Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2026 Shines in Spectacular Diamond Anniversary Pageant

It was a fitting & grand finale to the glittering quest for Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2026, the glamorous highlight to the 60th Tagbilaran City Charter celebration. This year’s extra special edition affirmed the annual pageant’s status as one of the country’s topnotch celebration of beauty, purpose & woman empowerment. 

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2026
Larsine Grace Jensen 

From the spectacular opening number to the scintillating swimsuit competition and finally the ethereal evening gown competition which paid homage to the city’s diamond anniversary. The ladies wore the sensational sartorial creations of top Boholano designer Noel Estopito. 

Special mention to designers Christian Relator, Charlow Arbasto & Kim Villamor for dressing up the ladies in their public appearances.

Opening Number 

Adding star wattage to the show was the presence of movers & shakers in government service, fashion industry and national & international beauty queens who composed this year’s panel of judges.

The First Couple with members of the panel of judges led by Atty. Anette Gozon Valdez, GMA Network SVP

Fifteen lovely ladies representing the 15 city barangays took to the stage with grace, aplomb and stage presence as they competed in the swimsuit & evening gown segments. From 15, the field was narrowed down to the final five who then underwent the final Q & A portion. 

PAGEANT EMCEES. Robin Domingo & Gabbi Carballo 2025 Miss Eco Philippines 

Just before pageant hosts Robi Domingo & Gabbi Carballo, Miss Eco Philippines 2025 announced the results, the outgoing Mutya 2025 Bvhlgryl Chelsea Bariñan, one of the most outstanding Mutya queens, made her emotional farewell walk. 

Outgoing queen Bvhlgryl Chelsea Bariñan 

MOTHER DAUGHTER TANDEM. 
Gina Palen Mutya 2001 1st RU with daughter Mutya 2025 Bvhlgryl Chelsea Bariñan

Before the night was over, Larsine Grace O. Jensen of Brgy. Cogon was crowned Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2026. Named 1st RU was Shoshana B. Lefler of Brgy. Cabawan, 2nd RU Shian Angelikha Daniel Bajao of Pob II, 3rd RU Channah Shanayd G. Sadlerof Brgy. Dampas and 4th RU Kathline Siason of Brgy. Booy

L-R: 3rd RU, 1st RU, Mutya 2026, 2nd RU, 4th RU 

The new Mutya sa Tagbilaran also emerged as one of the big winners having earned the Best in Evening Gown, Miss Bohol Tropics, Best in Production Number, Miss Globe, Miss Save N Earn, Miss Photogenic & Miss IBEX Ambassadress.  

The 1st RU Soshana Lefler was named Miss Talent, Best in Swimsuit & Best Advocacy Video. 

Candy Rose Anderson of Brgy. Manga was named Best in Interview & Miss Converge while Zia Angela Mondilla was named Miss Congeniality & Miss TnT Choice Awardee.

Cong. Baba Yap & Mayor Jane Yap with TnT national winners Marielle Montellano & JM Dela Cerna

Councilors Merick Blanco & Edi Borja, Ms. Cabawan & POB II SK Chair

BTS. Cong. Baba & Mayor Jane with the technical & creative crew led by Dr. John Torralba & Sir. Alexis Cadeliña

Congratulations to City Mayor Jane Yap, the pageant’s chairperson since Mutya sa Tagbilaran underwent a major facelift in 2014 and become one of the region’s most prestigious beauty competitions that it is now. 

Kudos also to the pageant director, Alexis Joseph Cadelina and creative director Dr. Chris John Rener Torralba 

Lending support to the event were 1st Dist Cong. John Geesnell Yap II, the city councilors, barangay captains & SK chairpersons

Cong. Van-van Turns 45 Today!

Happy Birthday Miss Bohol 2001

Happy birthday to 2nd District Cong Ms. Van-van Cadorna Aumentado  who turns a year older but wiser today May 21.

Twenty five years ago, she made a splash when she represented her hometown Duero in the Miss Bohol 2001 Pageant. 

During the past two decades, the public has seen how she blossomed into the self-assured and confident woman that she is right now. 

Almost everyone knows that the lovely Vanessa is the spouse of Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado & the mom of Lawrence,  Lance, Liam & Life but only a few know that she once reigned as Miss Bohol Sandugo 2001, a title she assumed being next in line after the original winner wasn’t able to finish her reign.

She later met her future in- laws during the 2002 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant when she crowned the new queen together with the late Gov. Erico Aumentado & former First Lady Greenie Aumentado.

To Vanessa, Long May You Reign! Cheers!

Apriel Smith during the evening gown competition

It was the most polished evening gown presentation that we've seen on the Miss Universe Philippines stage. 

Apriel Smith 

The stance, the walk, the pose and the breathtaking white evening gown that highlighted her figure and complemented her dusky Filipina complexion. 

Hoping Apriel Smith of Cebu City gets the chance to represent us on the global stage.

You represented the  Visayas with grace, confidence & pride.

Winners of the Glow- in- the-Dark Bohol International Dragon Boat Festivall

The successful staging of the first Glow- in- the- Dark Dragon Boat Festival in Bohol generated a lot of mileage & positive vibes not only for the growing number of dragon boat enthusiasts in Bohol but also for the readiness & capability of local organizers to mount a high profile sporting event. 

Participants were all praises for the staging of the races, the warm welcome extended to them and for the overall conduct of the sporting event. This would surely translate into more opportunities to stage future sporting events in the city.

A huge credit goes to the unmatched leadership of Dr. Doyet Dumaluan, the president of Bohol Paddlers Association Inc, the organizing committee. 

The partnership of the city government and the provincial government was an impressive show of unity & cooperation especially the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the event 

See you at the next dragon boat festival here in Bohol!

And the results are in for the 2026 GLOW - IN- THE- DARK Bohol Dragon Boat Festival held from April 18 to 19 at the Bayfront of the fabulous Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City.

The race officials

Vancouver Reign Team

Surviveoars Leyteños Team

PNP Team

Taloto Wild Dragons

Bohol Paddlers Assn Inc

200m Premier Open 12 Category:

• Champion: PNP Team B
• 1st RU: PNP Team A
• 2nd RU: Taloto Wild Dragons 
• 3rd RU: BPAi

200m Premier Women Category: 

• Champion: PNP Maritime Group 
• 1st RU: Taloto Wild Dragons
• 2nd RU: Surviveoars Leyteños 
• 3rd RU: BPAi

200m Senior Mixed Category: 

• Champion: Sugbo Mighty Dragons 
• 1st RU: Surviveoars Leyteños 
• 2nd RU: Taloto Wild Dragons 
• 3rd RU: BPAi

The dragon boat racing event which is one of the highlights of the 2026 Saulog Tagbilaran celebration was a partnership of the LGU of Tagbilaran City and the Bohol Provincial Government and organized by the Bohol Paddlers Association Inc (BPAi) headed by Dr. Doyet Dumaluan.

MAJOR SPONSOR:

• STARLINK

MINOR SPONSOR:

• NATURE'S SPRING
• JJ'S SEAFOOD VILLAGE 
• FCB ( First Consolidated Bank)
• BLUE PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
• POCARI SWEAT
• OCCIDENTAL ENTERPRISES
• LABB CONSTRUCTION 
• BUGSAI SEA CRAFT
• DU EK SAM
• DUMALUAN BEACH CORPORATION 

GOLD SPONSOR: 

• SANNOVEX PHARMACEUTICALS 

SILVER SPONSOR

• THE BELLEVUE RESORT 

Special Thanks to:

• Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado
• 1st District Cong. Baba Yap
• 2nd District Cong. Vanessa Aumentado 
• 3rd District Cong. Alexis Tutor
• City Mayor Jane Yap
• Bohol Tropics Resort, event venue

Glow- in- the- Dark Bohol Dragon Boat Festival

The successful staging of the first Glow- in- the- Dark Bohol International Dragon Boat Festival 2026 on April 18 & 19 at the Bohol Tropics Resort once again highlighted Bohol's capability to organize & host national & international sporting event

The event attracted nine local & international teams including Vancouver Reign (Canada), PNP Teams A & B (Manila), Bohol Paddlers Assn, Taloto Wild Dragons, Sugbo Mighty Dragons & Surviveoars Leyteños who will be competing in three categories; Premier Open, Premier Women & Senior Mix.

As one of the highlights of the 2026 Saulog Tagbilaran festivities, the two- day dragon boat  race was co- presented by the City Government of Tagbilaran led by City Mayor Jane Yap and the Bohol Provincial Government led by Gov. Aris Aumentado and organized by the Bohol Paddlers Assn Inc led by Dr. Doyet Dumaluan.

Atty. Villanueva, Dr. Dumaluan, VG Besas & Mayor Yap

As dusk began to enevelop the the race venue,  the whole place took on an enchanting vibe. The illumined dragon boats were a sight to behold as they cast a glow while gliding through the dark waters. The excitement rose to a deafening crescendo amidst the cheers from the spectators and the hypnotic beat from the PRIME Drum & Bugle Corps.

The dragon boat festival opened with the parade of teams who were welcomed by Mayor Jane Yap, Vice Gov Nick Besas, PDBF Pres. Atty. Jay Pee Villanueva & Dr. Doyet Dumaluan.

Your Blogger with the volunteers 

The awakening of the dragon ceremony & oath of sportsmanship immediately followed before the start of the preliminary heats.

The PNP Maritime Group Paddlers after sweeping the Premier Open & Premier Women categories 

1997 Miss Bohol: Socorro D Marie “Talie” Tallo Inting

After an almost disastrous & very controversial pageant the year before, the handling of the Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant went back to the Rotaract Club of Tagbilaran

The candidates for the 1997 edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo were collectively known as the Magnificent Seven. That’s right, only seven of the several hopefuls survived the tough screening process adopted by the pageant organizers.

A jampacked crowd witnessed the crowning of Tagbilaran City's bet, Talie Tallo Inting as Miss Bohol at the conclusion of the annual search for Bohol’s loveliest at the DWCT Gymnasium, July 15, 1997

Socorro D Marie Tallo Inting 

FRONTRUNNERS & CROWD FAVORITES

Miss Tagbilaran City, Socorro D Marie “Talie” Tallo Inting was pegged by most pageant experts and beauty watchers to win the crown after her stunning victory in the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 1997 Pageant where she topped the Swimsuit, Interview and Evening Gown Competitions.

She even got a 19.8 out of a perfect 20 in a memorable interview where she displayed her charm, candor and confidence

The other favorites were Miss Maribojoc Joanna Bacareza and Miss Calape Ria Nina Cubillo. The tall and willowy Miss Garcia- Hernandez Arbie Entero was also mentioned as a possible spoiler for the crown.

Ketchie Templa of Baclayon was also pegged by pageant experts as one of the girls who would make the final three.

Miss Bohol 1997 & her court

INNOVATIVE PAGEANT. IMPORTED EMCEE. IMPORTANT GUESTS

Bohol’s premier showband, Five Star Band, provided the live music accompaniment for the swimsuit and evening gown competitions

The combination of live music entertainment & the parade of gorgeous girls proved to be a big hit among those who watched the pageant that was emceed by Steven Casanova of Cebu’s 92.3 Killer Bee

1998 Senatorial hopefuls Raul Roco and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were in the audience

TOP THREE

Miss Baclayon & Miss Tagbilaran 

After all the girls had competed in the three areas of judging, namely; Swimsuits, Evening Gowns & Personal Interviews, the pageant emcee revealed the names of the three highest scorers who would be advancing to the final round

As expected, Miss Tagbilaran City Talie Inting and Miss Garcia- Hernandez Arbie Entero advanced to the final round.  Rounding out the final three was Miss Baclayon Celeste “Ketchie” Templa who gave a very consistent performance in all three rounds of competition.

The stunningly beautiful Joanna Bacareza of Maribojoc and crowd favorite Ria Nina Cubillo didn’t survive the first cut. It would take another two years on her second try before Ms. Cubillo would finally win the crown.

ONE FINAL QUESTION

One final question was asked of the three finalists.

After the deliberations, the Board of Judges gave their final verdict

COMPLETE FINAL RESULTS

1997 Miss Bohol Talie Inting TAGBILARAN CITY 

1st Runner Up Ketchie Templa   BACLAYON 

2^nd Runner Up Arbie Entero GARCIA HERNANDEZ 

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Best in Gown    Joanna Bacareza    MARIBOJOC

Best in Swimsuit  Talie Inting TAGBILARAN CITY 

Miss Photogenic  Ria Nina Cubillo     CALAPE

Miss Friendship Talie Inting  TAGBILARAN CITY 

CORPORATE AWARDS:

Miss AVON   Talie Inting    TAGBILARAN CITY 

Johnson’s Fresh Face   Ria Nina Cubillo  CALAPE 

Negros Navigation Angel  Ketchie Templa BACLAYON 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Pageant Organizer           : The Rotaract Club of Tagbilaran

Pageant Director               : Rotaractor Jon Pascual

Choreographer                  : Rotaractor Ms Mary Ann Udtohan

Technical Director             : Rotaractor Teddy Ramasola

Socorro D Marie Tallo Inting is now a Manila- based lawyer who has the distinction of winning every pageant that she entered.

1995 Miss DWCT where she represented the High School Dept

1997 Mutya sa Tagbilaran

1997 Miss Bohol Sandugo

A member of the DWCT Women’s Basketball Varsity 

Poland Opens Honorary Consulate in Bohol

The province of Bohol has once again lived up to its reputation as a trailblazer in international diplomacy with the formal opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Poland and the installation of Ms. Zarah Jao Dejaresco, one of the pioneers in the local tourism industry as Honorary Consul of Poland in Bohol.

L-R: Vice Gov Besas, Gov. Aumentado, H.E. Wilkowiecka, Honorary Consul Dejaresco & Consul Kmita

Her Excellency Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Ambassador of Poland in the Philippines and Consul Sebastian Marek Kmita Kmita led the Polish delegation during the opening ceremony held at Cafe Dolores in Bohol Tropics Resort. 

In her acceptance message, Ms. Dejaresco vowed to carry out her role as honorary consul which includes attending to the concerns of Polish nationals residing in or visiting Bohol and fostering stronger trade & tourism ties between the two nations.

Cong. Baba Yap & City Mayor Jane Yap 
congratulates Ms. Dejaresco

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado , Vice Gov. Nick Besas, Provl Administrator Ms. Aster Caberte-, Cong. John Geesnell II Yap and City Mayor Jane Yap lauded the opening of the first consular office in Bohol. 

Joining Ms. Dejaresco during her installation ceremony were her husband Peter Dejaresco of the Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation and daughter Divine as well as leaders from the business sector, heads of different national & provincial agencies and industry stakeholders. 

Cong. Yap, Vice Gov Besas & Gov. Aumentado 

Divine Dejaresco & City Mayor Jane Yap 

BEDIPO Head Ma. Fe Dominise &
BTO Head Joanne M. Pinat

Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo & MC Raul Gatal 

Businessman Mr Romeo Jabonillo & Atty Lucas Nunag, Co- Chair, Bohol Tourism Council 

Panglao Mayor Edgardo Arcay & First Lady Aniceta Arcay

BCCI Pres. Steven Lim & Mr. Argeo Melisimo, Pres, Bohol Council of Educators in Tourism Industry 

John Maraguinot, Supervising Officer, Office of the Governor & Ms. Mian Bernadette Cirujales, Acting Head, Dept of Foreign Affairs- Tagbilaran 

Raul Gatal, program emcee

The opening of the consulate marks a significant milestone in strengthening the diplomatic, cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Poland.