Happy Thanksgiving!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Giveaways/Relief Goods was held last Friday in Booy District, Tagbilaran City.  Kapamilya Stars who were there were Julia Barretto, Jovit Baldivino (who sang Pagsubok and Pusong Bato), Ryan Bang, Sam Milby, Kian Cepriano, Empress, John Prats, John Lapus and Direk Loren Dyogi. Re-elected Booy barangay Captain Jun Telmo was also busy manning the event.

Scene: Panglao Mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero was giving raffles for the affected families in the Bohol Airport project in Panglao for their homes in the resettlement area allocated by the provincial government and the preparations for the sustainable livelihood projects.

Kapamilya stars Ryan Bang, John Prats, John Lapus, et al during the Sagip Kapamilya Giveaways/Relief Goods held in Booy, Tagbilaran City. Courtesy: Marcel Quibol-Arabejo

Scene: It’s goodbye for this teacher who was terminated by the school admin. “Students filed complaints against this teacher for act of lasciviousness and corruption,” says the unimpeachable VRS codenamed EP (Welcome back!- LPU). “The teacher was caught in the act giving “job” with the students inside the classroom,” adds VRS. “Nagkagubot jud ang tibuok school! The students accused the teacher that they were advised to buy aircon and other stuffs in order to pass the subject.” Leaving school, the teacher can see the world free!

Scene: From PIA-Bohol: Bohol Light Company Inc. says it is still impossible to have a definite schedule of power rationing as of this time while power transmission pattern from NGCP is still unstable.

Scene: Youth leader John Maraguinot posted on Facebook: Help! Next week, Bangon Bohol Relief Drive and the rest of the member organizations of ONE BOHOL will be in the Eastern Visayas to spearhead the Balik Bohol Reintegration Program and Leyte Relief Operation. The program will bring medical, debriefing, mass feeding, and evacuation services to the survivors (evacuation service will be limited to Boholanos only). Right now, we are still short of the needed supplies like rice, biscuits, candies, bottled water, sackoline, coffee, milo, and sugar. For this I appeal for support and assistance to all of my family members, relatives, and friends. Please PM me for inquiries or text at 09179985410.

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Believe it or not, the holiday season is almost here.

Last week, many of us gathered with family and friends sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving Day is usually celebrated in the US. We, Filipinos, don’t have a specific date for a Thanksgiving celebration because we always like to celebrate if we want to.

In New York, fashion icon EJ Relampagos had witnessed for the first time the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last Thursday (Friday in Phl).

Fashion icon EJ Relampagos has experienced his first Thanksgiving Day in the US. Courtesy: EJ Relampagos

Macy's Famed Giant Helium balloons took flight despite a windy day in New York City.

“The sun does not after all guarantee a warm ambience... still the show must go on! Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was a huge success,” said EJ. “It lasted for 3 hours and I have to say it made me feel like watching my first Cinderella movie! Everything looked magical. I never thought a parade could be that grand and fabulous!!! Oh New York...”

At Macy’s, making their debut this year were Adventure Time with Finn and Jake, Snoopy with his pal Woodstock, Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon", The Wizard of Oz and Happy Hippo. With Hanukkah falling on Thanksgiving this year a special spinning Dreidel balloon made its way down the parade route.

Eye-catching were the regular balloons like Spider Man, Buzz Lightyear, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hello Kitty, Sonic along with clowns, bands and floats.

After the parade, EJ had a dinner in NYC streetfood Halal and he slept early to gain energy for the Black Friday Sale at the 5th Avenue. (How about EJ’s date in NYC? Globetrotting VRS in New York is asking.)

In Los Angeles, California, Mikey Gatal celebrated Thanksgiving Day by watching a movie with Kevin.

Last week, Mikey had a successful “slippers and apple drive” outreach program in Booy Kindergarten schools. More than 100 kids were given slippers and 100 apples.

US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal bringing his “pink box” with Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon during the Haiyan charity event.  Courtesy: Mikey Gatal

“ So glad to see happy faces all over the place,” said Mikey. “The ‘Apple Drive’ in Bohol Philippines was a success, big thanks to Anciro Romana, Atty Sandy Roxas and to the OMG Hunks and Babes for this effort Pham Marzon, Nikki Gatal Quintia, Marjo Gatal-Duma, Mayen Gatal, Filipina Castillon-Rio, Wardiflex Eduardo and Rj Garcia (the ‘apple boy’ in the Philippines) for the inspiration to do more.”

Mikey who was bringing his “pink box” to spread awareness that Bohol earthquake victims also need help also joined the Haiyan Relief Project Free Benefit Concert which was attended by Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon. Vincent Kinne, a Thai actor (in Dragonwolf movie) also attended the event.

After Thanksgiving Day, we will celebrate our Savior’s birth and then ring in the New Year.

I encourage everyone to thank God for all that He’s done-both big and small. There is so much for us to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving Day should be every day. 

As the great psalmist says in Psalm 100:4-5, “Be thankful and say to him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

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2013: Your best moment

What was your Best Moment of 2013?  As 2013 draws to a close, many of us will be looking back to our most memorable, extraordinary moments of the year.

VRS want to hear from you: What’s the one picture that truly captures your 2013 highlight? What will you remember most?  

Share it with VRS, alongside a short description why it was so special for you. E-mail leoudtohan@yahoo.com.  The most compelling stories will be featured in VRS.

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

Chop the pork and beauty pageant gaffe

• Angry but peaceful anti-pork protest held in Bohol

• Latest beauty pageant gaffe in America goes viral

Last week’s highlights and surprises:

Surprise: On Miley Cyrus' twerking performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, many find it awkward. We were surprised to see her tongue constantly sticking out, grabbing her crotch, molesting a dancer's butt and grinding aggressively against Robin Thicke and sucking a foam finger! Looking at the audience reaction that awarding night, most of them were dumbfounded. Many didn’t find it sexy including my nephews and cousins who liked her during her Hannah Montana days.)

Highlight: In Bohol, less than 200 concerned citizens and taxpayers came to Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City to join the nationwide Million March Protest, demanding an end to the alleged misuse of public funds.

Spotted in the event was former provincial administrator Antonio Amora who joined the crowd in giving burning insights about the pressing issue.

Marianito Luspo came to protest the pork barrel misuse.

Environmental activist  Zenaida Darunday, who came with friends Adelia Dela Serna, Rosemarie Schwartz, Winston Bolo, Novis Lagunay, Dr. Virgie Bube, Roebert Varquez, Bert Gacera, Celio Tomoc, said they attended the event to show their outrage on the pork barrel system of the government.

Angry but peaceful Million March anti-pork protest was held in Bohol last Monday banding people from different walks of life and many sectors of society.- LPU

 

Doris Dinorog-Obena was there as one of the volunteers who “organized” the citizen-driven activity.

“We are here to signify our sentiments to scrap the pork and any form, our stand is not to be resurrected in any form,” said Dinorog-Obena.

There were also Mitzi Ibaya, teacher DenDen Calope, Lope Hubac, Atty. Alma Aparece with former CM-SCA Secretariat members, Fr. Dennis Salazar, Pat Ruiz, Dr. Zaldy Buac, Ric Ramasola, Engr. James Uy and Noel Uy.

Miko Cañares was also at the Plaza Rizal to show support to the people's demand for transparency and accountability from our government officials. His wife Arlene Salgados and kid were also there.

Mytee Palo shared the sentiment of the people. There were also NGO people like Alvin Acuzar and his two kids, Emie Roslinda, Joy Balane, Regina Estorba-Macalandag and Liza Macalandag.

There were also Jeff Bernasor, A. Hontanosas, Doy Bantugan, Rey Anthony Chiu, Judith Sumatra-Uy, Ric Obedencio, Paul Vistal, Nobet Bolo and some BCBP members.

During the mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral, there were Atty. Myrna Pagsuberon, Marissa Tuazon of Pakisama,  Suki Plaza Cyrus Lobrigas, Ruben Balistoy, Inting Loquellano and Msgr. Nalzaro.

The participants also agreed to ask the former congressmen who are allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam to explain to the Boholano people.

 “Nagkasinabot sab mi sa among tapuk karun nga manawagan sa kanhi congressmen nga naapil sa mga congresman nga nagahatag sa grupo ni Napoles,” said Acuzar. “Ihatag nila ang responsibilidad nga masabtan sa lalawigang Bol-anon kung giunsa, ug asa ug kinsa ang gitagaan sa maong pondo. Tungod kay mituo ta nga ang kausaban sa panawagan sa maong abolition sa PDAF magsugod diri sa atong lokal.”

After the Million March, the fugitive Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged brains of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, surprised the whole nation when, after hiding for two weeks, suddenly surrendered to Pres. Aquino.

Stay tuned: The night Napoles surrendered, the pork barrel scam saga is far from over.

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I bet you didn’t know that a Filipina is probably the most well-known pageant contestant right now.

After US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal uploaded the video of the QnA portion of the Miss Philippines-USA 2013 held in California, it has gone viral, appearing on multiple news sites such as the E! News, Huffington Post, Daily Mail and CNN.

Candidate Number 13 Joanlia Lising was asked by a presenter which of the “five senses” (vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch) she would pick if she could only choose one.

Joanlia Lising's nervous answer was: “Thank you for that wonderful question."If I have to pick out of the five senses, I would pick seeing, because seeing is the best sense that we can ever see, because seeing is believing, and believing into what you see is perfect... and... um... out of all those senses... seeing... would really be wonderful... thank you... that will be it.”

What?!?

The Miss Philippines USA 2013 candidate’s cringe-inducing Q&A answer becomes a viral video hit. –Screenshot from CNN

Everyone was confused.

I’d asked Mikey (who was one of those behind the search) for his comment.

“First of all, thanks for your great understanding, about the pageant thing, I really felt so bad about the whole situation, I did not mean to hurt Joanlia Lising, I just did my part to blog all candidates Q and A, didn't expect this will become a big issue and it went viral,” said Mikey.

In my opinion, Lising was probably overly nervous.

Remember, it is not easy to be onstage. Ask any candidate and she would agree. Right Raul?

The interview portion is always the most dreaded segment in a beauty pageant. It is in this segment that we love to hear how smart and eloquent the candidates are. Most of the time, in beauty contest you can't easily find a perfect mix-up of beauty and brains.

Meanwhile, the annual charity project of Mikey (thru his Mikey Gatal Charity Inc.  in cooperation with Guindulman Association of California,Southern Area or GACSA)  was held on August 24 in Barangay Canhaway, Guindulman. 

Mikey gave out slippers to children too poor to afford them.

Mikey came out with the idea years ago during her vacation in Bohol.  He had realized the extent of the need for slippers, which is something a lot of people take for granted.

“More than 300 kids have received new and nice slippers they can use,” said Nikki Gatal-Quintia who supervised the activity.

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Thank God, it’s September 1!

Do you smell Christmas in the air? Welcome the “ber” months!

The start of September also means that Christmas is just around the corner as the world’s longest Christmas season unfolds in the Philippines.

Never mind if the whole country just got shaken by the pork barrel scam, the Filipinos’ enduring spirit could never be shut down.

Today, radio programs begin playing holiday tunes. It can’t be denied that Christmas songs can help lift our moods.  And the thought of Christmas decor and Christmas bonus make the “Ber” months more exciting!

Now that the “Ber” month is finally upon us, the mornings are expected to get colder in the coming days.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Note: As you read this paper, I already sent my Christmas greetings to my high school classmate and VDT-LC principal Elaine Joy Auza. We have had our contest of “Who Can Greet First Merry Christmas on September 1” since we’re in high school. As expected, I won for the nth time!

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

Latest beauty pageant gaffe in America goes viral

CNN has featured the answer and embarrassing video of the recently concluded Miss Philippines-USA 2013 that goes viral.

The Miss Philippines-USA 2013 was held on August 18, 2013 at the La Mirada Theatre and Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California.

During the pageant night, candidate Number 13 Joanlia Lising was asked by a presenter which of the “five senses” (vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch) she would pick if she could only choose one.

Joanlia Lising's nervous answer was: 'Thank you for that wonderful question."If I have to pick out of the five senses, I would pick seeing, because seeing is the best sense that we can ever see, because seeing is believing, and believing into what you see is perfect... and... um... out of all those senses... seeing... would really be wonderful... thank you... that will be it.”

What?!?

Everyone was confused.

I have contacted my friend Mikey Gatal who uploaded the video to ask his side if what is his feeling right now that his video went viral.

He is totally blank.

Mikey Gatal said, “First of all, thanks for your great understanding, about the pageant thing, I really felt so bad about the whole situation, I did not mean to hurt Joanlia Lising, I just did my part to blog all candidates Q and A, didn't expect this will become a big issue and it went viral!”

In my opinion, Lising was probably overly nervous.

Remember, it is not easy to be onstage. Ask any candidate and she would agree.
 

Mikey Gatal and Joanlia Lising

The interview portion is always the most dreaded segment in a beauty pageant. It is in this segment that we love to hear how smart and eloquent the candidates are. Most of the time, in beauty contest you can't easily find a perfect mix-up of beauty and brains.

In my coverage on beauty pageants, personal questions and sometimes intimate details about the life of the candidates gets difficult answer. But there are those national issues and simple questions that can get a hard time for the candidate to think of an answer.

Beauty pageant gaffe not only happens in local pageants but even in prestigious pageants like Miss USA and Miss Teen USA that candidates give fluffed or terrible answers.

Remember Miss Teen USA contestant Lauren Caitlin Upton, who in 2007 eloquently reminded the nation why some Americans can’t locate their own country on a map? That was worst answer.

Miss Utah, Marissa Powell had also her own gaffe. She was asked a question about a report which found that although women are the primary earners in 40 per cent of American families with children, they continue to earn less than men.

"What does this say about society?" the judge asked.

"I think we can relate this back to education," Powell began, beaming. "And how we are continuing to try to strive to figure out how to create jobs right now. hat is the biggest problem. And I think, especially the men are ... seen as the leaders of this and so we need to see how to … create education better. So that we can solve this problem. Thank you."

And how about Miss California 2009 Carrie Prejean whose answer created a commotion.

When asked about legalizing same sex marriage in America, she hailed the United States as a land of choice. "It's great that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage."
 

Joanlia Lising

The concept of beauty has evolved from mere physical attributes. Even if it is a beauty contests, intelligence and wit have become part of the package. Winners become ambassadors of goodwill and spokespersons in charitable organizations. To become one means being able to express herself clearly and sensibly.

For me in order to stop the blunder, ladies should be comfortable on stage and enjoy the event. In the Q&A portion, they should speak from the heart and express what they truly feel about a subject or issue. Speak to express not to impress!

 

 

The Pork barrel, the Disney Princesses and the Midwife

Scene: Pres. Pnoy may had finally agreed to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)¸ more popularly known as pork barrel, but the planned nationwide protest tomorrow, August 26, against the PDAF scam

will continue, particularly in Tagbilaran City. Organized by some civic groups, the activity will start at 9 a.m. at the Plaza Rizal. The event will fall on the same day the country celebrates National Heroes' Day. Scores of people from this city and other parts of Bohol have committed to express their outrage against the “pork barrel” scandal.

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Super thanks, Mrs. Calipayan

Remember Mrs. Catalina Reyes-Calipayan? Yes, her name rings a bell to many moms in Tagbilaran City and even in many towns of Bohol.

I met her for the first time in 2008 after searching her for 27 years. It was a privilege seeing her, especially since she was there when I was born and I heard good things about her.

Mrs. Calipayan now 76 years old

My Mama Inday used to tell me about how she gave birth to me at our home with the help of Mrs. Calipayan. Of all her children, I was the only one delivered at home. My other siblings were born in the hospital. But why a home delivery? Just like many women in the Eighties, my mother had full freedom of choice to have the birth she wants and needs. Of course, she felt assured that everything was fine because of the help of an independent and knowledgeable midwife like her.

Five years later, I visited Mrs. Calipayan for the second time last Tuesday, August 20. She is now 76 years old; age has certainly not withered her. She shows no sign of slowing down. She remains in good health-no weakening knees, no deteriorating vision and no signs of senility.

The young Catalina had begun her career as a midwife after she finished schooling at the age of 18. She shared that midwifery was the most difficult course during her time.

A midwife does more than just deliver babies because she is present at every birth, whether at home or in hospital. She touches everyone’s life.

Since public transportation was scarce in 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Calipayan had to walk kilometers helping mothers in labor, especially those who gave birth at dawn.

“Praise God, in my long years as a midwife all the children are alive. And when I hold the baby and heard her crying I’m so happy and blessed because there’s another miracle from heaven,” she enthusiastically said.

She also narrated a risky situation in 1970s when she was asked by a man who was a member of a rebel group whose wife was about to give birth. She had to walk kilometres in a rough road in order to reach the camp. After the baby was born, there was a firefight between the rebel group and the army. She hid the mother and the child until everything was cleared.

That’s me with Mrs. Catalina Calipayan, the woman whose first pair of eyes that lands sight on me.

Mrs. Calipayan became president of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines-Bohol chapter. She’s also an officer and adviser of the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives in the region and laid the foundation of lying-in centers in Bohol.

Already retired, Mrs. Calipayan has decided to use whatever goodwill her being a midwife wielded. She now devotes her energies to events related to midwifery and to attend the needs of her grandchildren.  

She’s helping mothers give birth joyfully without fear.  Her story is truly touching and inspiring.

Before leaving, I asked my nephew YakYak to take a souvenir photo of us together.

Super thanks Mrs. Calipayan, see you again!

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The Disney Princesses are loved by all generations. Since they are fascinating, small girls want to become princesses. Actually, I met some of them when I went to Disney world this year in California. And they are lovely!

Anyway, here’s an article forwarded by Ariel Sarabosing (named after Ariel, the mermaid) of Tagbilaran City about the “6 weird things about being a Disney Park Princess” she culled in the Internet courtesy of

Business Insider.

The “secrets” were told by a former Snow White, among the juicy tidbits from the Disney princess confidential:

- You've got to have the right body type. While princesses are between 5'4" and 5'7", Tinkerbell, Alice and Wendy must be more petite -- between 4'11" to 5'2".

- Princess age out quickly. Most are played by women between 18 and 23. A 27-year-old princess would be considered over the hill--ouch!

- There's some serious princess primping. Getting the look -- costume, makeup-wig -- takes about an hour, with frequent touch-ups throughout the day.

- Princesses deal with stalkers. This particular actress dealt with a creepy fan who became was convinced she was the real Snow White, and threatened to kill the imitators. Security!

- It's hard to make it a career. Princesses make about $13 to $16 an hour, which works out to a starting salary of around $27,000, with little chance for a significant raise.  

- There's no world except Disney World. A princess can never acknowledge things outside her character's world (so she's totally not gonna get that SpongeBob shirt you're wearing). Also, off the clock, talking about Disney (or even revealing what princess she plays) on social media is verboten. Guess that's why she's staying anonymous!

US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal with Disney character Alice. Incidentally, Mikey is celebrating six years of www.mikeygatal.com with a charity event in Guindulman through the Mikey Gatal Kids Foundation.

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