Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Fil- Australian is Mister Bohol 2024

Mister Lila is Mister Bohol- Dagohoy 2024

Almost everyone associated with the Mister Bohol search address him by his nickname Blair. Eighteen year old JOSE IMMANUEL PLAZA who turned a year older two days after the pageant finals is a fitness trainer back in Australia. Already towering with his 6’1” height, he was one of the crowd favorites and was selected as Best in Swimwear and Best in Interview. 

When asked why he chose physical fitness as his advocacy, he responded that it was not only to instill discipline and build a better physique but also to develop mental fortitude which is necessary to overcome challenges and obstacles.

He was born and raised here in Bohol before the family migrated to Brisbane, Australia where he is also active in school and as a member of their youth parish church.

He is very proud of his Boholano roots which is the reason why the family always makes it a point to visit his hometown regularly.

Together with James Howard Saldia of Baclayon and Aaron Yance De Castro, he will be representing the province in a national pageant.


Photo Credits: Mister Bohol FB Page

Monday, July 29, 2024

John Jensen H. Semblante is the 2024 Sandugo Festival King Grand Winner

The 23 year old is a BS Criminology graduate from BISU Balilihan Campus. The aspiring law enforcer attributes his participation in previous contests as a big factor in winning his first provincial pageant title. 

Sandugo Festival King 2024

A strong stage presence, confidence and well- assured poses and his short & concise responses were the winning combination that clinched for him the title as well as winning the Streetwear & Festival Costume competitions.


Rounding out the winner's circle were Ronnie Manliguez of Mabini 1st RU and Sam Dela Serna of Maribojoc 2nd RU

Mr. Semblante who dedicated his victory to his hometown Catigbi-an also expressed his gratitude to the Alturas Group of Companies for staging the annual search that provides the platform where young men like him are given the opportunity to dream big and aspire for greater things in life.  

With Ritchel Mutia at its helm and with the full support of AGC, the annual Sandugo Festival King has grown into one of the biggest and most prestigious personality contests in Bohol.

Panel of judges with Ginoong Pilipinas 2024

Among its past winners are Carl Michael Martinez who was recently crowned as the nationwide winner of Ginoong Pilipinas 2024 and Joshua Marapao Lillehagen who won the inaugural edition of the nationwide search for Great Man of the Philippines back in 2022.

Photo Credits: TJ Medrana Photography

The 

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Carl Michael L. Martinez: Bohol's first Ginoong Pilipinas winner

Gentlemen in pageantry are often overshadowed or eclipsed by their female counterparts for a lot of reasons. Generally speaking, male pageantry hasn’t reached or received the same level of popularity or acceptance in contemporary pop culture. 


But the staging last week of two well- organized province- wide competitions on male pulchritude and the recent win of a homegrown Boholano of the prestigious nationwide Ginoong Filipinas title has slowly but surely changed all that.


Here are Bohol’s current toast in male pageantry led by Carl Martinez as they also clarified the misconceptions about male pageants which they say are avenues where they can amplify their voices, improve themselves and be the springboard to better opportunities.


CARL MICHAEL LADAGA MARTINEZ, 2024 Ginoong Filipinas Grand Winner

His story is that of resilience and believing in oneself. After winning a string of local pageant titles, he laid low for a while because he wanted to focus on his studies and work but the chance to represent the province in a national search through a province- wide contest proved irresistible.


Admittedly, according to Carl, he wasn’t really ready as he was out of shape when he showed up for the screening of the first- ever Mister Bohol search back in 2021. But he reasoned out that he would just beef up for the contest once he hurdled the screening. To his shock, he didn’t make it to the list of 20 official candidates. That was when he realized that one has to focus and work hard to achieve one’s goal. 


Working out, switching to a healthier lifestyle, discipline and prayers were some of his preparations as he made a second bid for Mister Bohol after two years. His preparations paid off as he was proclaimed one of the three big winners of Mister Bohol 2023 and earned the right to represent Bohol in the national search for Ginoong Filipinas where he competed with 16 other titleholders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.


After competing in costumes, swimwear and formal barong, the cut to the top ten was made followed by the Q&A. He impressed the panel of judges with his response to the question “What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing young men of today?” 


His response:

the lack of knowledge on their cultural heritage. Most men today enjoy partying and other things but they don’t know what their cultural heritage is all about. So being here at Ginoo is not just about a title but to be an inspiration to the Filipinos to stay true to their identity, culture, stay proud of their heritage, always appreciative of our art, and be highly esteemed of our tourism because I believe that a Ginoong Pilipinas is the Philippines personified”

The heartfelt response in addition to almost perfect physique which also won him the Best in Swimwear award sealed his victory. The 25 year old Mr. Martinez who is presently a fitness trainer at one of the best gyms in the province, will represent the Philippines in the Mister Universe Tourism 2025 pageant.

Best in Swimwear 
His advice for young men who will compete in pageantry “ Aside from being in shape and possessing charm & personality, authenticity is key so they just have to be themselves, be proud of who and where they came from, highlight their strength and maintain positivity throughout the journey.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Miss Bohol 2024 is from Garcia- Hernandez

Cayle Tentativa is Miss Bohol 2024
Carl Joellie Tejano Tentativa of Garcia- Hernandez was crowned Miss Bohol 2024 in glittering ceremonies held at the jampacked Bohol Wisdom School Gym on Friday, July 12. 

The 23- year old RP & New York, USA licensed nurse was crowned by outgoing Miss Bohol 2023 Kyra Hopkins, Miss Bohol Honorary Chair Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Irha Mel Alfeche, Miss Bohol Co- Chair Ana Loinda Saluan and SK Bohol Pres. Lawrence Ancla . 

The newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2024, daughter of Garcia- Hernandez Municipal Councilor Hon. Carol Tejano was also named 2024 Miss JCI Philippines Bohol and Best in Interview after topping the closed- door panel interview with the judges earlier during the day.

Cayle, as she's called by friends & family also placed second to Miss Tagbilaran City for the Darling of the Press special award during the Press Presentation which officially kicked off the Miss Bohol 2024 edition.

In her three appearances
During the final Q & A, the top five were asked the same question “ If crowned Miss Bohol 2024, how would you encourage local communities to actively participate in the conservation efforts of Bohol as a global geopark for the benefit of future Boholano questions?”

Ms. Tentativa’s response “ I'm gonna convince the community tonight, right here, right now in the Miss Bohol stage that the designation of Geopark is very telling of the undeniable beauty of Bohol and the rich culture of the Boholanos so let's all be committed because this is us, this is our culture and we should be proud so that we can all be aware and unanimous in showing the world the beauty of Bohol and ensuring the preservation for the next generation and for the rest of the world to enjoy. Daghang salamat"

RUNNERS UP & SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS. Rounding out the winners’ circle were Flaviona Joaquin of Tagbilaran City 1st RU, Best in Evening Gown and Darling of the Press, Angel Ann Calimbayan of Dauis 2nd RU.

Mariel Dianne Ybañez of Tubigon 3rd RU and Miss Congeniality & Miss Photogenic and Jacel Joy Argawanon of Pilar 4th RU and Best in Swimsuit. Miss Jagna Elah Merari Lagrido was named Best in Production Number.

L-R: 4th RU, 2nd RU, Miss Bohol, 2nd RU, 4th RU
All the 16 candidates competed in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions before the top five finalists were revealed.  

PANEL OF JUDGES. Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Irha Mel Alfeche chaired the panel of judges that included Miss Bohol 2005 & Bb Pilipinas – World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit- Taylor, Reyna ng Aliwan Philippines 2024 Mia Tamayo, Bragais Shoes Executive Ezequiel Quezada, TV host & football player Marcus Paterson, singer/ actress Kyline Alcantara and top fashion designer Dennis Lustico.

PAGEANT’S HISTORIC FIRSTS. The delegation from Garcia Hernandez led by Mayor Jess Baja & First Lady Mau Baja erupted into thunderous applause and screams when their candidate was named Miss Bohol as it was a historic first Miss Bohol win for the municipality of Garcia- Hernandez.

Had Flaviona Joaquin won, it would have been a fourth successive win for the City of Tagbilaran. To date, the Municipality of Jagna still holds the record for three consecutive Miss Bohol wins achieved by Tiffany Yap 1990, Recelle Adlaon 1991 and Celevel Ranoco 1992. 

Tagbilaran City has won in three successive editions Raclaire Trigo 2018, Celina Villoceno 2019 and Kyra Hopkins 2023.

Boholana Costume Winners
The 2024 edition also marked the first time for a major Miss Bohol pre- pageant event to be held outside Tagbilaran City when the Boholana Iconic Costume Competition was staged at the impressive Jagna Cultural Center last July 7. Garcia Hernandez wore the grand prize winning design of designer Charlow Arbasto and Best Film for Maxigne Delusa

Miss Bohol Honorary Chair
Cong. Vanessa Aumentado

Pageant hosts were Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelincx & Clyde Dy while Kapuso star & singer Paul Salas serenaded the girls. 

Pageant direction by Eme Pinos and Creatives & Visuals by Rolly Icban

Extra Special Blog Feature

Part 1: The Tragic Story of Amparo Munoz

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