MY EMCEEING GIGS: HOW IT ALL STARTED

It all started in September 1989.                        

As the reluctant elected president of the English Club of the then Divine Word College now Holy Name University of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, I had the dreaded task of emceeing the Opening Program for the week- long English Days celebration in school as requested nay insisted by our dear Dr. Ester Sajulan, then the English Department Chairperson

I was truly petrified with the whole experience for it was to be my very FIRST emceeing stint. I remember that it was my beloved mentor Prof. Rose Rara- Sarabosing who stayed with me near the podium and who kept feeding me the lines to say and what not to say. 

I survived that ordeal. 

The next few hosting jobs assigned to me were now lapped up with gusto. Of course, there were lapses and some obvious faux pas that were greeted with sneers and jeers
Looking back, I feel grateful and very lucky indeed to have been given the chance to make mistakes in front of peers and mentors while trying to fine tune my public speaking skills

Years of hosting experiences haven't totally changed the real me. Underneath the seeming cockiness and self- assuredness is a bashful and timid person who is not comfortable with crowds.

The evolution to be the best that I could be is a lifelong process and right now, my greatest and fondest wish is to be given the chance to share whatever lessons I have learned about hosting to the next generation of upstarts who will soon take over

Almost a quarter of a century and we're still at it

Thank you God for the gift

987 VIEWS SINCE I STARTED LAST WEEK

almost there !

987 views already

about to hit the thousand mark!!

keep viewing and thanks much!

Goodbye My Friend

I have been in a state of catatonia since I received the devastating news yesterday morning that a good friend of mine has just passed away

I am grieving and I am so saddened by his untimely demise. Mind you, it's not pro forma grief but real pain and anguish

Early last year, just before the 10th year bash of his swinging Oops! Bar which is ideally located right smack in the middle of the entire Alona Beach stretch, we had a falling out. It was a simple, petty misunderstanding that soon blew out of proportion. Add some intrigues here and bloated egos there and it was a point of no return. Some well- meaning friends tried to step in and intervene but these were simply exercises in futility

Crossing paths in a very small community where everybody knows everybody became an acid test for civility. Exchanging dagger looks and giving each other the cold shoulder treatment became a common occurrence that it soon bordered on the comical. But what's funny about losing a friend? The wedges between us became so deep that it became clear to those in the know that it was impossible for us to become friends again. 

I thought I had moved on. I thought I had everything covered. I was coasting along with my second lease on life when the call came yesterday morning

Right now, I am so distraught and my heart bleeds for dear Uly with whom I shared a lot of personal and private triumphs, the small intoxicating doses of hedonism and his constant advice on how to live a worry- free life. He is gone now and I really regret that I wasn't able to say sorry and for not telling him how wonderful he was as a friend

DURING HAPPIER TIMES. Hosting the special events in Uly's place was something that I always looked forward to like his Puey Quinones Fashion Show in 2009 

Alona Beach in Panglao Island, Bohol would never be the same again. Long before event planning was in vogue in Bohol, Uly was already the master planner. He was a wiz when it came to events and especially when it has something to do with creating noise and making waves. 

The signature pose, his boisterous laughter and his witty punchlines ...all these would be memories from now on. 

I'm sure right now as I am blogging this very minute that Uly is up there and peering down from where he is ensconced, he is asking "My oh my, what's the big fuss dahleeng?" 

Uly, sleep tight now. 

Goodbye, my friend...

Miss Bohol Winners: The Early Years 1941 to 1978

You may not realize it but the Miss Bohol Pageant has been with us for so many decades already. This blog feature is based on the initial results of our research.

1941 Miss Maribojoc  Paula Baura Raagas

1950 Miss Maribojoc Felomina Redulla Chiu

1957 Miss Calape Olivia Solis  

1968 Miss Sevilla Theoprolia Clarin- Parras

1968 Miss Tagbilaran Emma Mumar

1976 Miss DWCT Lou Minoza

1977 Miss Tagbilaran City Ellen M. Campbell

1978 Miss DWCT Geraldine Galang

1941 Miss Bohol

The first- ever Miss Bohol titleholder Paula Baura Raagas who was crowned back in 1941 eventually became a mayor of her town Maribojoc. 

1950 Miss Bohol

Felomina Redulla Chiu of Maribojoc was born on August 2, 1931. She was the youngest and the only girl of six siblings. Her male siblings are the owners and proprietors of the famous 5 Brothers Store in Maribojoc, Bohol. She was crowned Miss Bohol 1950 at the age of 19.

1957 Miss Bohol

Olivia Solis, the 1957 winner became famous for the Visayan serial radio drama song "Dawata na Olivia" which was composed especially for her. I had the chance to see her in person and introduce her to an adoring hometown when she graced the 2000 Miss Calape Pageant which I emceed.Indeed, she has the looks and elegance of a classic Hollywood movie star.

 

1962 Miss Bohol

 Although she was not officially crowned as a Miss Bohol, she nevertheless carried the sash “Miss Bohol” in the 1962 Miss Philippines Pageant where she placed 2^nd Runner Up. Her name? Adelia Canda of Batuan.  

Delia has the distinction of being the first Boholana to place in a national beauty pageant when she was selected as Miss Visayas or 2nd runner up to Cynthia Ugalde.

L-R: 3rd RU Juliet Pardo Picar, 1962 Miss RP Cynthia Ugalde, 2nd RU Adelia Canda
Not in photo: 1st RU Lalaine Bennett

 Delia's batchmate is the first Pinay to enter the Miss Universe Top Five

Her pageant batchmate Lalaine Bennett who finished as 1st RU competed again the following year. Lalaine’s efforts and determination paid off. She won the crown in her second attempt and made history as the first Filipina to enter the Miss Universe Top Five when she was selected as 3rd runner up to Miss Brazil.

1968 Miss Bohol

The 1968 Miss Bohol that was organized by the Bohol Jaycees selected the province's bets to the 1968 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant.

Theoprolia Clarin and Emma Mumar were Bohol's bets to the country's most prestigious pageant Miss Mumar was declared one of the 15 semi- finalists in the 1968 edition of Bb Pilipinas . 

Miss Clarin & Miss Mumar during the 1968 Bb. Pilipinas Poolside Presentation


 

Emma Mumar (3rd from right) is a 1968 Bb Pilipinas Top 15 Finalist   

 TODAY: That's Emma Mumar- Campbell (in black & white stripes

The Most Beautiful Boholana (1976, 1977 & 1978)

The Miss Bohol pageant was relaunched in 1976 after a brief hiatus in the early 70's. It became known as the Search for the Most Beautiful Boholana  and ran from 1976 to 1978.

The then Divine Word College now Holy Name University had the most success during those three years with two winners and a runner up. Although the 1977 winner represented the City of Tagbilaran, she was a BS Commerce student of the said school

1976 Most Beautiful Boholana

 Lou Minoza (the girl in the green gown)

When the Miss Bohol Pageant was relaunched as The Search for the Most Beautiful Boholana, the winner was Divine Word College's bet, Lou Minoza.

 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana

In 1977, a tall and svelte 18 year old named Ellen Campbell who represented Tagbilaran City was crowned the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana in the province- wide search that attracted 34 beauties representing towns, the capital city, schools and civic & business organizations.

The candidates first came out in shorts (swimsuits were a big NO then for conservative Boholanas) then in evening gowns.

From 34 ladies, the field was whittled down to 15 semi- finalists before the final seven were called

Her 1st Runner Up was Miss DWCT Antoniette Biloy. 2nd Runner Up was Angie Pepito, Miss Rotary Club of Tagbilaran.

Rounding out the Top Seven were 3rd RU Miss Tubigon Teresita Baura, 4th RU Miss G- Hernandez Corazon Ranario, 5th RU Miss Loon Carmelita Taylaran & 6th RU Miss Jagna Agnes Abrenilla

1977 Most Beautiful Boholana

A recent picture of U.S.- based Geraldine "Gigi" Galang 

In 1978, the pageant was won by the candidate from Divine Word College, very lovely and delicate- looking Geraldine Galang whose family roots are traced to Carmen town, home of the world- famous Chocolate Hills.

An interesting trivia:

Ms. Galang officially became Miss Divine Word College in 1979 and Angie Pepito, the 2nd RU in the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana Search was her 1st Runner Up.  

Please CLICK for the Miss Bohol Winners: 80's & 90's Decades

OF MASKS & MAQUILLAGE

It's really hard 

To show everybody how you feel.

Scared of letting them know what’s bothering you…

Sometimes lying would be an excellent remedy 

To overshadow the tears from your eyes

You hide the pain by smiling

You hide the tears by laughing

You hide the sadness by lying

And sometimes you just want to trade your life 

Just to experience a minute of happiness 

That will really change everything….

But the biggest irony of in your quest is 

the more you seek for happiness,

the more you lose it.

1990 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands: Tiffany Matuod Yap

After hitting the twenty year mark as a pageant emcee, I can finally say with conviction that I have met some of the most unforgettable contemporary Boholana beauties who come in different shapes & sizes. 

Let me share my reminiscences on these lovely beauties

Let me begin with the lady who figured prominently in the early years of my pageant hosting sojourn.

Who can forget the former Tiffany Matuod Yap, daughter of Engr. Abraham Yap and Corazon Matuod, a pageant neophyte who won two very important Bohol- based beauty titles?

1989 CAMPUS GIRL SEARCH:

I still remember it vividly. It was the first week of November 1989 when Rene Relampagos, the then interim president of the Bohol Confederation of Youth Organizations (BCYO) called us for a meeting at his office.

The agendum? Organizing and producing the first Campus Girl Personality Search in 1989, an inter- school competition to be participated by Tagbilaran City- based secondary schools, colleges and universities both private and public.

Pulchritude, poise and personality projection were the main criteria with the talent and campus involvement of the candidates as deciding factors as well

The target date for the pageant was December 9, 1989 to be held at the DWCT Gymnasium. eight schools responded to the invitation: the then Divine Word College (both high school & college departments competed) now HNU, PMI, University of Bohol, BIT, Bohol National High School now DCPNHS, and Bohol Wisdom School

Choreographing the pageant was the very talented Alexar Paylado and directorial duties assigned to me. I was also offered the hosting duty with Leni Ingking

Among the candidates who competed were coeds Irma Enerio, Ebelyn Mejares, Felda Magdalunes and Janet Bunda all from DWCT , Damiana Platino and Rose Dalugdug both from PMI and Milvian Borja of UB, the high school girls were Sophia Lorraine Alvarez DWCT HS, Heidi Ingking & Joanna Cheryl "Chewee" Evardone of BNHS now DCPNHS and Tiffany Yap from BWS

Pre-pageant fave was Irma Enerio who was the year's reigning Miss Tagbilaran 2nd RU

During the pageant night, the high school girls shone the brightest from the moment they came out in pompoms and cheerleader outfits and danced to the tune of Bad Boys from Miami Sound Machine . In fact, four of the Top Five Finalists came from the high school level. Best in Gown was Heidi Ingking, Best in Shorts was Tiffany Yap, Best in Casual Wear was Chewee Evardone and Miss Talent was Irma Enerio

Final Results:

Campus Girl 89 - Tiffany Yap Bohol Wisdom School, she was also Best in Shorts, 1st RU - Janet Bunda DWCT, 2nd RU - Sophia Alvarez DWCT HS and she topped the closed- door panel interview, 3rd RU - Heidi Ingking Bohol National High School & Best in Gown. 4th RU & Best in Cocktail Wear was  Chewee Evardone Bohol National High School

Tiffany, the reluctant sixteen year old with no pageant nor modeling experience had beaten the odds and was proclaimed the winner of the first ever Campus Girl search launched in 1989. Her victory wouldn't stop there for she would later on win the Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands crown that was to be launched the following year.

Janet Bunda would be 1st RU in Miss Tagbilaran the following year. Sophia Alvarez would be crowned Miss Tagbilaran 93, Heidi Ingking as Miss Tagbilaran 91 1st RU and Miss Bohol Sandugo 91 3rd RU, Chewee Evardone would be crowned Miss Tagbilaran 91 and Miss Bohol Sandugo 91 2nd RU

1990 MISS BOHOL FIESTA ISLANDS

July 1990. The very first Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant was handled by BCYO, the same group that organized the very successful 1989 Campus Girl Search. Ricky Inting, one of the legendary dancers of his generation, choreographed and directed the pageant. My hosting tandem with Leni Ingking was given the emceeing job.

Tiffany would always be remembered for winning the Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands crown which was officially launched in July 1990. With her second beauty title, she was able to silence her sceptics and had proven that her Campus Girl victory was no fluke nor a luck-of-the draw.

She was to win the first of three consecutive Miss Bohol crowns for Jagna 1990, 1991 and 1992. The record still stands until today

During the 10th year anniversary of Miss Bohol Sandugo in July 2000, Tiffany Yap- Glarino and Winnie M. Lim- Ventulan, 1989 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands title holder who were both invited for the pageant milestone were properly acknowledged moments before the coronation of the new titleholder

Tiffany's runners up in the 1990 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands:

1st RU - Marivic Labado - Miss Tagbilaran City, 2nd RU- Rica Pureza Alas - Miss Baclayon, 3rd RU- Judith Binangbang - Miss Carmen & 4th RU- - Baby Bersaluna- Miss Alicia

Marivic Labado would later be crowned Miss Cebu Doctors College that year and make it the following year as a member of Penshoppe Circle- Batch 1991, then the country's most prestigious modeling search for image models.

            Your Blogger as the pageant emcee in 1990

I would always remember Tiffany for her charming disposition and almost child- like shyness. During rehearsals, she would just stay in one corner, read her books and notes which she always carried with her.

On a personal note, this pageant would be very memorable to me for this was to be the first of so many hosting honors for future editions of Miss Bohol Sandugo. 

Who would have known that I would also be hosting the pageant twenty years after its launching?

Tiffany has retained her beauty queen look two decades after winning her 1989 Campus Girl- Bohol title and her 1990 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands crown

LIFE AFTER MISS BOHOL

Tiffany graduated with a BS Psychology degree from USC in 1996. ,She is married to Glenn Glarino, a professor in Psychology at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City with whom she has three kids, namely; Frankl, 15, David, 13 and Aubrey, 3 years old.

PRESENTLY, she is an HR practitioner connected with Cebu Holdings Inc, a real estate company affiliated with Ayala Land

Tiffany Yap- Glarino today

Year 2015 will mark the 25th year anniversary  of Tiffany's Miss Bohol triumph. I look forward to that day when we could have a reunion with the girls of the 1990 batch 

ON EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS

HEARD ON TV:

Most often than not, the mind tells you "NO" but your heart says "GO"

                     

Why do people play with fire? Is it because man by nature is polygamous? or is it the excitement being pumped up into an otherwise drab existence? It could be the thrill of being caught or one simply seeks refuge from a loveless and empty relationship

Whatever the reasons and before you start pointing out that what I won't know won't hurt me, just be ready to face the deadly consequences and the ugly repercussions of the folly of your actions

Don't say I didn't warn you

Precious Lara Does A Demi Moore

with husband Marco Alcaraz

I came across this striking photo of our country's fourth Miss International titlist and visions of Demi Moore in her birthday suit suddenly swirled in my mind. 

Yes folks, it was Demi Moore's iconic Vanity Fair cover photo in her famous pregnancy pose that started it all and spawned a trend for pregnant celebrity moms to show it off

Back then in 1991, it was a groundbreaking moment in photography and a step forward for women and a proof that pregnant women can be sexy too

The iconic shot that kept the world talking back in August 1991

From Wikipedia:

"The photo shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz had a long cultural and social impact in the U.S.

Many women feel that the rush of celebrities taking pregnant photos has made taking such photos glamorous for pregnant mothers.

As the photos have become more common on magazine covers the business of documenting pregnancies photographically has boomed.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

"Almost fifteen years after its publication, it was listed as the second best magazine cover of the last forty years by the American Society of Magazine Editors"

Your Blogger interviews Lara Quigaman

MISS PANGLAO 2010 SPECIAL GUEST

The 2005 Miss International & 2005 Bb. Pilipinas- INTL titleholder accepted the invitation of Nila Montero, a highly regarded political leader & community figure and now newly- elected town mayor of Panglao, to grace the coronation night of the 2010 Miss Panglao Beauty Pageant

Panglao is considered as the tourism jewel of Bohol, Philippines with its white sandy beaches, excellent dive spots and resorts that range from backpackers' lodges to exclusive havens for the rich & famous

Ms Quigaman is shown in the pic being interviewed by yours truly and Ms. Fiel Angeli Gabin, the pageant hosts

MISS INTERNATIONAL 2005

It was pretty obvious that she wasn't a favorite nor that close to the hearts of the Bb Pilipinas Charities big bosses when she represented the country in the 2005 Miss International Pageant held in Japan

Proof of the matter? She was given mostly hand- me- downs or recycled outfits

She had the last laugh and went home to a heroine's welcome

 Pineapple costume was first worn by
Carla Balingit in Miss Universe 2003

 Her evening gown was first worn by
Maricar Balagtas in Miss Universe 2004

L-R: 1st RU Dominican Republic & 2nd RU Finland

 Reacting with disbelief  after being
declared Miss International 2005

Precious Lara Quigaman, with her gentle yet authoritative voice, well- proportioned figure, dynamic personality and likeable aura, wowed the locals & visitors alike of Panglao during the jampacked pageant which served as the highlights for the town's fiesta

No wonder, she won the prestigious Mikimoto pearl- studded & fur lined Miss International crown from a bevy of more than 60 beauty delegates from all over the globe

LIFE AFTER MISS INTERNATIONAL

On her way to becoming Mrs. Marco Alcaraz

TRENDSETTER

Precious unwittingly set a new fashion trend in international pageantry after she wore a polarizing Michael Cinco gown  during the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant.

Photo Credit:
TheAdobo.com

When Raul Gatal Met Joyce Ann Burton

Bb. Universe Joyce Ann Burton- Titular
relaxes at Alona Tropical Beach Resort

Initial talks for the 2012 Miss Panglao Pageant started in earnest as early as summer of 2012 

We were already brainstorming for the biggest and the most spectacular Panglao fiesta highlight for 2012. 

"We" meant me, SK Panglao Federated Chair Aya Montero and supportive mom Nanay Nila Montero of Alona Tropical Beach Resort fame. 

I broached the idea to the Montero mother & daughter tandem that we invite former Bb. Pilipinas- Universe and Miss Young International Top Ten Finalist Joyce Ann Burton- Titular to be one of the judges for the said pageant. 

I had become fast friends with Joyce through her blogspot: 

Adventures of a Beauty Queen

and I believed that she would make one credible judge for she has been through it all. 

For the record, she is the first Filipina to have won two national beauty titles 

And so after an exchange of mobile numbers and a flurry of emails and FB private messages, we got her acceptance to judge our pageant.  

Joyce Ann's Adventure in Panglao, Bohol

Aya Montero & Nanay Nila Montero

Your Blogger with Joyce Ann Burton & Nanay Nila Montero

Finally, August 29 came and I departed early so I could meet her and her hubby Ron Titular at the Tagbilaran City Airport. I became giddy and uptight when it dawned on me that I was finally going to meet one of my favorite Pinay beauty queens!

What amazes me about Joyce is her pleasant disposition, tact & diplomacy and her penchant for small talk. 

She had none of the diva attitude and primadonna ways usually associated with high profile personalities and newsmakers. 

We just hit it off & really got along well.

Joyce Ann truly is a beauty inside and out.

JOYCE ANN BURTON'S BEAUTY QUEEN DAYS

Joyce was a tomboyish 13 year old when her mom entered her in the 1981 Miss Young Pilipinas Pageant, official preliminary to select the country's bet to the 1981 Miss Young International Pageant which at that time was being held in Manila, Philippines.

To her pleasant surprise and amazement, she was selected as the winner and went on to place as one of the Top Ten Finalists in the international pageant

Joyce Ann Burton reacts after winning the 1981 Miss Young Pilipinas crown

 Joyce Ann Burton with fellow Asians during Miss Young International Pageant

JOYCE ANN IS PHILIPPINE BET FOR MISS UNIVERSE

 Joyce Ann Burton with the 1985 Bb Pilipinas Queens

Four years after representing the country in the Miss Young International Pageant, Joyce Ann was egged on by both her mom and her mentor, Mama Renee Salud, to join the 1985 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant which at that time enjoyed a round of positive news after the reigning Bb Pilipinas Maria Desiree Verdadero emerged 3rd Runner Up in the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant held in Miami, Florida, USA.

The captivating 18 year old beauty held her own against a field of competitive beauties and was declared the country's bet for Miss Universe that year

She may not have made the first cut but the experience helped her land modelling gigs both here and abroad and TV shows

Joyce Ann Burton is Bb Universe 1985

Miss Philippines Joyce Ann Burton greets everyone  
Mabuhay! during the 1985 Miss Universe Parade of Nations 

Joyce Ann truly is a beauty inside and out.

What a pleasure meeting the quintessential beauty queen of my generation

And the next time you board Cebu Pacific and you hear a soothing voice reminding you of the flight's safety reminders, it is Joyce Ann Felosias Burton speaking to you

She is also a professional voice talent, a news anchor for RPN 9's Newswatch and does all the V.O.'s of 2nd Avenue

with Joyce Ann Burton the quintessential beauty queen of my generation 

two of my favorite pageant bloggers, Joyce Ann Burton 

& Norman Tinio of  normannorman.com