Rotary Santacruzan Marks Its 10th Year Anniversary

You know you’re about to bid adieu to summer when you catch a glimpse of all those lovely sagalas in their Filipiniana ternos and in costumes based on Biblical characters get ready for the colorful yet solemn procession that follows the holy mass that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary.

  L-R: Jasmine Jaeckel, Maygan Besa, Natalie McGow,
Mutya 2016 Queeniebeth Barcelona & Erika Karcher

The Rotary Club of Tagbilaran celebrated a milestone when it staged the 10^th year anniversary of its highly- anticipated Rotary Santacruzan, the club’s annual fundraiser that  is based on a beautiful traditional religious activity that celebrates the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great.

 Rotarians Tony Maquindang, Cynthia Pedralba, Joisa Cayanong,
Mildred Kascher& Yelle Jubac

Back in year 2006, Rtn. Baby Bantol broached the idea of staging the Santacruzan not only to revive a beautiful religious cultural tradition but also to organize a fundraiser for the club’s various service projects. The affair wrapped up later in the evening at the Bohol Cultural Center with the dazzling parade of beauty queens, socialites, debutantes & philanthropists who embodied beauty, civic- mindedness & generosity.

 

Calamay Festival Queen 2016 Andrea Laniba & Miss Alicia 2015 Kate Javellana

The beautiful tradition continued with this year’s edition of Santacruzan capped with the spectacular Coronation Ball held at the Bohol Cultural Center & followed immediately by the stunning performance of The Raes composed of Eva delos Santos, Monique and Anna who made it to the semifinals of ABS CBN’s  Pilipinas Got Talent 2016.

  Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto with
 Baby Bantol, Eva Santos & daughters Monique & Anna

HAIL THE QUEENS

 Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto crowns Ms.
Gen Jamisola as Reyna Emperatriz 2016 

The fabulous & elegant Rtn. Genevieve Jamisola who reigned supreme that evening was crowned Reina Emperatriz by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto.   Kudos to Club President Rtn. Mildred Kascher & Project Co- Chairs  Baby Louella Bantol & Yelle Jubac   for the successful event & to the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran for the successful staging of the event.  

 Anyag sa Tubigon 2016 queens with Your Roving Eye


 

Crowned as Reyna Elena is Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016, Queenebeth Barcelona, Queen of May Jazzy Jaeckel; Reyna Delas Flores Natalie Belle McGow, Little Queen of May Arriane Maxine Lucas, Reina del Mundo Erika Sofia Karcher 

A tribute that recognized Rtn. Rose Soy, the legendary civic- minded beauty who reigned as Queen of the Rotary for seven successive years was the main highlight of the evening

 Legendary beauty & civic-minded Rose Soy

By the way, talked about during the glittering affair was the floral photo wall created by the very talented daughters of Rotarian Sarena Cabagnot. Talent indeed runs in the family.

 SISTER ACT: Talented Dyza, Dea & Dby Cabagnot Saco created

this fabulous floral photowall

Birthday Greetings to Sarena Cabagnot

Belated birthday greetings to JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills quondam president & active member of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran Sarena “Red” Cabagnot!

The feisty, fabulous & fantastic landscape artist/ interior designer/ tour guide/ businesswoman/ registered nurse/ mother/ confidante & friend is Your Blogger’s benchmark for independently fabulous Boholana women who have thrived & coped beautifully with life.

 

 Sarena & her three girls
Dyza Bianca, Dea Tsyna & Dby Kastel
Rotary Santacruzan 2015

Cheers!

Why Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002 Was Not Able to Complete Her Reign

It was Year 2002 and just like the three previous editions (1999, 2000 & 2001) of the province’s longest running and most prestigious pageant, it was still the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran that took charge of the production & publicity aspects of the Miss Bohol Sandugo pageant.

 During a break from Fun Shoot Video
Sun Apartelle, Alona Beach, Panglao

SEVENTEEN CANDIDATES

A total of 17 young winsome Boholanas competed in swimsuits, evening gowns & casual onstage interviews before the field was narrowed down to the final seven.

SENSATIONAL SEVEN SEMIFINALISTS

The Top Seven were Miss Guindulman Suzette Vano, Miss Tagbilaran City Twinkle Besas, Miss Alicia Melanie Sadia, Miss Duero Vanessa Aranas, Miss Sagbayan Elouise Gonzales, Miss Dimiao Cherry Mae Bacarro & Miss Cortes Melissa Alderite.

PANEL OF JUDGES:

The panel of judges was chaired by 1977 Mutya ng Pilipinas- World Peachy Veneracion. Ms Veneracion, together with the reigning Miss Philippines Earth 2002 April Ross Perez & Miss Philippines Air 2002 Justine Gabionza were in Bohol to do an ocular inspection of the province prior to the final decision to hold a pre- pageant activity of Miss Earth later that year.

 

 During Eastern Bohol Tour that included
 the towns of Garcia- Hernandez, Dimiao & Jagna

The other celebrity judges were TV host & model Phoemela Barranda & actor Jeffrey Santos. I still remember how the aspiring actor was criticized for wearing a very casual & sleeveless attire matched with jeans & boots.

The 2002 edition of the pageant was directed & choreographed by the late fashion designer Oyet Conlu.  

Miss Cortes & Miss Baclayon were two of the friendliest girls

 Your Blogger with four of the girls

TOP THREE

After another round of interviews, one final cut was made and advancing to the penultimate round were Miss Sagbayan, Miss Tagbilaran City & Miss Dimiao. The final Q & A came & after giving their answers, the judges made their final deliberations.

2002 Miss Bohol Sandugo Is...

  2002 Miss Bohol from Miss Dimiao with 1st  RU Tagbilaran City 2nd RU Sagbayan

FINAL RESULTS

Cherry May Bacarro of Dimiao was named Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002. 1st RU was Tagbilaran City’s Twinkle Besas. 2nd RU was Fil- Aussie Elouise Gonzales who represented Sagbayan

2003 BB PILIPINAS PAGEANT

After the pageant, not much was heard from Ms Bacarro for she went back quietly to Cagayan de Oro City. The following year, halfway through her year- long reign as Miss Bohol Sandugo 2002, Ms Bacarro had to give up her crown after she was selected as an official candidate in the 2003 Bb Pilipinas Beauty Pageant. 

Videos of Cherry Mae's Bb Pilipinas 2003 Performance

It would have been a source of pride and joy for Boholano pageant watchers but she represented another place when she competed.

Miss Tagbilaran City Twinkle Besas assumed the crown

The remainder of her reign was assumed by the 1st Runner Up Miss Twinkle Besas of Tagbilaran City 

Highlights of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran's Santacruzan 2015

It was a sight to behold at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral a few days ago. In fact, it was more than enough to dispel the searing heat & the humidity. 

A bevy of lovely sagalas in Filipiniana terno and in costumes based on Biblical characters was getting ready for the colorful yet solemn procession that was to follow the holy mass that honored Blessed Virgin Mary.

 ROTARY’S TRES MARIAS: Mayelle, Gen & Angie

It was the highly- anticipated Rotary Santacruzan, the annual fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran and based on a beautiful traditional religious activity that celebrates the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great.

 Floral offering for Mama Mary

NIGHT WITH THE QUEENS

  Photo Credits: Kenny June Requeron

The affair wrapped up later in the evening with the dazzling parade of civic- minded ladies that were composed of beauty queens, socialites, debutantes & philanthropists and was capped with the spectacular Coronation Ball held at the Bohol Cultural Center.

THIS YEAR’S SANTACRUZAN QUEENS

 Pres. Elect Mildred Kascher, Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto, Gov. Edgar Chatto & Club Pres. Nerio Zamora IIRotarian Gen Jamisola is Reyna Emperatriz 2015

The fabulous & elegant Rtn. Genevieve Jamisola who reigned supreme that evening was crowned Reina Emperatriz by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto & First Lady Pureza Chatto. Presenting the floral bouquet & certificates were Club President Nerio Zamora II and Pres. Elect Mildred Kascher

  reigning Miss Bohol 2014  Queenie Melody Fullante
Reyna Elena 2015 

   Lady Jane Cajes crowns Queenie while Mayor Baba Yap smiles 

Reigning Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante who was escorted by Principe Constantino Lucas Ervin Gulle was crowned Reyna Elena by City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, a Rotarian himself, and First Lady Jane Cajes-Yap. Assistant Governor Victor Bantol, President and Resident Manager of Bohol Limestone Corporation presented the certificate while PASG, PP, and Current Executive Secretary Louella Bantol handed the floral bouquet.

 PP Angelina Vidas Hoffman  exudes charm & femininity

Queen of May 2015

PP Angelina Vidas Hoffman was crowned the Queen of May for embodying the traditional feminine qualities by RC Tagbilaran Vice-President Rey Collin Jubac and PP Cynthia Pedralba. Perfect for the title for May is the most beautiful month of the year & the time when all the flowers are in full bloom 

  Rtn. & JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills Pres. Mayelle Jubac
Reyna de los Flores

Rtn. & JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills President Ma. Eva Eleanor Jubac who looked ultra feminine in her evening gown was fittingly crowned as Reyna de las Flores with a floral coronet. The floral coronet, bouquet & certificate were presented by PN Tony Maquindang & Rtn. Georgina Maquindang.

PE Mildred Kascher, Mrs. Cynthia Chua & PP Peter Chua Jr, Chair of the Council of Past Presidents

crowns Rtn. Isabelita "Lalay" Omac as  Reina del Mundo 2015

Rtn. Isabelita “Lalay” Omac was crowned Reyna del Mundo by the Chair of the Council of Past Presidents PP Peter Chua Jr. and spouse Cynthia Chua

PROMISING PRIMA BALLERINAS

A delightful and a pleasant surprise in the evening was the special participation of Jagna Ballet Center dance students who dazzled everyone including Your Blogger with a set of classic ballet dances. 

  Santacruzan  Project Chair PASG, PP & Exec Sec Rtn. Baby Bantol

CHEERS TO THE ROTARY 

 REGAL ROTARIANS: Baby Bantol, Lalay Omac, Gen Jamisola, Angie Hoffman,
Mayelle Jubac, Josephine Cayanong & Irena Heberer

Kudos to Club President Nerio “Butchie” Zamora, to Past Sr. Assistant Governor Baby Louella Bantol, Santacruzan Project Chair for the successful event & to the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran for the successful staging of the event. Proceeds will fund the club's service  projects for RY 2015 -2016

  Club Pres. Nerio Zamora II & Jun Pedralba

Special mention to Project Co- Chair President- Elect Mildred Kascher & Committee Members Club Auditor Darlene Bustrillos, Rtn. Josephine Cayanong, PP Irena Heberer & PP Cynthia Pedralba

  Rtn. Sarena Cabagnot & kids  support

Ate Dyza Saco, Reyna delas Estrellas

Your Blogger hosted the event

Formal Outfit: Budz & Bagz 

Thanks also to Club secretary Rtn. John Maraguinot for the details

Related Story: What's the Difference Between the Santacruzan & the Flores de Mayo?

 Santacruzan  Video Highlights by Boris Heberer

 Photo Credits: BabaYap FB Page, Irena Heberer