From Miss Bohol to the Supreme Court

The annual spectacle of beauty, brains & advocacy and the glamorous highlight of the Sandugo Festival has produced countless titleholders and contestants alike who have gone on to pursue their dreams and accomplish their goals in life

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 1997 Top Three 

One of the most successful of the Miss Bohol queens is Atty. Socorro D Marie Tallo Inting represented Tagbilaran City in the 1997 edition of Miss Bohol after winning the Mutya sa Tagbilaran title earlier that year. After her reign, she went on to focus on her law studies eventually following the footsteps of her brilliant lawyer- dad Atty. Roland Inting. 

Reunion of Your Blogger & Atty. Talie

Her Miss Bohol journey went full circle when she graciously accepted the invitation from the Bohol Provincial Government through Bohol First Lady & Cong. Vanessa Aumentado to be one of the judges for Miss Bohol 2025. 

During the Panel Interview 

Presenting the Best in Interview award

With Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado & Cong. Vanessa Aumentado 

After the pageant, she was gushing about how amazing the contestants were and how proud she was to be part of the Miss Bohol history. 

with her dad Atty. Roland Inting 

After she took and passed the bar, she worked her way up until she was appointed and took her oath of office as the Chief of the Office of Recruitment, Selection & Nomination of the Judiciary & Bar Council of the Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines, a permanent government post she has held since 2017.

Her office is in charge with the screening of individuals who aim to lead the Office of the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, Special Prosecutor and the offices of the Chairperson and Regular Members of the Legal Education Board.

Taken at 925 Maxi Hotel & Event 
Center, the official pageant residence 

Her office at the JBC also processes and preliminarily screens / reviews all applications for judges in the lowest level Courts of Justice until and including Justices in the Court of Appeals, Tax Courts, Sandiganbayan and the Supreme Court.

Talk about an unassuming Boholana who holds a key and powerful post in the Supreme Court, the highest representation of the judicial branch of the Philippine government.

Miss Bohol 2025 Closed- Door Panel Interview

 Miss Bohol has evolved from a beauty contest into a platform where charming ladies are given the opportunity to advocate for causes that they believe in. Aside from beauty & personality, the Miss Bohol pageant is looking for a spokesperson, an inspirational model and ambassadress of goodwill for Bohol.

It is for this reason that all the girls have to hurdle the closed- door panel interview with the panel of judges on the morning of the pageant. For the last two years, the panel interview was held at Maxi Hotel & Event Center, the official residence of the Miss Bohol Pageant.

The judges had the chance to see the girls up close and got to know them better as they interacted with the girls in an informal interview. 

Sharuen Hafeel, Hotelier Andrew Fernandes & SK Bohol President Hon. Lawrence Ancla

Each candidate was given five (5) minutes to present herself and respond to the judge's question. This year proved to be another bumper harvest of exceptional ladies with topnotch interview skills. 

The top three ladies during this area of judging were Miss Dauis, Miss Mabini and Miss Panglao. 

The panel interview comprised 30% of the judging criteria. The rest of the criteria in the race for the top five spots are as follows:

Boholana Costume.   10% 

Swimsuit 25% 

Evening Gown 25%

Production Number 10%

The closed - door panel interview has been a part of the Miss Bohol pageant since 2014 when the province's most prestigious beauty competition underwent a make over. 

Here's a little trivia:  For the past three years, the girls who scored the highest in the interviews also ended up with the Miss Bohol crowns on their heads. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado, Cong. Vanessa Aumentado & Ms. Ana Saluan

A huge congratulations to the Miss Bohol Committee headed by Honorary Chair 2nd Dist Cong. Vanessa Aumentado and Co- Chair Ms. Ana Loinda Saluan for a job well done.

Miss Bohol 2024 is from Garcia- Hernandez

Cayle Tentativa is Miss Bohol 2024

Carl Joellie Tejano Tentativa of Garcia- Hernandez was crowned Miss Bohol 2024 in glittering ceremonies held at the jampacked Bohol Wisdom School Gym on Friday, July 12. 

The 23- year old RP & New York, USA licensed nurse was crowned by outgoing Miss Bohol 2023 Kyra Hopkins, Miss Bohol Honorary Chair Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado, Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Irha Mel Alfeche, Miss Bohol Co- Chair Ana Loinda Saluan and SK Bohol Pres. Lawrence Ancla . 

The newly- crowned Miss Bohol 2024, daughter of Garcia- Hernandez Municipal Councilor Hon. Carol Tejano was also named 2024 Miss JCI Philippines Bohol and Best in Interview after topping the closed- door panel interview with the judges earlier during the day.

Cayle, as she's called by friends & family also placed second to Miss Tagbilaran City for the Darling of the Press special award during the Press Presentation which officially kicked off the Miss Bohol 2024 edition.

In her three appearances

During the final Q & A, the top five were asked the same question “ If crowned Miss Bohol 2024, how would you encourage local communities to actively participate in the conservation efforts of Bohol as a global geopark for the benefit of future Boholano questions?”

Ms. Tentativa’s response “ I'm gonna convince the community tonight, right here, right now in the Miss Bohol stage that the designation of Geopark is very telling of the undeniable beauty of Bohol and the rich culture of the Boholanos so let's all be committed because this is us, this is our culture and we should be proud so that we can all be aware and unanimous in showing the world the beauty of Bohol and ensuring the preservation for the next generation and for the rest of the world to enjoy. Daghang salamat"

RUNNERS UP & SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS. Rounding out the winners’ circle were Flaviona Joaquin of Tagbilaran City 1^st RU, Best in Evening Gown and Darling of the Press, Angel Ann Calimbayan of Dauis 2^nd RU.

Mariel Dianne Ybañez of Tubigon 3^rd RU and Miss Congeniality & Miss Photogenic and Jacel Joy Argawanon of Pilar 4^th RU and Best in Swimsuit. Miss Jagna Elah Merari Lagrido was named Best in Production Number.

L-R: 4th RU, 2nd RU, Miss Bohol, 2nd RU, 4th RU

All the 16 candidates competed in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions before the top five finalists were revealed.  

PANEL OF JUDGES. Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Irha Mel Alfeche chaired the panel of judges that included Miss Bohol 2005 & Bb Pilipinas – World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit- Taylor, Reyna ng Aliwan Philippines 2024 Mia Tamayo, Bragais Shoes Executive Ezequiel Quezada, TV host & football player Marcus Paterson, singer/ actress Kyline Alcantara and top fashion designer Dennis Lustico.

PAGEANT’S HISTORIC FIRSTS. The delegation from Garcia Hernandez led by Mayor Jess Baja & First Lady Mau Baja erupted into thunderous applause and screams when their candidate was named Miss Bohol as it was a historic first Miss Bohol win for the municipality of Garcia- Hernandez.

Had Flaviona Joaquin won, it would have been a fourth successive win for the City of Tagbilaran. To date, the Municipality of Jagna still holds the record for three consecutive Miss Bohol wins achieved by Tiffany Yap 1990, Recelle Adlaon 1991 and Celevel Ranoco 1992. 

Tagbilaran City has won in three successive editions Raclaire Trigo 2018, Celina Villoceno 2019 and Kyra Hopkins 2023.

Boholana Costume Winners

The 2024 edition also marked the first time for a major Miss Bohol pre- pageant event to be held outside Tagbilaran City when the Boholana Iconic Costume Competition was staged at the impressive Jagna Cultural Center last July 7. Garcia Hernandez wore the grand prize winning design of designer Charlow Arbasto and Best Film for Maxigne Delusa

Miss Bohol Honorary Chair
Cong. Vanessa Aumentado

Pageant hosts were Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelincx & Clyde Dy while Kapuso star & singer Paul Salas serenaded the girls. 

Pageant direction by Eme Pinos and Creatives & Visuals by Rolly Icban

Bohol Loop Dive Expo 2023 Takes Its First Plunge This April!

More than a hundred underwater photographers, dive enthusiasts & instructors will converge in Bohol from April 13 to April 30 for the inaugural staging of Bohol Loop Dive Expo or BHOLDEX 2023, the first of its kind in Bohol. 

The dive loop will take the event participants to a series of one- day dive expeditions and underwater photography contests and free dive exhibitions in newly- discovered dive spots from the coastal municipalities of Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia- Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Mabini, Ubay. 

Gov. Aris Aumentado is flanked by your Blogger 
& Vice Gov Dionisio Victor Balite

In between, there will be welcome events in the participating towns where the loop divers will be treated to the host town’s food, culture and entertainment. The loop dive event kicks off on April 13 with an opening program & dinner to be hosted by the Tagbilaran City LGU led by Mayor Jane Yap at the Bohol Tropics Resort and culminates with a closing program & awarding ceremony on April 30 at Villa Tomasa Alona Q in Alona Beach, Panglao.

Seen at the BHOLDEX launch were Prov'l Administrator Aster Caberte, 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap & Tourism Chair BM Tita Baja

The Panglao Association of Dive Operators (PADO) is organizing the event to help establish newly- discovered dive spots in Bohol after an intensive six- month dive assessment activity. This would ultimately boost the status of Bohol as a premier dive destination led by the Bohol Marina Triangle, the trifecta of dive spots in Panglao, Pamilacan and Balicasag.

Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, on the other hand, stressed the importance of solidifying Bohol’s position as one of the country’s top tourist destination through the discovery of new tourism offerings and diverse travel & tour options. 

Gov. Aumentado expresses his support 

At the same time, the governor who is also the Regional Development Council Chair for Central Visayas said that the event is also aimed at raising the awareness level for the protect, secure & restore these dive destinations to their pristine state. 

EVENT PARTNERS: Cebu Pacific, TWD, Pacifica Dive Shop, Civil Aviation Authority, the Bohol Provincial Government, Department of Tourism, Dive 7, Tourism, Promotion Board, Coca Cola Bottlers, ArMode. 

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS. Bohol Chronicle, KISS 102.3 FM. BHOLDEX 2023 is still open for event sponsorship. Please visit Bohol Loop Dive Expo Facebook Page for details

Will It be Third Time's the Universe for Pauline?

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado and First Lady & 2nd Dist. Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado warmly received Pauline Cucharo Amelincx during her courtesy call at the Governor's Office yesterday afternoon.

Pauline with Gov. Aris Aumentado & Cong. Vanessa Aumentado 

The said visit kicks off Ms. Amelincx' s Miss Universe Philippines 2023 journey after making it as one of 40 official candidates during the final screening in Metro Manila. 

Ms. Amelincx represented her hometown of Tubigon in Miss Bohol 2017 which she easily won. The multi-  titled beauty queen was also crowned Global Beauty Queen during the golden edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2018. 

Her Miss Universe Philippines journey started in 2020 where she was named 3rd Runner Up to Rabiya Mateo. Her second bid gave her the Miss Universe Philippines -Charity 2022 crown. Will her third and final attempt give Bohol its keenly anticipated MUP crown?

She follows the footsteps of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who competed in 2013 and 2014 before finally clinching the Bb Pilipinas Universe crown in 2015. Maricar Balagtas also competed thrice in Bb Pilipinas in 2000 and 2001 before winning the crown in 2004.

This year's MUP winner will represent the country in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant to be held in San Salvador, El Salvador this December.

Aside from the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 crown, MUP organizers have announced that Miss Supranational Philippines and Miss Charm Philippines will also be crowned during the grand coronation night.

We shall be updating fellow Boholanos of  Ms. Amelincx's bid for the crown through a series of blog features that would capture the drama and excitement of her journey.

Good luck Ms. Amelincx!

Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol Host 14th NICP National Summit

The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) in coordination with the Department of Information & Communication Technology (DICT) had its 14^th Summit at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City, November 17- 18, 2022.

Mayor Jane Yap & Chief of Staff Baba Yap, NICP officials Bohol media 

The two- day summit which gathered the country’s key players and leaders in the information communication technology, the BPO industry, the academe and national government agencies provided a venue not only to tackle the new trends & breakthroughs in the ICT industry but also an opportunity to meet the industry’s leading innovations and solutions providers and the exchange of best practices among each ICT Council. 

Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap expressed her optimism that hosting the gathering will be a strong follow- up and an opportunity for Tagbilaran City to attract more investors, showcase its readiness and capability in the information technology industry and provide more locally- available jobs in the ICT, BPO management sectors  and other technology- related enterprises especially after the capital city of Bohol recently made it to the list of the country’s 25 cities that are ready for transformation as “digital cities” by 2025.  

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado shared his elation with the holding of the recognized and biggest national organization of ICT councils in the Philippines because it would open the province to more investors and create more job opportunities.   

Dr. Mary Joy Abueg, NICP President, extended her gratitude to Tagbilaran City and the Province of Bohol for hosting the summit. In her message during the opening ceremonies, she reiterated two of the important mandates from NICP; ICT development and ICT countryside development which are aimed at creating more job opportunities in the information technology sector. 

Photo Credits: Just Jhuriz

Battle for Road Supremacy in 2022 Cross Bohol 600 from July 29 to 31!

Bohol welcomes more than 300 cyclists from all over the Philippines for the Cross Bohol 600, a major cycling event that will have participants racing  through a total of 600 kilometers with Bohol's breathtaking landscape as backdrop today until Sunday, July 31.

During yesterday's press conference at the Bellevue Resort, Jingle Mislos, co- organizer of Cross Bohol 600, shared that Bohol was a top choice after the Cross Cebu 600 last November because of its amazing roads, beauty spots, warm & friendly people and very supportive government officials led by Gov. Aris Aumentado, himself an avid cyclist. 

Panelists from Cross Bohol 600
Bellevue Resort 

The sporting event aims not only to raise awareness on cycling for climate change but also to provide cyclists with multiple training grounds and opportunities to ride side by side with national players that would help them prepare for national and international competitions. 

There are five categories in the Cross Bohol 600 Race. They are the open category, amateur, randonneur, women’s and MTB.

John Maraguinot, spokesman for the governor said that such sporting events are very much welcome in the island of Bohol since it is in congruence with the provincial government's thrust towards sports tourism and commitment to environmental preservation. 

Dr. Anthony Damalerio, Bohol PDRRMO Head bared that all municipal PNP stations, medics, first aid personnel, Tarsier units are already on standby at the different stops and places where the cyclists will be passing through.

On behalf of Bellevue Resort, Resident Manager Roberto Rosinno also welcomed all the participants to the three- day sporting event. He added that Bellevue has always been steadfast in its commitment to sports tourism in Bohol.

Panglao Councilor JR Rodriguez bared that there will be no road blockades or rerouting at the major thoroughfares in the island of Panglao and Dauis.

Attractive cash prizes and trophies await the winners with the open category winners receiving 1st Prize P100, 000 2nd Prize P50, 000 and 3rd Prize P25, 000. Individual and category winners will also receive attractive cash prizes. 

Cross Bohol 600 Teaser 

But more than than cash prizes and trophies, it's the chance to compete side by side with the nation's best and the bragging rights to be part of this major cycling event that is being looked forward to by the particilants.