Fer Mary Baliquig vows to make Boholanos proud in Bb. Pilipinas 2012

Fer Mary Baliquig: ‘I felt happy and blessed!’

 

 

 

Despite her rigid physical trainings and mental calisthenics, Tagbilaran’s bet to this year’s Bb. Pilipinas Fer Mary Baliquig admitted that the love of her family and friends make her to stay strong until the competition is over.

“Kuya Leo, you would feel so strong and determined when the people are behind you,” Fer told Bared when she visited Tagbilaran City last week.

Fer is the other Boholana who is competing in the Bb. Pilipinas titles (Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism). The other Boholana beauty who made it to the Bb. Pilipinas Final Cut is Karen Gallman of Ubay who is expected to visit Bohol before the Bb. Pilipinas finale.

“Fer was in Bohol to ask support from the city and provincial governments and to get the outfits, shoes, accessories that we provided her for Bb. Pilipinas,” said fashion icon EJ Relampagos who accompanied Fer in her appointments.

Despite her busy schedule, Fer arrived early for her radio interview on Kiss FM. She also visited the City Hall and Capitol for courtesy calls. She personally gave the lei to Vice President Jejomar Binay during the latter’s visit to Bohol. Looking at Fer, she radiated with an enthusiasm that made it impossible not to warm up to her. Her defiantly cheerful attitude is what made her see opportunity in things and beauty in her unorthodox looks.

Born on Dec. 16, 1992 in Oroquieta City to Boholano parents, Fer studied nursing at Holy Name University. In 2010, Fer captured the hearts of her fellowmen when she became Miss Tagbilaran and first runner-up in the Miss Bohol Sandugo. She worked as a call center agent, tried acting as she appeared in Bulong, an indie film directed by Chito Roño as Bohol Calendar Girl; and trained under the camp of beauty queen maker John De La Vega until she found herself getting pinned with #24 in Bb. Pilipinas 2012.

She is known as the “dark horse” in the Bb. Pilipinas competition. Beauty watchers have said that Fer could snatch one of the crowns. Her café au lait complexion, delicate and well- chiseled features plus her statuesque height makes her the heavy favorite among the candidates vying for the crown.

According to Bb. Pilipinas World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit, “Fer has the dusky morena look that the international pageantry will appreciate. I think with her exposure in local pageants in Bohol, it helped her a lot with her stage presence. I met her during the screening and she is a smart woman. More improvement in her communication skills and I’m sure she’s going to nail it!”

Fer's café au lait complexion, delicate and well- chiseled features plus her statuesque height makes her the heavy favorite among the candidates vying for the crown. Photo courtesy: Side Room Studios

EJ said that Fer winning traits are “her being optimistic, her willingness to learn and grow as a person and her trust and confidence in God.”

Will she follow the footsteps , if not surpass, the record of Anna Maris Igpit (2006), first princess Rich Asuncion (2009) and first runner-up Perla Salig-Teves (1979)?

Again, we keep our collective fingers crossed.

(Note:  The grand coronation night of the 49th Bb. Pilipinas pageant will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 15, 2012 and will be covered live by ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel.)

Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Fer:

How does it feel being included in the Top 30 in the Bb. Pilipinas Final Cut? I felt happy and blessed! Among hundreds of women from around the Philippines I was included on the top 30. Thank God!

What or who motivated or inspired you to join Bb. Pilipinas this year? It has been my childhood dream to become a beauty queen. Kaya I joined our local pageants para matrain ako and Boholanos will be proud of me by the time na nag-national na ako.

How’s the rigid training? Yes its really rigid but I don’t feel tired because I love what I’m doing .

What title you want to win? Bb. Pilipinas-Universe? Bb. Pilipinas International? Miss Tourism? Honestly, I will be very contented whichever God will give me in return of all my sacrifices and hard work.

What are your preparations for the Bb. Pilipinas 2012?  Diet. I also go to the gym and work out lalo na sa tummy ko.  I also update myself to the current events. And I attend workshops specally on q&a and pazarella.

What kind of diet do you have?  Less salt , less sugar. Usually, I just eat saging na saba and camote everyday.. and being on diet is really haaaard that’s why if straight days akong nag-follow sa diet ko I do my cheat meals every Sunday! Ha! Ha! Ha! Sshhhh... Parang reward na rin.

Drinking a lot of water is good for the skin, they say.  Exactly!  I drink a million times of water everyday since I’m on diet and I’m also working out twice a day to avoid dehydration.

What part of your body is your favorite?  Hhmmmmmmm...I give special attention on my body. Since this is a national competition, body proportion is very important.

Who is your role model and why?  My mother.  She’s always been the source of my strength and her love and care inspires me to be the best that I can be.

Yeah, very inspiring. Young people today are liberated and adventurous, willing to try everything. What's your stand on pre-marital sex?  I always believe in the value of marriage. For me sex should always be under the context of marriage. Yes, it is natural that young people are adventurous but they should see to it that it will do no harm to them.

Do you still have time to watch the impeachment trial? Honestly, because of our hectic schedule in Binibini there are times na di na ako nakakapanood ng tv but I read the newspaper to update myself about impeachment.

What is your greatest inspiration? My inspiration is my family.  People may come and go but my family will always be there for me to support me. My dreams are not just for me but also for my family.

How's your love life?  So far my lovelife's doing fine naman. I feel that we are getting stronger because despite that I’m very far from him now we are still able to communicate just like before. He's very supportive. And I hope that we continue loving and trusting each other. PS: Kuya Leo, check mo rin if ano nang pinaggagawa niya jan sa Bohol! Ha! Ha Ha!

Fer finds time to visit her family and friends:  (clockwise) Fer with EJ Relampagos, Ryan Sines and Joan Torrefranca during the pictorials; a radio interview with DJ Sean ByTheWay of Kiss FM; and a courtesy call to Gov. Edgar Chatto. Contributed Photos

What do you find sexy in a man?  I find the arms of a man sexy because I like men who have strong arms because I feel secured and safe.

What qualities do you want in a man?  There is only one quality that I’m looking for in a man. The one who respects his mother because I always remember that the way a man treats his mother is also the same way he treats his wife  his wife.

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Richard Gutierrez in Bohol; 2 Boholana in Bb. Pilipinas 2012; Triplets celebrfate 84th birthday

• Richard Gutierrez spends Valentine's Day in Bohol

• 2 Boholana beauties in Bb. Pilipinas 2012 tilt

• Phl’s oldest surviving triplets celebrate 84^th birthday

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The delegates of the CFC Singles for Christ International Convention held at CPG Sports Complex on Feb. 17-19.

Scene: Catch KC Concepcion in a benefit concert for victims of typhoon Sendong on Feb. 24, 7 p.m. at the Bohol Wisdom gym.  Tickets are available at Php1, 000, Php500 and Php300 student price (good for two). This is a project of the Holy Spirit School Federated Parents-Teachers Association.

Scene: From Pinay Adiong: Please help us campaign for more votes for the Alburquerque Central Elementary School here - http://www.facebook.com/e.StudyantePH. Click on the Like then it will open to a page - click install, allow, vote enter your personal info, click I agree, click Register, then click on +1vote on Alburquerque Central Elementary School - 3  votes a day per FB account up to Feb. 20!

Scene: Feliz compleaños to erstwhile Mayor Joe Torralba, Walter Toston, Dr. Cyrilda Tallo, Maximiel, Feb. 9; Tagbilaran City Councilor Ann Mariquit Oppus, Feb. 10; Atty. Zoilo Dejaresco, Jr., Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim, Lloyd Guttierez and Dr. Antonio Porticos, Feb. 11; Raul Gatal, Feb. 12; Valentino Gamutin, Atty. Handel Lagunay, Joselino Baritua, Gary Silagan and Fr. Val Pinlac, Feb. 14; Melchor Daniel, Feb. 15; Engr. Jes Tirol, Elvie Macalandag, Louella Husain and 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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Who is Richard Gutierrez dating on Valentine’s Day?

Kapuso actor Richard Gutierrez celebrates Valentine’s Day with the schoolkids of Guiwanon Elem. School in Baclayon town. LPU

On Valentine’s Day, it is always fun to find out which celebrity is dating who. One is Richard Gutierrez.

The Kapuso actor was spotted in Bohol on Valentine’s Day. Richard was not dating someone but he was with the kids of Guiwanon Elementary School in Baclayon (hometown of actor Cesar Montano) who are the recipients of the Bikes for the World initiated by Jo Grant and Joel Uichico.

Richard formally gave the 600 bikes to the schoolkids who walk to school.

Richard also visited Pamilacan Island. He also attended the coronation rites at Laya Elementary School and Baclayon Central Elementary School crowning the Valentine’s 2012 queens.

“What better we do celebrate with the kids in Bohol. It's a great opportunity for me,” Richard told Bared.

Did she bring “someone” in his Bohol visit?  “Nope, I am celebrating Valentine’s with my friends."

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Boholana beauties in Bb. Pilipinas Final Cut

Actually, there were three Boholana beauties who underwent training for the Binibing Pilipinas 2012: Miss University of Bohol 2006 and Miss TBTK 2006 Loida Lagonoy, Miss Ubay 2007 Karen Gallman and Miss Tagbilaran 2010 and Miss Bohol Sandugo 2010 1^st runner-up Fer Mary Baliquig.

Karen and Fer joined other 100 wannabes who met the deadline for the submission of application forms to this year’s search of the three Bb. Pilipinas who will represent the country in the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism pageants. However, Loida didn’t continue the training and pass her application.

Last week, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) chair Stella Marquez de Araneta announced the 30 official candidates including Karen and Fer.

According to beauty watchers, Fer, 5'8", “could snatch one of the crowns.”

 “She is already one of the early favorites for the Miss Philipines- Universe title,” said Bohol’s seasoned host and personality guru Raul Gatal.

Some people say that Karen, 5’7”, looks like Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete. “This Boholana-Australian is really a head turner,” says one fan.

“Her official number is number 1, I hope she will make an impact right away considering the number she picked,” said US based socialite and beauty watcher Mikey Gatal.

The big question is: Will they follow the footsteps, if not surpass, the record of Anna Maris Igpit (2006) who represented the country in Miss World, first princess Rich Asuncion (2009) and first runner-up Perla Salig-Teves (1979)? Again, we keep our collective fingers crossed.

Launched in 1964, the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant has become the biggest and most anticipated beauty event participated in by hundreds of aspirants nationwide.

The new set of winners will be crowned during a glittering coronation night that will be held on April 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and will be aired live on ABS-CBN.

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Phl’s oldest triplets celebrate 84th birthday

The oldest triplets in Bohol and probably in the Philippines (from left to right) Maria Cleofe, Maria Salome and Maria Magdalena Buagas, known as Tres Marias, have shown that they have no intentions of slowing down – by celebrating their 84th birthday. Inset: Three's a crowd, the old photo of the girls circa 1930s. LPU

The triplets who are thought to be the oldest in Bohol have celebrated their 84^th birthday together - as well as their unique status as being the only of their kind in the country.

Maria Magdalena, Maria Salome and Maria Cleofe Buagas were born in 1928, an event that was a shock to their parents; Lucio Buagas, a farmer, and his wife Feliciana Lumain.

Their birth was years before ante-natal scans. The triplets, who are identical, caused a stir when they were born in the Poblacion, Corella town.

The triplets were nicknamed "Tres Marias" in the community because people could not tell them apart. At Corella Elementary School, they sat far from each other in class so the teacher would not mix them up. They were all dressed the same by their mother who died when they were seven years old.

What are their secrets to longevity? The Tres Marias still share a strong bond, which they say is the secret behind their long life. And of course, proper diet.

Maria Salome said: "Musimba mi sa simbahan kay dili nato angay kalimtan ang Ginoo (We go to church and we don’t forget the Lord)”.

Maria Cleofe: “Dili mi mawad-an og utan ug ubang lagutmon, dili mawala ang law-oy (We eat vegetables and root crops. We also have vegetable stew.).”

Maria Magdalena: “Unya tagsa ra mi mukaon og karne (We rarely eat meat).”

Maria Magdalena and Maria Cleofe Buagas who still live in Poblacion, Corella, and Maria Salome Buagas-Pondoc who lives in La Paz, Cortes town, celebrated their birthday with family and friends on Thursday afternoon.

They show no signs of slowing down or crankiness usually equated with age.

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