Who will run in 2013 elections in Bohol & other tidbits

• Who will run, who will not, who may, who might

• Family and friends mourn the death of Uly Dolojol

 

Wake-uppers:

Seen:  VanVan aka Guadalajara Mimosa de Salamanca is representing Miss Paraguay in the Queen of Cebu 2012, a pageant for alternatives, on Nov. 9.  “She is another pride of Bohol beaming towards bagging the most prestigious Search for Queen of Cebu 2012,” says fashion icon EJ Relampagos. To support Miss Paraguay, visit Queen of Cebu on Facebook.

 

Scene: Some 6,000 barangay officials from the 1,109 barangays all over Bohol and other invited guests welcomed Pres. Noynoy Aquino on Sept. 26, at the Bohol Wisdom School gym for the 1st Bohol Barangay Day celebration. Pres. Aquino also stood as witness to the oathtaking of hundreds of converts of the Liberal Party. Spotted were Senator TJ Guingona,  Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Akbayan Rep. Riza Hontiveros , Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Rep. Rene Relampagos (1st district, Bohol), Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes, ABC President Crispina Vergara, Ae Damalerio and provincial board members .

 

Scene: Alay Lakad 2012 is on October 7 instead of Sept. 30, which is Milo Marathon day.

 

***

The sudden death of eventologist and Alona's darling, Uly Dolojol, last Sunday, Sept. 23, shocked friends all over Bohol. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: Alona Beach had lost one of its greatest persons.

 

Bohol's seasoned host Raul Gatal, one of Uly’s closest friends, says it all:

 

I have been in a state of catatonia since I received the devastating news yesterday morning that a good friend of mine has just passed away.

 

Raul and Uly (right) in 2009

I am grieving and I am so saddened by his untimely demise. Mind you, it's not pro forma grief but real pain and anguish

 

Early last year, just before the 10th year bash of his swinging Oops! Bar which is ideally located right smack in the middle of the entire Alona Beach stretch, we had a falling out. It was a simple, petty misunderstanding that soon blew out of proportion. Add some intrigues here and bloated egos there and it was a point of no return. Some well- meaning friends tried to step in and intervene but these were simply exercises in futility

 

Crossing paths in a very small community where everybody knows everybody became an acid test for civility. Exchanging dagger looks and giving each other the cold shoulder treatment became a common occurrence that it soon bordered on the comical. But what's funny about losing a friend? The wedges between us became so deep that it became clear to those in the know that it was impossible for us to become friends again. 

 

I thought I had moved on. I thought I had everything covered. I was coasting along with my second lease on life when the call came yesterday morning

 

Right now, I am so distraught and my heart bleeds for dear Uly with whom I shared a lot of personal and private triumphs, the small intoxicating doses of hedonism and his constant advice on how to live a worry- free life. He is gone now and I really regret that I wasn't able to say sorry and for not telling him how wonderful he was as a friend

 

Alona Beach would never be the same again. Uly was the master planner and a wiz when it comes to events and especially when it has something to do with creating noise and making waves.  The signature pose, his boisterous laughter and his witty punchlines ...all these would be memories from now on. 

 

I'm sure right now as I am blogging this very minute that Uly is up there and peering down from where he is ensconced, he is asking "My oh my, what's the big fuss dahleeng?"

 

Uly, sleep tight now.  Goodbye, my friend...

 

***

“Yes, wala nay atrasay, go, go, go na si Congressman Arthur Yap,” a political consultant and businesswoman aka the Genius Lady (GL) told Bared in a chance interview the other day at The Buzzz Cafe.

 

The widely-smiling GL was shopping alone, sans the usual alalay (factotum) rich people can’t do without.

 

“I love reading your column but you no longer include tsismis and blind items!” said GL. “Those are colorful elements of entertainment column.”

 

With a glass of corn coffee and carrot muffins, the conversation proceeded without any further hitch.

 

“Dong Leo, Yap is not afraid of Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, businessman Angelo Balili and Dr. Elpidio Jala this coming election. Yap is really prepared,” warned GL, making the sign of “okay”.

 

3^rd district Rep. Arthur Yap (center) who is seeking reelection might face businessman Angelo Balili (left) and educator Elpidio Jala in 2013 elections.

Added GL: “Congressman Yap is running to further serve the people of third district because three years is  too short a period for a long list of projects and full program to make up for the many years prior his stint that 3^rd district  had been lagging behind the two other districts in the province.”

 

How about the critics who are (again) saying Rep.Yap is not a pure Boholano?

 

“Who is lumad nga Bol-anon among us? It’s the Eskaya tribe. Not the critics. Moreover, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already resolved the issue on his residency wherein Comelec ruled that Yap has complied the minimum length of time required for him to qualify to run as congressman of 3^rd district. That cropped up in 2010 elections. And after having served for over two years and a half, obviously the issue is moot and academic. The people will vote you not because you are Boholano or not, but because you showed sincerity and your intentions are genuine. Depriving one to serve because he is not lumad Bol-anon is racial discrimination.”

 

Flashing a big mysterious smile, GL whispered, “There will be a lot of surprises next week! You wait and see!”

 

And while we are at it, here’s a rundown of those who will run, who will not run, who may run and who might not run in 2013 elections (that is, if, a big if, there would be elections next year). We will know who are officially running after the filing of certificate of candidacy (CoC) on Oct. 1-5. The list will grow longer and longer. You bet?

WHO WILL RUN

• Incumbent Gov. Edgar Chatto (For same position)

• Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Reyes (For Governor)

 

• Rep. Rene Relampagos (For reelection)

 

• Rep. Arthur Yap (For same position)

• Vice Governor Conching Lim (For reelection?)

 

• Rep. Erico Aumentado (For same position)                        

 

• Dr. Abe Lim (For Mayor of Tagbilaran City)                        

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Councilor Dodong Gonzaga (For Mayor of Tagbilaran City)

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Toto Veloso (For Vice Mayor of Tagbilaran City)

 

• Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes (For Congressman of 2^nd District of Bohol)

 

• Tagbilaran City Councilor Baba Yap (For Mayor of Tagbilaran)

 

• Tagbilaran City Councilor Kit Oppus (For Vice Mayor of Tagbilaran)

 

• Danao Mayor Thomas Gonzaga (For reelection)

 

• Panglao Vice-Mayor Evangeline Lazaro (For Mayor of Panglao?)

 

• Tagbilaran City Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes (For reelection)

 

• Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales (For reelection)

 

• Dauis Mayor Jimmy Jimenez (For reelection)

 

• Sevilla Mayor Ernesita Digal (For reelection)

 

• Former Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat (For Mayor)

 

• Loay Mayor Rosemarie Imboy (For reelection)

 

• Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol (For reelection)

 

• Mark Leo Monton (For Mayor of Balilihan)

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Councilor Dandan Bantugan (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

 

• Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy (For reelection)

 

• Bien Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel (For reelection)

 

• Gerry Pabe (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City)

WHO WILL NOT
• Ex-barangay captain Glorivic Yap ("Running for Tagbilaran City Councilor? She is campaigning for Gonzaga-Veloso!")

• Tessie Labunog-Sumampong ("For Councilor of Loboc? My husband Libby will run!")

 

• Aris Aumentado (“For board member? He will file his CoC in 2016!”)

 

• Ex-Mayor Jose Torralba (“For Mayor of Tagbilaran City? He will be campaigning for his wife Councilor Betty Torralba!”)

 

• Ex-Provincial Board Member Amalia Reyes-Tirol (“For Mayor of Ubay? She is busy as a wife and grandma!”)

 

• UB Registrar Leah Tirol-Magno (“For Councilor of Tagbilaran City? She is busy as an ICT Princess!”)

 

• Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol- Macuno (“For Mayor of Ubay? She runs too, and plays tennis also!”)

WHO MAY RUN
• Businessman Angelo Balili (For Congressman of the 3^rd district of Bohol?)

 

• Ex-Dauis Mayor Lulu Bongalos (For Mayor?                                                           )

 

• Andy Manatad (For Congressman of the 2nd district of Bohol?)

• Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim (For Congressman of 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Ex-Catigbian Councilor Doris Dinorog-Obena (For Mayor of Catigbian?)

• Ex-Panglao Councilor Nila Montero (For Mayor of Panglao?)

• Dr. Elpidio Jala (For Congressman of the 3^rd district of Bohol?)

• Ex Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera (For Vice Governor? Or, for Congressman of the 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Former SK Bohol President Bobbith Cajes-Auza (For Mayor of Talibon?)

 

• Ex-provincial board member Corazon Galbreath (For Mayor of Bilar?)   

 

• Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio (For Vice Governor?)

 

• Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas (For Board Member? Or, for Congressman of the 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Former Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes (For Vice Mayor of Panglao?)

 

WHO MIGHT RUN

• Dr. Sharleen Lim (For Vice Governor?)

• Ed Macalandag (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

• Barangay Captain Arlene Karaan (For board member?)

 

• Booy Barangay Captain Jun Telmo (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

 

• Actor Cesar Montano (For Bohol Governor? "He is running in Manila.")

 

• Former Governor David Tirol (For Board Member? (“I didn’t hear it too. But he is running everyday, about more than 1 km. a day!”)

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Aumentado feels healthy after fresh cell treatment

Wake-uppers:

 

Scene: Twelve candidates are vying for Miss Jagna 2012 on Sept. 24, 9 p.m. at Jagna gym.

 

VP Binay with Mayor Che

Scene: Vice President Jejomar Binay was in Bohol last Thursday, Sept. 20, to meet with local officials and swear in new members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Carmen Mayor Che Toribio- Delos Reyes was sworn in as new member of UNA by VP Binay. Mayor Che will run for governor under the UNA in the 2013 elections, according to VP Binay. Also spotted during the oath taking ceremony were: former Bohol Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera, Dauis Mayor Jimmy Jimenez and his complete slate, Getafe Mayor Cary Camacho and his complete slate, Mayor Eutiquio Bernales with his Vice Mayor Constantino Reyes and 43 barangay captains and kagawads, San Isidro Mayor Jacinto Naraga and his complete slate, former Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat and his complete slate, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, Tagbilaran City Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, Danao Mayor Thomas Gonzaga, Aris Aumentado, Madame Greenie Aumentado, Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol, Maribojoc Vice Mayor Fructuoso Fiel Redulla, Jr. , former Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes, Panglao Vice-Mayor Evangeline Lazaro, Mark Leo Monton, Rammel Cagulada and businessman Norris Oculam.

 

Scene: LAUGHTEARS- The OSANG X-perience is on Oct. 13, at the Timeout Grill, La Vista, 5th level of Bohol Quality Mall. Osang who had a spot in X-Factor Philippines will tickle your funny bones. The girls of Bohol’s Top Model 2012 will show their flesh in the lingerie fashion show. Young indie film actor and commercial endorser of Dakki Marcus Cabrera will grace the event. The event is also part of eventologist Mizken's birthday celebration.

 

Seen: Rockstar Princess Yeng Constantino was at the University of Bohol last Thursday. Her concert was part of the UB Days celebration.

 

***

Parking spaces become ‘park’ for a day

 

Architecture students of Bohol Island State University-Main Campus parked themselves last Friday, Sept. 21, at the Tagbilaran City Square taking up spaces reserved for cars and transforming them into a mini park with sod, potted plants, benches, chessboard and a bike to make Tagbilaran City greener for a day.

 

Park visitors were offered the chance to have a free picture taking and portrait making. Tweng and his friends also entertained the crowd through fliptop rap battle.

 

The "Park(ing) Day" movement started as a single installation years ago in San Francisco and has become a worldwide event reaching more than 100 cities on four continents.

 

Visit www.facebook.com/ParkingDayBohol for more info.

 

***

Stem/fresh cell therapy has become a buzzword these days. Many people claim that the costly but groundbreaking medical procedure can treat various diseases and help slow or reverse the aging process.

 

Aumentado with Boholanos in Germany...

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former President Joseph Estrada, hairstylist Ricky Reyes, talent manager and host Lolit Solis, actress Lorna Tolentino and former First Lady Imelda Marcos are only among the prominent Filipinos who swear by the healing effects of fresh cell therapy.

 

Marcos still retains her youthful piquancy at age of 83. Estrada, 75, shared that the stem cell therapy made him feel young. On the other hand, Enrile, 88 years old, impressed the public with his sharp mind and memory at the Corona impeachment trial earlier this year.

 

Encouraged by the positive feedback, Rep. Erico Aumentado, 72, who used to suffer from diabetes (his pancreas don’t normally produce insulin), said in a radio interview, he went to Germany last August for fresh cell therapy.

 

Aumentado had already inquired about the fees of stem cell procedure at Medical City and he felt it’s exorbitant. And there’s no guarantee it will lead to better result. With the help of Joey Santos, executive consultant for Villa Medica, a clinic in Germany where celebrities go for the procedure, Aumentado opted to undergo the procedure in Germany to keep healthy.

 

It’s his son Aris accompanied him in Germany during the entire sessions. After a number of sessions, the solon is feeling better. They went to France and stayed for more days where the solon also met some Boholanos there.

 

“While in Lourdes, he had no difficulty walking and climbing up and down a flight of stairs without an aid,” said globetrotter VRS who saw Aumentado at the grotto. “He took everybody by surprise… he is healthy, strong and fresh, very different from the last time I met him in Bohol.”

 

After the therapy, Aumentado hopes to feel healthy and renewed, ready to register his certificate of candidacy as congressman of the second district of Bohol.

 

with son Aris in France

Before Aumentado and other celebrities, several other well-known figures worldwide are said to have tried fresh cell treatments, among them the late English actor Charlie Chaplin.

 

So how is this procedure done? According to ABS-CBN News, Dr. Robert Janson-Muller, who runs a fresh cell therapy clinic, Villa Ludwigshöhe in Germany, was in Manila last week to talk about the possibilities of fresh cell therapy in the wellness sphere.

 

Here are some excerpts of the news (still according to ABS-CBN):

 

Janson-Muller gets his embryonic cells from sheep. He reveals that he is the third generation fresh cell expert in the family, where his grandfather was one of the pioneers of the treatment along with Prof. Paul Niehans, who ministered to many famous names in world history.

 

Janson-Muller made it clear that fresh cell therapy is different from the now controversial stem cell treatment, which aims to replace damaged organs in the body or create one from scratch.

 

He stressed that his methods, which do not promise miracles, have been proven effective by his predecessors for the past 60 years.

 

Janson-Muller proudly said the positive effects of fresh cell therapy on humans. He said the procedure can help patients recover from neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or paralysis after a stroke, as well as chronic liver and kidney diseases.

 

The treatment promises firmer skin, muscle mass improvement, alleviation of menopause-related symptoms, enhanced metabolism, stronger immune system, better memory, and even a progressive sex life. To make the anti-aging treatment more effective, Janson-Muller suggests getting it done between the 40s and 50s.

 

After the treatment, the patient is advised to live a healthy lifestyle (where nicotine and alcohol are discouraged) exercise, good stress management and supplements are also prescribed.  

 

Janson-Muller stressed, however, that fresh cell therapy is neither a “fountain of youth” nor a treatment that can cure cancer or prolong lives that are already in danger, as claimed by others.

 

“Is there a fountain of youth?” Muller asked the audience at the press event. He answered his own query by debunking that age-old pursuit as an illusion. “According to Prof. Paul Niehans, it is not about giving more years to live but make the remaining years worth living.”

 

It is not for everyone, the doctor said, as the procedure is not allowed to be done on pregnant women as well as patients with tuberculosis, malignant tumors in the acute stage, severe psychoses and those displaying strong allergic reactions.

 

Because of the very specialized procedure, fresh cell therapy is quite expensive, something that Janson-Muller himself admits. The initial treatment, which will involve a four-day stay in his state-of-the-art clinic in Germany, costs 12,000 euros or over P622,000.

 

The Medical City and other hospitals in the country like St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, and the Kidney and Transplant Institute are providing stem cell therapy. A six-month program for stem cell therapy, in the Medical City at least, is priced at around P2.2-P2.5 million for disease-related services, while for the health and wellness (or aesthetic purposes), the therapy is at around P1.4-P1.6 million.

 

(Note:The Philippine Medical Association and the Department of Health have advised the public to be careful about choosing where to go for the procedure. Medical experts claimed that there have yet to hear about clinical studies that would prove that the procedure can treat diseases without negative side effects.)

 

 ***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Meet Clement, mild & gentle

Wake-uppers:

 

Scene: Anti-epal Congresswoman, stage actress and political/social activist Mae Paner aka Juana Change was reacting on the tarpaulins of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Bohol federation president Jethro Nathaniel Lim Imboy sprawling along the city’s main thoroughfares. The original tarps had the faces of Juana Change and other two speakers with Bamboo as the event entertainer for SK Convention on Sept. 15-16. Juana Change, who is known for her anti-epal campaign, ordered the organizers to remove the “epal” tarps. In a statement sent to Bared, the organizers said, “The purpose of the SKPF in posting the welcome tarpaulins was to promote the Convention as local-partner and where 500 SK leaders from Bohol have committed to participate.” They had replaced the tarps and removed Juana Change as one of the speakers. The incensed Juana Change mentioned the incident on Morning at ANC last Friday.

 

Scene: The “maindie” (part “mainstream” and part “indie”) film Biktima (starring Cesar Montano and Angel Aquino) will hit theaters on September 19. The suspense drama is directed and produced by RD Alba.

 

Seen: Christopher Roxas was spotted in Panglao. He went firefly kayaking with Kayakasia and Plan International’s program coordinator John Diviva. Roxas and Diviva joined others for Because I Am A Girl Campaign last Saturday.

 

Scene: The 13^th annual tourism quiz initiated by the Bohol Island Tour Guides Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BITGAP Inc.) for the tourism month celebration. The first level was held on Sept. 7 in Balilihan and the 2^nd district level was held in Talibon last Sept. 14. The 3^rd district level is on Sept. 21 in Lila. The district and city finals will be on Sept. 28 at BQ Mall. The quiz covered various topics ranging from tourist attractions and events to history and current events. The contest is part of the ongoing celebration of Tourism Month.

 

Scene: South Korean rapper Psy‘s song “Gangnam Style” became a huge hit around the world. It was uploaded last month, and even Ellen De Generes tried it out the latest dance craze. Aside from the video of a 60 year old woman who seriously dancing ” Oppa Gangnam Style,” there are hilarious versions and other parodies of random people dancing to the very catchy K-Pop song which have proliferated in YouTube including Bogart the Explorer, Showtime’s Eric “Eruption” Tai and MoymoyPalaboy. In the video, Moymoy Palaboy had a scene portraying Legazpi and Datu Si Katuna at the Blood Compact Shrine in Bool.

***

Mark the name Clement Paulinel Lofranco Ingking. His name rings a bell and you will hear more ringing from him very soon.

 

Clement, which means “mild” and “gentle”, is not a stranger to the limelight. When he was 12, he wowed the audience ramping and singing (with hundreds of auditionees from the province who competed for five consecutive monthly finals until the grand final), Clement won ICM’s Kiddie Idol Champion in 2006.

 

He won ICM’s Model Quest 2007 (male category champion), Mr. Alturas 2011, Mr. Bohol Island State University (BISU) FreshFace 2011, Lakandula ng BISU 2011, Mr. Sophie Paris 2012 and Mr. BISU-Main Campus 2012 first runner-up.

 

At present, he is taking up Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Service Technology at BISU-Main Campus and chairman of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of barangay Booy, this city.

 

And more: He is an active talent of Cebu Models Society, Bravura Models and Talents, Options and Concepts and formerly a member of Doors Models and Talents.

 

Whew!!! How does Clement find time for all that?

 

“I have a simple technique; when I am at the university, I manage to study and focus well and coping up immediately all the lessons,” said Clement. “And all my vacant hours will be spent at my SK office for all the paper works such as communications, resolutions, activity designs and for brainstorming more efficient and effective activities for my constituents.”

 

“What do I find sexy?” he asked. “Real, genuine, sense of humor, sexuality, a little bit of nerdy-ness, sometimes a little attitude, someone cute doesn't hurt either, but it's really the personality that grabs my attention and drags me in.”

 

Asked what’s the sexiest thing he has ever done so far, Clement laughed aloud and said, “Putting body oil during fashion shows and exposure shows.”

 

Clement stands 5’8’’, weighs 152 lbs., and wears medium-size shirt, size-30 brief and size-8 shoes. He’s a Scorpion (born November 21, 1994).

 

Find out as Clement completes the following sentences:

 

I am happiest when… my parents are proud of me all the time.

I’m saddest when…a part of our family passed away.

What I like about myself is…staying my feet on the ground, touching other lives, and following God’s wisdom.

What I hate about myself is…being a risk-taker.

I hate people who are…very judgmental and hypocrite, they’re the ones who complicates and put malicious meaning in everything.

I avoid people who are not…sociable and open-minded, they’ll just ruin my day!

My worst moment… was hearing those insecure and hypocrite people backstabbing and telling rumors about me.

My biggest fear…is to lose my parents; I can’t live without them as of now.

The most important person/s in my life is/are… my parents because without them I will not become who and what I am now. They are my inspirations and motivators.

If I were to be reincarnated as an animal I would be…an owl. Because I’m nocturnal, I’m a night person. I became more active at night and always lacking hours of sleep.

My most traumatic experience was…being bitten by a dog while riding my mountain bike way back 2007.

I deal with gossip by…ignoring and laughing with those nonsense stuffs.

Am I afraid of growing old?... not really, growing old means being mature and well-rounded person.

I lose my temper when…there are lots of paper works and reports to comply in last minute time.

If I were somebody else I’d be… Abraham Lincoln, for all we know was the 16th president of the United States. He preserved the Union during the U.S. Civil War and brought about the emancipation of slaves. I want to try living in the world and having his capabilities, responsibilities and power.

Face-to-face with God, I would tell Him… I praise and worship you Father, thank you for the precious life you bestowed on me. You are my God and I will always follow your will.  Help me to grow a better ambassador of peace and guide me upon rendering my full-pledge service to you and my fellowmen.

 

The type of girls that turns me on... are those with appealing physical attributes and good sense of humor.

The type of girls that turn me off…are those “pasikat” or shall I say “feeler type”!

My philosophy in life is…We are who we choose to be.

 

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Beryl: Enjoying life the unconventional way

Wake-uppers:

Scene: It’s Island City Mall (ICM) September affairs to remember! Pretty girls out there ages 9-12 years old are invited to join the ICM Glamorous Princess. Audition is on Oct 5 at 3 p.m. at the Activity Center. Call (038) 501-3000 for info. There’s more…You can also pamper your grandparents on September 9 at ICM and experience free make-over treats, relaxing massage and win instant Php 3000 cash prize in the Bingo games. There’s more, more…Enjoy up to 70% discount from participating tenants and 10% discount from Home and Fashion department on Sept. 14, 15 and 16. There’s more, more, more…. watch GMA Kapuso artists on Sept. 15, 4 p.m. at Activity Center.

 

Udtohan

Scene: Our dear Ruth “Neneng” Udtohan (Nov. 4, 1983-Sept. 9, 2001) is lovingly remembered on her 11th death anniversary. As long as hearts remember, as long as hearts still care, we do not part with those we love, they're with us everywhere…

 

Scene: Is former provincial board member Felix Realista Uy finally ending his political career? The veteran lawmaker will no longer run for any position in next year’s election, saying he is “happy right now.” On the other hand, Brigadier General Joseph Sevilla (who was a provincial board member for many years) has reportedly plans to run in 2013 elections. “I’m still thinking,” he said. Brig. Gen. Sevilla is busy doing charity projects as chairman of the Reserve Officers Legion of the Philippines (ROLP) and a topbrass of the Guardian Forces Brotherhood International (GFBI).  

Scene: This week is diving for a cause. Plan International’s Because I am a Girl Campaign is on Sept. 15. It aims to gather divers for a cleanup dive inside and outside the marine sanctuaries of Balicasag Island and Barangay Tawala in Panglao Island. Registration fee for the activity is Php 4,000 inclusive of two boat divers, full set of diving gears, dive boat, dive master, sacks for the collection of underwater debris, certificate, souvenir shirt and buffet lunch. Non-divers are also invited to join the coastal cleanup initiated by the barangay councils of Danao and Tawala, Panglao. To register, e-mail info@boholdiversclub.com or text/call +63 918-979-5819.

 

***

Fate has a strange way of intervening in Beryl Elizabeth’s life. Years back, she was looking forward to working as a nurse before taking up medicine.

 

“I want to be a surgeon,” the dutiful daughter recalls. So she finished nursing as preparatory course for Medicine and passed the licensure examination in 2007 but because of Beryl’s adventurous attitude, now she finds herself doing a job she never imagined herself doing in Kayakasia Philippines Inc. (Email: kayakbohol@gmail.com, visit www.facebook.com/kayakasiaphilippines or text/call +63932-855-2928).  

“Ive been kayaking since 2003, it’s a hobby ra. I never thought I’d be in this business jud,” she recalls. “I have friends who are kayakers and they wanted to start up a company with an aim of promoting kayaking in Bohol, so they asked me to be part of it.”

 

She turned down the offer several times because she wanted to work as a nurse. Then one day she realized to accept the offer.  “Who am I to say no to a job offer when there are a lot of people who are jobless. So I took the job, they needed a woman in the team man gud especially in the office because paper works is not a man’s cup of tea,” adds Beryl.

Now, Beryl is so hooked on travel business (where she meets a lot of people both local and foreign) she has decided to kiss plans of becoming a nurse good-bye.

 

“Now its almost a year na naa ko sa company, I’ve seen it evolve and grow and I am happy about it. One thing I love about my job is that I get to have a chance to be awed by Bohol’s natural beauty and appreciate it in another perspective, in a way wherein only few people gets the chance to do and to be able to share the experience to everyone who comes to us,” gushes Beryl.

 

“Kayaking is the least destructive way to enjoy and explore the beautiful waterways we have. It keeps you more closely attached to nature and gives you the freedom to skim through the liquid skin of the earth through your own power. And we in Kayakasia Philippines Inc. is more than willing to promote this eco-friendly recreational activity in Bohol,” explains Beryl.

‘I’m sexy after a good run when I'm all sweaty and I’m catching my breath.’

 

Kayasia is the only one in Bohol which offers premium kayaking trip packages as such as Firefly Kayaking which is the best seller, Virgin Island Kayaking and Moonlit Dinner. They also offer Kayaking the two churches (Baclayon and Dauis), Kayak Snorkelling and Multi-day Kayaking Expeditions. They also give basic Kayaking lessons to the guests prior to every trip with the aid of certified kayak instructors as guides and they also do kayak retail.

 

Instead of further talking economics, Bared did “sexy talk” with Beryl so readers will not forget that, besides being a businesswoman, she’s first and foremost a sexy kayaker.

 

Those in-the-know Beryl was a campus beauty queen. She won Miss University of Bohol High School 2003 and Miss UB Personality 3rd runner up in 2003. Until now, she maintains the sexy look.

 

‘Kayaking is the least destructive way to enjoy and explore the beautiful waterways we have.’

“When do I feel sexy?” asks Beryl. “After a good run when I'm all sweaty and I’m catching my breath.”

 

What makes a man sexy? “There is something about a man’s arm that attracts me, especially when it is lean and not very muscular, just enough to be sexy. But still, if a man has the brains and can talk to me about anything under the sun then he is the sexiest for me.”

 

What is the sexiest part of her body? “My lips,” she giggles. “Because it can convey my emotions and I can send them across like when I’m happy I smile, I’m sad, I pout and when I’m hyped up, I pucker up and offers a kiss! Ha! ha!”

 

Read: Beryl will let your imagination run wild, but she won’t show everything. She can give you the come-hither look, but she won’t let you go further. Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

l-r DYRD reporter Jun Gutierrez, Brig. Gen Joseph Sevilla and DYTR reporter Edward Guyano

 

• Hollywood-like sign on Chocolate Hills mulled • Divers to clean island for girl’s rights on Sept. 15

• Hollywood-like sign on Chocolate Hills mulled

• Divers to clean island for girl’s rights on Sept. 15

 

Wake-uppers:

 

Scene: Rainfall, earthquake and blue moon on Friday! The blue moon appeared at 9 p.m. after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of Samar province triggering tsunami warnings across a wide swath of Asia.

 

“A blue moon does not actually refer to the color of the moon rather it means two full moons in one month,” my six-year-old nephew Kotik told me.

 

The morning after, Sept. 1, Filipinos have reason to smile as the cool “ber” months begin, ushering in the joyous countdown to Christmas.

 

Radio programs begin playing holiday tunes as the world’s longest Christmas season unfolds in the Philippines. Now that the “Ber” months is finally upon us, the mornings are expected to get colder in the coming days.

 

(Note: I won again in our “Who Can Greet First Merry Christmas on September 1” with my high school classmate and UB High School principal Elaine Joy Auza. Joy, I won it for the nth time He! He! He!)

 

Scene: The most anticipated search for Mr and Miss Saint John the Baptist Academy (SJBA) Personality 2012 is on Sept. 6, 7:30 pm at Garcia Hernandez gym. “The beauty, prestige and tradition continue…there are six boys and six girls who will compete for the most coveted titles,” SJBA principal Ramon Caresiosa posted on Facebook.

 

Scene: Bohol-Buhol, the group art exhibit of Boholano artists in Manila on Sept. 8. Bohol-Buhol aims to highlight the beauty and wonder of Bohol in the merry tangled colors, forms and imagery in the paintings, mixed media and sculptural pieces.

 

Buhol-Bohol's exhibiting artists include Cesar Montano, Eric Catot, Guy Custodio, Glen Lumantao, Irish Glori Galon, Jhacky Curambao,Joey Labrador, Jef Sisican, Josefino Montano, Lito Masalta, Nene Lungay, Rhants Anunciado, Ric Ramasola, Rico Tompong, Rommel Montano and Sam Penaso.

 

Hollywood in Bohol

Bohol-Buhol is on September 8 (6 p.m.) until September 15 at the Renaissance Gallery, 4th floor of SM Megamall Building A, Mandaluyong City. Call +639283482268for more info.

 

Scene: A picture of Chocolate Hills with a massive “BOHOLLYWOOD ” sign on a hill, just like the one Hollywood is now circulated on Facebook. Local netizens found the idea funny at best, and stupid at worst.  However, the Hollywood-like sign on Choco Hill is not existing. It’s digitally manipulated photo. “The municipality of Carmen or the province of Bohol may not erect a landmark similar to the iconic Los Angeles’ “Hollywood” sign.  Remember how the Hollywood-like sign in Batangas mulled? It maybe sound ‘hard-to-miss landmark and potential tourism draw’ but not yet the right time,” said VRS.

 

***

SK Danao crowned Miss Panglao 2012

 

Miss SK Danao, 19-year-old Meshellane Real Jade Cajels, took the title of Miss Panglao 2012 last Wednesday, Aug. 29, organized by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation of Panglao.

 

The 5 foot 7 beauty queen beat out 16 other contestants, including Miss SK Doljo Jessamine Flores and Blez Jamessa Oliquino of Balicasag Island, who were first and second runners-up, respectively.

 

"Thank you," Cajels said while she burst in tears after her win was announced.

 

Cajels

Cajels, a nursing student who says she wants to become a good nurse, also named Best in Gown, Best in Interview, Miss Photogenic and Face of the Night .

 

“The Miss Panglao Pageant is a unique pageant since there is a strong emphasis on youth empowerment and dynamic involvement in community activities,” said Amira Montero, SK Panglao federated chair.

 

Last year’s winner, Miss Panglao 2011 Judith Anne Cruz launched her Math Literacy project to give free basic Math tutorials to academically-challenged students.

 

The Miss Panglao Official Theme Song “Truly Beautiful” composed by Deo Guden, arranged by BJ Baylon and interpreted by Joseph Gara was launched during the Talent Night Showcase.

 

ABS-CBN stars Aldred Gatchalian and Jason Abalos added glitter and excitement to the event. Talented Kimberly Gango sang and danced also together with performing talents from Panglao.

 

Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal emceed the pageant with Miss Panglao 2011 2^nd runner-up Mary Rose Butalid as anchorwoman.

 

The judges were Pureza Chatto, Irena Heberer, president of Rotary Club of Panglao Island; Marybeth Chan, president of Marc and Mattheaus Group of Companies; Marietta Gasatan, president of Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Karin Wesemael, owner of Linaw Beach Resort; Dianne Necio, 2011 Bb. Pilipinas- International, 2012 Miss International Top 15 finalist; Joyce Ann Burton, 1985 Bb. Pilipinas- Universe, 1981 Miss Young International Top  Ten Finalist; Franz Eichenauer, CHA, general manager of The Bellevue Resort; and Lady Cely Chiongbian, Cebu- based philanthropist and socialite.

 

***

Divers to clean island for girl’s rights

 

Divers will be under the surface of Balicasag Island on Sept. 15, picking trash and other stuff from the depths of Bohol’s popular divesite, during the Plan International’s Because I am a Girl Campaign.

 

The Dive Cleanup for Girls’ Rights aims to gather all female divers for a cleanup dive inside and outside the marine sanctuaries of Balicasag Island and Barangay Tawala in Panglao Island.

 

“Participation of male divers are also considered since campaign promotes gender equality,” said John Vivica, program coordinator of Plan International. Aside from the environmental cause, all participants will be given orientations on children’s right, Plan’s Because I Am A Girl Campaign, and coastal resource management.

 

“Let’s talk about the rights of children and their protection from harm caused by disaster, environmental degradation and climate change. Then take a glimpse into one of the richest coral reefs in the world in Balicasag Island,” added Vivica.

The Dive Cleanup for Girl’s Rights was conceptualized to coincide with International Coastal Cleanup Month, which is observed every September and to build up towards the celebration of the first ever International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11, 2012 (10-11-12).

 

The Because I am A Girl Campaign of Plan International was linked to this environmental celebration because Plan believes that all girls and boys have the right to be protected from harm caused by disaster,environment degradation and climate change. Girls, in particular, have special needs that must be taken care of during times of emergencies and disasters.

 

The event will be held in partnership with the Bohol Divers Club whose general manager, Darwin Menorias, played an important role in the conservation of Bohol Marine Triangle. This area comprises the islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan and constitutes a passageway of whales and dolphins with coral reefs ranging from fair to good condition.

Registration fee for the activity is Php 4,000 that includes two boat divers, full set of diving gears, dive boat, dive master, sacks for the collection of underwater debris, certificate, souvenir shirt and buffet lunch.

 

Non-divers are also invited to join the coastal cleanup initiated by the barangay councils of Danao and Tawala, Panglao.

 

All interested divers can register to info@boholdiversclub.com; text/call +63 918-979-5819.

 

"At the end of the activity, all participants are expected to support the advocacies on gender equality among children and coastal resource management, establishing that boys and girls can benefit from both a world that is gender and disaster resilient," added Vivica.

 

Founded 75 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organizations in the world. Plan’s vision is of a world where all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity.

 

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.