Ima Leopardas is loveless but happy

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Congratulations to Aster Caberte, Central Visayas Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for having been chosen Best DTI Executive in the Philippines during the recent "SPRInts (System on Performance, Rewards and Incentives) Huwarang DTI 2015" awarding ceremonies.

 

Why do we need a designated holiday to celebrate love? -LPU

Scene: From Reigh Monreal this info: Congratulations to the Bohol Island State University (BISU) for being listed by the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) among the Top 5 performing teacher education institutions in the country in Category B (500 to 999 takers from 2009 to 2014) with a running passing average of 85% for both BEEd and BSEd. The other four: De La Salle University (Manila), 99%; University of Saint La Salle (Bacolod), 86%; Ateneo de Naga (Bicol), 85%; and University of Southeastern Philippines (Tagum), 85%. Tops in Category A (1,000 and above examinees): University of the Philippines – Diliman, 97%; University of Santo Tomas, 94%; Philippine Normal University (Manila), 93%; St. Louis University (Baguio), 87%; and Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro), 90%.

 

Scene: The Splash Day the 13th at the University of Bohol. “If you are an alumni/alumna and you wish you experienced this kind of fun during your time! don't worry ... you will have your chance... just join us in our Grand Alumni Homecoming this July 2016,” says Janice Aurora Tirol, Ph.D., dean of Student Personnel  Services.

 

Scene: Valentine gimmicks were held at different schools in Bohol.  To spice up their V-day celebration, the students of  Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School had love wall, kasal-kasalan, love knot, et al . One student said, "I am taken by you." On the other hand, people bought flowers at downtown Tagbilaran a day before Valentine's Day. Prices of fresh blooms escalated on Friday morning. According to Boholano florist Eddie Dahunog of Eva's Flowershop, there was a low supply of flowers. Dahunog added that some people were practical that instead of buying fresh flowers they preferred V-items made of plastic. “People are practical now that kahit plastic basta makapgabigay lang sa kanyang minahal. Kasi sabi nila ang plastic forever daw ang presko hindi tumatagal. The most important is your true love,” said Dahunog.

 

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Would you believe that beauty queen Imaculada Cleofe Edubas Leopardas has been loveless for  many years now (her last boyfriend was when she was in high school)? How does Ima cope with this barrenness in her lovelife?

 

"I'm fine," said Ima who has signed a non-exclusive contract with OMG (www.mikeygatal.com/ www.omg755.com/www.boholster.com) of US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal (who took his oath as US citizen last yesterday, Feb. 14).  The contract signing was attended by Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal, Roger Gatal, Nikki Gatal-Quintia, Marjo Gatal-Dumas and Kiss FM dj Robert James.

 

Imaculada Cleofe Edubas Leopardas:
 ‘Love is a choice and when you choose to love,
 you choose to get hurt.’ Courtesy: Miss Bohol

“OMG! I love it! The moment I knew that I was gonna be one of the endorsers, I really thanked Mr. Mikey Gatal for choosing me,” said Ima, a BS in Psychology Major in Industrial Psychology School student at Bohol Island State University- Main Campus. “This has been one of my dreams and OMG turned it into a reality. And I am in love with the charity works that we've been doing because that is so me.”

 

During the contract signing, Mikey expressed his gladness on Ima and other models as OMG models. "Ima is beautiful and talented.”

 

On Valentine’s Day, Imma together with other OMG models Neil Namuag, Adelyn Joy Esclamado, Pham Marzon, Erika Gatal abd Gercy Daraido had a charity event in Baclayon, Ima’s hometown.

 

“It’s one of the most amazing things in my whole life! The first thing I know was I was once a pupil of Baclayon Central Elementary School and the next thing I know, I am leading a charity work, and that just felt really amazing,” shared Ima. “And it made me feel really happy knowing that I served as an inspiration and a good example to those children.”

 

Ima is loveless. She has remained fancy-free, so a VRS Q&A with her focused on her present state of being.

 

What keeps you busy? I'm busy being myself. One day, I found myself dreaming about making my family proud and the next day, I found myself living that dream. There is one thing that I would like to always do in my life and that is to make my mother be really happy and that's what I'm doing now. I am busy learning everything about life so that I can make each day count. I have this habit of inspiring people for as far as I know, dreams do come true. Everyday, I think of the many things that I can be and I never stop discovering and improving myself, for I know that life is a gift and I don't have an intent of wasting it.

 

Who/what inspires you?  My family is my inspiration. Even if I haven't seen my father for eight years for he has to work abroad, even if I would say that really, my life story is like the MMK on TV and even if we have been through those many darkest moments in life, still I learned. I learned that life can be unfair, but one should always get up no matter how many times you fall. And it strucks me to the point that I will do anything just to make them happy and proud. I love my family so much. (Ima’s parents are Engr. Eleazar Leopardas, Sr. and  Ma. Gloria (nee Edubas). Her supportive siblings are Vanessa Joy, Roman Ceferino and Eleazar Jr.- LPU)

How long do you think you can survive being single? Honestly, this question made me smile. Well, I have this theory and it is a theory of bread. You like eating a piece of bread only if there is a sandwich spread.

 

Ima Leopardas with her fellow OMG models (l-r): Adelyn Joy Esclamado, Gercy Daraido , Erika Gatal,
Pham Marzon and Neil Namuag. Courtesy: Roger Gatal

Now what happens if there's no more sandwich spread? Well you have to eat and enjoy the bread and hope for the better sandwich spread that you may have next time. The sandwich spread stands for the person you fall in love with, and the bread is you. You see, there will always be that one person who can make your heart beat faster and slower at the same time. But in my case, I am not searching for someone because I am waiting for the right one. I wouldn't mind waiting too long, for the love from my family, best friends and supporters are more than enough to me.

 

With you, once a relationship is over, it’s over na jud, no more second time around? Any kind of relationship deserves a second chance, for this time, you realized how much you really care for that person and by that, you don't want to lose the person again. But if circumstances won't allow you to be together again, I think it's best to let it go. It will hurt, of course it will really hurt for it was true. Everything happens for a reason. The most important thing there is, you have to learn from it, accept it, move on and be better, not bitter.

 

What lessons (or “mistakes”) did you learn from your past relationship that will guide you in your future relationship?  I loved too much, that is the mistake. It was way back in high school and that was my first love. I have no regrets, for the person made me happy and made me see how beautiful people can be, just the way they are. Everything I learned about love and pain, I owe it to my past and I am forever thankful for that. But at the end of the day, the past has turned me into the best version of myself because I chose to look at the positive side of life.

 

Love can wait, says Ima. Courtesy: Miss Bohol

What is love to you? Love is when you give it first to someone who deserves it and that someone should be yourself. Love is a choice and when you choose to love, you choose to get hurt. Love isn't love until someone asks you what is love and you cannot explain it, because you only feel it. Love is when all you ever wanted was to make that person happy, even if you're not the reason behind that happiness.

 

What is your favorite love quote? "Love is not blind. It sees but it doesn't mind." We love people the hard way, we love people the wrong way, but in the end, it will never be about how many lovers you had, for it is about how true you are when you fall in love.

 

How does a single girl spend Valentine’s? A typical single girl spends Valentine's Day by liking the Facebook status of those happily inlove Facebook friends, she would look like she's not jealous of those girls who had a lot to receive on Heart's Day and she secretly hopes that someone would offer her some flowers and chocolates. You might ask me why I know all these things, so here's the answer: Yes, I'm single.

 

What’s your most memorable Valentine? I surprised my mother with a personalised gift which was from my savings, I wrote her a letter and I spent February 14 with her, that was my most memorable Valentine's Day. Every year, I always surprise my mother, not only on a Valentine's Day but also on her special occasions like her birthday. I never get tired on making her happy because seeing her smile makes me happy, too.

 

What qualities do you look for in a guy? Someone who has a good morale, someone taller than me, the one whom I can learn more about life, someone not just with the looks but also with a stable job, someone three or four years older than me, is honest, loyal, respectful to his mother, the one who knows how to make me laugh and can handle me at my worst and most of all, the one who can make me feel in love again...now that's what others may say "the impossible to find" kind of man. But I believe that that someone exists somewhere and at the right time and at the right place, I am going to see that man in God's will.

 

Who is your celebrity dream date? Mario Maurer. I really like him because he is the kind of handsome who is really humble and that makes him even more handsome. I really cannot forget his role in his movie, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and he really looks so cute.

 

Nonetheless, there is no hurry for Ima.

 

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Shaping-up tips from Miss Tagbi

This early, a quick look at the Miss Bohol 2014 official candidates line-up shows some of the early favorites already catching the attention of pageant fans from here and abroad.

Among them is Miss Tagbilaran Geraldine Topsnik. She was crowned Mutya sa Tagbilaran this past April, and she will compete for the Miss Bohol title on July19.

 “She has a good fighting chance to win the crown,” according to a beauty pageant watcher.  “So far, she’s doing very well.”

Geraldine, who was born on April 15, 1997, stands 5'6", 110 lbs, and with vital statistics of 34-26-36, became Miss Cristal-e College 2013, Miss Teen ICM 2013 and then Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014.

“Being Miss Tagbilaran 2014 doesn’t only mean that I was crowned that night, my work is done, but it means that I was crowned, my work is just beginning,” shared Geraldine. “I plan to utilize my title by influencing different people and promoting our tourism.”

The 17 year-old half German half Filipina will convince tourists to visit Bohol, which was devastated by the killer quake last year, through the power of social media. “Social media is one way of conveying the tourists to explore Bohol after the quake, although the quake might have devastated lives it also has sprouted different opportunities,” shared Geraldine.

In this season of Sandugo festival, VRS asked Geraldine for her fitness insights and sundry.

How do you feel about competing at the Miss Bohol 2014? I feel proud to be able to represent the City of Tagbilaran, but there’s always this uncertainty in pageants especially this one, that makes me nervous. Who wouldn’t be? It’s Ms.Bohol2014 and I’m competing against 17 beautiful girls, but I am hoping that on the 19th of July I’ll be able to represent the province of Bohol. I am hoping and praying.

What is your favorite category (Swimsuit, Evening Gown, Interview, casual/On-Stage Question), and why? My favorite category is non-other than the casual on stage question because in this category the people get to know who the candidate truly is as a person and they get a glimpse on the candidates personality other than her beauty.

What is your least favorite category, and why? My least favorite category would be the swimwear category although this is the favorite of some, and I do respect that, but it’s my least favorite because behind that beautiful body is hours and days of diet and exercise and it’s also makes me feel very conscious about how I look and the way that people think about how I look and portray who I am as a person in the swimwear category of the competition.

What would you say to someone who says that pageants are superficial and/or demeaning to women? I would tell them that to personally get to know a previous pageant winner or a contestant and I’m sure just by getting to know them, they’ll instantly know how pageants have improve their lives and personalities as it did with mine.

How do you stay motivated to eat healthy, exercise, and prepare for your upcoming pageant? I stay motivated to eat healthy and exercise by thinking of the people who believes in me and by thinking about the advocacies that I want to be implemented if I become Miss Bohol 2014.

What kind of diet do you have? I was obese when I was younger, and in Mutya sa Tagbilaran, I still had some of that baby fats on, and right now I’m doing my best to have my body toned. I’m having a less rice diet, less sweets, more protein, vegetables and the healthy stuff with exercise.

How much sleep do you get per night knowing that you have busy schedules in the Miss Bohol? It really depends, on some nights I get 8 or more hours of sleep but in some, 5 or 6 , But I do try to get up to 8 hours of sleep a day because having enough sleep makes you a lot healthier, makes you glow and have more energy.

Other than confidence, what would you say is the most important quality for a pageant contestant hoping to capture her next crown? I think that other than confidence the most important thing that a beauty should possess is the passion for what she is doing. I believe that you can expect greater things once you love what you do. And in order for her to get her next crown she must be confident and passionate and of course, she must never forget where she came from and never forget the Lord.

What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is “live life without any regrets, trust in the Lord and he will keep you safe”.

If you were to change something in yourself, what would it be? Right now, I am changing my persona of thinking too much of what other people would think about the things that I do and about me. I think that , I am doing my best to change this part of me, because I believe that to live happily means to not care that much on other people’s perception ,as long as you believe in yourself and you are happy , then what other people think of you really doesn’t matter that much.

What do you find sexy in a man? It would definitely be how a man carries himself, his height and his eyes... I don’t know why, but I just find it sexy. (Laughter)

Will Geraldine join the Miss Bohol Honor Roll?

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In 2006, Bb. Pilipinas World-2006 Anna Maris Igpit shared to me her strict diet days before she went to Poland to compete for the Miss World 2006. To stay thin, she followed a healthy strict diet and practice few exercise.

When I saw Maris in Poland, her wait was 24 inches! Maris is a person naturally thin, and doesn't have tendency to increase weight.

The MISS BOHOL SANDUGO (www.facebook.com/missboholbeautypageant) admins and other beauty watchers have noticed that some of the girls have "baby fats"...and they have less than two weeks to trim down!

“A lot of people have noticed that some of our Miss Bohol 2014 candidates need diet and exercise,” the fanpage said. “A beauty contestant's diet does not consist of starvation and countless hours on the treadmill. Instead, it is about adopting a healthy lifestyle and working to achieve long, lean muscles. They have 17 days to do it before the finals night on July 19.”

The fanpage shares the pageant secrets to diet and exercise:  find opportunities to exercise, eat clean, and stay prepared. “Cravings are natural, even for a beauty queen. However, pageant contestants combat these with preparedness --- always with healthy snacks and fruits on hand,” added the fanpage.

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

Fresh from Europe, Bohol’s Tableya Princess Dalareich Polot (extreme left, with Andrea Trinidad Echavez of the US Embassy and VRS), is back in Bohol. Dalareich was in Belgium (the home to some of the world’s finest beer, most decadent chocolates, and mouthwatering delicacies) on a scholarship grant about chocolate-making.  She was the grand winner in the First Young Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp 2013.

Miss Bohol 2014: Meet the 18 contestants

Wake-uppers:

Scene: From Llew Kutamura: Eduardo Boyles Davalan was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed as Commander to the First Scout Ranger Regiment, a Philippine Army Special Operations Command unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare.

Scene: From Emerson Pinos: Love taking Selfies? In time for Sandugo Festival 2014, join the ‪#‎BoholSelfie Contest. #BoholSelfie is a photo contest that showcases how creative we are in capturing Bohol's magnificent sceneries by taking selfies of our own. The contest starts on July 1 and ends on July 26, 2014. Winners will receive cash prizes and freebies from our sponsors. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/boholselfie.

Scene: The Holy Trinity Foundation School in Upper Mansasa District, Tagbilaran City, placed second in the National Achievement Test (NAT) in all elementary schools in Tagbilaran. It is owned and operated by the Little Handmaids of the Most Holy Trinity. School principal Carmencita Formilleza- Maniwang attributed their noteworthy achievement to the school’s excellence in education. “Such achievement validates and rewards the continuing commitment of the Holy Trinity Foundation School to equip the students with quality Christian education whose dreams and vision centered on a genuine Christian life, touches every person, every relationship and every learning experience, ‘that all may have life in its fullness’ in the Most Holy Trinity,” said Maniwang.

Scene: After the “hellish” journey at BIR, I'm done na! Thanks to my lawyer-accountant-bookkeeper Atty. Licelle Zamora, CPA (of Marapao Street, Tagbilaran City) for the assistance and guidance. One thing I've learned from her: Pay your taxes on time to avoid penalty.

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Who among them will have the chance to win Miss Bohol crown and (hopefully) represent the province in the national beauty pageant stage?

Wearing their swimwear, the 18 (not 17 as earlier reported) candidates of the Miss Bohol 2014: The Quintessential Boholana introduced themselves during the pageant's press presentation on Friday, June 27.

The 18 candidates of Miss Bohol 2014 with the pageant chairman Bohol’s first lady Pureza Veloso-Chatto. Courtesy: Pureza Chatto

Members of the press also had the chance to ask and interact with the candidates.

The Miss Bohol 2014 committee decided to drop the Sandugo so that it would be like the mother pageant in Bohol and not only a festival pageant.

Through the years, the Miss Bohol pageant has maintained its reputation as the province’s most prestigious beauty pageant. The pageant, however, needs to reinvent itself in order to keep up with the times.

Aside from being the quintessential symbol of Boholana beauty, brains and breeding, Miss Bohol should also be the epitome of the modern Boholana. Confident, charming and career-oriented, she is also a unique and privileged position to use her popularity and personality for a good cause to promote   and support worthy various  projects , causes and advocacies as well as a positive role model for her peers and for the community.

The presscon also turned-out to be an instant reunion with VRS and former beauty queen Anna Maris Igpit.  There were also Bohol’s first lady Pureza Chatto, the lady boss of Miss Bohol, Bohol’s Queen Of All Media Ardy Araneta-Batoy, Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal, the handlers, make-up artists and hairstylists.

Anyway, here are the 18 official candidates of Miss Bohol 2014:

Jassenie Mangaron (Loon)- 33-24-32; She is a consistent honor student from Cebu Normal University taking up Bachelor in Secondary Education. She is a dog lover and a big fan of the movie “Hachiko” which touched her so much. She wants to sustain the resilience and cooperative spirit of her fellow Loonanons so that they can all rise from the rubble.

Jaya Lozano (Tubigon)- 34-24-35; She wants to date Brad Pitt and to know Pitt’s secret of keeping a strong relationship with Angelina Jolie despite their busy schedule. Jaya wants to promote Tubigon’s Cabgan, a bat sanctuary which represents the town’s preservation of its natural beauty.

Allyson Mycee Escobia (Anda)- 33 ½-26 ½-38 ½; She is graduate of Silliman University and is currently working as  nurse at the Provincial Office of the Governor. She loves to read books and surf the net during her spare time. She joins Miss Bohol to prove that she can go beyond her limits and let people be aware of the beauty of her town Anda.

Liss Lee Centillas (Buenavista)- 32-26-33; Liss is a nurse by profession and graduated from Mater Dei College. She believes that heartbreak is God’s way of leading the path to meeting a better person. For her, the people of Buenavista are very supportive people despite of being a small town.

Joyce Trexie Marie Cagabnot (Bohol Island State University)- 31-24-35; She is a huge fan of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons because she loves the development and the twists of the story. She is proud to represent her school because it produces competent professionals.

Clowie Lim (Ubay); Kim Kim is third year college student taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education at the Bohol Northern Star College. She hopes to work with Miss World 2013 Megan Young someday as she is her inspiration.

Annaleah Saga (Carmen)- 35-25-36; 5’3”; Yhang Yhang is a graduating student of BS-Hotel and Restaurants Service Technology from BISU.

Farwah Nijah Soriano (Pilar)- 32-27-35; 5;5”; Farwah is a student of Holy Name University. She wishes to date Prince Harry because she has always dreamed of becoming a princess. She believes that joining Miss Bohol is not about being there as herself but embodying her town Pilar. This is her way of thanking her fellowmen for believing in her.

Mary Rose Butalid (Panglao)- Rose, 16, is the youngest of this year’s Miss Bohol candidates.  If she wins Miss Bohol, she wants to focus an advocacy that would address kids’ pre-mature indulgence of technology advancements like computer games and social media and bring back their interest in reading books through putting up mini-libraries mot especially in rural communities in Bohol.

Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas (Barbara Pearls Cosmetics)-33-26-36; 5’7”; Ima was a student leader and a former editor-in-chief of her school paper in high school. She loves to compose songs and write poems. She lives her life keeping in mind the best lesson she got from her parents- to respect everyone regardless of their status, gender, beliefs and culture.

Liezel May Turtoga (Getafe)- 31-23-35; 5’7”; Liezel is a part time model. She loves to sing and dance. As a big fan of “Frozen,” she is proud of her Getafe’s Pandanon Island and Banaco Mangrove Forest.

Geraldine Topsnik (Tagbilaran)- This 17-year-old half-German half-Filipino describes herself as a “full Filipina and a true Boholana” and aspires to become a successful businesswoman. She loves to cook and bake.

Genina Abrau (Sierra-Bullones)- 34-25-35; 5’5”; Nina is a scholar of DOST. She is a graduating student taking up Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at BISU. She is a student leader and a senator in her school. She is a fan of anime and wishes to visit Japan someday.

Maria Tiffany Tabigue (Balilihan)- Tipan is currently the tourism officer of her town. She was tasked to call the girls in her hometown to join Miss Bohol but she was chosen instead. She was a former SK chairperson in her barangay.

Natasha Amethyst Torralba (Duero)- 34-27-37; 5’3”1/2. Nash is an active member of different youth organizations. She loves to watch movies with her younger siblings. The best advice she learned from heartbreak is to embrace pain because that will make her stronger.

Christine Mae Cuarto (Jagna)- 31-22-33; Mae aspires as a good policewoman. She graduated BS-Criminology at BIT-International College-Jagna. She is also a DJ of “Radyo Natin” Jagna. She joins Miss Bohol to improve her personality and confidence.

Queenie Melody Fullante (Dauis)- 36-25-36; 5’3”; She is a half-Bengali half-Filipina who works as an NGO worker that provides shelter to disaster hit areas.  She grew up under the care of her aunt while her mother is working in Manila. She finished Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at UB. She hopes to be a merchant to be able to travel and meet people from all walks of life.

Diozel Namoco (Dimiao)- 34-23-36; 5’3”; Zhel is a graduating student from HNU. She dreams to manage her own 5-star hotel someday. She loves to watch TV and read books.

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