Theater group to stage ‘Les Miserables’ in Bohol

Wake-uppers:

 

Ayala and Carbon

Scene: 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 is tonight, July 8, at 7 p.m. at the Danao EcoPark. Ticket is P300. For inquiries, call Beryl at +639103390672.  According to Mayor Thomas Gonzaga, the concert coincides with the 50th Foundation Day of Danao, the first town to launch extreme adventures in tourism.

 

Seen: Veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez was at the Bohol Bee Farm (and other tourist attractions) shooting an episode about Bohol for her TV program on ABS-CBN.

 

Scene: Actor and businessman Mandy Ochoa lost his wallet and cellular phone while going through the Tagbilaran Airport’s X-ray machine.

 

“Oh my God Kuya Leo, nilagay lang ni Tito Mandy ang kanyang cellphone at wallet sa tray at hindi na lumabas mula sa x-tray machine,” shared Mandy’s friend AKK to Bared.  

 

Gov. Edgar Chatto has requested for an investigation into the matter which is within the purview of the police agency. 

The airport terminal building has no CCTV cameras. Now, flyers need to remove their shoes in order to pass through airport security.

 

Ochoa

However, “RM” who is Bared’s friend and working inside the airport said that the incident was “First time pa na nahitabo diri sa atoang airport.”

 

The who si Mandy Ochoa? He appeared on Ang Tanging Ina (as father of Angelica Panganiban) in 2003 and Basta’t Kasama Kita (TV series) in 2002.

 

Scene: The first meeting to organize the “elusive” reunion of the University of Bohol- Day High School Batch 1998 is on July 21, 9:00 am at the UB High School Principal’s Office. Look for Elaine Joy Auza.

 

 

***

There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came

And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

-I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miserables)

 

 

Many singers like Elaine Page, Ruthie Henshall, Petula Clark, Leah Salonga, et al, have done a fabulous cover version of this song. The song springs the old water works into the eyes.

 

Susan Boyle, a woman who goes against everything our society expected of a "star," joined Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, had a remarkable version of this song. From the moment Susan opened her mouth and started signing I Dreamed a Dream everyone was clapping and cheering during a standing ovation. You know the words she had sung conveyed her true life experience.

 

Well, the good thing is Boholanos can hear this song this Sandugo fever as DreamBig Productions in cooperation with Cre8tive Thespian Club Inc. will stage the "Les Miserables," the infamous novel authored by French writer Victor Hugo, on July 27 and 28, 2012 at the Bohol Cultural Center.

 

DreamBig Productions is a newly established group of young Boholanos that aims to provide a productive, competitive and innovative approach in the field of performing arts, creative productions, training and learning. Its mission is to mount quality, realistic, educative and creative productions.  On the other hand, the Cebu-based Cre8tive Thespian Club Inc. is a non-profit organization composed of students and young professionals who have banded together for the love of theater.

 

Les Mis is set during 19th Century France, delving into the lives of revolutionaries, outcasts, orphans, bandits and lovers. The musical has produced some of the most memorable Broadway songs, such as I Dreamed A Dream and On My Own.

 

I have to tell you that mood is somber in Les Mis. There is a tone of melancholy predominates, even when events are relatively happy. So, better bring handkerchief or tissue during the show.

 

DreamBig Productions said that they bring “Les Miserables” to Bohol because “it is a story worth telling and retelling.”

 

“Some proceeds of this musical will go to the benefit of Cogon Night High School fund,” says Celeste Grace Yap Telmo, event organizer of DreamBig Productions.

 

“Through this, we can help the Boholanos to open their hearts for performing arts and give them the chance to experience how theater play plays an important role in our daily lives,” adds Celeste, “It's time to step out of the box and think of something educational and entertaining.”

 

Tickets for the grand premier (July 27, 7 p.m.) and gala night (July 28, 7 p.m.): P200 (orchestra), P130 (balcony); for the matinee opera (July 28, 2 p.m.): P150 (orchestra) and P100 (balcony).

 

For tickets and promos, contact 09128137759, or email cgracetelmo@gmail.com/celestegracetelmo@yahoo.com/ Prodjb@yahoo.com, or visitwww.lesmizbohol.webs.com for more info.

 

***

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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.

 

***

“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."

 

 

***

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)

***

 

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

Songs about rain

Fer Mary Baliquig joins Miss World Phl 2012

Baliquig Credit: Stephanie Tumampos 

Fer Mary Baliquig is one of the 25 official candidates who will have the chance to walk away with the 2012 Miss World Philippines crown tonight, June 24, at the grand coronation night at the Manila Hotel.

The Boholana beauty who thankfully swore never to say die is one of the early favorites of Miss World-Philippine bets.

“She is very unassuming and a very nice girl devoid of any pretensions, hopefully she can make it,” said one MWP insider.

Fer has good pageant experience aside from her Bb. Pilipinas attempt: she was 1st runner-up in the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2010 and winner of Miss Tagbilaran 2010.

The Miss World Philippines 2012 pageant will be hosted by 1993 Miss World Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez and Edu Manzano, aired live by TV5 starting at 8:30 p.m.

***

For the farmers, the rainy season is the start of the planting season. Those who have un-irrigated lands will soon be showered with rainwater, giving them the signal to prepare their farmlands for their planting activities. I saw this in Lila, Duero and other towns when I had my countryside tour yesterday. The scene of rice planting was a sight to behold which overflows with sweetness, hope and optimism like that of the paintings of Fernando Amorsolo.

Did you know that there are more than hundreds of thousands of songs about rain and storms? And hearing songs about rain while it’s coming down make you feel less alone. Early morning rain is refreshing and cleansing, and at night time, the steady rhythm of the rain sound is calming and sleep inducing, right?

                                                                                         

Besides the nursery rhyme Rain Rain Go Away, my first favorite song about rain was Rain popularized by Donna Cruz when I was in elementary. It was my favorite because of its simple “sing-able” melody and haunting lyrics... Rain gently falls whenever we say goodnight, falling like when you’re out of sight, rain follows me even in my bed, and rain is the tears that I shed… there will be no sunshine in my life until you say your mine oh mine…..all the kids in the old neighborhood knew the song and I hummed it all the time while taking a bath, doing my homework, rushing to school and especially when I was feeling blue.

I stumbled upon other old and familiar songs about rain and storms when I was youtubing like It Will Rain (Bruno Mars) because it’s Ulan (Rivermaya) and you get Basang-basa sa Ulan (Aegis). So better bring an  Umbrella (Rihanna). It’s About To Rain (Neil Young) because it’s Rainy Days and Mondays (The Carpenters). And On A Rainy Night (Shawn Mullins), Baby The Rain Must Fall (Glenn Yarbrough). Other people hate the rain because it’s Bad Rain (Allman Brothers Band) and Blame It On the Rain (Milli Vanilli) others Can’t Stand The Rain (Missy Elliott). During school days, people are praying Don’t Rain On My Parade (Barbra Streisand), while others go the monastery to offer eggs to Rain Rain Go Away (Bobby Vinton). Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Dionne Warwick/Tony Bennett) during Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot), Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics). At night, I Love The Rain (Lenny Kravitz) and Singin’ In The Rain (Gene Kelly). There is nothing more calming and sleep inducing than the steady Rhythm of the Rain (The Cascades) on virtually within earshot…and I love Listen To The Rain ( Evanescence) and think to go Naked In The Rain (Red Hot Chili Peppers). My friends are happy because It’s Raining Men ( The Spice Girls/The Weather Girls)! Kiss Me In The Rain ( Barbara Streisand) because After The Rain (Nelson), After The Rain Has Fallen (Sting), I Made It Through The Rain (Barry Manilow).

Okay, all together now (for these timeless and classic songs about rain):

Rhythm of the Rain by The Cascades

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I've been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again

The only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know
That when she left that day
Along with her she took my heart

Rain please tell me now does that seem fair
For her to steal my heart away when she don't care
I can't love another when my hearts somewhere far away

Rain won't you tell her that I love her so
Please ask the sun to set her heart aglow
Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow

Oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter pater, pitter pater
Oh, oh, oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter pater, pitter pater

Crying In The Rain by The Everly Brothers

I'll never let you see
The way this broken heart is hurting me
I've got my pride
And I know how to hide
All the sorrow and pain
I'll do my crying in the rain

If I wait for cloudy skies
You won't know the rain from the tears in my eyes
You'll never know
That I still love you so
Though the heartaches remain
I'll do my crying in the rain

Raindrops falling from Heaven
Could never wash away my misery
Since we're not together
I pray for stormy weather
Raindrops falling from Heaven
Could never wash away my misery
Since we're not together
I pray for stormy weather
To hide these tears I hope you never see

Some day when my crying's done
I'm gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun
I may be a fool
But 'til then darling you'll
Never see me complain
I'll do my crying in the rain
To hide these tears I hope you never see







Raindrops Keep falling on my head by B.J. Thomas

Raindrops keep falling on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he' got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

But there's one thing I know
The blues he sends to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Crying's not for me
Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me

***

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

Honor thy Father; and other tidbits

Our fathers are our heroes. Let’s start today’s Father’s Day with a little story:
 

A father retired after years of service and bought a brand-new car, his first ever, with the money he got from the insurance company.

One morning, he caught his little son scratching one side of the car. Furious, the father beat up both hands of the boy who ran inside the house in pain, crying.

When the father checked the damaged part, he turned pale with remorse. Scratched on it were these words: Happy Father’s Day, Dad I love you!

Touching, touching, isn’t it?

While we are at it, here are some quotes about fathers (dad, pa, daddy, pop, popsy, tatay, amang, ama, etc) or by fathers that are perfect for Father's Day:

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. ~ 17th century English proverb

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~ Unknown 

A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~ Enid Bagnold

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.~ Anonymous

It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~ Johann Schiller

A man knows when he is growing old because he begins to look like his father." ~Gabriel García Márquez

Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young, who loved thee so fondly as he? He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue, and joined in thy innocent glee. ~ Margaret Courtney

To her the name of father was another name for love.~ Fanny Fern

How true Daddy's words were when he said: "All children must look after their own upbringing." Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.~ Anne Frank

A father is a banker provided by nature. ~ French Proverb

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:2-3

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Bells Ring Mr.King at 35^th Gawad Urian 

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

Bells Ring Mr. King tells the story of undocumented home-health caregiver working in the US who is suffering from an acute case of homesickness. It  was originally created as Bohol's sole entry to NCCA's flagship project Cinema Rehiyon (CR) 2011, a non-competition film festival that features films from the different regions of the Philippines.

The screenplay was from Lorely Trinidad and it was based on her theater performance. It was originally developed and performed for TeAdaWorks New Works Festival, Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, in California U.S.A.

The actor, Mitzi Ibaya, who is also into theater and literature, translated some of the lines into the Visayan dialect for added authenticity. It was her first time to perform for film.

It was shot entirely in Bohol at Ramasola Studio. The film was just shot using a DSLR as shown in the behind the scenes video available in the internet. The set production was done in one day and the shooting was done for another one day.

Since its debut in Cinema Rehiyon, it was also featured during Arts Month in the province of Bohol and also shown during Women's Month.

“Bells Ring Mr. King is the second time Bohol was represented at Cinema Rehiyon.  The first time was when they included another Short I made entitled ALLAN, shown in CR 2010 at the CCP,” Ted told Bared on Facebook.  

At CR 2011 in Davao, one of the jurors for the Urian Awards watched it and told Ted to submit it as an entry for the Urian. “All along I thought it was being considered for last year's Urian and that it didn't make it,” said Ted.  

Ted left for the US last year.

“So imagine my surprise when I received a text message from the Philippines from the Urian yesterday informing me that my Film was a nominee for this year’s Best Short Film Category,” Ted shared.

“For me, the nomination is honor enough, even if doesn't win tonight it is enough that I know Bohol is represented and that it serve as inspiration to all aspiring film makers in the Province that they can pursue their own dreams,” he concluded.

Note: The 35h Gawad Urian was hosted by Venus Raj, Angel Aquino, Zoren Legaspi and Butch Francisco. Replays of the 35th Gawad Urian will be shown on Cinema One on June 17 at 4 p.m. and June 24 at 10 p.m.)

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Adrenalin rush!

Extremely exciting, extremely enjoyable! Our media colleagues— Rey Anthony Chiu, Edward Guyano, Rey Tutas, Jun Gutierrez, Willie Maestrado, Liza Macalandag, Ric Obedencio and yours truly—had experienced extreme activities at its best at Pandanon Island, Getafe and DATE PARK in Catigbian.

We were invited to cover the Bohol Wakefest 2012 at the Pandanon Island in Getafe, Bohol which started last Saturday until the 25th of June. It gives local and foreign tourists the opportunity to enjoy with one of the fastest growing sports in the world and in Asia–the wakeboarding.

Pandanon can be reached by a motorized pumpboat about 30-40 minutes from the town port.

                                                  

But first, we have Getafe Councilor Tony Ouano to thank for facilitating our Pandanon tour. You see, the influx of local and foreign tourists has grown so huge when Pandanon Island, which is also known as the “little Boracay,” is a favorite summer destination.  

First in Bohol and in the Visayas, wakeboarding and wakeskating are extreme surface water sports. 

Wakeboarding, a water skiing-snow boarding-surfing-technique combination wherein one rides, not skis, but a single board with stationary, non-release bindings for each foot while standing sideways. It is now one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and a burgeoning lifestyle for some.

Wakeskating is an adaptation of wakeboarding that employs a similar design of board manufactured from wood or fiberglass. Unlike wakeboarding, the rider is not bound to the board in any way, which gives the sport its own unique challenges. Instead, the top surface of the board is covered with grip tape, or foam. 

Wakeboarder shall be charged P600 for half-day use of the facility and P900 for its whole day use. Discounted rates include: PhP 2000 (3 days); PhP 3500 (7 days); PhP 5000 (10 days).

With offering like these, Pandanon Island has to become Visayas’ sports central. 

Gov. Edgar Chatto, accompanied by wife Pureza and daughter Trisha, graced the event. 

After Pandanon Island, we decided to visit  Catigbian for the Green Recreational Eco-Adventure Tourism (GREAT) offered at the Dagook Adventure Tourism Excitement (DATE) created during the administration of Mayor Bert Salinas. 

The DATE PARK is presented as another wholesome family treat for parents to introduce their kids to nature conservation and environment protection concepts. 

Here, one can experience nature. The canopy walk which is the park’s first outdoor like experience. From the canopy walk, one follows a trail carefully carved out from an old trail which people used to access the roaring Dagook Falls some 20 meters below.  

If you are not afraid of heights, the monkey bridge is the most exciting part. And oh, yes, the bridge is suspended some 30 meters where the roaring Dagook falls hurl a gurgling mass of water into the gorges below.  And, boy –oh boy! What a great range of adrenalin-pumping activities it provides.

                                                                                                      

I did a brief stop in the middle of the shaking bridge to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy panoramic views on the walk.

Tours of the DATE PARK take approximately 45 minutes, are fully guided and are currently offered every hour on the hour. 

The huge billboard inside the clean and well-manicured DATE PARK Information Center says: “Manage your fear and try the canopy walk, trek and enjoy nature through the mountain trails, test your adrenalin and negotiate the monkey bridge and refresh yourself on air taking the mountain slide.” 

Whew!!! Tiresome but uplifting. One day was just not enough for us to experience non-stop excitement and non-stop enjoyment. Whether for its specialty extreme water sports and scenic sight-seeing tours, Bohol never ceases to amaze. Oh well, there’s always a next time! Soon!!!

***

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

Jun Gutierrez is always alerto, Miss Silka Bohol 2012 and other juicy items

•Jun Gutierrez is always alerto

•Salamat po, doctor and other juicy items

 

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The much-awaited fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. will be shown live and for free in some places in Bohol today, June 10. The Pacquiao-Bradley fight will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with 14-year-old Filipina and New Jersey-based Kirby Asunto rendering the Philippine national anthem and AI first runner-up Jessica Sanchez singing the American national anthem. Where to watch for free? For the nth time, Geresonic (along Ma. Clara Street) and Diccion Electronics (along CPG Avenue fronting the Bohol Cultural Center) will have free showings for their parokyano. If you want to witness the fight on a wide screen, go to Island City Mall Screenville Cinema and BQ Mall Cinema.

 

Seen: At 63, Virgilio Ganade Penticase of Catarman, Dauis, is the oldest student in Bohol. He is a Grade 7 student at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS).  Nong Viriglio is one of the 1, 183 Grade 7 students of DCPNHS. Nong Virgilio said: "Para makamao ko. Guwapo gud makamao ta gamay. Mao nga nakahukom ko moeskwela karung tuiga para naay hibal-an gamay. Sagaran tuntuhon sa mga tawo karun mao ang mga ignorante." Also DCPNHS Head Teacher III Mrs. Concepcion Bagotchay confirmed the increase of students this school year.

dyRD field reporter Alerto Jun Gutierrez with Virgilio Ganade Penticase, a Grade 7 student of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School.

 

Scene:  Thirty-five elementary students of Totolan Elem. School in Dauis were hospitalized for food poisoning after eating the fruit of 'tuba-tuba' last Friday, June 8. According to the victims, a classmate gave them the nuts to eat, not knowing they were poisonous.  School principal Saturnina Arcamo said they gave first aid to the kids before bringing them to the hospital.  In July 2007, 21 pupils were downed for eating tuba-tuba nuts. In 2005, more than 100 schoolkids were hospitalized and 22 died in Mabini Food Poisoning. Tuba-tuba or jatropha, is considered as one of the country's most promising source of bio-fuel today because its nuts contained oil that can be processed into biodiesel fuel.

Some of the victims of the mass poisoning

 

Scene:  Women want the perfect thighs and butt. Beauty watchers said that nothing is sexier than the thighs and gluteus maximus built to perfection. Case in point: These two women from “the other side of the Choco Hills” who want to increase the size of their booty. They sought help from a cosmetic doctor in Cebu City only to find out that the doctor is fake and their buttocks got infected following injections of collagen. The two complainants, aged 34 and 37, sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) to trap the fake doctor. The suspect, Gloria Rabor, allegedly performed buttock augmentation procedures on without a license and charged them P60,000 each. Health authorities have also issued a warning against using the services of unlicensed cosmetic surgeons or practitioners, saying consequences could be fatal.

 

***

Babam turns 4

 

The birthday girl Princess Jasmine Babam with her birthday cake.

Athalia Jezka  Karielle, known by everyone as Babam, turned 4 last June 3  with  a children’s play party celebration. Babam and her friends and loved ones had a great time playing at the Playhaus at ICM Mall, which was made exclusive for her group at that time. After the fun at the Playhauz, everybody proceeded to The Prawn Farm, also at ICM Mall, for another sumptuous treat.

 

Babam looked so cute in her Princess Jasmine costume which was prepared by her dotting grandma Leah Tirol-Magno. The very pretty fondant cake was specially made by Charmaine “Cheng” Dumadag-Usares following the design that Babam herself chose. 

 

Babam is the daughter of Tsino Y. Lim and Karla “Am-Am” Tirol Magno.

 

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15 candidates vie for Miss Silka Bohol 2012

 

Some of the candidates

Fifteen candidates are vying for the Miss Silka Bohol 2012 title.

 

The contestants aged 15-21 years old were presented to the public last Friday at the Island City Mall Activity Center. They are Christine Mae Cuarto, Maeveen  Marie Durban, Marie Joy Pabon, Gladys Mae Sinconiegue, Marie Gigi Galacio, Michelle Juguan, Candy Cumayas, Erica Jane Mejos, Marylle Paloso, Mitch Ara Acebu, Dina Tangub, Jeza Bucog, Lara Ann Lumayag, Karen Montreux and Irish Mae Cleunar.

 

The talent competition on June 23 at the BQ Mall at 4 p.m. Coronation night will be on July 19 at the Holy Name University gym at 8:30 p.m. And the winner will represent Bohol in the annual search for Miss Silka Philippines in Manila.

 

The search for Miss Silka is an annual endeavor of Cosmetique Asia Corporation, makers of Miss Silka beauty products which have been growing each year in terms of prices and grandeur. 

 

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Jun Gutierrez is always alerto

 

Alerto Jun Gutierrez reports the news as it is.

Last Friday, while we were attending a presscon, some schoolkids were brought to the hospital for food poisoning. Our media colleague, Jun Gutierrez, had to leave the venue in the name of news. I’d noticed it many times that if there’s big or breaking news, Jun would report it right away. Very alerto!

 

So what’s the stuff that Jun Gutierrez is made of? How far would he go in pursuit of a hot lead?

 

Jun Gutierrez (Alfredo Gutierrez, Jr. in real life) enjoys a unique place in Bohol broadcasting. His forte isn't limited to hospital beats but expands to interesting news stories.

 

Alerto Jun, as the broadcaster with that trademark name is better known, dishes out fresh news stories Monday to Saturday, morning (as early as 5 a.m.) and evening (11 p.m.) on dyRD’s toprating programs such as Radyo Balita (hosted by Cil Remolador), Patrol Balita (hosted by Atoy Cosap), Inyong Alagad (hosted by Fred Araneta, Chito Visarra and Jerry Pabe), Balita sa Udtong Tutok (hosted by Atoy Cosap), Aksyon Line (hosted by Fred Araneta), DYRD-DYZD Patrol Balita and Luyo sa Balita (hosted by Richard Bompat).

 

In the evening, Jun is the on-call field reporter of the toprating Tagbilaran By Nite (hosted by Jerry Pabe and Tonton Aniscal), where his beats are among the most listened news stories.

 

Since he took his bow as a field reporter five years ago, Jun has been, as the dyRD blurb says, travelling every nook and corner of Tagbilaran City and towns, unlocking sealed lips and going beyond the limits in search of a good story, sigh, putting his family his "second" priority? (“Not at all, I still have time for them.”)

 

Jun joined the radio despite his commitments as federated president of Hatod-Bohol Private Motors Service Association, president of Tagbilaran Private Motor Association, board of director of the PTA of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School and chair of the credit committee of the Bohol Tri- Media Association.

 

In so short a time, Jun has established an image of credibility and affinity with his listeners. He is aware that he has giving information. “I have to double check the facts before reporting it. I see to it that is fair and square,” he says.

 A self-confessed workaholic, Jun vows to look for a lot more good stories to share to the Boholano listeners worldwide.

 

“I will always be a broadcaster at heart,” Jun says.

 

Did Jun ever suffer from burnout? He is covering the same hospital beats such gory and violent incidents. “No. I try to inject a fresh perspective in every story.”

 

Jun cites a bank security guard who was killed years ago and land fissures in Sierra-Bullones as one of his most memorable breaking news stories.

 

For the third time, Jun is awarded as “best reporter for special events” by the Association of Writers and Radio Announcers (Awra).

 

Maintaining many reports can only mean a punishing schedule. Jun researches, writes the stories, and reports live as possible while the news is happening.

 

A father of four, Jun says love for his work is what drives him, next, of course, to his family.

 

Unknown to many, Jun has helped hundreds of people as a reporter. He doesn’t adapt a "stone heart" when he reports the news, especially the poor fellowmen in the hospital (those who have no money to pay the excess hospital bills, no food to eat, no money to buy a medicine) who ask for help. “I am also affected. It’s always good to be human.”

 

Jun has always aimed to make a difference.  In some instances, while we were covering a dengue story at the Dr. Celestino Gallares Regional Memorial Hospital, an old woman approached Jun. She’s asking for help to buy medicines for her apo. Why Jun? She said: “Among nakit-an nga makatabang siya namo sa among kahimtang karun diri sa hospital (We see that he can help us in our needs).”

 

“It’s out of my job as a reporter pero as human being we need to help other people. I look for resources as possible to help them. I told them to go to dyRD’s Inyong Alagad for help or find help from our leaders,” he says.

 

When Jun was somewhere in Bilar for a coverage, an old woman came to hug him. Surprised, the woman told him, “ako to imong gitabangan Sir nga makagawas sa hospital kay walay ikabayad. Dako akong pasalamat nimo (It’s me whom you have helped when I was not able to pay my hospital bills. I am forever grateful to you).”

 

“It’s personal, walay labot sa akong job pero malipay ko makatabang basin ginagmay (It’s not part of my job, I am happy I can help)” he says.

 

That is how Jun put his heart on his news.

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Email leoudtohan@yahoo.com.