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.

Tagbilaran City is Best Component City Police Station, LGU of Tagbilaran City is Also Honored During PNP Day 2026

The Tagbilaran City Police Station (TCPS) proudly earned the distinction as Best Component City Police Station of Region 7 during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Day 2026 Celebration held at Police Regional Office 7 on February 23, 2026.

The prestigious recognition highlights the station’s consistent excellence in law enforcement operations, community engagement, crime prevention initiatives, and organizational management. 

PLTCOL John Karen O. Escober
TCPS Chief of Police 

The achievement reflects the collective dedication of TCPS personnel under the leadership of PLTCOL JOHN KAREEN OLIVEROS ESCOBER, Chief of Police, whose strategic direction elevated the station into greater heights and placed TCPS among the top performing police stations in the region.

Through strengthened operational capability, community partnership programs, and disciplined internal management, TCPS sustained high-impact accomplishments, ultimately bringing the station to the pedestal of excellence among component city police stations in PRO7.

In his message, PLTCOL ESCOBER emphasized that the award is not an individual achievement but a product of teamwork and community support:

“Kining kadaugan dili para sa usa ka tawo lamang kundili para sa tibuok TCPS ug sa katawhan sa Tagbilaran. Ang among kalampusan bunga sa panaghiusa, disiplina, ug suporta sa LGU ug komunidad. Magpadayon kami sa matinud-anon ug lig-ong pag-alagad sa katawhan"

The station also proudly congratulates the following personnel who brought honor to TCPS:

• PMSg Joel Orapa – Best Senior PNCO for Operations

• PSSg Luwen Refulle – Best Junior PNCO for Operations

Their recognition reflects the professionalism, operational competence, and dedication to public safety service.

TAGBILARAN CITY AS OUTSTANDING COMPONENT CITY LGU

During the same ceremony, the City Government of Tagbilaran, under the leadership of Mayor Jane C. Yap and who was represented by City Administrator Alvin Acuzar, was likewise recognized and awarded as Outstanding Component City Local Government Unit (LGU), highlighting the strong partnership between the police and the local government in maintaining peace, order, and public safety in the city.

These recognitions affirm the effectiveness of collaborative governance, proactive policing, and community-centered public safety programs being implemented in Tagbilaran City.

The Tagbilaran City Police Station remains committed to delivering responsive, capable, and trustworthy police service to the people as it continues to uphold the highest standards of the Philippine National Police.

 

Meet the 2026 BPHSN International Homecoming Queen: Margarita Llido-Torn

Last night, Margarita "Jijing" Llido- Torn who represented the Phoebes of Class 1976 was crowned the 2026 BPHSN Grand International Homecoming Queen in glittering  ceremonies at the MetroCentre Hotel & Convention Center.

2026 BPHSN Queen

Her crowning was a date with destiny. 

She was crowned exactly 100 years after her mom, the late Ascension Gaviola- Llido was crowned the first Miss Bohol and the first Boholana to represent the province in a national beauty pageant, the 1926 Miss Philippines search which replaced the Philippines Carnival Queen.

The newly- crowned homecoming queen finished her elementary and high school education in the bustling coastal town of Jagna, Bohol. 

She took her Pre-nursing in Velez College Cebu City and Graduated in BPHSN in 1976. 

After passing the Philippine Licensure Examination for Nurses, she worked as an OR nurse in the Divine Word Hospital managed by the Benedictine Sisters. 

L-R: Regencia, Torn, Hardnett & Anselmo

Named as Princesses Adela Refamonte- Regencia of The Glasgows Batch 85, Milagros Himalaloan - Hardnett of The Theresians Batch 84 and Romana Narisma- Anselmo of The Melchorians Batch 74 

The ladies with their consorts

During the presentation of candidates

The queen with her batchmates

She put her hospital work on hold in 1978 so she can take care of her Mom Ascension in Cebu City. 

She worked briefly as a medical representative of the United American Pharmaceutical Company before she acquired her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in CCC. 

From 1979 to 1984, she worked as a company nurse at the Floating Casino before moving to the new building in Nivel Hills Cebu City. 

She made her big move in 1984 when she left for New York to accompany her elderly mother. 

She then moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, met and exchanged lifetime vows with the man of her dreams, the wonderful Howard Torn. 

After getting her Registered Nurse License , she worked in John Knox Health until 2007.  

Her greatest passions are fishing, tennis and traveling. She is a member of the Women’s International Fishing Association and is a world record holder of the International Game Fishing Association in Fly Fishing division. 

She still competes in women’s fishing In Inshore and Offshore divisions all over the world as well as being competitive in Singles Tennis division. 

At present, she continues to travel, fish, play tennis and enjoy her life to the fullest.

Screams & Panic as the 1979 Miss Universe Stage Collapses

After weeks of endless photo shoots, wardrobe fittings, promotional tours &rehearsals, the 1979 Miss Universe Pageant finally had its glittering coronation night and beamed live all over the world from was the Perth Entertainment Centre in Perth, Australia. July 20, 1979.

Minutes before the stage collapsed 

The 28th Miss Universe Maritza Sayalero

Maritza Sayalero, 18, confirmed her frontrunner status as she topped the swimsuit, evening gown and interviews during the semifinal round. 

The stars aligned for the 18 year old beauty that evening and before the night was over, Venezuela had won its first Miss Universe crown. 

Maritza pipped Gina Swainson of Bermuda into second place. ( Ms. Swainson went on to win the 1979 Miss World title later that year) Miss England Carolyn Seaward was 2nd RU and Miss Photogenic, Miss Brazil, Martha Jussara de Costa was 3rd RU and Miss Sweden Anette Marie Ekstrom was 4th RU.

Miss England gets a helping hand

Miss Brazil is pulled out from the pile

A few minutes after the pageant had finished its telecast, hysterical screams were heard and pandemonium broke out after part of the stage collapsed. The sudden surge of close to 200 photographers and reporters on the stage designed to hold only 75 girls was the main cause of the accident.

Miss Universe 79 with Miss Malta

Around 20 girls and 30 reporters then fell down from a 6 ft x 9 ft hole and plunged two meters to the ground below.

The girls from Malta and Turkey were taken to the hospital for concussions and leg injuries while Miss Philippines and Miss Costa Rica had bruises after the fall.

It was the new Miss Universe's luck that the crack didn't reach her throne by a few inches sparing her, Miss Bermuda & Miss Sweden from falling into the pit.

Miss Brazil & Miss England, two of the runners up and who were seated closer to the edge were among those who fell with the Brazilian contestant complaining that her $3,000 evening gown was ruined.

It was a good thing that the CBS had just ended its live coverage before the incident otherwise TV audiences from the US and around the world would have seen the shocking incident.

Miss Philippines, Criselda "Dang" Cecilia went on to become a movie actress and played leading lady to top action stars and comedy kings. She later gave up showbusiness when she settled down for good.