Random Ramblings from Raul

So I'm still a bachelor, never married, no kids. Alone but not lonely.

To tell you the truth, I have lots of peace and quiet in my life, I like that.

Although certainly it would be nice to have a “Besty” but I’ve found that relationships are a real give and take thing and I just like the idea of me doing what I want and not having someone over my back, giving me suggestions/advice every day all the time, (not that every relationship is like that but….) or having to get their approval to do something.

You call it loneliness. I call it freedom. If you're not happy with what’s flying around inside your head, well, you got to do something about that.

Depending on someone else may work for you or the two of you but someday, you're gonna be alone and if you don’t know how to handle it its gonna be a rough ride.

To be honest though  especially when I'm just by myself and get melancholic, I often wonder about all the could've, should've would've.

But then I realize that I’m probably going to be one of those that end up dead in their apartment, but thats ok, I’ll have lived my life how I wanted

And by the way, it isn't my birthday. These are just musings from a guy who is experiencing some midlife crisis. 

The First- Ever Mister & Miss PGBh Search !

In a province where pageant winners are revered and treated as celebrities, it was no surprise when the call for contestants from among the different sectors or offices at the Capitol was sounded off. 

As highlight for their family day celebration, it generated a lot of buzz and excitement and so there it was, the unique pageant that culminated with its coronation night at the Bohol Cultural Center last September 28. Seven pairs of male and female employees representing their respective sectors or offices in the Bohol Provincial Government pitted personality, poise and popularity in the first- ever Mister & Miss PGBh Quest. 

The contestants in their sportswear 

The pair from Finance receives the Darling of the Crowd
sashes from COS Atty.  Jun Amora & BM Jamie Villamor 

BEST IN SPORTSWEAR. The pair from Legislative with
Prov'l Legal Officer Atty. Handel Lagunay & BM Lucille Lagunay

The candidates used the contest as a platform to acquaint the general public of the important role of their respective departments in governance and public service.

The glitzy event opened with a spectacular production number to the amazement and delight of the Capitol employees and top government officials who were there to cheer for their candidates. 

This year’s pioneering candidates and sectors represented were # 1 Mr. Jan Ashley Gementiza & Ms. Sarah Mae Balite of Legislative Sector, # 2 Mr. Jeffrey Torralba & Ms. Stephanie Gesite of Finance Sector, # 3 Mr. Alexies Cacho & Ms. Anacel Gultia of Infrastructure Sector, # 4 Mr. Anthony Pastorfide & Ms. Joanne Pinat of Economic Sector, # 5 Dr. Eli Sajulga & Ms. Cherie Jane Cirunay of Health Sector, # 6 Mr. Gabriel Torreon & Ms. Maraya Angela Solera of Devt. Administration and # 7 Jaypee Ian Morgia & Ms. Maria Berlin Algusar of Social Sector.

Best Talent performers were Economic sector's  Anthony &
Joanne for their magical & mesmerizing "Whole New World" duet

The contestants competed in five areas of judging; Opening Production Number, Sportswear, Talent, Formal Wear& the Q & A where they expounded on the biggest contribution of their respective sectors or offices in governing the provincial government towards building Bohol as a dynamic & progressive province. The pair from Economic Sector won the Q & A round with their convincing & persuasive answers.   

BEST IN FORMAL. The Health sector bets with
Atty. Jun Amora & BM Gloria Gementiza

MEET THIS YEAR’S WINNERS

Mister & Miss PGBh 2022

1st Runners Up

2nd Runners Up

Male candidate # 1, the tall & charming Mr. Jan Ashley Gementiza of Legislative was named Mister PGBh 2022. 1^st RU was # 5 Dr. Eli Sajulga of Health and 2^nd RU was # 4 Mr. Anthony Pastorfide of Economic.

Female candidate # 5 Cherie Jane Cirunay of Health was visibly surprised & got emotional when she heard her name being announced as Miss PGBh 2022. 1^st RU was # 1 Sarah Mae Balite of Legislative and 2^nd RU was # 4 Ms. Joanne Pinat of Economic

the candidates looking glamorous in their formal wear

Here are the winners of the special awards: 

SPECIAL AWARD	MALE WINNER	FEMALE WINNER
Best in Production Number	# 1 Legislative	# 1 Legislative
Best in Sportswear	# 1 Legislative	# 1Legislative
Best Talent Performance	# 4 Economic	# 4 Economic
Best in Formal Wear	# 5 Health	# 5 Health
Darling of the Crowd	# 2 Finance	# 2 Finance

PANEL OF JUDGES. Members of the panel of judges chaired by top Boholano fashion designer EJ Relampagos were beauty queen & SMART Communications- Bohol Customer Devt. Manager Ms. Maryknoll Romerde, businesswoman & Miss Bohol Co- Chair Ms. Ana Loinda Saluan, Tagbilaran City Events, Culture & Arts Office Head Mr. Joseph Alexis Cadelina and Mister Bohol 2021 Mr. Arneil Kadusale.

Mister & Miss PGBh 2022 was the glamorous highlight and finale of the Capitol employees’ Family Day celebration. It was organized and led by Maam Jo Relampagos, Head of the Bohol Provincial Human Resource Management & Development Office. Show Director was Mr. Eme Pinos of Bohol Economic Development & Investment Promotion Office.

Photo Credits: Robert Justy Alfarero & EJ De Guzman

Leren Mae Bautista for MUPH 2021

Leren Mae Bautista of Laguna is a pageant veteran who has represented us in two international competitions. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015 where she was crowned the winner. She was also our bet to the 2019 Miss Globe pageant where she emerged as 2nd RU. 

Leren Mae Bautista 

Joining MUP 2021 is her swan song, her last hurrah so to speak because this is her last year of age eligibility. 

With the Miss U pageant goung back to its Trump era format where beauty and ferocity of pasarela are given a premium, she should be one of the last five girls standing on Sept. 30. 

Although pageant fans and experts are unanimous in saying that she is one of the standouts, her liability is her perceived average speaking skills. But i digress because just like any skill, it can be remedied and with the 70th Miss Universe edition barely three months away, we need someone who is prepared and will stand out in an arena of international beauties. 

Will she go all the way or will she have the same fate as Sandra Lemonon last year?

Good luck Ms. Bautista! 

3rd Birthday Celebration for Jose Amos Borja V

It was a birthday bash fit for a prince

Jose Amos Borja V

Blowing of birthday candles 

US-based Jose Gerard "Jingex" Borja flew into town for a quick visit and throw a lavish birthday celebration for his unico hijo  Jose Amos Borja V. 

Proud Dad Jingex Borja & son

Granny Melinda & Amos

Together with the fashionably elegant and the  grand Borja matriarch Dr. Melinda Regner Borja who played the perfect host by making sure everyone had a great time, Jingex welcomed guests that included close friends, relatives,   old- timers from the Gallares St. neighborhood and staff from the family- owned Borja Family Hospital.

The adorably cute celebrant  marked his third birthday with a children's party complete with a clown, a mascot, exciting games & surprises for the young ones and the young once.

Everyone feasted on a scrumptious spread of Filipino & international cuisine at the poolside of the sprawling Borja Residence overlooking the majestic and breathtaking Tagbilaran Bay.

Live entertainment was provided by top DJ Janine and DJ Roger Gatal. 

DJ. Roger Gatal & DJ Janine 

Capping off the amazing get- together and thanksgiving  celebration was a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the sky.

Miss Bohol 2001 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago on this very same night, Miss Bohol 2001 opened its coronation night with one of the pageant's most spectacular opening number & introduction of candidates. 

Miss Bohol 2001 opened with all the girls in their festival costumes 

The pageant not only paved the way for the girls to make the successful transition to career, motherhood and advocacies but also became an opportunity to forge lifetime friendships. 

The pageant was staged at a time when social media wasn't in vogue yet. In fact, the recollections and memories of the girls and Your Roving Eye have been quite hazy and blurry and we have to make do with photos from that particular year. 

Thanks to FB, the group has been able to reconnect. In fact, last year, ten of the 12 girls responded to the call for a reunion this year but the pandemic came. 

The ten ladies who have been contacted are BILAR's Joyce Ompad, DIMIAO's Cherry Mae Dolotina, DUERO's Maria Vanessa Cadorna, Jagna's Maryknoll Daniel, LILA's Nikki Magallones, LOON's Priscilla Suello, Maribojoc's Hydee Lyn Alindajao, TAGBILARAN City's Jaclyn Joy Yam, TRINIDAD's Bernadette Garsuta & VALENCIA's Jeannie Justiniani . 

The organizers are still hoping that would be able to trace the whereabouts of CANDIJAY's Ann Marjorie Amora and CVSCAFT 's Analyn Santiago. 

Instead of a grand reunion, the girls want to have a low- key and simple gathering. To make it timely, relevant and responsive to the present situation, the girls want to highlight the gathering with an outreach activity. 

I'm so proud to have been a part of this milestone during the summer of your lives. 

See you all at the reunion! 

Cheers

Malinawon Resort in Panglao, Bohol

Malinawon Resort located in Danao, Panglao is named after a Bisaya word that literally means peaceful, serene and quiet. And true enough, if you’re the type who goes for solitude and serenity, this is the perfect place to be.  

The newly- reopened resort has 24 elegant resort suite rooms equipped with modern furnishings and fitted with cable TV, WIFI access and flat screen TVs. Each of the rooms has a scenic balcony that leads directly to the pool fringed with tall, gently swaying coconut palm trees.

Indeed, Malinawon Resort is a practical home away from home with the most basic amenities for a comfortable and worry- free break.

Mandatory safety protocols are in place and the resort has a No Mask No Entry policy in place.

 

For bookings & inquiries, here’s the link: Malinawon