EJ’s take on Miss U

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Two international cruise ships makes a port call in the island of Bohol in the Philippines, the MS Europa and MS Minerva. MS Europa, the best cruise ship in the world according to Ward-Ranking and Berlitz, visited Bohol last Wednesday. The 339 passengers visited the Chocolate Hills and Panglao. Others joined the "Community Life Tour" in Maribojoc town where they interacted with the locals. Another luxury ship MS Minerva arrived in Bohol on Friday. The 293 passengers had enjoyed the countryside tour. "It is a very good sign and I see 2015 will be a rosy year for the province of Bohol," said Josephine Remolador-Cabarrus of the Bohol Tourism Office. 

 

The visits of luxury ships MS Europa
and MS Minerva are good signs for Bohol,
 according to Josephine Remolador-Cabarrus. –LPU

Seen: President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new RTC judges in the province of Bohol: Lindecita Cabaron Arcamo of Branch 1, Tagbilaran City, Bohol; and former Tagbilaran vice mayor Jorge D. Cabalit of Branch 48, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

 

***

Pinoys fans were shocked and saddened when Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa, the Philippines’ bet to the 63rd Miss Universe pageant, failed to make it to the pageant’s Top 5.

 

Many Filipinos were expecting Lastimosa would surpass the successes of her last four predecessors in Miss Universe – Venus Raj, fourth  runner-up to Ximena Navarrete of Mexico;  Shamcey Supsup, third runner-up to Leila Lopes of Angola; Janine Tugonon, first runner-up to Olivia Culpo of USA; and Ariella Arida, third runner-up to Gabriela Isler of Venezuela.

 

Miss Colombia Paulina Vega won the crown, followed by USA, Ukraine, Netherlands and Jamaica.

 

Filipino fans remained supportive of Lastimosa in her quest to bring home the Miss Universe crown, some Pinoy fans traveled to the US just to support her including our very own fashion icon EJ Relampagos who was at the International University Arena in Doral, Miami, Florida, USA.

 

“I'm on a cloud 9,” shared EJ who witnessed the pageant for the first time. “I intended not to bring my tab because I want to feel this experience to the bones. I got more than what I expected, I did not just feel it, I learned a lot.”

 

Fashion icon EJ Relampagos on MJ  Lastimosa
 during the 63^rd Miss
Universe: “MJ did her best!’ Courtesy: EJ Relampagos/MissUniverse

EJ said that Paulina Vega of Colombia was a clear winner the moment the candidates stepped on stage. “She was head to foot a beauty queen,” admired EJ.

 

The costume, a floral piece reportedly inspired by the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio, (with many netizens comparing it to a birthday cake with its floral design) designed by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza, was poorly received by Filipino fans. Some couldn't help express their disappointment with her national costume.

 

EJ said MJ was able to carry the dress well.

 

“MJ did her best. Her gown is not ugly, however, it just did not compliment her height and figure,” shared EJ.

 

What if EJ were to do the national costume for Miss Philippines for the Miss Universe?

 

“I would want a halter serpentina gown in nude gold embellished with crystals on vertical patterns from neck all the way to the hem to make her look slim and tall, with a keyhole cleavage showing chest and a slit on the mid front to let her walk with ease,” said EJ. “This will surely compliment her skin tone, will make her look tall and slim... stunning!”

 

But EJ said he wanted to see Miss Philippines wearing a gown and a costume done by a Filipino designer.

 

EJ Relampagos and other Pinoy fans
watch the 63^rd Miss Universe pageant in Florida, USA,
 to support Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa in her quest
to bring home the Miss Universe crown. Courtesy: EJ Relampagos

“This experience taught me a lot of things I want to share with my fellow Filipinos, especially the Boholanos. It’s time to step up our game... we can do it,” stressed EJ.

 

Added EJ: “I have learned that if you will go to a competition like Miss Universe, it’s not enough to be only prepared in all aspects. The preparation should be done right in every element! Be effectively and efficiently prepared.”

 

Traveling is broadening one’s knowledge and EJ knows that too well.

 

***

Bohol policemen wear black ribbons

in honor of fallen PNP-SAF members

 

The country is mourning for the 44 elite commandos who died in line of duty in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25. The SAF units fought with bravery and demonstrated their commitment to ensuring peace and order in their country. 

 

Flags flew at half-mast across the Philippines on Friday as the entire country observed a national day of mourning.

 

In Bohol, the Philippine, Bohol and Tagbilaran City flags flown at half-mast at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City. The Philippine flag inside Camp Francisco Dagohoy was at half-mast since Monday.

 

Members of the PNP-Bohol were wearing a black ribbon around their badge to honor and remember the fallen 44.

 

Bohol observes the National Day of Mourning
 to honor and remember the 44 members of PNP-SAF
who died last week in Maguindanao. –LPU/GMANews

“We honor and remember the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who died in line of duty in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25,” said SPO4 Geronimo Conarco of the Police Community Relations (PCR) of the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

 

SPO4 Conarco said it is their simple way of honoring their brothers in the PNP and their way of expressing sympathy and condolences to their bereaved family.

 

Another citizen JP Maslog offered candles and flowers at the Camp Franciso Dagohoy on Friday night in honor of the Fallen 44.

 

“We will never forget,” said JP on Facebook.

 

Former Tagbilaran City councilor Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus also shared on Facebook her insights: “Call it coincidence, but yesterday, via mail, I got hold of the December 2014 issue of the Cavalier, the official publication of the PMA Alumni Association. We get it every month and is rather routinary. But yesterday was quite different- sent jitters! It came when we, former dependents of SAF members, couldn't help but silently "feel the pain" and say a prayer. And what was written all over the cover page : "Hurdling the obstacles to Peace". What a hurdle, that was! Inside, I read the President's corner, and I quote: " But peace is elusive nowadays. While most of our people sleep soundly on Christmas Eve, the men and women in the uniformed service stay awake as duty calls for most to be away from their families, to serve and protect the people. We do not want peace that is based on a yearly tradition of truce when fighting is just suspended for a while, but after the holidays return to the usual not-so- peaceful routine," Cav Robert Arevalo '85. Then the Article of Cav Fredelino Bautista '66 said: " Let it not be said that it is the armed services that are the obstacles. It is the men in uniform who die, who get maimed, who leave widows and orphans, many of whom are cavaliers. How many more of our young cavaliers who are in the forefront of preserving the peace shall make the ultimate sacrifice before lasting peace is attained? Therefore, let those who profess that they want peace, prove it, in deeds, not in words." Indeed!”

 

***

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Miss Colombia wins Miss Universe 2014

Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, 22, was named 2014’s Miss Universe! After a rigorous competition starting with 88 girls from around the world showing off their stunning beauty and talent at the FIU Arena in Miami, Florida, the stunner went home the ultimate winner over Miss USA Nia Sanchez!

Photo by Alexander Tamargo
 / Getty Images North America / AFP

Miss Jamaica was the top trend on Twitter towards the end of the competition, so viewers were really loving her.

Miss Spain was the top trend earlier in the night, but didn’t make it into the top 5.

Miss Philippines MJ Lastimosa was on top 10 but failed to make it to the final 5.

Miss Congeniality Universe was Miss Nigeria, Miss Photogenic Universe was Miss Puerto Rico, and Best National Costume was Miss Indonesia.

This is the full list of winners.

Miss Universe: Colombia

1st runner-up: USA Nia Sanchez

2nd runner-up: Ukraine Ukraine Diana Harkusha

3rd runner-up: Netherlands Yasmin Verheijin

4th runner-up: Jamaica Kaci Fennel

National Costume: Indonesia

Miss Congeniality: Nigeria

Miss Photogenic: Puerto Rico

Rivermaya and Paolo Valenciano Live at Ubay Gym

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Congratulations to the selected OMG models Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas, Neil Namuag and Adelyn Joy Esclamado for  2015-2016. The contract signing was held yesterday, Jan. 24, witnessed by Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal, Roger Gatal, Nikki Gatal-Quintia, Pam Marzon and other OMG members.

 

Scene: The 15^th Ubi Festival was held on Jan. 21-23 to “venerate” the most important rootcrop in the province of Bohol. “We are holding the ubi festival to promote the products, the marginalized products of the farmers, to showcase to the community that ubiis unique in the province of Bohol and to promote the industry in order that it will become larger part of the high value crops in the province of Bohol,” said Larry Pamugas of the Provincial Agriculture Office. “This time, few farmers are going back to the farm, only few young people are going back to the farm, I hope this is a avenue to invite farmers to plant more ubi in Bohol.” Pamugas also said that climate change has affected the ubi production in Bohol. “One of the reasons why the harvest of ubi in the province now is (low) due to the impact of climate change. With that we hope we can innovate technologies that ubi can still survive even with the change of the climate.”

 

Seen: Spotted in Doral Miami, Florida in USA is fashion icon EJ Relampagos. EJ will be watching the 63^rd Miss Universe. The pageant night is on Jan. 25 (Jan. 26 Manila time, to be aired live on ABS-CBN).

 

***

Multi-platinum-selling rock band Rivermaya goes live at Ubay gymnasium on Jan. 28.

 

Catch Rivermaya and Paolo Valenciano\
 on Jan. 28 in Ubay town.

Rivermaya is one of the most significant Pinoy rock bands in the Philippines. Formed in 1994, it is one of the several bands which spearheaded the ’90s Philippine alternative rock explosion.

 

Rivermaya is composed of Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Japs Sergio, Ryan Peralta and Norby David. Rivermaya popularized chart-busting songs Ulan, Kisapmata and Himala.

 

Joining Rivermaya in the concert is Filipino music royalty Paolo Valenciano who is giving OPM a new twist.

 

Tickets to Rock and Rebuild 2 are priced at P300; P500; P1,000 (VIP); and P1, 500 (VVIP).

 

For details, call/text 0939-765-4093, buy your tickets at Tngardz Bicycle Supply, DPWH-Ubay, Ubay Parish Office, Van Trading Ubay and Omie Fashion Hauz in Talibon.

 

Produced by Bohol 2^nd district Rep. Aris Aumentado, the concert will again be a vehicle to raise funds for Ubay Pastoral Parish Council.

 

“Part 2 is back to back live band/disco sponsored by Colt 45. Proceeds of the disco will dole out for the expenses,” said Van Delima of Van Trading, one of the sponsors of the concert.

 

Added Van: “Don’t miss the chance of lifetime!”

 

***

Encounter with Pope Francis strengthens faith

 

Many Filipinos braved the crowd and the weather to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis and be blessed by the Pope during the pontiff's five-day visit to the country. 

 

Pope Francis has lunch with some Yolanda typhoon
 and Bohol earthquake survivors at the archbishopric in
 Palo, Leyte on January 17.  Photo shows Salome Israel
receives a blessing from Pope Francis with
Saturnino Barace, Jr and Niza Flores (partly hidden)
and other Yolanda survivors.  \Courtesy: REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Even though Pope Francis had to rush back to Manila from Leyte as gales from Storm Amang picked up, forcing him to shorten his visit to Leyte by four hours, he managed to have a quick lunch with several survivors of super typhoon Yolanda and Bohol strong earthquake.

 

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila who joined the lunch, recalled that he had asked the Pope whether he wanted to say something to the survivors. “But what can we say?” The Pope responded. “Before these 30 survivors, he himself was reduced to silence,” Tagle said in an interview.

 

The five Boholano survivors who had lunch with Pope Francis described it as "a blessing and meaningful experience." 

 

“Very happy, very luck to meet the Pope,” said Shirley Bongay of Loon. “I can’t describe my feelings. I felt enthusiastic. I was enlightened by the Holy Spirit with mixed emotions.”

 

Saturnino Barace Jr of Antequera shared that he found consolation in Pope Francis’ presence. “Nalipay ug minggaan ang akong pamati.”

 

“Malipayun mi nga among gikasalo si Pope Francis sa lunch bisan kadiyot ra nga higayun apan malipayun gihapun mi kay iya man ta gi-bless tanan,” said Niza Flores of Sagbayan. “Giapil kitang tanan sa iyang panalangin, mao kitang tanan nakadawat sa iyang panalangin.”

 

Salome Israel of Tubigon shared that she was moved by Pope Francis’ presence, stating that the pontiff spoke to them “heart-to-heart.”

 

“Our meeting with the Pope was once in a lifetime. Dako kaayo ang impact niya sa akong life. Kana bitaw moestorya siya nimo eye to eye contact nga naa jud listening ears, then he responded,” said Salome. “He gives me strength to move on.”

 

Veneranda Gentallan on meeting
Pope Francis: ‘I knelt down for his blessing
and I even kissed his shoes.’ While another
Boholano survivor Shirley Bongay looks on.
Courtesy: REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Salome was able to give the nipa hut souvenir and my personal letter to Pope Francis. Confirmed! Confirmed!

 

For Veneranda Gentallan of Maribojoc meeting the Pope was a blessing. When it was her turn to meet the Pope, she knelt down and kissed the papal shoes while crying. 
“All of them had kissed the Pope’s hand. Pero ako na wala ko ka-kiss sa iyang kamot. Kay sa hunahuna nako ‘sa ubos lang ko unya siya sa taas’. Mingkalit lang ko luhod sa iyang atubangan. Minghilak nako, ug akong gihagkan iyang sapatos,” said Veneranda. “Iya ko gitindug unya akong nasulti niya nga ‘Salamat Lord, thank you Lord’ while iya kong gi-blessingan.”

 

Asked why she cried when she met the Pope:

 

“Mura jud ko naa sa heaven na! Nga akong hunahuna si Jesus Christ na akong nahimamat. Nice hunahunaun nga gipakita sa Diyos si Jesus Christ thru Santo Padre,” said Veneranda.

 

Veneranda will preserve her dress she was wearing during the luncheon with the pontiff.

 

 “Kini akong sinina nga gisuot kadtong nagkita mi ni Pope Francis, I will preserve this. Dili na ni nako suoton hangtud sa hangtud kay hunahuna nako holy nani. Naapil nani nga holy sukad nagkita mi ni Pope Francis,” shared Veneranda. 

 

How were you blessed by the pope?

 

***

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Pope Francis is smiling!

Pope Francis is in the Philippines.

 

The world is watching.  We are all praying.

 

I feel so happy and blessed with the presence of Pope Francis. I have followed his every move from the time his papal cap flew away till his arrival at the Apostolic Nunciature, his trip to Tacloban and today’s outdoor mass in Manila.

 

Sights and sounds in Bohol amid Pope mania
 in Philippines.- LPU 

I like the attitude and smile of the Pope. His smile is pleasant and genuine. His smile is just co contagious.

 

Since Thursday, the Pope mania has hit the road, cyberspace and the airwaves.

 

In Bohol, some kids brought flags and papers with messages “Welcome Pope Francis,” and “We Love you Pope Francis” while St. Joseph Cathedral's bells pealed to welcome the Pope.

 

It’s business for Edgar delas Eras who sold pope-inspired souvenir items in front of the St. Joseph Cathedral in Tagbilaran City.Key chains, button pins, mugs and posters with the pontiff’s pictures were some of the mementos being sold by delas Eras while there’s a free public viewing of the Pope’s arrival at the church’s entrance.  

 

There’s even a Pope Francis standee at Print All You Can (beside Our Deli Bread) in front of the UB Founders Building in Tagbilaran City.

 

In Manila, some Boholanos were lucky to see the Pope in person.

 

“Surreal. Unexplainable. Magical,” said Engr. Aprimel Lupot when she saw the Pope along Finance Road, going to Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. “I cannot describe the feeling of being so close to Pope Francis even for just a few seconds. Such an unforgettable moment. It's like I'm closer to God or something. I love you, Pope Francis!”

 

Lupot had told herself, "I have to see him!" It took her 10 minutes to make her way to Quirino Avenue. She even paid P150 for the pedicab.

 

“I guess I was lucky. I squeezed my way thru the crowd and into the center island of the street. About 25 minutes after, the Pope passed the crossing of Roxas Boulevard and Quirino Avenue. Everyone was cheering loudly. The pope mobile was too fast. All my pictures were blurred. It was a momentous 3 seconds seeing Pope Francis on his customized Isuzu D-max pope mobile,” narrated Lupot. 

Such an unforgettable moment: Pope Francis in Philippines. Courtesy: Engr. Aprilmel Lupot

She said, “My knees went numb. I can hardly catch my breath after the cheer of excitement I made. The hair all over my body stood up. Goosebumps! So that is how it feels to see the Pope!”

 

For the second time, Lupot saw the Pope with another Boholano JP Maslog. They called themselves “Popestalker.”

 

“This time, I had to step backward and allow my fellow ‪‎PopeStalker JP Maslog experience the crowd and see the Pope up close. As expected, he cried, turned cold and his knees were numb. The usual goosebumps when you see the Pope.”

 

Engr. Aprilmel Lupot and JP Maslog have to endure
everything just to see the Pope in Manila. Courtesy: Ape Lupot

JP Maslog also shared his experience, “So this is how it feels to see the Pope... I cried and I cannot explain why!”

 

The Pope had been a few feet away from couple Benjie Oliva and his wife lawyer Joan.

“Honored to have joined the crowd of Catholic faithful today at SM MOA and Roxas Boulevard to experience a personal encounter with Pope Francis, the vicar of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth,” said Oliva. “Father in Heaven bless the Pope and the Filipino people.”

 

Hundreds of thousands showed up for the Pope including Engr. Dionisio Neil Balite who was at MOA Arena to join the “Encounter with Families” with the Pope.

 

On Saturday, amid the storm threat, Pope Francis didn’t cancel his trip to Leyte. Pilgrims didn’t mind the cold weather and mud-filled road as they waited for the Pope.

 

Although the 160 Boholano pilgrims were not able to make it to Leyte due to typhoon Amang, there were some Boholanos who were among the thousands of people who braved the strong winds and rainfall to catch a glimpse of the Pope. 

 

Taclobanons were in tears as they listened to Pope Francis' impromptu homily that struck a chord with many, voicing compassion for their plight and encouraging them to look for Jesus’ love.

 

“I’m here to be with you. A little bit late I have to say, but I’m here.”

 

"I come to tell you that Jesus is Lord and he never lets us down..."

 

"Let us look to the Christ on the cross. He understands us because he endured everything..."

 

"We are not alone. We also have many brothers, who in this moment of catastrophe came to help you..."

 

The five Boholano quake survivors who
 have a lunch date with Pope Francis
in Leyte. –LPU

"With the power that comes from Jesus on the cross, let us move forward and walk together." 

 

"We have a Lord capable of walking with us in the most difficult moments of our life."

 

After his mass in Tacloban, the Pope went to Palo to have lunch with the Yolanda survivors and five Boholano survivors of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

 

It was last Thursday that I had the chance to interview the survivors before leaving for Leyte.

 

Niza Flores, Saturnino Barace, Jr., Salome Israel, Veneranda Gentallan, and Shirley Bongay-- all of them expressed nervousness and elation at the prospect of meeting with Pope Francis.

 

"Excited jud kaayo nga makauban..dili masabot ang feelings sa dugay pangandam naabot na gyud ang panahon.," Flores said.

 

"Wala ko makatug gabii sige hunahuna bah. Dili masabot akong gibati nga makakita ko niya personal nga naa siya sa akong atubangan," explained Barace.

 

“I feel so much nervous na,” said Israel.

 

Bongay was “I'm glad to meet the Pope,” while Gentallan said, “I am very excited unya gikulbaan.”

 

Israel brought a nipa hut (accentuated with a small guitar) souvenir for the Pope. She explained that it symbolized her family's struggle to recover from the earthquake.

 

"This is very meaningful. This nipa hut means we are not yet totally recovered after the earthquake," she said.

 

Fr. Felix Warlie Salise Jr. of the Diocese of Tagbiliran said that while they were not left whole by the Bohol earthquake, they survived the tragedy and lived through the destruction.

"Sila itong nag-survived sa dihang naglinog naguba ang ilang balay pinuy-anan, uban kanila naputlan og mga kamot, pero nabuhi sila ug sila matawag natong victim survivors," Salise said.

 

The five survivors were accompanied by Fr. Areston Limocon, parish priest of St. Augustine Church in Sagbayan.

 

I’d asked Israel to give my personal letter to Pope Francis during their lunch date. As of this writing, there’s no feedback from the five if Israel was able to give it to the Pope. But I am hoping....

 

When I saw on TV that the Pope had lunch with them and the other Yolanda survivors, I whispered, “May they finally find peace and comfort with the Pope.”

 

After lunch, Pope Francis was forced to cut short his trip to Leyte due to an incoming typhoon.

 

May Pope Francis continue to smile and spread his message of mercy and compassion.

 

***

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