Almost six months have passed since Mary Eda Calimbayan Cimafranca was crowned Miss Bohol 2015 in a hotly- contested & emotionally- charged edition of Bohol’s most prestigious and longest running beauty competition.
Just two days after winning her crown, she left for Manila to pursue her AB Communications degree at the Ateneo de Manila University and nothing much was heard from the beauty queen except for rare instances when she posts at her social media accounts to update her friends and followers.
When Your Roving Eye found out that Eda was in town for the holidays, he wasted no time in requesting for an interview and photo shoot set at the Ocean Suites which happened to be where her journey towards the crown was launched.
It was the venue for the Meet & Greet with the judges prior to the pageant finals
It was the venue for the Meet & Greet with the judges prior to the pageant finals
Eda is currently sporting a pixie cut which actually becomes her. The 16 year old teen explains her haircut. “ Cutting off your hair especially when you’re a beauty queen is a big NO NO but I have always been a woman who takes risks and dares. It’s empowering actually and besides, I wanted something new” A pixie crop can seem intimidating at first, but trust me, you may feel you never want to return to longer 'dos.”
And so here goes the interview with Mary Eda one fine afternoon by the poolside at Ocean Suites that overlooks the ongoing Friendship Park project of the city government
HOW IS LIFE AS AN ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY STUDENT TAKING UP AB COMMUNICATION?
“I have been pursuing an AB Communication degree because I believe in the power of information and by becoming an agent or channel for factual communication, I would be able to help make our country a better one. As a freshman in ADMU, I have to say that it isn’t as tough right now. I have been taking up my minor subjects which aren’t exactly that heavy”
HAVE YOU ADJUSTED TO YOUR NEW ENVIRONMENT?
“Tagbilaran & Manila are two very different places. One thing is for sure, though, because of my stay away from home, I have definitely appreciated Tagbilaran more and more. I miss its quaintness and its people. It has been quite hard adjusting but that's life. In order for you to go far, you have to be versatile, flexible and allow yourself to grow.”
HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT YOU’RE AN IRRELEVANT MS BOHOL SINCE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN SEEN IN ANY ACTIVITY
“Well aside from the fact that I have been prioritizing my studies in Manila, during my month-long Christmas break, I have been waiting for an invitation from any organization. I would be more than glad to lend my voice & speak up for advocacy projects involving women, children & education”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIA WURTZBACH’S MISS U TRIUMPH?
"To have accomplished quite a few successes and coincidentally with the victory Pia has made felt like something more than a mere coincidence. Pia’s triumph should inspire Filipinos especially the younger generation to reach out for their dreams because she has proven that anything is possible if you set your heart and mind to it.
Year 2015 was full of blessings for me. I won two prestigious beauty titles; Mutya sa Tagbilaran and eventually, the Miss Bohol crown as well. Having won these privileges and responsibilities, I realized what I really am capable of and that I have so many dreams that are yet to be fulfilled."
WOULD YOU HAVE REACTED DIFFERENTLY IF YOU WERE IN MISS COLOMBIA'S SHOES?
“It’s understandable how Miss Colombia reacted after the crowning mistake because she was humiliated all over the world. If I were in Miss Colombia's shoes, I wouldn't take the incident badly or with hard feelings. I have done my best and that some things are meant for other people. “
YOUR REIGN AS MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2015 & AS MISS BOHOL 2015 ARE ABOUT TO END. HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
Your Blogger with Miss Bohol 2015
"I want to be remembered as a Miss Bohol who has the strength of heart and mind. Despite the booing crowds and the disheartening & immature Facebook rants, I know in my heart that I came in the competition with a clean conscience and out of it with the same one."
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ASIDE FROM TAGBILARAN CITY, NAME THREE PLACES IN BOHOL THAT YOU WANT TO PROMOTE. WHY?
"I would love to promote the coastal towns of Dauis, Baclayon and Anda. These three towns lie on the coastlines of the province, not far from the shore. I’ve always been fond of the sea which never fails to calm me."
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON POLITICS? DO YOU THINK BEAUTY QUEENS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE AS ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS?
"I really think it would all depend on the person. If that certain beauty queen excels in leading, I wouldn't see why not. In fact it would be great if beauty queens did so. This would empower women as well as help in the betterment of a province or be it a nation even."
"Well of course, it all started with my older sisters, my uncle from Dubai and my mother. My sisters who were both successful in pageantry inspired me to join. Instead of pressuring or discouraging me, they laid out footsteps for me to follow.
From my Dubai- based uncle, who has always supported me ever since I joined my first pageant with his pieces of advice and his reassurance, I would find my confidence.
My mother, who was always present, both physically and emotionally for me, was my guide. Altogether, they are the people to whom I would attribute my success."
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| Your Roving Eye & Miss Bohol 2015 are joined by project coordinator Grace Torres & lifestyle photographer Ghen Lumayag |
"I have never been so thankful to have been supported by the city government of Tagbilaran. Mayor John Geesnell Yap & First Lady Jane Cajes Yap were very generous and supportive during my candidacy for Miss Bohol, which only proves how much they are advocates of youth empowerment, as I am a part of the youth and as I, too, may be their instrument to reach out to and to inspire young Boholanos and Boholanas everywhere."
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| Eda relaxes with the crew involved in the shoot & interview JJ's Seafood Village |
Visit the site for more of the photos with assistance by Richie Noel Tabat
Location: Ocean Suites, Bool, Tagbilaran City
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