Neil John & Mary Jude Take It One Step Closer

 Neil & MJ during their engagement party

Although relatively new, engagement parties are now gaining more and more popularity and acceptance here in Bohol. 

An engagement party happens when a couple finally decides to make their relationship into a lifetime commitment. 

The party is their way of sharing the good news with their friends and families, a time to let the future in-laws meet and of course, to celebrate the next chapter in the couple’s life. 

MJ’s parents and sister Therese Jude

Neil’s mom Lolita Romero with Manny & Gloria Pabualan

Neil John,  Frankie & Judil Simbajon, Lolita Romero & MJ Simbajon

The engagement of US- based Neil John Penales Romero, son of Nathaniel & Lolita Romero, & Mary Jude “MJ” Poquita Simbajon, daughter of Frankie & Judil Simbajon, comes to mind when talking about this beautiful & meaningful social event. Held at the posh Bluewater Resort in Panglao, it had all the elements of the ideal engagement party; presence of family & friends, romantic ambience, the traditions & symbols and of course, the great food & drinks and the fun that comes after the ceremony.

NEIL’S CLOSE PALS: Turboi Navarro, Jay Uy, Pankoi Ruiz & Stella, Ronan Delima & Cathy Pernia

Mary Jude’s BFF Mary Capuccine & friend Von Rinnan Labella 

MJ’S BUDDIES: Mary Capuccine, MarieCris Evardo, Tonet Libante, Marivel Lor, Claire Mata,

Aside from the great food was great and overflowing drinks, Lhenny Esguerra and the rest of the Bluewater family were right there to make sure everything was okay. 

The lovely evening was highlighted with the marriage proposal followed by the presentation & acceptance of the engagement ring. As in many countries, the engagement ring was placed on the ring finger of Mary Jude’s left hand. This custom traces its origins in an ancient Egyptian myth that the finger contained the vena amoris or vein of love that led directly to the heart. The circular shape symbolizes eternity and the immortality of love. 

Amidst the yells and cheers of the guests, the couple sealed their commitment with a kiss and an embrace and capped the evening's celebration with dancing and singing.

Your Roving Eye with MJ, Cathy Pernia & Rby Mijos

Christmas Parol Lighting Ceremony Ushers in Pasko Sa Bluewater Panglao

It’s that time of the year when people get a little nicer, when Christmas carols lord it over KISS 102.3 FM, when the nights seem darker and colder and lines at the malls get longer. Yes dearie, Christmas is just around the corner and kids everywhere await this day with glee and anticipation.

Your Roving Eye and lifestylebohol will  share and give you tips on the best gifts to give your loved ones and where to celebrate and mark the happiest of holidays! And as we look forward to the rounds of parties and revelries, be less cranky especially when you’re behind the wheels and remember to share to show you care!   

It’s Pasko sa Bluewater Panglao Resort 

The parol, the humble yet very Filipino symbol of Christmas, took the spotlight at last week’s Parol Lighting Ceremony and Benefit Dinner at Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort.  A benefit dinner awaited guests and invited members of the press at the Aplaya Restaurant which had been spruced up and bedecked the very Filipino Christmas decorations and centerpieces.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY led by 

Resort Manager Rowena Eser Jose

Resort Manager Rowena Eser Jose led the tree lighting ceremony together with Assistant DepEd Superintendent Marina Salamanca, Bohol Crisis Intervention Center Head Donna Mante and Provincial Accountant Joceth Celocia. 

The HNU Chorale’s mellifluous voices set the tone for a truly Christmas feel

Talented Tandem. Joseph Gara & Nabela Gudito mesmerized the guests

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Part of the proceeds will go to selected charities and organizations especially those that would benefit the children of Danao community. The luxurious resort ushered in the holiday season carols from the HNU Chorale and a select repertoire of classics, standards & pop hits from the popular & talented tandem of Joseph Gara and Nabela.

The glitter and sparkle of a Filipino Christmas never fail to evoke warmth & joy

BLUEWATER NOCHE BUENA & NEW YEAR. Ms. Ivy Palonpon, Bluewater’s Marketing Communications Associate, shared that a fusion of the resort’s choice Filipino & international cuisine, topnotch entertainment  and excellent hospitality & service await  guests and walk- in clients on Noche Buena, December 24 and on their New Year’s Eve Masskara party!   

 BLUEWATER RESORT TEAM led by Resort Manager Weng Jose

 

Your Roving Eye with Bluewater’s Weng & Ivy together with John Borgman & son Milton,

 globetrotting social media influencers Frank Briones & Celevel Butler  

Christmas is indeed the time for sharing one’s blessings and last week’s lovely and meaningful Christmas tradition at Bluewater Panglao is a gentle reminder of how joyous & festive Christmas is when we give back to the community!   

Happy holidays!

Aya Acedo @ 18

Turning eighteen is one of the most anticipated milestones in a girl’s life. Tiffany Aliah Mae “Aya” Solis Acedo, the only child of Engr. Robert Morales Acedo of SIEMENS Company and Ma. Antonietta “Mae Ann” Solis Acedo,RN,MPA, presently, the Ubay Municipal Tourism Officer marked her special birthday with a celebration held at the Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort. 

Aya in her EJ Relampagos gown is the epitome of elegance

 Locale: Bluewater Panglao Resort

The senior high school student from Holy Name University who aspires to be a pediatrician someday was a picture of radiant beauty and refined manners from the moment she stepped into the venue and up to the concluding part where she expressed her gratitude to everyone with sincerity and love.

Tiffany Aliah Mae Solis Acedo with Papa Robert & Mama Mae Ann

Instead of the usual write up that accompanies a memorable 18^th birthday celebration, Your Roving Eye is giving the celebrant a chance to express her gratitude to everyone who made her special day extraordinary. 

“ I would like to thank everyone who took part in the preparations for my debut and to everyone who came and celebrated with me on my special day. Thank you to Miss Epz Jamila Relampagos and her team for my hair and make-up, every look you did on me was great and it was aesthetic. Thank you to Bohol’s super talented & visionary designer EJ Relampagos for my beautiful gowns which made me look and feel more beautiful.

With her Ninong Bishop Abet Uy and her parents

Thank you to my ninong for the amazing birthday cake. Your thoughtfulness & generosity would always be remembered. Thank you to Nanay, Tatay and Ate Michelle for the giveaways. Thank you also to Mommy Beth and the Solis family from Davao for sponsoring my gowns. Thank you to Sir Raul Gatal for hosting the night and made the program go so well and smooth even if there were some flaws. Thank you to my Ninong Bishop Abet Uy for blessing me, my family and the guests and for being part of the celebration even just for a short time.

The debut also served as a reunion for the Solis & Acedo families who attended Aya’s debut

Thank you to all the staff and my ninong from Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort for accommodating us and for preparing the venue and event so well. The food was delicious and the event venue’s styling surpassed my expectations. It truly captured the enchanted forest theme perfectly.  Thank you to Gerald James Cabal Photography for the wonderful photos and videos, you have captured every moment that will forever be remembered and cherished. 

Aya joins her mom Mae Ann S. Acedo and her mom’s sisters Nenette S.Torralba,

Beth S.Llanera and Lyn-lyn S.Alingasa for a special dance number.

 Thank you to all my relatives, parents’ friends, our family friends, to my uncles and aunts, ninangs and ninongs for coming and spending your night celebrating my journey to legality. Thank you for all the gifts and messages, I really can’t express how happy and grateful I am for everything you gave and said. Thank you to my good friends who have been there ever since, each one of you has a special place in my heart and your presence is already a wonderful gift to me.  

 

With her dad’s friends Lorenzo Pabotoy,Diomedes Butawan Jr.,Cristine Sajonia & Jereme Montado

Thank you to the wonderful couple and the only reason why a Tiffany Aliah Mae S. Acedo existed in this world. For the most amazing parents, Thank you! A thank you is not enough to express how blessed I am to have you as parents. Thank you for all the sacrifices, efforts, time and money spent just for my debut. Thank you Mama and Papa, your love, care, life lessons and so much more has molded me into becoming who I am today. I’ll always stay strong for our family. I will make you both proud of me when I become a Pediatrician soon.

 

With some of her 18 pairs in a wacky moment

Most especially to Papa God, THANK YOU, You have guided me, protected me, answered my prayers, listened and helped me throughout the 18 years. My life and everything I have, and what I am is a big blessing already. Thank you to all of you and for the fond memories that will last a lifetime. Abo to all.

 

Event venue is the exclusive Bluewater Panglao Resort 

Bluewater Panglao Hosts Unforgettable Gustatory Experience

A couple of nights ago, Your Roving Eye, along with a select group of lifestyle writers from Cebu and Manila, was  invited by Bluewater Panglao to a Filipino- themed degustation dining experience aptly named “Hayop sa Sarap na Degustation” to kick off the resort’s annual Christmas tradition named “Pasko sa Bluewater”

The eyecatching menu promised a delightful evening ahead

By the way, for those out of the loop, degustation is a French culinary term that refers to sampling an array of small dishes served one after the other. The term also encompasses ideas like savoring of food with all the senses, appreciation of ingredients and the chef’s technical skills and enjoying food with good company. Last Friday’s  degustation involved sampling small portions of some of the featured chef’s signature dishes in one sitting.

Filipino knick knacks for that unique Pinoy Christmas flavor

 great conversation pieces


  

Everyone could feel the coming of the holidays with the very Filipino Christmas decorations and conversational centerpieces that bedecked the dining tables.  The gustatory experience at the resort's Aplaya Restaurant which started promptly at 7 pm was a very creative 12-course Filipino-inspired degustation celebration capped by Pepita’s Lechon de Leche. 

The iconic tartanilla takes the spotlight


 

Dedet  dela Fuente also known by food enthusiasts as the Lechon Diva behind the popular Pepita’s Kitchen in Makati was in her elements that night. Funny, endearing and warm, she welcomed all guests including the top mavens of Bohol’s travel and tours industry by sharing the story behind Pepita’s Kitchen and gave the proper introductions as each dish was served.

 Dedet dela Fuente, The Lechon Diva” shared her passion for food at
the Bluewater Panglao event

We started the whole shebang with a lambanog shot into the martini glass, where it magically melts actual pink cotton candy. It was surprisingly delicious and set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Among the memorable dishes was the Hiplog which combined hipon  (or shrimp) in itlog na maalat (salted egg) sauce. The shrimp is coated with rich crab fat butter and topped with bits from the salted egg. 

 Jo Philipps, Paolo Rigotti and Juriz try their hand in preparing the “Tuslob Buwa”
while Bluewater top honcho Margie Munsayac looks on

Most of the curious guests including yours truly stood up to help prepare the “Tuslob Tuwa” at a cook-it-yourself station near the dining tables.  We also had the “Sipit sa Sarap” , huge crab claws  with aligue sauce.

Before we were treated the ultimate treat, we were served the perfect palate cleansers, refreshing ice candy in ginger and kalamansi flavors that rid traces of the previous dish.

Baked lechon bread becomes hot conversation piece 

Finally,  we were served the “Pepita’s Lechon de Leche”, stuffed with truffle rice and served with divalicious labuyo sauce. The crispy lechon skin is brushed with gold powder and you can’t help but notice the dish has a miniature Philippine flag stuck to it. Well, it is a Philippine pride after all after being awarded in London as “The Tastiest Dish in Asia”

 The Lechon de Leche stuffed with truffle rice 

Because of a prior engagement, I wasn’t able to wait for the dessert. Anyway, there’s plenty of opportunity though for this holiday season, Bluewater Panglao will be showcasing g the best of Filipino culinary treats as well as its array of international cuisine. After all, what is Christmas without the overflowing food and drinks ?

All in all, it was one of the best gustatory experiences I’ve ever had. Good food, delightful company and the most cozy Christmas ambience. The perfect way indeed to kick off the holiday season!

See you at Bluewater Panglao this Christmas!

Best of BISU in Bluewater Panglao Resort

Twelve young wholesome & smart male & female college students who embody the ideals of Bohol Island State University pitted looks, talent, personality & wit in the 2016 Mister& Miss BISU Search for the right to represent the province of Bohol in the regional and national finals of State Colleges & Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines and showcase to the rest of the country the best of Bohol’s undeniable beauty & charm.  

 

  The Summer of their Lives

Weeks before the glittering competition proper held in BISU- Bilar Campus, BLUEWATER PANGLAO RESORT played host to the candidates, their coaches and the pageant organizers for the pageant’s swimwear & resort wear publicity shoot.

Check out the vitality & youthfulness of our campus heartthrobs and be captivated by the beauty & splendor of Bluewater Panglao Resort  as captured through the lenses of TJ Medrana.

Miss BISU Bilar

Mister BISU Clarin

Miss BISU Balilihan

Mister BISU Tagbilaran Main

Miss BISU Calape

Mister BISU Calape

Miss BISU Tagbilaran Main

Mister BISU Balilihan

Miss BISU Candijay

Mister BISU Candijay

Creative Direction           :Raul Phillip Gatal

Swimsuit Designer         : Marikit Swimwear

Organizing Team             :  BISU- Bilar Campus

Location                              : Bluewater Panglao Resort

Photo Credits                    :TJ Medrana Photography 2016