20th BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations

Explore the nominations for this year's BAFTA Games Awards, celebrating the very best games of 2023 and the talent who made them.

The 20th BAFTA Games Awards take place on Thursday 11 April, live on major social and streaming platforms around the world at 19.00 BST / 14.00 ET / 11.00 PT

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ANIMATION

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertawinment Plc./Epic Games

HI-FI RUSH Development Team - Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

HOGWARTS LEGACY Development Team - Avalanche Software/Warner Bros. Games

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Nathan Dunlap, David Nam, Thomas Cannell - Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

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ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team - Larian Studio/Larian Studio

COCOON Development Team - Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

DIABLO IV Development Team - Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment

FINAL FANTASY XVI Hiroshi Minagawa, Kazuya Takahashi, Naoki Kurihara - SQUARE ENIX - Creative Business Unit III/SQUARE ENIX

HI-FI RUSH Development Team - Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

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AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE III Matt Grimm, Eric Wedemeyer, Robbie Elias - Sledgehammer Games/Activision

HI-FI RUSH Development Team - Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Development Team - Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

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BEST GAME

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team - Larian Studio/Larian Studio

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

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BRITISH GAME

CASSETTE BEASTS Development Team - Bytten Studio/Raw Fury

DEAD ISLAND 2 Development Team - Dambuster Studios/PLAION

DISNEY ILLUSION ISLAND Development Team - Dlala Studios/Disney

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2024 Development Team - Sports Interactive/SEGA Europe

VIEWFINDER Development Team - Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

WARHAMMER AGE OF SIGMAR: REALMS OF RUIN Development Team - Frontier Developments/Frontier Developments

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DEBUT GAME

COCOON Development Team - Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

DREDGE Development Team - Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL Development Team - Summerfall Studios/Humble Games

VENBA Abhijeeth Swaminathan, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan - Visai Games/Visai Games

VIEWFINDER Development Team - Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

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EVOLVING GAME

CYBERPUNK 2077 Development Team - CD PROJEKT RED/CD PROJEKT RED

FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE Development Team - Creative Business Unit III/Square Enix

FORTNITE Development Team - Epic Games/Epic Games

FORZA HORIZON 5 Development Team - Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios

GENSHIN IMPACT Development Team – HoYoverse/HoYoverse

NO MAN’S SKY Development Team - Hello Games/Hello Games

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FAMILY

COCOON Development Team - Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

DISNEY ILLUSION ISLAND Development Team - Dlala Studios/Disney

HI-FI RUSH Development Team - Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

HOGWARTS LEGACY Development Team - Avalanche Software/Warner Bros. Games

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

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GAME BEYOND ENTERTAINMENT

CHANTS OF SENNAAR Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel – Rundisc/Focus Entertainment

GOODBYE VOLCANO HIGH Development Team - KO_OP/KO_OP

TCHIA Phil Crifo, Marilou Lopez-Aguilera, Thoanë Thomadra – Awaceb/Kepler Interactive

TERRA NIL Development Team - Free Lives/Devolver Digital

THIRSTY SUITORS Development Team - Outerloop Games/Annapurna Interactive

VENBA Abhijeeth Swaminathan, Sam Elkana, Shahrin Khan - Visai Games/Visai Games

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GAME DESIGN

COCOON Development Team - Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

DREDGE Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn - Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

VIEWFINDER Development Team - Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

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MULTIPLAYER

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team - Larian Studio/Larian Studio

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE III Development Team - Sledgehammer Games/Activision

DIABLO IV Development Team - Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment

FORZA MOTORSPORT Development Team - Turn 10 Studios/Xbox Game Studios

PARTY ANIMALS Development Team - Recreate Games/Source Technology

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

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MUSIC

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

ASSASSIN’S CREED MIRAGE Development Team – Ubisoft/Ubisoft

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Borislav Slavov - Larian Studio/Larian Studio

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 John Paesano, Scott Hanau, Keith Leary - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Gordy Haab, Stephen Barton - Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

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NARRATIVE

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team - Larian Studio/Larian Studio

DREDGE Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorne - Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

FINAL FANTASY XVI Kazutoyo Maehiro, Michael-Christopher Koji Fox - SQUARE ENIX - Creative Business Unit III/SQUARE ENIX

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Stig Asmussen, Aaron Contreras, Dori Arazi - Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

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NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

CHANTS OF SENNAAR Julien Moya, Thomas Panuel – Rundisc/Focus Entertainment

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

DREDGE Development Team - Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

HI-FI RUSH Development Team - Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

JUSANT Development Team - DON'T NOD/DON'T NOD

VIEWFINDER Development Team - Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

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PERFORMER IN A LEADING ROLE

AMELIA TYLER as Narrator in Baldur’s Gate 3

CAMERON MONAGHAN as Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

NADJI JETER as Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

NEIL NEWBON as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3

SAMANTHA Béart as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3

YURI LOWENTHAL as Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

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PERFORMER IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

ANDREW WINCOTT as Raphael in Baldur’s Gate 3

DEBRA WILSON as Cere Junda in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

RALPH INESON as Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon in Final Fantasy XVI

SAM LAKE as Alex Casey in Alan Wake 2

TONY TODD as Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

TRACY WILES as Jaheira in Baldur’s Gate 3

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TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team - Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

FINAL FANTASY XVI Ryota Suzuki, Yasuhiro Yanamoto, Kei Honda - SQUARE ENIX - Creative Business Unit III/SQUARE ENIX

HORIZON CALL OF THE MOUNTAIN Development Team - Guerrilla and Firesprite/Sony Interactive Entertainment

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team - Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team - Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

STARFIELD Development Team - Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda Softworks

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EE PLAYERS' CHOICE AWARD (voted for by the public) 

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Larian Studio/Larian Studio

CYBERPUNK 2077 CD PROJEKT RED/CD PROJEKT RED

FORTNITE Epic Games/Epic Games

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

LETHAL COMPANY Zeekerss/Zeekerss

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

 

7 March 2024:  Nominations are correct at the time of going to print. BAFTA reserves the right to make changes to the names listed at any time up until 11 April 2024. 

                                          

Tagbilaran residents watch total lunar eclipse with awe

By Leo Udtohan

Instead of fearing the total lunar ecplise on Tuesday night,  Jessa Mae Jala was excited to watch the celestial event.

Jala, 9, a Grade 3 student of Booy South Elem. School in Tagbilaran City, was with her cousins and neighbors while watching the eclipse. 

Most of them tried to capture the moon but their phone registered great photos.

It seemed the ecplise appeared like a red dot. 

Instead they contended themselves  watching the phases of the eclipse. 

"It looks amazing because I see it actual which is taught by our teacher in school," said Jala while watching the total lunar eclipse or bloodmoon. 

Some residents went to the Old Tagbilaran Airport to have a nice view of the ecplise. 

Vera Villocido, who teaches Earth and Space at Holy Name University, said that an awe-inspiring event like the total lunar ecplise gives students a great opportunity to engage in practical sky watching.

Total lunar eclipses occur when the moon traverses Earth's shadow and the entire moon is covered. Partial lunar eclipses occur when the moon does not pass completely into Earth's shadow.

State weather bureau Pagasa said aside from the Philippines, the total lunar eclipse was also visible in other countries in Asia, Australia, North America, parts of Northern and Eastern Europe, and most of South America. 

For Bohol-based Wiccan Starhawk, who requested to be identified this way, eclipse symbolically means things being hidden in sight. He said the air during eclipse are filled with intense spiritual impurities.

"It's great to stay indoors. Just medidate and pray," he said.

He said eclipses not really a good time for charging, and for planning business and travel.

The next total lunar eclipse won't happen until September 8, 2025. 

Oscars 2022: Full List of Winners

And the Oscar goes to...

During Sunday's 94th Oscars, The Academy, hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes and a who's who of celebrity presenters announced this year's winner. Heading into the evening, The Power of the Dog led the Oscars pack with 12 total nominations, followed by Dune with 10.

The ceremony took place on March 27, at the Oscars' traditional home at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and airing live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

Below, find all the winners from the 2022 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

"Belfast" (Focus Features)

A TKBC Production

Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers

"CODA" (Apple Original Films)

A Vendôme Pictures/Pathé in association with Apple Original Films Production

Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

"Don't Look Up" (Netflix)

A Netflix/Hyperobject Industries Production

Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

"Drive My Car" (Sideshow and Janus Films)

A C&I Entertainment/Culture Entertainment/Bitters End Production

Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer

"Dune" (Warner Bros.)

A Legendary Pictures Production

Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers

"King Richard" (Warner Bros.)

A Star Thrower Entertainment/Westbrook Production

Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers

"Licorice Pizza" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer/United Artists Releasing)

A Ghoulardi Film Company Production

Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers

"Nightmare Alley" (Searchlight)

A Double Dare You Production

Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers

"The Power of the Dog" (Netflix)

A See-Saw Films/Bad Girl Creek/Max Films in association with Brightstar/The New Zealand Film Commission/Cross City Films/BBC Film Production

Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers

"West Side Story" (Walt Disney)

A 20th Century Studios Production

Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role

Javier Bardem in "Being the Ricardos"

Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Power of the Dog"

Andrew Garfield in "tick, tick...BOOM!"

Will Smith in "King Richard"

Denzel Washington in "The Tragedy of Macbeth"

Actor in a Supporting Role

Ciarán Hinds in "Belfast"

Troy Kotsur in "CODA"

Jesse Plemons in "The Power of the Dog"

J.K. Simmons in "Being the Ricardos"

Kodi Smit-McPhee in "The Power of the Dog"

Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"

Olivia Colman in "The Lost Daughter"

Penélope Cruz in "Parallel Mothers"

Nicole Kidman in "Being the Ricardos"

Kristen Stewart in "Spencer"

Actress in a Supporting Role

Jessie Buckley in "The Lost Daughter"

Ariana DeBose in "West Side Story"

Judi Dench in "Belfast"

Kirsten Dunst in "The Power of the Dog"

Aunjanue Ellis in "King Richard"

Animated Feature Film

"Encanto"

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

"Flee"

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

"Luca"

Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren

"The Mitchells vs. the Machines"

Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht

"Raya and the Last Dragon"

Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

Cinematography

"Dune" — Greig Fraser

"Nightmare Alley" — Dan Laustsen

"The Power of the Dog" — Ari Wegner

"The Tragedy of Macbeth" — Bruno Delbonnel

"West Side Story" — Janusz Kaminski

Costume Design

"Cruella" — Jenny Beavan

"Cyrano" — Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran

"Dune" — Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan

"Nightmare Alley" — Luis Sequeira

"West Side Story" — Paul Tazewell

Directing

"Belfast" — Kenneth Branagh

"Drive My Car" — Ryusuke Hamaguchi

"Licorice Pizza" — Paul Thomas Anderson

"The Power of the Dog" — Jane Campion

"West Side Story" — Steven Spielberg

Documentary (Feature)

"Ascension"

Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy and Nathan Truesdell

"Attica"

Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry

"Flee"

Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie

"Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein

"Writing with Fire"

Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

Documentary (Short Subject)

"Audible"

Matt Ogens and Geoff McLean

"Lead Me Home"

Pedro Kos and Jon Shenk

"The Queen of Basketball"

Ben Proudfoot

"Three Songs for Benazir"

Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei

"When We Were Bullies"

Jay Rosenblatt

Film Editing

"Don't Look Up" — Hank Corwin

"Dune" — Joe Walker

"King Richard" — Pamela Martin

"The Power of the Dog" — Peter Sciberras

"tick, tick...BOOM!" — Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum

International Feature Film

"Drive My Car"

Japan

"Flee"

Denmark

"The Hand of God"

Italy

"Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom"

Bhutan

"The Worst Person in the World"

Norway

Makeup and Hairstyling

"Coming 2 America" — Mike Marino, Stacey Morris and Carla Farmer

"Cruella" — Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon

"Dune" — Donald Mowat, Love Larson and Eva von Bahr

"The Eyes of Tammy Faye" — Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

"House of Gucci" — Göran Lundström, Anna Carin Lock and Frederic Aspiras

Music (Original Score)

"Don't Look Up" — Nicholas Britell

"Dune" — Hans Zimmer

"Encanto" — Germaine Franco

"Parallel Mothers" — Alberto Iglesias

"The Power of the Dog" — Jonny Greenwood

Music (Original Song)

"Be Alive" from "King Richard"

Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

"Dos Oruguitas" from "Encanto"

Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

"Down To Joy" from "Belfast"

Music and Lyric by Van Morrison

"No Time To Die" from "No Time to Die"

Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell

"Somehow You Do" from "Four Good Days"

Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

Production Design

"Dune"

Production Design: Patrice Vermette, Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos

"Nightmare Alley"

Production Design: Tamara Deverell, Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

"The Power of the Dog"

Production Design: Grant Major, Set Decoration: Amber Richards

"The Tragedy of Macbeth"

Production Design: Stefan Dechant , Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh

"West Side Story"

Production Design: Adam Stockhausen , Set Decoration: Rena DeAngelo

Short Film (Animated)

"Affairs of the Art"

Joanna Quinn and Les Mills

"Bestia"

Hugo Covarrubias and Tevo Díaz

"Boxballet"

Anton Dyakov

"Robin Robin"

Dan Ojari and Mikey Please

"The Windshield Wiper"

Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Short Film (Live Action)

"Ala Kachuu - Take and Run"

Maria Brendle and Nadine Lüchinger

"The Dress"

Tadeusz Łysiak and Maciej Ślesicki

"The Long Goodbye"

Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed

"On My Mind"

Martin Strange-Hansen and Kim Magnusson

"Please Hold"

K.D. Dávila and Levin Menekse

Sound

"Belfast" — Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri

"Dune" — Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

"No Time to Die" — Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor

"The Power of the Dog" — Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb

"West Side Story" — Tod A. Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson and Shawn Murphy

Visual Effects

"Dune" — Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer

"Free Guy" — Swen Gillberg, Bryan Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis and Dan Sudick

"No Time to Die" — Charlie Noble, Joel Green, Jonathan Fawkner and Chris Corbould

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" — Christopher Townsend, Joe Farrell, Sean Noel Walker and Dan Oliver

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" — Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

"CODA" — Screenplay by Siân Heder

"Drive My Car" — Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe

"Dune" — Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth

"The Lost Daughter" — Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal

"The Power of the Dog" — Written by Jane Campion

Writing (Original Screenplay)

"Belfast" — Written by Kenneth Branagh

"Don't Look Up" — Screenplay by Adam McKay , Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota

"King Richard" — Written by Zach Baylin

"Licorice Pizza" — Written by Paul Thomas Anderson

"The Worst Person in the World" — Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier

Will Smith issues apology to Chris Rock

'I am embarrassed'. 

Actor  Will Smith has issued an apology for striking presenter Chris Rock at Sunday's Academy Awards.

In a post on Instagram on Monday afternoon, Smith called his behavior "unacceptable and inexcusable."

Chris Rock had earlier made a joke about Pinkett Smith being in “G.I. Jane” because of her bald head. Pinkett Smith announced last year she shaved her head after struggling with alopecia. After smacking Rock in the face, Smith yelled at him, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” The Oscar audience, and viewers on social media, were stunned by Smith’s slap, which seemed like a comedic skit at first. The incident took place during the presentation of best documentary feature, which was a few categories before best actor. Smith addressed the slap immediately upon taking the stage to accept the award.

Here's the full statement: 

Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.  

 

I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

 

I am a work in progress.

Sincerely,

Will

The Academy says it "Does Not Condone Violence" after Will Smith smacks Chris Rock

The Academy took to social media to address Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars Altercation. 

"The Academy does not condone violence of any form," the Twitter statement, posted early March 28, read. 

"Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."

The award show moment, which left viewers around the world stunned, instantly went viral online, even leading some to speculate that it had been planned.

Later on during the telecast, a tearful Will apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees after being awarded the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Venus Williams and Serena Williams' father, Richard Williams. With a report from EOnline 

Will Smith apologizes to the Academy for slapping Chris Rock

As viewers were still processing an incident in which Will Smith walked onstage at the Oscars and slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith, the King Richard star was announced as the night’s Best Actor winner.

Will Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow best actor nominees in his winning acceptance speech, shortly after he went onstage and slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. He did not address Rock in his speech.

“I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of ‘King Richard,’ Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams,” Smith said in his tearful acceptance speech.

Rock had earlier made a joke about Pinkett Smith being in “G.I. Jane” because of her bald head. Pinkett Smith announced last year she shaved her head after struggling with alopecia. After smacking Rock in the face, Smith yelled at him, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” The Oscar audience, and viewers on social media, were stunned by Smith’s slap, which seemed like a comedic skit at first. The incident took place during the presentation of best documentary feature, which was a few categories before best actor. Smith addressed the slap immediately upon taking the stage to accept the award.

“ Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I got to protect Saniyya and Demi, the two actresses that played Venus and Serena,” he said, as he began to tear up. “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. You got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business you got to be able to have people disrespecting you. And you got to smile and you got to pretend like that’s okay.”

After the incident with Rock, Smith’s publicist Meredith O. Sullivan, Oscar producer Will Packer and best actor nominee Denzel Washington came by to talk to Smith during the commercial breaks. In his speech, Smith revealed what Washington said to him.

“Thank you, Dee. Denzel said a few minutes ago, ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the Devil comes for you,'” Smith said.

Despite the shocking moment that had just taken place, Smith kept the end of his speech light and joked about being invited back to the Oscars.

“To my mother — a lot of this moment is really complicated for me — but to my mother, she didn’t want to come out. She had her knitting friends; she has a knitting crew that she’s in Philly watching with. Being able to love and care for my mother and my family, my wife — I’m taking up too much time. Thank you for this honor. Thank you for this moment. And thank you on behalf of Richard and Oracene [Price] and the entire Williams family. Thank you. I hope the Academy invites me back,” Smith said before exiting the stage.

94th Oscars to feature 1st live performance of 'We Don' t Talk Abour Bruno' from 'Encanto'

LOS ANGELES, CA – “Encanto” cast members Adassa, Stephanie Beatriz, Mauro Castillo, Carolina Gaitan and Diane Guerrero, along with Becky G and Luis Fonsi, will perform “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto” on the 94th Oscars®, show producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan announced today.  This will be the first live performance of the song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is nominated for Best Original Song for “Dos Oruguitas,” also from “Encanto.”

The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT and in more than 200 territories worldwide.  American Sign Language (ASL) provided by Certified Deaf Interpreters, live closed captioning and audio description will be available during the live broadcast.

94th Oscars Governors Ball brings something new to the table with Chef Wolfgang Puck and Ghetto gastro collaboration

LOS ANGELES, CA – Chef Wolfgang Puck and Wolfgang Puck Catering will return to create the menu for this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ official post-Oscars® celebration, which will immediately follow the 94th Oscars ceremony on Sunday, March 27.  The team will collaborate on menu items with Bronx-based culinary collective Ghetto Gastro.  Merging food, fashion, music, art and design, Ghetto Gastro’s work masterfully blends influences from the African diaspora, global South ingredients and hip-hop to create offerings that address race, identity and economic empowerment.

“Chef Wolfgang Puck and his masterful team raise the bar with each Governors Ball, and this year will be no different,” said Academy governor and Awards Committee chair Jennifer Todd.  “We’re thrilled to welcome the extraordinary talents of Ghetto Gastro to the table.  Together, Wolfgang and the Ghetto Gastro collective will create an inspired culinary experience for our Oscars guests.” 

“Every year we look to find ways to keep things new, fresh and fun,” said Wolfgang Puck.  “The Oscars Governors Ball is an event where food, fashion, culture, cinema and music collide.  To celebrate this convergence, we couldn’t think of a better partner than Ghetto Gastro.”

The menu will feature new, imaginative dishes from Wolfgang Puck Catering alongside such guest favorites as smoked salmon Oscars and spicy tuna cones.  Ghetto Gastro’s Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao and Lester Walker will complement the offerings with their own action station in addition to several passed menu items throughout the night. 

“At Ghetto Gastro, we have a saying, ‘WE ONLY LAYER FLAVORS’ (W.O.L.F.) – so we feel it’s only right that we collaborate with the great Wolfgang Puck to create an Oscars Governors Ball unlike any before.  Wolf Gang activity,” said Gray, co-founder of Ghetto Gastro. 

“This is a first-of-its-kind collaboration that breaks boundaries and brings a new flavor to the Oscars Governors Ball,” said show producer Will Packer.  “The Ghetto Gastro Collective, Wolfgang Puck and Academy teams embraced this dope alliance, which is all about uniting people in a true celebration of film AND food.”

To complement the food, the Governors Ball also will feature a variety of beverages. Champagne Fleur de MIRAVAL—the only Champagne house exclusively devoted to Rosé Champagne—will be poured along with two limited-edition Francis Ford Coppola Wines in honor of the 94th Oscars. Acclaimed mixologist Charles Joly will again curate a selection of Tequila Don Julio specialty cocktails.

The Governors Ball will take place in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of Hollywood & Highland® immediately following the Oscars broadcast.

The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards

Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Javier Bardem in "Being the Ricardos"
• Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Power of the Dog"
• Andrew Garfield in "tick, tick...BOOM!"
• Will Smith in "King Richard"
• Denzel Washington in "The Tragedy of Macbeth"

 

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Ciarán Hinds in "Belfast"
• Troy Kotsur in "CODA"
• Jesse Plemons in "The Power of the Dog"
• J.K. Simmons in "Being the Ricardos"
• Kodi Smit-McPhee in "The Power of the Dog"

 

Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Jessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"
• Olivia Colman in "The Lost Daughter"
• Penélope Cruz in "Parallel Mothers"
• Nicole Kidman in "Being the Ricardos"
• Kristen Stewart in "Spencer"

 

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Jessie Buckley in "The Lost Daughter"
• Ariana DeBose in "West Side Story"
• Judi Dench in "Belfast"
• Kirsten Dunst in "The Power of the Dog"
• Aunjanue Ellis in "King Richard"

 

Best animated feature film of the year

• "Encanto" Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer
• "Flee" Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie
• "Luca" Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren
• "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" Mike Rianda, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Kurt Albrecht
• "Raya and the Last Dragon" Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho

 

Achievement in cinematography

• "Dune" Greig Fraser
• "Nightmare Alley" Dan Laustsen
• "The Power of the Dog" Ari Wegner
• "The Tragedy of Macbeth" Bruno Delbonnel
• "West Side Story" Janusz Kaminski

 

Achievement in costume design

• "Cruella" Jenny Beavan
• "Cyrano" Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran
• "Dune" Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan
• "Nightmare Alley" Luis Sequeira
• "West Side Story" Paul Tazewell

 

Achievement in directing

• "Belfast" Kenneth Branagh
• "Drive My Car" Ryusuke Hamaguchi
• "Licorice Pizza" Paul Thomas Anderson
• "The Power of the Dog" Jane Campion
• "West Side Story" Steven Spielberg

 

Best documentary feature

• "Ascension" Jessica Kingdon, Kira Simon-Kennedy and Nathan Truesdell
• "Attica" Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry
• "Flee" Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Monica Hellström, Signe Byrge Sørensen and Charlotte De La Gournerie
• "Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)" Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein
• "Writing with Fire" Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh

 

Best documentary short subject

• "Audible" Matt Ogens and Geoff McLean
• "Lead Me Home" Pedro Kos and Jon Shenk
• "The Queen of Basketball" Ben Proudfoot
• "Three Songs for Benazir" Elizabeth Mirzaei and Gulistan Mirzaei
• "When We Were Bullies" Jay Rosenblatt

 

Achievement in film editing

• "Don't Look Up" Hank Corwin
• "Dune" Joe Walker
• "King Richard" Pamela Martin
• "The Power of the Dog" Peter Sciberras
• "tick, tick...BOOM!" Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum

 

Best international feature film of the year

• "Drive My Car" Japan
• "Flee" Denmark
• "The Hand of God" Italy
• "Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom" Bhutan
• "The Worst Person in the World" Norway

 

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling

• "Coming 2 America" Mike Marino, Stacey Morris and Carla Farmer
• "Cruella" Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne and Julia Vernon
• "Dune" Donald Mowat, Love Larson and Eva von Bahr
• "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh
• "House of Gucci" Göran Lundström, Anna Carin Lock and Frederic Aspiras

 

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• "Don't Look Up" Nicholas Britell
• "Dune" Hans Zimmer
• "Encanto" Germaine Franco
• "Parallel Mothers" Alberto Iglesias
• "The Power of the Dog" Jonny Greenwood

 

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• "Be Alive" from "King Richard"
  Music and Lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
• "Dos Oruguitas" from "Encanto"
  Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda
• "Down To Joy" from "Belfast"
  Music and Lyric by Van Morrison
• "No Time To Die" from "No Time to Die"
  Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell
• "Somehow You Do" from "Four Good Days"
  Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

 

Best motion picture of the year

• "Belfast" Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers
• "CODA" Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
• "Don't Look Up" Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
• "Drive My Car" Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer
• "Dune" Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers
• "King Richard" Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers
• "Licorice Pizza" Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers
• "Nightmare Alley" Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers
• "The Power of the Dog" Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers
• "West Side Story" Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

 

Achievement in production design

• "Dune" Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos
• "Nightmare Alley" Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau
• "The Power of the Dog" Production Design: Grant Major; Set Decoration: Amber Richards
• "The Tragedy of Macbeth" Production Design: Stefan Dechant; Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
• "West Side Story" Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Rena DeAngelo

 

Best animated short film

• "Affairs of the Art" Joanna Quinn and Les Mills
• "Bestia" Hugo Covarrubias and Tevo Díaz
• "Boxballet" Anton Dyakov
• "Robin Robin" Dan Ojari and Mikey Please
• "The Windshield Wiper" Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

 

Best live action short film

• "Ala Kachuu - Take and Run" Maria Brendle and Nadine Lüchinger
• "The Dress" Tadeusz Łysiak and Maciej Ślesicki
• "The Long Goodbye" Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed
• "On My Mind" Martin Strange-Hansen and Kim Magnusson
• "Please Hold" K.D. Dávila and Levin Menekse

 

Achievement in sound

• "Belfast" Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri
• "Dune" Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett
• "No Time to Die" Simon Hayes, Oliver Tarney, James Harrison, Paul Massey and Mark Taylor
• "The Power of the Dog" Richard Flynn, Robert Mackenzie and Tara Webb
• "West Side Story" Tod A. Maitland, Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Andy Nelson and Shawn Murphy

 

Achievement in visual effects

• "Dune" Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer
• "Free Guy" Swen Gillberg, Bryan Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis and Dan Sudick
• "No Time to Die" Charlie Noble, Joel Green, Jonathan Fawkner and Chris Corbould
• "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" Christopher Townsend, Joe Farrell, Sean Noel Walker and Dan Oliver
• "Spider-Man: No Way Home" Kelly Port, Chris Waegner, Scott Edelstein and Dan Sudick

 

Adapted screenplay

• "CODA" Screenplay by Siân Heder
• "Drive My Car" Screenplay by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe
• "Dune" Screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth
• "The Lost Daughter" Written by Maggie Gyllenhaal
• "The Power of the Dog" Written by Jane Campion

 

Original screenplay

• "Belfast" Written by Kenneth Branagh
• "Don't Look Up" Screenplay by Adam McKay; Story by Adam McKay & David Sirota
• "King Richard" Written by Zach Baylin
• "Licorice Pizza" Written by Paul Thomas Anderson
• "The Worst Person in the World" Written by Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier
  

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Thank you!

2018 year in review: Stories that moved us

After another eventful year, VRS revisits the stories that moved us – the big news and the moments we can't stop talking about.

RARE PHENOMENA

Nature is mysterious and unpredictable, and often leaves us open-mouthed at the inexplicable manifestations of its power.

Last Jan. 31, stargazers, occultists and Wicca followers witnessed the rare triple moon phenomenon - the “super blue blood moon.”

The “super blue blood moon” was the first time that a blue moon (two moons within the same month), a super moon (a full moon that comes as close to the earth as it can in its orbit), and a lunar eclipse (also known as a blood moon) happened simultaneously after 150 years.

Edward Guyano, a media personality, was waiting for the rare celestial event that graced the skies. He gathered his crystals and other gems for cleansing, blessing and renewal of power since many occultists considered the phenomenon a night of compounded lunar activity. 

In Ubay town, residents were treated to a rare phenomenon o May 16 when the sun appeared surrounded by a halo of light.

The rare solar halo circling the sun has a natural explanation: It is formed due to high clouds.  Scientists call it the halo because it has an approximate radius of 22 degrees from the sun.

Residents of Pilar town were surprised at a hailstorm last August 24. Witnesses said it lasted for only about five minutes. The residents were surprised of the hail, the size of a corn kernel.

It was the second time that a hailstorm had occurred in the town. The first hailstone happened in March 1964. 

NATURE’S FURY

Nature humbled us. On Feb. 13, Typhoon “Basyang” also flooded several houses in Duero and Guindulman towns.  The flood and mud also damaged the desks, chairs, teaching materials and student records at the Guinsularan High School and Guinsularan Elementary School (Annex) .

More than 300 people were in Candijay town when the typhoon crossed the province. At least 180 hectares (444.79 acres) of rice have been damaged or destroyed.

The typhoon drenched Tagbilaran City overnight but caused no widespread flooding. The sprawling capital of 105,000 people has been hit hard by floods in some areas because of poor infrastructure and clogged drainage and water canals.

“Basyang” also destroyed some roads and bridges in Guinacot Bridge in Guindulman and Abachanan in Sierra – Bullones town.

Farmers have been complaining of lack of rain that has affected at least 6,000 hectares of rice fields in Bohol, considered the rice bowl of Central Visayas.

PROUD GRADUATE AT 69

For 69-year-old Virgilio Ganade Penticase, it’s never too late to go back to school and take home a diploma.

He was the oldest graduate in the school’s history — a distinction made even more remarkable by his inclusion in the pioneering batch of senior high graduates under the K-12 education reform program.

As he walked across the stage to accept his diploma, everyone cheered.   Others watched through tears as the entire Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) Class of 2018 stood to cheer on him.

And even though he would be 70 to start his college in June 2018, he has no plans to stop chasing his dreams.

 “I'm 69 years old. If I could do it, they could do it. All they have to do is keep going and don't give up," he said.  

NEW ATTRACTIONS

The town of Loon has plenty of other intriguing attractions to offer to its visitors. People visit the town to see the “Coral Garden” in Barangay Tangnan which offers new exhilarating experience.

 The red orange color which gives a panoramic view are not because of corals but of the sun-loving purslane (ulasiman or ngalog) wild plants which naturally grow in the area, declared as geological monument, after the 2013 earthquake.

 Locals called the perennial herbs as “bilang” (Blutaparon portulacoides) of the Amaranthaceae family.  It looks like Portulaca (ulasiman or pigweed species).

“Hugot” lines?  Loon town has many of them.  The “Tajang Pass Causeway and Mangrove Garden Road” on Sandingan Island would also bring flashbacks of failed loves and embittered  “hugot” lines (emotional quotations).

The sadder, the better.  It hurts, you know! The funnier, the best. It melts your heart!

The Loboc Wildlife and Nature Park in Barangay Bonbon Upper houses a little over a hundred species of animals roaming on one-hectare of natural environment in an interior mountain village of Loboc town.

WE LOVE BEAUTY PAGEANTS

Whether catwalking or simply talking, Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman has a magical way of charming and endearing herself to people, so down-to-earth, and thus grounded, that you want to hug her.

When she was approaching the group of well-wishers, it was noticeable that she was much lovelier in person. Our admiration strengthened when she spoke to us in her thick Bisaya accent.

“I always look forward to visit Bohol. It’s home for me,” said the 25-year-old beauty queen.

She first joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2012 at the age of 19 and made it to the top 12 of the national beauty pageant and was also named Miss Photogenic of the batch.

Another Boholana, Miss Bohol 2017 Pauline Amelinckx was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas - Miss Global Beauty Queen  2018. Pauline will be representing Philippines for Miss Global Beauty Queen 2018 which will be held in Seoul, Korea in May 2019.

In the early ’70s, local organizers would comb the entire town for beautiful women of good moral character and entice them to join the search Miss Loboc until it folded in 1990s. In its returned last May, Erika Limbago was crowned Miss Loboc 2018.  Incidentally, Erika’s mother, Cynthia was crowned Miss Loboc many years ago.

We love Miss Bohol, don’t we?

Not everyone was happy for Miss Tagbilaran Raclaire Stephan Trigo who was crowned as Miss Bohol 2018. 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.

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 bashed the pageant’s segment, “Walk of Shame,” the most talked in the social media after they have taken to social networking sites to vent out their frustrations

 “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.

Others said that the “walk of shame” was rubbing salt to an injury and also an upfront to the towns. It was an idea patterned after reality TV show or an America’s Top Model that Boholanos are not yet ready to embrace a new style.

US-based socialite and beauty pageant expert Mikey Gatal defended the organizers saying there was nothing wrong with the new concept.

Pageant fans also expressed their support for  Trigo, saying she was the real winner in their hearts. 

In the world of modeling, Danica Joy Mahumot, 17, was the first and only Boholana who competed in the “Catwalk Philippines Modelling Competition 2018.”  She was discovered last year while swimming in Caingget Beach.

PEOPLE WE’VE LOST

Acclaimed director Maryo Jarolan delos Reyes—Direk Maryo J to many—had thoughts of retiring in his mother's hometown in Alicia where he owned several pieces of property. But Direk Maryo didn’t make it home. He died on Jan. 27 after suffering a heart attack.

The industry began an outpouring of grief and remembrance immediately after news of his death.  The director’s reputation and generosity evidently touched those across his life.

His critically acclaimed drama films were "Magnifico" (2003) which received the Crystal Bear in the 2004 Berlin International Film Festival, "Naglalayag" (2004) which garnered major awards in the 2004 Manila Film Festival, the box-office hit "A Love Story" (2007) and his last film "The Unmarried Wife" (2016).

Despite the fame and recognition, Direk Maryo remained grounded and level- headed.

“He felt he was really Boholano even though he was born in Manila,”  said Gerry Lugod, close friend of Direk Maryo.

Direk Maryo made an effort to showcase local talents and promote Bohol when he directed movies such as “Nandito Ako,” “Nagmamahal Sa’yo” and “Bamboo Flowers” which were entirely shot in Bohol.

Tributes to former Sevilla Mayor Ceferino Digal began pouring in within minutes following the news of his death last Aug. 9.   His youngest daughter Marie Karen Joy Digal said that it was such a healing gift to be surrounded by  people who love and respect his father.  “Daddy, you were always there when I needed you, and I know you are still with us now. Remember that I will always be ‘Daddy's Little Girl’,” she said.

Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell “Sample” Tirol was killed by unknown suspects inside the cockpit arena he owned.

Police are considering politics, business, and personal conflict as possible motives behind the killing of Tirol, 38, a bachelor, and a scion of a political family in Bohol.

The death of multi-awarded sharp-shooting cop SPO1 Adonis De Los Amantes Dumpit shocked the entire region as he was killed in a buy bust operation on June 27 in a joint operation by the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bohol.

Ma. Ella Amores, 45, the live-in-partner Dumpit, believed Dumpit was ambushed. But NBI-Bohol head Rennan Augustus Oliva denied Amores’ said it was a legitimate operation that they had monitored Dumpit’s illegal activities.

Oliva  also stressed that the information that Dumpit was a “narco police” first came from the police and not from NBI.

CELEBRITY WEDDINGS

Boholano actress Rich Asuncion and her longtime boyfriend, Filipino-Australian rugby player Benjamin Mudie, tied the knot in Hong Kong last May 28. 

Her family and a few close friends -- Gerry Lugod, former beauty queen and reporter Mayumi Lugod-Ortiz, actress Cathy Remperas, April Recio, Vanessa Ramirez-McLaughlin and Kikoi Busalla –have flown to Hong Kong to witness the union, which took place at the Hong Kong Marriage Registry.

 “It was an intimate, beautiful wedding and Rich looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress,” said Gerry.

After getting married, the couple had a celebration on a yacht.

Another Boholano actress, former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and GMA star Cathy Remperas, finally tied the knot with her non-showbiz beau Edmar de Luna last Oct.

Before their wedding, the couple flew to Tuscany, Italy for their prenuptial photos and videos. 

TWO MAYORS IN PANGLAO

 We found ourselves embroiled on Panglao town having two mayors. 

Embattled Panglao Mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero returned to office on Sept. 10 even without a DILG order, triggering a confusion since the town had two mayors. 

Employees were confused when they were confronted by the sight of two officials  attended the weekly flag-raising ceremony.

Tension worsened when the office of Fuertes was cemented by unidentified men to prevent him from reporting. The incident was under investigation by NBI. 

On Oct. 29, Montero, reclaimed her position as town mayor after the Court of Appeals granted her appeal.

Speaking of Panglao,  the island was the next target of President Duterte's marching orders to shut down erring resorts. The DENR said it is suffering from environmental problems because of unregulated development, lax enforcement of laws, and continued surge in tourist arrivals.

COLORFUL CANDIDATES

 We exercised our rights, voting in the barangay elections.   But we were excited on the filing of the certificates of candidacy COCs.

Clad in a Barong Tagalog and black pants, Santos Amaga Abella, 56, a farmer from Dagohoy town, filed his certificate of candidacy  at the provincial Comelec office.

He said he wanted to run for senator but he didn’t have enough financial resources to go to Manila and file his COC.

But he said his dream to be a senator could wait.

When comedian Roberto Gloria Reyes, popularly known as “Amay Bisaya,” entered the office to file his candidacy, he tickled our fancies and funny bones.

Reyes, 60, and a native of Tubigon town, filed his certificate of candidacy for governor  against  Rep. Arthur Yap of Bohol’s 3rd district and resigned Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr.

“I am more qualified (to be the next governor). You cannot be an actor if you’re crazy,” he said.

Reyes was confident that he would be able to beat Evasco and Yap.

NEW AIRPORT

After three decades, the once “airport in the sand” became a reality.

The P7.8-billion Panglao Island International Airport, renamed Bohol Panglao International Airport, was inaugurated last Nov. 27.

The airport would be the country’s first eco-airport to be dubbed “Green Gateway to the World.”

 Tourism makes up 90 percent of Bohol’s industry and tourists are expected to swell with the new airport. 

 Bohol officials consider the new airport an economic landmark and a game changer for the province’s progress.

SURVIVORS

Then, we ended the year with the news that  PO3 Gifredo Hampac and Reynaldo Felisilda survived two days at sea by thinking of Christmas. They drifted at sea for two days and were rescued by a fisherman in Zamboanga del Norte, about 140 nautical miles from Bohol.

Hampac was hugged tightly by his wife, Anecita upon his arrival in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Saturday night (Dec. 22), grateful to be alive.

***

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

Thank you, Miss U Catriona

While on her way back to the Philippines today from Bangkok via a private plane, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray signed the fan sign for your VRS facilitated by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho.

Gray said she loves Bohol and wishes to return to the beautiful paradise island when her schedule permits.

Gray enjoyed some downtime in Bohol last April 2018, stopping by Baclayon Church to celebrate the Lord's resurrection before hitting the beaches of Panglao.

More than the “lava walk” that she has popularized, it was her intelligence that helped Catriona clinch the country’s fourth Miss Universe crown.

Thank you, Catriona Gray. Bohol loves you, too!

I was supposed to cover the coronation night but something came up. Well, your VRS was happy for the fan sign.

My own 'recycled' Christmas list

Ania kami

‘Ning gabii sa among pagdaygon

Ug hinaut pa

nga kaninyo dili makatugaw;

Pasko karun

panahon, panahon sa kalipay

kay natawo na

ang manunubos sa kalibutan.

Sa alas dose ang takna,

may natawo sa pasungan;

ginatagna ug ginatuohan,

Manunubos sa kalibutan.

—Alas Dose by Susan Fuentes

Sumad karon, ang kalibutan nagpangilin
Ngano kaha natawo ang batang buotan gayud
Kinsa siya, wa ba iilhi
Siya manunubos sa yuta nga karon mikunsad gikan sa langit

Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sayawan ta ang bata
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, sa makalingaw nga hadla
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
Ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayo.

Pasko na usab, sayawan ta ang bata,
Pasko na usab, sa makalingaw nga hadla,
Basin na man lang sa sunod unya nga katuigan
Padangaton ta ug ma-angkon tang maayong kalawasan
Ring-kin-ding kin-ding, hina-ot unta nga magpadayon
ang pagbati ta ug ang atong pagkamalipayon.

—Sumad Karon by Susan Fuentes

Christmas is only two sleeps away.

Here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos inspired by  Alas Dose and Sumad Karon, a Bisayan Christmas songs by Queen of Visayan Songs, the late Susan Fuentes, which open today's VRS.

When I was young, Christmas was simplier. Happier.  Alas Dose and Sumad Karun are two of my most favorite Visayan Christmas carols. These songs bring back so many childhood memories as many kids sang this in the neighborhood.

Since we are celebrating Christmas, here’s my own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos.

Nice or naughty? My own list of "recycled" gifts to my favorite Boholanos. Contributed Photos

Here they are:

-For Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman— The sash and crown in Miss Intercontinental 2019! Gallman is an icon of female beauty, wit and success.  Karen was born in Barangay Fatima in Ubay town to Gavin William Gallman, a retired Australian soldier, and Ubay native Editha Bayonas.

-For Mutya ng Pilipinas - Miss Global Beauty Queen Pauline Amelinckx— The big prize, crown and sash in Miss Global Beauty Queen! Pauline will be representing Philippines for Miss Global Beauty Queen 2018 which will be held in Seoul, Korea in May 2019. A native of Tubigon town, Pauline is a woman of power and grace, commitment and intelligence, style and substance.

-For Miss World Philippines First Princess 2017 Glyssa B. Perez —A victory in Miss World-Philippines 2019. More modelling stints and endorsements.

-For Bebei Tagoctoc — Hair majesty deserves a grand vacation in Thailand or Europe.  Hurray to the  "The Mother of All Hair and Make-up Artists in Bohol.”

-For Ingemar Macarine — More swims here and abroad to promote clean seas and marine environment. I hope the “Pinoy Aquaman” can conquer (finally!) the English Channel in 2019.

-For Boholano film producer/writer Achinette Joy Villamor—More award-winning films in 2019.   Her film, “Balangiga: Howling Wilderness,” won several awards and accolades here and abroad. Another wish for her, a good sleep.

-For Peddy Bolanio and Glee Orcullo — An explosive radio show in 2019. They can invite “interesting,” “daring,” “talkative," and “controversial” local guests to spice up the program.  Speaking of Glee, I hope she will continue to write love songs to describe her aching heart.

-For Glorivic Yap-De La Serna— Another European trip to broaden her travel experience! Same for JP Maslog,

-For Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin- Strength of character to overcome challenges and to continue advocacies.

-For Mila Lim — More Santa Claus and other Christmas stuffs to fill her “Most Christmassy House” in Bohol.

-For AR De La Serna— To achieve what he keeps in his career.  After all, the country’s first Mister Supranational did prove to the world that Boholano men can flaunt!  Same for Carlo Roy Roslinda, the Mister Earth International 2017.

-For Mikey Gatal — A holiday with his special someone.

-For Butch Bernas and Jeycelle Espejo-Inting —Unwavering dedication for preservation of cultural heritage. Same for Edison Gumapac. 

-For  Fred Araneta, Chito Visarra, Anthony Aniscal, Allen Doydora, Lito Responte, Bob Galero  and Ted Ayeng— More  interesting, more explosive segments of their radio programs with interesting and “controversial” guests. Same for   Allan Mangmang,  Doc Louie,  Rey Tutas, Willy Maestrado, Dave Responte, Fred Amora, Ern Pahayahay, Atoy Cosap, Jun Gutierrez, Ven Arigo, Angie Valencia, et al.

-For Loboc Children’s Choir— Performances here and abroad to show to the world what hidden talents we have. Same for Alicia Bamboo Ensemble, Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, Loboc Youth Ambassador, Katipunan Elem. School Rondalla, HNU Diwanag Dance Troupe, HNU Chorale and Bohol Master Singers

-For  Shanon Pamaong , Maximiel Tallo, EJ Relampagos, Mikee Andrei, Omie Auza, Jong Magallano, , Henry Baron, Tracy Remolador Torres, Aileen Sendrijas, Roxanne Monton— They can establish a school of fashion to train young designers. And they can start the New Year with fashion shows to display their artistic collections.

-For PO3 Janew Villame— An album to showcase his singing prowess. The grandson of Yoyoy Villame, has composed the “Oplan Tokhang” theme song.

-For Ryan Sines, EP Relampagos, Ramil Dolauta, Rholly Ingking, Jonathan Ocat,  Tamara, Donna Vitos, Nina Jasmine Cadeliña,et al — A “hairy” year to beautify Bohol!  Oopps, more projects para sa ekonomiya! Same for Gerry Lugod and Emerson Pinos.

-For Ardy Araneta- Batoy — A round-trip ticket to Europe and America where the Bohol’s Queen of All Media can relax and enjoy the world. 

-For Dalareich Polot— A scholarship at Oxford University! A busy year for Bohol’s Chocolate Princess  who will go to Japan to receive the Best Entrepreneurship Award from The Takeda Foundation that highly evaluates her unique project and gives her the Selection Committee Special Award.  “I want Bohol chocolates to be in the world chocolate map,” she quipped.

-For Mizken Tirol-Andan— A hot partner to color the new year.  Same for Anthony Ceniza and Jhoel Lim.  

-For Lailette Boiser and TinTin Ng — A showbiz break.  More challenging roles in teleseryes and movies to showcase their natural acting.  Same for  Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito and Fenech Aimee Veloso.

-For Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado and Atty. Marie Nickie Bolos— Wedding bells! Wedding bells!  Same for Vanessa Cubrado and her beau and Jethro Imboy and Joan Cajes.

For Dr. April Lumuthang-Froilan (of Touch of April) and Arch. Junibe Froilan— A long-delayed stork’s visit.  Same for  Dr.  Aleksander  and Jessa Ylanan, Fred Namoc and Nice Tirol  and Eden Descallar and Mikel Ceballos.

-For Inday Rufing— A busy, busy career to tickle our funny bones.  And.... a colorful lovelife!

-For Queenie Melody Fullante— A hot boyfriend! It’s about time to love someone after a busy career.

Everything is softer and more beautiful this Christmas
 in the “Most Christmassy Places” in Bohol province.
Photos  by Leo Udtohan

-For Center Stage Band—  More gigs, more music and a new album. Paging, Ariel Fullido!

-For Roger Magtagad (aka Nicole Khim Gonzales)  and Rhigel Dulfo ­— Hone the potentials of more young talents.

-For Gian Luigi Ale, Kimpoy Mainit, Humfrey Nicasio and Hannah Precillas— A one night concert in Bohol. Of course, a big break to showcase their singing prowess!

-For Rich Asuncion— To savor the joys of motherhood.

-For Willy Ramasola and Edik Dolotina — Their reputation for fierce, honest, and open-minded questions made them attractive in the social media.  More years of thought-provoking questions and analyses.

-For Lutgardo Labad and Marianito Luspo— A busy, busy good year to share their talents. Same for John Torralba, Joey Labrador, Glenn Lumantao, Sam Penaso and Ralph Maligro.

-For  Tessie Labunog-Sumampong, Marilou Dumaluan, Miss Bohol International 2012 Mary Ebone Cimafranca-Ong and Miss Bohol 2001 Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado— Success in their business endeavors.  Same for Walter and Leslie Ramirez and Tina and Alexander Dumas.

-For Anna Maris Igpit and Tommy Taylor—Another “joint venture”! Same for Benjie and Atty. Joan Oliva, Rebecca Lusterio and Thomas Mejiso, David Maulas and Jenissa Laguda Peteros, Abdul Wallace and Chandrina Elluiska Schreurs-Wallace, and Doxson Asoy and Karen Digal. Remember, the nights are cold!

-For Danica Joy Galon — A promising modelling career.  She was the only contestant from Bohol in Catwalk Philippines Modelling Competition 2018.

-For Rosalinda Paredes, Vera  Villocido-Gesite, Emilia Roslinda, Pat Ruiz,  Atty. Kins Aparece, Salvio Makinano, Judge Raul Barbarona, Mightee Palo, Maria Fe Evasco,  Dorris Dinorog-Obena, Liza Macalandag, Isidore Ancog, Ellen Gallares, Lester Ouano, Michael Canares and Regina Macalandag—More developmental work/projects/contracts for social change.  Same for Clement Paulinel Ingking in his advocacy for the Global Ecobricks Alliance towards environmental protection and Bohol’s mermaid Jammy Ungab for cleaner seas.

- For those who are running in 2019 elections (you know who you are), a big goodluck in the political arena.

VRS is wishing you a bountiful Christmas. May all your hopes and wishes be fulfilled to the utmost.

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Bishop Uy welcomes young people to ‘Simbang Gabi’

 Despite the recent call of President Rodrigo Duterte for Catholics not to attend Mass, many of them filled churches in the predominantly Catholic province of Bohol for the first of the nine-day Simbang Gabi, or Misa de Gallo, on Sunday, Dec. 16.

Parishioners arrived early at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran for the first Misa de Gallo at 4:30 a.m.

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy said he was happy young people were going to church.

At least 2,000 parishioners, mostly young, attended the Mass. Others had to stay outside the church to hear the mass.

“Pinagga sila sa Ginoo. Pinangga sila sa Simbahan. Matagaan og kahigayunan nga ilang kusog ug talento magamit kang Kristo diha sa iyang Simbahan,” he said.

[God loves them. The Church loves them. They will be given a chance to use their strength and talents for Christ in His Church. ]

According to Uy, 2019 has been declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines as the Year of the Youth.

“Our young people don’t need a Church which is judgmental. They don’t want a judgmental church. What they want is a church which is willing to accompany them to their way to God,” Uy said.

He also challenged parishioners to affirm their faith in Christ.

“We are challenged to share what we have to others,” he said. “Dili ta mamintaha. Dili ta manikas. Dili ta mangurakot.”

[We should not take advantage of others. We should not cheat. We should not steal.”

Many parishioners wish to finish the nine-day masses either with a wish or special intention to ask.

“Whatever goal you have, I think that is the key. Whatever goal you have in the first Mass, it is the key,” Wincesa Araoarao, a resident of Graham Avenue, said.

Others said it was a thanksgiving of life.

“It is about thanksgiving and looking back to the blessings that we have in 2018, as well as looking forward to what we become of us in 2019,” said Fiel Gabin.

After the Mass, seminarians from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary rendered Christmas songs for the parishioners.

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

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