Friday, July 27, 2018

Miss Bohol Winners Through the Years at the Parade of Beauties

As Bohol marks the 30th year since the Sandugo Festival officially started, everyone looks forward to the annual Sandugo Parade & Street Dancing Competition  that winds its way across CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City’s main thoroughfare.  From the rhythmic Sinulog- inspired hand movements and dance steps, the street dance competition adopted the traditional and signature Boholano courtship and celebratory dance named Kuradang as centerpiece event last 2016.

But aside from the Bangga sa Bol- anong Kuradang (Street Dancing Showdown), another highlight would have to be the traditional parade of beauties, a most awaited event by pageant aficionados because this is where they get to see the newly crowned Miss Bohol & her court in their full glory.

Here are some of the Miss Bohol winners basking in their moments of triumph during their years of reign
1992 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Celevel Mozo Ranoco JAGNA
 1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Mary Ann Eronico TALIBON
1994 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Vanessa Joyce M. Evardone TAGBILARAN CITY

 2001 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Jeany Justiniane: VALENCIA
replaced by Vanessa Cadorna DUERO
  2005 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Anna Maris Igpit PANGLAO
2010 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Amir P. Sol TUBIGON
2011 Miss Bohol : Farah Faye Mian TUBIGON
2012 Miss Bohol Sandugo : Idy Cagas JAGNA
2013 Miss Bohol :  Brigette Burato ALICIA
2014: Miss Bohol Queenie Melody Fullante DAUIS
2015 Miss Bohol: Mary Eda C. Cimafranca TAGBILARAN CITY
 2016 Miss Bohol: Glyssa B. Perez DANAO
 2017 Miss Bohol : Pauline Amelincx TUBIGON

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

An Open Letter for the newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2018

This post is an offshoot to the recent Miss Bohol 2018 crowning whose winner has been the object of intense scrutiny and the helpless target of cyber bullies and bashers.

To Raclaire Stephan Dinsay Cesar Trigo, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 and now our Miss Bohol 2018, 
Let not the booing take away the glitter from your crown and the joy in your victory. If it's any consolation, it wasn't directed at you personally but was a spur of the moment reaction by some quarters who had their respective bets and it's understandable knowing how passionate we are when it comes to supporting our pageant bets.
 Swimsuit & Intro of Candidates (Swimsuit by Mikee Andrei)


It always happens in pageants even in Miss Universe where our own Pia Wurtzbach was also booed and experienced worse things that included having bottled water thrown at the stage, getting death threats and having her image and likeness burned in the streets of Colombia.
This is now your defining moment. Be the first to reach out and unite everyone. So far, I admire how you have handled this test of character with your grace and humility. 
Elan & elegance during the evening gown competition (Gown by Roi Erwin Tizon)
As I was telling my seatmates last night at the venue, whoever wins the swimsuit and gown competitions would already be the frontrunner. Your response during the final round may not be the best but it wasn't the worst. It was heartfelt and you answered on the affirmative because it was a question that needed a yes or no response. 
 An elated Raclaire reacts after the announcement
You might have been rattled a bit but who wouldn't be distracted by the noise and hissing from the crowd? In fairness, you made a quick recovery and you wrapped up your response with an emphasis on the warm, friendly and hospitable nature of Boholanos which sadly but understandably was sorely missing during last night's crowning moment. 
 Miss Bohol 2018 and her Court of Honor
Finally, you highlighted your winsome smile, commanding stage presence, queenly demeanour and charisma, the same sterling attributes that made you Mutya 2018 during last night's pageant. 
So hold your head high for you won fair and square. Long may you reign and be the Quintessential Boholana that truly cares

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Tagbilaran's Bet is Miss Bohol 2018

The almost two- month quest for Miss Bohol 2018 concluded a little past midnight with the crowning of Tagbilaran City’s bet, Raclaire Stephan Dinsay Cesar Trigo as the new titleholder. The 18 year old BS Psychology major student was also named Miss Talent. She emerged as the top favorite after winning both the Best in Swimsuit & Best in Evening Gown special awards. 
Class & elegance during the gown competition


During the final round, all five finalists were asked one same question “Do you believe that Bohol has built back better after the 7.2 quake that hit the province in 2013?” 
Raclaire’s musicality & showmanship  won for her the Miss Talent award

Ms. Trigo started with a tentative answer after being disrupted by some unruly audience members but she quickly recovered and answered on the affirmative. She reinforced her answer by stressing on our warm, friendly hospitable ways that would surely make visitors feel welcome and make them come back and bring with them more tourists and visitors. 
L-R: 3rd RU Bilar, 1st RU Maribojoc, Miss Bohol 2018 Tagbilaran City, 2nd RU Dauis, 4th RU Ubay
Photo Credits:  Miss Bohol Sandugo FB Page

FINAL FIVE Rounding out the final five were 1st RU Miss Maribojoc Trixie Escabarte a registered nurse & former int’l flight attendant, 2nd RU Miss Dauis Hannah Cemine, a licensed midwife, 3rd RU Miss Bilar Jesseth Nez Pasagad, a petroleum engineer and 4th RU Miss Ubay Anasela Gaviola, a BS Architecture graduate.

SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS Other special award winners were Miss Maribojoc who was named Best in Production Number and Darling of the Crowd, Miss Dauis was voted by fellow candidates as Miss Congeniality, Miss Sagbayan was named Miss Photogenic, Miss Loboc was voted SMART Texters’ Choice and Miss Bilar was Best in Interview and Darling of the Press.

All 21 candidates competed in the swimsuit, evening gown & onstage interviews. Their scores combined with their talent night scores determined the final five.

PANEL OF JUDGES The panel of judges included Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen Marquez, Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ma Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Earth Philippines 2017 Celeste Cortesi, Manhunt Philippines 2015 Don Mcgyver Cochico, footwear designer Jojo Bragais, Atty Regal Oliva, Atty Nad Bronce and pageant bogger Norman Tinio.

Governor Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto, City Mayor Baba Yap & First Lady Jane Yap along with Pauline Amelincx, Miss Bohol 2017, crowned this year’s Miss Bohol

IMPRESSIVE BATCH Your Roving Eye is impressed with this year’s batch of candidates. There were two Magna Cum laude bachelor’s degree holders, a licensed teacher, an architecture graduate, a petroleum engineer, a licensed midwife, a licensed nurse & international flight attendant and among the undergrads were editors in chief of their school publications, honor students, SSG officers. The girls definitely have raised the bar for the succeeding batches of girls for Miss Bohol.

Although the glamorous highlight to the Sandugo Festival was a spectacular fusion of technology and artistry, it was marred by the collective booing of some disgruntled members of the audience who were displeased with the results. A twist was added to the program proceedings. Instead of announcing the names of the five finalists, the hosts announced first the names of the also- rans until only the last five remain on stage. The twist was met with mixed reactions. While adding more suspense to the pageant, it was also a disconcerting moment especially for the favorites who didn’t make it.  They had to put on a brave front while doing their final walk on centerstage.

As newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2018 Raclaire Stephan Trigo takes on her year of reign, let us set aside our differences in opinions and instead, offer her our congratulations and support. In doing so, we heal the wounds of divisiveness, show how gracious we can be even with or without the crown and prove to one and all that the annual Miss Bohol Pageant is indeed a celebration of beauty and friendship.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 21 Miss Loboc

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential.  
Erika Limbago


Loboc is represented this year by a young yet highly accomplished lady named Erika Limbago.  The 17 year old beauty & brains package is a Grade 12 student at the International Academe of EnScieMa (English Science Mathematics) taking up the STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) strand. 
Erika Limbago promotes the stand up paddling in Loboc River
She graduated as Class Valedictorian of her Junior Class and awarded with Highest Honors during her Grade 11 year. She was also adjudged the Finals Best Speaker during the UPKB (University of the Philippines- Kadugong Bol-anon) Great High School Debate held last January 2018. She also emerged as the Champion of the UPKB BrainScan Competition held last January 2016. 
one of my all-time favorites among the photos for this series
During her junior high school year, she was involved in campus activities having served as SBO (Student Body Organization) Treasurer for the S.Y. 2014-2015, the SBO (Student Body Organization) Secretary for the S.Y. 2015-2016, the SBO (Student Body Organization) Governor for the S.Y. 2016-2017, the President of the English Club for the S.Y. 2015-2016 and Vice-President of the Math Club for the S.Y. 2015-2016.  
Enjoying the crystal- clear waters of Loboc River
At the same time, she also gave back to the community with her charity work at Sunshine Homes, served as a volunteer during a School Feeding Program at Totolan, Dauis, Bohol and also participated in the Miss Loboc Feeding Program which she hopes to continue long after her reign is over.

When asked for the greatest motivation for her outstanding scholastic & extracurricular achievement, she says the experience and the drive to excel in the fields that she is in would hone her interpersonal skills, develop her confidence and enrich her life and thus would prepare her for a better future. 
crowned as Miss Loboc 2018
Her greatest inspiration in pageantry is her mom who also represented their town in Miss Bohol 25 years ago and made it as one of the top five ladies. Erika was named 1st Runner Up in her school’s Miss Intramurals 2015 Search and was crowned two months earlier as Miss Loboc 2018 thus earning the right to represent her town in the province’s most prestigious beauty competition.

Will Erika equal or surpass her mom’s achievement in Miss Bohol? We’ll find out on pageant night.

ADVOCACY

Her advocacy is focused on the protection and preservation of Loboc River, being the main body of water & one of the greatest sources of water and the tourism industry of the town.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort
Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center
Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:


Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography


Friday, July 20, 2018

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 20 Miss Bilar

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential. 
Engr. Jesseth Nez Pasagad

Bilar’s bet for Miss Bohol 2018 is Engr. Jesseth Nez S. Pasagad who recently graduated from Palawan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering degree, Magna Cum Laude and was given the distinction of speaking on behalf of the graduates during their commencement exercises.    
graduated as Magna Cum Laude last April 2018
During her college years, she showed her multifaceted personality and versatility thru her involvement in extra and co- curricular activities such as Features Editor of Pioneer, her school’s official student publication. She has also served the Society of Petroleum Engineers- Palawan State University Student Chapter in various capacities; as AUDITOR SY 2017-2018, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SY 2016 – 2017 and as SECRETARY SY 2013-2014. 
proudly representing Bilar in Miss Bohol 2018
IMPRESSIVE SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT Her most memorable achievement was being chosen with four other school delegates to represent PSU in PETROLIDA 2016 that took place in Institut Sepuluh Nopember in Subaraya, Indonesia. 

Her group’s design & creation of a miniature floating rig that could withstand both floating & load tests while incorporating modern rig innovations emerged 4th among nine competing school teams  in the Oil Rig Design Competition. Aside from PETROLIDA 2016: OIL RIG DESIGN COMPETITION (Surabaya, Indonesia), Engr. Pasagad has also represented the country in the PHILIPPINE OIL AND GAS Student Summit and at the OIL & GAS WEEK (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 
Bilar has more to offer than just its renowned man- made forest
As one of the top five students in her batch taking the Petroleum Engineering degree, she was awarded one of the five internship slots at Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.  

She entered the world of pageantry in 2012 as Miss Teen Bilar in the province- wide Miss Teen Bohol 2012 where she emerged 1st Runner Up and as Miss Talent. As her school candidate, she was crowned Miss Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) 2017 and as Miss College Of Engineering, Architecture And Technology (CEAT) in 2015, she represented the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture at the Miss Palawan State University Pageant: The Gold Edition. 
ADVOCACY: "Pasiga Gikan sa Basura" which aims to provide sustainable electrical energy source for communities in Bilar using bio-wastes.

Will Engr. Pasagad create pageant history as the first engineer to be crowned Miss Bohol? Let’s find out on pageant night.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort
Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center
Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

List of Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography


2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 19: Mutya sa Tagbilaran

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential.  

 Raclaire Stephan Trigo 

The capital city of Tagbilaran is represented by Raclaire Stephan Trigo, an 18 year old BS Psychology major student who dreams of making a difference in young people’s lives.

Sweety, as she’s called by family & friends, earned the right to represent the city of Tagbilaran after winning the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 crown last summer. 

The vivacious and bubbly morena beauty who swept all the major awards during the Mutya finals is also a very talented singer and performer.

Her foray into the world of pageantry began when she competed and placed as 3rd RU in the Miss UB High School Personality Search in 2013. 


The results didn’t deter her instead it motivated her to do better and on her second attempt two years later, she bagged the crown and as representative of the High School Department, she won the most prestigious campus beauty & personality title in Bohol, Miss University of Bohol Personality, that same year. 
Raclaire at two of Tagbilaran's landmarks; The refurbished City Hall & the posh Bohol Tropics Resort 
The road to Miss Bohol 2018 wasn’t easy. She had to win the preliminary Mutya sa San Isidro pageant first before heading on to the very competitive Mutya saTagbilaran Pageant where she had to square off with the winners of the different preliminary searches all over the city. I correctly predicted then that her wide, expressive eyes, winsome smile, undeniable stage presence & great personality projection would make her a frontrunner for the Mutya crown. 
Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 connects with her music
Elegance & self- assuredness are just two of her qualities 
ADVOCACY. Compassion and Respect are the two basic idealisms that power the Mutya CARES foundation. Her advocacy is on inclusive care for women in the community most especially those women who are inside the correctional facilities and her aim is to help them in their holistic development. She hopes to achieve this by strengthening the City's existing program initiating free medical services, Education and livelihood opportunities. 

One of the frontrunners in the race for the final five spots 
Will Sweety make it as Miss Bohol 2018? Already a shoo in for one of the final five spots, it’s just a matter of luck, timing & destiny for this sweet and very approachable beauty queen.

Good luck Sweety!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort
Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center
Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:


Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Miss Bohol 2018 Glam Shots by Chris Ramasola



Chris Ramasola, one of Bohol’s foremost names in glamour photography, released recently the highly- anticipated glamshots of the 2018 Miss Bohol Official Candidates. This is Mr. Ramasola’s fifth collaboration with the annual search for Miss Bohol, also known as the Quintessential Boholana.

Here are the ladies in alphabetical order:
























Photography:

Wardrobe and Styling: Mikee Andrei
Accessories: ALORA by Faj

Hair and Makeup:
Bohol Glam Team


IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort
Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center
Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

Extra Special Blog Feature

Part 1: The Tragic Story of Amparo Munoz

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