Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol Host 14th NICP National Summit

The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) in coordination with the Department of Information & Communication Technology (DICT) had its 14^th Summit at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City, November 17- 18, 2022.

Mayor Jane Yap & Chief of Staff Baba Yap, NICP officials Bohol media 

The two- day summit which gathered the country’s key players and leaders in the information communication technology, the BPO industry, the academe and national government agencies provided a venue not only to tackle the new trends & breakthroughs in the ICT industry but also an opportunity to meet the industry’s leading innovations and solutions providers and the exchange of best practices among each ICT Council. 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap expressed her optimism that hosting the gathering will be a strong follow- up and an opportunity for Tagbilaran City to attract more investors, showcase its readiness and capability in the information technology industry and provide more locally- available jobs in the ICT, BPO management sectors  and other technology- related enterprises especially after the capital city of Bohol recently made it to the list of the country’s 25 cities that are ready for transformation as “digital cities” by 2025.  

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado shared his elation with the holding of the recognized and biggest national organization of ICT councils in the Philippines because it would open the province to more investors and create more job opportunities.   

Dr. Mary Joy Abueg, NICP President, extended her gratitude to Tagbilaran City and the Province of Bohol for hosting the summit. In her message during the opening ceremonies, she reiterated two of the important mandates from NICP; ICT development and ICT countryside development which are aimed at creating more job opportunities in the information technology sector. 

Photo Credits: Just Jhuriz

Random Ramblings from Raul

So I'm still a bachelor, never married, no kids. Alone but not lonely.

To tell you the truth, I have lots of peace and quiet in my life, I like that.

Although certainly it would be nice to have a “Besty” but I’ve found that relationships are a real give and take thing and I just like the idea of me doing what I want and not having someone over my back, giving me suggestions/advice every day all the time, (not that every relationship is like that but….) or having to get their approval to do something.

You call it loneliness. I call it freedom. If you're not happy with what’s flying around inside your head, well, you got to do something about that.

Depending on someone else may work for you or the two of you but someday, you're gonna be alone and if you don’t know how to handle it its gonna be a rough ride.

To be honest though  especially when I'm just by myself and get melancholic, I often wonder about all the could've, should've would've.

But then I realize that I’m probably going to be one of those that end up dead in their apartment, but thats ok, I’ll have lived my life how I wanted

And by the way, it isn't my birthday. These are just musings from a guy who is experiencing some midlife crisis. 

Miss Batuan 2022 Is Mel Rose Oliverio

Miss Batuan 2022 

A stunning beauty named Mel Rose Oliverio of Brgy. RIZAL was named Miss Batuan 2022 in glittering ceremonies held at the Batuan Cultural Center. The lissome lass bested a field of 14 lovelies representing the town’s barangays.

She graduated from the University of Bohol with a Bachelor of Culture & Arts Education degree and received the Leadership and Service awards. 

She is an active member of the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

RUNNERS UP. Named runners up were 1^st RU # 13 Brgy. CANTIGDAS Ashley Pauline Bag-ao, 2^nd RU # 8 Brgy. POB. NORTE Maisy Mercado, 3^rd RU # 10 Brgy. STA. CRUZ Ace Lyn and 4^th RU # 11 Brgy. POB. SUR, Jade Gella.

Miss Batuan 2022 and Runners Up

All the ladies competed in the swimwear, speech/ advocacy and evening gown competitions. Along with their pre- judged talent competition scores, the five ladies with the highest averaged scores advanced to the final round for the final Q & A. One great innovation of the pageant was doing away with the preliminary onstage Q & A. Instead, they had an Advocacy Speech Round where each girl was given a minute to talk about her advocacy, promote her town and impress the judges and audience alike. I liked that portion alot. It saved precious time and the girls could focus on what they had to say.

SPECIAL AWARDS DOMINATION. Prior to the announcement of the five finalists, the emcees announced the recipients of the special titles and sponsor awards. It was my first time to see one candidate dominate and win all the important awards during the announcement of winners of the special awards establishing a pageant record of sorts. 

The following awards were handed out during the 2nd set of awards; Miss Photogenic, Miss Talent, Best Speaker, Best in Production Number, Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Gown. The frontrunner and eventual winner Candidate # 12 Mel Rose Oliverio won them all.

Your Roving Eye with Cong. Aumentado & Balilihan VM Chatto

The Panel of Judges in a serious mood

Batuan Mayor Dodo Jumawid , Cong. Van Aumentado,
FL Nora Jumawid & Mun. Accountant Tess Espejo 

PANEL OF JUDGES. Chair of the panel of judges was Bohol First Lady & 2nd District Cong. Vanvan Cadorna-Aumentado with the following members: Balilihan Vice Mayor Atty. Trisha V. Chatto, Boholana designer Roseth Mascarinas- Ranara of Rose Paul Silhouette, Miss Bohol 2018 Raclaire Trigo, rising male model Reinier Nunez, Miss Dauis 2015 and practicing lawyer & law professor Atty. Christine Barrete and Mr. Raul Gatal.

The panel of judges took their role seriously and looked for a complete package who will not only dazzle and stand out at the Miss Batuan pageant but also shine and get noticed on the Miss Bohol stage.

The 2022 Miss Batuan Pageant was the glamorous highlight of the municipality's 119th Foundation Day Celebration.

SIDE NOTES. There was palpable excitement inside the venue as all the town's officials led by Batuan Mayor Antonino “Dodo” Jumawid, event sponsors, balikbayans, visitors, important people and the barangays & families supporting their respective bets were present.  There was a huge audience turnout since it was the first live face-to- face event in Batuan after the easing of pandemic restrictions.

FAST- PACED SHOW. We were impressed with the impressive production values and the fast pacing of the pageant that ran for a little over two hours. 

Congratulations to the organizing committee headed by Batuan First Lady Mrs. Nora Balatero- Jumawid. Special mention to Marietta Adlaon and Atty. Marietes Espejo for an excellent job.

Pageant Emcees with outgoing Miss Batuan Shane Ajoc Cadao

Pageant Emcees: Bovith Lenteria II & Herlyn Cabig- Ducot Gown Designer: Aileen Sendrijas- Pasagad. Production Team: D Concepts by Dennis Balbero Photo Credits: Yuel Cruz Photography