Topics of Interest

Monday, December 13, 2021

India Is the 70th Miss Universe

Harnaaz Sandhu of India was named the 70th Miss Universe after she pipped Nadia Figueroa of Paraguay and Lalea Mswane into second & third places, respectively, during the pageant’s finals night held in Eliat, Israel.

Harnaaz Sandhu is Miss U 2021

All 80 contestants underwent a closed-door panel interview and competed in the preliminary swimsuit & evening gown competitions before the field was narrowed down to the top 16.

All sixteen girls competed in the swimsuit competition before the field was narrowed down to the top ten who competed in the evening gown competition before the girls were trimmed down further to the top fve.

After the Q&A, South Africa, India and Paraguay were named the final three.

Rounding out the final five were Beatrice Luigi Gomez of the Philippines and Valeria Ayos of Colombia. 


Top Five Q & A

The rest of the top ten were the girls from USA, Aruba, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and France. 


Rounding out the top sixteen were Japan, Vietnam, Panama, Venezuela, Great Britain and Singapore. 


ABOUT THE WINNER


The road to the crown wasn't easy for the new Miss Universe. In her first attempt at the national pageant in India, she went as far as the semifinals.


She emerged winner during her second attempt. After her crowning last October, she was touted by most pageant sites & experts around the world as one of the crown favorites. She didn't disappoint.


From the moment she stepped foot in Israel and all the way to the final round, she maintained her frontrunner status.


The 21 year old is a Bachelor in Information Technology degree holder and is currently pursuing her Masteral studies in Public Administration and is currently an actress and model in her native country. 

She is the third Miss India to win the Miss Universe title after Sushmita Sen 1994 and Lara Dutta 2000.


SPECIAL AWARDS:


Earlier during the preliminaries, Chantal O'Brian of The Bahamas received the equivalent if the Miss Congeniality title, the Carnival Spirit Award from Carnival Cruise Line for embodying the values of fun & friendship.


Antonia Figueroa of Chile received the Social Impact Award. It is given to the candidate who made the biggest impact for social good using the ImpactWayv social media platform.


Maristella Okpala of Nigeria received the Best National Costume award. Her costume, inspired by the traditional masquerade of the Mmanwa tribe in her country, was created by Filipino designer Kennedy Jhon Gasper.

The Philippines enjoys a 12 year consecutive placement in the semifinals, the fourth longest in the pageant's history.

Bea in her Francis Libiran gown

STREAKS & SURPRISES


The United States holds the record for the longest uninterrupted placements at 22 years (1977-1999) followed by Venezuela at 21 years (1983- 2004). Then the US again for 18 years (1958- 1976)


Brazil's 11 year streak was brought to a halt with the non- inclusion of Teresa Santos into the semifinals. 


Among the most pleasant surprises were the historic first placement for The Bahamas after 58 years of participation in the pageant and the return of Singapore to the semifinals after 34 years. 


Early faves like Spain, Belgium, Argentina and Chile didn't advance to the semifinals.

The Miss Universe pageant wasn't just a beauty competition. It was a celebration of the beauty of womanhood, empowerment and being a platform to raise the voices of women everywhere. 


Some 80 women from around the world competed for the crown with Bahrain sending its very first contestant into the global beauty competition along with the return of Morocco after more than 40 years. 

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Legend of the Chocolate Hills

Ever wonder how the Chocolate Hills of Carmen, Bohol came to be? Let's skip the science behind it and just go back to the distant past when fairies, ogres and giants used to roam around with mortal beings.

The legend revolves around the ill-fated love story of Arugo, the gentle giant and Aluya, the beautiful mortal. 

It was love at first sight for the gentle, mild-mannered & very shy giant.

Arugo was so smitten with the charms of Aluya that he couldn't take his mind off her which led him to stalk, observe and admire her from a distance. 

Later on, he made his presence felt by offering her the bounty of food such as root crops, fruits and vegetables to show his affection and admiration for her. 

Finally, he mustered enough courage to talk to her and reveal his feelings for her.

Alas, Aluya despite having some feelings for him, hesitated and ultimately, didn't accept his proposal and she ran away from him and never to be seen again. 

The rejection was devastating for Arugo. He was so heartbroken and inconsolable that he couldn't help but cry and cry for days and nights while he searched near & far for his one true love. 

Finally, the gods and deities took pity on him so they cast a spell and the tears that fell on the flatlands soon turned into mounds and became what is now known as the Chocolate Hills.

ACCREDITED BES.PH SUPPLIERS 


Photo & Video

ERIC CELLAN PHOTOGRAPHY


Direction & Narration

DEO GUDEN of 

Dr. Events & Crown Jewel


Script & Host/Narrator

RAUL GATAL


Costume Design & Wardrobe:

KIM VILLAMOR

RYAN SADUDAQUIL


Coordination

RANY JUN "MAMITA"

YOLA BON FUENTES

DONA BUSLON

Dona Buslon Production

Dona Buslon Production Weddings & Events Coordination Team


Set Designer/ Florist:

Jrex Styling by DR. EVENTS of

DEO GUDEN & JOHNREX POJAS


Airbrush Make Up:

YAN TIEMPO


Hairstylist:

JAMIE AUGUIS BEAUTIFYING INDUSTRY 


Prenup Stylist:

CONCEPT & STYLE BY ROM'S NET | ROMUEL POCOT 


Model & Talent Agency

RMAB of Reygel Balboa Dulfo & Gerry Lugod

KRYSTL BALL  as "ALUYA"

CARL DAVE Sumampong as "ARUGU"


Set Musical Performer:

JAM 403


Location:

ACASIA  GLAMPING, Carmen, Bohol


A Memorable Cocolate Hills Wedding Prenuptial Photo & Video Shoot

Welcome to Carmen, Bohol, home of the world-famous Chocolate Hills! 

With more than a thousand hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers, these hills that resemble chocolates especially during summer when the green grass turns brown make for one breathtaking and awe-inspiring appreciation of God's truly amazing wonders. 

Pia Wurtzbach 

Surprisingly, despite its beauty, potential and fame, the Chocolate Hills haven't been on top of the mind when it comes to choice of locations for destination weddings' prenup photo & video sessions. 

Your Blogger with Ara Arida

Just imagine capturing the engaged couple's most romantic moments with the Chocolate Hills as the perfect backdrop, the blue azure skies as the canopy & the gentle breeze providing the petfect rustic ambience! 

So what would convince potential clients, tour operators & wedding planners to make a go for the Chocolate Hills as one of the best choices for prenup sessions? 

THE CHALLENGE The BES. Ph team assigned with the Chocolate Hills challenge faced the daunting task of organizing an outdoors- themed prenup photo & video session that would have the Legend of the Chocolate Hills as inspiration for the prenup mood board. 

BES.Ph members brainstorm 

CREATIVE COLLABORATION A lot of research went to the design of the wardrobe and the use of accessories. With the local Bohol folklore as focal point for the story board will give it a unique romantic flair that is distinctly Boholano. In addition, the team sourced out materials and aesthetics that are reflective and identified with the colors, sounds, flavors, textures & artistic flair uniquely Boholano.

Photo by Lito Sy

PRENUP STORY BOARD The proposed mood board for the prenup session was based on the legend and presented in five sequences.

Just like the other famous ill-fated lovers in history such as Romeo & Juliet, Jack & Rose of Titanic and Samson & Delilah, Arugo and Aluya didn't end up in each other's arms thus a twist has been added to the ending. 

THE TWIST 

Because love transcends time & place, the creative team gave Arugo and Aluya the elusive happy ending to their tragic love story thus a prenup session that is romantic and inspiring for all engaged couples.

The Carmen photo & video shoot was one of four Bohol locations that were included in a Department of Tourism campaign that would help promote the beautiful island paradise as a destination wedding location.

A core team of the country's leading wedding & event planners led by Themes & Motifs, the Philippines' most trusted event professionals were on hand to provide feedback and conducted a capacity- building workshop for BES.Ph, Bohol's biggest aggrupation of event planners & suppliers.

Special thanks to the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators (BOFETTO) for lending their expertise and for facilitating the visit of the group.

ACCREDITED BES.PH SUPPLIERS 


Photo & Video

ERIC CELLAN PHOTOGRAPHY


Direction & Narration

DEO GUDEN of 

Dr. Events & Crown Jewel


Script & Host/Narrator

RAUL GATAL


Costume Design & Wardrobe:

KIM VILLAMOR

RYAN SADUDAQUIL


Coordination

RANY JUN "MAMITA"

YOLA BON FUENTES

DONA BUSLON

Dona Buslon Production

Dona Buslon Production, Weddings & Events Coordination Team


Set Designer/ Florist:

Jrex Styling by DR. EVENTS of

DEO GUDEN & JOHNREX POJAS


Airbrush Make Up:

YAN TIEMPO


Hairstylist:

JAMIE AUGUIS BEAUTIFYING INDUSTRY 


Prenup Stylist:

CONCEPT & STYLE BY ROM'S NET | ROMUEL POCOT 


Model & Talent Agency

RMAB of Reygel Balboa Dulfo & Gerry Lugod

KRYSTL BALL  as "ALUYA"

CARL DAVE Sumampong as "ARUGU"


Set Musical Performer:

JAM 403


Location:

ACASIA  GLAMPING, Carmen, Bohol


Tuesday, December 7, 2021

An Intimate & Romantic Loboc River Wedding Cruise

For adventurous couples who are planning a destination wedding in a tropical island setting, what could be more romantic and unique than the Loboc River Wedding Cruise in Loboc, Bohol? 

Get ready for your most romantic & intimate wedding as you are joined by family and a select group of friends who will witness your exchange of lifetime vows on board a quaint & charming floating restaurant that has been turned into an enchanting venue for your most romantic moment while you cruise along the river's emerald waters and admiring the lush verdant foliage that  surrounds the place. 

The concept behind the Loboc River Wedding Cruise is giving the couple and their guests a unique Boholano experience that is an homage to the spirit of Kumbira, a revered tradition which means feast or celebration. 

Cake by Smoque

The word kumbira comes from the Spanish word convidar which literally means "to invite".


The result is a feast for the senses and a union of collaborative ideas that meshes the old & new, the traditional and the contemporary. All that is needed is a sense of adventure and off you go.


Soak in a very memorable wedding experience that incorporates the uniqueness of a traditional Boholano wedding through its songs, dances, flavors, colors and textures


Among the irresistible come ons are the Kuradang, a traditional Boholano courtship folk dance, medley of Boholano ditties, a feast of Boholano culinary favor 8ites. 

The Loboc River Wedding Cruise was one of four Bohol destinations that presented wedding & debut concepts that highlight Bohol's beauty, creativity & uniqueness. 

Joining the Department of Tourism- Philippines represented by Riza Macaibay in the three- day activity was Themes & Motifs, the country's premier organizer of the most successful series of bridal fairs and special events expos that bring together the most comprehensive & most respected wedding & event professionals from the Philippines and beyond.

Dodjie & Sharon Fabian of Themes & Motifs were joined by renowned designer Francis Libiran, topnotch event director Marex Gaba,  much sought after photographer Lito Sy,  Davao’s top wedding planner Elinor Marcelino and PR & marketing consultant Harry Hartmann. The group fine tuned the presentation with inputs and recommendations then followed the capacity- building activity with a whole-day workshop on event management, event hosting and styling held at Moadto Resort in Panglao.


BOFETTO (Bohol's Federation of Travel & Tour Operators) oversaw the project in collaboration with BES.Ph (Bohol Event Suppliers PH), Bohol's biggest aggrupation of event planners & suppliers which benefited immensely from the activity that aims to  make Bohol as a premier wedding destination & prenup/ pre-debut photoshoot capital.

Congratulations to BES.Ph President Chan Chan Wallace and to the mother-daughter tandem of Lourdes Sultan of Travel Village Tours & Travel & Christina Sultan for exceeding expectations from the lovely Amore Cruise Boats, the delectable culinary faves and all the way to the preparations.


BES. PH ACCREDITED SUPPLIERS:


Costume Design & Wardrobe:

EMILY MICABANI

ROSE PAUL SILHOUETTE for Raul Gatal's outfit


Photography:

GERALD JAMES CABAL

LITO SY


Videography:

CHROMATEL

JED BETINOL MADULA

LITTLE HANDS DIGITAL STUDIO


Coordination:

Veils&Crowns

MA. RIECEL SOCORRO H. CAITOM


Misjean Cha Events and Weddings Coordination

JEAN SALARDA


JENARL'S Wedding Services and Coordination


NARLINE MILLANES USARAGA


Set Designers/ Florists:

Gliteratti

GIRLIE GARCIA SORIA


Milag's Floral Design

MILAGROS PAHANG


Make Up:

EDISON TIEMPO

ARSENIO TINACO III

JONATHAN ONGCOY OCAT


Hairstylist:

MARVIN AMISTA SIMBAJON


Wedding Cake :

Smoque Bistro


MARIA KRISSEL SABANDAL ALTURAS


Model/Agency:

Bride: Olivia Wolf- TAN

Groom: Jethro Parker - RMAB

Maid of Honor: ANN ASILO-TAN

Best Man: JOEBERT ASILO-TAN

Bridesmaid: Juliene Pedros- RIFLETORRE

Groomsman: John Michael Eyo- RIFLETTORE


Host & Officiating Pastor:

RAUL GATAL


Musical Performers:

SAM VARQUEZ

FLORENCE DANO

ANTONIO RAMIN


Caterer:

ONE DREAMER’S COMMISSARY


Location:

ONE AMORE CRUISES

Owner: LOURDES SULTAN


Amore 2: Ceremony Boat

Amore 3: Reception Boat