Chandrina & Abdul Wallace welcome a girl

Baby Abrianna Isabelle is here!

Chandrina & Abdul Wallace welcome a girl

Wake-uppers:

Tessie with Isabel Granada and Whitney Tyson 

Scene: Prof. Jose Marianito Luspo posted on Facebook: Preparations are under way for the launching of “Old Warrior and Other Poems” a book of poetry penned by Nestor Maniebo Pestelos, a long-time resident of Bohol who has been known more for his various community development involvement both here and outside the province. The launch is slated to be at the Atrium of BQ Mall at 3 p.m.  on May 14 (Wednesday). “Old Warrior and Other Poems” consists of 33 poems written by the author in the past several years that reflect his poetic insights into issues and concerns of a life well lived. Its lead poem, “Old Warrior” is expressive of the burning ideals, frustrations, weariness and continued commitment to a cause he has dedicated himself to since his youth – the betterment of humanity and the transformation of communities.

Scene: Coffee? Food? Books? Music? Arts? Wifi? Visit Tambahayan Cafe along Ma. Clara Street, Tagbilaran City beside Cristal E-College, basement of 5 by 5 Convenience Store. Tambay na on May 14 for the soft-opening. The cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Scene: In a sudden turn of events, a town where there is a bamboo bridge will have a new mayor this week. “It gonna rock the town,” says VRS.

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last week were veteran actress Isabel Granada, comedienne Whitney Tyson and Inquirer entertainment columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal at Cuisina ni Tisay (owned by Tessie Labunog-Sumampong) at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Carmen town. Also spotted in Panglao Island last week was Miss Philippines-Tourism 2014 Parul Shah.

***

Beauty queen Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace gave birth to her first child last Tuesday, May 6 at exactly 10 p.m. at the Holy Name University Medical Center, Tagbilaran City.

Chandrina, who is married to Abdul Wallace, said her first child weighed 7.6 pounds and measured 50 centimeters.

Hello World! Meet Abrianna Isabelle Schreurs-Wallace.

The beauty queen said she named her Abrianna Isabelle.

Chandrina said that Abrianna Isabelle is her “ultimate treasure.”

News of the birth attracted a small crowd of friends stopping by to pay a visit.

"The father is having one of the happiest moments of his life, like any father, especially when they have the joy of having their first child from such a wonderful wife as Chandrina,"  shared VRS.

"Chan Chan is doing fine. She is smiling a lot. She is as happy as the father," VRS said.

On Tuesday, Abdul’s sister Miss Bohol Sandugo 2000 Mellanie Wallace (based in New York, USA where she works as a nurse) took to Facebook to comment the arrival of her niece.  “Our little angel, Abrianna Wallace! 7.6 lbs , 50 cm. Look at those legs!! Grandma Vicky is the happiest!! I'm a happy Auntie!” she wrote. “ Awww, Mom's finally a granny,” she later added.

***

Today is Mother’s Day! Since I can’t find the best words to express how precious our mothers, nanay, nana, mommy, mom, inang, ina, Mama, et al, here are some stories shared to us by Cecile Abuyabor (of Tagbilaran City) to remind us why our mothers are the best.

Flowers for Mother

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.

As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.

He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother.

But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars."

The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."

He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.

As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.

She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."

She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.

The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.

And here’s another (inspirational) story...

My Mom Only Had One Eye

My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family.

There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.

How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, ‘EEEE, your mom only has one eye!’

I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, ‘ If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?’

My mom did not respond… I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.

I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.

Pestelos’  poetry book, Old Warrior and Other Poems.

Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet her grandchildren.

When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, ‘How dare you come to my house and scare my children!’ GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!’

And to this, my mother quietly answered, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,’ and she disappeared out of sight.

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.

My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

‘My dearest son,

I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.

I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.

You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.

I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,

Your mother.’

***

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

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014 and Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2014

• Geraldine Topsnik: Mutya sa Tagbi 2014

• Performers fascinate Saulog crowd

Was the right woman crowned?

Fifteen of the city’s loveliest ladies assembled in Tagbilaran City last Monday (April 28) for the come-back of Mutya sa Tagbilaran (formerly Miss Teen Tagbilaran, Miss Young Tagbilaran and Miss Tagbilaran) competition of beauty, brains — and, of course, bikinis (provided by Hanz Coquilla)!

Miss Dampas Geraldine Topsnik wear the Mutya crown -- er, tiara -- atop her perfectly coiffed head. Courtesy: Ric Obedencio (RO)

There were top five... and then it came down to Miss Poblacion 2 Rizalee Rose  Razo (who became first runner-up and  Miss Talent and Best in Evening Wear) and Miss Cabawan Karen Rossana Llorente (who was second-runner-up and Best in Production Number and Best in Swimsuit) and Miss Dampas  Geraldine Topsnik who ended up taking home the crown!

The 17-year-old Topsnik, a half-German half-Filipino, describes herself as a “full Filipina and a true Boholana” and aspires to become a successful businesswoman.

Topsnik (wearing another crown)  with her runners-up during the Saulog Parade. RO

In her Mutya official video on Youtube, Topsnick said she loves pansit. “My favorite food is pansit.  Because I believe that pansit is one of the simple dishes that is present in every family.  Come to think of it, when you think of pansit it is very simple. I think it’s complexity and the simplicity of pansit truly describes Filipina beauty and taste.”

“Success is having a goal in life,” said Topsnik. “As long as you tried your best to achieve your goal, and no matter what happen you are contented of what you have.”

It was a night of thrills and surprises.  Beauty watchers who watched Topsnik during the pageant night said that it was her overall aura and stage presence made her a winner.

“She was also great in her early interview,” said VRS who likes beauty pageant.

Miss Bohol Sandugo 2005 and Bb. Pilipinas –World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit (who also trained the ladies how to walk) was on hand to host the big event with TV host and eventologist Tim Yap. 

The judge's panel included Bohol’s first lady Pureza Chatto, 2014 Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez, GMA-7 Network talent center head Ida Henares, ABS-CBN entertainment anchor, TV host and fashion/commercial model Phoemela Baranda, actress, model and music video director Bianca King Bianca King, Mister International 2013 4^th runner-up Gil Wagas, fashion designers Cary Santiago and Charina Sarte and pageant designer Mark Tenchavez.

Meanwhile, the roving VRS (who is also a veteran beauty pageant watcher) also shared the sidelights and highlights of this year’s Mutya sa Tagbilaran:

It was a star-studded event with TV personalities. The stage design and decoration was bongga to the highest level.

The official color of the night was green, also Mayor Baba Yap’s official party color during the campaign period.  I and other watchers are not buying the explanation that green was for St. Joseph and the environment.

The ladies were gorgeous women in bikinis designed by Hanz Coquilla. Daniel Matsunaga made the girls and pa-girls “kilig” as he shared his singing skill to the big event serenading the girls.

While the contestant was walking on the stage, the entire screen projected the face and name of the  gown designer. I wonder why fashion designer Maximiel Tallo didn’t participate to design a gown for a contestant in this year’s search?

Speaking of the trophies and awards, the face of the beloved Mayor was plastered on the plaques. It occupies one-fourth of the green plaque.  It would be better if the face of the girl is on her own plaque to remind her that she was once a Mutya contestant. It’s like having Donald Trump’s face on the Miss USA and Miss Universe trophies.

And another one, the committee chairman and Tagbilaran first lady Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap should have refrained from being the one-woman panel for the closed door interview.  She could invite media people or panel of interviewers to select the darling of the press or the best in interview.

***

For the second time, the Saulog festival last Wednesday was a blast. It colored the street as it was smooth--the weather was cooperative and perfect.

The Festival King and Queen lead dancers during the Saulog dance parade. -LPU

Along with me on the streets were my friend Emerson Pinos and my nephew Jerwin Jala to witness the performances of the 14 contingents.

Julia Park, a 30-year-old Korean visitor, said she was amazed to watch the Saulog because it was vibrant and colorful.

“The performers beautifully arranged their dance,” she said.

Dancers paying homage to St. Joseph the Worker.- LPU

“Saulog Tagbilaran is our artistic expression of paying homage to our patron saint, Saint Joseph the worker,” said Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin, the city information officer. “It is our way as Boholanos and Tagbilaranons to move on despite the calamity that had struck us in 2013. This is big reason to have a big celebration hence it is called Saulog Tagbilaran.”

Unlike last year’s celebration, the contingents didn’t perform a dance ritual in front of the St. Joseph Cathedral. They just proceeded to perform in two stations (City Square-BQ and Wregent Hotel).

The flow of the crowd worsened, particularly at the City Square-BQ Mall, one of the judging stations of the street dancing.  It was the same last year that there was no crowd control and it didn’t bar people from spilling to the streets where the contingents performed.  Photographers swarm like locusts in every contingent winding toward the CPG Sports Complex. My poor Jerwin and other people (including yours truly) could not watch the performance of the dancers because the photographers barred us from watching the performances with their SLR cameras and bazooka of lenses. But in the end, I shrugged off the idea.  I’d joined the other photographers to take pictures. After all, I wasn't really there for the contest.

Colorful costumes -LPU

The crowd cheered for their favorite contingents. Only two contingents carried an effigy of San Jose during the street-dancing. There was no float to add attraction.

This year, the Saulog committee also introduced the Festival King and Queen who were lead dancers of the contingents/baragays they were representing. They were spectacles on the streets plunged in vibrant costumes meticulously ornamented. There were Poseidon, Batman and mermaids. Unlike the festival queen in Sinulog in Cebu, the festival kings and queens (Fiel, I like to call them Rajah ug Hara sa Saulog), I’d noticed they were not holding a small statue of St. Joseph while dancing.

I like this year's Saulog, but contingents need to draw inspiration from our roots and traditions instead of from foreign concepts.

A Festival Queen candidate during the dance parade. LPU

Celebrities from tinseltown added glitz to the Saulog as GMA talents Mark Herras and Yasemin Kurdi joined the event at the CPG Sports Complex.

The event ended with colorful fireworks. After all, the essence of the Saulog is celebrating and thanksgiving to Señor San Jose.

(Winners: 1^st- Ubujan, 2^nd –Taloto, 3^rd –Manga. Ubujan also won seven awards: best colorful group, festival queen first runner-up, best in musicality, best in choreographer, best in production design, best in costume and best in field performance. Festival Queen: Poblacion 3; Festival King: Poblacion 2)

***

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

Media walk out on TOSP’s presscon and Candijay’s spring, falls & rice terraces

• Media walk out on TOSP’s presscon

• Candijay’s spring, falls & rice terraces

Wake-uppers:

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last Holy Week was Miss Universe 2006 Miss Photogenic Lia Andrea Ramos.

Seen:  GMA star Rich Asuncion also spent her Holy Week in Bohol with her family. Also spotted in Bohol was Direk Maryo delos Reyes who will direct GMA’s new teleserye Niño.

Scene: After years of absence, Alona Beach has a party place! U Lounge Bar (formerly Opps Bar)’s opening on Alona Beach brought just about everyone out it the block.  It’s the night life you want, U Lounge Bar offers drinks, dancing and music with a perfect Alona beach ambiance. There’s a big selection of beers, wines, cocktails and shooters.

Quir Nicole Maghuyop

Seen: Quir Nicole Maghuyop is joining ‪‎Miss Teen Philippines 2014. Visit http://www.missteenphils.org or Miss Teen Philippines on Facebook page for updates.

Scene: Cuisina Ni Tisay, the home of traditional Boholano cuisine is in Carmen town.  It can be found inside the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (Chap) before the Chocolate Hills Complex. Owner Tessie Labunog-Sumampong posted on Facebook: “New beginning, New hope, New adventure!!! GOD will always provide!”

Scene: The 15 candidates of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014. The organizers aim to make this year’s Mutya an affair to remember.

Scene:  From Jammy Ungab, this message she posted on Facebook:  Lesson learned thus far today.... You need to pack a lot of patience in your backpack when you take a bus... in Bohol... like... seriously. I'm reaching out to all municipal mayors or to the honorable governor of Bohol. I have an idea for you. It would be sweet, really sweet to put 4 or 5 BUS STOP in every municipality. You probably don't know how it feels because you have your own transportation, but it is super annoying when the bus stops each and every time to drop off and pick up passengers. And by every time, I meant, almost every farking minute, almost every 20 meters. And do you know what's worse? When the bus stops to drop off a passenger, and a passenger from 4 meters away who wants to get in, waits for the bus to stop in front of her. Seriousfarkingly???!!!! People are lazy to walk 4 or 5 meters towards the bus. I almost went crazy, and definitely reached my quota of saying "Jeeeeeeeez" and "faaaaaaaark" for the day. The less than two hour trip became almost 4 hours because of the bus stopping for like vagigazimillion times. So I guess our travel lives will be better with a BUS STOP. This is my cry. Hear me. Please don't despise me. Thank you! But on lighter side of things, pretty farking amazing scenery on the east side, ya dig! All good! Whoooop!

***

I still have my hangover of last week’s Holy Week. I had my visita iglesia-- covering news of the church activities--- especially the Easter Sunday celebration when I heard the Loboc Children’s Choir singing Alleluia! and saw the non-liturgical ritual of burning Judas in Baclayon’s hugos. You see, even in Holy Week, your favorite news reporters, anchors and writers need to work to give you the latest news.

The good thing about journalist Mike Ligalig is he knows how to share info. He doesn’t forget to “text blast” if there are press conferences and other news events.

We come to attend the media/presscon whenever there is an event an organization wants to inform the community about or breaking news.

It was surprising to learn that last week’s presscon of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) turned ugly. I just found out that my media colleagues didn’t like the presscon and walked-away.

It was Rey Anthony Chiu of PIA who tagged me on Facebook to cover the event. One hour after, I got the same invitation from Mike. (Thank heavens! I had a busy day so I wasn’t able to attend the presscon or else I’d have a heart attack.)

“It was a horrible press conference,” said EG, a radio reporter. “Everything was unprepared to think it was a national event or something.”

The media colleagues “lectured” the organizers about press and media conferences.  That a great press conference can mean blanket coverage in newspapers, radio, TV and blogs -- but a horrible press conference can haunt the organizer.

Reporters want to hear a little about the news, then ask questions and get quotable answers.  We hate sitting for almost one hour before opening up for questions. 

Reporters want documents. Make sure there are enough copies to go around -- and post those documents online for reporters and bloggers who are interested in the press conference but couldn't make the trip.

It was not the first media walk out. Last April 12, media people had to wait for couple of hours for a presscon organized by Edcom only to find out the resource person was not able to make it.

“For those who invite media people to cover your events,” said EG. “Please have a heart. We are also human beings. We have busy schedules. We have families.”

As you are reading this page, please excuse me, ehem, I need to visit my friends this week for the fiestas. May 1 marks the beginning of merriment in Bohol as almost everyday fiesta celebrations are held where people are rotating here and there to partake lavish preparations.

Ang humba, lechon, imbutido ug bahalina, ayaw kalimti! Cheers!

***

If you’re looking for another summer adventure, try the enchanting Canawa Spring and Can-umantad Falls in Candijay.

The cold Canawa Spring

Canawa Spring is located in barangay Canawa. Its shaped like a pan or cawa. Its refreshing cold aquamarine water meanders into the streams irrigating rice fields on the plains near the idyllic pastoral town of Canawa.

According to residents, Canawa has unfathomable depth. Years ago, divers tried to solve the mystery but they could not reach the bottom of the spring.

“ Even its source remains a mystery,” said our guide-driver.

Four or five kilometers from Canawa Spring is the Can-umantad Falls, the tallest waterfalls in Bohol.  To see the falls, go to barangay Cadapdapan (not barangay Can-umantad) to also marvel the lustrous rice terraces before reaching the falls.

Can-umantad’s natural crystal clear pools are good for swimming while its cool and green surroundings are ideal for picnic.

Can-umantad Falls

Believe me, a trip to this place is a very worthwhile experience for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Oopps, here are some tips:

* Barangay Lungsud-daan, Candijay, is a good landmark for meet-up. It is situated along the highway.

* It’s advisable to take habal-habal or 4-wheel vehicles to access the bumpy section of the road. The road directions are easy to follow. Look for the signs. Caution: Taking the habal-habal is costly.

* Free and plentiful parking is available.

* Entrance fee is Php 10 (adults) and Php 5 each for kids in Canawa Spring, while it is free in Can-umantad Falls.

* Bring change of clothes and towel.

* There is a small restroom in Canawa Spring and Can-umantad Falls.

* Bring your own food and water. Refreshments are sold at the parking area in Canawa Spring but not in Can-umantad Falls.

***

Selfie at Can-umantad Falls

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

Christ is risen! Alleluia!

For three days, Satan must have believed that he had won the battle. He believed that Jesus would be forever in the grave and he conquered the world.

After all, Jesus had cried out in the cross "It is finished" and Satan thought it was a cry of surrender or defeat.

Then, the tomb is empty!  There is Light in the midst of our darkness.  Alleluia, Alleluia!

Easter is a significant day in the history of Christianity. It is with Easter that we remember and rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To make this day more profound and meaningful, let us sing together the hymn Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, composed by Charles Wesley. You can read alongside the Psalms and the Gospels "to feel" the spirit of the Easter.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

And Bill Gaither’s Because He Lives:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

***

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

The burning of Judas in Baclayon, PHL, an Easter-time ritual, where an effigy of  Judas Iscariot is burned.

Egg hunt during Easter Sunday in Tagbilaran

Hugos or Easter Sunday ritual in Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines