Remembering the Late Paula, Ellen, Marcel, Suzette & Marecor

As we mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, we also remember some of our former Miss Bohol queens who have gone ahead to the Great Beyond.

PAULA  RAAGAS- VALLES. Paula (better known as Paulita and Daday) Baura Raagas was born on June 6, 1922 in Maribojoc, Bohol. Known for her striking beauty, winsome charm and intelligence, she was crowned Miss Bohol on May 4, 1941 at the young age of 18  and just a month away from her 19th birthday.

1941 Miss Bohol: Paula “Daday” Raagas- Valles (June 6 1922- July 8 2012)

She later on married her childhood sweetheart Dionisio Valles also from Maribojoc. She served as Municipal Mayor of Maribojoc from 1978 to 1986.

She passed away on July 8, 2012 at the ripe old age of 90 in Metro Manila (Thanks to Allouie Jumawan Escabarte)

ELLEN CAMPBELL. The tall and tantalizing Ellen “Jick Jick” Campbell of Tagbilaran City bested a field of 34 of the most beautiful and accomplished young women of the province.

1977 Most Beautiful Boholana: Ellen Campbell (1959 – 2001)

Mostly coming from the most socially- prominent families, the ladies had been chosen to represent their respective municipalities, the capital city, colleges & universities, socio- civic clubs and business organizations in the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana Pageant.

Ellen "Jick Jick" Campbell passed away in Feb 26, 2001 after losing the battle with the big C.

MARCEL GATAL- DIEGO. Marcelina Marcel Orimaco Gatal was Your Roving Eye’s sister. Prior to winning the Miss Young Bohol 1983 crown, she was a popular DJ and newscaster of DYRD & KISS FM and had represented the province in the 1982 Hiyas ng Silangan- Pilipinas pageant where she was named Miss Talent and a Top Ten finalist.

1983 Miss Young Bohol: Marcelina Orimaco Gatal (1963- 2016)

She lost her four- year battle with breast cancer complicated by lung cancer on November 2, 2016. She was 53 years old.

SUZETTE AUZA GARCIA. Just two weeks after Marcel Gatal’s demise, another beautiful angel named Suzette Auza Garcia also went ahead to the Great Beyond. 

As Binibining Talibon 1992, Suzette represented her municipality in the 1992 Miss Bohol Pageant where her beautiful angelic face, charm & wit made her one of the favorites to win the crown. 

True enough, she emerged 2nd RU to Celevel Ranoco of Jagna and she was also selected as Best in Filipina Costume.

1992 Miss Bohol 2^nd RU: Suzette Auza Garcia

Suzette who has been based for years in Dubai succumbed to complications from lung cancer and left behind an only daughter Reina.  She was in her early 40’s when she passed away on November 15, 2016

MARECOR RECIO- BOLIGAO. She would always be remembered as one of the loveliest Miss Bohol winners after she was named 2^nd RU to Mellanie Wallace in Miss Bohol 2000.  

2000 Miss Bohol 2^nd RU: Marecor Recio- Boligao

It was  in September 2010 when news of the violent and senseless murder of businesswoman and former Miss Tubigon Marecor "Coi" Recio and her husband Alphonsus "Dodo" Boligao shocked the pageant community in Bohol.

They were on their way home on board their car when ambushed by still unidentified assailants. Marecor who was due with her third child reportedly tried to shield her husband from the killers but it was a futile attempt. She was only 27 when she met her untimely demise.  

Dear readers, do spare a minute of silence for the eternal repose of our beautiful queens who are now safely in the warm embrace of our Creator in heaven where there is no pain & sorrow and where the sun shines gloriously all day long.

The Tragic Death of a Boholana Beauty Queen

 Sixteen year old Marecor during Miss Bohol 2000

It was one uneventful day in September 2010 when the tragedy happened.  

The news of the violent and senseless murder of businesswoman and former Miss Tubigon Marecor "Coi" Recio and her husband Alphonsus "Dodo" Boligao shocked the pageant community in Bohol.

They were on their way home on board their car when ambushed by still unidentified assailants.

Marecor who was due with her third child reportedly tried to shield her husband from the killers but it was a futile attempt.



SHOCKING & SENSELESS DEATH

Your blogger took the shocking news involving the young good- looking couple and their unborn child with disbelief and sadness

You see, I became friends with the vivacious Marecor Recio and met Dodo who was then her boyfriend when she represented the Municipality of Tubigon in the 2000 Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant. 

Marecor had just graduated that year from Holy Cross Academy in Tubigon. 

2000 MISS BOHOL SANDUGO 2ND RUNNER UP

Her innate poise, the class & the sophistication she exuded clinched for her the 2nd Runner Up place as well as being selected by corporate sponsors as Miss BCCTV and Miss Lite Shipping

Please click for the The 2000 Miss Bohol Sandugo Story

Marecor is second from left in this PINR poolside photo

L-R: Miss Tubigon 2nd RU, Miss Calape is Miss Bohol, Miss Tagb City 1st RU  

YOUR BLOGGER WAS HER WEDDING EMCEE

We soon parted ways after the pageant but seven years later, I got a call from Marecor who excitedly told me that she was finally getting married with Dodo Boligao, the love of her life. 

After an exchange of pleasantries, she asked me if I could emcee their wedding reception. Of course, I said yes!

It was such a memorable and romantic wedding reception and I was so happy for my friends Dodo and Marecor and everyone present could only wish nothing but the best for them but it wasn't meant to be 

Memories about Marecor and her untimely demise came pouring out when I was scanning the accompanying photos for my blog feature on Mellanie Wallace's Miss Bohol Sandugo triumph back in 2000

A lot of speculation came out during the investigation of the Boligao couple's death along with an unborn child.(Marecor was on her last trimester when she died) but your blogger will not dwell on it in deference and with respect to their respective families. 

The tragic murder did not only cut short their lives but also resulted in two orphaned children Hannah Frances, 8 years old and Bien Manuel, 2 years old

FAREWELL COI & DODO

There is always that deep sense of loss and heartbreak every time I look at the photos that remind me of that lost youth and potential

Sleep tight Marecor for I know you will wake up in a place where there is eternal beauty and sunshine and where pain would never be around to hurt you. 

I'm sure also that you are happy where you are for he is there with you and your angel

Photo Credits: Mellanie Angelina Wallace