcher of the class from first grading up to 4th grading periods.  She is also the editor-in-chief of the campus paper The Glow. She has been into various inter-schools competitions in the division level.

Speaking of graduates and honor students, we have our own batch in the family: my cousin Jomari Galleros (from Holy Infant Academy in Booy) and Cesarius James Pesquira (from Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School; Congrats Maam Concepcion Bagotchay, the school principal). My niece Celian Janica Pesquira (Booy South Elem. School) was first honor with five “best” awards, while Jerwin Jala was with honors.

I was not there when they marched up the stage in their graduation dress and togas because I hate hearing graduation/marching music. Personally, it makes me sad. It is one of the saddest music in the world, next to old Christmas songs bringing back my elementary, high school and college days-- that was ages ago, in nineteen-forgotten.

Anyway, I say "Good luck and God bless!" to the graduates and honor students in our family and all the graduates out there! Aim high!

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Summer Gimik 2014: Bet and Choy Farms

Looking for an alternative to beaches and swimming pools for your next vacation? Try going to Bet and Choy in Catigbian town.

Revive, renew and replenish at Bet and Choy.

Last week, my summer gimik destination was Bet and Choy Farms. As I saw the place, it was a relaxing breeze of the countryside.

The entrance has smell of perfect aroma of luffa (sikwa) and squash (kalabasa) hanging around with ornamental plants to complement the place.

“Bohol tourism is booming but those tourism developments are designed for foreigners, ngayon ang tanong saan pupunta ang local tourists? We want to give them the facilities which are affordable and presentable,” said former Catigbian Mayor and owner Roberto “Bertsal” Salinas. “You see, na-hit namin ang vacuum na while Bohol tourism is booming ma-entertain natin mga foreign tourists, on the other hand, Bet and Choy will entertain local tourists.”

Built on a two-hectare property, Bet and Choy (named after Bertsal’s grandchildren) is a destination appropriate for family gatherings, reunions and field trips. The slides, rides and attractions were designed to provide visitors with a day filled with aqua thrills and adventure.

Entrance at Bet and Choy

The Brent Pool Side is for adults and it gives thrills with splash where visitors can experience swimming and relax in this large pool while soaking up rays of the sun.

The Cocoy Water Park is ideal for kids. It has large water slides and rides for everybody's fun and amusement. It is actually a playground for kids submerged in knee-high water but many adults can also be found enjoying this playground.

Unlike other resorts, visitors can bring their food and drinks, even snacks, inside Bet and Choy for free!

“They can bring all they want. Bet and Choy does not collect corkage,” added Bertsal.

There are picnic huts for rent at Php 100-Php 400. Unlimited use of facilities such as the basketball court, karaoke sing-a-long, pool table, dart boards may be arranged.

Bet and Choy personnel are friendly and they are trained to assist visitors.

“At Bet and Choy, the facilities are maintained in accordance with the highest standards of safety and cleanliness,” said Bet and Choy staff Jackie Tolop.

Bet and Choy owner Bertsal (2nd from left)

“The place is very beautiful. We can relax and enjoy here,” said Ma. Catherine Cutang of Bohol Island State University. “The facilities are very good. Of course, the good thing is we can bring our own food without corkage. That is amazing and great.”

Other exciting activities that Bet and Choy has to offer are fishing and wildlife adventure. Fishing is one of the leisure activities that all guests of this farm can fully enjoy even if this is their first time at the rods. The wildlife park houses Philippine eagle, Philippine king cobra, pythons, birds, chickens, pigs and cows.

Entrance Fee: Php 20 (for adults), Php 10 (senior citizens and students), free (kids below 85 centimeters)

Brent Pool and Slide- Php 100, kids below 85 centimeters are free.

Cocoy Water Park- Php 100, kids below 85 centimeters are free.

How to get there: For those who want to commute, you can ride a bus bound for Catigbian at Dao Bus Terminal for Php 45. At Poblacion, ride a habal-habal for Php 10 or walk, it’s just 400 meters from Poblacion Highway.

Reservation: 0915-813-9823/0912-518-0937.

CLICK HERE FOR BET AND CHOY on GMA NEWS

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