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

Memories from the 1999 Miss Bohol International Pageant

It has been 20 years since the inaugural search for Miss Bohol International was launched. 

It was to be the most high- profile and most glamorous highlight of the first TBTK or Tigum Bol- anon Tibuok Kalibutan jointly hosted by the provincial government of Bohol, the city government of Tagbilaran and the diocese of Tagbilaran.

It was a most exciting beauty competition since all 14 candidates who had Boholana lineage represented Bohol associations from Canada, the United States and from the Philippines.

Miss Bohol International 1999  Press Presentation & Swimsuit Poolside Press Presentation

Bohol Tropics Resort, July 19, 1999

Miriam Quiambao, the beauty queen & media darling who captivated the entire country after she emerged 1^st runner up in the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant held in Triinidad & Tobago just a month ago had accepted the invitation from CONBUSAC & TBTK organizers to crown the first Miss Bohol International. 

the invitation which I kept for posterity 

Among the members of the panel of judges were fashion luminary & beauty queen maker Renee Salud and the elegant Izza Gonzales Agana, 1985 Bb Pilipinas Maja and 1985 Miss Maja International 2^nd Runner Up. 

Official designer for the swimsuits and evening gowns was renowned Boholano Shanon Pamaong.   

Dr. Rhine Pamaong, Dr. Elise "Chelo" Pamaong, Dr. Disi Yap Alba, Mrs. Pureza Chatto and the Bohol Chocolate Hills Lady Jaycees were the event's point persons.

 prior to the pageant night, 1999 Miss Universe 1st RU Miriam Quiambao made a 

charity visit at the GCGMH Pediatrics Ward

At the conclusion of the jampacked coronation night held at the then DWCT Gymnasium, it was Chan Retutas Cajegas, a tall and svelte Physical Therapy student from the University of Bohol and representing the Boholanos of Eastern USA, who got the nod of the judges and was crowned by no less than Miriam Quiambao, 1999 Miss Universe 1st Runner Up and then Bohol Governor, Rene Lopez Relampagos.

1st Miss Bohol Intl Chan Cajegas with Drs. Rhine & Chelo Pamaong 

Rounding out the final five were Paulette Bolofer, Miss Michigan, 1st RU, Mary Theresa Cumba, Miss Illinois, 2nd RU & Miss Talent, Bambi Evardone, Miss Bohol, 3rd RU & Louella Pantoja, Miss Loon, 4th RU and Best in Evening Gown.

Masculados in Bohol Sandugo Festival 2015

With the blood compact between Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna as backdrop for the annual Bohol Sandugo Festival,  the country’s longest-running all-male sing-and-dance group named The Masculados are performing during the month-long celebration from July 19 to 26, 2015.

CERTIFIED HITS

Masculados, the 13-year-old group of six hunks and among the main attractions of the historical event that occurs every July, is composed of Enrico Mofar, Robin Robel, Ozu Ong, Orlando Sol, Nico Cordova, and the latest Filipino-Austrian—David Karell. 

 L-R: Nico, David, Ozu, Orlando, Enrico & Robin 

Together, they popularized novelty songs, ‘Lagot Ka’, ‘Sana Mama’, and ‘Macho Papa’ in 2003. They had popular hit songs in 2004 via sensational ‘Jumbo Hotdog’.

In 2010, they released songs ‘Ganda, Ganda! Seksi, Seksi!’ and a tribute Christmas song for the late Bella Tan, the mother of ‘Masculados’ titled ‘La Bella Pascua’. In 2012, they also released hit songs: ‘Di Ko Mapigil’, ‘Hawakan Mo Na’, and the ‘Masculados Mashup’.

GUEST PERFORMERS

Manila-based film and television celebrities Ash Ortega, Divine Tetay, Janna Trias, teen idol Ruru Madrid and voted as FHM Philippines’ sexiest woman for 2006 and 2007 – Katrina Halili will provide additional star power.

  Relaxing by the Alona Tropical Beach Resort poolside

PERFORMING DATES

Aside from the July 22 TBTK Welcome Dinner Party, Bohol Cultural Center , the muscled men will be performing also o the following dates:

·         Friday, July 24 in Alicia, Direk Maryo J Delos Reyes’ hometown, as town fiesta highlight   

·         Saturday, July 25 at the Baclayon Cockpit Theater with special guests Katrina Halili and RuruMadrid, respectively.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets will soon be on sale at Cockpit Theater in Baclayon. Reservations may be made at numbers +639159109015; +639166430848; +639173668906 and look for Gerry Lugod. You may also visit its official site and social media accounts – facebook, twitter, and Instagram - @themasculados.

 Jude Cartalaba, Publicist, Productions56

Miss Bohol 2015 Swimsuit Photos: Batch 1

The gloomy overcast skies were dispersed by the sizzling 2015 Miss Bohol swimsuit photo shoot held at the Henann Resort in Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol.

Here’s the first batch of girls in their official swimwear

 Misses Dimiao, Alicia, Panglao, Jagna, Tagbilaran & Balilihan

 IMPORTANT DATES for Miss Bohol 2015

Miss Bohol 2015 is brought to you by the Bohol Provincal Government, Hyundai, Tagbilaran City Government, Bohol Tourism Council & JCI Bohol Chocolate Hills

Grand Coronation on Saturday, July 18, 8 pm, Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium

Other Pre- Pageant Events:

DATE	EVENT	VENUE	TICKETS
July 10, Friday, 3 pm	Motorcade Around the City	CPG Avenue
July 12, Sunday, 8 pm	Talent Night	Bohol Cultural Center	P50
July 13, Monday, 6 pm	Mikee Andrei Bridal Show	Bellevue Resort	P350 with cocktails

Photo Credits: Ric Obedencio

Recalling the Thrilling 1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo Showdown

Twenty- one years ago, everyone at the Divine Word College Gymnasium anxiously waited for history to unfold right before their eyes. You see, the Miss Bohol Sandugo pageant had been dominated by the town of Jagna for the past three years (Tiffany Yap 1990, Recelle Adlaon 1991 and currently held by Celevel Ranoco who won in 1992)

People that evening in July 1993 wanted to find out if Jagna would be able to extend its winning streak to four consecutive victories. Miss Jagna that year was a fresh- faced beauty with brains named Socorro Llido who was considered by most pageant watchers as one of the girls to beat that year. Please click for the pageant story 

1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant

Ms Llido was in fact on her way to victory when Miss Talibon Mary Ann Eronico who traces her roots in the hometown of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia came and provided stiff competition which thrilled Bohol’s pageant watchers.

 1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo & Court

Before the night had ended, Mary Ann emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins. To their credit, Socorro and the rest of the girls gave it their best shot but it was Mary Ann’s destiny to be crowned that evening as Miss Bohol Sandugo and join the exclusive sorority of Boholanas who have been crowned Bohol’s fairest.

Miss Jagna Socorro Llido was 1^st Runner Up and Miss Calape Suzy Wong was 2^nd Runner Up. By the way, Socorro’s 1^st Runner Up placement was duplicated by Jenny Jamisola the 1994 Miss Jagna and by Shiela Sumalinog 1995 Miss Jagna in the 1994 & 1995 editions of Miss Bohol respectively. Jagna without doubt dominated the annual beauty pageant in the 90's

Here are the Top Three winners of the 1993 Miss Bohol Sandugo during the Bohol Sandugo Festival Grand Parade

L-R: Miss Jagna 1st RU, Miss Calape 2nd RU & Miss Bohol is Miss Talibon

Why Brigitte is Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

 Brigitte is Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

Although this blogger and many others had picked her as one of the strongest contenders and was expected to place in the recently- concluded Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 Pageant, a lot of pageant watchers and fans were taken by surprise when she won Bohol’s most prestigious beauty pageant title  

BOHOLANA BEAUTY

Brigette had competed in quite a number of beauty pageants.

Of course, there were frustrations and disappointments but most of the time, she emerged as winner or runner up and had collected beauty titles 

BRIGITTE IS NO BIMBO

During the Miss SBE-USC Search

Brigitte has another thing going for her. She also excels in her academics. 

In fact, has been a consistent # 1 in the Dean’s List of the School of Business & Economics at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City where she is also the reigning 2013 Miss SBE- University of San Carlos

Now that is a solid testament of her determination, drive and discipline to excel in the fields that she has forayed in

Importantly and without hesitation, she can rightfully claim to be a role model for other students to look up to  

BRUSH WITH BASHERS

 Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 Parade of Festival Costumes

Being picked as Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 from a competitive batch of candidates naturally has thrust her into the spotlight. 

The public scrutiny and the intense media glare has been quite overwhelming. 

She has her share of admirers as well as critics and bashers who have maligned and unfairly judged her

That is to be expected especially in Bohol where pageants are regularly staged and where beauty pageant queens are adored by many and placed on a pedestal

2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo 

BREEDING

Brigitte has remarkably shown a lot of class and restraint as far as handling her critics and addressing the issues raised against her Miss Bohol Sandugo triumph.

By not reacting to them at all, she has shown her magnanimity as a victor and has proven to everyone that she can roll with the punches and that she can take care of herself

Bravo for showing a high level of maturity beyond her years and for proving that she has been brought up well and has realized early on that she cannot please everyone

BE ALL & END ALL

Admittedly, Brigitte who represented the Municipality of Alicia in this year’s edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo was not the most facially beautiful nor was she among the tallest girls from the Batch of 2013

But on pageant night and when it mattered the most , she unleashed her pageant arsenal of wit, poise and charm. You just can’t ignore her commanding stage presence.  

She showed them that she had the personality and aura of a queen. Her confidence and self- assuredness showed in her graceful strides and very fluid movements onstage.

She has mastered the art of looking unrehearsed and being spontaneous and that is a refreshing change from girls who are so stiff and rigid onstage (a result from rehearsing & coaching overload) 

She came across as very relaxed and looked like she was actually enjoying the whole pageant experience.

Her winsome and captivating smile just lit up the entire stage and helped her stand out. 

  

The  Art of Making It 
Look Effortlessly Easy

So how did she end up stealing the thunder from the frontrunners and the early pageant favorites?

I am one of those who believe that beauty queens are made not born. 

Brigitte didn’t just wake up one day and decided to enter the pageant and win it all. 

Her recent victory was the result of hard work and sacrifices. 

The previous pageants that she entered before were all learning experiences for her. 

The good student that she is, she studied them well and soaked up everything.  

BATTLE- READY

By the time she was onstage with 17 other Boholanas and competing for the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown, she was already a polished candidate who knew how to downplay her weaknesses and knew how to highlight her strengths.  

Controversial gown choice

Even her choice of evening gown was a brilliant pageant maneuver that had everybody talking days after the pageant. 

Here's the link: The Controversial Gown

In the end, she parlayed her competitive edge into a Miss Bohol Sandugo victory

MY HUMBLE TAKE

disbelief after being named 

Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

It is always inevitable that people talk after a new pageant queen is crowned. 

You see, Beauty is relative and how a candidate handles the final interview is very subjective and therefore dependent on the tastes and preferences of the judging panel.

Destiny, Timing and Luck play important roles in winning a beauty title.

The stars had aligned that night for Brigitte who was destined to place her hometown Alicia in the Miss Bohol Sandugo limelight

Let Brigitte savor her victory and join me as we wish her

"Long May You Reign, Brigitte!"

Photo Credits:

Chrismael Caldo

Ric Obedencio