Destiny, Luck & Timing Worked in Favor of Pauline

She was destined to become Miss Bohol. That unforgettable night last July 22, the stars aligned in her favor and won over the stunning Gazini Ganados, one of the most popular girls to ever compete in Miss Bohol pageant history.

Did you know that the newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2017 almost didn’t get the chance to compete in the province’s most prestigious beauty competition? You see, two years ago, competed in Anyag sa Tubigon 2015, her town’s official preliminary pageant for Miss Bohol.

Your Roving Eye with Pauline during Anyag sa Tubigon 2015

She was raw having no prior pageant experience before the Anyag pageant but she had potential for she was witty and very engaging. The 5'9" half- Belgian beauty eventually finished as 1^st RU to Olive Zoilo in Anyag sa Tubigon 2015. Ms. Zoilo who recently passed the CPA board exams was Miss Talent and 3^rd RU in last year’s Miss Bohol Pageant. 

 Pauline & Olive, the last two girls for the Anyag crown await the results 

Pauline was convinced by Anyag sa Tubigon pageant organizers and mentors to represent her town this year and she was more than ready having been trained by Tubigon’s formidable team of pageant experts & mentors.

The rest as they say, is pageant history. So girls, never ever think that your journey towards the crown has ended just because you didn't make it the first time. Who knows, Lady Luck might be smiling at you the next time around. Cheers!

Happy Birthday Beth Anana!

And celebrating her birthday today from across the globe is ageless beauty Elizabeth “Beth” Mumar Anana.  You see Beth is the General Manager of Symmetry Philippines and her birthday happens to be during the worldwide leadership meeting of Symmetry Global Managers from around the world in Houston, Texas, USA.

Beth is one of the most accomplished Miss Bohol titleholders who was honored and recognized during the Miss Bohol 2015 Pageant  along with five other titleholders. The lady who holds the distinction of being the first and only Miss Bohol from her hometown of Guindulman also knows the value of gratitude and of giving back.

Celebrating her birthday in Texas, USA 

 With fellow Symmetry Global Managers
 Texas, USA leadership meeting

 During Symmetry Philippines Awards Night

Symmetry Philippines an advocate for healthy living thru health & beauty supplements distributorship, was one of the sponsors of the 2015 Miss Bohol Pageant,   annual beauty search for Bohol’s fairest and the glamorous highlight of the annual Sandugo Friendship Festival.

Now that is one amazing lady who possess beauty on the outside and the inside as well.

 Beth with five other Miss Bohol titleholders

 Your Roving Eye with Ms. Beth Anana

 Her pick and eventual Miss Bohol 2015 winner

 Cheers Beth!

Why Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002 Was Not Able to Complete Her Reign

It was Year 2002 and just like the three previous editions (1999, 2000 & 2001) of the province’s longest running and most prestigious pageant, it was still the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran that took charge of the production & publicity aspects of the Miss Bohol Sandugo pageant.

 During a break from Fun Shoot Video
Sun Apartelle, Alona Beach, Panglao

SEVENTEEN CANDIDATES

A total of 17 young winsome Boholanas competed in swimsuits, evening gowns & casual onstage interviews before the field was narrowed down to the final seven.

SENSATIONAL SEVEN SEMIFINALISTS

The Top Seven were Miss Guindulman Suzette Vano, Miss Tagbilaran City Twinkle Besas, Miss Alicia Melanie Sadia, Miss Duero Vanessa Aranas, Miss Sagbayan Elouise Gonzales, Miss Dimiao Cherry Mae Bacarro & Miss Cortes Melissa Alderite.

PANEL OF JUDGES:

The panel of judges was chaired by 1977 Mutya ng Pilipinas- World Peachy Veneracion. Ms Veneracion, together with the reigning Miss Philippines Earth 2002 April Ross Perez & Miss Philippines Air 2002 Justine Gabionza were in Bohol to do an ocular inspection of the province prior to the final decision to hold a pre- pageant activity of Miss Earth later that year.

 

 During Eastern Bohol Tour that included
 the towns of Garcia- Hernandez, Dimiao & Jagna

The other celebrity judges were TV host & model Phoemela Barranda & actor Jeffrey Santos. I still remember how the aspiring actor was criticized for wearing a very casual & sleeveless attire matched with jeans & boots.

The 2002 edition of the pageant was directed & choreographed by the late fashion designer Oyet Conlu.  

Miss Cortes & Miss Baclayon were two of the friendliest girls

 Your Blogger with four of the girls

TOP THREE

After another round of interviews, one final cut was made and advancing to the penultimate round were Miss Sagbayan, Miss Tagbilaran City & Miss Dimiao. The final Q & A came & after giving their answers, the judges made their final deliberations.

2002 Miss Bohol Sandugo Is...

  2002 Miss Bohol from Miss Dimiao with 1st  RU Tagbilaran City 2nd RU Sagbayan

FINAL RESULTS

Cherry May Bacarro of Dimiao was named Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002. 1st RU was Tagbilaran City’s Twinkle Besas. 2nd RU was Fil- Aussie Elouise Gonzales who represented Sagbayan

2003 BB PILIPINAS PAGEANT

After the pageant, not much was heard from Ms Bacarro for she went back quietly to Cagayan de Oro City. The following year, halfway through her year- long reign as Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002, Ms Bacarro had to give up her crown after she was selected as an official candidate in the 2003 Bb Pilipinas Beauty Pageant. 

Videos of Cherry Mae's Bb Pilipinas 2003 Performance

It would have been a source of pride and joy for Boholano pageant watchers but she represented another place when she competed.

Miss Tagbilaran City Twinkle Besas assumed the crown

The remainder of her reign was assumed by the 1st Runner Up Miss Twinkle Besas of Tagbilaran City 

Reunions & Homecomings During Bohol Sandugo 2015

OF RECOLLECTIONS. REMINISCENCES. REUNIONS. Amidst the frenzied beat & the party mood pervading the Tagbilaran skyline courtesy of the Sandugo festival & the TBTK 2015 edition, Your Blogger presents some of the excitement brought in by the clan reunions & school homecomings   

 DWCT HS Batch 1980: Girls from the 80’s just wanna have fun!

 DWCT HS Batch 1980: L-R: Berdeth Piquero- Ciccione,
Engr. Gemma Manding- Inting, Engr. Madelyn Morilla- Enerio &
Engr. Necie “Oua” Pepito- Yu still look fabulous even after 35 years

 UB College of Nursing Hygeians 1990 Silver Anniversary: Ma. Hyacinth Rosello,
Sarah S. Naldoza UK, Juliet Iyog, Mickeys Udtuhan, Nila Remoreras, 
Maymay Luayon, Michelle Floresca and Class President Joseph Lamdagan

 HNC HS Class of 1960 smiles for one photo memento, MetroCentre Hotel

HNC CLASS OF 1960 GOES FOR 60! Holy Name College High School Class of 1960 led by Class President Fred Ong marked their 55^th Jubilee with a simple yet meaningful celebration at the Ong’s MetroCentre Hotel.

Through songs, endless banter and of course updates with one another’s lives highlighted the occasion. The reunion attendees look forward to their 60^th by 2020.

HEARTWARMING REUNION: Remember Ma’am Aquilinita Juego? She was the stern yet motherly DWCT Grade One teacher who managed rowdy batches of precocious tykes to listen in rapt attention as she mentored us on the rudiments of ABC. 

  HNC& DWCT's Endearing Mrs. Aquilinita Juego

Imagine her glee & excitement when my batchmates Mae Solidum, Marian Lumuthang  & Cynthia Tibog dropped by her place for an invite to our DWCT Grade School 1980 Class Reunion.

More than half of the batch responded to the call for a reunion held at Cynthia Tibog’s scenic Gardenville in Dampas this city.  

Lingering Memories from TBTK 2015

TBTK 2015

For six full days, it was a dizzying whirlwind of nonstop activities from motorcades, family reunions, school homecomings, glittering balls, endless parties & tours to meetings that stretched all the way to the wee hours of the morning. 

 Balikbayans Lilia & Cesar Cumba enjoy Sandugo finale

Throw in the medical & surgical missions prior to the week- long celebration and you have TBTK 2015. The lights may have dimmed, the music may have died down & the confetti may have been swept away but the memories of the triennial gathering of Boholanos from around the world would always linger.

Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto flank TOBAW 2015

Awardee Shanon Pamaong Mrs. Bohol Intl 2015, Bohol Cultural Center 

  City Mayor Baba Yap & First Lady Jane Cajes- Yap with
 TBTK Chair Dr. Neil Bonje & TBTK Officer Dr. Joy Tago- Yap 

TBTK 2015 Welcome Night, Bohol Cultural Center

Congratulations to the hardworking TBTK 2015 officers, the Bohol Provincial Govt, the City Govt. of Tagbilaran & volunteers who made sure that attendees would enjoy the festive mood of the event timed with the Sandugo festival. 

 TBTK 2015 Movers & Shakers: Dr. Nap Nazareno, Marietta Corrales, 

Sylvia Fortich, Dr. Disi Yap- Alba, Dr. Neil Bonje, Dr. Marivic Nazareno,

Joey Borja & attendee Berdeth Piquero- Ciccone

 Seen at the Mikee Andrei Bridal Show: fabulous Cate Alagon- Climaco, 

stylish Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz, ageless Grace Jao- Thacker &

future beauty titlist/ model Mara Ruiz

Venue: Bellevue Resort, Panglao

Cheers for a job well done!  

And I Thought It Was A Celebration of Beauty & Friendship

There is a certain ghoul who is lurking in the net and hiding under an assumed identity who lumps me up with paid hacks simply because I write positive words that empower and guide young beautiful hopefuls in their quest for a title or tiara. I was raised to see the good in other people. I always believe that words can either make or break a person's self- worth. Well, if you think that being an optimist who sees sunshine in the midst of darkness is a crime, then I am guilty but what does it say of you when you see nothing but evil and darkness?

One Heart. One Mind. One People

Do not tarnish the good image of your townmates for I have plenty of acquaintances & friends from your progressive coastal town for whom I have the highest regard and respect. Two decades ago, your town enjoyed its Golden Age in pageantry when your candidates won in succession and during those years when you dominated Bohol pageantry, you never heard any word of bitterness & rancor or cries of foul play & shenanigans from the other towns or from the city because of the words acceptance & respect

I for one am very proud of your outstanding beauties that always make a splash in local pageantry. Now that Tagbilaran finally wins after six long years of waiting, you unwittingly took away the joy from the victory not even allowing the newly- crowned queen to even savor her hard- earned victory.

Until here then and I am now extending my hands in peace but if I cannot convince you otherwise, let's blame it on somebody's myopic and bigoted mind 

One extra favor before we part ways. Be kind to the organizers behind the event. You have called them names and accuse them of things when you don’t even have any iota of proof to back up your claims. They worked really hard and didn’t get any single centavo for their efforts. Not that they expected something from an endeavor that is purely voluntary. It was their way of contributing to a festive celebration of a historical event that commemorates & celebrates beauty & friendship.  You just don’t have any idea how devastating this is for them. 

Miss Bohol Onboard Her Float Through the Years

The Sandugo Parade & Street Dancing Competition that winds its way across CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City’s main thoroughfare is a most awaited event by pageant aficionados because this is where they get to see the newly crowned Miss Bohol & her court in their full glory

Here are some of the Miss Bohol winners basking in their moments of triumph during their years of reign

 1992 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Celevel Ranoco

 1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Mary Ann Eronico

 1994 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Vanessa Joyce Evardone

 2001 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Vanessa Cadorna

 2005 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Anna Maris Igpit

2010 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Amir Sol

 2011 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Farah Faye Mian

 2012 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Idy Casenas Cagas

 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Brigitte Burato

 2014 Miss Bohol: Queenie Melody Fullante 

 2015 Miss Bohol : Mary Eda Cimafranca

Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended

Life Goes On After Miss Bohol 2015

Rigged. Cooking Show. Biased. I am sick of all the innuendos and conspiracy theories. To all the bitter gourds out there, why can’t you accept the fact that the judges have picked the winners based on a set criteria. Yes, the girls were all qualified to be Miss Bohol that’s why they were accepted as official candidates but there can only be one winner.

Do not base your conclusions on what you saw and heard during the final selection. For the final round, judging was based on final Q & A with equal weight given to charm, stage presence & the overall impression.

Just like last year, the judges had a chance to meet the girls prior to the pageant finals. For the second straight year, the girls had a meet & greet with the judges the morning of the pageant date. It was where the judges got to know the girls better. Scores were not given but first impressions were formed during this crucial pre- pageant activity.  

 Miss Bohol 2015 girls during Grand Sandugo Parade

As in any pageant, judging is subjective and based on personal taste & opinion. In other words, what may be beautiful for me may not be for another person. Conversely, what may be pretty for others may not be for me. This is the reason why a panel of judges who are not from Bohol get invited to handle the difficult job of choosing the winners. So can we not respect the decision of the judging panel?

Why would organizers be in cahoots with the judges? Do you really think our organizers can actually influence the judges or dictate the results? No way.

But I believe the bottomline is how we accept the results whether good or bad. The bashers & the bitter gourds cannot accept the fact that their bets did not make it. I’m sure they would have been singing a different tune had their bets made it. They would have been generous with their praises & compliments like “ The judges got it right.” “The right girl has been chosen” “Cheers to the organizrs for a job well done”

Let us move on and support the winners as they fulfill their roles as ambassadors of goodwill & become spokespersons for their chosen advocacy projects.

TBTK 2015 Spices Up Bohol Sandugo Festival

Two days from now, TBTK, the triennial gathering of Boholanos from around the world, will formally open and for the next few days, participants will have the opportunity to reconnect & renew their ties with their home province Bohol 

This is TBTK's sixth edition since it debuted in 1999.  The inaugural edition was followed in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 & 2015

Dr. Nicanor "Nick" Kamantigue Lopez
The Father of TBTK

TBTK is not an umbrella organization that would gather Boholano organizations under its fold neither does it exist as a regular socio-civic organization. Rather, TBTK works as a steering committee that would handle activities related to the international homecoming and reunion of Boholanos. 

kudos to the tireless & dedicated organizers
Venue: Saya's Restaurant

TBTK is loosely translated as "A Gathering of Boholanos from all over the world"

Involved Organizations:

 • Confederation of Boholanos, United States and Canada, Inc. (CONBUSAC)

• Bohol Association of Metro Manila, Inc. (BAMMI)

• Boholano Organizations from other Countries

• Boholano Organizations from Philippine Provinces

Hosts:

• Provincial Government of Bohol

• City Government of Tagbilaran

• Diocese of Tagbilaran

• Diocese of Talibon

BEGINNINGS

During the sixth biennial CONBUSAC convention, held in Houston, Texas, the then Governor Rene Relampagos, as an invited guest, took the opportunity to invite the CONBUSAC to hold its Seventh Biennial Convention in Tagbilaran City.

Seeing the convention as a venue where the showcase province can be presented, the Bohol officials at that time, headed by Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos, laid out the much-needed base for the convention to materialize.

On the part of the CONBUSAC, the plan was finalized when a cultural and investment group led by Gov. Rene Relampagos and a select Bando-Bandilyo Bol-anon was sent to the USA in early 1999. This sealed the agreement for the Boholanos to come home and re-experience Bohol. The Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK), a global convention of Boholanos surfaced from that trip. 

"The TBTK is also seen as the retracing of the roots of Boholanos who have long left the land and are now bound on that long journey towards home." Presenting Bohol now is a rather challenging job, especially when the province has just completed its initial steps in batting for a showcase of its tourist spots, preserved traditions, historic landmarks, beaches, dive spots, diverse flora and fauna, unique landforms, and daily unfolding of the arts. "Set in the background of revelry for the Sandugo season and the heat of the Medical and Surgical Mission, the TBTK is now a month-long showcase celebrating the Boholano culture." 

TBTK: A Phenomenon Whose Time Has Come

Like most everything about it, the acronym developed and evolved naturally, by itself, taking an identity of its own then catapulting itself onto the global arena by the sheer force of its self-propelled dynamism and the amorous embrace of its subjects-cum proponents.

That is TBTK - Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan. Translated into English, literally or otherwise - a gathering of Boholanos from around the world. But more than a gathering - TBTK is an abstract, more of a movement, but still , a movement still suggests something more physical.

Intrinsically, TBTK is a state of mind. A phenomenon whose time has come.

TBTK was spawned by the convergence of likeminded province mates and their offsprings who have expatriated themselves from Bohol to all parts of the globe.

This dispersal provided a breeding ground for staying in touch - a desire driven by the cohesive nature of the Boholano - for isn't it said often enough that every natural born Boholano knows, really knows every other Boholano?

And here we are, more than three years and hundreds of local reunions, parties, balls and meetings later, TBTK is alive and well and living in every Boholano expatriate's heart. Waiting to spring into the next TBTK - in July, 2015 in Bohol.

You can wait … but better still - dwell in the gathering anticipation that is sure to build into a crescendo and bask in its euphoric realm.

Mamauli ta sa Bohol ! It's an event one should not miss.

Calling All Boholano Organizations

§  Circulo Boholano of Illinois

§  Bohol Association of Calgary

§  Bohol Foundation, British Columbia

§  Lila Community in British Columbia

§  Bohol Association of Canada

§  Edmonton Boholano Cultural Association

§  Tagbilaran Association of Northern California

§  Boholanos of Southern California

§  Tagbilaranon of Eastern USA

§  Tagbilaran Association of Southern California, Inc.

§  Boholanos of Las Vegas, Nevada

§  Bohol Association of Washington State

§  Bohol Association of Texas, Inc.

§  Sandugo of Texas

§  Bol-anon sa Michigan

§  Sano of Texas

§  Bohol Circle, Eastern USA

§  Sandugo USA

§  Ang Kaliwat Bolanon sa Florida

§  Bohol Association of Metro Manila Incorporated (BAMMI)

§  Kaliwat Bol-anon sa Lanao Ug Iligan (KABOLIG)

§  Kaliwat Bol-anon sa Australia, Incorporated (KABAI)

§  Tigom Bol anon Tibuok Kuwait

Credits: Fr. Fernando Po