Aya is CIE Outstanding Academic Achievement Awardee

 graduated cum laude, Northwood University, 

Florida, USA, 2014

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEE Meet 22- year old Amira Alia Paredes Montero, one of the outstanding alumni recipients for CIE’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. 

The recognition is being bestowed on the occasion of the Grand CIE World Alumni Homecoming & 30^th Year Pearl Anniversary of the Centre for International Education (CIE), recognized as one of the country’s premier business & management schools.

A YOUTH LEADER & PUBLIC SERVANT Aya, as she is called by family and peers, is the founding president of the Panglao Youth Organization which has built a solid reputation for being supportive of youth empowerment, community involvement & leadership training long before she was elected as SK Panglao Federated Chair which gave her a seat in the town’s law- making body.

 with fiance Josh Nunez 

MISS PANGLAO FOUNDER She is also the founder of the six- year old Miss Panglao Pageant which empowers the winners and candidates to be catalysts for change and spokespersons for advocacy projects through the provision of seed money for the ladies’ projects. 

 

Having parents who are respected community leaders (her mom Nila Montero is the incumbent Panglao municipal mayor and dad Frank is an elected municipal councilor) and who have successfully managed the family- owned beach resort in Panglao have been a major influence in her career choices and have equipped her with astute decision- making tempered by a sensitivity and concern for the less privileged in her community.

Likewise, her belief that real education is only achieved when complemented by learning experiences acquired outside the portals of one’s school. Aya’s exposure to life’s realities even at such a young age developed her strong sense of devotion for the youth even more. 

 October 5, 2015 Awards Night,
Cebu Grand Convention Center

GRADUATED WITH HONORS, NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY, USA Getting her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration major in Management, Cum Laude, Northwood University, Florida Campus in 2014 complemented by her proven leadership skills come in handy as she takes over the management of Alona Tropical Beach Resort.

 with fellow alumni awardee for Public Service, Hon. Jose Jono
Jumamoy, youngest mayor elected in Philippine history
at age 21 in 2007

HER PLANS FOR PANGLAO'S YOUTH Among her short- term plans and goals is to conduct livelihood skills training & providing employment priority to fellow Panglaoanons.

Indeed, beneath the coquettish and charming exterior of this young modern Boholana is a woman of steely determination who knows exactly what she wants for herself, for her family and for her beloved Panglao.

 Photo Credits: 

Which Beauty Queens Have Been at the Miss Panglao Pageant?

Question: What do Precious Lara Quigaman, Alexis Rizzini Gomez & Karla Henry have in common aside from being international beauty title holders?

Answer: All three have graced the Miss Panglao Beauty Pageant.

Five successive annual editions since it debuted in 2010, the Miss Panglao Pageant has gained a solid reputation among pageant aficionados in Bohol for being consistent in inviting world- class Filipina beauty pageants to  either grace the event or sit as judge during its finals night.is shaping up as the pageant

Mayor Nila Montero & Aya Montero

Panglao’s mother & daughter tandem of Mayor Nila Montero & Aya Montero have always dreamt of mounting a beauty pageant in Panglao not only to serve as glamorous highlight of the town’s fiesta celebration but also to be an avenue to select the town’s spokespersons & role models for the youth. Both knew that one surefire way of building up a pageant’s reputation and credibility is the presence of highly- respected Filipina beauty queens & entertainment figures.

During the pageant’s debut in 2010, no less than 2005 Bb Pilipinas- International & 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman came to crown the first- ever pageant winner.

   Lara Quigaman with Your Blogger & Fiel Angeli Gabin 

The following year, another international beauty titlist 2008 Miss Philippines Earth & 2008 Miss Earth Karla Henry came with bosom buddy 2005 Miss Bohol Sandugo & 2006 Bb Pilipinas- World Anna Maris Arcay Igpit of Panglao, Bohol

Your Blogger with 2006  Bb World Anna Igpit & 2008 Miss Earth Karla Henry

Your Blogger joins Anna & Karla during the after party. Lady in red
is Amanda Arbitrario who was recently- crowned as Miss SCUBA Philippines 2014

2012 witnessed the glamorous presence of blogging queen & TV personality Joyce Ann Burton1985 Bb Pilipinas- Universe & 1981 Miss Young Pilipinas who was a Top 10 Finalist in the 1981 Miss Young International Pageant. Miss Burton who came with husband Ron Titular was joined by 2011 Bb Pilipinas- International Diane Necio

Your Blogger joins Joyce Burton & candidates for a wacky pose!

Bb Pilipinas Intl 2011 Diane Necio

Iconic beauty queen Venus Raj 2010 Bb Pilipinas- Universe & who emerged as 2010 Miss Universe 4^th Runner Up came with 2012 Mutya ng Pilipinas- Tourism Intl & 2013 Miss Tourism International Alexis Rizzini Gomez

Miss Universe 4th Runner Up Venus Raj

Miss Tourism Intl 2013 Alexis Rizzini Gomez

This year, three reigning titleholders came. They were 2014 Bb Pilipinas- Intercontinental Kris Tiffany Janson, 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas- Asia Pacific Intl Eva Pyschee Patalinjug & 2014 Miss Philippines Earth Jaime Herell. What made their presence extra special was the presence of leading beauty queen maker & make up maven Jonas Borces & top Philippine pageant blogger Norman Tinio

L-R:Aurora & Norman Tinio, Rommel Gonzales, Kris Janson 
& Your Blogger at The Bellevue 

 L-R: Jaime Herell, Norman Tinio, Jonas Borces, 
Kris Janson & Eva Patalinjug

Jaime Herell Miss Philippines Earth 2014 obliges 
Your Blogger with photo

The presence of the aforementioned ladies never failed to put a smile on every Boholano including Your Blogger who caught glimpses of their stunning visage.

I look forward to next year as we half- guess which beauty queen would enplane to Panglao. Who knows? It just might be another Filipina titleholder!

Thank You Mayor Nila & Aya & to pageant organizer Deo Guden

Top Three Favorites for Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

From the 18 ladies who are competing in the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant which will culminate with a grand coronation tonight at the Bohol Cultural Center, here are the Top Three girls who got the highest number of votes from our blog readers who responded to the survey question 

"Who Do You Think Will Be Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013?"

When the poll officially closed last July 17 at 11:30 PM, the following girls emerged with the highest number of votes:

Now, let me make this clear: 

This poll is in no way affiliated with the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc that oversees the staging of the pageant. 

Furthermore, our blog's survey outcome won't in any way affect the results of the pageant.

This was done as our humble way of drumming up interest and generating some publicity not only for the pageant but also for the entire Bohol Sandugo Festival

L-R: Shereen of Catigbian, Fritzie of Guindulman & Meschellane of Panglao

TOP THREE 

1st Miss Catigbian Shereen Alainah Cano Acuna garnered 39% of the total votes cast 

2nd Miss Guindulman Myra Fritzie Anana Golosino with 26 %

3rd Miss Panglao Meschellane Jade Cajels with 15%

Of course, everyone knows that this is not an accurate indicator as to who will eventually be proclaimed the queen for 2013 but one thing is for sure: 

These ladies have a huge fan base, massive support from their respective municipalities, friends and families

As I was going over the girls' biodata, I found out that these three have at least two things in common:

First, all three are BS Nursing degree holders from Holy Name University and are registered nurses

Second, I do know these three girls quite well. 

Fritzie was in my English 1  and 2 classes and during her freshman year, her entry was chosen as one the Top Ten Winners in a university- wide essay- writing contest. 

Here's the link to  HNU Diamond Jubilee Top Ten Winning Essays

Meschellane was in my English 2 writing Class and you guessed it, her writing skills & abilities are as impeccable as her spoken English

Shereen on the other hand, wasn't in my English classes but we had worked together in campus activities since she was a very active student leader and mind you, she certainly knew how to juggle her time between studies, hospital duty, community health nursing and attending to her responsibilities as Central Student Gov't and College of Nursing elected student official

Both Shereen and Meschellane had to compete and win in their respective municipalities' beauty search to earn the right to represent their towns in the Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant

Incidentally, I was the emcee in their respective town pageants. 

Shereen won in the 2011 Miss Katigbawan Pageant  while Meschellane was crowned Miss Panglao 2012

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THESE LADIES

MISS CATIGBIAN

You can't help but fall in love with Shereen Acuna. 

She is such a natural charmer who always has a smile for everyone. She was raised in the United Arab Emirates and can speak very fluent Arabic. 

She worked as a Senior Customer Service Specialist for Convergys Corporation in Ayala Avenue, Makati City from Nov 2011 until June 2013. 

She resigned from her job because she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a flight attendant

Speaking in front of crowds comes naturally for Shereen whose knack for talking and facing people has been polished not only from her experiences as a student leader back then but also from her involvement with UNO International Corporation where she was an Official Speaker and Marketing Associate (Medical Team) Aug. 2011- Nov 2011

MISS GUINDULMAN

Myra Fritzie Golosino,23, is easily one of the most beautiful faces in this year's batch. 

This part-time model and nurse is the niece of the 1988 Mutya sa Bohol Elizabeth "Isay" Mumar Añana who gave Guindulman its first and so far, only Miss Bohol crown. 

Fritzie was the Grand Winner of the 2006 ICM Model Quest, the same contest won by Rich Asuncion in 2004. 

She has also won in scores of singing contests. 

She was in fact short- listed by ABS CBN for its Pinoy Dream Academy back in 2008

MISS PANGLAO

L-R: Mayor Nila Montero, Mr. Dodong Alcala, First Lady Pureza Chatto, Gov. Edgar Chatto,
and Bb Universe Joyce Burton flank Miss Panglao Mesh Cajels

Meshellane Real Jade Cajels, 20, recently passed the professional board examinations for nurses. She is one of the tallest girls in this batch.

She almost won the 2009 Miss Tagbilaran crown when she finished as 1st Runner Up to Daisy Jean Quilicot who later became Miss Bohol Sandugo 2009. 

She entered the pageant mainly to enhance her personality and to gain new friends and new experiences

When the family transferred residence in Panglao last year, she was invited by the youth leaders of Danao District to compete for Miss Panglao 2012. 

Here's the link to the 2012 Miss Panglao Pageant Story

She wanted to say no but changed her mind when she learned that the top three winners would get seed money to to launch their chosen advocacy projects as determined by the SK Municipal Federation officials led by dynamic Aya Montero

They are three of the 18 reasons why you should be at the Bohol Cultural Center tonight to witness a grand celebration of beauty and friendship

Good Luck to all the 18 Ladies who are competing for the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo crown