Southeast Asian Beauties Dominate Miss Grand International 2016, Miss Philippines is 1st RU

It was a one- two- three finish for Southeast Asia in the just- concluded Miss Grand International 2016 Pageant with Miss Indonesia as top winner and Miss Philippines Nicole Cordoves as a close 1^st RU. Miss Thailand made it as 2nd RU

 Ariska Putri Pertiwi of Indonesia wins Miss Grand Intl

Rounding out the top five were Miss Puerto Rico as 3^rd RU and Miss USA as 4^th RU.

 Miss Grand Intl Top Three: Philippines, Thailand & Indonesia

During the crucial final round, the five finalists were asked who they would choose between US presidential bets Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump to ask for help in stopping war and violence. Miss USA and Miss Philippines were loudly booed when they picked Donald Trump. The rest of the finalists picked Hillary Clinton.

The rest of the top ten were the girls from Peru, Ukraine, Macau, Bahamas and South Korea.

 Nicole Cordoves is Miss Grand Intl 2016 1^st RU

 Intro of Candidates

 Swimsuit Competition

 Evening Gown Competition

Congratulations to all the winners!

Theoprolia Clarin of Sevilla: Bb Pilipinas- Bohol 1968

Theoprolia Clarin:  Bb Pilipinas- Bohol 1968

 The year was 1968. It was the height of the swinging 60’s and Bohol’s loveliest ladies were all giddy with excitement. 

The reason for all the hoopla? 

Binibining Pilipinas Charities led by Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta had granted the Bohol Jaycees, then an all- male socio- civic organization, the franchise to organize a local Bb Pilipinas search that would select Bohol’s official representative to the 1968 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant.

That year, a sweet and charming beauty from Sevilla was named Bb. Pilipinas- Bohol 1968 and, along with Emma Mumar, got the chance to represent Bohol in the nationwide beauty search for the Bb Pilipinas- Universe crown held by Pilar Pilapil of Cebu.

 Ma’am Polia is as lovely as the day she was crowned Bb Pilipinas- Bohol 1968


  

 Bb Pilipinas 1968 Poolside Press Presentation

 Bb Pilipinas Borad of Judges included movie queen Susan Roces

On January 4, 1969 barely a year after competing in the national finals, she exchanged lifetime vows with  a Bohol Jaycee stalwart that she met during the Bohol pageant. The debonair and popular Jaycee member was smitten with the beautiful Sevilla lady that he pursued her and the rest is history.

 Ma'am Polia obliges Your Roving Eye with a photo

The name of the lady?  Theoprolia Clarin who is affectionately called Polia or Pol. And the gentleman? He was Mike Parras.

The marital union produced four children, namely; Gerthrude Rizza, Marcel Mikelo, Estelle Liana and Cecile June.

Your Roving Eye is very grateful to the well- bred and very poised Ma’am Polia who graciously said yes to a request for some photos to go with this feature two days before she went back to the United States with her youngest child Cecile June. 

Thanks also to Estelle Liana for the additional info.  

  

The Most Shocking Loss In Miss Universe History

It has been 30 years since the greatest unsolved mystery in the history of Miss Universe unraveled in Lima, Peru. South Africa's Odette Octavia Scrooby had confirmed her frontrunner status when she topped the Preliminary Competition which consisted of Swimsuits, Evening Gowns & One-on- One Interview with the Judges. 

 Highest preliminary scores

She also had the highest average score in the Preliminary Swimsuit Competition followed by England and USA. She was unstoppable going into the Coronation Night and poised to follow Margaret Gardiner’s footsteps and become the second Miss South Africa to win the Miss Universe crown but it wasn't meant to be

ENGAGING INTERVIEW

 with Bob Barker

After the announcement of the Top Twelve where she was the fourth girl to be called, the Interviews came next. The inimitable host Bob Barker asked her about life in the farm, about Peru and if she had tried to catch a llama to add to her list of pets. She showed her gregarious and witty side and managed to snag second place in the Interviews.

second place in the interview segment

SHOCKING SWIMSUIT SEMIFINALS

 the shocking score that ended her Miss Universe bid

It was in the Swimsuit Competition where the journey of Odette abruptly ended. Image For some inexplicable reasons, she was given a dismal score that ranked her 10th among the 12 semifinalists . It was inconceivable that the same set of judges who gave her the highest marks during the Preliminary Swimsuit Competition would deliberately mark her down in that segment of the semifinal round.

Pageant fans speculated that perhaps one of the judges might have punched in the wrong score thus the shockingly low 7.225 average score or perhaps, there might have been a computer glitch.

 Highest score in evening gowns

Odette rallied in the Evening Gown Competition where she emerged as the winner but it was not enough.

When the average scores came out, she lost the fifth and final spot to Miss USA who had 8.181. She settled for sixth place with a heart- breaking 8.172.

Close but not enough to advance to the final round.

I strongly believe that the computer error was the reason why “the highest and lowest scores would be discarded” scoring format was adopted to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Regardless of the heartbreaking and shocking results from the 1982 Miss Universe Pageant, Odette Scrooby would be remembered forever as one of the loveliest candidates to ever grace the Miss Universe stage. 

10:31 by Chef M: A Must Visit Restaurant in Bohol

10:31 by Chef M, one of Tagbilaran’s trendiest & upscale fine dining restaurants, happens to be one of the city’s must- go to restaurants. Barely four months since it opened, it has developed a reputation for its well- trained service crew, inventive cuisine and European art deco interiors.

 with Ian Orillos & Lura Butalid- Veloso

It also owes its present success to its unique soft opening and exclusive food tasting session weeks before it opened its doors to the public. It was a refreshingly different gustatory experience.  

 DOT’s Jo Cabarrus & Hannah Dumaluan came with their hubbies

  Engr. Marcial Tanggaan & Ms. Vina Antopina

  Dominic Veloso & hotshot lawyer Popot Marapao

 Cong. Rene Relampagos & Aimee Relampagos

There was palpable excitement in the air as guests felt that something new was a brewing. Business Ching Relampagos & Wyvren Veloso warmly welcomed everyone to the delightful culinary event and explain the concept behind the novel concept behind the restaurant. 

It was reminiscent of a sneak fashion preview but the sartorial masterpieces were replaced by what Your Roving Eye called as couture cuisine. Brief intros preceded the highlighted menu selections.

Creative presentation. Attractive prices

Delightfully appetizing. 

As we progressed from appetizers to main dish and capped by an amazing dessert surprise, a more relaxed atmosphere pervaded and punctuated by appreciative giggles and witty asides from the select group of guests that included Cong. Rene Relampagos who came with wife Aimee and kids Juan Marcelo & Louise. 

City Vice Mayor Toto Veloso was with wife Lura, ageless Gonzaga beauties Barbara Ong & Purita who came with hubby Joemari Borres, City Councilor Dodong Gonzaga, Bimbo Casenas, top honchos Engr. Marcial Tanggaan & Ms. Vina Antopina, Mark & Jo Phillips, Bohol Bloggers Collective President & BBC stalwarts Babie Sarah Ladeza & Zion Campo were there too. Bohol Tourism Office Head Jo Cabarrus together with Hannah Dumaluan

Your Roving Eye with socialite Barbara Gonzaga- Ong

 City Councilor Dodong Gonzaga, City Vice Mayor Toto Veloso & wife Lura

 Bambi Casenas, Aimee Relampagos, Ching RelampagosKristine Louise & Juan Marcelo Nicole

Bohol Bloggers Collective’s Jo & Mark Phillips,
Babie Sarah Ladeza & Zion Campo 

Gonzaga beauties Purita & Barbara

Dining at 10:31 by Chef M is a gustatory experience like no other. Once guests step inside the lovely European- inspired restaurant, the feeling of warmth and friendliness takes over. Cool pastel colors dominate the entire place and punctuated by the bright & lovely yet tasteful decorative pieces that are everywhere.

The huge windows allow for an unobstructed view of San Antonio de Padua Church and lets in rays of sunshine to stream. By day, the place is so inviting and by evening, the place takes on a cozy and romantic feel.

The verdict? A must- visit restaurant not only for its innovative and creative gourmet dishes & healthy green options but also for its delightful & artsy place and well- trained & friendly service crew

Katiana Ann Butalid Borja for Miss Teen California 2017

A historic first is about to happen in Miss Teen California. For the first time ever, a Boholana born to Boholanop parents is competing in Miss Teen California, the most competitive state pageant. 

If Katiana Ann Butalid Borja gets to win the crown this December 4 2016, , she will represent the Golden State in the Miss Teen USA 2017 Pageant.

Katiana Ann Butalid Borja for Miss Teen California 2017

Let's support and vote online for this pretty Boholana achiever until she reaches the finals of the Miss Teen USA!!

Here's how to support Katiana:

1. Please go to the official FB Page by clicking on the photo caption Katiana Ann Butalid Borja for Miss Teen California 2017 

2. Like her photo in the Miss California Teen FB Page then share

3. Please like also the Miss California Teen FB Page and share.

Let the world know about the Boholano's social networking supremacy!

Daghang Salamat

Rediscovering Bohol

I just rediscovered my home province Bohol through the eyes of two first- time visitors from the United States. Indeed, we are so blessed with our beautiful island paradise that has so much to offer.

Thanks Maria Esmee and her American husband Danny for pointing them out for me.

Playing tour guide, photographer, driver and interpreter all rolled into one was a role that I played to the hilt for you see, Esmee was no ordinary guest. She was a good friend from way way back when we were medical representatives based in Dumaguete City.

Imagine that the last time we saw each other was back in 1996 or a good 20 years!

Here are some of the highlights of our one- day tour in Bohol.

Our first stop was at the old Baclayon Church in Baclayon some nine kilometers from Tagbilaran City

Next stop was at the enchanting Bilar Man-Made Forest in Bilar

 Bilar Man- Made Forest in central Bohol

From Bilar, we were off to see the iconic Chocolate Hills in Carmen. 

Then a pit stop at the Tarsier Sanctuary right inside Bilar man- Made Forest

Then a blast from the past as we stepped inside the ancestral house of a famous and prominent Boholano clan

Then a must- have photo at the Bool Blood Compact Site

Finally, lunch at Amorita Resort overlooking the spectacular Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol.

I must confess that I got a little melancholic as bid adieu to my friends Esmee and Danny but I take comfort in the realization that hey after 20 long years, the friendship is still there!

And by the way, if you want to tour Bohol at your own pace and in the most comfortable and most affordable self- drive vehicles, then choose Bohol FBC Car Rental