It’s a brand new Miss Bohol 2014

• It’s a brand new Miss Bohol this year

• The day Mikey ‘sold’ bagol in the US

Wake-uppers:

At BIPC

Scene: Only10 minutes! That’s from your Bohol Investment Promotion Center (BIPC), which serves as a One-Stop Processing and Approval Center for existing and potential investors and enterprises. The BIPC- Bohol BOSS (Business One Stop-Shop) has full cycle DTI business name registration (yes, for about 10 minutes! That fast!), frontline information services regarding new membership application for PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig and SSS and facilitate SEC registration application for stock and non-stock corporation.  It’s truly a service oriented office!

Scene:  The star-studded birthday celebration of multi-awarded director Maryo delos Reyes in Bohol. It was also the blessing of Direk Maryo’s mansion in Alicia town. Spotted stars were Yul Servo, Katrina Halili, Leandro Baldemor, et al.

Scene: The Sandugo Trade Expo is on July 23-27 at the ICM Food Court (for food products) and The Block (for non-food items which are usually home furnishings, fashion accessories, travel and tourism services, etc).  It’s a "tradition" of the Sandugo which started with the showcasing of the best products of Bohol, then has reached out to the neighboring provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor and then in the recent years has attracted the exhibitors of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao provinces.

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Bohol’s Miss Bohol Sandugo will officially be celebrated this year as Miss Bohol, the original name of the province’s oldest and prestigious beauty pageant, which will turn 60 in 2015.

Miss Bohol is back. How much has changed?

“With the change of name from Miss Bohol Sandugo to simply Miss Bohol, we usher in a new era for the province's most prestigious pageant,” Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal said in his blog.

Meet Queenie Melody Fullante (of Dauis), an aspiring beauty queen who looks a lot like Venus Raj. Will she have the same fate as the Ms. Universe 4th runner-up in this year’s Miss Bohol?

A rose by any other name would still smell like a rose as Miss Bohol encompassing the best of Bohol, not just about Sandugo. It is a showcase of Boholana elegance in simplicity, according to a veteran beauty pageant watcher.

“Wider ang scope sa Miss Bohol than Miss Bohol Sandugo,” said another beauty pageant watcher. “The title is not just limited to the festival.”

The Miss Bohol committee says: Through the years, the Miss Bohol Pageant has maintained its reputation as the province’s most prestigious beauty pageant. The pageant however, needs to reinvent itself in order to keep up with the times. Aside from being the quintessential symbol of Boholana beauty, brains and breeding, Miss Bohol should also be the epitome of the modern Boholana. Confident, charming and career-oriented, she is also in a unique and privileged position to use her popularity and personality for a good cause by being the spokesperson for various projects, cause and advocacies as well as be a positive role model for her peers and for the community. These advocacies can be literacy, environment, women’s health, education and cultural heritage. Believing that a beauty queen is a very effective spokesperson, Miss Bohol would surely be able to give the spotlight to these projects. This would ensure that her year of reign would be meaningful and relevant.

Maria Tiffany Tabigue (of Balilihan) who was a Miss Bohol Sandugo 2009 candidate will try her luck for the second time in Miss Bohol 2014. Tabigue was second runner-up of the defunct Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2009.

 

This year’s Miss Bohol is also a collaboration of three choreographers: Dennis Walton Balbero, Joseph Alexis Cadeliña, and Arnel Tumakay. Gowns will be sponsored by the Bohol Designers Circle led by fashion icon EJ Relampagos. The candidates will feature the collections of the designers during the pageant.  

This year, 17 candidates are competing towards becoming the brand new Miss Bohol. The pageant gets even more exciting with a recycled beauty, local pageant veterans and fresh faces among those battling it out to earn the right to wear the Miss Bohol crown and sash and become’s Bohol’s finest daughter.

But before the reigning queen Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 Brigitte Burato relinquish her crown, here are the Miss Bohol 2014 candidates: Allyson Mycee Zamora Escobia  (Anda),  Maria Tiffany Ibarra Tabigue (Balilihan),  Lisslee Torregosa Centillas (Buenavista), Annaleah Unajan Saga (Carmen), Queenie Melody Fullante (Dauis), Diozel Ramayla Namoco (Dimiao),  Natasha Amethyst Licayan Torralba (Duero), Liezel May Lodonia Turtoga (Getafe), Christine Mae Galemba Cuarto (Jagna), Jassenie Tito Mangaron  (Loon),  Mary Rose Remitar Butalid (Panglao), Farwah Niyah Buslon Soriano (Pilar), Geraldine Bernido Topsnik  (Tagbilaran), Jaya Sierras Lozana (Tubigon),  Clowie Clarus Lim  (Ubay),  Immaculada Cleofe Edubas Leopardas (Barbra Pearls Cosmetics -Bohol Distribution) and Joyce Trexie Marie Cabagnot (Bohol Island State University).

Several candidates in this year’s Miss Bohol pageant have caught the attention of fans, noting those who could make the province in future competitions.

Among early favorites are Miss Tagbilaran, Miss Dauis and Miss Tubigon.

Miss Dauis Queenie Melody Fullante is a Venus Raj deadringer. The girl has the height and exotic looks. Will she have the same fate as the Ms. Universe 4th runner-up in this year’s Miss Bohol?

Also turning head is Miss Balilihan Maria Tiffany Tabigue, second runner-up of the defunct Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2009. This is Tabigue’s second time to join Miss Bohol. And this year, she feels much more relaxed and carefree, according to her friend James.

The Miss Bohol 2014 coronation night will be held on July 19 at the Bohol Wisdom gym. 

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The day Mikey G ‘sold’ bagol in the US

The exciting city of Hong Kong is waiting to welcome Gercy Fel Anne Daraidol, the winner of OMG's 7th year anniversary contest. Now, she can enjoy a free trip to Hong Kong, courtesy US-based socialite Mikey Gatal, the website owner.

US-based part-time model Holly Ann Olalia was the special guest to pick the lucky winner who will enjoy a 4Days/ 3Nights Magical Hong Kong with Disney Land Tour.

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“I am so glad to all who supported and wished OMikeyGatal website a Happy 7th year anniversary, big thanks to you guys,” said Mikey.

For its 7th year anniversary, Mikey is conducting a “Perfect Attendance Contest” where a member can register for free at www.omikeygatal.com / www.mikeygatal.com and log in for a daily attendance which serves as a raffle entry.

“And another contest will start very soon,” revealed Mikey.

The next raffle draw is in February 2015. Winner will win an Asian tour.   

“If you have a perfect attendance for the entire month, that qualifies you for a raffle entry and the more months that you have a perfect attendance, the more chances of winning,” stressed Mikey.

This year, The Gatal Charity Inc. or OMG has given away so many apples and slippers to many areas damaged by the killer earthquake, and more to come when Mikey will go home in September.

Mikey is also giving 500 OMG alkansyang bagols (coconut shell coin banks). He got a supportive response from his friends in the US to support the project when he introduced the OMG alkansyang bagols last year.

“We are also giving OMG bagols to let the kids know the importance of saving and to tell also that these bagols can easily be made out from someone's garbage, you know recycling,” added Mikey.

Getting an alkansyang bagol for kids is an excellent way to teach children about the value of money and the importance of savings. It could be instrumental to demonstrate the definition of savings.  For smaller children, an alkansyang bagol can be a good way to teach about coins and bills in terms of how much each is worth.

“The OMG bagol will help the kids understand that their money is not taken away from them,” insisted Mikey, “but instead that it is simply guarded somewhere safe.”

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

Awesome Father's Day moments

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The oldest beauty pageant in Bohol has a new title, Miss Bohol 2014. Got what it takes to be the successors of Miss Bohol Sandugo 2005 Anna Maris Igpit (Bb. Pilipinas-World 2006), Miss Bohol 1998 Emma Mumar (who was a semi-finalist in the 1968 edition of Bb. Pilipinas) and Miss Bohol Sandugo 2003 Cherry Mae Bacaro (Bb. Pilipinas 2003 semi-finalist)? Deadline for Miss Bohol 2014 application is on June 20 at the Governor’s Mansion Tourism Office.

Scene:  The 262 kilometer-long human prayer chain mapping out the entire stretch of the province’s Circumferential Road last June 12.

Scene: From Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin: June 12, 2014. Indeed, a milestone... The Provincial Government of Bohol, under the leadership of Gov. Edgardo M. Chatto and the City Government of Tagbilaran led by Mayor John Geesnell Baba Yap II jointly celebrated the 116th Philippine Independence Day anniversary, with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman as guest of honor.

Scene: Erstwhile Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Reyes at the Pagpupugay: A Tribute to 100 Years of Philippine Sports on June 12 at Resorts World. Her uncle, the Olympic hero Rep. Simeon Toribio, was one of the 19 heroes of Philippine sports who left their mark in the world stage for the past 100 years.

  

Scene: The 1, 690 grade 1 pupils in selected schools  of Buenavista and Inabanga  who received bags and school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation’s  Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan. The GMAKF team also visited the island barangays of Cuaming and Hambongan in Inabanga.

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It's time for us to thank our father, daddy, itay, papa, popsy, tatay, papang, appa, ama, for everything that he does. Like Mother's Day, Father's Day was created to honor, acknowledge and appreciate the important role played by a father in raising the child and consequently building a stronger society.

Benjie Oliva and wife Atty. Joan

Last week, I was watching two great movies about fathers. Bao Shi Fu Zi, a 1983 movie tells about Bao who is honest and works hard so he can provide everything needed for his son to become successful.  In Sleepless in Seattle, Sam Baldwin loses his wife Maggie to cancer. He wants to start anew in Seattle with his son Jonah but continues to grieve. As much as Jonah misses his mother, he calls a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner. Hundreds of women write to Sam after hearing his moving story.

Inspired by these movies, I asked more than two dozen people in Bohol and worldwide this question: What awesome Father's Day moment will you always remember?

Pinay Vera (3rd from left) with dad, brother and Mom

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

Pinay Vera- My tatay wrote me notes or letters since I was a kid and placed these under my door. Even in college, he would send me letters. I remembered these letters were well-written and very expressive. He would write me when he was happy with me and my grades or achievement, behavior or what not, and he would write me when he was mad at me or disappointed. I guess I inherited my passion for writing from him!

Melchor “Meljun” Daniel Jr- The memory I had with my father that stands out was when he took me to the doctor for my circumcision. Although I knew that it was going to hurt, there was a reassuring comfort that everything would be alright simply because Papa was there with me. Now that I am a father, it's something that I was also able to do some two years ago when it was their time to be "inducted into manhood.'

Melchor Daniel Jr (extreme right) with family

Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace-My dad is the first man that I loved and will forever love...when  I was little, the best moment with my dad was when he puts me at his shoulder or he carries me with his feet and walked to every part of the house... when I was a teenager, that special moment was when he cried at my debut and gave me the priceless gift that I could ever received, the contraction graph, this was done when my mom was still pregnant with me.

Chandrina with her father Wil and sister Bianca

Benjie Oliva- My father passed away when I was four years old. So, I have a few memories with him. But one thing I can recall was during his wake at the house of which I thought was my father's birthday party since most of our neighbors and relatives were present. I grew up with my mother and I’m very proud of her who stood as both mother and father for me and my elder brother even during the tough and challenging times of her life. And by October this year, when it will be my time to be a father of a baby girl, I will give and do everything as a good and loving father. Life is too short as they say so I will spend every minute of the day as a father to my future children all the way.

Clement (3rd from left) with his family

Clement Ingking- On the very hour of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that had left us devastated, our mother Erlinda suddenly passed away due to complications from a heart attack. We rushed to the hospital and opened the blanket of the hospital bed and saw our mom, lifeless. The unexpected death of our mom was very painful for us. The break in our parent-child bond reverberated for the rest of our lives especially that I am a Mama’s boy. I, my Papa and my younger brother considers everyday as memorable to cherish for we are slowly coping up and we are strengthening each other to fulfill the grief from the loss of our mom. It's not so common anymore to have a father who's really there, who is the provider for his family, whose predictability creates a sense of stability and security in his household. We are so thankful that we can depend on him.  A real father, responsible, trustworthy and a great role model. We've learned a lot of good things from watching him. We love you Papa Paul!

Mikey Gatal

Mikey Gatal- I will always consider my dad (Rogelio Torralba Gatal) as one of my heroes in life and you know why? He pushed me away out of Bohol in a nice way because he believes that I have the talent and especially the heart to succeed. True enough, I still help my family and do some charity works on the side. He will always be remembered as a very tough guy and friendly at the same time. I guess, I got it from dad, I miss him so much and he must be so proud of me right now.

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

Jesseth Pasagad: 18 lessons in life

Wake-uppers:

Scene: This piece of good news from Elizabeth Lamdagan-Haroun: Rev. Fr. Elpidio “Boy” Biliran Jr is the newly appointed superintendent of all Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools. He was appointed by his Eminence Luis Cardinal Antonio Tagle.

Scene: From eventologist Mizken: Runway Icons’ Bohol’s Top Model 2014 (Season 2) is looking for a female model. She must be at least 5’4” and above, model built structure and 14-24 years old. Audition dates are on June 7 and 14, 2014 at Door 1, JJ’s Seafood Village, K of C, Tagbilaran City. Bring two (2) pieces of close up studio shot and bring all black lingerie with stiletto heels. For more info, text/call 0919-913-2119.

Scene: From Charles Ceasar Edulan, CPA: Please help Georgia Jauslin, a Filipino from Panglao Island, Bohol, realize her ultimate dream of becoming the next SWISS Explorer (writer and traveller around the world through Swiss Airlines/Lufthansa). To vote, visit http://www.theswissexplorer.com. Folks, today is the deadline!

Seen: Spotted in Jandayan Island, Getafe town last week was the famous Filipino-Japanese sumo wrestler Akira Takayasu. “It was Akira’s first visit to Bohol,” said VRS. Akira’s mom, Bebelita Reblingca Bernadas-Takayasu, hails from Bohol.

Scene: Former Catigbian Mayor and now CEO of Bet 'n Choy Farms Roberto “Bertsal” Salinas turned 63 last May 29.

Scene: Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014 second runner-up Karen Rossana Jumawid Llorente was crowned as Miss Boholympics 2014 besting nine other candidates from other local government units (municipalities) in Bohol. Llorente, a graduate of Tagbilaran City Science High School last March 2014, won the Miss Cabawan 2014 title on March 14 which qualified her for the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014 pageant. She succeeded Tagbilaran City's Rizalee Rose Cempron Razo as Miss Boholympics 2013 who was Miss Poblacion 2 2014 and became first runner-up in the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2014.

Seen: Spotted at Habhaban sa Baluarte last Friday were Palanca winner Marjorie Evasco, poet and community development consultant Nestor Pestelos, Dean Carrie Tharan of Miriam College and Rose Sabijon Rara of Holy Name University.

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Her answer came quick and easy, and she didn’t stammer nor hesitate at all, showing her presence of mind and grace under pressure during the one–on-one interview of the candidates of the Mr and Miss Teen Bohol 2012.

Unruffled, Jesseth Nez Sendrijas Pasagad answered all my questions (She was smart, articulate and you could feel she speaks from the heart and she thinks as well. Her answers are unconventional for pageants, er, patty pageant answers), including those from my co-interviewer Jeycelle Espejo-Inting, and we gave her the highest score.

Jesseth Nez Sendrijas Pasagad

“She’s confident not to mention beautiful,” said Jeycelle on Jesseth. Eventually, she was declared 1^st runner-up and Miss Talent during the final night.

“From those years at Science High School that I’ve trained her, Cielo and their friends, I can say that she has enhanced her leadership, grace and terpsichorean skills, having coached her for Miss Teen Bohol 2012,” said the 1987 Miss Tagbilaran Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin. “A descendant of Francisco Dagohoy Sendrijas, she is an impersonation of courage, beauty, grace, talent and leadership rolled into one. I hope she will continue to depict beauty with a purpose.”

Jesseth, the daughter of Zosimo and Aileen Pasagad of Bilar, Bohol, finished her high school at Tagbilaran City Science High School (TCSHS) with high honors. She is now a sophomore at the Palawan State University where she is taking up BS Petroleum Engineering and a President's Lister.

Why she is taking-up petroleum engineering?

“Actually, I was supposed to study Political Science in Ateneo de Manila University  because I somehow feel that fighting for true justice is innate in me (trivia: from my mother who belongs to the Sendrijas clan, we trace back our blood lineage  to the great Boholano hero Francisco Dagohoy who led the longest revolt  in Philippine history). I never really knew about petroleum engineering until the mother of my friend mentioned it to me. I did some research about the said course and it immediately caught my interest,” shares Jesseth. “I decided to take petroleum engineering initially out of curiosity because it is not the usual degree that students take. Practically speaking, I took this course because it deals with the energy industry which I believe will continue to prosper through the years since we all need energy resources in our daily lives, especially oil and petroleum. I also think it has a huge impact in today’s society.”

Jesseth is all grown-up. Her parents are her greatest inspirations in life.

“I am deeply thankful to my parents for their love and support that paved the way to my success in life,” she shares, smiling. “They are the epitome of selfless love. I would trade my life for their welfare and security.”

Jesseth will turn 18 on June 5 yet but a birthday celebration will be held tonight.

What we shall expect tonight? Butch Bernas, the production and cotillion choreographer shares,“The theme is enchantment. The production is somewhat like a continuation of her video from the forest scene and bring it to the real venue… with ballet and jazz.” I won’t spoil the rest.

“I chose enchantment as the theme of my debut because I’ve always been enchanted of people who exude that indefinable aura and down to earth attitude that captivates the rest of us long before we’ve set our eyes on them,” says Jesseth. “I can also relate this transition from being a shy insecure girl to a brave and smart woman as a spell that seems to bind my carefree youth to my upcoming life as an adult.”

VRS asks her to make a list of the 18 lessons she has learned in life. 

1. The road to success has a series of speed bumps called failures. You just have to drive well so you won’t crash.

2. You have a voice in everything.  Life will always give you options.

3. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

4. Think twice before you say or do something. Otherwise, regrets will rain on you.

5. Promises are sacred. Always keep your word.

6. Everybody has their own story, everybody has a problem so stop being rude and be kind. You don’t always know that what’s going on in another man’s life.

7. Your attitude will be tested when you are at your peak. Be humble.

8. Change is not always bad. Change for the better. Change for what is right.

9. Follow your heart but bring your mind with you.

10. Life is a give and take process. Don’t expect to receive something you haven’t given.

11. You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.

12. Falling in love is easy, staying in love is not.

13. Develop your personality, let yourself bloom. Nothing will happen if you choose to live in the shadows.

14. Be the change you want to see.

15. Never give up. If you fail, learn from it.

16. Family is forever. Treasure your loved ones.

17. You are beautiful. Don’t let others bring you down.

18. Pray, pray, pray.

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