Rajah Sikatuna winner angry over delayed prizes

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Bohol’s well-loved hairstylist Ryan Sines celebrated his birthday last Sept. 1 with an ultimate dinner. Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal said, “It was a heady mix of friends from childhood, from school and from the beauty and fashion scene where Ryan is in great demand for the way he weaves magic and beauty to every girl’s crowning glory. Yes, Ryan is Bohol’s numero uno when it comes to stunning hairstyling. Women, men and even those from in- between including Bohol’s top socialites, beauty queens, models, brides and debutantes have availed of his services

When 2010 Miss Universe runner up Venus Raj flew

in to Bohol to grace the 2013 Miss Panglao Pageant, it was only apt that the honor of making up her fabulous hairdo would naturally go to Ryan Sines. It’s never a stress- free moment with Ryan when he is busy with your tresses.”

Scene: Watch out for the Wedding of the Year in December 2013! VRS has learned that the son (clue: WY) of a “powerful business family (PBF) was asking the woman's family (also PBF in Bohol) for her hand in marriage. Another clue: The bride-to-be is the goddess of the moon.

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last Friday was actress Isabel Oli. She described Chocolate Hills as “one of God’s amazing creations.” Kapamilya star Julia Barretto was also seen at ICM. Last week, Richard Poon and Christian Bautista were spotted in a wedding in Panglao.

Scene: From Ariel Fullido: R.I.P. MICHAEL. So sad about the tragedy that befall my good friend Michael Villa, who died last Sunday while trying to finish the 21K of the 37th Milo Marathon here. He used to be my running buddy, and always in tandem with him in every running event. We always chat each other at the CPG Sports Complex during running routines. Last Sunday's marathon, I was not able to participate because of a band performance at Doctors Cardio Summit 2013, at Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground, last Saturday night. I arrived home early Sunday at 3 AM dawn, and no time to go to the marathon since gun start is at 4 AM. I trained so hard for 4 months for the marathon but I didn't bother to join it, because no matter what, I always listen to my body first. All I did was just slept the whole Sunday morning, but when I woke up I just got the bad news of Michael's death. One member of our AGC Runners Club (name withheld) suffered a stroke due to heat, and landed in the hospital. So long, Mike!

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Ryan Sines with Venus Raj

Participants of this year’s Sikatuna: Rajah sa Bohol, a male beauty pageant, have accused the organizer, JCI-Boholana Kisses, of not giving them their prizes months after the event.

The pageant debuted on July 19, 2013.

Crowned Rajah sa Bohol Danilo Torrifiel Torcende said that the organizers told him he would receive his Php 10,000 cash prize as grand winner but he has not heard anything from the organizers and all efforts to get the prizes have proved futile.

According to Torcende, he and the other contestants paid Php 500 for the registration fee and also provided their own costumes at their own cost.

Torcende said JCI-Boholana Kisses President Adam Tagaktak could no longer be found in the city.

                   

“Maskin piso wala ko kadawat. Niduol ko sa ilang Vice President (Maria Escabarte- LPU) unya gipangita pa daw nila si Adam karun kay wala na magpakita,” Torcende told VRS. “The entire production gani wala pa mabayri.”

Non-winners, according to Torcende, were promised to receive a Php 500 consolation prize.

Last Wednesday, Torcende went to the PNP-Tagbilaran City to report the incident.

However, JCI-Boholana Kisses Vice President Maria Escabarte is not tight-lipped on the “pageant scam.” In her reply to VRS, she said, “Unfortunately, we can’t give you an official statement yet since we are still waiting for Mr. Tagactac's report. The organization has also been questioning Mr. Tagactac about the issue since he spearheaded the event and action especially on money matters has been taken by him.”

Danilo Torcende

(Note: VRS called, texted and messaged (on Facebook) Adam Tagaktak for his side but he never replied.)

Meanwhile, Bohol’s most popular hairstylist and make-up artist Tracy Remolador Torres also said that his “alaga” didn’t receive the prizes from Mr and Miss Teen Bohol 2013 organized by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bohol headed by Jethro Lim Imboy.

“Same sa Mr.and Ms Teen Bohol 2013 wapa sad gibugwak ang mga prizes dugay nani,” revealed Tracy.

Tracy added, “Ilaha promise nila after 3 weeks after the pageant ma-release na, now pila na ka buwan. Didto ko last week ingon karun daw nga week unya asa naman?”

SK staff Julan Crisale Cordova answered:

“For and in behalf of the Mr. & Ms. Teen Bohol Organizing Committee, we would like to inform the followers that we follow strict compliance in terms of the prizes in all our events. Upon during the orientation of this year's pageant we already inform the candidates regarding about the dealing of our prizes. Just like the previous year among gisunod and process sa mga national pageants that the prizes will not be release right after the pageant kundi more or less a month or 2 pa siya namu mahatag due to government processing method...and we make sure that the candidates will receive their prizes and we have the office nga ila ma visita or makita. Unlike sa nahitabo sa Rajah nga wala na gyud magpakita og dili makontak. In as much as we would like to release the prizes og Sayo but due to a very keen strict COA policy in processing government fund Mao nga nadugay. But rest assured we give our prices as promised. Also to inform everyone that the prizes last year were already given and done. This is to emphasize the followers that we have our office and our faces to answer all your questions unlike og dili pareha sa nahitabo sa Rajah.”

Tracy Torres with Julia Barretto

When Torcende posted his anger on Facebook about the “Rajah scam,” it has struck chord around the province, racking up people and it quickly found its way to the beauty pageant industry in Bohol.

Blogger Edik Dolotina said, “Why a lot of them happened in Bohol?”

Fashion guru Henry Baron also commented, “My advice to all the concerned winners, it’s better to go directly to legalities, the authority will take care of this very abusive act. A very malicious pageant such like this and the abusive act of the organizers concerned should not be tolerated....it’s a disgrace to all the gay community....”

The plot is thickening.

Stand by for further development.

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