Meet Klea Kathrina Uy

 Klea Kathrina Uy

Make way for the lovely and leggy Klea Kathrina Uy who caught Your Roving Eye’s attention when she forayed into the world of pageantry a couple of years ago. 

Klea emerged as one of the Top Seven finalists in the Miss Silka Bohol 2015 pageant. 

Not bad for a pageant newbie who joined for the experience and because of the constant prodding from friends and family.

Last year, she was crowned Mutya sa Cogon which qualified her as an official candidate in the 2017 Mutya sa Tagbilaran Pageant. She may not have barged into the winners’ circle but she gained a lot in terms of experience, insights as well as new friends.

Presently, the 20 year old who stands 5’ 7” is a BS Business Administration major in Marketing Management student of Holy Name University. For the past two years, she has been part of the CSG Executive Department as Secretary for Students Rights & Welfare then Secretary for External Affairs. 

  Klea was a standout in the Mutya 2017 finals
Photo Credits: TJ Medrana Photography

Currently, she is the Petty Cash Custodian of the CSG 9^th Student Congress and is also Secretary of the Rotaract Club of Tagbilaran HNU Chapter

 elegance and confidence in her gown presentation
Photo Credits: TJ Medrana Photography

The self- confessed Spiderman fan also adores Winnie the Pooh. When asked what keeps her going in life, she quotes a line from Gwen Stacy “Don’t follow others’ trail, make your own trail”

That’s Klea Katrina for you! 

HNU Homecoming 2017: Heartwarming, Heartbreaking

It was an alumni homecoming like no other. Grade school, high school and college alumni of dear old Holy Name came to attend and participate in the whole- day trip down memory lane. Tradition dictates that the annual grand reunion is scheduled on the last day of the school’s university days celebration.

 Poignant scenes during the alumni homecoming

It was indeed heartwarming to see old and new faces, the familiar and the not so familiar greet one another. A gentle kiss there, a brisk handshake here and the tight and warm embraces everywhere were familiar scenes that kept replaying all day long. A citywide motorcade and holy mass kicked off the celebration.

 Main Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Joseph Butlig, SCJ of HS Batch 1997

 A STUDY ON CONTRASTS:  Fr. Estepa enjoys taking photos while

retired HS Principal Ma’am Baby Cardino is all 

seriousness during registration

 HATAW NA: Thirdy and Rose gamely lead the dance for all

 Volleyball- Women MVP Arlene Kaye Gomez Batch 97, Rosemary Uy & Evelyn Butalid  Batch 1981

Your Roving Eye who was invited to emcee the gathering couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the hard work and sacrifices that alumni president Engr. Tibbs Bullecer and the rest of the go- getters who composed the Alumni Association of HNU- Bohol, Inc. (AAHNU- BI) did to ensure the successful and fun conduct of the reunion. 

 HNU ALUMNI QUEEN 2017 Leonita C. Bermudez w 

Engr. Tibbs Bullecer & Fr. Pres. Kito Estepa

Providing the glamorous highlight to the affair was the search for the 2017 HNU Grand Alumni Homecoming Queen title. Edging out four other beauties for the title was the charming and elegant Ma. Leonita Calceta- Bermudez of Batch 1981 and was crowned by HNU President Fr. Francisco T. Estepa, SVD and Alumni President Engr. Tibbs Bullecer.

 Your Roving Eye emcess the HNU affair and Ma’am Linda Paredes

rallies the alumni during the Mia Green tribute

 Alumni officers lead the tribute: L-R: Engr. Tibbs Bullecer, Marietta Corales,

Atty. Aileen Paulo, Atty. Raul Barbarona, Eric Gatal & Atty. Rene Paredes

Casting a pall of gray to the otherwise bright and sunny celebration was the shocking news about Atty. Mia Mascarinas- Green who would always be regarded as one of the most outstanding graduates of HNU. For us members of HS Batch 1984, her untimely demise was doubly sad for she belonged to our batch. Not a few tears were shed when our batch took centerstage during the tribute given to Mia.

As the celebration drew to a close, the whole Arnold Janssen Gymnasium reverberated with the singing of the Holy Name March just as dusk began to envelop the place. We all went our separate ways but thoughts about the reunion kept playing in my mind.

City Administrator & HS Batch 1979 Pres. Edi Borja

gamely poses with batchmates 

 HNU Band plays the rousing Opening Hymn

 HNU Chorale leads the mass hymn singing

 Beautiful & charming smiles from HS Batch 1979 led by Marjo Culajara & Hariett Sepe

Yes, the music may be long gone, the lights may have dimmed and the applause and laughter may have faded away but the beautiful memories, the bittersweet reminiscences and the surprising feel- good moments with friends and acquaintances and even strangers would always linger. Indeed, the homecoming was just like coming home.

  HS Batch 1984

 HS Batch 1984 smiles after winning Men’s- Volleyball 2^nd RU

 Batch 1984 Maximiel Teofilo B. Tallo is all smiles after winning the raffle grand prize

And yes, I’m definitely attending next year’s homecoming! See you around!

Thanks to Joe Nazareno HNU Alumni Office Coordinator for the photos

Goodbye Dear Ole Holy Name

I chanced upon the ongoing demolition of the original Holy Name University based in downtown Tagbilaran a week ago. It was a heart- wrenching scene to see my beloved school in her present state. I took the photos from the H. Grupo St. entrance gate to the gym. 

HNU Main took a big blow during the Oct 15, 2013 temblor that compromised the structural integrity of the main campus in Gallares Street hence the decision to relocate to its Janssen Heights Campus. 

 Your Roving Eye in front of dear ole Holy Name

The beloved gym is no more. The gym where scores of commencement exercises were held, where Bohol’s biggest events took place and where thousands of students like me honed and sharpened their skills and talents will now exist in our minds, in photos and in our hearts.

But fret not. For there would always be a rainbow after the rain. It’s all for the best.

 

 From the BQ Mall driveway

My dear HNU Main Campus in Gallares St., you would always be etched in our collective memories. Forever.

Boholano Graduates Get Ready for the Real World

While the old- timers, the baby boomers and the generations of HNU graduates were getting ready to take a stroll down memory lane during the Alumni Day of Bohol’s biggest Catholic learning institution, a different sort of activity also took place with members of the graduating college seniors taking part in the Mock Interview Session.

 With HNU student facilitators: Jojith Claire Bongcahig,

Gary Gem Alago  , Kirstel Mary Ann Cesar & Milyn Rosales

The HNU Guidance Office, the Alumni Association & the Society of College Seniors have been organizing the pre- graduation activity the last couple of decades to prepare the university’s graduates a feel of what job applicants do to prepare & hurdle the job interview process when they leave the portals of their Alma Mater and begin the challenging task of landing their dream jobs.

Your Roving Eye, along with the some of the school’s luminaries such as legendary stage thespian & alumni officer Mrs. Marietta Corales and Ma’am Remedios “Baby” Cardino, our motherly teacher who introduced me and a generation of high school seniors to the world of Physics where we discussed acceleration, velocity, speed and aerodynamics and who later on sat as High School Principal, sat down as interviewers with each of us assigned with graduates who were applying with job openings associated with the industry or career path we were in.

 

 Alumni luminaries Marietta Corales & Maam Baby Cardino lead the panel of  interviewers

As a media practitioner and as a university mentor who taught English grammar and Mass Communications major subjects, I had the chance to interview 15 graduating BA  Communication Arts students. After interviewing, grilling & subjecting each of them to almost 10 minutes (from the suggested four minutes) of a barrage of questions that made some squirm on their seats, I hoped that it was an eye- opening learning experience for them.

 Order from HERE 

  mugging for the camera after receiving my certificate

From across the table and as I was talking to the hopefuls, I saw a little of myself when I was their age. I was a dreamer then, a hopeless romantic and an idealist who had quixotic views of the world that he wanted to conquer. It has been a quarter of a century when Your Roving Eye left the portals of his Alma Mater and life has been an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Our new generation of graduates are so lucky to have these kinds of activities that prepare them for what is to come. During my time, we were so clueless and even when we had to go to imperial Manila for the final job interview hurdle, we never had an inkling on how it was going to turn out. We were SCS officers during our time (I was the VP then) so I always empathize with student leaders who organize these kinds of activities.

 with Baby Rara, my fave English mentor & later on a teaching buddy

In the end, it would all boil down to two important things: First, just be yourself and be full of candor & wit for interviewers can see through the rehearsed & phony answers. If we really have to believe everything that are splashed on resumes and cover letters, then we live in a perfect world where everyone is ambitious, driven, smart, confident, versatile, determined & willing to extend overtime services. 

  w/ teaching colleagues Professors Biloy, Cathy Napigkit & Jay Obenza

 with BS Psych student facilitator 

But this is not how the cookie crumbles and I, for one, always believe that perfection is boring and it is how to spot that diamond in the rough that can be polished into one valuable & priceless asset that is important in the job interview. So learn how to admit one’s flaws and imperfections because for some employers, it is your potential & not your performance that can be your ticket for entry into the world of professionals.

Finally, articulate and explain how it’s going to be a mutually- beneficial business & professional relationship with your potential employer if you will be a part of their business company.

As a parting shot, when you finally get that dream job of yours and you have made it, learn to look back where you came from and give back in gratitude!

Congratulations to the Class of 2016! Cheers graduates!

Boholano Pair Wins Mr & Ms PRISAA Central Visayas

HNU & BOHOL PRIDE. When Sir Marianito Luspo, the HNU Cultural Affairs Office Director asked me to facilitate the search for our school’s bets for the Mr. & Ms. PRISAA Bohol Province Search, I didn’t hesitate in recommending Mr.Blake Valles, BSNursing 3, and Felisse Marie Carvajal, BSHotel & Restaurant Management 4, to be the candidates.

Both were not only tall, good- looking and articulate but also level- headed, mature already for their ages and were advocates for active & healthy lifestyles; the very qualities that PRISAA were looking for.

Felisse Marie Carvajal & Blake Valles

After less than a week of frenetic rehearsals and coaching, both won against the competition in the provincial level. A week after, we were off to Cebu and both won in a spectacular fashion

Holy Name University  earned the right to represent Central Visayas and  against 16 regional pairs in the 2011 Ginoo at Binibining Pamantasan ng Pilipinas National Finals set on April 12, 2011.

 Your Roving Eye with Mr & Ms. PRISAA Region 7

Ginoo at Binibining Pamantasan ng Pilipinas 2011, an annual nationwide campus personality search which is the centerpiece event of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games will be held this year in Zamboanga City.

The personality search aims to select the athletic association’s official spokespersons for sports and academic excellence.

Valles Brothers: Bren, Blake & Buboy

During the National Finals in Zamboanga City, the candidates were judged individually and not by pair.

In the preliminary judging, all the entrants underwent a One-on-One Interview with the Judges

This is the first time that both the male and female winners from Region 7 come from the same school, Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City

In the National Finals, Mr. Valles eventually finished as 2nd RU while Ms Gonzales placed in the Top Five

I am honored to have coached the pair

Barong & Filipiniana Gown Designer: Hanz Coquilla
Hair & Make Up: Charlow Arbasto

Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended