As the New Year approaches, it seems like every year is
dubbed “a year like no other.” But 2017 truly was more dramatic than many other
years in recent memory.
In the last 12 months, we faced terrorism, discovered new
attractions and talked about shocking feats and deaths.
From the murder of an environmentalist lawyer, to
downfall of power couple, to Abu Sayyaf infiltration in the province and Miss
Universe beauties, take a look back at the key moments of 2017, as they were
reported by your trusted VRS.
A GOOD START
The New Year started with the formal installation rites
of Bishop Alberto Uy as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran at the St.
Joseph Cathedral. It was officiated by His Excellency Archbishop Bernadito
Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
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| There can be no doubt that 2017 will be remembered as one of the most eventful years in Bohol’s history. |
The month of January also saw young Boholano talent Julia
Faith Joaquin into the road of stardom as she sang her way to the semi-finals on ABS-CBN’s Tawag ng Tanghalan
(TNT).
MISS U FEVER IN BOHOL
So, while you and I were sleeping, Miss Universe 2016 Pia
Alonzo Wurtzbach had a whirlwind visit to Bohol last Jan. 23 to shoot a video
for the Department of Tourism to be used for the Miss Universe 2016 coronation
night on Jan. 30. Since it was a surprise visit, many fans were dismayed they
didn’t get to see her since there was no Miss Universe event staged in Bohol.
Speaking of Miss Universe 2016, your VRS was the only
media personality from Visayas and Mindanao who was invited during the strictly
by-invitation red carpet event. Your VRS had the chance to interview the
candidates, former beauty queens, judges and performers of the 65th Miss
Universe a few hours before the grand coronation event.
“There is no formula to winning...it is being at the
right time and the right place and the right judges,” said Miss Universe 1973
Margie Moran.
The 66th Miss Universe held in Las Vegas was over but the
Miss Universe fever in the Philippines has not subsided yet. Last December 8,
Miss Universe 2017 candidates- Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, Miss Russia
Kseniya Alexandrova and Miss Malaysia Samantha James, visited Bohol for at
least six hours.
CLASHES
The vigilance of ordinary residents prevented the Abu
Sayyaf Group (ASG) to establish a base in Bohol. Children reported the presence
of armed men and the quick-thinking of a habal-habaldriver helped the
government troops locate the remaining members and killed them.
PEOPLE WE’VE LOST IN 2017
We will missed environmental activist, health advocate
and visionary-leader Zenaida Darunday who paved the way to countless
earthkeeping advocacies in Bohol, strongly opposed the controversial
"water and power deal” and prevented the entry of GMOs here.
We bid farewell to Bohol’s Queen of Tourism Rose Soy who
paved the way for the now booming Bohol tourism in her capacity as a travel
specialist; educator and businesswoman Dr. Cristeta Balili-Tirol who co-founded
the Victoriano D. Tirol (VDT) Advanced Learning Center and Cristel-E;
andVictoria Migriño Chatto, who once served as town mayor of Balilihan.
We bid adieu to two bishops- Rev. Juan De Dios Pueblos, D.D., who served as
bishop of the Diocese of Butuan for 22 years; and retired bishop Christian Vicente
Fernandez Noel, the first bishop of the Diocese of Talibon for nearly 28 years.
We dearly missed our media colleague broadcast journalist
Nestor B. Daarol, the man behind the popular radio program “Silab sa Udtong
Tutok.”
MIA GREEN
Residents of Bohol province were plunged into shock and
disbelief when environmental and human rights lawyer Mia Manuelita
Mascarinas-Green was ambushed on Feb. 15 inside her car in front of her three
children- aged 10 and two-year old twins and a nanny. Her death hit the province hard. The alleged suspect, Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga,
was arrested after hiding for months.
"I'm happy they made an arrest, it is a welcomed
news to all of us who are seeking justice for her death," said Pat Ruiz,
one of the convenors of the “Justice for Atty. Mia Kalinaw sa Bohol Movement.
BONIEL CASE
The Boniel case left Bohol residents in shock and grief
with the news that the body of Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel was
thrown into the sea after she was allegedly killed by her husband Niño
Rey. The Boniel couple had a promising
political career especially that they looked good together and had good
credentials. When they got married in
2015, their constituents thought it was a union made in heaven. Although Niño Rey and Gisela were seen
together in public functions, their marriage started to rock in December last
year.
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| A look back at some of the most people we've said goodbye to. |
LONGER DARKNESS
Many residents
vented their frustration on social media when a power outage happened in Bohol
after an earthquake hit Leyte province which damaged power sources.
“Almost four years since the Yolanda blackouts and yet it
seems that we didn't learn something from it at all,” said Daisy Jane
Sajulga-Galve on Facebook. “Having our own source of electricity should have
been the number 1 priority of this province.”
Residents affected by the power outage also lost flowing
potable water. Many residents in Tagbilaran City were carrying their containers
as they lined-up to wait for their turn to get water from the water tankers
sent by the city government to ration water to the affected areas.
Resort owners and operators in Panglao Island, the
province’s tourism jewel, said the tourism industry was also affected by the
power outage. “Now that Leyte is
affected, Bohol is also affected. They have to not only listen now, they have
to learn not only to learn but to work now because this happened thrice
already,” said Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan.
BOHOL BEAUTIES & BRAWN
Unlike in Tagbilaran City which holds barangay level
search for Miss Tagbilaran in advance to find the finest girl, Tubigon and
other towns have discovered beauty queens effortlessly and learned how
serendipitous things can be. Miss Tubigon Pauline Amelinckx was crowned Miss
Bohol 2017, the third beauty queen from this town to conquer the crown.
Boholana beauty shone in the national pageant as Miss
Bohol 2016 Glyssa Perez was crowned first princess in the Miss
World-Philippines 2017.
Carlo Roy Roslinda was chosen as Mister Earth Philippines
2017. He will represent the Philippines in the inaugural Mister Earth
International.
PINOY AQUAMAN
Environmental lawyer and triathlete Ingemar Macarine,
also known as the “Pinoy Aquaman,” failed to conquer the English Channel, the
“Mt. Everest” for open swimming. He was about 3.8 km (2.3 miles) from Dover,
United Kingdom when his swim was stopped because of bad weather. Macarine said
he would come back in 2018 to fulfil the ultimate swim of his life.
MAGNIFICO!
ALA Gym’s undefeated Jessel Mark Araula Magsayo defended
his WBO International Featherweight title against Japanese challenger Shota
Hayashi during the main event of Pinoy Pride 43: The Battle in Bohol. Magsayo,
also called Magnifico, has remained undefeated, improving his record to 18-0
with 13 knockouts.
NEW ATTRACTIONS
The local government unit of Ubay transformed the old
dumpsite in Barangay Imelda into something “touristic.” Celosia and coxcomb
flowers are grown at Ubay Green Park and Techno Center. Here, plastic bottles
and car ties were turned into pots and decorations reminding residents and
visitors to “reuse, recycle and reduce.”
The Jardin Necitas in a hilltop in Barangay Bagumbayan,
Pilar town is adorned with 15,000 multi-colored tulips and 5,000 red and white
roses made of plastic.
In Getafe town, at least 1,200 umbrellas were hoisted
high above the town plaza of Getafe providing shade and an amazing sight
similar to the hundreds floating parasols in a street in Agueda, Portugal.
The “Lovely Place,” at the peak of Barangay Sua in
Inabanga town has 30,000 leatherette red, heart-shaped anthurium flowers. Here,
one can view the “Sea of Clouds,” the Chocolate hills and Cebu City.
HEROES FOR TODAY
Corporal John Romulo Caresosa Garcia of San Miguel town
was one of the 13 Marines who were killed on June 9 in a 16-hour firefight
against Maute group members in Marawi City.
He was given a posthumous military merit award for his gallantry in
action. “The only thing I could say was my grandson was a good man who was gone
too soon,” said Conrada Caresosa, Garcia’s grandmother.
Tales of heroism have emerged in the aftermath of the Las
Vegas mass shooting. Winifredo Balbido
Maquindang, 66, a taxi driver in Las Vegas was hailed as a hero during the Las
Vegas mass shooting, which left 58 people dead and more than 500 injured.
Maquindang loaded six wounded victims in his taxi and took them to the
hospital, speeding through red lights to make sure they got treated as soon as
possible.
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