The Miss Bohol Reunion: A Story of Enduring Friendship

Twenty- two years ago, buddies Juny Binamira & Dominic Butalid were tasked to handle the pageant's swimsuit photography at Ananyana Resort. It was for the girls who missed the first photo shoot. The group included Miss Duero Ma. Vanessa Cadorna while Raul Gatal who was the pageant emcee for most of the 90s was in the pageant committee as well. 

A Reunion of Friends

 

Since only a handful of girls were involved in the shoot, there was more time for small talk and more time for the photo session. Mr. Butalid even gave his fearless prediction that Vanessa would be among the top three girls who would slug it out for the crown. And he was proven right of course.

With her communication skills, charm & personality, she was the unanimous choice of the judges as Best in Interview and finished strongly as 1^st RU. But we all know what happened afterwards. When the eventual winner resigned as Miss Bohol 2001, Vanessa accepted the pageant organizers’ request for her to assume the title and the responsibilities that go with it.

L-R: Juny, Dominic, Vanessa & Raul

Fast forward to the 1st Bohol Dive Expo 2023 last summer where all four had different roles to play. Juny, a seasoned diver and photography buff was in the panel of judges for the underwater photography contest. Dominic, who is currently the president of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry was one of the event consultants. Raul was one of the writers tasked to prepare the dive magazine as well as program emcee while Vanessa who is currently Bohol's First Lady being the wife of Gov. Aris Aumentado is 2nd District Congresswoman and Vice Chair of the Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives.

 All the memories came back during the opening night of the event where Cong. Aumentado was invited as guest speaker. Members of the press who were there took photos of the instant reunion. What a night to remember.

The Queen & the Emcee

Indeed, pageants can also be platforms where endand mutual trust can be forged not only among the candidates but also among the people behind the event.

Miss Bohol 2001 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago on this very same night, Miss Bohol 2001 opened its coronation night with one of the pageant's most spectacular opening number & introduction of candidates. 

Miss Bohol 2001 opened with all the girls in their festival costumes 

The pageant not only paved the way for the girls to make the successful transition to career, motherhood and advocacies but also became an opportunity to forge lifetime friendships. 

The pageant was staged at a time when social media wasn't in vogue yet. In fact, the recollections and memories of the girls and Your Roving Eye have been quite hazy and blurry and we have to make do with photos from that particular year. 

Thanks to FB, the group has been able to reconnect. In fact, last year, ten of the 12 girls responded to the call for a reunion this year but the pandemic came. 

The ten ladies who have been contacted are BILAR's Joyce Ompad, DIMIAO's Cherry Mae Dolotina, DUERO's Maria Vanessa Cadorna, Jagna's Maryknoll Daniel, LILA's Nikki Magallones, LOON's Priscilla Suello, Maribojoc's Hydee Lyn Alindajao, TAGBILARAN City's Jaclyn Joy Yam, TRINIDAD's Bernadette Garsuta & VALENCIA's Jeannie Justiniani . 

The organizers are still hoping that would be able to trace the whereabouts of CANDIJAY's Ann Marjorie Amora and CVSCAFT 's Analyn Santiago. 

Instead of a grand reunion, the girls want to have a low- key and simple gathering. To make it timely, relevant and responsive to the present situation, the girls want to highlight the gathering with an outreach activity. 

I'm so proud to have been a part of this milestone during the summer of your lives. 

See you all at the reunion! 

Cheers

Happy Ruby Birthday Vanessa Aumentado

Today, Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado, First Lady of Bohol's 2nd Congressional District marks a very important milestone in her life. Today, May 21, 2021, is not just any birthday. It is her Ruby Birthday celebration. And as they always say, life begins at 40.

Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado 

Indeed, because today is the beginning of her pursuit for another facet in her life which is public service and giving back to the community.

Coosome Twosome: Mr. &. Mrs. Aumentado 

Twenty years ago, she was thrust into the public eye when she represented her hometown Duero in the Miss Bohol 2001 Pageant. During the past two decades, the public saw how she blossomed into the self-assured and confident woman that she is right now. 

Aumentado Family: a picture of simplicity & love

She has earned two bachelors' degrees, settled into marital bliss with Cong. Aris Aumentado, became a hands-on mom to three children; Lawrence, Lance and Liam and became a very capable and hardworking representative of her husband in various activities and events in their district. 

As she enters this new phase in her life journey, I am joined by countless Boholanos in prayer and  to cheer for her continued success.

Happy happy birthday Vanvan and long may you reign! Cheers!