ABS CBN's Cathy Remperas Is Now GMA7's Catherine Rem

CAPTIVATING. CHARMING. CATHERINE. Remember former Kapamilya and now Kapuso Cathy Remperas? After switching networks, the dusky Boholana beauty was rechristened Catherine Rem to signal the new direction that her showbiz career is headed to. 

In Philippine showbiz, the screen name is an important aspect to getting that elusive star wattage. There is something romantic and glamorous about the change of names. It signifies a rebirth and of being reborn.

Catherine is now slowly but surely getting the attention she deserves with a string of high- profile projects under the tutelage of her mentor Direk Maryo J delos Reyes. 

 Kapuso star Cathy Remperas turns twenteen

She considers her scene with acting legend Nora Aunor in Magpakailanman shown on TV a few weeks back as the perfect gift when she celebrated her birthday recently. Cheers to the birthday belle!

DID YOU KNOW THAT Kapuso talents Catherine Rem & Richell Angalot competed during the Miss Bohol International Pageant 2006 Edition? 

 PARALLEL LIVES: Cathy & Rich 

Both ladies would later tread parallel tracks with Cathy becoming an ABS CBN Pinoy Big Brother Housemate in Oct 2009 while Richelle would be chosen as First Princess in GMA 7's talent search "Starstruck" and place as 2009 Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner Up and Miss Talent

  

Lauro "The Fox" Mumar: The Boholano Captain Ball of the Greatest RP Basketball Team

 Legendary Lauro Mumar

DID YOU KNOW THAT a Boholano was the captain ball of the greatest Philippine team ever assembled that placed third behind the USA and Brazil in the 1954 World Basketball Championship of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? 

Their third place finish behind the USA and Brazil produced a bronze medal, the best finish ever by the Philippines in the World Championships and considered truly extraordinary considering that only a handful of countries from around the world had placed in the top three of international basketball sanctioned by the world’s highest governing body in that sport. 

Lauro "Bai" Mumar, (6 March 1924 – 20 December 1990) who is considered as one of the greatest Filipino players of his time, playing alongside compatriot & another basketball  legend Carlos Loyzaga had his early taste of basketball played mostly in makeshift goals & halfcourt games in his coastal hometown of Talibon under the scorching heat of the sun.

In 1946, the 6' 1" center captained the provincial team of the Colegio de San Carlos (now University of San Carlos) of Cebu City to the first post-war Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship in Manila against the battle- tested & powerhouse Manila- based collegiate basketball teams of Ateneo de Manila & the University of Santo Tomas.

Legendary Boholano in the 1951 RP Team


  

Also known as "The Fox" for his cunning & wily ways in the court, Mumar also led the Manila Ports Terminal that swept the 1946, 1949 and 1950 championships of the Manila Industrial Commerical Athletic Association (MICAA) then the country’s major basketball league.

 

 with the late Herminio Silva who coached the 1954 RP Team 

Realizing the importance of a college diploma, he later transferred to Letran College and together with Herminio "Togay" Astorga they formed the famous "Murder Inc." and eventually led the Letran Knights basketball team to capture the 1950 NCAA Philippines championship. Back then, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was the most prestigious basketball league in the Philippines. 

Mr. Mumar had four major international stints. He played for the Philippines that finished 12th in the 1948 Summer Olympics held at London, England, United Kingdom. He later went on to represent the country in two consecutive Asian Games and won two basketball gold medals in 1951 and 1954 respectively. 

1954 RP Team: greatest Philippine team ever assembled

Mumar was later named co-captain with Carlos Loyzaga to lead the national team to the 1954 FIBA World Championship held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The team finished third and captured the bronze medal, the best finish ever by the Philippines in the World Championships 

 Lauro at his prime 

The victory in 1951 was to be the start of an impressive four consecutive basketball gold medals in the quadrennial Asian Games with the Philippines dominating the field in 1954, 1958 and 1962 which would be the last time the country would win the Asiad gold.

When he retired from playing basketball, he was given the honor to coach the Indian national basketball team and later coached the Philippines to a third-place finish in the 1969 Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA Asia Championship).

In 1999, he was honored by his country by being installed in the Philippine National Basketball Hall of Fame alongside his great teammate Carlos Loyzaga.  Aside from being known for owning a good fake and who learned the art of foul- baiting, the quick fox- like Mumar could penetrate tight defenses and was also a good outside shooter. 

His son, Lawrence "Larry" Mumar, who was a collegiate basketball star for UST and later turned into a superb PBA player,  is the former husband of Coney Reyes, and father of L.A. and Carla.

By bringing back the story of Lauro Mumar's extraordinary & exemplary achievement in sports, it is hoped that the present generation of young Boholanos would realize that nothing can stand in the way when you have the sheer talent and backed up by one’s determination and discipline. 

Recalling a Boholana's Victory as Miss USJ-R Cebu

It has been six years since my niece, Nadia Claire Orimaco Urbino, only child of my cousin Penny Orimaco, competed in Miss Cebu 2009. 

Although she didn’t make the Top Five, being selected as one of the official candidates along with Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Kris Tiffany Janson for the Silver Anniversary edition of Miss Cebu was already quite an achievement. 

Kris eventually won the Miss Cebu 2009 crown and went on to win Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 while Rizzini is the ill- fated Miss Tourism International 2012 queen who recently succumbed to complications from lung cancer.

Nadia in her Miss Cebu 2009 Headshot

 

Before competing in Miss Cebu, she was already Miss USJR.  Just like Your Roving Eye, Nadia is also a graduate from Holy Name University High School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. She is a batchmate of Miss Makati 2007 Mayumi Lugod.

Nadia is presently based in Pnom Penh, Cambodia and teaches at The The British Int. School of Phnom Pehn, Cambodia

Isuzu Bohol Welcomes You to Truckfest 2015

From October 26 to 28, 2015, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s undisputed leader in the commercial vehicle segment, will be showcasing the company’s light to heavy-duty vehicles that caters to a wide array of business needs through the  2015 Isuzu Bohol Truck Fest which the company launched yesterday.

 

 Isuzu Bohol: Your Responsible Partner

 

The Boholano business community & the general public are invited to visit Isuzu’s Bohol Showroom along CPG North Ave., Cogon District, Tagbilaran City so they can check out the company’s latest & the largest line- up and body applications of Isuzu Trucks that are sure to take the Boholano entrepreneur and his business to the next level!

Admission is FREE so bring your family, friends and business partners!

Call Isuzu Bohol  at (038) 4120098-99 for details. 

Pinoy Designers Win the Best Gown & Best National Costume Awards in Miss Grand International 2015

Aside from Parul Shah’s impressive showing in the recently- concluded Miss Grand International 2015 Pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, there are two other Pinoys who distinguished themselves in the three- year old international beauty competition.

 Parul Glitters & Glistens Like Gold

The first one is designer Edwin Uy who designed the glittering Muslim Maranao Princess Costume that won for Parul Shah the Best National Costume Award. The golden Princess Urduja- inspired costume set off Parul’s tanned complexion beautifully.

The other designer is Leo Almodal whose fabulous and elegant creation for Miss Japan won for her the Best in Evening Gown award. 

While the award is primarily for how the candidate wore the gown, still the design & the craftsmanship made the difference and made the candidate from the Land of the Rising Sun stand out for sartorial perfection. 

 Japan is a joy to watch in her gown

 Philippines & Japan with Costa Rica, Sri Lanka & India
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations once again to Parul, Edwin & Leo! Your triumph is a testament to the Filipinos’ world- class artistry & creativity.

Miss Dominican Republic is Miss Grand International 2015, Parul Shah is 3rd RU

Dominican Republic won the 2015 Miss Grand International crown in glittering ceremonies held in Bangkok, Thailand. If the senorita from the Caribbean Island nation looks familiar, it’s because she is Anea Garcia who competed earlier at the 2015 Miss USA as Miss Rhode Island and emerged as 2^nd RU.

 L-R: 3^rd RU Philippines, 1^st RU Australia, MGI Dom. Republic,
2^nd RU India, 4^th RU Thailand

Named 1^st RU was Miss Australia  Claire Parker, 2^nd RU India Vartika Singh, 3rd Runner-Up is our very own Parul Shah who also won the Best in National Costume special award for her standout performance in her Edwin Uy creation. 4^th RU is Rattikorn Kunsom from the host country Thailand.

Congratulations to Parul & to the rest of the girls who made the winner’s circle! 

Will It Be a 1-2-3 Punch for the Philippines in Pageantry?

Yes, it will be crowded but definitely it would be the most exciting ever for pageant fanatics out there. Your Blogger is referring to the very tight beauty pageant dates that have been scheduled from December 18, 19 & 20.

 Christi Lynn McGarry
Miss Intercontinental, Dec 18

Miss Intercontinental 2015 has been scheduled on December 18 in Magdeburg, Germany,  Miss World 2015 on December 19 in Sanya, China & Miss Universe 2015 on December 20 in Las vegas, USA.

 Hillarie Parungao
Miss World, Dec 19

International media will be focused definitely on the globe’s two powerhouses in pageantry even as Filipinos await who between Pia and Hillarie will be bringing home the best Christmas gifts for the entire country. Don't discount Christi Mc Garry, the third standout beauty in the trinity of pageants. 

 Pia Wurztbach
Miss Universe, Dec 20

Will it be a third Miss Universe crown, a second Miss World blue tiara or a first Miss Intercontinental title?  

Why Hillarie Won Miss World 2015

MEET THE QUEEN 

Hers is the type of beauty that every Filipino boy would introduce to Mama and rightly so for she is blessed with a perfectly symmetrical face and features that are classically beautiful. 

In fact, she does have a striking resemblance with the highly- respected Filipina beauty queen Shamcey Supsup.

Hillarie Danielle Ang Parungao, the 24 year old model from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya is the first full- blooded Filipina to win the Miss World Philippines crown ever since the Miss World Philippines franchise was awarded to Cory Quirino in 2011.

THE FOUR PRINCESSES Named 1^st Princess was # 14 Marita Cassandra Naidas, 2nd Princess # 21 Mia Allyson Howell, 3rd Princess # 1 Ma. Vanessa Wright and 4th Princess # 12 Emma Mary Tiglao.

 L-R: 3rd RU  Vanessa, 1st RU  Cassandra, Miss World RP 2015 Hillarie,
2nd RU Mia & 4^th RU  Emma

 

OVERWHELMING FAVORITE

Having been given the opportunity to represent the Philippines in an international pageant, Hillarie parlayed the previous pageant experience into a winning strategy that made her dominate the national competition.  

Hillarie during the pageant finals & during the Press Presentation 

Along the way, she scooped four of the eight special titles and topped the Swimsuit, Evening Gown, Fashion Runway & Sports Challenge.  She also got the nod of the corporate sponsors by getting five of the nine sponsors’ awards. 

Some skeptics however question her communication skills and as a pageant critic pointed out, hers would pale in comparison to Mia Howell's candor & wit. But dear friends, contemporary pageants have slowly evolved from churning out inaccessible human Barbie dolls into showing how real & how genuine a beauty queen can be. 

The Q & A in today's pageants which have become more casual and more spontaneous in structure & content is no longer the "Be all & the end all" in deciding who gets the crown. Questions are now used not to measure intelligence but to determine emotional, mental & social maturity of a candidate.

Considered as the most dreaded portion of any pageant, the Q & A should be a pleasant & relaxing experience where the girls can show their engaging & charming personalities.

WHY HILLARIE'S THE PERFECT CHOICE

With the swimsuit competition to be scrapped from Miss World starting this year, focus would definitely be on facial beauty & overall performance and with Hillarie's impossibly perfect  visage and her being the total package, expect her to be installed as a frontrunner for Miss World 2015! 

Savor your victory Hillarie and bask in the adulation of an admiring nation.

Good luck and may you bring home the Philippines’ second Miss World crown.

Happy Birthday Mayor Baba Yap!

If there’s someone who deserves a very happy birthday, it should be Tagbilaran Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap. 

At 38 years old and   the youngest ever to be elected city mayor, he has a supportive clan, a beautiful & supportive wife, a lovable daughter. 

He currently enjoys a high approval rating from the public & riding on the crest of his soaring popularity and very much  admired & respected for his leadership.  

 The fun, spontaneous & loving side of Mayor Yap

Indeed, many would say that the young man has come finally come on his own and has earned the begrudging approval of his detractors, the skeptics & cynics with his remarkable stewardship of the City of Friendship.

 

 who would have guessed that it’s been two years 
since he took his oath as Tagbilaran City Mayor 

Everyone came in droves at the Dagohoy Grand Ballroom of Bohol Tropics to greet the charming and dynamic chief local executive on his special day which fell auspiciously on the last day of filing the certificate of candidacy. 

Will this augur well for a successful reelection bid? Your Blogger says with a tone of finality that Mayor Yap's birthday wish will be realized. 

Happy birthday Mayor Baba!  Cheers and long may you serve the people!

Bohol Child Health Care Advocates Turn Sweet Sixteen

How time flies! It seemed like only yesterday when Bohol’s pediatric specialists organized the Bohol Child Health Care Advocates not only to promote the well- being of young Boholano patients but also to enhance Continuing Medical Education (CME).

  Dr. Emma Dominguez inducts new BCHCA officers L-R: 
Drs Valdez, Maape, Ladesma, Alaba & Amora while 
past presidents Drs Epe, Lim, Ruiz & Lechago look on

Inducted recently as president in simple but meaningful rites at Shang Palace was Dr. Amelia “Ammie” Pondoc- ValdezValdez. The other officers were Dr. Julie Maape, VP, Dr. Erma Abucejo- Ladesma, Secretary, Dr. Cynthia Alaba, Treasurer & Dr. Milet D. Amora, PRO.

  Pres Pondoc inducts new members Drs. Rina, Villaflor, Lim
& Navaja. Not in photo: Dr. Operario

Inducted also as new members were Dr. Maureen Mae Rina, Dr. Reuel Villaflor, Dr. Jean Barbara Lim, Dr. Dubylyn Uy Navaja & Dr. Catherine Operario.

Also seen during the event were Dr. Ria Maslog, Dr. Mimi Bertulfo, Dr. Jean Lim, Dr. Reuel Villaflor, Dr. Duby Navaja, Dr. Arlene Galo, Dr. Suzette Caniga, Dr. Mae Rina, Dr. Jing Sulatra, Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz, Dr. Atet Lechago, Dr. Edgar Epe, Dr. Troy Maape, Dr. Dong Lao, Dr. Lou Lacea, Dr. Maribeth Jimenez.  

Dr. Julia Maape, Dr. Milet Amora, Dr. Sharleen Lim, Dr. Jean Gatal, Dr. Emma Dominguez, Dr. Amy Valdez, Dr. Erma Ladesma, Dr. Cynthia Alaba, Dr. Jelpha Robillos.Past presidents include Dr. Emma Dominguez, Dr. Mutya Macuno, Dr. Marites Lechago, Dr, Ria Teresita Maslog, Dr. Edgar Epe, Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz, Dr. Sharleen Lim

 Nestle medrep & emcee Glen with
Drs. Maslog, Caniga and Amora

On its 16^th year, the organization aims to strengthen its community outreach activities and prioritize further medical education and further updates all for the love & concern for our young kids who are the future of Bohol.

 Doctors can dance up a storm

 J-Ann Talisic sings with Drs. Julie Maape & Arlene Galo