Miss World 2013 Challenge Winners announced!

source:Miss World

Challenge Winners Announced!

27 September 2013

That’s right folks!

With just over 24 hours until the Miss World Final begins, the judges finished pouring over all of the tremendous work our contestants have been doing and announced the WINNERS of the FIVE remaining major Challenge Events!

The contestants were assembled and the results were revealed for Top Model, Sports, Multimedia, Beach Fashion, and Beauty with a Purpose!

Here are the results!

Top Model

WINNER - PHILIPPINES - MEGAN YOUNG

2nd - UNITED STATES - Olivia Jordan	3rd - FRANCE - Marine Lorphelin
4th - UKRAINE - Anna Zaiachkivska	5th -  BRAZIL - Sancler Frantz

Sports

WINNER - NETHERLANDS - JACQUELINE STEENBEEK

2nd - SPAIN - Elena Ibarbia Jimenez	3rd - NORTHERN IRELAND - Meagan Green
4th - PARAGUAY - Coral Ruiz Reyes	5th EL SALVADOR - Paola Ayala

Beach Fashion

WINNER - BRAZIL - SANCLER FRANTZ

2nd - FRANCE - Marine Lorphelin	3rd - GHANA - Naa Okailey Shooter
4th - JAMAICA - Gina Hargitay	5th - PHILIPPINES - Megan Young

Multimedia

WINNER - INDIA - NAVNEET DHILLON

2nd - THAILAND - Kanyaphak Phokesomboon	3rd - NEPAL - Ishani Shrestha
4th - PHILIPPINES - Megan Young	5th - MALAYSIA - Melinder Bhullar

Beauty with a Purpose

WINNER - NEPAL - ISHANI SHRESTHA

2nd - AUSTRALIA - Erin Holland	3rd - TANZANIA - Brigitte Lyimo
4th - BELGIUM - Noémie Happart	5th - BRAZIL - Sancler Frantz
6th - FRANCE - Marine Lorphelin	7th - GHANA - Naa Okailer Shooter
8th - ENGLAND - Kirsty Heslewood	9th - INDIA - Navneet Dhillon
10th - ARUBA - Larissa Leeuwe

Congratulations to all of our winners!

TOMORROW you will find out WHO will be Miss World 2013, LIVE from 19:30 (GMT+8) For a full list of broadcasters click here!

Your country not on the list? Don't worry, you will be able to watch LIVE @MISSWORLD.COM!!

Rajah Sikatuna winner angry over delayed prizes

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Bohol’s well-loved hairstylist Ryan Sines celebrated his birthday last Sept. 1 with an ultimate dinner. Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal said, “It was a heady mix of friends from childhood, from school and from the beauty and fashion scene where Ryan is in great demand for the way he weaves magic and beauty to every girl’s crowning glory. Yes, Ryan is Bohol’s numero uno when it comes to stunning hairstyling. Women, men and even those from in- between including Bohol’s top socialites, beauty queens, models, brides and debutantes have availed of his services

When 2010 Miss Universe runner up Venus Raj flew

in to Bohol to grace the 2013 Miss Panglao Pageant, it was only apt that the honor of making up her fabulous hairdo would naturally go to Ryan Sines. It’s never a stress- free moment with Ryan when he is busy with your tresses.”

Scene: Watch out for the Wedding of the Year in December 2013! VRS has learned that the son (clue: WY) of a “powerful business family (PBF) was asking the woman's family (also PBF in Bohol) for her hand in marriage. Another clue: The bride-to-be is the goddess of the moon.

Seen: Spotted in Bohol last Friday was actress Isabel Oli. She described Chocolate Hills as “one of God’s amazing creations.” Kapamilya star Julia Barretto was also seen at ICM. Last week, Richard Poon and Christian Bautista were spotted in a wedding in Panglao.

Scene: From Ariel Fullido: R.I.P. MICHAEL. So sad about the tragedy that befall my good friend Michael Villa, who died last Sunday while trying to finish the 21K of the 37th Milo Marathon here. He used to be my running buddy, and always in tandem with him in every running event. We always chat each other at the CPG Sports Complex during running routines. Last Sunday's marathon, I was not able to participate because of a band performance at Doctors Cardio Summit 2013, at Flushing Meadows Resort and Playground, last Saturday night. I arrived home early Sunday at 3 AM dawn, and no time to go to the marathon since gun start is at 4 AM. I trained so hard for 4 months for the marathon but I didn't bother to join it, because no matter what, I always listen to my body first. All I did was just slept the whole Sunday morning, but when I woke up I just got the bad news of Michael's death. One member of our AGC Runners Club (name withheld) suffered a stroke due to heat, and landed in the hospital. So long, Mike!

***

Ryan Sines with Venus Raj

Participants of this year’s Sikatuna: Rajah sa Bohol, a male beauty pageant, have accused the organizer, JCI-Boholana Kisses, of not giving them their prizes months after the event.

The pageant debuted on July 19, 2013.

Crowned Rajah sa Bohol Danilo Torrifiel Torcende said that the organizers told him he would receive his Php 10,000 cash prize as grand winner but he has not heard anything from the organizers and all efforts to get the prizes have proved futile.

According to Torcende, he and the other contestants paid Php 500 for the registration fee and also provided their own costumes at their own cost.

Torcende said JCI-Boholana Kisses President Adam Tagaktak could no longer be found in the city.

                   

“Maskin piso wala ko kadawat. Niduol ko sa ilang Vice President (Maria Escabarte- LPU) unya gipangita pa daw nila si Adam karun kay wala na magpakita,” Torcende told VRS. “The entire production gani wala pa mabayri.”

Non-winners, according to Torcende, were promised to receive a Php 500 consolation prize.

Last Wednesday, Torcende went to the PNP-Tagbilaran City to report the incident.

However, JCI-Boholana Kisses Vice President Maria Escabarte is not tight-lipped on the “pageant scam.” In her reply to VRS, she said, “Unfortunately, we can’t give you an official statement yet since we are still waiting for Mr. Tagactac's report. The organization has also been questioning Mr. Tagactac about the issue since he spearheaded the event and action especially on money matters has been taken by him.”

Danilo Torcende

(Note: VRS called, texted and messaged (on Facebook) Adam Tagaktak for his side but he never replied.)

Meanwhile, Bohol’s most popular hairstylist and make-up artist Tracy Remolador Torres also said that his “alaga” didn’t receive the prizes from Mr and Miss Teen Bohol 2013 organized by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bohol headed by Jethro Lim Imboy.

“Same sa Mr.and Ms Teen Bohol 2013 wapa sad gibugwak ang mga prizes dugay nani,” revealed Tracy.

Tracy added, “Ilaha promise nila after 3 weeks after the pageant ma-release na, now pila na ka buwan. Didto ko last week ingon karun daw nga week unya asa naman?”

SK staff Julan Crisale Cordova answered:

“For and in behalf of the Mr. & Ms. Teen Bohol Organizing Committee, we would like to inform the followers that we follow strict compliance in terms of the prizes in all our events. Upon during the orientation of this year's pageant we already inform the candidates regarding about the dealing of our prizes. Just like the previous year among gisunod and process sa mga national pageants that the prizes will not be release right after the pageant kundi more or less a month or 2 pa siya namu mahatag due to government processing method...and we make sure that the candidates will receive their prizes and we have the office nga ila ma visita or makita. Unlike sa nahitabo sa Rajah nga wala na gyud magpakita og dili makontak. In as much as we would like to release the prizes og Sayo but due to a very keen strict COA policy in processing government fund Mao nga nadugay. But rest assured we give our prices as promised. Also to inform everyone that the prizes last year were already given and done. This is to emphasize the followers that we have our office and our faces to answer all your questions unlike og dili pareha sa nahitabo sa Rajah.”

Tracy Torres with Julia Barretto

When Torcende posted his anger on Facebook about the “Rajah scam,” it has struck chord around the province, racking up people and it quickly found its way to the beauty pageant industry in Bohol.

Blogger Edik Dolotina said, “Why a lot of them happened in Bohol?”

Fashion guru Henry Baron also commented, “My advice to all the concerned winners, it’s better to go directly to legalities, the authority will take care of this very abusive act. A very malicious pageant such like this and the abusive act of the organizers concerned should not be tolerated....it’s a disgrace to all the gay community....”

The plot is thickening.

Stand by for further development.

***

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

Hasta la vista EJ! Goodbye Susan Fuentes!

•Goodbye, EJ, hasta la vista!

•Goodbye Susan Fuentes!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The 7^th School Press Advisers Movement Inc. (SPAM) was held in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Sept. 12-14 attended by student writers and advisers in the country. Two GMA pillars are recognized by SPAM with their first awards of excellence for media practitioners. GMA News anchor and “Imbestigador ng Bayan” Mike Enriquez has received the Award of Excellence in the Field of Broadcasting, while GMA News Online Editor-in-Chief Howie Severino has received the Award of Excellence in the Field of Documentary Reportage. With the theme “Intensifying the power of Campus Paper in Protecting and Preserving the Environment and Natural Resources,” the convention aims to recognize the excellent services of campus journalists and advisers, hone their talents, and provide them with the recent trends in campus journalism.

Mike Enriquez and Howie Severino during the 7th SPAM

Scene: Dindo Tallo and his wife Rose (Miss Tagbilaran 1987 first runner-up) were in Bohol to attend to their father’s wake and burial.  Dindo is the eldest son of Dr. Prisco Tallo who died on August 28. Dr. Tallo served as resident physician of the Bohol Provincial Hospital and chief of the Loon District Hospital and Carmen Cong. Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital, respectively.

Scene: Maria Mercedes ang pangalan ko! Sa 'king pamilya'y tumutulong ako. Nagtatrabaho ng kahit ano. Sanay ako magbanat ng buto...Maria Mercedes, the Mexican telenovela starring Thalia will be back on primetime. The first official teaser for the Philippine remake of the hit Mexican series "Maria Mercedes" was released last week. The clip uploaded on ABS-CBN's official YouTube page shows lead actress Jessy Mendiola dancing in a long red dress -- a throwback to the iconic take of Mexican superstar Thalia on the title character. The teaser also offers a brief taste of the updated Filipino version of the series' theme song, as first heard in the local telecast of the original "Maria Mercedes" in 1996. Thalia fans couldn’t wait to see the soap. Si señor!

***

Ania si Rosas Pandan
Gikan pa intawn sa kabukiran
Kaninyo makiguban-uban
Sa gisaulog nga kalingawan

Balitaw day akong puhunan
Maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan
Awit nga labing karaan
Maoy garbo sa kabungturan

Ayayay ayayay ayayay!
Ayay sa akong balitaw
Kanindot ba mosayaw
Daw yamog ang kabugnaw

Tigadong tigadong tigadong!
Ayay usab si Dodong
Nagtan-aw kang Inday
Nagtabisay ang laway...

Susan Fuentes

I’m not sure how old I was at the time but I remember singing Rosas Pandan while the song was being played by our neighbors back in old Booy. The neighborhood was simple. Technology was slow then. Since only a handful few had TV, most people tuned in on radio especially on Sundays for their favorite oldies.

I also remember Rosas Pandan was used as talent in barangay beauty pageants and amateur singing contests. It was easy to sing. It still is. Thanks to the Queen of Visayan Songs Susan Fuentes, who’s a half-Boholana-half Butuanon, who also has a string of other enduring hits to her name.

For the information of today’s generation of music-lovers, between 1970s and 1980s, Susan racked up

several No. 1 Visayan songs, including “Matud Nila” (They Say), “Gimingaw Ako” (I Feel Lonesome), “Usahay” (Sometimes), “Rosas Pandan,” She also originally recorded and popularized “Miss Kita Kung Christmas.”

Call me old, but I love listening to Susan’s authentic and uniquely poignant voice that reminds me of good times.

I like Susan’s version of “Ang Bol-anon” (originally composed by Regino Bastes Dano) which shows her clean, soulful and authentic voice. And it’s Binol-anon for using the word gaJud instead of gayud.

Kung ikaw Inday mangita'g pamanhunon, Siguro-a baya inday ang Bol-anon, Kung matuman mo suwerte ka kay ang Bol-anon buotan gajud, Magmahal kanimo hangtud sa Tagbilaran... Magmahal kanimo hangtud sa kahangturan...

Is there any difference between women of past and women of present? Yes, her song “Kagahapun ug Karun” tells why.

Kagahapun ug karun

Kadako diay sa kabalison
ang dalaga ta manggi-ulawon
moduko lang kon imo lang sud-ungon

Ang karun pagkatahum
kon tutokan mo mapahiyumon

kon halaran mo iya kang tubagon
hinay ka ra kay may tag-iya na

Ang dalaga ta karon dili daling muhilak sama kagahapon Ondo

ikaw pa hikapa ang gihay di ba mangatangtang ug mangapangtagak

Lahi ang kabulakan nga katilingbanun

Buyog magsibadsabad mata magsiplatsiplat

Mao kini ang lingla sa bag-o nga panahon
lahi ang kagahapon lahi ang karun...

Her fans, including my Mama Inday, Inday Charity and yours truly, are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Susan who died on Sept. 7 after a prolonged confinement due to a kidney ailment. She was 58.

Mama Inday has paid tribute to Susan last week. She was singing all her Awitnong Bahandi songs although Mama Inday was not hitting all the right notes with her lusty vocals and emotional stylings like Susan’s, while Inday Charity has  paid tribute to Susan in her radio program.

Well, it’s a misty-eyed Sunday morning today while listening to Visayan classic oldies.

Midag-om, midag-om na, dapit sa atong habagatan,

pagbantay-bantay mga kauban, ang timbangan dili pagbiyaan,

ayaw baya kalimot nga gikalisangan kining hangina,

 Mugisi sa layag, Muguba sa atong sakayan,

Timbang kamo, hinubig kamo, Dagan ngari, dagan ngadto,

Walay labing pait Ingon sa kinabuhing sakayanon,

 Init ug ulan , Gisawod nga walay pulupasilong,

Nia pay katugnaw, Ug kagutom pa gayud intawon,

 Giantus ang tanan,Kay gim but-an sa kapalaran...

***

Anytime now, fashion icon EJ Relampagos is flying to New York to relax.

He has been busy in wedding coordination alongside some other events like debuts, beauty pageants and fashion shows.

EJ Relampagos

EJ is planning to see famous landmarks in New York such as the Empire State Building, the 911 memorial, Statue of Liberty and American Museum of Natural History.

What will happen to EJ’s House of Fashion (along Pamaong Road, Tagbilaran City) where he has total creative responsibility for the designs and all of its collections?

“It is still open. It will continue with all my staff. But we're only accepting wedding gowns for now while I will be away,” says EJ.  

However, VRS heard that EJ was invited to design for an American singer (name not disclosed by VRS) as part of the New York Fashion Week in the US.

“He will also be there to visit some famous fashion houses and attend charming workshops in New York,” adds VRS.

Well, then, to EJ, wishing you the best in NYC! C'est la vie!

***

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

Festival of Lights, Bamboo Flowers and US Ambassador Thomas

• Bohol’s Festival of Lights, Dance of Lights

• When Harry meets Mabi and friends

• Bamboo Flowers Red Carpet on Oct. 26

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Multi-awarded Boholano lyricist and composer Jimmy Borja posted on Facebook: I want to share some good news with my FB friends. My song is the title and theme song of the new TV series "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" which will start airing first week of September 2013 on ABS-CBN (Philippines) and on The Filipino Channel (worldwide). This song is the second most recorded that I've written after "Sana Ngayong Pasko". Lani Misalucha's version was the one that made it immensely popular, and there have also been other stellar versions including Jed Madela, Martin Nievera, Nyoy Volante, etc. I still have a clear recollection of the night I wrote "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin", it was at Boy Morala's recording studio in Makati where I was the resident songwriter in the mid 90's. Jude Michael who was then a Polycosmic/Polygram artist at that time had asked me to write a song for him. I wrote it on a Korg X5 keyboard, it came together pretty quickly, I got the melody and lyrics in about an hour. I did a quick worktape/demo of it and Jude cut it on his CD. It was not a single but a few years later, it found its way to Lani Misalucha through her producer Ben Escasa who was also Jude's producer. And since then, the song just exploded. It's been a blessing, I can't thank God enough for it.

Scene: Our dear Ruth “Neneng” Udtohan (Nov. 4, 1983-Sept. 9, 2001) is lovingly remembered on her 12th death anniversary. Treasured in our hearts you'll stay, until we meet again someday.

***

Bamboo plant grows abundantly in our country. It is known for its flexibility and versatility. It can be used in making furniture, musical instruments, kitchen utensils and other items for practical use.

Courtesy: Bamboo Flowers/Facebook

I bet you didn’t know that bamboo grass bears flowers. In Loboc River, bamboo flowers are hanging like chandeliers.

But what some people probably don’t know is that when the flowers bloom, the bamboo dies.

In northeast India, the people fear bamboo flowering. According to an ancient belief, when bamboos flower, there is death and destruction.

That is what Bamboo Flowers is all about. A film by Boholano certified master director Maryo J. Delos Reyes will be screened during the Sining Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition this week.

The film’s Facebook account says, “The film talks about the youth's problems, hopes and aspirations; about love and life; about sacrifice, forgiveness and acceptance; about life and death.”

There is a popular saying, "The Filipino is as pliant as a bamboo." The bamboo is generally considered pliant, and symbolically it has been compared to the Filipino character. The Filipino character is similar to the bamboo because it has flexibility, endurance and harmony with nature. Like the bamboo grass, people bend with the wind, surviving the many trials in life.

Bamboo Flowers premieres on Sept. 8 at SM Megamall, Cinema 7 and opens at SM Theaters Nationwide starting Sept. 11. There will also be a special Red Carpet Premiere at Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City in Bohol where the film was shot in its entirety on Oct. 26.

***

Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. loves not just music but also the environment. In his visit to Bohol, he went to barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City last Friday, Sept. 6, to know the efforts done in the Mabaw Reef Pride Campaign.

Photo taken from the Twitter account of Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.

Finally, Ambassador Thomas met the famous Mabi, the clownfish mascot of Mabaw Reef, who has been making the rounds of elementary schools and other reef conservation activities in the province since 2011.

And Mabi also brought his friends, Meloy (a panther grouper or melo-melo) and Agaw (a threadfin bream fish).

The Taloto schoolkids had a great story teller as Ambassador Thomas read to them a story about the importance of marine environment.

Mabi, who has a Facebook account, posted, “I'm very excited to see you in this very significant event.”

The Mabaw Reef Pride says that it is a 84,339 sq. m. patch reef, about 3 km off the shores of Taloto, Ubujan and Manga in Tagbilaran City and home to more than eight species of Acropora corals and 70 fish species including the orange-and-white clownfish, locally known as bantay botbot. It has been declared a no-take zone marine protected area (NTZ-MPA) by the city government through an ordinance enacted in April 2006.

RARE, an international conservation organization, with its Philippine office located in Bohol, is organizing the event.

Ambassador Thomas also visited the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center and Garden Cafe. He praised Garden Cafe as he posted in his official Twitter account (@AmbHarryThomas), “Great food, better business! Eat @ #gardencafe - opportunity by and for the deaf in #bohol started by @PeaceCorps volunteers.” He also posted Garden Cafe’s menu.

 

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Ambassador Thomas said he missed Bohol.

 "Farewell #Bohol! Leaving with memories of gracious ppl, success stories from @USAID_Manila & partners @Rare_org."

Ambassador Thomas’ visit to Bohol maybe his first and last as an ambassador. US President Barack Obama has appointed Philip S. Goldberg as Thomas’s successor.

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Loon Mayor Lloyd Lopez expressed his gratitude for the huge success of this year’s Festival of Lights.

Special mentions were the organizers, participants and the Loonanons here and abroad for joining the whole event.

Courtesy: Rey Anthony Chiu

Loon’s festival of lights is one of the most important and religious festivals in Bohol calendar and a visit promises unforgettable memories.  It is one of its kind in the Philippines because the street-dancing is done at night. 

The street-dancing competition is held in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen de la Luz or Birhen sa Kasilak (Our Lady of Light). 

Unlike most street dancing competitions, which are known for their colorful costumes and props, Loon’s version is very challenging and different.

The emphasis is on the lights, how to make it move and dance.

This year’s festival had six schools and three barangays contingents. They wowed their crowd in the street-dancing...and they danced their way to the 260-year-old Nuestra Señora De La Luz Church, the biggest church in Bohol, where the contest would culminate.

Courtesy: Ric Obedencio

The people appreciated the entertainment and jaw-dropping sight of the dancing lights. The beat of the drums and lyres also added fanfare during the night.

One contingent carried sakayan with lanterns shaped like baskets and fishes. The dancers used traditional candles underneath the lanterns. The lanterns were shaped into flowers, leaves and bulbs.

Of the school-based category, declared winners were: Sandingan National High School (grand winner), Sta. Teresa High School (first runner-up) and University of Bohol- Loon (second runner-up).

A fireworks display capped the event.

Take a bow, Mayor Lloyd Lopez!

Take a bow, Mr. Reigh Monreal and friends for a job well done!

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