Wake-uppers:
Scene: The 176 exhibitors from the different parts of the country for the 13th Sandugo Trade Expo 2018. “ This will sustain the operation of micro small and medium enterprises for the next year. It means job, income and employment in the countryside,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Visayas Director Aster Caberte.
Scene: Joshua Lillehagen of Calape town was crowned Sandugo Festival King 2018. He also received the awards: Mister Social Media, Darling of the Crowd, Best in Raja Si Katuna Costume and Best in Sandugo Festival Costume.
Scene: At least 500 members from different groups and cause-oriented organizations gathered last Monday, July 23, in Ubay town to hold a protest rally against various issues and grievances in time of President Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona). According to Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon (Humabol) Secretary General Nelson Lumantas, they gave Duterte a failing grade, as they burned his image.
Scene: Residents of Barangay Booy in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, celebrated the “Koja Festival 2018” last Tuesday, July 24 at Caingget Beach. Koja, a coral clam, is a popular delicacy in Bohol province. Highlights of the festival were koja cooking, tuba (coconut wine) drinking and swimming contests. The event was graced by Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, Councilors Jonas Revil Cacho, and Dodong Gonzaga. Congratulations to Booy Council headed by Captain Violy Ayeng. Cheers to koja divers and vendors!
Scene: With art ranging from paintings, sculptural works, performance arts and installations, the Philippine Visual Arts Festival (PVAF) in Bohol 2018 was one of the most intriguing events hosted in this city in time for the province’s Sandugo Festival. It gave visitors the opportunity to explore the culture and talent of Boholano artists and other artists from the country. “Expressive, lots of emotions are featured,” said BISU-Tagbilaran Education student Jamielaine Butawan. Butawan, 19, a resident of Cortes town, came to see the exhibit at the Island City Mall together with her friends Kathleen Jean Ayuban and Neil Amplayo. “The art here said a lot about the artists from Bohol and other regions and how diverse everyone really is,” added Butawan.
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Everyone is still in frenzy over the recently concluded Miss Bohol 2018 pageant. However, not everyone was happy for the newly crowned Miss Bohol.
Miss Tagbilaran Raclaire Stephan Trigo beat out first runner-up Miss Maribojoc Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte and other 19 contestants at the pageant at Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in the capital city of Tagbilaran.
However, instead of the usual cheering, the audience booed the judges' decision, making it known that crowd favorite Miss Maribojoc’s first place wasn't good enough.
“It was a déjà vu,” Bohol Pageantology 101 page on Facebook posted. In 2015, Miss Tagbilaran Eda Cimafranca who won the crown was also booed by the audience.
But this year was so deafening that audience booed and heckled at the winner.
The treatment of the Tagbilaran beauty queen was nothing personal. It had more to do with the city's sometimes “tense” relationship with its powerful northern neighbor.
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| Miss Bohol 2018 Raclaire Stephan Trigo and Miss Bohol 2018 first runner-up Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte are real beauty queens. Contributed Photos/Gerald James Cabal/Miss Bohol |
Trigo’s winning added to the theory that the Tagbilaran always is favored, a homecourt advantage, and a cooking show.
However, Trigo kept her poise like a true beauty queen during the coronation despite the boos and chants of "Maribojoc! Maribojoc!" that drowned out the moment.
The pageant emcees (whose voices were decibels down) and organizers didn’t step in and tell the crowd to calm down and respect the winner as the process was hard and stressful.
People have taken to social networking sites to vent out their frustrations.
Trigo did not comment publicly after the contest. The organizers have yet to issue a statement.
But what was disaster was the so-called “Walk of Shame” which was the most talked about in the social media.
Normally it should be the top 5 only who should be publicly announced to give a graceful exit to those who did not make it. The organizers, however, changed the usual thrill of calling the top 5 . Instead, the 16 candidates were called one by one to bid goodbye.
“Where you can see a beauty pageant which insulted directly or indirectly the candidates by way of announcing first those who did not make it? You have insulted the candidates, their families their supporters and friends. How cruel and rude of you,” former society writer Gisela Mae “Jiji” Apalisok expressed her disgust on the walk of shame.
A beauty expert Papa Jack told VRS that the show tried to inject a new concept and it was not a “Walk of Shame” but a “thank you message.”
“If you’re watching a reality TV show or an America’s Top Model, that’s it. However, the Boholanos are not yet ready to embrace a new style,” said Papa Jack.
Others said that the “walk of shame” was rubbing salt to an injury and also an upfront to the towns.
The admins of Bohol Pageanthology 101 suggested that they shall assign a municipality to be the host for Miss Bohol every year. “Through this we can boost the tourism of Bohol. Ang mga lungsod nindot ang mga gym nila. For example, next year, Ubay will be the venue of Miss Bohol. If Miss Bohol is promoting culture, heritage, and tourism, then let the venue go around Bohol,” they said.
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| Miss Bohol 2018 Raclaire Stephan Trigo (center) and her court- (l-r) Miss Bilar Jesseth Nez Pasagad (3rd runner-up), 2nd Runner Up - Miss Dauis Hannah Cemine (2nd runner-up), Miss Maribojoc Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte (1st runner-up) and Miss Ubay Anasela Zarisa Gaviola (4th runner-up). Contributed Photo/Gerald James Cabal/Miss Bohol |
US-based socialite and beauty pageant expert Mikey Gatal said there was nothing wrong with the new concept.
“In a positive way, it was not a ‘Walk of Shame’ for me because for sure the girls were briefed about that part of the pageant and they all agreed to that,” Mikey told VRS.
“As I have seen the video, they actually had given the opportunity to thank their supporters and not just clappers and totally be forgotten who they were after top 5 will be called right away, though time consuming but, I love the idea. Let’s all be happy, respect judges decision and others opinions,” he said.
Pageant fans also expressed their support for Trigo, saying she was the real winner in their hearts.
On his Facebook account, Crommuel Salitrero said that Trigo answered and delivered her thoughts with dignity, grace and pride. He said it’s not about the perfect answer but it’s always God’s will.
“When people booed her but still stood up and finish the fight with grace and confidence,” said Salitrero whose comment was shared many times on Facebook.
Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal said that the bashing hurt and wounded the hearts of the people directly behind the show’s conceptualization and execution.
“God knows how difficult it is to mount a show of such magnitude. There might have been lapses but clearly the intention was not to malign nor degrade the girls,” Raul posted on Facebook.
Miss Bohol 2018 third runner-up Jesseth Nez Pasagad said she blessed to have met such equally beautiful, smart and talented ladies.
“To Miss Bohol 2018, Raclaire Stephan Trigo, you’ve accomplished so much at such a young age and I am proud of you. May you have a meaningful reign,” Pasagad posted on Facebook.
Time to move on and support Trigo’s reign.
It’s like a sick leave for all those afflicted with “Miss Bohol Fever.”
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Mayor Che for Congress
The 2019 mid-term elections is promising to be exciting as several “veteran” and newbie politicians have signified their intention to run.
Former Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio-Delos Reyes revealed her plan to run for congressman for the third district of Bohol.
She declared, “Yes, I am definitely running. I am 100 percent sure!”
Mayor Che added, “My intention is clean. It’s the same genuine service from me because I just want to serve the people of the third district of Bohol.”
Mayor Che is known for the beauty soap “Beauche.”
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| Former Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio-Delos Reyes is ready to run for Congress. Leo Udtohan |
She said she has nothing to fear and worry.
“God is with me and the people are with me,” she said.
Last Thursday, July 26, Mayor Che organized the Federalism and Anti-illegal Drugs Summit in Carmen town. It was attended by at least 2,000 participants- mayors, vice mayors, barangay captains, kagawad, Sangguniang Kabataan officials, senior citizen and 4P's beneficiaries - from the third district towns.
Mayors who attended the event were Dimiao Mayor Danny Guivencan, Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Tita Galentes, Guindulman Mayor Ben Balo, Ubay Mayor Constan Reyes, Sevilla Mayor Juliet Dano, Anda Mayor Angelina Cimacio, and Pilar Mayor Eugene Datahan. Also present were Batuan Mayor Yes Tirol-Dumagan.
Speakers who talked about federalism and anti-illegal drugs campaign were Department of Social Welfare and Development acting secretary Virginia "Gee" Orogo, Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño, Rep. Francisco Datol, lawyer Aimee Torrefranca Neri and former Laguna Governor ER Ejercito III.
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King Cesar’s Burger at Cesar’s Place
Where to find the best buns and patties in the province?
Take a clue from teen singer Darren Espanto who said that the best burger in town is in Bohol.
It was two years ago when Darren told burger lovers that 717 Cesar Place along CPG North Avenue (Phone: (038) 501 0785) has the delicious bun you don’t want to miss. In fact, when Darren was asked to weigh in on his favorite burger he firmly asserted, “King Cesar’s Burger.”
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| Tourism and hospitality expert Ariel Llanos of 717 Cesar Place shows the signature “King Cesar’s Burger” which has a delicious sweet kick. Leo Udtohan |
But it took me two years to experience it for myself.
“Yummy! When I took the last bite of “King’s Cesar Burger” last Wednesday.
It was the hotel’s supervisor Ariel Llanos who told me that their burger is deep and real.
“The Cesar Place’s resto has burgers to tantalise every taste bud, no matter what you’re craving,” said Ariel, an tourism and hospitality expert.
Each burger comprises a home-made beef patty with Mozarella cheese pickled onions, egg, fresh mushrooms on a sesame seed bun. It is served with a side options of cheese fries and a sweet sauce.
Ariel also said that 717 Cesar Place, which is owned by Cesar Maluenda, offers 20 affordable and clean rooms.
Since it opened in 2016, it is managed by Camille Maluenda.
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