Remembering the Late Paula, Ellen, Marcel, Suzette & Marecor

As we mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, we also remember some of our former Miss Bohol queens who have gone ahead to the Great Beyond.

PAULA  RAAGAS- VALLES. Paula (better known as Paulita and Daday) Baura Raagas was born on June 6, 1922 in Maribojoc, Bohol. Known for her striking beauty, winsome charm and intelligence, she was crowned Miss Bohol on May 4, 1941 at the young age of 18  and just a month away from her 19th birthday.

1941 Miss Bohol: Paula “Daday” Raagas- Valles (June 6 1922- July 8 2012)

She later on married her childhood sweetheart Dionisio Valles also from Maribojoc. She served as Municipal Mayor of Maribojoc from 1978 to 1986.

She passed away on July 8, 2012 at the ripe old age of 90 in Metro Manila (Thanks to Allouie Jumawan Escabarte)

ELLEN CAMPBELL. The tall and tantalizing Ellen “Jick Jick” Campbell of Tagbilaran City bested a field of 34 of the most beautiful and accomplished young women of the province.

1977 Most Beautiful Boholana: Ellen Campbell (1959 – 2001)

Mostly coming from the most socially- prominent families, the ladies had been chosen to represent their respective municipalities, the capital city, colleges & universities, socio- civic clubs and business organizations in the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana Pageant.

Ellen "Jick Jick" Campbell passed away in Feb 26, 2001 after losing the battle with the big C.

MARCEL GATAL- DIEGO. Marcelina Marcel Orimaco Gatal was Your Roving Eye’s sister. Prior to winning the Miss Young Bohol 1983 crown, she was a popular DJ and newscaster of DYRD & KISS FM and had represented the province in the 1982 Hiyas ng Silangan- Pilipinas pageant where she was named Miss Talent and a Top Ten finalist.

1983 Miss Young Bohol: Marcelina Orimaco Gatal (1963- 2016)

She lost her four- year battle with breast cancer complicated by lung cancer on November 2, 2016. She was 53 years old.

SUZETTE AUZA GARCIA. Just two weeks after Marcel Gatal’s demise, another beautiful angel named Suzette Auza Garcia also went ahead to the Great Beyond. 

As Binibining Talibon 1992, Suzette represented her municipality in the 1992 Miss Bohol Pageant where her beautiful angelic face, charm & wit made her one of the favorites to win the crown. 

True enough, she emerged 2nd RU to Celevel Ranoco of Jagna and she was also selected as Best in Filipina Costume.

1992 Miss Bohol 2^nd RU: Suzette Auza Garcia

Suzette who has been based for years in Dubai succumbed to complications from lung cancer and left behind an only daughter Reina.  She was in her early 40’s when she passed away on November 15, 2016

MARECOR RECIO- BOLIGAO. She would always be remembered as one of the loveliest Miss Bohol winners after she was named 2^nd RU to Mellanie Wallace in Miss Bohol 2000.  

2000 Miss Bohol 2^nd RU: Marecor Recio- Boligao

It was  in September 2010 when news of the violent and senseless murder of businesswoman and former Miss Tubigon Marecor "Coi" Recio and her husband Alphonsus "Dodo" Boligao shocked the pageant community in Bohol.

They were on their way home on board their car when ambushed by still unidentified assailants. Marecor who was due with her third child reportedly tried to shield her husband from the killers but it was a futile attempt. She was only 27 when she met her untimely demise.  

Dear readers, do spare a minute of silence for the eternal repose of our beautiful queens who are now safely in the warm embrace of our Creator in heaven where there is no pain & sorrow and where the sun shines gloriously all day long.

The Road to Miss Bohol 2015

QUINTESSENTIAL QUONDAM QUEENS:

Lest you think of naughty thoughts, quondam means former, erstwhile or used to be. And this is exactly what this series is all about; To remember the exclusive sorority composed of exceptional Boholanas who were crowned as Miss Bohol. As we wait with bated breath on who will be Miss Bohol 2015 on July 18, we will recall the elegant ladies who captivated an entire province during their glorious reigns.

Here’s the first of a series that pays tribute to these beautiful, brainy & well- bred Boholanas.

MISS BOHOL 1941

Paula (better known as Paulita and Daday) Baura Raagas was born on June 6, 1922 in Maribojoc, Bohol. Known for her striking beauty, winsome charm & intelligence, she was crowned Miss Bohol on May 4, 1941 at the young age of 18 & just a month away from her 19th birthday.

She later on married her childhood sweetheart Dionisio “Esong” Valles also from Maribojoc. She would later on serve as Municipal Mayor of her hometown of Maribojoc from 1978 to 1986

Mayor Paula Raagas Valles

She passed away on July 8, 2012 at the ripe old age of 90 and left behind a lasting legacy of good governance, an exemplary life and beautiful memories

Info & Photo Credits:

Mr. Allouie Jumawan Escabarte &

Mr. Carino Antequisa   

Miss Bohol Winners: The Early Years 1941 to 1978

You may not realize it but the Miss Bohol Pageant has been with us for so many decades already. This blog feature is based on the initial results of our research.

1941 Miss Maribojoc  Paula Baura Raagas

1950 Miss Maribojoc Felomina Redulla Chiu

1957 Miss Calape Olivia Solis  

1968 Miss Sevilla Theoprolia Clarin- Parras

1968 Miss Tagbilaran Emma Mumar

1976 Miss DWCT Lou Minoza

1977 Miss Tagbilaran City Ellen M. Campbell

1978 Miss DWCT Geraldine Galang

1941 Miss Bohol

The first- ever Miss Bohol titleholder Paula Baura Raagas who was crowned back in 1941 eventually became a mayor of her town Maribojoc. 

1950 Miss Bohol

Felomina Redulla Chiu of Maribojoc was born on August 2, 1931. She was the youngest and the only girl of six siblings. Her male siblings are the owners and proprietors of the famous 5 Brothers Store in Maribojoc, Bohol. She was crowned Miss Bohol 1950 at the age of 19.

1957 Miss Bohol

Olivia Solis, the 1957 winner became famous for the Visayan serial radio drama song "Dawata na Olivia" which was composed especially for her. I had the chance to see her in person and introduce her to an adoring hometown when she graced the 2000 Miss Calape Pageant which I emceed.Indeed, she has the looks and elegance of a classic Hollywood movie star.

 

1962 Miss Bohol

 Although she was not officially crowned as a Miss Bohol, she nevertheless carried the sash “Miss Bohol” in the 1962 Miss Philippines Pageant where she placed 2^nd Runner Up. Her name? Adelia Canda of Batuan.  

Delia has the distinction of being the first Boholana to place in a national beauty pageant when she was selected as Miss Visayas or 2nd runner up to Cynthia Ugalde.

L-R: 3rd RU Juliet Pardo Picar, 1962 Miss RP Cynthia Ugalde, 2nd RU Adelia Canda
Not in photo: 1st RU Lalaine Bennett

 Delia's batchmate is the first Pinay to enter the Miss Universe Top Five

Her pageant batchmate Lalaine Bennett who finished as 1st RU competed again the following year. Lalaine’s efforts and determination paid off. She won the crown in her second attempt and made history as the first Filipina to enter the Miss Universe Top Five when she was selected as 3rd runner up to Miss Brazil.

1968 Miss Bohol

The 1968 Miss Bohol that was organized by the Bohol Jaycees selected the province's bets to the 1968 Binibining Pilipinas Pageant.

Theoprolia Clarin and Emma Mumar were Bohol's bets to the country's most prestigious pageant Miss Mumar was declared one of the 15 semi- finalists in the 1968 edition of Bb Pilipinas . 

Miss Clarin & Miss Mumar during the 1968 Bb. Pilipinas Poolside Presentation


 

Emma Mumar (3rd from right) is a 1968 Bb Pilipinas Top 15 Finalist   

 TODAY: That's Emma Mumar- Campbell (in black & white stripes

The Most Beautiful Boholana (1976, 1977 & 1978)

The Miss Bohol pageant was relaunched in 1976 after a brief hiatus in the early 70's. It became known as the Search for the Most Beautiful Boholana  and ran from 1976 to 1978.

The then Divine Word College now Holy Name University had the most success during those three years with two winners and a runner up. Although the 1977 winner represented the City of Tagbilaran, she was a BS Commerce student of the said school

1976 Most Beautiful Boholana

 Lou Minoza (the girl in the green gown)

When the Miss Bohol Pageant was relaunched as The Search for the Most Beautiful Boholana, the winner was Divine Word College's bet, Lou Minoza.

 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana

In 1977, a tall and svelte 18 year old named Ellen Campbell who represented Tagbilaran City was crowned the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana in the province- wide search that attracted 34 beauties representing towns, the capital city, schools and civic & business organizations.

The candidates first came out in shorts (swimsuits were a big NO then for conservative Boholanas) then in evening gowns.

From 34 ladies, the field was whittled down to 15 semi- finalists before the final seven were called

Her 1st Runner Up was Miss DWCT Antoniette Biloy. 2nd Runner Up was Angie Pepito, Miss Rotary Club of Tagbilaran.

Rounding out the Top Seven were 3rd RU Miss Tubigon Teresita Baura, 4th RU Miss G- Hernandez Corazon Ranario, 5th RU Miss Loon Carmelita Taylaran & 6th RU Miss Jagna Agnes Abrenilla

1977 Most Beautiful Boholana

A recent picture of U.S.- based Geraldine "Gigi" Galang 

In 1978, the pageant was won by the candidate from Divine Word College, very lovely and delicate- looking Geraldine Galang whose family roots are traced to Carmen town, home of the world- famous Chocolate Hills.

An interesting trivia:

Ms. Galang officially became Miss Divine Word College in 1979 and Angie Pepito, the 2nd RU in the 1977 Most Beautiful Boholana Search was her 1st Runner Up.  

Please CLICK for the Miss Bohol Winners: 80's & 90's Decades