Monday, December 12, 2022

Aumentado takes oath as RDC chair

TAGBILARAN CITY-  Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado on Monday asked his fellow elected officials and partner agencies to support him as he led the Regional Development Council (RDC) - Central Visayas being its chairman.

"With humility, I ask for your full support. Please work with me in ensuring that our beloved region achieves sustainability in the areas of food security, economic progress, inclusive growth, shared prosperity, good governance, and better lives for everyone," said Aumentado in his speech after he took his oath of office before Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos at the Ceremonial Hall at the provincial Capitol.

Aumentado was appointed new RDC chairman by President BongBong Marcos last October 19, 2022. He will serve for a fixed term of three years.

He said he did not expect he would again be entrusted with another responsibility.

"I am 100 percent committed to this responsibility-directing Central Visayas towards becoming an even more progressive and united region against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastations of Super Typhoon Odette," he said.

He said major priority programs and projects in Central Visayas will given fair support.

He said he consulted the business sector for their" wisdom" before he assumed chair.

He said his father, the late Erico Boyles Aumentado, who once served as RDC, was his inspiration.

"He onced served RDC beyond the call of duty; I, too, will devote all my heart and mind for our beloved province of Bohol and the entire Central Visayas region," he said.

###



Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado takes his oath of office before Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos as chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) - Central Visayas. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

Friday, November 25, 2022

Marcela Farms opens new feed mill

By Leo Udtohan 

A business magnate in Bohol province is urging farmers to plant corn and cassava due to the commodities’ emerging local market demand.

Marlito Uy, chief executive officer of Marcela Farms, said that local farmers should realize that these crops are potential raw materials for processing and value adding.

"We need five million kilos or 100 million kilos per month of corn. We are willing to help our farmers. We could provide farm equipment and fertilizer to increase their production and we will buy their products," said Uy during the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony of their new Marcela Farms feedmill on Wednesday (Nov. 16) in Barangay Lomangog in Ubay town.

So far, they sourced out corn from Mindanao.

"I asked the provincial government to partner with us in assisting our farmers to increase their inputs. In Bohol, farmers can produce three to four tons of corn per hectare," he added.

Bohol has devoted 45% land area to agriculture with rice as number one staple. It is considered the rice bowl in Central Visayas.  However, there are no more 100 hectares of sporadic and backyard -based corn plantations.

Data from the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (Bedipo) said that rice production  in the province produced 225,548 metric tons or covers 70,117.00 ha of which only 56.11% or 39,346.00 ha are irrigated areas.

In 2018, there are about 11,983 ha of land harvested with corn or 11,216 metric tons. Much of these lands are utilized for white corn production and some lands for yellow corn production.

Being an alternative food for rice, corn is consumed by about 16% of Bohol’s population. The industrial demand for this crop is also increasing, as the livestock sector in the province continues to prosper.

Marcela Farms, part of the Alturas Group of Companies (AGC), has opened the P500-million Marcela Farms feed mill which has the capacity to produce 30 tons of hog and poultry feeds per hour considered among Asia’s few large-scale feed mills. 

The new multi-story structure incorporates top-of-the-line Dutch company Van Aarsen International equipment is the third mill of the company.

The automated feed production line takes care of the intake, grinding, mixing, pelleting, and bagging of animal and aqua feeds.  It serves the dietary requirements of all Marcela Farms’ livestock and aqua operations while utilizing efficient waste management.

The new technology at the mill would help make production workers more efficient and constructive. The company added that the mill is spacious, with abundant warehouse storage and room to work.

“We have been in the agri business for forty years, and it is a crucial part of the success of the Alturas Group. The farm is our main source of livestock for Alturas Malls, providing consistent and high-quality produce for Bohol, Cebu, and other areas,” said Uy.

Marcela Farms serves the food needs -  hogs, chicken, eggs, prawns, fish, and rice of the province and institutional customers all over the country and abroad.

Alongside local food security, Marcela Farms believes that sustainability through environmental protection is a must.  It supports the Alturas Group’s commitment to sustainable practices and technology.

To reduce its carbon footprint, the company operates the biggest solar farm project in Bohol, with a combined capacity of two megawatts.  The excess power is delivered to the local grid as part of the government’s net metering scheme.

Marcela Farms also has a biomass facility responsible for compacting 100% rice hulls used as solid biofuel for industrial plant boilers and as bedding for poultry breeding sites.

Moreover, its organic fertilizer facility has an operating capacity of at least 350 bags a day, while its rendering facility converts 100% poultry plant waste into protein meal for feeds.

Marcela Farms also had the first certified animal-waste biogas in Southeast Asia in 2012.  Two biogas installations are currently operational -  one supplies 1.5 megawatts for the hog farm, and the other provides methane fuel for plant boilers.

The mill also provided jobs to at least hundred of Boholanos.

The event was attended by Governor Aris Aumentado, former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assistant secretary and now provincial administrator Aster Caberte, Bishop Abet Uy, Ubay Mayor Constantino Reyes and officials, San Miguel Mayor Ian Uy, Alicia Mayor Cesyl Balahay, Barangay Lomangog Captain Felix Cutamora, Peter Dejaresco, Dr. Bing Lapiz, farmers' groups and suppliers.

Aumentado said that Alturas has become a part of the lives of the Boholanos and through their different businesses across the province, many have benefitted from the comfort they have provided.

"This project will also help us in the pursuit of agricultural development in our province. Through this, we can aim for a higher production of hog and poultry feeds that will make us a prime producer of the said product," said Aumentado.

He also emphasized that for more raw materials in the production of feeds, farmers can avail from the provincial government the necessary asssitance and loans for the purchase of materials like fertilizers, and also the purchase of their harvests through the buyback scheme.

Caberte said it was only Uy who dared to take the challenge to venture on this kind of business. 

Benedicto Atuel, 65,  a farmer from Barangay Bay-ang in Ubay town, shared that he was happy that Marcela Farms is interested to buy their products.

He said they have assurance that they can sell their product in the market.

As survivor of typhoon Odette that destroyed their farmlands last year, he needed support to bounce back.

As the group approaches its 50th anniversary in 2023, AGC brings forward values unique to the brand, anchored on strategic, sustainable progress and in line with its main slogan, "Serving the community, uplifting lives."

* * *

Sunday, November 20, 2022

100 roses and cake for Imee's belated birthday in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY-  Senator Imee Marcos, the older sister of the President Bongbong Marcos, on Saturday received 100 roses and a cake as a belated birthday celebration from pupils and teachers of Mariveles Elem. School in Dauis town, Bohol.

"I am very, very happy," said Marcos.  "Yun nga medyo masama ang loob ko noon nung 2019, sabi ko may tampo ako sa Bohol natalo ako dito. Masakit ang talo ko number 14 bitin sa 12. Pero di naman ako nawalan ng pag asa," she said in jest.

She turned 67th birthday on Nov. 12.

Marcos gave packs of" Nutribun" featuring her face on the label  to 496 pupils. Nutribun is a bread product introduced by the senator’s late father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Earlier, the senator also attended the distribution of cash aid to 3,000  beneficiaries of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (Aics) amounting to P9 million at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

Each recipient from Tagbilaran City and second district of Bohol received P3,000 each, while recipients from third district will receive their aid tomorrow.

AICS is a government program that serves as a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the recovery of indigenous individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises.

Marcos was accompanied by Gov. Aris Aumentado, Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, Vice Gov. Victor Balite, Tagbilaran City Councilor Mayor Jane Yap, Tagbilaran City Councilor Atoy Torralba, Dauis Mayor Roman Bullen and Dauis Vice Mayor Miriam Sumaylo.

She also thanked the Boholanos who played a big part in helping her brother win the presidency.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

65TH ANNUAL GRAMMY NOMINATIONS KICK OFF HISTORIC SEASON OF CELEBRATING MUSIC

BEYONCÉ LEADS THIS YEAR'S NOMINATIONS WITH NINE AND IS NOW TIED AS THE MOST NOMINATED ARTIST OF ALL TIME; KENDRICK LAMAR, ADELE, BRANDI CARLILE, MARY J. BLIGE, DJ KHALED, FUTURE, TERIUS "THE-DREAM" GESTEELDE-DIAMANT, RANDY MERRILL, AND HARRY STYLES ROUND OUT THE LIST OF TOP NOMINEES FOR FEB. 5 SHOW IN LOS ANGELES

Nominees for the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards have been announced and topping this year's list are Beyoncé (9), Kendrick Lamar (8), Adele (7), Brandi Carlile (7), Mary J. Blige (6), DJ Khaled (6), Future (6), Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant (6), Randy Merrill (6), and Harry Styles (6). With this year's nominations, Beyoncé and JAY-Z are now tied as the most nominated artists in GRAMMY history, with 88. As the only peer-voted music award, the GRAMMY Awards are selected by the Recording Academy's voting membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, composers, producers, mixers, and engineers. The nominees were announced via a livestream on GRAMMY.com.
 
"Celebrating the miracle of music is at the core of everything we do at the Recording Academy and today we are proud and honored to celebrate music's power to lift people up and to bring them together," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. "I'm energized by this year's slate of nominees and how each of them uses their craft to inspire us, and to remind us that music is our universal language. Each of these deserving nominees has helped to provide the world with an incredible soundtrack and is a true testament to how vibrant our entire music community truly is."
 
The final round of GRAMMY voting, which will determine GRAMMY recipients, will take place Dec. 14, 2022–Jan. 4, 2023. The 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards will return to Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sun, Feb. 5, 2023, and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the Telecast, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony® will be held at the Microsoft Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel. The 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy. Ben Winston, Jesse Collins and Raj Kapoor are executive producers, with Raj Kapoor serving as showrunner.

Follow "Recording Academy/GRAMMYs" on TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTok, and LinkedIn, and use #GRAMMYs to join the conversation.

The following is a sampling of nominations from the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards' 27 Fields and 91 Categories. For a complete nominations list, visit www.grammy.com. Media assets from today's livestream are available here.
 
Record Of The Year
"Don't Shut Me Down" — ABBA
"Easy On Me" — Adele
"BREAK MY SOUL" — Beyoncé
"Good Morning Gorgeous" — Mary J. Blige
"You And Me On The Rock" — Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius
"Woman" — Doja Cat
"Bad Habit" — Steve Lacy
"The Heart Part 5" — Kendrick Lamar
"About Damn Time" — Lizzo
"As It Was" — Harry Styles
 
Album Of The Year
Voyage — ABBA
30 — Adele
Un Verano Sin Ti — Bad Bunny
RENAISSANCE — Beyoncé
Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) — Mary J. Blige
In These Silent Days — Brandi Carlile
Music Of The Spheres — Coldplay
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers — Kendrick Lamar
Special — Lizzo
Harry's House — Harry Styles
 
Song Of The Year
"abcdefu" — Sara Davis, GAYLE & Dave Pittenger, songwriters (GAYLE)
"About Damn Time" — Melissa "Lizzo" Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin & Theron Makiel Thomas, songwriters (Lizzo)
"All Too Well" (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film) — Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
"As It Was" — Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon & Harry Styles, songwriters (Harry Styles)
"Bad Habit" — Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Fousheé, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby & Steve Lacy, songwriters (Steve Lacy)
"BREAK MY SOUL" — Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant & Christopher A. Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Easy On Me" ­— Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin, songwriters (Adele)
"GOD DID" — Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts & Nicholas Warwar, songwriters (DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend & Fridayy)
"The Heart Part 5" — Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar & Matt Schaeffer, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
"Just Like That" — Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)
 
Best New Artist
Anitta
Omar Apollo
DOMi & JD Beck
Samara Joy
Latto
Måneskin
Muni Long
Tobe Nwigwe
Molly Tuttle
Wet Leg
 
Best Pop Vocal Album
Voyage — ABBA
30 — Adele
Music Of The Spheres — Coldplay
Special — Lizzo
Harry's House — Harry Styles
 
Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
RENAISSANCE— Beyoncé
Fragments — Bonobo
Diplo — Diplo
The Last Goodbye — ODESZA
Surrender — RÜFÜS DU SOL
 
Best Rock Song
"Black Summer" — Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis & Chad Smith, songwriters (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
"Blackout" — Brady Ebert, Daniel Fang, Franz Lyons, Pat McCrory & Brendan Yates, songwriters (Turnstile)
"Broken Horses" — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
"Harmonia's Dream" — Robbie Bennett & Adam Granduciel, songwriters (The War On Drugs)
"Patient Number 9" — John Osbourne, Chad Smith, Ali Tamposi, Robert Trujillo & Andrew Wotman, songwriters (Ozzy Osbourne Featuring Jeff Beck)
 
Best Alternative Music Album
WE — Arcade Fire
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You — Big Thief
Fossora — Björk
Wet Leg — Wet Leg
Cool It Down — Yeah Yeah Yeahs
 
Best R&B Performance
"VIRGO'S GROOVE" — Beyoncé
"Here With Me" — Mary J. Blige Featuring Anderson .Paak
"Over" — Lucky Daye
"Hrs & Hrs" — Muni Long
"Hurt Me So Good" — Jazmine Sullivan
 
Best R&B Song
"CUFF IT" — Denisia "Blu June" Andrews, Beyoncé, Mary Christine Brockert, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Good Morning Gorgeous" — Mary J. Blige, David Brown, Dernst Emile II, Gabriella Wilson & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)
"Hrs & Hrs" — Hamadi Aaabi, Dylan Graham, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Brandon John-Baptiste, Priscilla Renea, Isaac Wriston & Justin Nathaniel Zim, songwriters (Muni Long)
"Hurt Me So Good" — Akeel Henry, Michael Holmes, Luca Mauti, Jazmine Sullivan & Elliott Trent, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
"Please Don't Walk Away" — PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton)
 
Best Rap Performance
"GOD DID" — DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
"Vegas" — Doja Cat
"pushin P" — Gunna & Future Featuring Young Thug
"F.N.F. (Let's Go)" — Hitkidd & GloRilla
"The Heart Part 5" — Kendrick Lamar
 
Best Rap Song
"Churchill Downs" — Ace G, BEDRM, Matthew Samuels, Tahrence Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Jack Harlow & Jose Velazquez, songwriters (Jack Harlow Featuring Drake)
"GOD DID" — Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts & Nicholas Warwar, songwriters (DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, JAY-Z, John Legend & Fridayy)
"The Heart Part 5" — Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, & Matt Schaeffer, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
"pushin P" — Lucas Depante, Nayvadius Wilburn, Sergio Kitchens, Wesley Tyler Glass & Jeffery Lamar Williams, songwriters (Gunna & Future Featuring Young Thug)
"WAIT FOR U" — Tejiri Akpoghene, Floyd E. Bentley III, Jacob Canady, Isaac De Boni, Aubrey Graham, Israel Ayomide Fowobaje, Nayvadius Wilburn, Michael Mule, Oluwatoroti Oke & Temilade Openiyi, songwriters (Future Featuring Drake & Tems)
 
Best Country Solo Performance
"Heartfirst" — Kelsea Ballerini
"Something In The Orange" — Zach Bryan
"In His Arms" — Miranda Lambert
"Circles Around This Town" — Maren Morris
"Live Forever" — Willie Nelson
 
Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Evening : Live At APPARATUS — The Baylor Project
Linger Awhile — Samara Joy
Fade To Black — Carmen Lundy
Fifty — The Manhattan Transfer With The WDR Funkhausorchester
Ghost Song — Cécile McLorin Salvant
 
Best Música Urbana Album
TRAP CAKE, VOL. 2 — Rauw Alejandro
Un Verano Sin Ti — Bad Bunny
LEGENDADDY — Daddy Yankee
La 167 — Farruko
The Love & Sex Tape — Maluma
 
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
El Alimento — Cimafunk
Tinta y Tiempo — Jorge Drexler
1940 Carmen — Mon Laferte
Alegoría — Gaby Moreno
Los Años Salvajes — Fito Paez
MOTOMAMI — Rosalía
 
Best American Roots Song
"Bright Star" — Anaïs Mitchell, songwriter (Anaïs Mitchell) 
"Forever" — Sheryl Crow & Jeff Trott, songwriters (Sheryl Crow)
"High And Lonesome" — T Bone Burnett & Robert Plant, songwriters (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)
"Just Like That" — Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)
"Prodigal Daughter" — Tim O'Brien & Aoife O'Donovan, songwriters (Aoife O'Donovan & Allison Russell)
"You And Me On The Rock" — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius)
 
Best Americana Album
In These Silent Days — Brandi Carlile
Things Happen That Way — Dr. John
Good To Be... — Keb' Mo'
Raise The Roof — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Just Like That... — Bonnie Raitt

Best Global Music Album
Shuruaat — Berklee Indian Ensemble
Love, Damini — Burna Boy
Queen Of Sheba — Angélique Kidjo & Ibrahim Maalouf
Between Us... (Live) — Anoushka Shankar, Metropole Orkest & Jules Buckley Featuring Manu Delago
Sakura — Masa Takumi
 
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Black Men Are Precious — Ethelbert Miller
Call Us What We Carry: Poems — Amanda Gorman
Hiding In Plain View — Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The Poet Who Sat By The Door — J. Ivy
You Will Be Someone's Ancestor. Act Accordingly. — Amir Sulaiman
 
Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media
"Aliens: Fireteam Elite" — Austin Wintory, composer
"Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn Of Ragnarök" — Stephanie Economou, composer
"Call Of Duty®: Vanguard" — Bear McCreary, composer
"Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy" — Richard Jacques, composer
"Old World" — Christopher Tin, composer
 
Best Song Written For Visual Media 
"Be Alive" [From King Richard] — Beyoncé & Darius Scott Dixson, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Carolina" [From Where The Crawdads Sing] — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
"Hold My Hand" [From Top Gun: Maverick] — Bloodpop® & Stefani Germanotta, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
"Keep Rising (The Woman King)" [From The Woman King] — Angélique Kidjo, Jeremy Lutito & Jessy Wilson, songwriters (Jessy Wilson Featuring Angélique Kidjo)
"Nobody Like U" [From Turning Red] — Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (4*Town, Jordan Fisher, Finneas O'Connell, Josh Levi, Topher Ngo, Grayson Villanueva)
"We Don't Talk About Bruno" [From Encanto] — Lin-Manuel Miranda, songwriter (Carolina Gaitán - La Gaita, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & Encanto - Cast)
 
Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Nija Charles
Tobias Jesso Jr.
The-Dream
Laura Veltz
 
Best Classical Compendium
An Adoption Story — Starr Parodi & Kitt Wakeley; Jeff Fair, Starr Parodi & Kitt Wakeley, producers
Aspire — JP Jofre & Seunghee Lee; Enrico Fagone, conductor; Jonathan Allen, producer
A Concert For Ukraine — Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; David Frost, producer
The Lost Birds — Voces8; Barnaby Smith & Christopher Tin, conductors; Sean Patrick Flahaven & Christopher Tin, producers
 
GREY GOOSE Vodka is the Official Spirits Partner of the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominations.
 
ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.
 
For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on InstagramYouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
 

Monday, November 14, 2022

Boholano wins Great Man of the Universe PH

By Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY-  Joshua Marapao Lillehagen of Bohol was declared as the winner of Great Man of the Universe Philippines 2022, the first edition of the pageant held on Sunday night, Nov. 13 at the Novotel Manila. 
 
"After winning the title, I was in awe. Indescribable feeling. I was trying so hard not to cry on stage, " said the 19-year-old man from Calape town. He bested other 39 candidates from the country and overseas. 

Lillegen also received the “Darling of the Press” award. His video on Bohol province was declared Best in Tourism and Culture Video.

He said joining the Great Man of the Universe Philippines was the smartest thing he has done so far. 

"I think the smartest thing I’ve done so far was joining this pageant Great Man of the Universe Philippines, and gaining exposure and getting back into modelling, which is a passion of mine ever since 2018 when I first started modelling," said Lillehagen who is currently doing his Bachelor’s degree in media and communications in the University of Wollongong in Dubai. 

He dreamed to become an actor. 

"I’ve never actually thought about doing modelling as a kid, however it has always been my dream to get into acting and becoming a big movie star one day. It then became a dream of mine to become an ABS CBN actor too after watching TFC with my Lola when I was a kid," he said. 

He described himself  brave and competitive." I never back down from a challenge and when I do take up a challenge I will do anything and everything to win," he said. 

In Bohol, he won the Sandugo Festival King 2018. 

As a tourist destination, he said his province has so much. 

"Bohol as a whole is an amazing island, and there’s too many places in Bohol that are a great place to visit that I cannot choose one specific place," he said. 

His message to the world:  "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, if you really try, if you really put your heart and soul, plus blood and tears, everything can be achieved."



###


Joshua Lillehagen from Calape, Bohol province has won the first Great Man of the Universe Philippines 2022 held at Novotel Manila on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. Photo: Khim Magtagad/TAN

Boholano medical board topnotcher: Never give up on your dreams

By Leo Udtohan

For 31-year-old Mark Johnuel Matabilas Duavis who placed 10th in the October 2022 physician licensure examination, he wants to stay in the country to serve his fellowmen.

"I would probably stay in the country," said Duavis, a native of Buenavista town in Bohol province. 

He said for the longest time, he wanted to become a physician but his family is just not able to support him financially. 

"Without the help of Department of Health, University of Cebu- School of Medicine and the taxpayers, I could have not realized this dream. Without the scholarship I could never make it to become a doctor. I owe this success to everyone. So paying it forward, I would like to serve the people who have made this dream a big reality," said Duavis, who is also a registered nurse. 

God’s will

Duavis had an average of 87. He shared the same spot with other four passers. He said it was God's will he made it to the top 10. 

"It feels surreal. After the second and third subjects, I already told myself that this is probably not for me, that being part of that list would be too lofty of an aspiration. Answering through the 4th to the 12th subject, I just surrendered everything to Him and allowed him to work His miracles for me. When the results came out, it was a total shock. It really made me cry. It was something beyond my hands. It was His will and His intercession that really made a spot for me in the top 10," Duavis shared. 

Like other examinees, he prepared for the exam.  He began allocating a particular number of hours per day for review especially on subjects that he was not very good at. After clerkship, he went to post-graduate internship where a bigger chunk of his time was dedicated to reviewing for the boards. 

He said it was a monotonous cycle of sleeping, waking up, eating, studying and studying repeated for the entire four months.

Duavis shared that he had no secret in topping the exam.

"I think it was not really much of a secret but I did make sure I follow my schedule. Medicine is such a vast field and there are just so many subjects, specialties and concepts that you need to digest. Sticking to a good schedule and game plan really made a huge difference. Also, I spare an hour in between study periods for meal and nap breaks. I also give time to play with my dog, play the Nintendo Switch and watch something that is not medically related. Somehow it managed to make me sane until the four-month review season finally reached an end. I also made sure to have at least six hours of sleep everyday. You really cannot afford to be sick because it derails your schedule. Nevertheless, the abovementioned, I think, were not really secrets since a lot of medical students that I know have the same gameplan. I also think it probably boiled down to diligence and determination," he shared. 

Pride of Bohol

For the people of Buenavista, Duavis brought pride and honor to his hometown and the province of Bohol.

"Mark is making history as the first topnotcher in physician licensure examination in Buenavista. He is an inspiration to the young people that constant efforts, patience and perseverance, clubbed with strong determination can bring you success," said Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo. 

The mayor said a cash incentive and plaque of recognition will be given to Duavis based on municipal ordinance in 2014.

He will also have his new car as the University of Cebu, Banilad campus continues to reward its board exam topnotchers with brand new cars. 

"The tradition continues. This Toyota Wigo Car, a  gift from our Chairman, Atty. Augusto Go is waiting for our  OCTOBER Physician Licensure Examination board placer Dr. Mark Johnuel Duavis. Congratulations," read the Facebook post of the University of Cebu College of Medicine. 

Valedictorian

Duavis' father Noel, 53, is a school district supervisor in Inabanga, while his mother Marilu, 53, is a public school nurse in  Inabanga and Buenavista towns. 

He has two siblings: Jay Mark, 30, and Myra Lou, 23. 

Duavis finished his elementary at Cangawa Elem. School in his hometown as class valedictorian. At Cangawa National High School, he also graduated valedictorian. 

He studied Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Bohol (UB) while being involved in extra-curricular activities in school and Samahang Kabataan Volunteers Club. He was crowned Mister UB Personality 2009 and first runner-up in Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2009. 

Duavis passed the nursing licensure examination in 2011. He took up Master of Science in Nursing major in Medical Surgical Nursing in 2018 at Cebu Normal University. 

He graduated cum laude and class valedictorian at University of Cebu- School of Medicine. 

He earned his Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management and Development at Ateneo de Manila University, Center for Organization, Research and Development and diploma in Transformation Leadership in Health Communication, Communication for Communicators School managed by Johns Hopkins University Center for Communications Program and Asian Institute of Management- Zuellig Center of Development Management. 

Never give up

He is not new to community health service since he worked as a community health nurse at Department of Health (DOH), he then worked as project associate at Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis and became a training officer at DOH Region VII. 

Duavis plans to get a residency in Internal Medicine.

His advised to students: “Never give up on your dreams no matter how siguro impossible it may seem because once you strive to aspire and do whatever it takes to reach that it will happen.  I do hope everyone will be able to take on the challenge whatever your heart’s desire. Grab it. Life is just once. You don't want to spend the entirety of life regretful for things you have not done or you always wanted to do or not given the chance.” 


* * *

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

 

Getafe residents receive free wheelchairs, medicines from PH Cares

By Leo Udtohan

More than 300 residents here benefited from the medical mission conducted by Pamayanang Handa (PH) Cares and Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City on Thursday.

Reynaldo Arsenio Sr at least travelled 30 minutes from Alumar Island to bring his son to the town's gymnasium where the medical mission was held. 

Arsenio, 63, a fisherman, said he never thought that a medical mission would be conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic halted outreach programs and medical missions. 

His son, Reynaldo Jr, 29, received a new wheelchair, vitamins and hygiene kits. As the youngest of three siblings, Jr was not able to walk nor talk all his entire life after struck with a disease while still an infant. 

"My income is not enough. That's why I'm happy that the medical mission helped a lot.  And they served us for free,” he said in the vernacular.

“We are thankful to municipal government of Getafe for welcoming us to conduct our medical mission. There will be more medical missions scheduled in other towns," said Elmer Francis "Jun" Pasion, chairman of PH Cares. 

Pasion said he was happy that the activity was successful through the assistance of the provincial government led by Governor Aris Aumentado, 2nd district Rep. Vanessa Aumentado, Getafe Mayor Cary Camacho and former Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) administrator Benjie Oliva. Also present during the event was board member Jamie Villamor.

Vanessa Aumentado expressed gratitude to PH Cares and Rotary Club of Pasay Cyber City for delivering the much-needed services to the residents in her district who are not capable of supporting their medical needs