Aishite Imasu, Greg

FLASH REPORT:  Ms. Paraguay Vanity Kintanar Salinana-Banks has won the Queen of Cebu Universe 2012, pageant for Alternatives, held on November 9 at the Waterfront Hotel.  According to fashion icon EJ Relampagos who was in Cebu to watch and support Vanity, Ms. Paraguay truly deserves to win the crown. Vanity also bagged the Best in National Costume award, Best in Costume and Best in Long gown. Vanity hails from Baclayon town. Guests during the pageant were Anna Fegi, Maria Dona and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

Salinana-Banks( center) with friends

Wake-uppers:

Scene: President Barack Obama was reelected for another four years as president of the United States. Barack Obama tweeted, "Four more years," with a sweet photo of him and wife Michelle Obama hugging. And Michelle also tweeted her support for her commander-in-chief husband: "More than anything, I want to thank you all for everything. I am so grateful to every one of you for your support and your prayers. –mo ."

Seen:  Prof. Marianito Luspo posted on Facebook: My apologies to those concerned: I normally don't accept as friends on FB those who are known to be running in the coming elections. Not that I am unfriendly, just trying to maintain what I believe is FB's essential character - a social network where I can interact with people close to my heart. Please understand.

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They love Bohol! Courtesy: Tim Yap/Ruffa Gutierrez/Leah De Guzman

Where the stars spent their long weekend? They’re in Bohol! Spotted in Bohol last week were Ruffa Gutierrez, Tim Yap, Alice Dixson and Cristalle Belo-Henares.

Via Instagram posts, they shared with us their impressions of Bohol:

Ruffa Gutierrez- Life is such a beach! ♥♥♥ Having a blast in bohol this weekend. :) Thank you Bohol for this amazing holiday!

Tim Yap- Touched by Boholano hospitality!

Cristalle Belo-Henares- Beautiful above and below, Balicasag Island! The most beautiful dive boat I've ever seen!

Alice Dixson- #Boholidaze2012 lives on! Our lovely Loboc river cruise.

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As I’ve been saying, Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado aka the Running Lawyer is having the best of both worlds.

As Bared has been reporting in “scoop” last week, Atty. Delgado has been spotted in Japan.

Of course, Atty. Delgado is also enjoying his busy schedule as president of the association of young Boholanos in Manila.

“While in the land of Lapad, he was spotted at the Old City holding hands with a beautiful Japanese girl while giggling and whispering sweet nothings into each other’s ears. This Japanese told him a phrase from a famous song ’Anataga Hoshii, Anataga Hoshii,” said the roving aka sosyalan VRS. “Atty. Greg knows that the song means “I like you and I love you.”

“Doy Leo, I swear, I heard Atty. Greg whispered to the Japanese girl the words ’Ashte Masu’,” added VRS. “You should know that they are Japanese words for ‘I love you’.”

However, the “short romance” between Atty. Greg and the beautiful Japanese girl turned out to be as ephemeral as Cherry Blossoms — you know, gone in the wink of an eye.

“He has to leave Japan Ha! Ha! Ha!” revealed VRS. “Who knows if they are communicating through Facebook?”

By the way, the Japan visit was part of the yearly “vacation” of the members of Villaraza Cruz Marcelo Angangco, officially known as CVC Law or simply "The Firm," the country's top litigation law firm. They had a break from their rigorous work for their annual RnR abroad. Two of the members of the Firm hail from Bohol, lawyers  Elmar Galacio of Valencia and Julius Gregory Delgado of Tubigon.

Atty. Delgado shared a glimpse of their trip to the Land of the Rising Sun - Japan. When people think of Japan, the country's capital Tokyo immediately comes to mind. Unbeknownst to many, it is not the ancient capital of Japan. It is Kyoto which used to be the seat of power and culture of Japan.

Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado has experienced Japan’s past perfect as it preserves time-honored traditions and country hospitality.

 Japan is home to the world's largest urban metropolis, rugged wilderness, and a culture steeped in ancient tradition, Japan is a travelers dream.

For the first day of the trip, the CVC Group visited the Golden Pavilion and the Nijo Castle which used to be the seat of Japan's government. The day ended with a hearty dinner which includes the delicious (and expensive) Kobe Beef at a local restaurant. For the second day, the lawyers visited the Todaji Temple at Nara which house the biggest Buddha Bronze Statue and spent the afternoon at Osaka visiting the Castle of Shogun Tokugawa, Umeda Tower and Dotonbori. They also visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine where scenes of the Memoirs of a Geisha were shot. The day ended with a Keiseke, a full course Japanese dinner. The third and last day was a free day and Atty. Delgado spent his day at the Mecca of Motorsports, the Suzuka Circuit near Nagoya.

After the official trip of the firm, Atty. Delgado dropped by Hong Kong, his second visit to the city. In 2007, Atty. Delgado was part of the Philippine Team which competed in an International Law Moot Court Competition. While it rained for two days, it did not prevent Atty. Delgado and his two fellows to enjoy their brief visit at the former British colony.

Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado has become a samurai warrior in Japan. Samurai leaders wore fierce masks and horned helmets. All lived by a code that valued death over defeat.

Atty. Greg attended University of the Philippines-Diliman earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree Major in Public Administration in 2000. Aside from being a constant college scholar/dean's lister, he is best remembered as one of the fiercest activists of his time and was elected in the 34th UP University Student Council and headed the Community Rights and Welfare Committee. He also spearheaded the Senate Lobbying Team that demanded higher state subsidy and resisted commercialization of the UP.

He entered the Ateneo de Manila University College of Law earning his Juris Doctor Degree and was awarded Silver Medal for Second Honors being one of the top students of his batch. Before graduation, he was already invited by the top law firms in the country and signed-up for Villaraza Cruz Marcelo Angangco (formerly Carpio Villaraza Cruz), also known in the legal circle as "The Firm". Atty. Greg has been active in civic organization in the past and at present.

Presently, he is the president of the Tubigonians Association in Metro Manila, the youngest to hold the post. He is also the president of the Association of Young Boholanos in Metro Manila.

Back from his trip abroad, Atty. Delgado will visit Bohol to attend the meeting of Bohol Football Association. He will bring a trophy for a local tournament organized in honor of former Bohol Football Director  Allan Dinsay of University of Bohol who just passed away. The Bohol Football Team has a plan to rename the trophy, the Allan Dinsay Cup. He will also attend the meeting of the Bohol Highlands Gun Club in Tubigon Firing Range, a range in a hill overlooking Cebu-Bohol sea….and, ehem, share his pasalubong! He! He! He!  

Atty. Delgado’s cup runneth over.

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BCCTV launches E! Channel

BCCTV formally launched E! Entertainment Television last Thursday, Nov. 8 with a pre- taped special hosted by Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal.

Lucky subscribers who participated during the whole-day affair received premium giveaways from E! Channel & BCCTV.

Entertainment Television better known as E! Channel with its iconic capital letter E with the exclamation mark logo focuses on updates from Hollywood, news on movies, television, music and fashion,” said Ms. Leizl Lim-Gregorio, BCCTV general manager.

The E! Channel which is seen by more than 600 million cable televiewers worldwide also features red carpet specials for the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards & the Emmy Awards and also produces top- rating reality shows like Keeping with the Kardashians.

E! Entertainment Television can now be enjoyed by BCCTV subscribers and televiewers 24 hours a day over Channel 48.

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

• Sierra-Bullones has the tallest Santa Claus in Phl; •Doc Homer Singco: Christmastime is family time

• Sierra-Bullones has the tallest Santa Claus in Phl
• Doc Homer Singco: Christmastime is family time

Wake-uppers:

Seen: The Jukebox King and Plaka King Victor Wood was in Bohol for his first concert at Calape Cultural Center last night. In Calape, Wood brought back fond memories of Mr. Lonely, Sweet Caroline,I Went To Your Wedding, You Are My Destiny, Crying Time, Paper Roses and The Great Pretender — his biggest hits.

Scene: Wow! Fireworks, a licensed manufacturer and distributor of superior pyrotechnic devices made from imported materials, will open its Bohol outlets for the Holidays on December 16 along Baclayon National Hi-way near Cignal Cable and La Paz, Cortes near Manga Bridge V-hire Terminal. This piece of good news is from Sam Pingkian. For inquiries, contact Sam at 09173748099/(038) 5019988/4120074.

Scene: Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (Apo) Zeta Beta and Zeta Epsilon chapters will visit Aliguay Primary School in Maribojoc town on Dec. 13 for the Christmas charity project. The adopt-a-school project is part of the 86th anniversary of Apo. For queries, call Brod Cesar Rubi at (038) 501-8242/412-0203.

Seen: A surveillance camera caught the “almost famous personality (AFP)” in the city stealing the high-end gadget of a participant in a conference AFP was the resource speaker. “The participant asked the care taker of the government building to review the CCTV the day the ipad was lost. Naa siyay kutob nga gikawat to,” shared the roving VRS. “AFP was caught on CCTV picking the ipad inside the venue. AFP was interrogated by the office staff he was connected before. However, AFP denied to death jud that he is innocent. Then police officers came to investigate, AFP still insisted he’s innocent. Shocked to the max nalang siya when confronted by the closed-circuit TV camera footage. AFP saw himself! Tagam!” added VRS.

Seen: Who will be the Newsmakers of the Year 2011? As the year ends, Bared will retell the stories, events and people that shaped 2011. Send your feedback to leoudtohan@yahoo.com or text +639212446791.

***

Gigantic Santa Claus found in Sierra-Bullones

The hometown of Asia’s Best Supporting Actress Rebecca Del Rio continues to amaze people.

We know this after having gone to Sierra-Bullones last week to attend the town fiesta. The town’s Santa Claus is finished.

It is touted to be “the biggest and tallest Santa Claus in Bohol and in the Philippines” and rightly so: It measures 25 feet. Their Santa Claus is a white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. It has eyeglasses, too. His other hand is carrying a bag and the other hand is making a high-five sign.

It took one month to finish the foundation of the Santa Claus; and two weeks to dress the Santa Claus. It should be ready before the town’s fiesta on Dec. 8 and we’re thankful enough for that, aren’t we?
.
"This Santa Claus measures 25 feet, the biggest Santa Claus and the tallest in Bohol and maybe in the Philippines as of this time," said Restituto Perocho, a municipal employee.

All day long, and both prior to and after the town fiesta, people from the neighboring towns would come to visit and have their picture taken in front of one of Bohol’s most famous and recognizable Christmas attraction.

At the foot of the gigantic Santa Claus, you could see kids playing. Then, there’s Lorenzo Butron, a blind musician who hails from Alicia town. He’s roaming around and playing Christmas carols accompanied by an old guitar and a harmonica.

This year’s Christmas, he really wants to make some real money to have an enjoyable Christmas. Ten days he did already the towns caroling. So far, he has earned 600 pesos which is enough to buy rice and other needs.

Lorenzo lost his sight when he was eight years old. When Lorenzo learned about the gigantic Santa Claus, his heart leapt for joy. “Kita kog Santa Claus gamay pa ko pero gagmay man ang Santa Claus sauna. Maskin dili nako kakita pero kahibaw ko naa siya (I saw Santa Claus when I was a kid and it was small. Even though I can’t see it, I know he’s there,” he explained.

At 69, Lorenzo still believes in Santa Claus.

“Motuo kog Santa Claus kay Katoliko man ko. Hinaot unta iya kong tabangan ug kaloy-an, (I believe in Santa Claus because I am Catholic. I hope he will have mercy on me),” said Lorenzo.

Then, he started playing his instruments to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Santa Claus’ smiling… Ho ho ho!

***

Dr. Homer Singco

Like most everybody, Dr. Homer Caseñas Singco will be home for Christmas no matter how busy he is.

“Christmas is better spent with the family in Jagna,” Doc Homer confessed during a chat with Bared while treating dogs at his vet clinic (along 53-A Airport Road, Cogon District, Tagbilaran City, Tel. No: (038.) 501-9021, Cell No: +639994263392). “Christmas is of love and compassion and of family bonding. That’s why I make it a point to drop everything and be with my parents during Christmas.”

How about celebrating Christmas with pets?

“Pet owners can celebrate Christmas with their pets in a fun and safe way. They can buy presents like dog biscuits,” said Doc Homer. “They can dress up their pets in holiday gear, or just put a Santa hat on then. Your pet can have the excitement of having their own presents on Christmas day, too!”

The path to becoming a veterinarian is never easy, but Doc Homer learned that a longer journey makes for a better adventure.

After graduating from the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte, he worked in a vet clinic in South Island, New Zealand. "I stayed there for two years,” he recalled. He returned to the Philippines and he worked as a senior vet at Ole Veterinary Hospital, a premier veterinary hospital in Cainta, Rizal.

Home is where the heart is. He decided to go back to Bohol. “I'd like to stay close to home and to establish a vet clinic.”

Dr. Homer Singco attending the modern day orthopaedics for animals seminar...

Is he happy with his career? “Workings with animals take a great passion and patience. I guess this is true to almost every job but this is where I love to do and where I am most fulfilled. I have been in love with animals since childhood. I even had a dog when I was in grade one and that at the age of 7. This is the job that I would love to do and to see myself grow.”

Have you been bitten by an animal? “Yes. You could not be a veterinarian if you wouldn’t be bitten by an animal.” Of all trauma-related veterinary visits, 10 to 15 percent are related to bite wounds, “I had been bitten several times with my dogs but I have them vaccinated. I guess all animal lovers or pet owners should do the same. Safety should always be considered responsibly. Prevention is still better than cure,” said Doc Homer.

The people of Japan was so touched by Hachiko’s loyalty and love for his owner that a monument was erected at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Japan. Photo shows Jagnaanon Sarah Bajamonde Onodera, who lives in Japan for 10 years, at the statue of Hachiko.

Homer’s passion for animals started when he was a young boy. Among his pets, dogs are his favorite. “I have one Shih-tzu and one Aspin. I had one native cat, too. I named my dogs Son-joe, Coycoy and Ba-an for my cat.”

A typical day for Doc Homer is waking up at 3 a.m.; checking the admitted pets, spending hours the clinic and having a siesta at 1 p.m. Sometimes his schedule changes when he has an emergency call from patients. “The work is hard but if you work with passion, it becomes so easy. I never forget to say prayer before I work. Well, this is aside from breakfast and the regular things we do every morning.”

In Bohol, a number of people are having pets.”Yes, but sadly some pet owners are not responsible. Others just owned a pet to look after their house without giving the pet’s need. I think everybody should know that dogs should see a veterinarian in two to three weeks from birth. And should be regularly check twice or thrice a year.”

Doc Homer also shared the therapeutic benefits of having pets at home. “Studies reveal that pets can reduce stress and control blood pressure even better than drugs. Pets can ease our loneliness, reduce our stress, promote social interaction, encourage exercise and playfulness, and provide us with unconditional love and affection.”

How about bringing pets at home? “New pets are new family members and the whole family should be involved in the discussion. Don't rush into it. You need to consult all members of the family because owning a pet does not affect just you. Make sure you know how to care for that particular animal. Choose a reasonable animal and one that you know you can take care of or can match your lifestyle. Having a pet means responsibility and dedication,” he advised.

He had seen the movie Hachiko, a must for pet lovers. (Hachiko is a dog hero which inspired Japan in thinking that friendship can last forever. Hachi was adopted by a college professor who later died while far from Hachiko. Hachiko waited 10 years for his master to come back after which he died.). “I watched it many times. I highly recommend everyone to watch it not only to animal lover or dog owner.”

Told that animal doctors are better lovers or magnets for women, Doc Homer laughed a bit.

“It works to me. But it depends, to own a pet comes with discipline, love, patience. It might help.”

At 32 (a Libra, born on October 8), Doc Homer is still single. Is he ready to settle down?

“Not for now but it will come at the right time. No need to rush or panic.”

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