An Open Letter for the newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2018

This post is an offshoot to the recent Miss Bohol 2018 crowning whose winner has been the object of intense scrutiny and the helpless target of cyber bullies and bashers.

To Raclaire Stephan Dinsay Cesar Trigo, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 and now our Miss Bohol 2018, 

Let not the booing take away the glitter from your crown and the joy in your victory. If it's any consolation, it wasn't directed at you personally but was a spur of the moment reaction by some quarters who had their respective bets and it's understandable knowing how passionate we are when it comes to supporting our pageant bets.

 Swimsuit & Intro of Candidates (Swimsuit by Mikee Andrei)

It always happens in pageants even in Miss Universe where our own Pia Wurtzbach was also booed and experienced worse things that included having bottled water thrown at the stage, getting death threats and having her image and likeness burned in the streets of Colombia.

This is now your defining moment. Be the first to reach out and unite everyone. So far, I admire how you have handled this test of character with your grace and humility. 

Elan & elegance during the evening gown competition (Gown by Roi Erwin Tizon)

As I was telling my seatmates last night at the venue, whoever wins the swimsuit and gown competitions would already be the frontrunner. Your response during the final round may not be the best but it wasn't the worst. It was heartfelt and you answered on the affirmative because it was a question that needed a yes or no response. 

 An elated Raclaire reacts after the announcement

You might have been rattled a bit but who wouldn't be distracted by the noise and hissing from the crowd? In fairness, you made a quick recovery and you wrapped up your response with an emphasis on the warm, friendly and hospitable nature of Boholanos which sadly but understandably was sorely missing during last night's crowning moment. 

 Miss Bohol 2018 and her Court of Honor

Finally, you highlighted your winsome smile, commanding stage presence, queenly demeanour and charisma, the same sterling attributes that made you Mutya 2018 during last night's pageant. 

So hold your head high for you won fair and square. Long may you reign and be the Quintessential Boholana that truly cares

Photo Credits: Gerald James Cabal Photography

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 21 Miss Loboc

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential.  

Erika Limbago

Loboc is represented this year by a young yet highly accomplished lady named Erika Limbago.  The 17 year old beauty & brains package is a Grade 12 student at the International Academe of EnScieMa (English Science Mathematics) taking up the STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) strand. 

Erika Limbago promotes the stand up paddling in Loboc River

She graduated as Class Valedictorian of her Junior Class and awarded with Highest Honors during her Grade 11 year. She was also adjudged the Finals Best Speaker during the UPKB (University of the Philippines- Kadugong Bol-anon) Great High School Debate held last January 2018. She also emerged as the Champion of the UPKB BrainScan Competition held last January 2016. 

one of my all-time favorites among the photos for this series

During her junior high school year, she was involved in campus activities having served as SBO (Student Body Organization) Treasurer for the S.Y. 2014-2015, the SBO (Student Body Organization) Secretary for the S.Y. 2015-2016, the SBO (Student Body Organization) Governor for the S.Y. 2016-2017, the President of the English Club for the S.Y. 2015-2016 and Vice-President of the Math Club for the S.Y. 2015-2016.  

Enjoying the crystal- clear waters of Loboc River

At the same time, she also gave back to the community with her charity work at Sunshine Homes, served as a volunteer during a School Feeding Program at Totolan, Dauis, Bohol and also participated in the Miss Loboc Feeding Program which she hopes to continue long after her reign is over.

When asked for the greatest motivation for her outstanding scholastic & extracurricular achievement, she says the experience and the drive to excel in the fields that she is in would hone her interpersonal skills, develop her confidence and enrich her life and thus would prepare her for a better future. 

crowned as Miss Loboc 2018

Her greatest inspiration in pageantry is her mom who also represented their town in Miss Bohol 25 years ago and made it as one of the top five ladies. Erika was named 1^st Runner Up in her school’s Miss Intramurals 2015 Search and was crowned two months earlier as Miss Loboc 2018 thus earning the right to represent her town in the province’s most prestigious beauty competition.

Will Erika equal or surpass her mom’s achievement in Miss Bohol? We’ll find out on pageant night.

ADVOCACY

Her advocacy is focused on the protection and preservation of Loboc River, being the main body of water & one of the greatest sources of water and the tourism industry of the town.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort

Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center

Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 20 Miss Bilar

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential. 

Engr. Jesseth Nez Pasagad

Bilar’s bet for Miss Bohol 2018 is Engr. Jesseth Nez S. Pasagad who recently graduated from Palawan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering degree, Magna Cum Laude and was given the distinction of speaking on behalf of the graduates during their commencement exercises.    

graduated as Magna Cum Laude last April 2018

During her college years, she showed her multifaceted personality and versatility thru her involvement in extra and co- curricular activities such as Features Editor of Pioneer, her school’s official student publication. She has also served the Society of Petroleum Engineers- Palawan State University Student Chapter in various capacities; as AUDITOR SY 2017-2018, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SY 2016 – 2017 and as SECRETARY SY 2013-2014. 

proudly representing Bilar in Miss Bohol 2018

IMPRESSIVE SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT Her most memorable achievement was being chosen with four other school delegates to represent PSU in PETROLIDA 2016 that took place in Institut Sepuluh Nopember in Subaraya, Indonesia. 

Her group’s design & creation of a miniature floating rig that could withstand both floating & load tests while incorporating modern rig innovations emerged 4th among nine competing school teams  in the Oil Rig Design Competition. Aside from PETROLIDA 2016: OIL RIG DESIGN COMPETITION (Surabaya, Indonesia), Engr. Pasagad has also represented the country in the PHILIPPINE OIL AND GAS Student Summit and at the OIL & GAS WEEK (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 

Bilar has more to offer than just its renowned man- made forest

As one of the top five students in her batch taking the Petroleum Engineering degree, she was awarded one of the five internship slots at Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.  

She entered the world of pageantry in 2012 as Miss Teen Bilar in the province- wide Miss Teen Bohol 2012 where she emerged 1^st Runner Up and as Miss Talent. As her school candidate, she was crowned Miss Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) 2017 and as Miss College Of Engineering, Architecture And Technology (CEAT) in 2015, she represented the College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture at the Miss Palawan State University Pageant: The Gold Edition. 

ADVOCACY: "Pasiga Gikan sa Basura" which aims to provide sustainable electrical energy source for communities in Bilar using bio-wastes.

Will Engr. Pasagad create pageant history as the first engineer to be crowned Miss Bohol? Let’s find out on pageant night.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort

Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center

Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

List of Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 19: Mutya sa Tagbilaran

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential.  

 Raclaire Stephan Trigo 

The capital city of Tagbilaran is represented by Raclaire Stephan Trigo, an 18 year old BS Psychology major student who dreams of making a difference in young people’s lives.

Sweety, as she’s called by family & friends, earned the right to represent the city of Tagbilaran after winning the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 crown last summer. 

The vivacious and bubbly morena beauty who swept all the major awards during the Mutya finals is also a very talented singer and performer.

Her foray into the world of pageantry began when she competed and placed as 3^rd RU in the Miss UB High School Personality Search in 2013. 

The results didn’t deter her instead it motivated her to do better and on her second attempt two years later, she bagged the crown and as representative of the High School Department, she won the most prestigious campus beauty & personality title in Bohol, Miss University of Bohol Personality, that same year. 

Raclaire at two of Tagbilaran's landmarks; The refurbished City Hall & the posh Bohol Tropics Resort 

The road to Miss Bohol 2018 wasn’t easy. She had to win the preliminary Mutya sa San Isidro pageant first before heading on to the very competitive Mutya saTagbilaran Pageant where she had to square off with the winners of the different preliminary searches all over the city. I correctly predicted then that her wide, expressive eyes, winsome smile, undeniable stage presence & great personality projection would make her a frontrunner for the Mutya crown. 

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018 connects with her music

Elegance & self- assuredness are just two of her qualities 

ADVOCACY. Compassion and Respect are the two basic idealisms that power the Mutya CARES foundation. Her advocacy is on inclusive care for women in the community most especially those women who are inside the correctional facilities and her aim is to help them in their holistic development. She hopes to achieve this by strengthening the City's existing program initiating free medical services, Education and livelihood opportunities. 

One of the frontrunners in the race for the final five spots 

Will Sweety make it as Miss Bohol 2018? Already a shoo in for one of the final five spots, it’s just a matter of luck, timing & destiny for this sweet and very approachable beauty queen.

Good luck Sweety!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort

Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center

Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 18 Miss Maribojoc

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential.  

Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte

The Municipality of Maribojoc is represented by Ma. Mediatrix P. Escabarte, a 25 year old registered nurse. She finished her BS Nursing degree from Holy Name University in 2013 and graduated high school from Saint Vincent Institute as Third Honorable Mention.  Her cosmopolitan looks, refined manners and extensive travels abroad have never affected her and she remains grounded and humble who wants to give back to her community.   

PASSIONS & INTERESTS. Among her interests and passions are the following; COOKING- living independently allowed and taught her how to cook various dishes.  ANIMAL CARE – she loves animals and in fact, has taken good care of six pet dogs. She served them food, vitamins, administered deworming from puppy until full term adult as well as vet check. 

VOLUNTEERING- She has volunteered as one of the participants during their town’s coastal cleanup and in other occasions as long as she is capable of doing it.   CHILD CARE- She has been babysitting her nephews and nieces that’s why she is close to them as well as to other kids. Also during my in- flight work, if there are children on board, I entertain them by playing or offering them toys and food. 

in front of the iconic Punta Cruz Watch Tower of Maribojoc 

CABIN CREW FROM 2014 TO 2018. Her passion for travelling and photography were fulfilled when she entered the aviation industry as a flight attendant year 2014. She was a Cabin Crew member of Cebu Pacific Air Inc. from 2014- 2016.  She also crisscrossed the international skies from 2017 to 2018 as Qatar Airways Cabin Crew.

as Cabin Crew for Qatar Airways & Cebu Pacific Air Inc.

ADVOCACY. THERE IS LIFE IN LIVELIHOOD. Since Maribojoc is abundant with many natural resources, she wants toassist the different community groups and people’s organizations in developing sustainable enterprises or undertakings right in their respective communities, thereby providing opportunities for generating income by means of self- employment thru Livelihood Integrated Program such as Nipa Thatching in Brgy. Lincod, Basket & Banig Weaving in Brgy. Pagnitoan, Kagumkom Chips in Brgy. Bood. 

lending her voice for Maribojoc's livelihood projects

Enrichment of cultural collective is one way of developing the talents & skills of young individuals in the community through a cultural presentation showcasing the simple way of life of the locals whose main source of livelihood is nipa- thatching and fishing. It also encourages tourists to experience hands- on demonstration and tackles the history, culture & tradition in the community.

Will Mediatrix bring back to Maribojoc the Miss Bohol crown this year? Let’s find out on pageant night

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort

Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center

Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

2018 Miss Bohol Girls Series # 17: Binibining Talibon

For the second straight year, the Miss Bohol girls get to be photographed right at their hometowns or city of origin. This is not only to get to know the girls better but also to showcase and promote  their places’ landmarks and tourism potential. 

Mae Gurrea Paracuelles

Mae Gurrea Paracuelles, an educator specializing in MAPEH is representing Talibon, the birthplace of Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia. One of the most interesting things about Mae is being related to iconic Pinay beauty queen Shamcey Gurrea Supsup- Lee who she saw two years ago during their clan reunion.

in front of the town  municipal hall 

 The 21 year old graduated with a BSED MAPEH degree from University of San Carlos through a scholarship grant. The svelte and charming dancer is proud to say that through dancesports, she became financially independent and was able to go through school and graduate. Dancesports was indeed a big help and so she didn’t have to ask her parents for tuition fees nor allowances.

the grace, the presence & the charm

To say that dancing is her biggest passion in life would be an understatement because dancing, in Mae’s case, is life itself. She started dancing at the age of nine and got discovered through the free barangayan dance workshop. At the age of 12, she was already traveling for dance contests and dance exhibitions and has represented the Visayas in the nationals.

Dance is not just a set of steps but an expression of feelings and emotions

As a USC dancesport varsity team member, she has represented her school in various competitions and has won in numerous contests. She is a member of both Dance Sport Team- Cebu City & Hiyas ng Bituin Dance Company.

the vibrance & color of her hometown 

ADVOCACY “Transforming Our Youth through Dance”, Miss Talibon intends to pay it forward by giving back to the community. As a product of a free barangayan dance workshop, she intends to do the same for talented young dancers on a regular basis.

She has already sat down with her dance coach and local organizers to discuss the mechanics of her advocacy project. If she can only transform, inspire and give hope to even just one young participant just like how she was transformed for the better, then she would be the happiest person ever.

Good luck Ms. Mae Paracuelles!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Press Presentation          : Friday, June 29, Le Eng Restaurant, Bohol Tropics Resort

Talent Night                       : Friday, July 13, 8 pm, Bohol Cultural Center

Coronation Night             : Saturday, July 21, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gym

For the complete list of Miss Bohol winners, here's the link:

Miss Bohol Titleholders

Photo Credits:  Gerald James Cabal Photography

Megastar Sharon Cuneta's Mega Sold Out Bohol Concert

There was palpable excitement in the air last Friday the 13^th at the Tagbilaran City Airport as kibitzers, fans and organizers awaited the arrival of the country’s one and only megastar, Sharon Cuneta. Neither the dark & gloomy weather nor the threat of a downpour could dampen the high spirits of everyone who was there.

Boholanos await the megastar with excitement 

The handsome Angelo Xavier with the mega bouquet

 From the moment she landed safely in Tagbilaran onboard Philippine Airlines, the megastar took Bohol by storm. Crowds gathered to ogle and cheer for her while others were jostling their elbows to get a clearer photo of the country’s most durable star.

Fresh floral bouquet from First Flower Avenue

The megastar is flanked by Dr. Anthony Damalerio & Sen. Kiko Pangilinan

The durable & ageless Basil Valdez poses for the press

From the airport, Sharon & her entourage went straight to the Governor’s Mansion for the courtesy call. In between the sumptuous spread prepared by Reyna’s Place and the special performance by the Loboc Children’s Choir, Your Roving Eye and the KISS FM jocks DJ Sean & DJ Robert James got to squeeze in an exclusive live on- air interview with the megastar, Martin Nievera and Basil Valdez.

Governor’s Mansion staff & onlookers unfurl their welcome streamer

PB Lexie Tutor, Basil Valdez, Gov Edgar & First Lady Pureza, Sharon, 

Sen. Pangilinan,Martin Nievera & Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio

The obligatory selfie

The megastar is overwhelmed by the Loboc Children’s Choir musicality

And the Megastar & her Mega Fan meet again

KISS FM’s DJ Sean & DJ Robert James with

Your Roving Eye during live interview with Ms. Sharon Cuneta

with organizers Luke Gallares, Karen Mortreux & Mike Tago

The drizzle didn’t dampen the mega welcome for Sharon & Sen. Kiko

The megastar takes photos of the Loboc Children’s Choir

The whole entourage got a mega and grand welcome from BE Grand Resort in Panglao, their official residence during their three- day stay here in Bohol. Last night’s sold out concert at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym is solid proof of Sharon’s durability and drawing power. 

Martin Nievera with BE Grand’s GM Pearl Yang

This year, the Ruby Anniversary of her illustrious career in the entertainment industry, it has been a winning streak for her and her successful Bohol concert last night, along with the Cebu and Bacolod legs of her 40th Mega Philippine Tour nationwide concert series makes it three in a row for her. An upcoming reunion movie with a former matinee idol is in the drawing board, offers of high- profile commercial endorsements and hit TV shows keep coming. 

With birthday girl Stella Marie Ancla

Congratulations to the Megastar, to the enduring balladeer, the concert king and the promising warbler who treated Boholanos to a dazzling night of pure talent. Thank you also to our birthday girl today Stella Marie Ancla of Dextel Trading for mounting the show. A shout- out to the event presenters, sponsors and volunteers for making the mega show a rousing success.

Dennis Saco of CIO Photography

Here's the  Sharon Cuneta Sponsor Video

Concept: Evan Jasper Olalo

Voice Over: Raul Gatal

As Ms. Sharon Cuneta & party bid adieu to Bohol for now, may the warmth & hospitality of fellow Boholanos linger in their hearts and may the memories of that rare musical treat that they shared with their fans be treasured for a lifetime.

Photo Credits: Dennis Saco & CIO PHotography