Strong Contenders for Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

Based on photos, pageant experience, scholastic records and fan base, here are the early frontrunners for the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo crown

EARLY FRONTRUNNERS:

Miss Alicia

Miss Alicia: Brigette Burato

The Municipality of Alicia is fielding Brigette Burato, reigning Ms. SBE USC 2013 titleholder. 

The pageant is the School of Business and Economics of the University of San Carlos' annual search for students with beauty & brains who can ably represent the group as its ambassadress and spokesperson.

Brigette also won 1st RU in the Miss Olive C Cebu Campus Search, inter- school competition held last November 2012.

She is also a consistent # 1 Dean's Lister of the School of Business & Economics of the University of San Carlos, Cebu City

Brigette Burato. Beauty. Brains & Breeding

Miss Catigbian

with former Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas and First Lady Nerissa Baby Salinas

The Municipality of Catigbian is represented by their reigning Miss Katigbawan Festival Queen, Shereen Alainah Cano Acuna.

Her voluptuous figure, commanding stage presence and irresistible Filipina beauty and charm helped her win the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Interview and Best in Evening Gown special awards

Shereen has also represented Bohol and eventually Region 7 in the national finals of Miss UNO International 2011where she emerged 2nd Runner Up

Miss Catigbian: Shereen Alainah Acuna

Her being an active campus student leader in HNU where she graduated with a BS Nursing degree and recipient of the Leadership and Service Awards helped her develop her communication skills and made her acquire a very engaging personality that helped her land a Call Center Agent's job in Manila

You can just imagine the pressure on Shereen's shoulders. 

You see, the last two Miss Katigbawan Festival Queens of Catigbian figured prominently in the last two participation of the municipality in the pageant. 

Their 2006 Katigbawan Festival Queen Joy Marie Marimon Maglajos became the 2nd Catigbianon girl to win the Miss Bohol Sandugo and she achieved it in 2008. 

Their 2008 Festival Queen Anne Anunciado was 2011 Miss Bohol Sandugo 2nd RU
Miss Panglao

Miss Panglao: Meschellane Cajels

Another frontrunner is Panglao's bet, the very articulate and charming Meschellane Cajels, a registered nurse, whose very classy and elegant ways has already won for her the 2012 Miss Panglao title. 

She made her pageant debut in the 2009 Miss Tagbilaran Pageant where she ended up a strong 1st Runner Up finish to Daisy Jean Quilicot who eventually won the Miss Bohol Sandugo title in 2009

During Miss Tagbilaran 2009 Pageant: Meschellane is 2nd from right

L-R: Panglao Mayor Hon. Nila Montero, Sir Dodong Alcala, Ms Panglao, First Lady Pureza Chatto, Gov. Edgar Chatto, Bb Pilipinas Universe Joyce Ann Burton

With a strong and solid support from the SK Panglao Federated Chairman Hon. Aya Montero and with the backing of the newly- elected municipal mayor of Panglao, Hon. Nila P. Montero who has always believed in women and youth empowerment, expect Meschellane to figure strongly in the pageant

Miss Dauis

Miss Dauis: Elaine Calimbayan Cimafranca

Another worthy contender is the statuesque and svelte Elaine Cimafranca who is representing the Municipality of Dauis in this year's edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo. 

During Elaine's freshman year in HNU, she won a string of campus and inter- campus pageant titles; 2010 Miss HNU Nursing Sportsfest, 2010 Miss HNU Intramurals and 2010 Miss Alay Lakad. 

She would have been a formidable candidate for Miss PRISAA 2010 had she not declined the school's invitation for her to represent HNU. 

Elaine also has the backing of one of Bohol's best pageant mentors and stylists led by EJ Relampagos

Miss Guindulman

Miss Guindulman: Myra Fritzie Anana Golosino

It has been 25 long years or a quarter of a century since Guindulman won its first and so far, only Miss Bohol crown courtesy of the ageless and legendary beauty Elizabeth Mumar Anana. 

This year is very fortuitous for Guindulman because representing the Queen Town of the East is Myra Fritzie Anana Golosino, the niece of the town's only Miss Bohol titleholder

Myra's best assets would have to be her strikingly beautiful face, lean and slender frame, and her fierce and elegant catwalk that has been honed by years of experience as a ramp model in the local scene

Myra, a registered nurse, comes from a family of smart girls as well. 

And by the way, did you know that Myra was also short- listed as Pinoy Dream Academy contender when ABS CBN held their auditions here in Bohol during the summer of 2009?

SO WHO WILL BE MISS BOHOL SANDUGO 2013?

So who among these girls from my initial picks with the help of course of some pageant experts would claim the much- coveted Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 crown on July 20 at the Bohol Cultural Center? 

Or will it be an underdog or dark horse who will snatch the crown from the front runners?

Anything can happen between now and July 20. 

As I have always said, being crowned as a beauty queen is not solely dependent on one's beauty, charm or brains. 

Luck, destiny and timing play an important role too

SWIMSUIT COMPETITION TONIGHT

Please don't forget to watch the Swimsuit Competition of the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant happening tonight at the Miravilla Resort & Restaurant. 

Be there!

JOIN OUR SURVEY ON WHO WILL BE MISS BOHOL SANDUGO 2013

By the way, to spice things up, please join my fun survey as to who you think will be crowned the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo. 

Look for the list of names on the upper right sidebar of this page. You can vote for as many girls as you want. Support your favorite candidates

A special blog feature will be written and dedicated for the Top Three Girls who get the highest number of votes so tell your friends and family to cast their votes NOW

Have fun!

By the way, I hope that the supporters and friends of the other girls can send me the basic info and photos that I have been requesting for so that pageant fans would also get the chance to know them better

I want to hear from you dear blog readers. 

Who are your favorites? 

1996 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Lianne Reyes Canoy

1996 Miss Bohol Sanduo & Her Court with the emcees 

The 1996 edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo promised to be the most spectacular production of the province's most prestigious beauty competition. After all, it was to be handled by the Bohol Jaycee Family composed of the following; Bohol Sandugo Jaycees, Pastillas Lady Jaycees, Chocolate Hills Lady Jaycees, Jagna "Ilihan" Jaycees, Garcia "Limestone" Jaycees, Bohol Junior Jaycees, Bohol Jaycee President Club, Bohol Associate Jaycees & the Jayceerettes

Talking of experience, the original Bohol Jaycees held the franchise for Bb. Pilipinas- Bohol and appointed by no less than Madame Stella Marquez Araneta herself during the 60's decade. On the other hand, the Chocolate Hills Lady Jaycees had been mounting the annual Mutya sa Tagbilaran from 1989 to year 1996 that year and eventually until year 200

What was expected to be a scintillating showstopper turned out to be the most controversial Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant ever and almost resulted in a near- walkout by some municipal delegations and the judges themselves. This is not to malign nor denigrate the efforts of the organizers but to serve as a cautionary tale. 

But that's getting ahead of the story. 

The beautiful Miss Guindulman Susan Anadon Sy 

July 14, 1996. It was the Coronation Night for Miss Bohol Sandugo and as expected, the HNU Gym was overflowing with pageant spectators & supporters.

The night before, the Talent Competition was held at the UB Gym

MISS TALENT

The Talent Night belonged to Miss Bilar Geraldine Bojo who simply wowed the audiences and judges with her mellifluous voice and showmanship.

Gigi, as called by friends including this blogger, who emerged 4th RU and Miss Talent in the competition, is now a sought after entertainer in corporate affairs and social occasions like weddings and debuts. In fact, I featured her in an earlier blog.

Here's the link:

 Gigi & Jun of Bohol Jazz Duo

Your Blogger with Gigi Bojo : 1996 and 2012

 These photos show me and Gigi Bojo. The left photo was in 1996 and photo to the right was taken in 2912

PAGEANT EMCEES

Your Boholano Blogger and Scarlet Pizarras were the pageant emcees and we still remember the criteria used for the pageant:

Casual Wear Competition    20%

Personal Interviews              20%

Swimsuit Competition           20%

Evening Gown Competition 20%

The judges were to rate the girls with scores ranging from 80 to 95. Very easy, right? Well, not really. You see, it turned out that during the Talent Night (Talent was also 20% or 1/5th of the total preliminary scores) the separate panel of judges gave scores ranging from as low as 40 to as high as 99.

This would turn out to have devastating consequences on the preliminary results

PAGEANT JUDGES:

Sen. Serge or was it Mayor Tommy Osmena and the outspoken Cerge Remonde together with a Japanese technocrat, Cebuana beauty queen Christine Carpio and a Cebu Plaza Hotel executive composed that year's panel of judges

PAGEANT HIGHLIGHTS

After the energetic and sizzling Opening Number choreographed by Cecilio Quevedo, the girls then introduced themselves.

 Your Blogger with Miss Maribojoc Lianne Reyes Canoy

The Interviews immediately followed with the lovely Miss Guindulman Susan Anadon Sy making her mark in a memorable interview that endeared her to the judges and audience alike. She got high marks for her very candid, honest and refreshing way of expressing herself

Here's how my interview with Miss Guindulman went:

  

Emcee: What are you taking up right now?

Susan: Political Science

Emcee: Why Political Science?

Susan: Because I want to be a politician someday

Emcee: What elective position are you aiming for in the future?

Susan: I want to be the next town mayor of Guindulman Emcee: Who is your town mayor right now? I hope he is okay with this 

Susan: Our mayor is Hon. Gaudioso Ranario and he is here together with my townmates to support me

Emcee: I will give you an on-the- spot challenge tonight. Let's pretend that tonight is the miting de avance and the audience tonight are your fellow Guindulmanons. Can you do it?

Susan: Of course, Fellow Guindulmanons, standing in front of you is Susan Sy and I want to be the next mayor of our town. Give me a chance to serve the people with sincerity and with dedication. If you will vote for me as our town's next mayor, I will create more projects. Daghang salamat (thank you)  

After the Evening Gown Competition, the recipients of the special awards were then revealed:

SPECIAL AWARD	WINNER
Miss Talent	Miss Bilar Geraldine Bojo
Miss Congeniality	Miss Sierra Bullones Claire Bustrillos
Miss Photogenic	Miss Guindulman Susan Sy
Best in Interview	Miss Guindulman Susan Sy
Best in Casual Wear	Miss Guindulman Susan Sy
Best in Swimsuit	Miss Dimiao Jane Penalosa
Best in Gown	Miss Guindulman Susan Sy

THE FIVE FINALISTS FIASCO

From 16 girls, the field was whittled down to five finalists. Getting the call were the following:

Miss Maribojoc Lianne Reyes Canoy, Miss Dimiao Jane Penalosa, Miss Anda Cherry Mae Cureg, Miss Bilar Geraldine Bojo and Miss Calape Jan Reyes

The girls then underwent the final Q & A where they randomly picked questions that were similar in nature and degree of difficulty

FAREWELL WALK

While outgoing Miss Bohol Sandugo Ira Noemi Naron of Baclayon made her final walk as Miss Bohol Sandugo, I noticed a little commotion near the judges' area. I then made my way down to check if there was a problem.

Turned out that there was a major problem. The judges were upset that two of their bets Miss Guindulman and Miss Tagbilaran were not among the five finalists.

They simply couldn't believe the outcome so they asked for the score sheets and there they pointed out the root cause of the problem.

Since there was no scoring range in the Talent Competition unlike the Pageant Night where scores can only be between 80 to 95, the five girls with the highest Talent Night scores naturally also ended up as the finalists.

Cerge Remonde (bless his soul) then gave the ultimatum, if Miss Tagbilaran and Miss Guindulman will not be called as finalists, all of the judges will stage a walkout together with Guindulman Mayor Gaudioso Ranario and fellow Guindulmanons.

After the Execom approved of the request, I then asked "How will I explain this? The final questions have been asked already" Cerge Remonde quickly replied "That's your job as emcee. Go onstage now and clean up this mess"

What happened next was to become my defining moment as pageant emcee. I simply rose to the occasion, made the seven finalists undergo another round of interviews and then announced the results as if there was nothing amiss.

Of course, credit should also go to my co- host Scarlet Pizarras whose gift of gab and nerves of steel helped save the day for everyone

What transpired that evening, I should point out was simply an oversight and not intentional.

I guess everyone learned from that experience. 

Susan Sy gave a good fight and almost gave Guindulman its second Miss Bohol title after Elizabeth Anana who won in 1988.

She may have finished as 2nd RU but she definitely, in a positive way, became the hot topic of the town for days and until now is fondly remembered as one of the most beautiful Boholanas to have ever graced the Miss Bohol stage

Susan Sy is now a New York- based nurse and fulfilling her dreams  

L-R: 4th RU, 3rd RU, 2nd RU, Miss Bohol Sandugo, 1st RU

FINAL RESULTS

Miss Bohol Sandugo Miss Maribojoc Lianne Reyes Canoy

1st Runner Up         Miss Tagbilaran Fragelle Tejano

2nd Runner Up        Miss Guindulman Susan Anadon Sy

3rd Runner Up        Miss Dimiao Jane Penalosa

4th Runner Up        Miss Bilar Geraldine Bojo

LAST TWO GIRLS: Maribojoc & Tagbilaran

Lianne Reyes Canoy confirmed her frontrunner status when she was declared Miss Bohol Sandugo under very controversial circumstances.

When asked why the judges should select her over the other finalists as the queen for that year, Lianne gave the following answer in a manner that was so straightforward, confident and convincing:

" Because I have the triple B which are beauty, brains and the body. And with that, I don't see any other reason why I shouldn't be the next Miss Bohol Sandugo" 

1988 Mutya ng Bohol: Elizabeth Mumar Anana

Guindulman, 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 1988 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.

Since Bohol has 48 municipalities plus the capital city of Tagbilaran, the candidates underwent a preliminary competition that selected the fifteen official candidates who will then compete on coronation night at the Bohol Cultural Center

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.

At that time, it was considered daring especially in conservative Bohol but still, she was able to pull it off with her wholesome look, winsome smile, curvaceous figure and confident stride. 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 so far, only Miss Bohol crown after a succession of runners up and finalists

  Crowned by outgoing queen Gemma Manding, a Civil Engr & flight attendant

TRIVIA: Did you know that Elizabeth dyed her dark brown hair to black just to look less mestiza? According to her mom, Mrs. Felicitas Mumar Anana, being too mestiza during the 80's lessened a candidate's chances of winning the title.  Her strategy worked!

CONTROVERSIAL SWIMSUIT By today's standards, Elizabeth's swimsuit would be deemed too conservative, but still daring with its revealing high cut slit up to there. Back in 1988, it was the talk of the town days and weeks after the pageant was concluded

 Beth was a scene-stealer during the Swimsuit Competition

WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS

With Family. (L to R): Ammabelle Manigque-Milallos(niece), Marites Lim(sister), Felicitas Añana(mother), Elizabeth Añana, Marilou Real(sister), Marivic Golosino(sister), Glenn Manigque(nephew), Pacita Manigque(sister), Junjun Manigque(nephew).

Who would have known that Glenn Manigque would also be hosting the annual Miss Bohol Pageant years after this picture was taken

SOURCE OF PRIDE  Winning a beauty title in Bohol has always been a source of pride not only for the place or institution being represented but also for the family & friends of the newly- crowned beauty queen. So can you imagine how Isay's victory was celebrated by the town of Guindulman and her entire clan? 

LIFE AFTER MUTYA SA BOHOL 1988.  Fresh from her 1988 Mutya sa Bohol triumph, Elizabeth then proudly and confidently carried the Bohol sash in the 1st Central Visayas Area San Miguel Beer Sportsfest Queen Search

And yes, she won over the ladies representing Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapulapu and Siquijor.

  

SYMMETRY GLOBAL

Presently, Beth is managing the Philippine operations of Symmetry Global, a multinational company based in Houston, Texas. Bannered by its catch phrase"Changing People's Lives for The Better", Symmetry Global which helps create business opportunities for thousands of Filipinos supports this year’s Miss Bohol Pageant.

 Still the lovely girl that won Miss Bohol  back in 1988

And so by the time Miss Bohol 2015 will be declared and crowned, the Miss Bohol journey of the girl from Guindulman will have gone full circle.