Thursday, June 17, 2021

The Latin Grammy Awards return to Las Vegas


Photo: Latin Recording Academy
The Latin Recording Academy announced today that The Biggest Night in Latin Music, the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. The three-hour telecast will air live on Univision beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central), preceded by a one-hour pre-show starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
 
"This past year was full of unknowns but also new opportunities for those who adapted quickly," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. "Drawing from our strength in music, we welcome our resilient community of Latin music lovers back to Las Vegas for a 13th year to celebrate our culture, ethnicity and diversity, and to honor excellence in music; the force that helps us heal and continues to unite us."
 
The Latin GRAMMY Awards are the preeminent international honor and the only peer-selected award celebrating excellence in Latin music worldwide. Nominees for the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021.  
 
"We are thrilled to bring back the 22nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards to Las Vegas to honor musical excellence," said Jessica Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Entertainment at Univision. 

"Music is a powerful force in our community. It binds us together as a culture, inspires us and move us, and this year's show will celebrate our shared love of music with the brightest stars, unforgettable performances, and special moments that will entertain our audience," she added.
 

Photo: Latin Recording Academy


The Latin Recording Academy and Univision Communications Inc. will continue to exercise careful precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees.
 
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts' Executive Vice President of Entertainment, said, "MGM Resorts has had a long-standing, successful partnership with The Latin Recording Academy.

 As a leader in Entertainment, we look forward to once again hosting The Latin GRAMMYs at MGM Grand, providing music fans worldwide the opportunity to celebrate Latin music's biggest night in the Entertainment Capital of the World."
 
The previously announced gala tribute for the 2021 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year™ honoring Rubén Blades will take place Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. 

For information on purchasing tickets to the 22nd Latin GRAMMY Awards and the 2021 Latin Person of the Year event, please contact The Latin Recording Academy's ticketing office at 310.314.8281 or ticketing@grammy.com. Additional details about ancillary events occurring during Latin GRAMMY® Week will be communicated at a later date.
 

 


Academy launches 50th year of ‘Gold Rising’ program

The Academy Gold Rising Program is a talent development, diversity and inclusion initiative designed to enhance internship experiences under the Academy brand. The initiative ultimately helps cement, strengthen and clarify long-standing but independent efforts to address concerns of accessibility and opportunity for underrepresented communities throughout our country.

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is proud to announce commitments from 25 partner companies in the fifth year of its Academy Gold Rising program.  Gold Rising, formerly called Academy Gold, is an entertainment industry internship enhancement and mentorship program for students and young professionals from underrepresented communities.  The summer program will be virtual for the second time, enabling interns to participate from anywhere in the world.

Alongside the Academy, participating partners include AMC Networks, Annapurna Pictures, The Black List, BRON Studios, Circle of Confusion, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), DTS (part of Xperi Corporation), The Walt Disney Company, Dolby Laboratories, Evolve Entertainment Fund (Mayor’s Office), Formosa Group LLC, FotoKem, Fremantle, Illumination Entertainment, Monkeypaw Productions, Moving Picture Institute, NBCUniversal Filmed Entertainment Group, Paradigm Talent Agency, Paramount Pictures, Participant, Shout! Factory, Streamland Media, United Talent Agency (UTA) and WarnerMedia.

“Over the past five years, the Gold Rising program has steadily evolved and grown, ushering hundreds of alumni into the start of their careers.  We are eternally grateful to our incredible partners who help open doors to a more inclusive field and bring dreams closer to reality for this talented group of young people,” said Academy governor and Education and Outreach Committee chair Wynn P. Thomas.  “Along with my fellow members of the Academy, I look forward to meeting and mentoring this new class as they begin their journeys.”

“During a time with so many unprecedented challenges for artists, filmmakers and young professionals looking to explore their futures, the Gold Rising program will continue to offer participants meaningful, relevant and hands-on experiences to help them find their way in our industry,” said Academy COO Christine Simmons.  “As we continue to push towards equity and inclusion across all aspects of the Academy and greater film community, we’re excited to support new and past Gold Rising interns throughout their careers and can’t wait to see how they make their mark on the future of filmmaking.”

This summer, 100 students (including six interns placed within the Academy and the Academy Museum) from across the United States and abroad will participate in Gold Rising.  The eight-week program, which concludes with a graduation ceremony on August 7, offers participants networking opportunities with Academy members and industry professionals, a variety of panel discussions on every aspect of filmmaking, and career preparation sessions.

Each of the partners will sponsor up to three of their interns for the program, which kicks off today, June 16, with a two-day orientation that includes Academy governors, members and other industry speakers, studio and agency panels, virtual tours of the Academy’s Film Archive, Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and a look into the Oscars® and Scientific and Technical Awards.

The program also has a production track with online technical workshops and masterclasses for students interested in cinematography, costume design, film editing, production design and sound.  The 35 participants in this track are from California State University Northridge, Exceptional Minds Academy, Los Angeles Film School, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, New York Film Academy and select local community colleges from the Academy’s Community College Film and Media Arts Consortium.

Gold Rising interns will hear from more than 120 panelists and speakers over the course of the program. Highlights include:

Social Justice in Film
Panelists: Arthur Dong (writer-director), Laura Kim (EVP Marketing, Participant), Dawn Porter (director-producer), Marjan Safinia (director-producer)
Moderator: Rosalina Jowers (Senior Manager, Social Impact Communications, Participant)

Authentic Storytelling in the LGBTQIA+ Space
With GLAAD’s Associate Director of Transgender Representation and documentary film producer Alex Schmider

Getting to the Soul of “Soul”
Panelists: Matt Aspbury (cinematographer), Pixar Animation Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter (director-writer), Ian Megibben (cinematographer), Kevin Nolting (editor), Kemp Powers (writer-director), MontaQue Ruffin (animator)
Moderator: Audrey Cleo Yap (multimedia journalist)

Let’s Talk About It: Hollywood and Mental Health
Presented by Shaina Gonzales (licensed clinical social worker and founder of Therapeutic Bridges) 
Moderator: Dana Richie (filmmaker, producer, and founder of Backlot Productions)

Upon completion of the program, all Gold Rising interns will be paired with an Academy member for an eight-month mentorship.  This past year, members from every branch volunteered their time and support to the program, including such mentors as Khadija Alami, Ruth Carter, Nicolás Celis, Jon M. Chu, R.J. Cutler, Hugh Jackman, Yong Duk Jhun, Meg LeFauve, Tom McCarthy and Virgil Williams.

Gold Rising affords top film entertainment, technology, production services and digital media companies an opportunity to recruit and educate a nationwide pool of diverse talent.  To date, there are 365 past Gold Rising program participants.  The 2021 class is from 45 universities and is composed of 78% underrepresented racial/ethnic communities, 61% women, 43% LGBTQ+ and 17% with disability.

Gold Rising, led by program directors Bettina Fisher and Niti Shah, is a part of Academy Gold, a global talent development and inclusion initiative that provides creative individuals of diverse backgrounds with access and resources toward achieving their career pathways in filmmaking.  Programs under the Academy Gold umbrella also include Gold Fellowship for Women, the Student Academy Awards, and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.  All past participants and award recipients of these programs become a part of the Gold Alumni Program, which provides networking opportunities, access and career advancement services and offers affinity groups for Black and African American, Latinx, Asian American and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+ and women alumni to network with others who share similar identities, backgrounds and experiences.  The program also tracks participants’ career progression and successes through a database, offering a diverse talent pipeline for the industry.

Academy Gold Rising is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.  Additional support is provided by The Walt Disney Company, Gucci Changemakers, and the Ruderman Family Foundation.

The Academy Gold Rising Production Track is made possible in part by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation and the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund.

Other funding is provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Critics Choice Association in honor of Chadwick Boseman, and Leon Silverman.

For more information about the Gold Rising program, visit https://www.oscars.org/gold-rising.

 

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Jessyville Laviña Ugat now an official candidate for Miss Philippines Earth 2021

Jessyville Laviña Ugat of Baclayon town has barely one month to prepare for Miss Philippines Earth 2021. Photo: Chromatel Photography

The call came last month.


“Are you willing to be the Miss Philippines Earth 2021?” asked Khim Roger Magtagad Laway, owner of The Art Nouveau Models. 

No further question. Not one to shy away from any challenge,  Jessyville Laviña Ugat
said, yes, of course. More calls and meetings and the deal was done.

Jessyville, one of the five province's  country’s bet, will compete in the pageant on July 20. 

But given the very limited time, Jessyville Laviña has to train harder. 

Jessyville Laviña, 21,  hails from Baclayon town. She holds a degree in BS Tourism Management major in Travel and Tour. 

She stands 5’7” and weighs 113 lbs. She was crowned as Miss Baclayon Earth 2019. 

An environmental awareness advocate, Jessyville Laviña used to work as a car sales representative in one of well-known companies in Bohol.

She is now an ESL teacher who loves traveling, dancing surfing the net, and reading inspirational messages.

“I join Miss Philippines 2021 because I want to be the catalyst of change. I want my advocacy to be heard, our Mother Earth is trying to get our attention that is why it’s time for us to hear her cry, " she said.

"Let’s be part of solution. Let’s save our Mother Earth,” she added. 

* * * 
These money tips forwarded by Anthony Ceniza:

*Don’t bring your money with you.
*Cook at home.
*Buy your groceries in Public Market not in Malls weekly, not daily, not monthly. (Market: Ampalaya 50/kl vs Mall 147/kl)
*Remove unimportant expenses.
* Lower down the cost of your important expences. (Ex. Ganador 55/kl while Sinandoming 42/kl)
* Buy your own tumbler and bring your own water. Avoid buying outside. (Natures Spring 500ml 15.00 while if you bring its FREE)
*If you’re not in business don’t buy CAR.
COMMUTE: plete ka 8.00 x 2 x 26days = 416.00/month

While Car Expenses: 15k/month car + 5k/mo gas + 2k/mo parking = 22k/month
*Always set aside 20-30% of your income to your mandatory/disciplined savings. 

What makes us poor is our bad spending habits.

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


Saturday, June 5, 2021

Chocolates overload at Marilou Beach

Edison Gumapac loves to shop! The souvenir shop at Marilou Resort/Dumaluan Beach Resort in Panglao offers different kinds of chocolates.

Edison Gumapac went to Panglao town on Saturday to escape from the city due to 12-hour power interruption in Bohol province.


"I want to relax here because it's hot and humid at home," said Edison, an educator. 

Other residents sought air-conditioned environment like mall to cool down. 

In Tagbilaran City, some business establishments used portable generators to cope with the power outage.

However, some small shops, most of them power-dependent, closed for the day.

In an advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said  there was a 12-hour power outage on Saturday for 
line stringing activity and annual preventive maintenance works. 

After  "The Doctor Is In" (hosted by Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan), Edison, Helen Castano and I enjoyed the white sand beach at Marilou /Dumaluan Beach Resort. Other media friends-Dave Responte (dyTR), Rey Tutas (dyRD), Allen Doydora (dyRD), Rene Daling (dyRD), Angel Guimalan and Kit Bagaipo went home. 

We also tried the "ganggangan" (sauna) with the supervision of Anthony Ceniza. 

"Ganggangan" is the new place for relaxation in Panglao. It can be more than relaxing. It can be a place to cleanse body and soul for  P250/30 minutes.  

At the Marilou Souvenir Shop, you can buy chocolate, nuts, and, sundry. So once you enter the shop, it feels more like picking up groceries (oh, S&R and Landers!) than entering a souvenir shop. They have different kinds of chocolates and nuts. 

"They have wines and spirits, too," gushed Edison. 

Well, he shops till he drops. 

* * *


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


Monday, May 31, 2021

Santacruzan in the new normal

The mother and son pair of Fiel Angeli and Renji as Empress Helena 2021 and Prince Constantine, respectively.

Most Filipinos, including Boholanos, are devout Catholics. They honor and celebrate saints on feast days. 

In the Philippines, May is a merry month not only because it is the season of fiestas with gastronomic treats, but of the “Flores de Mayo” - Spanish for "flowers of May", one of the devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary starting from the first until the last day of May of every year. 

It is the time when girls believing in “Ad Jesum Per Mariam” – to Jesus through Mary – offer flowers and implore her intercession to bring their prayers and supplications to Jesus.

The Santacruzan, derived from the Spanish term “santa cruz” or holy cross, is being held on the last day of the Flores de Mayo. It depicts Saint Helena (Reina Elena) and Constantine the Great of Constantinople’s search for the “true cross”. 

Some trace its connection to May from the May 3 date of “Roodmas” commemorating the finding by Saint Helena of the true cross in Jerusalem in 355 observed on May 3 in some Christian churches and rites. 

In the Philippine setting, Santacruzan is made a colorful festival and has become an integral part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love, and romance  because of the personalities who portray the biblical figures and traditional personifications during the procession with Reina Elena holding the holy cross beside Prince Constantine. 

In Bohol, even with the pandemic, Birhen sa Barangay Shrine Parish relived the Santacruzan offering of flowers to Mary spearheaded by Msgr. Jeffrey P. Malanog, JCL, VG, parish priest, that started with the rosary, novena, holy mass, and ended with a motorcade around Barangay Cogon, the biggest barangay in the Tagbilaran City in terms of population. 

Following the COVID-19 health and safety standard protocols, the sagalas as well as their escorts wore face masks and face shields. 

This year is special because there are, indeed, so many things to be thankful for, especially the “angels” here on earth for their outpouring of generosity for the fundraiser which totalled P421,670.75 for the church improvement projects, specifically the completion of the counseling room and priests’ rooms.
Cogon Birhen sa Barangay Shrine Parish' Msgr. Jeffrey P. Malanog, JCL, VG with Empress Helena 2021 Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao - Gabin and her son, JF Regelbert Johnson "Renji" as Prince Constantine, and John Nino M. Dacullo, Santacruzan 2021 Committee chair.


Empress Helena 2021 is Fiel Angeli Espejo Araoarao - Gabin, daughter of Rep and Wincie Araoarao and a resident of Graham Avenue, Cogon’s Purok 2 for the past 51 years. 

She is married to Engr. Jerome John Gabin from Siquijor and has 2 children, AJ Wincielou Johanna “Cielo” and JF Regelbert Johnson “Renji” Gabin who escorted her as Prince Constantine. 

The “sagalas” were Luzviminda Bayne, Purok 5 (Queen of Sheba); Lolita Acedo, Purok 6 (Rebecca); Leonisa Eroy, Purok 4 (Reina Caridad); Rebecca Yecyec, Purok 1 (Deborah); Marie Anne Udtohan-Diores, Purok 3 (Reina Fe); Irenea Tocmo, Purok 8 (La Divina Pastora); Rosa Nina Aranilla, Purok 12 (Hagar); Cecile Vitor, Purok 7 (Reina Esperanza); Maricris Tumale, Purok 10 (Esther); Lovely Pilayo, Purok 11 (Ruth); and Debbie Calabria, Purok 9 (Reina Madre). 

The fundraiser was coordinated by John Nino Dacullo, chair of the Parish Youth Coordinating Council, together with Flor Anabelle Cesar, Venice Doron, and Merlita Cagata. 

Fashion designer Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad designed Empress Helena 2021’s white Philippine terno.

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

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Pandemic-fueled summer blues

A beach in Barangay Bolod in Panglao town, Bohol, normally a site teeming with tourists, has instead been filled with a handful locals who enjoy the pristine and white sandy beach. Photo:  Leo Udtohan



Normally at this time of year, the beaches on Panglao Island, the crown jewel of Bohol tourism, would have been a site teeming with tourists.. 

Hotels and resorts would have been fully booked. Restaurants would have been fully open and its white beaches are populated by Chinese and some Europeans eager for some warmth after a winter.

Instead, the beach is almost empty.

In Bohol, a province heavily reliant on tourism, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown has affected the tourism and hospitality industry.  

For businesswoman Anecita Nerves-Arcay, patience is a virtue — especially when facing in a crisis. 

Her only wish this year is that she will finally open her hotel on Panglao Island in Bohol province. She was set to inaugurate her five-story ARC Homes at Barangay Poblacion in Panglao town on March 26 last year, but the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, forcing provinces to close their borders and restrict the movement of people to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. 

"2020 was unpredictable. It was difficult and sudden," Arcay said.

Although Bohol fully reopened its doors to tourists in December, Arcay decided to wait because there were only a few visitors coming in, as people take a wait-and-see attitude with the health crisis still raging.

“We needed to make sure our business is sustainable in this new market with special protocols put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of guests. If we see numbers [of tourists] go up this year, we can start to operate,” she said.

She also reduced the rental fee for her tenants in a commercial building she owns to cope with the pandemic as unemployment numbers jumped along with the COVID-19 case numbers.

After a year, Arcay is hopeful that her hotel can cater to tourists soon.

Panglao has at least 4,753 rooms in different resorts, hotels and related establishments.

Tourism companies are desperately scrambling for ways to minimize their losses and survive the harsh pandemic.

On Alona Beach in Barangay Tawala, some resorts, cafes and restaurants are still closed. The busi­ness cen­ter in Alona is so quiet that cats slept on ta­bles of shut­tered cafés.

Some es­tab­lish­ments at­tempted to open but only to close down af­ter a few days due to low sales and high op­er­at­ing cost, es­pe­cially with the need to strictly com­ply with health pro­to­cols. 

“No one is com­ing. A few lo­cals come oc­ca­sion­ally,” said a café owner.

In Barangay Bolod which has at least six beach resorts only three are operating.  The beaches here are filled with few local residents only Saturdays and Sundays. 

Habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver Dave Rulona, 40, still finds himself without passengers because of the drop of tourist arrivals. He said most guests from Tagbilaran  come in their own cars.

Before COVID-19, he charges P120 from Panglao to Tagbilaran.  Now he charges P200, an increase of P50 from the pre-COVID rate because habal-habal drivers are allowed only one passenger per trip. Yet still, some still find themselves without passengers.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap bared that Bohol province lost P15 billion on revenues during the last eight months of the community quarantine. Monthly, the industry loses some P308 million in room accommodation in Panglao.

When Bohol closed its borders last March 2020, most resorts followed suit, forcing many hospitality workers to return home with uncertain job prospects.

The pandemic has also affected some 200,000 tourism industry workers and 40 % of them lost their jobs.  Some establishments retrenched their workers. Others were given two or three days to work if the resort has long-term staying guests. 

Tourism workers who lost their jobs shifted to fishing. Some augment their income by planting vegetables. But most sur­vived on “ayuda,” or fi­nan­cial and food aid from gov­ern­ment agen­cies, although these were not enough to sus­tain their fam­i­lies.

The pandemic also paralysed those in Jagna and Anda towns which lured tourists alike by its pristine beaches, villa hideaways and marine life.

Marjun Precones, proprietor of Jagna Rock Resort in Barangay Larapan in Jagna town, opened his resort under the new normal even with a handful tourists. He said before the pandemic, tourists came to his resort to chill and relax since beaches in Panglao were crowded. 

Tourism makes up 15% of Bohol economic output. Bo­hol hosted 1.5 mil­lion for­eign and do­mes­tic tourists in 2019, with Chi­nese visi­tors lead­ing the ar­rivals, fol­lowed by Kore­ans, records from the Bo­hol Tourism Of­fice showed.

These tourists dis­ap­peared when prov­inces started clos­ing their bor­ders as strict quar­an­tine guide­lines had to be fol­lowed in March 2020 in a bid to con­trol the spread of COVID-19.
Anthony Ceniza, resort supervisor of Marilou Resort and businesswoman Anecita Arcay. Contributed Photo


In 2020, there were 85,000 tourists from January to February 2020 before the lockdown.

Tourism leaders are trying everything they can to revive lagging business in the industry.

In September 2020, Bohol hosted the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), and it highlighted the preparedness of the island of Panglao to host group events, especially with its adherence to the health safety guidelines authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

In November 2020, Bohol reopened to local visitors arriving by plane, ending the travel ban in hopes of reviving a lockdown-devastated tourism industry that has fed so many Boholanos who are working in the different tourism services.

Since the reopening, there were 1,275 tourists who came to Bohol from November 15, 2020 to January 31, 2021 in the travel bubble concept.

By tourist bubble concept, it means that a COVID-19 negative tourist has to stay together with his group, travel only on travels organized by a DOT-accredited tour operator on board a DOT-accredited transport provider, and go to tours only in designated stops, never veering away from their established itinerary.

BTO said from November 15 to December 14, there were 184 local tourists came to attend meetings, incentives, conventions and conferences, and exhibits (MICE) and events.

A few days later, following the same concept, Bohol again issued the same to free and independent travellers, there were 389 tourists who came from December 15 to December 31,2020.

This dry season, struggling resorts and hotels have offered discounted room rates and promos in hopes of persuading frazzled parents and stressed-out workers to come to Panglao for a mini getaway.

The Roman Empire Boutique and Wellness Hotel in Barangay Tawala offered 90% discount room rates which include free breakfast and use of their Olympic-size swimming pool to fill their 80 rooms.  

“It was just to inform everyone that we are alive,” said Roldan Cuevas, manager.  He hopes the promotion can be effective in boosting visitation.   

While room rates aren’t deeply discounted at Marilou Resort in Barangay Bolod, they are typically lower than those on the weekends.  

"It's not going to be a profitable year, but we're just trying to balance the losses," said Anthony Ceniza, the resort supervisor.

Ceniza is optimistic, but understands that international travellers would have fear having to socially distance.  As of this time, he focuses on domestic tourists.

"It's going to be an amazing experience this year for people that choose Panglao because it won't be so busy. They will experience better customer service,” said Ceniza.

The provincial government with Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the “Balik sa Bohol” program, backed by the campaign motto “Balik sa Bohol (Come Back to Bohol).”

The “Balik sa Bohol” online sale which gave 70% tour discount for at least two weeks participated in by 13 resorts, hotels and tourism accommodation establishments, one adventure park, and six local tour operators.  All have earned their DOT Certificates of Authority to Operate, or the local government permits and each holder of the Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) seal.

Bo­hol still strug­gles to re­main afloat even if it has re­opened to visi­tors late last year.

It eased its entry protocols as part of efforts to resuscitate the province’s slumping tourism industry.

Starting March 1, tourists and returning residents can now visit Bohol and may no longer need to undergo quarantine.

Boholanos, whether locally stranded individuals (LSI) returning Overseas Filipinos and Workers (OFW), authorized persons outside residence (APOR) and even non-APOR local.

For tourists, they can present to Bohol a negative COVID-19 test result via an RT PCR test and the test should be taken 72 hours before flying to Bohol, present a confirmed hotel booking, and a registered Bohol Tourist QR Code.

Tourists to Bohol can travel to sites and destinations that have been granted by DOT the Certificate Authority to Operate, or LGU permitted and UBE Seal grantee from the provincial government, as long as they do not veer away from the tour itinerary provided by their DOT-accredited tour agent and travel only in designated areas.

Bohol has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the country, with 3,882 confirmed cases and 54 deaths, according to the May 28, 2021  data from Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF). 

Cuevas said that Bohol wants the economy to get back to what it was before, but said some locals are worried that tourists might cause infections.  But he believes that Bohol is well-prepared for tourists.

"Just follow and respect the health protocols," he said.  “It remains to be seen how many tourists will want to come to Bohol.”

One who is excited to welcome tourists to Bohol is Helen Bagayas, 34, an on-call massage therapist. She goes occasionally to Panglao for home service. She has been offering Swedish massage and ventosa (cupping therapy) for tourists for the past years. She said it was good before Covid since she can earn enough. During the pandemic, she augments her income thru buy and sell of bags, perfume and dress.

Bagayas, a mother of five, said she is praying Bohol’s tourism will bounce back.    

“We are like bamboo. Although we can be knocked down by life, tough times and challenges, just like the bamboo, we bend and far more flexible. We can come back stronger than ever through patience, strength and determination,” said Bagayas.

Arcay, on the other hand, said that while the pandemic is affecting the community in unprecedented ways, it has brought out a trait that is one of the most important qualities  for Boholanos – resilience.

“This time of patience will teach us to plan better and bounce back stronger than ever,” Arcay said. 

The pandemic won’t last forever and travels are anxious to hit the road when it is deemed to be safe.

Meanwhile, the winds in the end of summer make people become restless.

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

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Sexy talk with Catherine & Forrest Earl

Forrest Earl Todd Jr.: 'Sunrise would be my sexiest time of the day.' 



So, what is sexy to Forrest Earl Todd Jr. and Catherine Tabaniag, the two The Art Nouveau  (TAN) rising models who are making boys and girls — and other creatures  — admire and swoon?

"Well, of course it would be those people who have great physical features, we can’t really deny that. But, having blessed with those great bodily features, they also have to be God fearing and has great respect to their parents and to other people," said Forrest Earl. "Beautiful both inside and out, now that’s what sexy really means."

“To me,” said Catherine “it is having an intelligent mind." 

Catherine, 22, was crowned Miss Panglao 2013 at age 16. She also named Miss
 Bohol Association of Catholic (BACS) Academics 2014, Miss Philippines Earth Bohol 2017, Miss Philippines Earth Runner Up 2017, Miss Silka 2018, Mutya ng Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) 2018, Miss JCI Visayas 2019 and Miss JCI Philippines 2019. 

In 2019, she joined Miss Bohol and she was declared first runner-up. 

Forrest Earl, 22, was a Mister Teen Bohol 2012 finalist. He was crowned  Mr. Alturas Campus Icon, Mr. HNU College of Nursing  Sports Fest and Tagbilaran Saulog Festival King 1st runner up. 

A professional model, Forrest Earl is an Arian (April 1, 1999). He stands 6’ tall; weighs 165 lbs.; and wears medium-sized shirt, large-sized underwear and size-10.5 shoes.

A teacher, Catherine is a Scorpion (Oct. 27, 1998) who is a graduate from Holy Name  University. She stands 5’6” tall; weighs 121 lbs.; and wears small-sized shirt, small-sized underwear and size-10 shoes.

What is your motto in life? 
Catherine:  "Everything happens for a reason."
Forrest Earl: “Always strive for the best. "

What do you want to achieve?
Catherine:  “As of now, I’ve been struggling a lot due to pandemic and my adulting phase in life so all I want to achieve is peace of mind and have a well mental health." 
Forrest Earl: “To become a licensed medical doctor one day."

What diet do you follow? 
Catherine: "Just one cup of rice in every meal. And I avoid carbs and junk foods." 
Forrest Earl:" None. I just eat healthy balanced diet foods."

How do you keep fit? 
Catherine: "I always check my weight. And I also managed to hit the gym as possible as I can or to have home workout." 
Forrest Earl: "I just eat a balanced diet and play different kinds of sports everyday like basketball, tennis, table tennis and more."

How do you protect yourself from COVID-19?
Catherine: "I always follow health protocols that our government has implemented. I also update myself with the latest news, and, of course, staying at home." 
Forrest Earl: "By observing proper health care protocols and also by keeping my immune system healthy." 
Catherine Tabaniag: 'Everything happens for a reason.'

 

Who is/are your role model/s and why?
Catherine: "Gazini Ganados is my role model. Even though she grew up with a broken family, she managed to reached all her dreams and won competitions like Bb. Pilipinas Universe. She is really an inspiration and role model to everyone." 
Forrest Earl:  "My parents. Mainly because they are the ones who I see everyday from when I was young. I’m really blessed to have such hardworking and great parents. They are my heroes and my greatest inspirations." 

Part of your body that you consider sexiest:
Catherine:" My curves. "
Forrest Earl:  "I’d say my nose. "

Singer with a sexiest voice: 
Catherine: "Michael Pangilinan." 
Forrest Earl: "Because I’m a reggae fan, I would say Bob Marley. I just love how passionate his voice is when I hear his songs and also how meaningful his songs are. You can really feel the love and positivity." 

Sexiest movie: 
Catherine: "Fifty Shades of Grey." 
Forrest Earl: "As much as I would like to say “365 Days” haha, I would still choose the Harry Potter Movies, because since I was still a child I have already been following that movie series." 

Sexiest clothes: 
Catherine: "Crop top." 
Forrest Earl:  "Any clothes as long as it’s a perfect fit." 

Sexiest perfume: 
Catherine: "Victoria’s Secret." 
Forrest Earl: "Giorgio Armani." 

Sexiest time of the day: 
Catherine: "Midnight." 
Forrest Earl: "5:00 am - 5:30 am. Sunrise would be my sexiest time of the day." 

What are your future  plans?
Catherine: "To become a teacher with doctorate degree." 
Forrest Earl:  "My long term goal would be, first of all to repay my Mom and Tatay for all the hardships and efforts that they have given me. I would like them to be free from worries and live their lives like kings and queens. Then, my second long term goal would be to have a peaceful, loving, and joyful family for the rest of my life. My short term goal would be that in a few years after I graduate from college, I would like to try and compete in an international pageant to see how far I could get in this industry."

* * * 
This important message from Edison Gumapac, a teacher from Manga National High School in Tagbilaran City, he culled from the internet: 

Dear All, 

Whenever you find a perꜱon infected with COVID- 19 in your neighborhood or near your workplace, being taken to quarantine/iꜱolation centre in an ambulance, please do not take video or pictureꜱ, in fact diꜱcourage the perꜱon who you find iꜱ making a video or taking photoꜱ

Don’t embarraꜱꜱ the perꜱon! 

Inꜱtead ꜱtand in your balcony or at your window or your gate a few feet away and  give him/her a thumbꜱ up,  wiꜱh him/her good luck and a ꜱpeedy recovery.

Becauꜱe the way the viruꜱ iꜱ ꜱpreading, ꜱoon you will find an ambulance, infront of everybody’ꜱ gate / door. 

Pleaꜱe underꜱtand how thiꜱ perꜱon muꜱt be going through.

Pleaꜱe 
1. Reꜱpect him/her. 
2. Pray ꜰor him/her. 
3. Make him/her feel you are a good human being. 
4. Do not ꜱpread panic and “fear of inꜱult” among otherꜱ.

The perꜱon iꜱ juꜱt unwell, not a criminal. He/she will get cured but the memory of how people treated him, will ꜱtay with him/her forever!!

We are all in thiꜱ fight together!! Let's ꜱpread love and build conꜰidence

Be ꜱafe, ꜱtay at home.

* * * 

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