It’s more fun in Bohol because…

Days before the Department of Tourism launched its latest “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, our family had the fun this New Year as we visited the town of Loboc for fun and adventure.  Indeed, it’s more, more, more fun in Bohol! (Many thanks to my cousin Shiela Olorvida-Glaring and her husband Martin for the treat!)

Forget about the six-decade-old Swiss tourism advertisement because whatever it is, we can always claim the slogan, "It's more fun in the Philippines," because it is true.

I got the idea from Tessie Labunog-Sumampong when she tagged me on Facebook the promotional video of the Philippines, “It’s more fun in the Philippines” where the famous Loboc River was included.

Trivia, also from Tessie: Filipinos have been posting photos of the country at its most beautiful—festivals, scenic spots, cuisine, people, you name it. And some are really "crazy" but still funny memes, er, celebrating Pinoy creativity.

So with the DOT in mind, I asked some personalities and friends to give their answers: It’s more fun in Bohol because…

More than half of those asked simply didn’t answer. Here are those who did:

Pureza Chatto, Bohol’s First Lady- She is blessed with the beauty of nature and she entrusted to a group of people who have the heart to take care of her beauty, the mind to enhance her beauty and the will to keep her beauty as magnificent as ever for generation after generation to make a life, to enjoy, and to be grateful.

Jessica Soho, TV Personality/GMA News- There is nothing more pristine and pure than the Loboc River and the voices of the Loboc Children’s Choir.

Rovilson Fernandez, TV Personality/Model- The air is fresher, the sand is softer, the smiles are brighter and the hills are more chocolateeey. Who can argue with that?

Alex Santos, TV Personality/ABS-CBN News- You can grab hills of chocolate there.

Melchor Daniel, Teacher- Everything is here.

Larry Marshall, Singer/Businessman- Panglao is there.

Loida Lagonoy, Beauty Queen-It’s the safest place in the country. No NPAs, typhoons or earthquakes.

Dr. Rhenz Acedo, Orthodontist- You can enjoy and live a life full of adventure. From hills to the sea shore, rivers  till the ocean life. Every thing is still so virgin. Its life a little paradise where you never want to escape from.

EJ Relampagos, Fashion Icon- Most of the people I love are here.

Joven Menorias, Travel and Tours Specialist- Where you find peace and serenity.

John Maraguinot, Government Consultant/Youth Achiever- Fiestas are like no other.

Tessie Labunog-Sumampong, Proprietor of Loboc Riverwatch- Of Riverwatching!

Morres Sarabia, Music Genius/Band Leader- Of the Bilwaboys and the Rabadab Connection, calamay-dub style.

JunJun Karaan, Nurse- There’s no place like Bohol which has a tricycle for house to house and door to door rides.

Atty. Gregory Delgado, Lawyer/Runner- You can survive the whole month of May without money because there are town and barrio fiestas.

Doris Dinorog-Obena, Community Leader- You can see and visit more exciting sights with less travel time because traffic is not a problem and you can go around the 10^th largest island of the Philippines in five hours.

Councilor Kit Oppus, Councilor/Women’s Advocate- Fun means, to me, friends you need. It’s the people that make Bohol fun.

Joseph Lemuel Camacho, Government Employee- Of the amazing beauty of nature and culture and traditions of the Boholanos.

Reigh Monreal, Pres. Of Bohol Society of Tourism Officers/2011 CPG Awardee for Cultural Advocacy-  Nature’s beauty, rich culture, and creative and warm-hearted people beautifully combine to keep tourists coming!

Sam Penaso, Visual/Performance Artist- Kilalang may tarsier, Chocolate Hills, masarap daw makapangasawa ng Bol-anon sabi sa kanta, at namiss ko ang bayle sa tibuok kalibutan pero mukhang wala na ata ngayon, at maligo sa dagat kaya malapit lang kami nakatira diyan.

Val Santiago, TV News Producer- Enjoy ang Loboc river cruise! Sarap ng buffet, hinaharana ka pa!

Aldrin Avergonzado, Globe Customer Care Representative- It’s like a paradise.

Tintin Ng, Actress- Bohol is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. It’s more fun to experience Bohol during the Sandugo Festival.  

Dennis Balbero, Cultural Icon-  Rich in culture, arts and heritage.

Mayor Niño Rey Boniel-  Of the underwater grotto in Bien Unido!

Mayumi Lugod, Beauty Queen/UNTV Host- Boholanos are so warm and hospitable. Tourists spots are amazing and unique. Bohol is the best place to relax.

Rammel Decasa, Runner/Adventurer- We have cultural, historical and adventure. Meaning completos recados. All in one tourist destination.

Tracy Torres, Make-up artist/Hairstylist-  Bohol has it all. If you’re a fan of history, you can visit Baclayon Church and the Blood Compact site. If you love animals, come see the macaque monkeys, dolphins and the famous tarsier. If you love adventure, come to Danao’s adventure, swim and dive at Panglao Island. If you live the city night life, come to Tagbilaran City. If you’re a romantic, dine at Loboc floating restaurant. And if you want world-famous, climb the chocolate hills. So if you want to have fun and you want to have it all, come to Bohol! Because Bohol has it all!

Dianne Uy, Businesswoman-  Of Island City Mall!

Ariel Fullido, Publicist- You can poke a tarsier in your palm, sale one of the chocolate hills, run a marathon along Panglao beaches. Crunch a Peanut Kisses. And party at Lazer!

John Consulta, TV News Reporter- With the exciting encounter with tarsier, breathtaking scenery of the majestic Chocolate Hills, and precious friends, you just can’t get enough.

Dominic Aparicio, Adventurer- A lot of beautiful scenery like beaches and adventure tour, and most of all it’s more fun when you get involve with the people who are friendly and hospitable. Just like me, it’s more fun  if you are with me. Yahooo! it’s more fun!

Ahd Marco-Bautista, TV News Executive Producer- Of the Choco hills, Loboc River cruise, honey spread of Bee Farm and my sister’s farm is there!

Jojo Alegre Buron, DYHP Radio Personality-  Has a beautiful and romantic beaches!

Annie Arcay, Resort Owner- We have a lot to offer...one will enjoy both the mountains and the seas!

Lourdes Talosig-Bartolome, TV Senior Desk Officer- It’s LOL in Bohol!

Piux Jabinez, Student- There are lots of wonderful places to visit.

Butch Bernas, Teacher-  A one package tour, fun-filled adventures and many more. A one stop and have it all!

Rep. Rene Relampagos-  Of its people!

Leah Tirol-Magno, UB Registrar/Internet Princess- Koja in Caingget Beach is yummy!

Blair Panong, Event Organizer- We have sexier sunrise and sunset.

Guy Bernaldez, PR Specialist- I get to do all the things that I enjoy like swimming, dining out, nature tripping and clubbing without having to travel far.

Jocelyn Pilayre, Businesswoman-  It’s tarsierus!

Karen Batuhinay, Cebu Pacific Operations-  Only in Bohol where airplane landing feels like you re bungee jumping or riding a roller coaster. Blag! Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

ArieLlanos, Metro Centre Front Desk Officer-  Everything is in here… white beaches, warm people and nice scenery. Bohol is considered as the tourist haven in Asia.

Dr. Homer Singco, Veterinarian- Nice beaches, friendly and kind people.

Edward Guyano aka Inday Charity, Radio Personality- Tourists are enjoying their trips.

Boy Pernia, Consultant- You both have the mountains and the sea to experience. Its magical and fun!

Rhea Alba, NGO/Community Worker- Of the hospitality and musicality of its people..di ako pang tourism pero I love your place.

Leslie Ramirez, Bank Teller/Businesswoman-  There is no place like home.

Mayor Oliver Yu- Bohol has it all. Name it, and we have it, adventures thrills, nature at is best, the people around, ambience, and many, many more.

Mary Anne Aparece-Verga, DILG Officer/Mother- My family and true friends are here.

Musette Hontanosas, Businesswoman- It’s a one stop shop, countryside, seaside, with ‘fiestas’ everyday in May, habal-habals everywhere, most of all, it’s where you can get my PEANUT NUGGETS, tasty, crunchy, delicious Boholano delicacy!

Jose Marianito Luspo, Cultural Icon/Teacher- Because Boohl is just WOW!

Remus Mark Carballo, Travel Specialist- The fun rolls from the top of the hills to the bottom of the sea.

Adonis Damalerio, DILG Officer- You will never go hungry especially on fiesta time!

Atty. Handel Lagaunay-  You can have a good time with the family.

Dr. Nenita Po, GCGRMH Chief of Hospital-  Boholanos are beautiful people inside out!

Vera Villocido Gesite, Consultant-  Of the sun and the beaches, the rivers and the hills, caves and tarsiers, stone churches and watchtowers, habal-habal and tricycles, BQ and ICM, island hopping, great food, nice families and good friends.

Flor Mesina, Government Employee-  We are known for being hospitable and friendly, asife from the beauty spots that we have in Bohol.

Maryo de los Reyes, Award-winning Director- I farm in the island!

Edik Dolotina, Consultant/Artist- There is one way to see everything- Bohol.

Danny Tamayo, TV Producer-  There are lots of things to enjoy and explore. An experience you’ll never forget.

Fatima Mapesos, Government Employee- We’ve got a lot to offer better than other destinations. It’s fun to take adventures like EAT Danao, fun to enjoy natural beauty like the Choco Hills and beautiful beaches. And it’s more fun  to cherish Boholano lifestyle because there’s warmth of friendship like fiesta  and festivities.

Judith Uy-Sumatra, Government Worker- Basta! it's more fun in Bohol!

Gabriel Medel, Businessman- Of the Boholanos!

Jeycelle Espejo Inting, Teacher/OFW- Bohol's like a Five star hotel...

Liza Azil - We are known for being hospitable and friendly, aside from the beauty spots that we have here in Bohol....

Sam Pingkian, Sales/Marketing Consultant- You can stay in a cheapest places to live and also the most beautiful and exotic destination where u can live well for less.

Che Rubrico, Wife- Because it's where my heart belongs! Truly a little paradise where my family and most of my friends live. Beautiful Bohol!

Jerome Magallen, Guidance Counselor- Bohol is truly WOW! Wealth of Wonders!

Marc Christopher Labastilla- Naa tay chix dha!!!period.:-)

Ryan Sines, Hairstylist- ‎It’s my yutang gi tawhan..my place..my paradise..char!

***

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

Bohol: Hula Hula Who 2012

 C'mon let us sing the Puff, The Magic Dragon (a song written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, and made popular by Yarrow's group Peter, Paul and Mary) to make all those dragons happy:

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.

 For those who love a little bit of trivia:  Chinese dragons have five toes, Korean dragons have four toes and Japanese dragons have three toes. It is said that the farther dragons travel from their home in China, the more toes they are likely to lose. When these perambulating dragons return home, all their missing toes grow back. Since most dragons prefer to keep all their toes, all the time, few dragons ever stray very far from home.

***

It's finally 2012! The most interesting year because there has been an increased interest in the ancient Mayan writings that on December 21, 2012 is the end of the world. Some Mayan elders say it will mark a time of destruction and the end of civilization. However, some scholars suggest that it’s not the end of the world but a time of transition from one world age into another.

Whatever it is, let the dragon enter! Most astrologers and feng shui experts say that 2012, the year of the Yang Water Dragon (January 23, 2012 - February 9, 2013), brings many possibilities for good fortune. “In Chinese astrology, the dragon is quite special and very much revered and is the only animal of the Chinese zodiac year that is not real,” says my Chinese friend.

It is also the season of hula hula or tagna tagna where all forms of mananagna, fake or real, are being hunted for their services. I must take a bow because last year's Hula Hula Who was ehem 95% true! Clap! Clap! Clap! Believe it or not but through the years, Bared has had a better batting average (read: more credible, He! He! He! He!). As I told you before, there's no need wrapping your head with a turban like you –know-who or consulting a mananagna, fondling mutya or crystal ball, shuffling a deck of cards or scanning the sky to "foretell" what's in store for our favorite Boholanos in the next 12 months, but only believing my troops of Very Reliable Sources (VRS) here and everywhere.

I’m dishing out my traditional “Hula Hula Who” for 2012, the Year of the Dragon.

Brace yourselves:

Anna Maris Igpit and Glenn Soco won’t be tying the knot this year...and neither will Mayor Rey Niño Boniel and his sexy girlfriend....nor Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio (for what?) and his girlfriend (is there any?) will plan to settle down this year.

Mayor Cary Camacho, Atty. Brian Gaviola, Doc Homer Singco, Doc Renz Acedo and Atty. Kokoy Lim will remain loveless (but not for long). Hello, beautiful and sexy girlfriends!

Karla Tirol Magno and Tsino Lim will not marry this year or in the near future. They will just continue to enjoy their blissful togetherness. (Oops, there goes my crystal ball again, becoming blurred..He! He! He! He!)

Eden Descallar will tie the knot this year (no more sukob this year) because she's ready and so her boyfriend who can't wait for another year.

Prony, the largest python in captivity, will find a new home. However, Paloma/Marimar will take a break.

Jane Cajes and husband Baba Yap’s first-born will be a girl.

Loida Lagonoy will finally- finally!- meet the “man of her dreams.” Oops..The crystal ball didn’t say if they will get married.

Centerstage Band will release their long-awaited debut album and Fr. Fro Lungay and Meo Mascariñas will release their second album.

Boholano actors whose star will shine even brighter in Year 2012 – and beyond: Cesar Montano, Rich Asuncion, Lailette Boiser and Tintin Ng who will be given another break in movies and teleseryes.

More controversies will rock this year’s Miss Bohol Sandugo. Otherwise, a "quiet" Miss Bohol will not be a "usual" Miss Bohol at all.

Fashion icon EJ Relampagos will be in the limelight. International teh!

Tessie Labunog-Sumampong and her family will enjoy a bakasyon grande! Hello America!

Betty Veloso-Garcia will be home this Valentine’s Day. She will be busy preparing for the Tigum Bol-anon in Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) this coming May.

Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy will be busy in other things and she will relinquish her crown as Santacruzan Queen.

Mikey Gatal will make an earth shaking revelation about his lovelife.

The "war" between Mayor Dan Neri Lim and others will continue to “sour” into highest level. Someone will intervene but... (Oops! The crystal ball suddenly becomes blurred He! He! He! He!)

KatKat Schoof and Bryant Chu might expect a stork visit. Their eldest deserves a little brother or a little sister. The crystal ball says that Dra. Aileen Tan-Magdoza and Vida Tirol-de Juan will experience morning sickness.

Bohol will be the set location of a movie. No elaboration.

dyRD will initiate major reformatting of some of its shows. As the radio shakes and rattles, heads will surely roll.

AND NOW, THE BLIND ITEMS ‘HULA HULA WHO’

A gay marriage will happen in Bohol by known personalities. (My crystal ball didn’t show where in Bohol but it looks like white sandy beach.)

A high-ranking official will discover the "snakes" inside the office. (The crystal ball didn’t specify “he” or “she” the ranking official is).

Two weddings of prominent families will happen this year. It will be merged of power and influence.

The marriage of a young businesswoman and a law expert will ever reach the altar will go through a rough road and, if they don’t watch out, might hit splitsville.

A young daughter of a town executive will follow the man she loved even at the end of the rainbow.

A big event this May will be livelier but only few will attend. Moreover, controversies will continue.

A beauty queen will have no choice but confess that she has been having an illicit affair to her newly-found prince charming. The prince charming will bring her to his kingdom.

To generate publicity on Facebook, these young models aka pa-cute models will pretend that they are breaking up. Their “fake “break-up might end up for real.

A high-ranking official who is known for his claws will get involved in a politically-motivated controversy.

A controversial couple will break up due to financial difficulties.

A separated couple will bury the hatchet and kiss and make up. Sweet!

Boholano beauties will bring pride to Bohol in a national tilt! The crystal ball reveals the letters LL and KD!

Expect pregnancies out of wedlock this year. Like a beauty queen and a young sexy model who will get pregnant out of wedlock and the “culprits” will simply vanish.

Separated sweethearts but "still friends" will find new partners.

There will be prominent Boholanos who will become victims of scams and identity theft on Facebook and other social networks. Facebook and Twitter are not your real friends!

A resort and another business establishment will declare bankruptcy. A rich company will come to the rescue!

Another high-ranking official in the province will find himself enmeshed in a controversy due to immorality.

A prominent couple long suspected of having marital problems will reveal to the whole world that, yes, yes, yes, they’ve been estranged all these years even if they’ve been living under one roof (but sleeping in separate beds?). And they are ready to find partners.

A new band will rise with popularity this year.

A businessman-politician will hog headlines because of money-related anomalies.

More sexy videos of prominent who’s who will be spread via the Internet and cellphones.

A showbiz-oriented talk show will fade out. No elaboration.

Another block time radio program will fade out. No elaboration.

A new singer from Bohol will make name this year. The singer is of one the few Boholanos who will give honor to Bohol.

An international performer (whose parents are from Bohol) will come home.

A radio personality will send feelers for a return to the original home station which this personality left a few years ago but the home station will simply turn a deaf ear.

Expect shocking revelations from young male socialites (who have pa-macho image) that they are out!  See how the birds of the same feather flock together! Maya-maya or paminta will be most welcomed!

The rainbow of  a messenger of the Word, a politician, an artist, a beauty pageant watcher, a topnotch lawyer, a media man, a philanthropist, and a model will no longer be seen...forever (knock on the wood three times!).

A natural calamity will put Bohol in the headline. Knock on the wood! Please pray.

A controversial project will push through despite controversies and protests. Oops, the crystal ball shows people like ravenous wolves prowling the earth consuming everything in their path.

More scandals will rock the political scene. As usual, some lawmakers will try to get media mileage by threatening to initiate a “probe.”

Another veteran politician will drastically change his political plans for fear of being mercilessly clobbered by his opponent in 2013 May elections.

Towards the end of the year, more (old and veteran) people will declare their intention of running in the 2013 elections. Some will do mudslinging in the last quarter of the year. But, sad to say, only a few of them will win.

The year has only begun and there's still 11 months this 2012 to watch and see for more surprises!

***

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

The ‘Biggest Likes and Yikes’ of 2011

Let us start the New Year with this wonderful message: Isn’t it strange how 100 peso bill appears to be a large amount when donated to church but too small when you go shopping? Isn’t it strange how 1 hour seems so long in church and so short when having fun? How everyone wants front row tickets on concert or show but they want last row in the church? As usual but strange reality. We say God is our priority but have we proven it everyday? Hope you have time to read and share this message.

And…

Remember the laughter,
the joy,
the hard work,
and the tears.

And as you reflect on the past year,
also think of the new one to come.

Because most importantly,
this is a time of new beginnings
and the celebration of life.

***

Drum roll, please! It's time to find out which entertainment stories, people and events caught our attention in 2011! And, ehem, these Bohol’s who’s who cum celebrities received an award for being famous/infamous in the year 2011!

Likes! Most Beautiful Boholana of 2011

Farrah Faye Mian of Tubigon was declared Miss Bohol Sandugo 2011. The Bohol’s Finest Daughter and Most Beautiful Boholana is now included in the Miss Bohol Honor Roll.

Likes! Most Trending in 2011

“You know you're a Boholano if?’ trended worldwide on Facebook. Other hottest fanpages on  Facebook for Boholanos worldwide were ‘Taga- UB ka kung…’, ‘Taga-Calape ka kung?,’ ‘Nka skwela kag HNU Highschool kung?’, ‘Taga VDT-ALC ka kung..’, ‘Taga-WISDOM ka kung...’, ‘Nakatungha ka sa Grace Christian School kung?’, ‘Tatak Sevillahanon ka kung?’ and  ‘Nakaskwela ka sa Bohol High kung?’.

Yikes! Most Unforgettable Celebrity Feud

The claws are out! Which who’s who battle had you jumping to take sides? 2011 was a feisty fight between Mayor Dan Lim and Gov. Edgar Chatto. Also, Mayor Dan Lim and Taloto Barangay Captain Faro Cabalit's claws were out last 2011, and their weight war earned them the first-runner up.

Yikes! Most Shocking Celebrity Scandal

In December, TV 5 reported that Mayor Dan Lim, stuck on a flight and too impatient to wait for the toilet, unzipped his pants in front of the flight attendant. The flight attendant said Mayor Lim was obviously impatient, though he blamed the incident on being diabetic. The incident gained further notoriety when it was uploaded in youtube.

First runner-up was the “No Other Woman” involving a beauty queen and a photographer. The housewife-beauty queen herself slipped unnoticed into the apartment and caught them in the act. The couple broke up immediately after that. 

Second runner-up was the sex scandal video involving a media personality with a “minor” girl. 

Yikes! Most Shocking Death of a Cultural Icon

Cultural icon, educator and dancer Oscar Real, the co-founder of Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe, died at age 60 on March 29.

Yikes! Best Brouhaha Incident of the Year

In April 2011, a Philippine National Bank teller “accidentally” gave the million pesos to the wrong person. The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP)-Bohol campaign says, “Be honest…Even If others are not. Even if others will not. Even if others cannot.”

Likes! Hottest Duo

Central Visayas bets Blake Mahecha Valles was declared second runner-up and Felisse Marie Carvajal was top 5 in the Ginoo and Mutya ng Prisaa 2011 held on April 13 in Zamboanga City. The Ginoo and Mutya ng Prisaa 2011 was one of the highlights of this year's Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa), an athletic competition among private schools in the country.

Yikes! No Miss Tagbi 2011

There was no Miss Tagbilaran 2011 because the search committee decided to cancel the pageant. The reason? Most of the applicants were repeaters or recycled beauties. There were no pageants in 1987 and 1995.

Likes! Hottest Celeb of the Year

Many had career years in 2011 -- but which one truly stood out from the pack? Yes, the Starstruck alumna and beauty queen was the cover babe of FHM Philippines May 2011 issue. Not only her first FHM cover, but also her first time to pose for a magazine cover. A homegrown Kapuso artist, Rich finished 1st Princess on GMA talent search "StarStruck 4: The Next Level" and later competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2009 and was declared first runner-up. She can no longer join beauty pageants in the future as she posed sexy for a men’s magazine.

Likes! Lifetime Achievement Award for a Beauty Queen

Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy, who is also the Rotary Queen for the nth time, wowed the crowd during the Santacruzan 2011 street parade. She was also hailed as Queen of Alay Lakad 2011.

Yikes! Better Luck Next Time Award

 2011 was unfavorable for our beauty queens Aileene Ella Dango and Renee Soraya Rosete Hassani who didn’t make it to the final 10 in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2011. Also, Miss Denmark Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen (her mother Elizabeth Padillo Olesen is from Bohol) didn’t make it in the Miss World 2011.

Miss Bohol Sandugo 2011 first runner-up Ely Rose Apple Angcon was selected as a finalist for the Olay White Bar Ambassador.  However, Angcon failed to win the title.

Miss Mandaue 2011 Donna Cardino failed to grab a spot in the Miss World-Philippines 2011.

Ubayanus Kru from San Pascual, Ubay, Bohol failed in the monthly finals rounds on ABS-CBN late-morning show Showtime.

Likes! Biggest Celebrity Wedding of 2011

It was provincewide spectacle when Tagbilaran City Councilor Baba Yap married Jane Censoria Cajes in Tagbilaran City on February 5. The ceremony inside St. Joseph Cathderal was attended by roughly 1,500 guests, including Sec. Florencio Abad of Department of Budget and Management,  Gov. Edgar  Chatto, V-Gov. Conching Lim,  Reps. Rene Relampagos, Erico  Aumentado and Arthur Yap. Talk about a short engagement, Yap, a city councilor, popped the question to Cajes in December 2010, after they had been dating for about three months.

Yikes! Kumukupas Na Paraiso Award

The devastating condition of the Raha Sikatuna Park (Magsaysay Camp) in Bilar. Due to the war torn nature of the area, it is now practically abandoned. Sadly, this now decaying place was home to rare flora and fauna.  Gone are the days when Rajah Sikatuna National Park was a haven for nature lovers and a bird-watchers paradise.

Likes! Most Memorable Celebrity Travel

Fashion icon EJ Relampagos went to Italy where he treated her mother Josefina “Jo” Relampagos to a bakasyon grande. Like other visitors, EJ and his mom, came in search of fine art, pizza, spaghetti, cappuccino, wine and fashion.  Also, Trisha Chatto had a memorable trip in France and Germany.

Yikes! Real Drama of the Year

The youngest survivor of the ill-fated M/V Island Fast Craft 1 on Aug. 21 was three-month-old Rema May Abigial Tugap.  Her mother, Emmie Tugap, hugged her tightly before they jumped into the churning waters. Fortunately, a fisherman helped save them and the other passengers. Three dead while 70 others were rescued.

Yikes! Nature’s Fury Experiences

After land fissures, flashfloods occurred in Sierra-Bullones last March which killed one person. The Anda landslide killed two young men working inside a quarry. There were reported floods occurring in Dimiao, Garcia Hernandez and Jagna in March 2011.

Likes! Most Memorable Concerts

The concert of Miss Saigon star and award-winning recording artist Ima Castro on Sept. 13 topped the list.. First runner-up was the concert of songwriter and singer Jose Mari Chan for dyRD’s 50th anniversary. Second runner-up was the concert of world-renowned operatic tenor and philanthropist Sal Malaki. Tied for third runner-up were the concerts of Jovit Baldivino and Bugoy Drilon; and Erick Santos and Ai-Ai delas Alas.

Likes! Homecoming Award

After his exhibitions abroad, visual and performance artist Sam Penaso and his works returned to Bohol. After their church wedding on 11-11-11, Nonito Donaire Jr. and his wife Rachel paid Bohol, his home province, a surprise visit.

Likes! Bring Home the Bacon Award

Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) bagged 3rd place in the Tolosa International Choir competition in Spain.  Before that, the LCC members had their mini-concerts in Europe as part of their Europe 2011 Tour.  Also, Gov. Edgar Chatto received the Dangal ng Bayan Award.

Likes!  Hot Show

Bohol’s First Car and Motor Show featured Bohol’s best cars including Mercedes Benz SLS 2012, Audi TT, BMW Z3’s, Mercedes Benz ML, Subaru WRX STI, Nissan 350z, fully set-up Ford F150, customized Honda cars and more.  And, also the Big Bikes exhibition organized by the Bohol Bikers Association. The motorbikes came in all brands (on Harley-Davidsons and other brands), shapes and sizes, with some that appeared to defy gravity, if not other rules and regulations!

Likes! Cutest Boholano Artista

Christine “Tintin” Ng, who hails from Tagbilaran City, has come a long way from being the shy probinsya and now a rising actress in the country. She starred in movies and indie films; however, her breakthrough role was on GMA 7’s Dwarfina and Munting Heredera which showcased Tintin’s natural acting. She appeared the talkative and seductive (read: Malandi) yaya or maid in teleseryes.

Yikes! Forget-Me-Not Award

The 80 Boholano talents in the indie film Amigo had least six (6) named supporting roles were not included in the movie’s supposedly “full” cast listing in IMDB. The local talents played their roles, no matter how “small” with such honesty, so natural that they understand well the concept of ensemble acting. 

Likes! Triple Treats Award

In the field of beauty pageant, 2011 saw the rising beauty queens from Tubigon town. Farrah Faye Mian won the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown.  Then, Rochelle Cabilla was declared Miss BACS Academics 2011 and Clarlaine Radoc was proclaimed Miss BACS Personality 2011.

Likes! Santa’s Ho Ho Ho/Happy Holidays

The biggest and tallest Santa Claus in Bohol and in the Philippines caught our attention. First runner-up was the Christmas Village of Mila Lim which fascinated visitors and friends who visit it during the holidays.

Yikes! The “Animal Non Grata” aka Homeless of the Year Award

After celebrating “her” 15^th birthday, Prony, the biggest python in captivity was declared “animal non grata” in Albur after Mayor Efren Tungol ordered closure of the area because Prony’s owners, the Salibay family, had no business permit to operate. Also homeless was Prony (Marimar) who became famous because of “her” kagwang performance.

Yikes! The Nega Award

First district Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos filed House Bill 5422 that seeks to rename Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to Corazon Aquino Avenue. Relampagos said “EDSA should be named after Aquino because “one cannot think of the 1986 EDSA Revolution without thinking of former President Corazon Aquino.” However, large number of Pinoy Nettizens (including celebrities such as Tim Yap, Georgina Wilson and Paolo Paraiso) refuse to have anything to do with the bill and expressed their disagreement openly online.  The topic became a top trend on Twitter.

Yikes (Untrue) Rumor of the Year

Which false story was the most egregious? The “treasure hunting” in Loboc Church was a dud! The local authorities in Loboc denied treasure hunting activity as the drilling operation was intended for the study of the bearing capacity of the ground where the church now stands. Some people were not convinced, though.

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