Cases in point:
Rex Pilayre Bangalao didn't make it in the Mister International Philippines 2013 which was held last Friday, June 21, at the Flying V Arena in San Juan, Manila.
"Too bad he didn't place," said the socialite VRS. "Rex doesn't look mature and masculine compared to other contestants who look experienced and well-prepared. He has next time."
"It's not just about winning. It's about taking part," said another VRS. "Being one of the candidates in Mister International Philippines is already a privilege. It means that our men in Bohol have place in the male beauty pageant."
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| Rex Bangalao Courtesy: Mister International | Philippines |
Mr. Teen Bohol 2013 Adryan Mila managed to be in the top 12 of the Mr. and Ms. Philippine Youth 2013 which was held recently at Philippine International Convention Center.
"Some of our Boholano supporters said that the pageant was lutong macao when Mila was only placed top 12," said the veteran pageant watcher VRS. "They said Mila's answer was better than other contestants and blah blah blah, but the Q and A portion was just part of the whole presentation. The judges were looking for the total package."
But the night truly belonged to a contestant from Cebu.
Model Alberto Rodulfo "Ar" dela Serna was declared Mr Generation East 2013 grand winner, Sta. Lucia Generation East Model Search. A trivia: Dela Serna was adjudged first runner-up in Mr Philippine Youth in 2002. In Nov. 2012, he replaced the dethroned Mr. Philippine Youth 2012 Leo Angeles Flores of Parañaque.
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| Adryan Mila Contributed Photo |
Sta. Lucia Mall’s Generation East — The Model Search is now on its 14th year of discovering upcoming models and stars. It has produced showbiz personalities, beauty queens and models like Angel Locsin, Jeanne Harn, Teresa Paron, Jasmin Chua, Jennifer Lee and Arci Muñoz, Ron Morales, John Medina, Acis Austria, Edison Puruganan, Patrick Moore, James Versoza, Fianca Cruz and Rye Burgos.
"I prayed to God to let me walk properly, to let me bring myself well, and to give me the chance to speak. But He gave me more than what I asked (for)... thank you for all the people who supported me unconditionally, this is all for us ," Dela Serna posted on Facebook.
Ar's formula? "The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, social, as well as physical."
Ar walks the talk. And you can't help sit up and notice.
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Shock waves rippled through the business industry last June 12 (also his youngest son's birthday) as news surfaced that businessman and public servant Ben Udtohan had died. “Unbelievably sad news. A fine man,” tweeted some friends. Nong Ben loved movies. In fact, he supported movies Nandito Ako Nagmamahal Sa 'Yo (2009) and Amigo (2010) which were done in Bohol. I heard BJ, who is Cogon's number 1 barangay kagawad, is running for barangay chairman this October 2013 elections, if, that is a big, there is an elections.
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Yes, there’s an exclamation point(!) and a question mark (?) in today’s headline.
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| Ar dela Serna Contributed Photo |
You read it right: There is no representative from Tubigon for the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013.
Like most everybody, I’m sure your initial, incredulous reaction is, “What? No Miss Tubigon?”
After straight three years of joining Miss Bohol Sandugo (Tubigon beauties Amir Sol won the title in 2010 and Farrah Mian Abarquez in 2011), Tubigon's entry is missing— and they blamed it to the Anyag sa Tubigon 2013 Clarlaine Falcon Radoc whose busy schedule in Cebu failed to appear during the screening.
"You're wrong, there was no mass resignation at the Tubigon Tourism Office who manages the A List Training for Anyag beauties," revealed the roving and beauty watcher VRS. "Not yet, they are in good hands with the new town executive. "
Anyag committee had had to send Anyag sa Tubigon 2013 Clarlaine Falcon Radoc (sister of Anyag 2008 Clarice Elaine Radoc) to Miss Bohol Sandugo.
"Radoc is studying in Cebu and she was not able to attend the screening because of the bad weather," explained VRS. "In fairness to the Anyag committee, they asked the Miss Bohol Sandugo organizers to have a special screening for Radoc but the organizers politely declined their request. It would be unfair to other girls who came from other towns to attend the screening."
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| The
past and present winners of Anyag sa Tubigon (Maanyag nga Tubignon,
Dalaygon!): (l-r) Clarice Elaine Radoc (2008), Amir Sol (2009), Farrah
Faye Mian (2010), Clarlaine Radoc (2013), Lori Geisha Cabrera (2011) and
Mariecris Evardo (2012). Courtesy: Anyag Fanpage |
But it is not that easy. Beauty is a serious business in Tubigon just like in Venezuela where Tubigon is the only town in Bohol which gives proper training for the girls who will represent the town.
"You wonder that all of a sudden there is no one girl to represent their town?" asked VRS.
VRS also said that there is a chance that the Anyag committee, to put it mildly, “saddened” by last year's results that Mariecris Evardo was just first-runner up to Miss Jagna Idy Cagas. "It can be also that the Anyag committee members find out that Anyag has no chance of winning this year."
By coincidence, I bumped into Dennis Balbero, one of the Anyag trainors at the Island City Mall last week. I told him about what I know and I asked him pointblank: True or not?
“It’s true!”
No further comment.
Anyway, there are 18 candidates who will vie for this year's Miss Bohol Sandugo. The swimsuit competition is on July 13 at the Miravilla Resort, the talent competition is on July 17 at the Tagbilaran Tourist Port, and the pageant and coronation night is on July 20 at the Bohol Cultural Center.
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