Miss Valencia Is Ubi Festival Queen 2023

Mary Ingrid P. Orevillo, 16 years old, and representing the LGU and ubi farmers of Valencia was crowned the 2023 Ubi Festival Queen yesterday evening at the Bohol Cultural Center. 

Ms. Orevillo who was also adjudged as Best in Production Number and Best in Interview will dedicate her year of reign in promoting ubi farming to the younger generation of Boholanos.

Named 1^st Runner Up was Ehzcekel Ecat, 19, of the LGU of Carmen.  Ms. Precious Mae Ochavillo, 17, of the LGU of Garcia- Hernandez was 2^nd Runner Up and selected as Best in Thematic Costume.

1st RU Ms. Carmen, Ubi Queen Ms. Valencia 2nd RU Ms. Garcia- Hernandez

The other candidates & their respective LGUs are Ma. Trisha Rempillo of Ubay, Recil Gapol of Corella, Aaren Pearl Arabejo of Sikatuna, Mary Joy Artiaga of San Miguel and Julie Bautista of Cortes.

Members of the panel of judges included BCCTV General Manager Leizl Lim Gregorio, popular social media influencer & vlogger Paolo Rigotti and Dean of the College of Hospitality Management from University of Bohol Jane Doren A. Bungabong.

The 2023 Ubi Festival Queen Search, one of the highlights of the three- day Ubi Festival Celebration, is a platform for young Boholanas to promote the ubi as a versatile and sustainable crop, fostering appreciation for its flavors and showcasing its importance in the province’s cultural fabric. 

The glamorous highlight of the ubi festival was made possible by The Bohol Provincial Government led by Gov. Aris Aumentado & Vice- Gov. Victor Dionisio Balite with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist headed by Ms. Liza M. Quirog,MNSA as main coordinating group and Fara Nazareno as Ubi Festival Queen 2023 Committee Chair.

Meet the First Married Miss Universe Contestant

The Miss Universe Organization has made the pageant more inclusive by allowing married women and mothers to join the world's most prestigious beauty competition.

The first married contestant 

in Miss Universe history

But did you know that a married contestant has competed alreadu and it happened during the first Miss Universe Pageant in 1952. She was India's delegate by the name of Indrani Rahman, 22, married, and the mother of a five-year old daughter. 

Her participation caused an uproar not only because she was married but also because she was Moslem and was accompanied by her husband to the contest. Did they share the same room during the entirety of the pageant duration? 

Apparently, the organizers couldnt turn her away as rules weren't firmly in place that time. And it didnt hurt also that she was half American care of her mom. 

Although she didn't place, she went on to carve a successful career as  classical dancer of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, which she popularised in the west, and later settled in New York in 1976. 

Later, she joined her mother Ragini Devi's company. She popularised the Indian classical dance form, Odissi during her international tours. 

Indrani had received the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the performing arts and also the Taraknath Das Award.

The trailblazing woman is one prime example of how the Miss Universe Pageant becomes a stepping stone to careers outside pageantry.

Bohol’s Katherine Topsnik Is Binibining Silka 2023!

Finally, after 15 long years, a Boholana wins the Binibining Silka title. Katherine Topsnik, 20, who traces her roots in Guindulman, Bohol was crowned Binibining Silka 2023 after she bested a field of 12 regional winners during the pageant’s coronation night at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City on Sunday. Ms. Topsnik was also selected as Best in Evening Gown. 

Katherine Topsnik 

Aside from the P500,000 cash prize, Ms. Topsnik will be Silka’s brand ambassador for 15 months and gets the chance to join an acting workshop. 

She will also get a co- hosting stint in ABS CBN Regional Events, an acting stint in iwantTFC, Star Cinema movies, and a role in an ABS CBN teleserye. 

As Bb. Silka 2023, she will also guest co- host Dear MOR as Bb Silka 2023, become a guest VJ in MYX (One Music live) and will be featured in an article in Metro. Style. 

Q & A of Katherine Topsnik in Central & Eastern Visayas 

regional search

Named 1st RU and Best in Swimsuit was Abegail Jenn Mulder of Southern Mindanao who also won a P300,000 cash prize while Beamae Sumulong of Southern Tagalog was 2nd runner-up and received the Best in Regional Costume special award and also voted as Ms. Popular Choice. 

L-R: 2nd RU, Bb Silka 2023 1st RU

Rounding out the list of the top seven were Abegail Arnold (Central Luzon), Verily Aquino (NCR), Liza Marie Ruiz (Western Mindanao) and Christine Ovilla (Bicolandia) Other special award winners: Miss Congeniality: Liza Marie Ruiz (Western Mindanao) and Best in Casual Wear: Verily Aquino (NCR)

 

Katherine is no stranger to beauty pageants. She was voted by the media as one of the three Darling of the Press winners in the 2022 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant and was a finalist in the inaugural edition of Hiyas ng Silangan 2022. 

She earned the right to compete in the national finals after winning the Central Eastern Visayas regional preliminary. 

Starting out as a promotional event for Silka products in 2008 that later on expanded into an annual nationwide search for Silka image models and product endorsers, the beauty search had its last staging in 2019 before the pandemic. 

The Miss Silka crown has been elusive to Boholana beauties. It was in 2012 when a Boholana finally entered the winning circle with Karen Mortreaux of Anda named as 3rd Runner Up and followed by the top ten finish of Quir Nicole Maghuyop in 2013. 

The closest that Bohol got to winning the crown was in 2015 when Geraldine Topsnik placed a strong 1st Runner Up. Incidentally, Geraldine and Katherine are siblings and are the highest placed siblings in Miss Silka history. 

2015 1st RU and 2023 Bb Silka 

Topsnik Sisters

Sue Ramirez, Robi Domingo, and Miss Grand International 2016 1st runner-up Nicole Cordovez served as hosts while OPM singer Maki and KD Estrada performed at the event.

 

Among the more famous of the former contestants and titleholders are Bb. Pilipinas International 2022 and Miss International 2023 3rd Runner Up Nicole Borromeo, Miss Aura International 2021 Alexandra Faith Garcia, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabriela Basiano

The Miss Bohol Reunion: A Story of Enduring Friendship

Twenty- two years ago, buddies Juny Binamira & Dominic Butalid were tasked to handle the pageant's swimsuit photography at Ananyana Resort. It was for the girls who missed the first photo shoot. The group included Miss Duero Ma. Vanessa Cadorna while Raul Gatal who was the pageant emcee for most of the 90s was in the pageant committee as well. 

A Reunion of Friends

 

Since only a handful of girls were involved in the shoot, there was more time for small talk and more time for the photo session. Mr. Butalid even gave his fearless prediction that Vanessa would be among the top three girls who would slug it out for the crown. And he was proven right of course.

With her communication skills, charm & personality, she was the unanimous choice of the judges as Best in Interview and finished strongly as 1^st RU. But we all know what happened afterwards. When the eventual winner resigned as Miss Bohol 2001, Vanessa accepted the pageant organizers’ request for her to assume the title and the responsibilities that go with it.

L-R: Juny, Dominic, Vanessa & Raul

Fast forward to the 1st Bohol Dive Expo 2023 last summer where all four had different roles to play. Juny, a seasoned diver and photography buff was in the panel of judges for the underwater photography contest. Dominic, who is currently the president of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry was one of the event consultants. Raul was one of the writers tasked to prepare the dive magazine as well as program emcee while Vanessa who is currently Bohol's First Lady being the wife of Gov. Aris Aumentado is 2nd District Congresswoman and Vice Chair of the Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives.

 All the memories came back during the opening night of the event where Cong. Aumentado was invited as guest speaker. Members of the press who were there took photos of the instant reunion. What a night to remember.

The Queen & the Emcee

Indeed, pageants can also be platforms where endand mutual trust can be forged not only among the candidates but also among the people behind the event.

Flaviona Joaquin is Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2023

Dampas became the first barangay to win the Mutya sa Tagbilaran crown twice when its bet, the tall and talented Flaviona Cana Joaquin who composes and sings her own compositions bested a field of 16 hopefuls representing the 15 barangays and the Tagbilaran City College.

Flaviona Joaquin is Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2023

A consistent honor student since her elementary days, the budding songwriter & singer who comes from a musically- inclined family that includes Julia Faith, is also actively involved in campus and community organizations. 

She wowed a separate panel of judges earlier during the preliminary closed- door panel interview when she sang a line from her own composition.  She has been a consistent honor student from her grade school days in Holy Name University to her senior high school days at the EnSciMa Academy. Aside from the crown, she was also named Best in Swimsuit after the swimsuit round.

She was crowned by the outgoing queen Bella Acero who was assisted by the chair of the panel of judges Senator Raffy Tulfo, Gov. Aris Aumentado, Mayor Jane Yap, First Gentleman Baba Yap and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi.

The Crowning Moment

L-R: 3rd RU, 1st RU, Mutya 2023, 2nd RU, 4th RU

MEET THE RUNNERS UP: 

Her runners up included 1st RU # 9 BOOL Ma. Jesalyn Uy 2nd RU # 6 POB 2 Debien Cuyos, 3rd RU # 10 TIPTIP Ma. Christina Schott, 4th RU # 8 MANGA Sarah Anne Gerber.

COMPETITION FORMAT

After all the girls competed in both the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, their scores in the two rounds were added to their scores from the closed- door panel interview and talent competition. 

The ladies who got the highest five scores moved to the final round where they underwent a final Q & A. The judges then ranked the girls based on beauty, charm, Q & A & the overall impression.

PAGEANT NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

the girls in their Charlow Arbasto wrap dresses

Best in Swimsuit

Best in Evening Gown

Jake Ejercito serenades Miss Tiptip

The Final Five

Flaviona reacts after winning the crown

L-R: VM Jala, Mayor Yap, Sir Chief Baba & Gov. Aumentado

SPECIAL TITLES & SPONSOR AWARDS:

Miss Tiptip received five of the 15 special titles & sponsor awards. She was named Miss Photogenic, Miss Samsung, Miss IBEX, Miss Converge & Miss Globe. Miss Mansasa received the Miss Congeniality and Miss Talent awards while Miss Pob. III who impressed the preliminary judges with her impeccable wit, engaging personality and sunny disposition got the Miss Texter's Choice & Miss Bohol Tropics awards.  

Miss Bool who topped the Roy Tizon evening gown competition with her subdued catwalk and elegant stance was named Best in Evening Gown and Miss Copier's Choice awardee. The rest of the special award recipients were Miss Booy who was named Miss South Palms Resort, Miss Pob I was Best in Production Number and Miss Pob II who got the Best in Interview award.

STRONG EMPOWERED WOMEN

This year’s edition of Mutya sa Tagbilaran paid tribute to women empowerment. the global phenomenon of reaffirming a woman’s status through opportunities in literacy, education, training and awareness creation which the present leadership in Tagbilaran is doing for its women sector. 

In doing so, it promotes Tagbilaranon women’s sense of self-worth and the power to restore their dignity as women who contribute to their community’s progress & development. 

At the same time, it celebrates and recognizes the leadership qualities and capability of women leaders as embodied by its first lady mayor, Hon. Jane Yap.

During the spectacular opening number that fused artistry and dazzling cutting edge digital technology, images of our women leaders like 2^nd Dist. Congresswoman  Vanessa Aumentado & 3^rd Dist. Congresswoman Alexie Tutor & Tagbilaran City Police Station's Chief of Police PLTCOL Regie Real were flashed on the wide screen.

SAULOG TAGBILARAN 2023

Congratulations and thank you to the artistic & creative team behind Mutya sa Tagbilaran for giving Tagbilaranons the rare opportunity of watching a superb world-class production. It was a fast- paced two- hour production that was graced by Asia's Fearless Diva, Jona and spiced up with performances from the Vergara Siblings, Technotronix and the Vanguardians. 

It was indeed the most glamorous highlight of Tagbilaran Saulog 2023 as the city prepares for its city fiesta in honor of its patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker. For more of the Saulog activities, just check out its FB Page.

Photo Credits: 

Gerald James Cabal Photography

Chris Ramasola

 

Bohol’s Blue Grass Project Wins in Hong Kong Flower Show 2023

Barely a year after representing & winning for the Philippines the Best Creative Design Award- Professional category at the 12^th International FDSS Floral Design Competition held in Singapore last year, the Bohol- based Blue Grass Project of Boy Dumadag & Michael Yu won another international award.

Blue Grass Project was conferred the Grand Award at the 2023 Hong Kong Flower Show for Unique Feature International Category. 

Dubbed simply as “ROTOR” their award- winning floral installation was predominantly made from wicker, bamboo, raffia, dried botanicals, pebbles, wire, metals. Rotor made use of gloriosa superba, eustoma, dianthus, alocasia amazonica, gypsophila, pink cordeline, anthuriums, garden roses and tillandsia.

The design was a tribute to people’s tenacity and resilience in the midst of obstacles and challenges. During an exclusive interview, Mr. Dumadag and Mr. Yu explained that the rotor is the moving part of a turbine that provides the lift that enable rotary wings to fly.

“After pandemic lockdowns in Bohol, Philippines that halted trade, travel & tourism for two years and followed by super typhoon that devastated the entire island, it was imperative that Boholanos rise and pick up the pieces again. Our people were able to hurdle that dark chapter because we were able to restart the engine that would enable us to move forward. That engine, that force, that persistence became our driving force. We are therefore the rotors of our own lives.”

The storyline and the design concept resonated with the floral exhibit’s organizers, judges, participants and visitors alike because they could relate with Blue Grass Project’s journey. In fact, the floral show was also put on a two- year hiatus before it reopened again this year. Huge crowds came in droves to Victoria Park to celebrate the return of the annual Hong Kong Flower Show in Causeway Bay after it was cancelled in 2020 due to safety concerns brought by the COVID19 pandemic

The annual flower show is organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD.  

The Philippines also won the Merit Award Unique Feature Category & the World Flower Council – Philippines Chapter got the judges’ nod for the Grand Award for Design Excellence.   

Bohol Loop Dive Expo 2023 Takes Its First Plunge This April!

More than a hundred underwater photographers, dive enthusiasts & instructors will converge in Bohol from April 13 to April 30 for the inaugural staging of Bohol Loop Dive Expo or BHOLDEX 2023, the first of its kind in Bohol. 

The dive loop will take the event participants to a series of one- day dive expeditions and underwater photography contests and free dive exhibitions in newly- discovered dive spots from the coastal municipalities of Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia- Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Mabini, Ubay. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado is flanked by your Blogger 
& Vice Gov Dionisio Victor Balite

In between, there will be welcome events in the participating towns where the loop divers will be treated to the host town’s food, culture and entertainment. The loop dive event kicks off on April 13 with an opening program & dinner to be hosted by the Tagbilaran City LGU led by Mayor Jane Yap at the Bohol Tropics Resort and culminates with a closing program & awarding ceremony on April 30 at Villa Tomasa Alona Q in Alona Beach, Panglao.

Seen at the BHOLDEX launch were Prov'l Administrator Aster Caberte, 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap & Tourism Chair BM Tita Baja

The Panglao Association of Dive Operators (PADO) is organizing the event to help establish newly- discovered dive spots in Bohol after an intensive six- month dive assessment activity. This would ultimately boost the status of Bohol as a premier dive destination led by the Bohol Marina Triangle, the trifecta of dive spots in Panglao, Pamilacan and Balicasag.

Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, on the other hand, stressed the importance of solidifying Bohol’s position as one of the country’s top tourist destination through the discovery of new tourism offerings and diverse travel & tour options. 

Gov. Aumentado expresses his support 

At the same time, the governor who is also the Regional Development Council Chair for Central Visayas said that the event is also aimed at raising the awareness level for the protect, secure & restore these dive destinations to their pristine state. 

EVENT PARTNERS: Cebu Pacific, TWD, Pacifica Dive Shop, Civil Aviation Authority, the Bohol Provincial Government, Department of Tourism, Dive 7, Tourism, Promotion Board, Coca Cola Bottlers, ArMode. 

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS. Bohol Chronicle, KISS 102.3 FM. BHOLDEX 2023 is still open for event sponsorship. Please visit Bohol Loop Dive Expo Facebook Page for details

Will It be Third Time's the Universe for Pauline?

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado and First Lady & 2nd Dist. Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado warmly received Pauline Cucharo Amelincx during her courtesy call at the Governor's Office yesterday afternoon.

Pauline with Gov. Aris Aumentado & Cong. Vanessa Aumentado 

The said visit kicks off Ms. Amelincx' s Miss Universe Philippines 2023 journey after making it as one of 40 official candidates during the final screening in Metro Manila. 

Ms. Amelincx represented her hometown of Tubigon in Miss Bohol 2017 which she easily won. The multi-  titled beauty queen was also crowned Global Beauty Queen during the golden edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2018. 

Her Miss Universe Philippines journey started in 2020 where she was named 3rd Runner Up to Rabiya Mateo. Her second bid gave her the Miss Universe Philippines -Charity 2022 crown. Will her third and final attempt give Bohol its keenly anticipated MUP crown?

She follows the footsteps of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who competed in 2013 and 2014 before finally clinching the Bb Pilipinas Universe crown in 2015. Maricar Balagtas also competed thrice in Bb Pilipinas in 2000 and 2001 before winning the crown in 2004.

This year's MUP winner will represent the country in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant to be held in San Salvador, El Salvador this December.

Aside from the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 crown, MUP organizers have announced that Miss Supranational Philippines and Miss Charm Philippines will also be crowned during the grand coronation night.

We shall be updating fellow Boholanos of  Ms. Amelincx's bid for the crown through a series of blog features that would capture the drama and excitement of her journey.

Good luck Ms. Amelincx!