Miss Manila is Miss Philippines Earth 2015

Who would have thought that the girl who was disqualified after failing to attend the Miss Philippines Earth 2015 Welcome Party & got reinstated later would be crowned the country’s official bet to the 2015 Miss Earth Pageant?

 Angelia Ong is Miss Philippines Earth 2015
Photo Credits: Rappler

It was a dramatic yet well- deserved win for Angelia Ong who represented the City of Manila. Of course, aside from her dusky & charming Filipina features, Angelia’s previous pageant experiences that included Bb Pilipinas 2011 gave her the polished stage presentations.

 

L-R: 4^th RU Iloilo City, 2^nd RU Bago City, Ms Phil Earth is Ms Manila,
1^st RU San Antonio, Nueva Ecija 3^rd RU Siniloan, Laguna

 Named to her Elemental Court were Miss Philippines  Air 2015 Chanel Olive Thomas of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Miss Philippines Water 2015 Catherine Marin of Bago City, Miss Philippines Fire 2015 Carla Valderrama of Siniloan, Laguna & Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2015 Jona Sweett of Iloilo City.

Luzon had three girls in the Top Five followed by the Visayas with two girls.  

Congratulations!

THE TOP FIFTEEN

The Top 15  were: (in random order)

1. Baguio City

2. Cagayan De Oro City

3. Dinalupihan, Bataan

4. Sta Cruz, Laguna

5. Guinobatan Albay

6. Mandaue City

7. Bago City, Cebu

8. Iligan City

9. San Antonio, Nueva Ecija

10 Iloilo City

11. Siniloan, Laguna

12. Misamis Oriental

13. City of Manila

14. Cabanatuan City

15. Lipa City

Luzon had 9 semifinalists, Visayas and Mindanao had three each. Hot favorites like Miss Villasis, Pangasinan, Miss Makati, Miss Ormoc City, Miss Badian, Cebu & Miss Quezon City didn’t make it. Our candidate from Bohol also didn’t make the Top 15. 

THE TOP TEN:

The list was further trimmed down to the Top Ten and those who made it were:

1.Manila City

2.Bago City, Cebu

3.San Antonio, Nueva Ecija

4. Guinobatan, Albay

5. Iloilo City

6.Siniloan, Laguna

7.Sta Cruz, Laguna

8.Misamis Oriental

9.Cayagan de Oro

10. Cabanatuan City

Officially out of the running were Baguio City, Dinalupihan, Bataan , Lipa City, Mandaue City & Iligan City

Luzon had six girls in the Top Ten, Visayas & Mindanao had two girls each.

An Awesome Stay at Bluewater Panglao Resort,Bohol

Summer has come and gone. It has been a blur of activities for Your Blogger as gigs & commitments were fulfilled at a frenetic pace. The perfect way to bid goodbye to summer was to check in at the luxurious Bluewater Resort in Panglao, Bohol.

Designed with a contemporary Filipino style that is both modern & rustic at the same time, the resort is definitely a luxurious escape from the urban jungle especially if you're the type who want to relax in an exclusive or private location that is away from the crowds

Everyone was superbly divine from the warm & friendly front desk ladies to the well- trained resort staff who caters to guests’ requests without being too obtrusive.

                                             Lagoon- shaped pool


 

After a refreshing welcome drink, Your Blogger went straight to his ground-level Deluxe Poolside room that has a private veranda & just a couple of steps away from the inviting pool.

  

The twin beds were so soft & comfy that it took just a little before midnight to snooze to Dreamland. Your Blogger woke up feeling refreshed & rejuvenated. Would have loved to curl in bed just a little bit more but a famished tummy made it impossible. 

The buffet breakfast at the Aplaya restaurant that overlooks the pristine waters of Panglao was a heavenly treat with the freshly- baked bread, fresh fruits, native chocolate & brewed coffee and Filipino breakfast favorites.

Although it was just a brief respite, the blissful experience lingered and you bet, I would definitely come back. Bluewater Resort in Panglao, Bohol is where earth & sky meet and exactly what busy bodies like you and me need. 

Miss Philippines Earth 2015 Grand Coronation Tonight! Good Luck Gayle!

BOHOL’S BET: Gayle Garces Yu

After two months of grueling pre- pageant activities, sponsor visits, tours, rehearsals, appearances, challenge events, environmental awareness seminars & clean- up drives, Miss Philippines Earth 2015 will culminate tonight with a grand coronation that befits the pageant’s Crystal Year Anniversary. 

Our very own Gayle Suzette Garces Yu goes head-to- head with 37 other earth princesses during the grand finale at the Mall of Asia Arena & telecast live over ABS CBN Channel 2.

Regardless of the outcome, Gayle has been a wonderful representative of Bohol and managed to cope with the rigorous demands of the pageant.  

Will Lady Luck smile at Gayle tonight? 

We await with bated breath.  Good luck Gayle!

Happy Birthday to Miss Bohol 2001 Vanessa Aumentado!

 Sandugo Street Dancing Chair Carmen Gatal,

Vanessa & Your Blogger

BIRTHDAY BELLE

Belated  happy birthday to my good friend Ms. Vanessa Cadorna- Aumentado who turned a year older but wiser last May 21. 

Almost everyone knows that the lovely Vanessa is the spouse of Congressman Aris Aumentado & the mom of Lawrence & Lance but only a few know that she once reigned as Miss Bohol Sandugo 2001, a title she assumed being next in line after the original winner wasn’t able to finish her reign.

She later met her future in- laws during the 2002 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant when she crowned the new queen together with the late Gov. Erico Aumentado & former First Lady Greenie Aumentado.

To Vanessa, Long May You Reign! Cheers!

Bohol Wins Big In Intl Floral Design Tilt

And here’s some good news from the ongoing Royal Floria Malaysia International Flower and Garden Festival being held in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The Philippines, represented by our very own Joseph Ven Dumadag & Michael Yu of Blue Grass Project & assisted by Glenn Varquez, was declared Grand Champion in the Body Flower Competition which opened the week- long international floral design competition & exhibition.

Blue Grass Project is the florist of choice for most Bohol- based wedding planners & event coordinators.   

 Winning Entry: The Lady Bug

Aptly named “The Lady Bug”, the floral artwork modeled by Janice combined orchids, wicker sticks from Bohol & ficus lyrata that was brought all the way from Aliguay, Maribojoc, Bohol.

A positive first impression among the jurors, observers & organizers, I must say. Congratulations & thank you for showcasing Boholano artistry in the global arena! Cheers!

 The tandem poses with Malaysian supermodel Amber Chia

Mr & Ms Olive C 2015 National Finals

The fifth annual edition of Mr. & Ms Olive C Model Search has been concluded with the proclamation & coronation of this year’s winners. Bohol was represented by the triumvirate of Alexandra Bangcaya, Geraldine Topsnik & Carlos Alfonso Cerquis who represented the clean, wholesome image of young Boholanos.

Although the highest placement was the Top Ten finish of Carlos in the male category, we are still proud nevertheless of the splendid performances of these young Boholanos. They did their best but in the end, as I always reiterate, winning is dependent also on luck, timing, destiny and the tastes of the judges & organizers.

May the national finals be a memorable learning experience for these three teenagers.

Cheers and good luck in your future endeavors! 

Photo Credits: Lito Caleon

Shawarma Returns with a Bang in Bohol

Have you been to the newly- opened Babeng’s Shawarma? It is located right at the corner of Gallares & B. Inting Streets in downtown Tagbilaran City. 

You couldn’t possibly miss the place for two reasons; the place is done in colorful and vibrant colors that seem to leap out and secondly, the long queues that patiently wait for their shawarma.

So what is this Shawarma? Well, for those who have been hibernating in a cave these past few years, Shawarma is a lot like a taco or a nacho but so different in many ways.

Shawarma refers to thinly sliced cuts of meat, like chicken, beef, goat, lamb, and sometimes turkey, rolled into a large piece of flatbread or pita that has been steamed or heated. Inside the pita, foods like hummus, tahini, pickles, vegetables, and even French fries are added.

Your Blogger eats a mouthful while Christian Montanez shows off his take out

In the case of Babeng’s Shawarma, it has lots of onions, fresh cabbage & green tomatoes. Think of shawarma as a taco or burrito Middle Eastern style.

 check out the long lines

So what makes it tick? I guess it has something to do with its novelty, its very affordable price plus a secret ingredient that makes one crave for more

BABENG'S SHAWARMA STORE HOURS

Babeng’s Shawarma opens 2 pm- 7 pm daily

SHAWARMA VARIETY	PRICE
Regular Beef Shawarma	P30
Beef Shawarma w/ Cheese	P35

Meet Baby Girl Babeng who inspired dad JP Maslog to open his shawarma business 

Highlights of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran's Santacruzan 2015

It was a sight to behold at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral a few days ago. In fact, it was more than enough to dispel the searing heat & the humidity. 

A bevy of lovely sagalas in Filipiniana terno and in costumes based on Biblical characters was getting ready for the colorful yet solemn procession that was to follow the holy mass that honored Blessed Virgin Mary.

 ROTARY’S TRES MARIAS: Mayelle, Gen & Angie

It was the highly- anticipated Rotary Santacruzan, the annual fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran and based on a beautiful traditional religious activity that celebrates the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great.

 Floral offering for Mama Mary

NIGHT WITH THE QUEENS

  Photo Credits: Kenny June Requeron

The affair wrapped up later in the evening with the dazzling parade of civic- minded ladies that were composed of beauty queens, socialites, debutantes & philanthropists and was capped with the spectacular Coronation Ball held at the Bohol Cultural Center.

THIS YEAR’S SANTACRUZAN QUEENS

 Pres. Elect Mildred Kascher, Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto, Gov. Edgar Chatto & Club Pres. Nerio Zamora IIRotarian Gen Jamisola is Reyna Emperatriz 2015

The fabulous & elegant Rtn. Genevieve Jamisola who reigned supreme that evening was crowned Reina Emperatriz by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto. Presenting the floral bouquet & certificates were Club President Nerio Zamora II and Pres. Elect Mildred Kascher

  reigning Miss Bohol 2014  Queenie Melody Fullante
Reyna Elena 2015 

   Lady Jane Cajes crowns Queenie while Mayor Baba Yap smiles 

Reigning Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante who was escorted by Principe Constantino Lucas Ervin Gulle was crowned Reyna Elena by City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, a Rotarian himself, and First Lady Jane Cajes-Yap. Assistant Governor Victor Bantol, President and Resident Manager of Bohol Limestone Corporation presented the certificate while PASG, PP, and Current Executive Secretary Louella Bantol handed the floral bouquet.

 PP Angelina Vidas Hoffman  exudes charm & femininity

Queen of May 2015

PP Angelina Vidas Hoffman was crowned the Queen of May for embodying the traditional feminine qualities by RC Tagbilaran Vice-President Rey Collin Jubac and PP Cynthia Pedralba. Perfect for the title for May is the most beautiful month of the year & the time when all the flowers are in full bloom 

  Rtn. & JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills Pres. Mayelle Jubac
Reyna de los Flores

Rtn. & JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills President Ma. Eva Eleanor Jubac who looked ultra feminine in her evening gown was fittingly crowned as Reyna de las Flores with a floral coronet. The floral coronet, bouquet & certificate were presented by PN Tony Maquindang & Rtn. Georgina Maquindang.

PE Mildred Kascher, Mrs. Cynthia Chua & PP Peter Chua Jr, Chair of the Council of Past Presidents

crowns Rtn. Isabelita "Lalay" Omac as  Reina del Mundo 2015

Rtn. Isabelita “Lalay” Omac was crowned Reyna del Mundo by the Chair of the Council of Past Presidents PP Peter Chua Jr. and spouse Cynthia Chua

PROMISING PRIMA BALLERINAS

A delightful and a pleasant surprise in the evening was the special participation of Jagna Ballet Center dance students who dazzled everyone including Your Blogger with a set of classic ballet dances. 

  Santacruzan  Project Chair PASG, PP & Exec Sec Rtn. Baby Bantol

CHEERS TO THE ROTARY 

 REGAL ROTARIANS: Baby Bantol, Lalay Omac, Gen Jamisola, Angie Hoffman,
Mayelle Jubac, Josephine Cayanong & Irena Heberer

Kudos to Club President Nerio “Butchie” Zamora, to Past Sr. Assistant Governor Baby Louella Bantol, Santacruzan Project Chair for the successful event & to the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran for the successful staging of the event. Proceeds will fund the club's service  projects for RY 2015 -2016

  Club Pres. Nerio Zamora II & Jun Pedralba

Special mention to Project Co- Chair President- Elect Mildred Kascher & Committee Members Club Auditor Darlene Bustrillos, Rtn. Josephine Cayanong, PP Irena Heberer & PP Cynthia Pedralba

  Rtn. Sarena Cabagnot & kids  support

Ate Dyza Saco, Reyna delas Estrellas

Your Blogger hosted the event

Formal Outfit: Budz & Bagz 

Thanks also to Club secretary Rtn. John Maraguinot for the details

Related Story: What's the Difference Between the Santacruzan & the Flores de Mayo?

 Santacruzan  Video Highlights by Boris Heberer

 Photo Credits: BabaYap FB Page, Irena Heberer