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!

Miss Bohol 2015 Reunion of Queens

The 2015 Miss Bohol Pageant had a vintage- themed edition. From the glamshots complete with faux fur & pearl necklace to the one- piece swimwear and all the way to the evening gown competition.

In keeping with the theme and the tribute to all the Miss Bohol titleholders who captivated an entire generation through the years, the queens who were in attendance during the pageant were properly acknowledged onstage. 

 L-R: 1951, 2012, 2011, 2000, 2002 & 1988

1951

 1988

 1992

2000

 2011

2012

with outgoing Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante

The ladies’ presence proved to be the emotional highlight of the pageant which underscored their contribution to  Bohol’s beautiful & colorful history.

Thank you JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills for making the tribute possible.

Photo Credits: Edsel Roseus Villas

Who Is Best in Swimsuit in Miss Bohol 2014?

So you thought the Swimsuit Competition is merely an excuse to flaunt those perfectly- sculpted bodies in identical swimwear? Well, think again.

Of course, pageants wouldn’t have drawn heated passions and heightened interests if not for the swimsuit competition.

Miss Bohol 1988: Beth Anana of Guindulman is also first Best in Swimsuit

In Miss Bohol history, the swimsuit made its first appearance during the pageant’s 1988 edition. When Guindulman’s Elizabeth Mumar Anana came out in a high- cut swimsuit, there was a momentary silence followed by thunderous applause inside the pageant venue. From that point on, Beth was unstoppable. She became the first- ever recipient of the Best in Swimsuit special award on her way to claim for Guindulman its first and only Miss Bohol crown.

 

the two- piece in Miss Bohol 2000: Haidee Gastones of Loon

The two- piece made its first appearance in year 2000 as Bohol and the rest of the world ushered in the New Millennium.

first Miss World: Kiki Hakansson of Sweden

Ever since the bikini made its first appearance in the global arena with Kerstin "Kiki" Håkansson of Sweden being crowned the 1st Miss World in 1951, important changes have taken place. Feminists and radicals have begun questioning the relevance of pageants and the exploitation of women.  They are mosty critical of of the swimsuit competition  and the obligatory quarter- turns which they likened to a cattle call or meat parade.

While Miss World has dropped the swimsuit competition from its pageant finals, Miss Universe has made a compromise. They retained the swimsuit segment but altogether scrapped the mention of vital statistics, age, height, hair & eye color to avoid being labelled as promoters of women as objects of fantasies

So why is there a swimsuit competition? Joining a beauty pageant is like applying for a job. Being a beauty queen is a full- time job with a hectic schedule for the winners. It’s not all glamour. 

Behind those parties, special guest appearances and photo shoots are the constant travels, endless speaking engagements and personality enhancement classes. You need to be fit, healthy and have the stamina to endure and survive a year of reign as queen.

And how do organizers determine a girl’s qualification and mental stamina? During the swimsuit competition which highlights the candidates’ physical fitness and showcases womanhood’s beauty and symmetry.  

How they look and appear in their swimsuits reflect on their discipline, attitude & drive. Furthermore, swimsuits are empowering and liberating to women for it gives them the liberty to be in control and to be comfortable with their bodies. 

So who among these year's Miss Bohol candidates do you think is most fit for the crown? Here are some of the contenders if we base it on their figures and swimsuit presentation during the Miss Bohol 2014 Swimsuit Competition held at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol last June 27

 

Miss Tagbilaran City

Miss Loon

Miss Tubigon

Miss Panglao

Miss Jagna

Miss Sierra- Bullones

Miss Balilihan

Miss Barbra Pearls

Miss Getafe

 We all know already that beauty pageants have evolved from mere bathing suit parades back in the 1950's into the modern- day quest for the complete package who can be an effective spokesperson, a role model, a beauty product endorser and a woman who radiates inner beauty as well

So which girl will bring home the 2014 Miss Bohol crown? It will definitely be the girl who is the epitome of Boholana pulchritude, poise & pedigree. 

Let's find out on July 19, Saturday at the Bohol Wisdom Gym

2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Fatima Llora Rana Part Two

ELEGANT EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

The Evening Gown Competition, the penultimate round of the pageant before the cut to the semifinals was made came next

The standouts for the sophisticated and elegant way they presented themselves were Miss Calape and Miss Tagbilaran City

The best gowns however belonged to Miss Jagna and Miss Talibon.

Miss Jagna wore a refreshingly different type of gown that was so ahead of its time. The choice of cyan, a non- traditional pageant color plus the fabric and its print design and cut made it stand out altogether.

Three years after it appeared in Miss Bohol Sandugo, a similar gown in green color was seen worn by Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalo in the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant where she emerged 3rd Runner Up  

 2003 vs 2006

2003 versus 2013

Miss Talibon wore a gown that had a polarizing effect among pageant fans.

Majority of fans had mixed reactions towards it when it first came out but ten years later it resurfaced with the 2013 Miss USA winner Erin McBrady of Colorado wearing a gown of a similar cut and design

Anna Maris Arcay Igpit however was in an entirely different league . The moment she made her appearance in a white evening gown that contrasted nicely with her exotic morena complexion, everyone agreed that she would run away with the Best in Evening Gown award

It was no surprise then when she was asked to step forward to receive her Best in Evening Gown trophy and sash

THE SENSATIONAL SEVEN

They were Miss Panglao, Miss Tagbilaran City, Miss Jagna, Miss Ubay, Miss Talibon, Miss Maribojoc and Miss Calape

Faye picked the question "How can you find true peace and happiness?"

She simply answered " The key to true peace and happiness is knowing yourself better"

THREE FINALISTS. ONE COMMON QUESTION

 It was now down to the last final cut before Miss Bohol Sandugo 2003 would be crowned.

Making the final round were Anna Maris Igpit of Panglao, Fatima Liora Rana of Jagna and Sheena Marie Cubillo of Calape

It was now down- to- the- wire finish and the final outcome depended on how the final question would be handled by the three finalists

The Final Question:

                     

What Boholana trait would you like to change in the new millennium?

 With pageant emcee Neil Saletrero

Faye's winning answer: 

"The Boholana trait that I would like to change in the new millennium is being very conservative because in this fast-changing world,we need to be competitiveTo be competitive, we need to go with the flow so we will not be left behind empty-handed.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

As I have repeatedly mentioned in my pageant blogs, winning or placing in a pageant is a matter of Luck, Destiny & Timing.

Even though one of the strongest candidates and because of the Law in Mathematics & Statistics, Miss Calape Sheena Marie Cubillo settled for 2nd RU

The 1st Runner Up was Miss Panglao Anna Maris Igpit who was sponsored by Alona Tropical Beach Resort and Dumaluan Beach Resort

Named the 2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo was Fatima Faye Llora Rana who became the fourth Jagnaanon beauty to win the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown thus effectively making Jagna the town with the most number of Miss Bohol Sandugo crowns.

Nine year later, another Jagnaanon, Idy Casenas Cagas made it five for Jagna, a record that would most likely remain for a long long time

 Bohol Provl Administrator Atty Jun Amora &
Bohol First Lady Ma'am Greenie Aumentado

 JAGNA MAYOR Hon. Exuperio Lloren & First Lady Nimfa Lloren
with the Top Three.  I have always admired how the Lloren couple
supports their Miss Bohol candidate

 PAGEANT MENTOR: with Rio Bernadas,
one of Jagna's top pageant experts & stylists

ANNA MARIS IGPIT

Two years later, Anna Maris Igpit competed again in Miss Bohol Sandugo and this time, she was crowned the winner.

For the record, Anna Maris is the second Miss Bohol Sandugo titleholder to win the crown in her second attempt.

The first was Maria Nina Cubillo who first joined in 1997 and won the crown after competing again in 1999

Anna Maris Igpit represented the province of Bohol in the 2006 Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant where she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas- World thus making history as the first Boholana to win a Bb. Pilipinas crown

SHEENA MARIE CUBILLO

Sheena Marie Cubillo was crowned the 2006 Miss Pintados Festival Queen of Leyte.

Click here for more photos & details on the 2006 Miss Pintados Festival Queen Story

She is now based in California, USA as a nurse

FATIMA LLORA RANA

Fatima graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Banking & Finance degree from Holy Name University on October 2006.

She is presently based in Manila and connected with ETRADE Financial as Operations Representative for the Correspondence Dept

Named the 2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo was Fatima Faye Llora Rana who became the fourth Jagnaanon beauty to win the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown thus effectively making Jagna the town with the most number of Miss Bohol Sandugo crowns.

Nine year later, another Jagnaanon, Idy Casenas Cagas made it five for Jagna, a record that would most likely remain for a long long time

2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo Story Part 1

Photo Credits:

Rio Bernados 

2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Fatima Rana

She would always be remembered as the only Miss Bohol Sandugo titleholder to have won over a future Bb. Pilipinas titleholder. So who is she? Let's backtrack first and go back to July 12, 2003

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW

Finally, after being staged at the Holy Name University Gymnasium, considered by many as home to Bohol's most prestigious beauty competition for so many years and as far people can remember, its only home save for one or two editions when the pageant was staged at the Bohol Cultural Center and at the CPG Sports Complex, Miss Bohol Sandugo and Holy Name University parted ways.

Both the pageant and the venue had led parallel lives since their inception.

Just like the pageant which had changed names from Miss Bohol to Most Beautiful Boholana to Miss Young Bohol to Mutya sa Bohol then to Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands before becoming what has been known as Miss Bohol Sandugo for the past 20 years, the venue had also changed names from Holy Name College to Divine Word College before finally becoming Holy Name University, Bohol's leading Catholic learning institution

That year, Miss Bohol Sandugo bid farewell to Holy Name University and said hello to Bohol Wisdom School, its new home but the hoped for long and stable relationship would abruptly end after three years.

Those three years however would always be considered as some of the best editions in the pageant's history.

Well, some good things never last.

There were 13 official candidates and getting the loudest buzz were:

Sixteen year old Anna Maris Igpit, the tall and exotic Boholana whose participation was sponsored by the Montero family's Alona Tropical Beach Resort and the Dumaluans' eponymously named resort both in Panglao, Bohol

Sheena Marie Cubillo, the very pretty and brainy Calape charmer whose poise, personality and elegance during the Miss Calape Pageant were talked about even before the Miss Bohol Pageant started

The very charming and very candid Fatima Rana whose bedimpled smile never fails to light up the stage 

and Miss Tagbilaran 2004 Rhoda Lee Ligan who exuded not only elegance and grace onstage but also noted for her facility with the English language which she speaks in a calm and modulated manner

OPENING SALVO

 Thirteen ladies. One crown 

The opening number is considered as the next most important part of a beauty pageant next to the final question and answer portion

This is where the crucial first impression on the candidates are made and done by the judges and audience alike and most often than not, this is the part that effectively seals the fate of the girls going into the next phases of the competition.

With so many beautiful girls onstage, one has to stand out to get noticed by the judges

 

After the Opening Salvo which included the introduction of the candidates, the first set of special awards was given

 Fatima Rana 

THE BIKINI STEALS THE SHOW

Finally, the much- awaited Swimsuit Competition where the two piece or bikini will be making its second official appearance in Miss Bohol pageant history

The Swimsuit Competition has always been the main target of feminists and radicals who have been branding pageants as exploitative and degrading to women

On the contrary, the swimsuits are empowering and liberating to women for it gives them the liberty to be in control and to be comfortable with their bodies.

Rather than cater to the baser and more prurient interest among men, the swimsuit competition actually highlights physical fitness and showcases the beauty and symmetry of womanhood  with the candidates who actually take care of themselves being amply rewarded

Adjudged Best in Swimsuit was the curvaceous Sheena Marie Cubillo of Calape

 Miss Jagna wins her second special award: Miss Photogenic

Click for the 2003 Miss Bohol Sandugo Story Part II

Photo Credits:

Rio Bernados 

Miss Bohol Winners: 80's and 90's Decades

1983 Miss Young BoholMiss Tagbilaran City Marcelina Marcel Orimaco Gatal

The 1983 pageant was fittingly named Miss Young Bohol because it was organized by KB Bohol Provincial Federation ( Kabataang Barangay, the precursor of Sangguniang Kabataan) under its Prov'l Chair Hon. Edgar Chatto.

It holds the record of having the most number of candidates who competed on the same stage on pageant night with a total of 37 girls from around Bohol. 

Her Court of Honor:

1st RU Miss Carmen Binangbang
2nd RU Miss Dimiao Josephine Joy Tago
3rd RU Miss Jagna Elizabeth Gales
4th RU Miss Loboc Tessie Labunog

For a detailed account of the 1983 pageant, just click this link:

                         The 1983 Miss Young Bohol Story

1986 Miss Bohol

Miss Tagbilaran City Gemma Manding

Year 1986 was a transition period for the Philippines for it was the year of the EDSA People Power Phenomenon and the time when the Yellow Fever captivated the whole country. 

Then Bohol OIC Governor Victor de las Serna approved the holding of a Miss Bohol pageant that would start from the barangay level to really pick the most beautiful Boholana for that year.

The statuesque and very sophisticated Gemma Manding of Tagbilaran City won in a province- wide beauty search that was participated in by all municipalities and the city in a pageant that had weekly elimination rounds prior to the grand coronation night.

Miss Manding stood out and outshone all the other girls during the pageant night and swept almost all the special titles and corporate awards

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ATTENDANT

When she's not flying around the world's most cosmopolitan cities and most exotic places, this licensed Civil Engineer plays her dual role as wife to Tagbilaran City Councilor Hon. Beben Inting and mother to their kids

Gemma has maintained her regal bearing and retained the gorgeous looks and whistle- bait figure that won for her the Miss Bohol crown in 1986

I got the thrill of my life when the beautiful Gemma Manding, Miss Bohol 1986, said YES to my request for a souvenir photo

1988 Mutya sa Bohol

Miss Guindulman Elizabeth Mumar Anana

Guindulman, known as the Queen Town of Eastern Bohol, affirmed its status as home to some of Bohol's most beautiful women when its bet, Elizabeth Mumar Anana, was proclaimed Mutya sa Bohol and was also adjudged Best in Swimsuit and Best in Gown

The 1988 edition was highly- anticipated for the swimsuit would be making its debut in the Miss Bohol pageant that year.

Elizabeth, a 22 year old business management student of the University of San Carlos set temperatures rising when she sashayed onstage in a high- cut one- piece swimsuit. 

Elizabeth went on to represent the province in the nationwide search for Miss Philippine Red Cross 1988, a popularity & personality tilt that was telecast over RPN 9 

Mestiza beauty Elizabeth Mumar Anana gave Guindulman its first and only Miss Bohol crown after a succession of runners up and finalists

TRIVIA: Did you know that Elizabeth dyed her dark brown hair to black just to look less mestiza? According to her mom, Felicitas Anana, being too mestiza during the 80's made a candidate's chances of winning slimmer. 

Here's the link to the pageant during Elizabeth's time: 

                                    The 1988 Mutya sa Bohol Story

1989 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands

Miss Tagbilaran City Winnie Moreno Lim

989 was the year when the street dancing component of the 1st Sandugo Festival was launched with Tagbilaran City's bet Winnie Moreno Lim crowned as the winner. 

Her runners up were 1st RU Miss Talibon Cecilia Auxtero and 2nd RU Miss Jagna Yasmin Aviles

1989 was the year when the street dancing component of the 1st Sandugo Festival was launched with Tagbilaran City's bet Winnie Moreno Lim crowned as the winner. 

Her runners up were 1st RU Miss Talibon Cecilia Auxtero and 2nd RU Miss Jagna Yasmin Aviles

Cecilia Auxtero finished as 1st RU in both Miss DWCT 1989 and Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands 1989. 

Two years after, she gave everyone in Bohol a pleasant surprise when she was crowned the 1991 Miss Cagayan de Oro City and declared Best in Swimsuit

Here's the Miss Cagayan de Oro City 1991 story of Cecille Auxtero

Miss Cagayan de Oro 1991 is a Boholana

That's Cecille with her daughetr Crizelle A. Requierme 

The 2nd Runner Up was the stunningly beautiful Yasmin Aviles of Jagna.

Who can ever forget how she showcased her showstopping and daring yet elegant evening gown that also won for Yasmin the Best in Evening Gown special award

Year 2013: The fabulous Yasmin Aviles recently turned a Fantastic Forty
1990 Miss Bohol Fiesta Islands 

Miss Jagna Tiffany Matuod Yap 

Reigning Campus Girl 1989 Tiffany Matuod Yap of Jagna edged out heavy favorite Ma. Victoria Labado of Tagbilaran City for the crown in a very exciting title showdown witnessed by a jampacked crowd

Here's the link to the 1990 Miss Bohol feature: 

      The Reluctant Boholana Beauty Queen: Her Story

1991 Miss Bohol Sandugo 

Miss Jagna Ma. Recelle Adlaon


Click the link for Recelle's blog feature:

                  The Recelle Adlaon Story

1992 Miss Bohol Sandugo

Miss Jagna Celevel Ranoco

The 1992 Miss Bohol Sandugo titleholder is presently the General Manager of Saatchi & Saatchi- Singapore, one of the biggest multi- milliondollar advertisng agency in the world 

The 1992 Miss Bohol Sandugo feature: 

                             The Celevel Ranoco Story

1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo

Miss Talibon Mary Ann Eronico  

1994 Miss Bohol Sandugo

Miss Tagbilaran City Vanessa Joyce Matuod Evardone 

Her Court of Beauties:

L- R:

1st RU Miss Jagna Genevieve Jamisola
Finalist Miss Dauis Floribeth Lariosa
Finalist Miss Sikatuna Ginalyn Araysa
2nd RU is Miss Ubay May Ann Boyles

For the complete blog feature on the 1994 Miss Bohol Sandugo story, please click the following link    

                                    Vanessa Joyce Matuod Evardone Story  

1995 Miss Bohol Sandugo
Miss Baclayon Naomi Ira Naron 

1996 Miss Bohol Sandugo
Miss Maribojoc Lianne Reyes Canoy

Here's the link to the 1996 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant:

     The Most Controversial Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant

1997 Miss Bohol Sandugo

Miss Tagbilaran City Socorro d Marie Tallo Inting

 1997 Miss Tagbilaran Top Three:  
Two of them would later be crowned as Miss Bohol Sandugo for 1997 and 1998.

From L- R: 

2nd RU Janice Michelle Matuod Evardone is now a licensed physician. She is the younger sister of two Mutya sa Tagbilaran title holders

Miss Tagbilaran 1997 Socorro d Marie Tallo- Inting who would be crowned Miss Bohol Sandugo 1997 is now a practicing lawyer 

1st RU Josely Yap Ferniz would be crowned by Miss Inting as Miss Bohol Sandugo the following year

1998 Miss Bohol Sandugo
Miss Bilar Josely Yap Ferniz

1999 Miss Bohol Sandugo- Bb. Pilipinas
Miss ABENA Maria Ria Nina Cubillo of Calape

1999 Miss Bohol Sandugo- Mutya ng Pilipinas
Miss Catigbian Jenifer Apayor Ejoc

For the first and only time in Miss Bohol Sandugo history, two were crowned as Miss Bohol Sandugo. One was for Bb. Pilipinas and the other for Mutya ng Pilipinas

Here are the complete details:

                               The 1999 Miss Bohol Sandugo Story

Coming Up: Miss Bohol Sandugo 2000 to 2012