Boholana diva shines on 'X Factor' pilot

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Pres. Aquino has declared July 2 (Monday), as a special (non-working) day in Tagbilaran City in celebration of its 46th Charter Day as per Proclamation No. 417. The city marks the commemoration of its Charter Day on July 1, which falls on a Sunday. Tagbilaran became a chartered city on July 1, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4660. 

 

Scene: Fer Mary Baliquig didn’t make it in the Miss World Philippines (MWP) 2012. MWP was Fer’s second attempt joining a national pageant.

 

Scene: No less than Gov. Edgar Chatto and Rep. Rene Relampagos attended the charter recognition and first induction ceremony of Rotary Club of Panglao last June 26 at Alona Kew Beach Resort Grand Ballroom. The Club meets every Tuesday, 7 pm at Alona tropical Beach Resort with Pres. Irena Heberer, Vice President Thomas Boetsch, Sec. Lani Pasko, treasurer Karin Wesemael and the other members.  According to Rotarians Nila Montero andHoward Hoffman, the club’s flagship project is a women’s crisis center.

 

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“Welcome to the X-Factor!” said KC Concepcion in Cebu.

 

ABS-CBN's latest talent search "The X-Factor Philippines" with judge-mentors Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Pilita Corrales and Charice Pempengco aired its pilot episodes last July 23 and 24.  

 

For Sunday's episode, Boholana diva Eva Gulle- De los Santos, 50, who doesn't look her age, proved that she can compete with the younger singers.

 

“Never stop dreaming,” said Eva who joined the show to inspire people her age to keep on dreaming.

 

Everyone was floored as they watched her performing Tina Turner's Let's Stay Together that even the International Singing Sensation Charice declared her the “Tina Turner of the Philippines.”

 

Of course, all the judges said “yes” and Eva’s family joined her on stage.

 

It’s not “A star is born” (ehem, an apology to Martin Nievera’s spiel) because Eva is already a star as she has already carved a name in the music industry. The biggest highlight of her career was in 1992 when she represented the Philippines to the Midnight Sun Song Festival in Lahti, Finland. She won second runner-up when she sang her own composition of Just Like You and Me. She holds the distinction of being the only composer in the Philippines to sing her own composition in an international song festival.

 

A Jagnaanon, she also received the Perlas Award as “Valuable Filipino in the Field of Singing” in 1998. Aside from being an extraordinarily talented singer she also excelled in academics. She finished her college degree as magna cum laude.

 

Recalled Ruben Gulle (who’s residing in USA), “I remember so well in the year 2000 I invited her to perform at the Gulle Clan Reunion which she gladly accepted. I coursed my invite thru her Papa, Nong Along, who is also a world-class saxophonist. The clan was blown away by her rendition of Babara Streisand's classic entitled, Somewhere."   

 

Eva’s daughter, Monique, made it to the Hollywood rounds of American Idol  2011.  One of the Palmolive girls in the Philippines, Monique used to record under the label Polyeast Records with one album to her credit titled “Monique Rae, All up to me.” 

 

Let us watch for the next episodes of X-Factor to see more of Eva and another Boholano singer, Sherwin “Paeng” Rosco, who was qualified in X-Factor Philippines.

 

X Factor Philippines will give away P4 million in prizes- the biggest prize for a talent search in the history of Philippine TV. 

 

"The X Factor Philippines" airs Saturdays after "Maalaala Mo Kaya" and Sundays after "Sarah G Live."

 

 

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Feedback

 

Our dear Leo,

 

Thank you for sharing your favorite old classic songs. Reading your column, I am transported back to 1960s and I remember the love of my life. From 1960s to 1970s the quality and variety of popular music was stunning. The Beatles, The Association, The Vogues, The Yardbirds, Hendrix, Blood Sweat and Tears, The Mamas and the Papas, Jethro Tull, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, Simon and Garfunkel, Cream, the list goes on and on.

 

I am just disappointed because you’ve failed to include “Bus Stop” by Hollies, a spectacular group in the 1960s. The group was wholesome, clean young romance, not like all the filth we witness these days. And Mr. Udtohan, I have to correct you that it was not Donna Cruz who popularized the song “Rain” because Boy Mondragon was best known for his hit “Rain” in 1970s. Please include Ryan Cayabyab orginal composition “Tuwing Umuulan” which was originally sung by Basil Valdez.

 

More power darling! Mwuah!

 

–Mrs. Alicia M.J. (Germany)

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

Bryan Gaviola: I want to marry the right woman

Wake-uppers:

Amanda Arles

Seen: Miss Panglao 2011 first runner-up Amanda Arles was spotted at SM Mall of Asia  last June 1 to audition for Miss Philippines World 2012. Miss World Philippines has already moved to TV5, the media partner of the pageant.

 

Seen: The Queen of Talk Show Kris Aquino visited Bohol for the second time. Kris was in Bohol last week to shoot an episode for Kris TV show on ABS-CBN. Her show says, “Tuloy-tuloy ang paglalakbay ni Kris para patunayang "Its more FUN in the Philippines"…

 

Scene: The 2nd Bohol Dolphin Festival was held last May 31 at CPG Sports Complex to raise awareness on protecting marine mammals and the environment. Spearheaded by Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals (BRUMM), a non-government organization engaged in research on large marine vertebrates (LAMAVE) project in Bohol, the festival included a parade, educational displays and activities and dolphin mural painting. Dolphins love freedom!

 

Seen: Aspiring musical sensation Sherwin “Paeng” Cabilan Rosco of Tubigon town has made it to the X-Factor Philippines. A franchise of the hit UK reality singing contest created by renowned judge Simon Cowell, the X-Factor Philippines will air on June 23 on ABS-CBN. Rosco was selected from the pre-screening done last year. There will be 80 hopefuls who will face the judges Pilita Corales, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Charice Pempengco. X-Factor host is KC Concepcion.

 

Rosco

 

 

 

 

 

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Did you know that Atty. Bryan Olaso Gaviola, one of the gorgeous young lawyers in the province, wanted to become a Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land, and the SEALs are the U.S. Navy's most acclaimed special ops unit) and he, sigh, failed?

 

“I really wanted to become a soldier, but...”

Atty. Bryan Gaviola: ‘I’m single by choice.’

 

He ended up a lawyer, educated at Mindanao State University (AB Philosophy) and a teacher at University of Bohol.  

 

“I wanna help the oppressed, the persecuted, and the underdog, and the community in general in order to make the world a better place to live and make a living for myself at the same time,” said the young lawyer.

 

We see him all the time in Junior Chamber International (JCI)- Bohol Sandugo activities but we don’t really know much about Bryan. Just recently, Bryan spearheaded the 60^th Year Anniversary of JCI-Bohol, a leading global network of young active citizens whose mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. 

 

At 29 (an Aries, born on March 30), Bryan is still single and available. Asked if he’s choosy, Bryan said, “No.” But he is searching. “I’m single by choice,” he added, “I want to marry the right woman, at the right time, and for the right reason. And it’s sad to belong to someone else when the right one comes along.”

 

Bryan stands 5’9”; and wears extra-large-size shirt, extra-large-size briefs and size-11 shoes.

 

More of Atty. Bryan Gaviola in this “He can’t invoke his right against self-incrimination":

 

Do you also get death threats like other lawyers?

“I haven’t had any death threats yet and I hope I never will (Laughs).”

 

Your daily schedule must be hectic. Describe a day in your life.

“In the morning I usually attend court hearings and in the afternoon I’m busy with clients and papers at the office, after office hours I deal with appointments, meetings, and teaching. Only then can I spend the rest of my day with friends.”

 

Atty. Bryan Gaviola finds time to travel (this time in France) for adventurous exploration, cultural musings, and wanderlust.

How long you have been practicing your profession?

“A little over two year but it feels like more because I was fortunate enough to be offered partnership with Atty. Jaime Jimenez shortly after passing the bar exam.”

 

How long you have been teaching at University of Bohol?

“Six years since 2005.” (The same school he graduated high school.-LPU)

 

How do you manage it, practicing your profession as a lawyer and at the same time teaching?

“I have requested our dean to schedule my subject after office house so there is no conflict. But it’s easier said than done. (Laughs)”

 

Don’t tell me that you bring work at home.

“I rarely bring work at home. But there are time when call of duty at the office requires it.” 

 

What makes you busy nowadays?  Probably with Junior Chamber International (JCI)- Bohol Sandugo?

“Yes. JCI takes up most of my free time.” 

 

As president, what are your plans for JCI-Bohol?

“Many. But the most ambitious is to finally set up our headquarters after so many years. Thanks to the Gallares family for graciously giving us a little space in one of their properties.”

 

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

“Drink Coffee.”

 

And the last thing you do before you go to sleep?

“Turn off the lights.”

 

How do you cope up with stress?

“I make it a point to catch up on sleep every weekend.”

 

How much water do you take per day?

“A lot. Because I sweat a lot.”

 

Do you drink wine or other hard drinks?  

“Only beer.”

 

Do you go to gym?
“No. But I play basketball a lot.”

 

What part of your body is your best asset?

“My ab or my nose. (Laughs)”

 

..with JCI-Bohol family

What’s your favorite attire in bed?

“Boxers.” 

 

How do you deal with your temper?

“I make it a point not to lose my temper when things get out of control. It just worsens the situation.”

 

What is your favorite hideaway?

“My room. I just watch DVDs all night.”

 

What part of a woman’s body do you notice first?

“The face..specifically the eyes.”

 

What kind of women turns you on?

“Independent women.”

 

What kind of women turns you off?

“Flirty girls turn me off. And women who wear a lot of make-up.”

 

How’s your love life?

“Hmmmm it’s complicated.”

 

Sex life?

“Orgasmic! (Laughs)”

 

How do you deal with temptation?

“I just think ahead where it would lead me if I give in.”

 

How do you deal with, uhm, indecent proposals?

“Decently!”

 

Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?

“I would stare at her a lot.”

 

Kris Aquino will feature Bohol on her KrisTV show next week. Credit: KrisTV

 

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