Plans of Visiting Bohol? Welcome to Its Best- Kept Secret

Before we bid adieu to November, let me give you a peek into one of my favorite hideaways here in Bohol. 

 my favorite nook

Ensconced at Naatang, Jagna in the eastern coast of Bohol, Bohol Beach House is a hodgepodge of Asian architectural influences that retains the welcoming ambiance of a Boholano home. It boasts of four bedrooms (or are there five?) that seamlessly connects with the lovely and airy veranda that faces the Mindanao Sea.

My Singapore- based cosmopolitan & divine Boholana friend Celevel Ranoco- Butler reigns supreme in this delightful abode that is perfect if you want to make the great escape from the city. 

 tres charmant Celevel 

It took me less than an hour to lie down and to be lulled to sleep by the sea breeze and the sound of the waves that were lapping at the shore.

 that's top designer EJ Relampagos

www.lazada.com.ph

When asked what I would consider the most difficult part of my stay?  When it’s time to leave. You just can't extricate yourself from the warm embrace of paradise

the perfect track for Bohol Beach House

For those who want to experience a stay in heaven, just click  HERE

DU EK SAM INC: Proudly Boholano

The evening of March 13, 2014 was like no other for one of the country’s acknowledged leaders in the motorcycle and appliance retail industry. 

The corporation was named after the founder Samuel Du

Another record- breaking year. Phenomenal sales achievements. Attained targets. Shattered outstanding sales records. Posted sales growth and maintained industry leadership. All these despite two of the biggest and most devastating natural calamities to strike Bohol and neighboring Visayan provinces one after the other

DU EK SAM Jagna, Bohol Branch: where it all began

That evening, DU EK SAM gathered some of its finest men & women for its Annual Managers’ Conference highlight,  the 2013 Yearend Achievers Awards where the company saluted & recognized the outstanding performances last year

The proudly Boholano- owned company also extends its gratitude to its business allies and industry partners for the all- out support, the endless opportunities & the limitless possibilities.

At present, DU EK SAM, INC. has grown to 165 branches nationwide. From its humble beginnings in Jagna to the entire Bohol Area, DU EK SAM INC expanded and is currently serving Cebu Area, Luzon Area, Southern Tagalog Area, Negros Area, Panay Area & Leyte Area.

No wonder, the general mood was upbeat with optimism, excitement & euphoria pervading in the air.

Thank you to DU EK SAM INC particularly to Maam Luz Enad, DES VP for Finance & Allied Business & also to Ms. Joysel Datorin, DES Marketing Manager for the invite to host their national business conference awards night

More photos & details coming soon!

Eva Santos In Action @ the Midnight Sun Intl Song Festival

RECALLING THE HONORS THAT EVA SANTOS GAVE THE PHILIPPINES

Let us take a look back at the inspirational story of Boholana diva Eva Santos who reached the crest of her musical career only to turn her back on it when motherhood and family beckoned her

COMPETING AGAINST THE WORLD’S BEST  

 Eva Santos with three of her talented kids

Eva Gulle- de los Santos better known in the live entertainment circuit as Eva Santos and who hails from Jagna, Bohol did more than just represent our country in the annual Midnight Sun Song Festival in Lahti, Finland on June 6, 1992

She enthralled everyone inside the cavernous competition venue the moment her mellifluous voice started to soar through.

It was a spellbinding performance especially when she belted it out and hit the right notes.

Eva's awesome interpretation really brought out the story behind her composition, every emotion, every nuance and every pause made her song come to life and so when the announcement of winners came, Eva was already jittery and tense but there was relief also for she knew that she had given it her all

It was a moment of pride and pure delight not only for Eva but also for her jubilant countrymen especially those who were there in Finland when she won 2nd Runner Up honors.

TRULY A BOHOLANA PRIDE

To this day, Eva still holds the distinction of being one of a select few composers in the Philippines to have sung her own composition in the an international song festival and place in the winners' circle

She may not have made it in the Voice of the Philippines where winners are determined not through sheer vocal quality but text votes

But for us who are avid Eva Santos admirers and believers, You would always be the Voice

Here’s the video that captured the award- winning performance of Eva Santos in the global stage 

With Eva Santos' Award- Winning Performance in the1992 Midnight Sun Song Festival

Announcement of 1992 Midnight Sun Int'l Song Festival Winners VIDEO

Photo & Video Credits:

Copyright infringement not intended

Unforgettable Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012: Idy Casenas Cagas

On July 20, 2013, Idy Casenas Cagas will be passing on the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown to another lovely and lucky Boholana who will continue the legacy of beauty, brains, grace, charm and humility that will forever define the contemporary Boholana

Idy became the fifth Jagna-anon after Tiffany Yap 1990, Recelle Adlaon 1991, Celevel Ranoco 1992 and Faye Rana to win the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown. 

Her journey towards the crown was not without its obstacles and challenges. 

She often had bouts of dizziness and got sick because of her low blood pressure. 

When word got around that she didn't have the official support from the local government, a lot of well- meaning Jagnaanons led by Sir Antioco Lloren dug into their own pockets to extend financial support to her. 

The groundswell of support grew and the rest is history

2006 Miss CVRAA

Her first foray into pageantry started in 2006 when she was crowned Miss CVRAA (Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association) after besting a field of taller representatives from the provinces of Siquijor, Cebu and Negros Oriental (she represented Bohol) as well as the candidates from Region 7 component cities 

Her answer to the final question that clinched her the crown:

Question:  If you were to choose between beauty and brains, what will you choose and why?  

Idy's Answer: For me beauty without brains is nothing and beauty and brains would be nothing if the attitude is bad

SIDE NOTE: 

The audience reacted with a deafening roar when Idy gave this answer. 

Idy became nervous with the crowd's reaction thinking she said the wrong thing not knowing that while she was giving her answer, there was the unbecoming and unladylike spectacle of two candidates who were openly showing their mutual dislike for each other by getting physical onstage infront of the stunned audience and dumbfounded judges. 

It turned out that unwittingly and indirectly, she was reminding the two girls and everyone in the audience the essence of a beauty queen

Idy was only 16 years old that time.

Miss CVRAA 2006: Dumaguete City's Beauty Gonzales, a former ABS CBN's PBB 
Teen Housemate was a runner up 

2011 Miss USJR Personality Search

Her next major win was her selection as Miss College of Commerce thus earning the right to be the official bet of her college for the 2011 Miss USJR (University of San Jose Recoletos) Cebu personality search

She finished a strong 1st Runner Up

THE TRIUMPHANT PARADE

It was a glorious moment when she was up there on her huge float that highlighted the 2012 Sandugo Festival Street Dancing & Floral Parade. 

For her, it was not her that was basking in the glory but her town. She dedicated her victory to her townmates who motivated and inspired her to go for the gold. 

Truly, a proud moment for Jagna-anons

THE BEAUTY OF BOHOL BECKONS

Idy did her share in promoting the natural beauty and rich history of God's Little Paradise called Bohol

FROM IDY CASENAS CAGAS

I am a fresh graduate from the University of San Jose – Recoletos with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Tourism. Inspired by my college professor, I am an environmental advocate and in my own little ways, I help in painting the world green again.

I have been into beauty pageants since 2006, from competing to judging, and recently I have co-hosted some pageants in Bohol. 

Based on my personal experience I believe that beauty pageants should be a positive experience in every woman’s life. It should be a character building experience, where we are able to draw lessons that can enrich our personhood. 

At present, I am based in Cebu City and is working as a front desk receptionist for one of the hotels here

THE HALLMARK OF A REAL QUEEN

A real beauty queen is someone who embodies not only physical beauty but also inner beauty, grace under pressure and strength of character

So when I saw and read this message from Idy to the people who have been with her in her quest for the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown, the more that I got impressed. 

You see, behind every beauty queen's success are the very loyal trainors/ beauty consultant/ hair & make up artist/ catwalk mentor/ confidante/ BFF all rolled into one. 

So here's Idy's tribute to the important people who were with her right from the start

"Throwback before my reign ends, ^_^ Julius Ranises & Nino Janry Cadelina. Two people who believed in me right from the start and were willing to support me morally and financially for the pageant.. Yes, it all started when they encouraged me to join.  

I had so many doubts and fear, but still said yes to them. With full support from them and from my family, I made it to the screening and my journey towards the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown officially started. Words will never be enough to express my gratitude to them"

From only two, the number of people who supported me in my Miss Bohol Sandugo journey grew.   With the help of Sir Antioco Lloren, Jagnaanons contributed cash which I used during rehearsals as my allowance and for the other expenses. 

It was overwhelming and I could not thank them enough. The Jagnaanons who extended their help in my journey were my inspiration. Their support made me feel like a winner already and it motivated me to strive harder to win the crown.

And finally to her family especially to her Ate Iris Cagas Sanchez 

Thank you for always being there for me, for pushing me to join beauty pageants, literally pushing me to join, lol! I am where I am now because of you.. Had you not pushed me (literally) maybe I would still be hiding inside my shell until now.. You are the best stage yaya, i mean stage ate, I love you sis..  

Good Luck in Your Future Endeavors Ms Idy Casenas Cagas!

Photo Credits:

Emerson Pinos Photography
J.O.Agunod Photography

Photographers: Sir Judd Gesite & Sir Noel San Andres

Hair and Make up Artist: Rio Bernados

Assistant: Gales Quaquin Joven

Filipiniana Gowns Courtesy of Ate Louella Gulle Bantol

2012 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Idy Casenas Cagas

during the 2008 Miss Jagna Pageant

Idy Casenas Cagas' journey to the Miss Bohol Sandugo crown started on September 2008 when she was crowned Miss Jagna that year but instead of going to the annual pageant that serves as the most glamorous highlight of the Sandugo Festival, she was informed at the last minute that she would instead represent the town in the 2009 Miss Bohol International Pageant. 

Idy would later be declared as Best in Filipiniana for her showstopping and elegant way of carrying her evening gown but to everyone's shock, She and Mylene Pedroso, University of Bohol's bet in the same pageant and who was also Best in Swmsuit and Miss Talent didn't advance to the Final Round. 

It was proof that pageants can be unpredictable at times

Anyway, our paths crossed during the Miss Pilar Pageant on December 2011 where I was the host and she was a judge. 

I told her that she should join the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012 Pageant for she had what it takes to be a queen and perhaps, join the hallowed list of Jagnaanon beauties that have won the Miss Bohol Sadugo crown. 

She took my advice to heart, joined the pageant and the rest, as they say, is pageant history!

Me & Idy during the 2008 Miss Jagna Pageant

2012 MISS BOHOL SANDUGO CANDIDATES:

No. 1CATHERINE ROMERO Miss JB Rock Construction

No. 2 MA. STEPHANY GALIA Miss Duero

No. 3 MARIECRIS EVARDO Miss Tubigon

No. 4 MARIE ANDREA TOCMO Miss Corella

No. 5 JERICA AIKO PACOTMiss JCAD

No. 6 JHONASEL CELIS Miss Bohol Island State University (BISU)

No. 7 IDY CAGAS Miss Pundok Jagnaanon

No. 8 SEINEE VI MULA Miss Clarin

No. 9 GLADYS SINCONIEGUE Miss Katipunan Agri-Machinery

N0. 10 JASNA YEN TORREON Miss Buenavista

No. 11 GRACE SANSEN MAE ABONG Miss Biasong Loon

No. 12 LAVELLA ARAUSA Miss Bilar

The 2012 edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo was launched with the Swimsuit Competition and Press Conference at the Miravilla Resort, Booy, Tagbilaran City

JULY 21, 2013, CORONATION NIGHT

BOARD OF JUDGES

 Tagb City First Lady Charleen Lim, Carmen Gatal Sandugo 2012 Co- Chair & top derma Dr. Joyce Castillo 

SWIMSUIT COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS:

As in any beauty competition, the Swimsuit Competition is the most anticipated segment especially for the males. 

This is where the judges look for beauty & symmetry of the face, figure & legs. Confidence is very important also along with physical fitness & presentation skills. 

To put it simply, the judges and audience alike look for the candidate  who looks the hottest and has the best overall impression

09 Ms Bohol 2nd RU Joanna Feliz Pilayre, Glenn Manigque & 08 Ms Bohol 1st RU Chandrina Schreurs PAGEANT EMCEES

EVENING GOWN HIGHLIGHTS

The Evening Gown Competition that had Silver as the color motif, proved to be the most elegant part of the pageant. This is where the elegance, the regal bearing and the sophistication of candidates shine through. Determining Best in Evening Gown was based on class & elegance, fashion flair, poise & charm and the overall impression. 

I agree that the recipient of the Best in Gown award should be chosen based on how well she carried the gown and not the other way around although the choice of gown can also make or break a candidate's chances in the pageant

Best in Gown: Seinee Vi Mula of Clarin

FAREWELL WALK

The radiant Farrah Mian of Tubigon during her Farewell Walk 

ALDEA LADIES: Ms Photogenic: Miss Bilar, Ms Image Model: Ms JCAD & Ms Smile is Miss Tubigon

FINAL FIVE: L-R:  Ms Clarin,  Ms Jagna, Ms Tubigon, Ms BISU and Ms Biasong Loon

Seconds before Announcement: of New Miss Bohol Sandugo

Idy Casenas Cagas of Pundok Jagnaanon reacts after her name is called

and the symbol of Boholana pulchritude is passed on

1st RU Tubigon's Mariecris Evardo, 2012 MBS is Jagna's Idy Cagas, 2nd RU Loon's Grace Abong

MS IDY CAGAS' FINAL QUESTION : 

Who do you think is more powerful? Is it man or woman? Why? 

HER ANSWER: 

There is no need to compare each other because God created men and women to be equal and to complement each other's incompleteness.  There are things that a woman can do that a man can't, and there are things that a man can do that a woman can't.  

Here's the link for the video files of the pageant: 

2012 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant: The Complete Video