Bianca O. Gaviola is Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017

  Bianca Gaviola: Your Mutya 2017
Photo Credits: Angel Reboy

MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2017

A disbelieving 17 year old Bianca Gaviola of Pob 2 burst into tears after being named Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017 in a glittering fast- paced three  hour coronation night held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium on April 28. 

Aside from the crown and the honor to represent the city of Tagbilaran in the forthcoming Miss Bohol 2017 Pageant, Ms. Gaviola also clinched four of the 15 specials awards and corporate titles that were also handed out. 

She swept both swimsuit and evening gown competitions and was also named Miss Photogenic and Miss Bohol Tropics.

CANDOR & CHARM

Prior to the final round of interviews where she expounded on the role of technology and the role of God in one’s life, she revealed her eloquence and a maturity beyond her years during her casual chitchat with the pageant emcees when she elucidated on the importance of optimism and how one should downplay pessimism or being negative.

 

 Queenebeth crowns Mutya 2017 while
Mayor Baba Yap & First Lady Jane Yap look on
Photo Credits: TJ Medrana Photography

FINAL FIVE

Rounding out the final five were 1^st RU Mary Elaine Cimafranca of Pob. 1, 2^nd RU Alana Mary Magne Ligue of Ubujan, 3^rd RU Mary Hayden Villegas of Booy and 4^th RU Sandra Jele of Manga.

 

3rd RU  Booy, 1st RU  Pob 1, Mutya 2017  Pob 2, 2nd RU Ubujan, 4th RU Manga

 SPECIAL AWARDS:

NAME OF AWARD	WINNER	AREA REPRESENTED
Viewer’s Choice	# 9 Mary Elaine Cimafranca	Poblacion 1
Miss Photogenic	# 4 Bianca Gaviola	Poblacion 4
Miss Congeniality	# 2 Mary Hayden Villegas	Booy
Miss Talent	# 10 Rizza Xenia Cabaluna	Cabawan
Best in Production Number	# 14 Kathleen Claire Tupos	Poblacion 3
Best in Swimsuit	# 4 Bianca Gaviola	Poblacion 2
Best in Interview	# 9 Mary Elaine Cimafranca	Poblacion 1
Best in Gown	# 4 Bianca Gaviola	Poblacion 4

CORPORATE TITLES

NAME OF AWARD	WINNER	AREA REPRESENTED
Miss Globe	# 11 Alana Mary Magne Ligue	Ubujan
Miss Smart	# 12 Darling Jaymecca Perges	Mansasa
Miss South Palms Resort	# 12 Darling Jaymecca Perges	Mansasa
Miss CIGNA	# 14 Kathleen Claire Tupos	Poblacion 3
Miss Renaissance Spa	# 9 Mary Elaine Cimafranca	Poblacion 1`
Miss Bohol Tropics	# 4 Bianca Gaviola	Poblacion 2
Miss Cebu Gems Ambassadress	# 15 Mercy May Salingay	Dao

 And then there were two...

PANEL OF JUDGES

Adding more star wattage to the glamorous highlight of Tagbilaran City’s Saulog Festival was the presence of famous and accomplished personalities in the judging panel that included sports reporter & former junior tennis champ Dyan Castillejo, Misters of the Philippines 2016  Andrea Biondo, Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto, Male model Marx Topacio, 

Philanthropist and honorary diplomat Fernando “Ding” Borja, soccer star player James Younghusband, reigning Miss Earth 2016 Kathryn Espin and top fashion designer Francis Libiran. 

KF Cebu top honcho & pageant mentor Jonas Borces co- chaired the panel of judges with Miss Universe- Philippines 2016 Maria Maxine Mika Medina.

 Three of the pre-pageant faves

PAGEANT EMCEES

Eventologist & celebrity endorser Tim Yap and TV/ movie personality Karylle Padilla hosted the pageant which boasted of one of the most elaborate  set designs for a pageant outside Metro Manila.

Queenebeth bids goodbye to a memorable reign 

CHEERS TO MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2017

A visibly- elated Ms. Jane Censoria Yap, Tagbilaran City First Lady and Mutya 2017 Project Chair expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the resounding success of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017. With Ms. Yap at the helm and with the all- out support  of Mayor Baba Yap and the city, the pageant has been given a total make over and in just four years, Mutya sa Tagbilaran has regained its luster & prestige and is one of the most highly- anticipated highlights of the annual Tagbilaran City Saulog celebration.

The revitalized Mutya search that was revived in 2014 after Mayor Baba Yap was elected as city mayor has produced three outstanding winners. 2014 Geraldine Topsnik who was also Miss Bohol 2014 2^nd RU and went on to become 1^st RU in a national beauty search, 2015 Eda Cimafranca was also Miss Bohol 2015 and 2016 Queenebeth Barcelona is Miss Bohol 2016 1^st RU. With her captivating beauty, mesmerizing wit and winsome charm, this year’s newly- crowned Mutya Bianca Gaviola is expected to continue the winning streak of the Tagbilaranon beauty and to be actively involved in promoting the different advocacy projects of the city.

Remembering the Late Marcel Gatal on Her Birthday

Today, April 26, she would have been 54 years old had she not gone ahead to the Great Beyond.  Last year, on All Souls Day, at three o’clock pm, Ate Marcel Gatal- Diego, the eldest child in our family lost in her three- year battle with breast cancer that was complicated by lung cancer.

 

 Marcel took the catwalk moments after
she was named Miss Young Bohol 1983  

Ate Marcel was a top radio newscaster and FM DJ of KISS 102.3 FM and DYRD 1161 AM during her college days after the inimitable Ardie Araneta discovered her during their Speech Lab class at the then Divine Word College now Holy Name University.

A certified beauty, she was Hiyas ng Silangan- Bohol 1982. She represented the province in the 1982 Hiyas ng Silangan- Philippines national finals where she was named Miss Talent and made it as a Top Ten Finalist. The following year, she represented Tagbilaran City in the Kabataang Barangay- organized Miss Young Bohol 1983 Pageant which she won also.

 Ate Marcel will always be remembered

In a text message sent to the family, Gov. Edgar Chatto who was KB Bohol Federated Chair when Miss Young Bohol 1983 was staged said 

” Marcel was a standout beautiful teenager representing Tagbilaran City KB Federation when she was crowned Ms Young Bohol 1983. She inspired the Boholano youth then with her wit, beauty & grace.

We extend our condolences & prayers to the bereaved family of Marcel as she begins her peaceful journey back to our Lord's Kingdom- Edgar, Pureza, Trisha & the Bohol KB Family”

We still mourn for our loss but we are also comforted by the thought that Ate Marcel Gatal Diego is in a better place where there is no pain, where the sun shines gloriously everyday and where she is finally in peace.

 

 Mikey Gatal & Ate Marcel with Edi Borja, former Gallares St.
neighbor & DWCT HS batchmate on what turned out to be
her last visit home last year


.

When someone dear passes away, we realize that we could only talk to them and touch them in our dreams and in our memories. I did get the chance to see her in a dream just recently and I woke up to tear- stained pillows and the thought that I haven’t fully accepted that she is gone.

 

  Marcel : During the summer of her life

Ate Marcel, wherever you are, I know in my heart of hearts that you are at peace. Your reign as Miss Bohol may have long been over but you will always be fondly remembered in our hearts and in our collective memories.

Summer Love Would Always Be Special

It’s the time of the year when the humid and sweltering heat makes everyone slow down including Your Roving Eye. With the solitude and silence to encourage me, my reveries take me back to those unforgettable summers of yesteryears when things were quite uncomplicated and worry- free. No wonder, they’re often called the halcyon days of your life.

 And the world stood still…

Then you remember those summer flings and romances that by their very nature are fleeting and aren’t meant to last very long.  And because they aren’t your regular relationships, there’s a hint of urgency and a heightened sense of intimacy where you drop off all kinds of pretenses.

 And summer love's a beach

All these and heightened by the best musical soundtrack that seems to come out during summer make up the main ingredients that make summer flings seem magical and truly unforgettable.

When summer ends and you have to go your separate ways, your entire memory of that romantic phase will have to be from the so- called honeymoon phase of any relationship when you have just started to discover each other and when you are lulled into believing that this is it.  

 cherish that one special summer love

For as long as you know how to handle it responsibly and you’re not toying with someone’s emotions, your summer flings would somehow be up there when you look back and recall those wonderful and bittersweet romantic dalliances of your youth.

I did and no regrets. They never fail to put a smile on my face & I would always consider them as some of the best things that ever happened in my life.

As the younger generation go about enjoying the summer of their lives, some, if not most, will find that one spark that could magically change a part of their lives. 

Be it from the summer basketball leagues, summer classes or perhaps, a participation in a community event, there would be the chance that summer love will be abloom.  

Be ready then for the summer of your life!

Stylish Maia Dizon in her Sensational Bessie Besana Gown

During the 2016 Sun Life Grepa National Awards Night, my good friend Maia Palapos- Dizon clinched not only  the 2016 Sun Life Financial Presidential Award & 2016 Sun Life Grepa Financial Regular Business Award, she also got the nod of fashion stylists & fashionistas for her sartorial sense and got voted Star of the Night.

 

 Maia Dizon in her show- stopping evening gown

Fast- rising Manila- based designer Bessie Besana, who also dresses up Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach created the winning look for Ms. Dizon..Incidentally, Bessie was in Bohol a couple of years back together with his muses Shamcey Supsup & Ariella Arida to judge the Miss Panglao Pageant.

 

 Dramatic twist provided by the train

According to Bessie Besana, top Manila fashion designer who created Maia’s gown 

“When Maia Dizon came into my shop, I was instantly inspired by her physique. She told me she maintains her body by going to the gym and making sure she takes care of her well being.  She also said that she will be attending a red carpet awards night. I found out later that she was a recipient of a recognition. I then formulated in my mind that what I wanted for her was nothing too extravagant yet it exudes class and elegance.

We chose the colour pistachio green for her gown in gazar fabric. To give it that modern look, we made it high neck and very low back. To add an additional drama, we attached a train to the sleek serpentine gown to give that red carpet worthy look. Not surprisingly, she won star of the night! 

The award proved that it takes two to tango; You need a go- getter and risk- taker for a muse and you need a sartorial masterpiece to make heads turn and make a splash on the red carpet!

 Maia was resplendent in her Bessie Besana gown

Cheers Maia and Bessie!

Miss Tagbilaran 1986 Winners: Where Are They Now?

Your Roving Eye didn’t expect his posted photo on the Miss Tagbilaran 1986 winners would elicit a lot of positive reactions and feedback. Looking at the photo made a lot of old- timers misty- eyed and made them recall and reminisce about Bohol pageantry in the 80’s.

 L-R: 2^nd RU Angie,  MT 86 Suzette, 1^st RU Pinky, 3^rd RU Maret 

Thirty one summers ago, a tall and winsome beauty named Suzette Clarin was crowned Miss Tagbilaran.  Maria Theresa “Pinky” Penales who gave her a close fight for the crown and was earlier awarded Best in Gown, Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent was pipped into a 1^st RU placement. 2nbd RU was Angie Sarabia and 3^rd RU was Mayet Pepito who also topped the Shorts Competition. (there was no swimsuit competition then as Boholanas in local pageants were then too demure and conservative)

Well, here’s  a little story on how they are doing presently: 

 MISS TAGBILARAN BEAUTIES: Mother-Daughter Tandem

Suzette, the top winner entered pageant history books when her daughter Margo was crowned Miss Tagbilaran 2006. The mother- daughter tandem is the first and only so far in Bohol to achieve the feat. 

 Pinky with Your Roving Eye and with her sons 

The 1^st RU Pinky is a Houston, Texas- based nurse and who has two sons of her own. IYour Roving Eye bumped into Pinky when she flew home last year fort a quick break and I must say that she looks as lovely and as young when she sashayed on the Miss Tagbilaran stage back in 1986.

 That’s Angie on the extreme right. With her hubby & daughter &
Panglao Mayor Nila Montero during Henann's opening


 

The 2nd RU Angie Sarabia married Marcel Brunner, a Swiss hotelier who once owned Alona Palm Beach which once stood where Henann Resort is now

 Maret Pepito (in shorts) with former neighbors during a get- together

The 3^rd RU Mayet Pepito finished a culinary arts course and is kept busy with her small restaurant and catering business. And the pageant emcee Edgar M. Chatto who was already a popular youth leader during his time is presently the provincial govcernor of Bohol!

MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN THROUGH THE YEARS

It is heartwarming indeed to know how our former beauty queens are doing now and how we are able to reconnect with them after all these years. This year, we have 15 lovelies who are vying for the Mutya sa Tagbilaran crown currently held by Queenebeth Barcelona of Manga District.

Don’t forget to support your favorite candidates for Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017!

IMPORTANT DATES for MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2017:

TALENT NIGHT: Friday, April 21, 2017, Bohol Cultural Center, 8 pm

PAGEANT NIGHT: Friday, April 28, 2017 Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, 8 pm

Unique Pageant Culminates Calape Women’s Month

 Thirty- one beautiful & hardworking women representing 31 of Calape’s 33 barangays left their household responsibilities, put careers on hold and traded their brooms, cooking utensils & office work momentarily that is when they took centerstage and competed in a unique pageant that celebrated women empowerment during the closing ceremonies of Women’s Month Celebration held at the Calape Cultural Center.

 Calape’s women take the spotlight in a pageant that
celebrated beauty, determination, hardwork & discipline


 

Led by charming & dynamic Calape Mayor Nelson Yu, the town’s women converged at the cultural center as they took centerstage and hear Bohol’s local and provincial leaders extol their attributes and challenge them to be partners in progress. One of the most- awaited was that of Calape First Lady Engr. Oua P. Yu who delivered the keynote address.

Tatay Billy Tongco with Calape’s Vice Mayor Junie Yu, First Lady Oua Yu & Mayor Nelson Yu 

Highlighting the whole- day activity was crowning of Kristyll Angellynn Gutang as the town’s first- ever Woman of the Year. Named 1^st RU was Cherryl Dalawan and RU Amelita Penaflor.

 PBM Ricky Masamayor, former Tubigon Mayor Marlon Amila, PBM Abeleon Damalerio

 Calape Kag BB Bulac & Kag. Madelone Rengel

 CALAPE’S DYNAMIC DUO: Sir Dodong Guibao & Ma’am Joan Roxas

 L-R: MSWDO Nessa Algusar, Kag. Bella, Kag. Dee, Kag. Manol

& Calape School District Supervisor Ma’am Mel Belano

 Calape’s First Couple with Kag. Inday Rulona who chaired the event &
with Kristyll P. Gutang, the Woman of the Year winner

 Calape Mayor Nelson Yu mingles with the crowd