Bohol’s Biggest Stories of 2012

From Vanity Salinana’s winning to the death of Rep. Erico Aumentado, 2012 was dominated by the many happenings of famous people in Bohol.

Some stories were happy ones; others, not so much. As we observed, 2012 was chock full of drama, major comebacks, career high notes, and some sad stuff too.

But no matter what went down over the last 12 months, we watched and followed our favorite people thru radio, newspapers and the social media as the good, the bad and the OMG took over the headlines.

What were the most memorable moments of 2012?

Bared has relive them all.

HEY SEXY LADY

2012 saw the birth of beauty queens in the province.

Idy Caseñas Cagas was crowned Miss Bohol Sandugo on July 20. Cagas is the fifth Jagnaanon to win the Miss Bohol Sandugo title making Jagna as the only town in Bohol that has the most number of Miss Bohol Sandugo winners. (Sorry, Tubigon!)

Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy was the Queen of Santacruzan 2012, Candy Cumayas was the Reyna Elena 2012.

Jade Nica Obedencio was crowned Miss Ubi Festival Queen 2012; Mary Ebone Calimbayan Cimafranca was chosen Miss Teen Tagbilaran 2012 and Karen Morfreux  was crowned Miss Teen Earth 2012 and Miss Silka Bohol 2012.

Mariecris Evardo was crowned Anyag sa Tubigon 2012. She almost won the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012 crown.  Her townmate, Thea Rose Rizaldo, won the Miss Teen Bohol2012 title.
                                                   
We also witnessed Miss Ubay 2007 Karen Gallman and Miss Tagbilaran 2010 and Miss Bohol Sandugo 2010 1st runner-up Fer Mary Baliquig in the Bb. Pilipinas 2012. Baliquig also tried her luck in 2012 Miss World-Philippines.

Another Boholana Zeneline Ancog Bulalaque joined the Miss Philippines Earth 2012 representing Batuan.

It was also a good year for Vanity Kintanar Salinana who won the Queen of Cebu Universe 2012, the pageant for Alternatives held on November 9. Before winning Queen of Cebu, Vanity won the Carnival Queen of Mandaue 2010 and Bb. Gay Pilipinas Region VII in 2011.  She made history for Bohol after becoming the very first Boholana transgender to be crowned Queen of Cebu.

FAMOUS CELEB VISITS OF 2012

Simon Clive Barbon Greatwich, the midfielder of the Philippine Football Team, visited Bohol. Simon’s mother, Carol, hails from Tagbuane, Alburquerquel.

Richard Gutierrez 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 were the recipients of the Bikes for the World. Richard also visited Pamilacan Island. He also attended the Valentine programs of Laya Elementary School and Baclayon Central Elementary School.

The Queen of Talk Show Kris Aquino visited Bohol for the second time to shoot an episode for Kris TV show on ABS-CBN.

Filipino YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos, the comedic talent behind a series of wacky Filipino "language tutorials" that have gone viral online attracting millions — and counting, was spotted in Bohol to make his funny video of “Bohol and the All-knowing Tarsiers.”

Actor Aga Muhlach was in Bohol to shoot an episode about Bohol for his travel-adventure show Pinoy Explorer on TV5. Days after, matinee idol/TV host Drew Arellano was spotted in Bohol for his weekend adventure on GMANewsTV’s Weekend Getaway. The Bohol visit was the nth time for Drew.

Politicians who visited Bohol in 2012 Pres. Noynoy Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Manong Maceda, Rep. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Grace Poe -Llamanzares  and Aurora Rep. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup got an invitation to become the guest speaker of the University of Bohol.  “Sana mapreserve ang natural beauty ng Bohol. Once na nasira yun mahirap na ibalik. It’s more fun in Bohol,” Shamcey said.

Also spotted in Bohol were Ruffa Gutierrez, Tim Yap, Alice Dixson, Cristalle Belo-Henares, Ryan Bang and Cory Quirino.

MEMORABLE CONCERTS OF 2012

Vice Ganda tickled our funny bones in a Valentine concert on Feb. 11. A Night with Christian Bautista on April 28 also amazed the crowd.

The unique concert event of celebrated folk-rock artist Joey Ayala (with his band Ang Bagong Lumad) and Pinoy pop icon Lolita Carbon of the band ASIN was held in Danao EcoPark on July 8.

Music-lovers also watched balladeer Basil Valdez who sang those oldies but goodies from the 60s and 70s that we loved so much...beautiful memories are made of them.

"Les Miserables," the infamous novel authored by French writer Victor Hugo, was staged in Bohol in July 2012.

Gospel singer Don Moen also brought the kingdom of God to Bohol with songs of praise and worship on Nov. 10. The concert was part of his three-day tour “God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2012.”  Don Moen interpreted closely the words of the Bible in God Will Make A Way, Thank You, Lord, God Is   Good All The Time and Give Thanks.

THE BIGGEST FEUDS OF 2012

The gloves were off! Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim and Carmen Mayor Che Toribio –delos Reyes vs. Gov. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Rene Relampagos and PA Ae Damalerio. Need I say more?

Tensions between Panglao Vice Mayor Evangeline Lazaro and Panglao Mayor Dodong Alcala exploded in the last quarter of the year.

The network war, in case you haven’t noticed, was getting uglier and uglier, too.

The cattiest of fights to the lowest of blows of these scrappy famous would continue this election time.

THE HOTTEST GUYS OF 2012

Marc Joseph Batoy made us swoon in 2012! Not only was he named Mr. Bohol Island State University (BISU) 2012, Mr. Teen Bohol 2012 1st runner up, Mr. Olive C 2012 and Mr. Regional SCUAA 2012! Outstanding student, bromantical buddy, sexy star: Marc’s the total package in 2012!

While Marc Batoy took the title for Mr. SCUAA this year, Adryan Mila, claimed 2012's Mr Teen Bohol despite unpopular promotions of the pageant.

Clement Paulinel Lofranco Ingking had a lot to thank God for in 2012. Even though he lost out to Marc as Mr Olive and Mr Teen and Mr. BISU2012, we still think Clement had a super-sexy year.

ALMOST… AND BIG BREAK OF 2012

Aspiring musical sensation Sherwin “Paeng” Cabilan Rosco of Tubigon made it to the X-Factor Philippines. Boholana diva Eva Gulle- De los Santos, 50, also joined the X-Factor Philippines. They failed to reach the finals.

Mitch Capili (Michelle Angelu Kapirig in real life) was among the Top 20 in GMA-7's Protégé: The Battle For the Big Artista Break. She didn’t continue her journey for the big artista break as she was eliminated in Protégé First Elimination Night.

Lukas Enrique Magallano, the son of Luther Magallano of Cortes and nephew of Dr. Luisito Magallano, was hailed as the winner of the Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp in the finals on July 28 on ABS-CBN. Lukas bested 11 other talented kids for the title of first "Grand I-Shiner." Aside from scoring a contract with ABS-CBN's talent management firm Star Magic, Magallano also won P500,000, and a one-year supply of Promil Pre-School.

STORIES THAT TOUCHED US IN 2012

We were touched of the baby girl thought to be just a few hours old when she was found early morning in Albur town abandoned in a bag.

And so, after all the twists and turns, the action, drama, romance, suspense, etc, Prony, the longest and biggest python in captivity, found a new home in Barangay Laya, Baclayon last March 7. Her “twin” sister, Paloma, is still performing her deadly acrobatic moves and kagwang style.

Thirty-five elementary students of Totolan Elem. School in Dauis were hospitalized for food poisoning after eating the fruit of 'tuba-tuba' on June 8. Also, two died and one hospitalized for eating popper fish or  butete in Mabini.

When nature strikes… Typhoon Gener claimed the lives of couple Jury and Mylene Betaganzo  of Buenavista on August 1.  The couple were on board passenger motorcycle somewhere in Getafe when hit by the falling coconut tree which also hurt its driver and the couple’s two-year-old son. They died on the spot.

Several rice fields had dried up after months of no rain in Bohol, considered the food basket of Central Visayas.  Water level in a major dam in Pilar town had reached critically low levels. Cloud seeding operations were done to save the farms.

At least 85 houses and 13 motorized outrigger boats called pumpboats were damaged when a tornado struck four coastal villages in the Jagna.

Typhoon Pablo ravaged 8 fishing vessels and left one dead. Hundreds were forcibly evacuated in several areas of Bohol.

SCANDALS OF 2012

2012 was Bohol’s gas price problem. It was reported that there was a significant discrepancy in oil prices in the province when compared with those of neighboring regions and other areas in Central Visayas.  Governor Edgar Chatto appealed for conscience and corporate social responsibility from the three major fuel companies, after a heated forum failed to settle the needed cheaper fuel prices in Bohol.

Panglao was shattered with a gruesome incident involving the rape-slay of a resort cashier on Jan. 10. Tagged as suspect in the grim rape-slay was Erwin Escomo. He confessed he was “out of his mind” when he raped and then killed Josephine Micla. Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala reacted furiously as he ordered Panglao policemen to take the island’s drug problem seriously.

Armed with guns, inmates Exequiel Aniscal, Brian Ceniza and Mario Llaya escaped from Bohol District Jail on May 17. Five days after the manhunt operation, Ceniza and LLaya were in an alleged encounter with police authorities in Ubay town.

Actor and businessman Mandy Ochoa lost his wallet and cellular phone while going through the Tagbilaran Airport’s X-ray machine. The airport terminal building had no CCTV cameras.

Two Boholanos who wanted to increase the size of their booties made it on TV when their buttocks got infected following injections of collagen. They sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) to trap the fake doctor.  After that incident, health authorities had issued a warning against using the services of unlicensed cosmetic surgeons or practitioners, saying consequences could be fatal.

Louie Digal vs. Facebook Trolls. Loboc Vice Mayor Louie Digal fell victim to internet pranksters on Wednesday, Nov. 21, when his Facebook account was hacked. A message promoting “political and venomous announcements” popped up on the mayoralty candidate’s page, and Digal was unimpressed that his account had been illegally accessed.

The Ombudsman suspended Cortes Mayor Apolinaria “Jasmine” Balistoy for six months without pay as a result of an anti-graft case that reached all the way to the Sandiganbayan filed by Vice-Mayor Danilo Montero.

Anti-epal Congresswoman, stage actress and political/social activist Mae Paner aka Juana Change was reacting on the tarpaulins of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Bohol federation president Jethro Nathaniel Lim Imboy sprawling along the city’s main thoroughfares. The original tarps had the faces of Juana Change and other two speakers with Bamboo as the event entertainer for SK Convention on Sept. 15-16. Juana Change, who is known for her anti-epal campaign, ordered the organizers to remove the “epal” tarps. The organizers replaced the tarps and removed Juana Change as one of the speakers. The incensed Juana Change mentioned the incident on Morning at ANC and reported on GMA News.

GOOD NEWS OF 2012

Panglao Island has been named as one of the Best Secret Beaches on Earth by Travel+Leisure Magazine in its March 2012 issue. It also named Ananyana Beach Resort and Spa as one of the Best Affordable Beach Resorts occupying a prime spot on the beachfront serving Filipino-Mediterranean dishes like the penne with pork adobo.

The short film, Bells Ring Mr. King, directed by Ted Ramasola, was one of the nominees for best short film in the 35th Gawad Urian Awards organized by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), an organization of respected film critics.

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community elected Bohol's most popular make-up artist and hairstylist Tracy Remolador Torres as president of the Bohol United Artists Association.

Thousands of devotees converged to pay homage to the sacred image of St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint in Bohol on November 25, as part of the “Duaw Nasud” for Visayas and Mindanao.

The miniature Christmas Village of Mila Lim fascinated visitors and friends during the holidays. The Loboc town plaza came alive with a dancing lights and vibrant Christmas parols. Christmas lights adorned the facade of the centuries-old Loboc Church. In Sierra-Bullones, the giant Santa Claus, which measures 25 feet high, colored the Yuletide Season! The Pasko sa Plaza which featured Boholano talents attracted visitors for years.

FAMOUS FAREWELLS of 2012

Some of our (favorite) Boholanos passed away in 2012-- but left their mark on the world. They are gone but not forgotten.

In 2012, the province lost an incredible beauty queen and leader. Miss  Bohol Sandugo 1955 and former Mayor of Maribojoc Paula Raagas -Valles  passed away on July 8, 2012, aged 90.

The sudden death of eventologist and Alona's darling Uly Dolojol on Sept. 23, shocked friends all over Bohol. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: Alona Beach had lost one of its greatest persons.

Mrs. Asuncion Mira, trustee and treasurer of the University of Bohol (UB) passed away on Feb. 9.

Former city mayor of Tagbilaran Jose Maria Rocha passed away on July 4. He was 91. Rocha served as city mayor twice, first in 1980 to 1986 then in 1992 to 1995. He was also a city councilor and likewise served as executive secretary to then President Carlos P. Garcia.

The province was taken aback when news of Boholano great leader Erico Aumentado’s death surfaced at just 72.  According to Boy Pernia, the family’s spokesperson, Aumentado died on Dec. 25.  He was surrounded by family when he passed away in Makati. Boholanos worldwide were united in mourning after the passing of Aumentado. In a statement, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. called Aumentado an “exemplary public servant.” “He [Aumentado] deserves full credit for transforming Bohol into one of the most progressive, peaceful and richest provinces today. He was truly an outstanding solon -- learned, dedicated, and principled,” Belmonte said.  Also, “Erico Aumentado” was trending on Yahoo Philippines.

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Christmas card from Kris Aquino

 Wake-uppers:

Scene: Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez will try to settle who's the best boxer in their prime when they clash December 8 (December 9, Manila time) for the fourth time. Where to watch for free?  Geresonic (along Ma. Clara Street) and Diccion Electronics (along CPG Avenue fronting the Bohol Cultural Center) provide small screens for their parokyano for the nth time. If you want to witness the fight on a wide screen, go to Island City Mall Screenville Cinema and BQ Mall Cinema.

Scene: All roads lead to Sevilla and Booy District, Tagbilaran City on Dec. 12 for the fiesta, in honor of its patron saint Our Lady of Guadalupe. Happy fiesta to all the good people of Sevilla headed by Mayor Ernesita Digal. Like Sevilla, Booy District in Tagbilaran City will also celebrate its barangay fiesta lead by Barangay Captain Jun Telmo. It is also a nationwide celebration in Mexico in honor of Virgin of Guadalupe.

Scene: The Loboc town plaza comes alive with a dancing lights and vibrant Christmas parols. Christmas lights adorn the facade of the centuries-old Loboc Church.

Scene: There was no streetdancing during the Sambat Mascara y Regatta Festival in Loay town last Dec. 1.

Scene: The Philippine National Police (PNP) told Rappler.com, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change, that Bohol is the only province in Central Visayas that has private armed groups (PAGs). PNP says PAGs are organized groups of two or more persons, legally or illegally armed, who use their weapons to intimidate for political or economic purposes. Meanwhile, another website www.boholrepublic.com posted the same news and asked, “Where are Bohol’s 2 private armed groups at?”

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Fishing vessel ravaged by Pablo. LPU

Willy “Robocop” Maestrado (of dyRD), Edward Guyano (of dyTR) and I searched for news the morning after Typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha) visited the province.

Pablo was relentless.

Hundreds were forcibly evacuated in several areas of Bohol as Pablo headed towards land.  Residents were evacuated in Villalimpia, Loay , barangays Looc and Cantagay in Jagna, barangay Magsaysay in Sierra-Bullones, Bool in Tagbilaran City, barangays Casbu and Trinidad in Guindulman,  Moalong River in Loon and Mantatao Island in Calape.

We also witnessed how Pablo ravaged eight fishing vessels in Mayacabac, Dauis town.

Fishermen try to look for the missing boats.LPU

Some 100 Badjaos were evacuated in Totolan because of the rising waters.  Dauis Mayor Jimmy Jimenez who, unlike most public servants/officials who forever “cannot be reached, please try again later,” answered the call himself. He spent sleepless night monitoring the situation.

It was Mayor Jimenez who told us that there’s one casualty in his hometown.

We checked with the Badjaos several minutes after we interviewed Mayor Jimenez and they said that, yes, the Mayor had helped them while they feared for their lives.

More small talk.

We also learned that Dauis has now potable water. Unlike Panglao where officials are still debating on potable water for their constituents, a perennial problem of the town over the years already, the officials of Dauis led by Mayor Jimenez have answered this problem.

 Jimenez: Quick to the rescue

On the way back to Tagbilaran yesterdays afternoon, we saw on TV scores of people in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte (and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao) begin to rebuild their lives from massive death and destruction wrought by Pablo last week.

The storm is over now…

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Perhaps because of advances in technology, not many people bother to send Christmas cards like they did in olden times. They simply text or email which are admittedly faster and much cheaper. Oh, sad!

That’s why Tessie Labunog-Sumampong of Loboc Riverwatch was so thankful when she received a Christmas card from someone special — the Queen of All Media Kris Aquino.

Kris still do- sends Christmas cards to her friends, especially for Tessie, who is one of Kris’ friends in Bohol.

The card has picture of Kris and siblings. It is written by Kris herself which says, “Merry Christmas to you my friend. I thank God for the blessing that is you.”

So Tessie treasures the card.

 “I didn’t expect a Christmas card from Kris. I was thinking that Christmas cards are passé,” says Tessie. “This is my first Christmas card I received this year.”

Meanwhile, Tessie also shares that the Kapamilya Network will have a new teleserye. Part of the story, there will be scenes situated in Bohol.  

ABS-CBN will bring another quality entertainment to the Filipino viewers worldwide as it will launch a new project, May Isang Pangarap, topbilled by Vina Morales and Carmina Villaroel with a special participation of Rico Blanco.

If plans do not miscarry, the shooting will be on Dec. 13.

May Isang Pangarap is a series that will showcase acting, singing and dancing prowess of its cast. It will be directed by award-winning Jerry Lopez- Sineneng (of Walang Hanggan), who visited Tessie in Loboc last week.  

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

Tessie Labunog-Sumampong with the staff and Jerry Lopez- Sineneng (front, extreme right) who will direct the Kapamilya’s new teleserye.