3 Miss Universe 2017 beauties enjoy ‘brief’ stay in Bohol

Wake-uppers:

Scene:  Sikatuna town is among Bohol’s most charming tourist attractions. It turned 100 last Dec. 5. “We’ve celebrated well as a community, our 100th year celebration was a great success,” said Mayor Jose Ellorimo. A strong working relationship with his fellow public servants, an effective strategic plan for the municipality and the close connections made with residents highlighted the three terms of Mayor Ellorimo.  He said he felt one of the most rewarding parts of being mayor was being able to look back at what’s been accomplished.

The girls get a warm welcome at Bohol Beach Club.

Leo Udtohan

Scene:  The “Lovely Place” is Bohol's newest tourist attraction!  Found in Barangay Sua, Inabanga town, it offers a breathtaking view of the world famous Chocolate Hills, Sea of Clouds and Cebu! And there’s more... the “30,000 magical and lighted anthurium” are “planted” here.  More about “Lovely Place” next week.

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Is tarsier a monkey?

Miss Universe 2017 candidates- Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, Miss Russia Kseniya Alexandrova and Miss Malaysia Samantha James- were asked by tour guide Cristopher Boncales of the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO) when they visited a tarsier and wildlife sanctuary in Bohol province last Friday, Dec. 8.

Bohol is perhaps most famous for the tiny tarsiers, one of the smallest primates in the world.

The tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is already a tourist symbol. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Philippine tarsier as a near threatened species. 

The crystal clear water and white sand on 

Panglao Beach leave Miss Universe 2017 candidates--- 

Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, Miss Russia Kseniya Alexandrova

 and Miss Malaysia Samantha James--- spell-bound 

as they visited Bohol province on Friday, Dec. 8. Leo Udtohan

Although tarsier is mistaken as a monkey because of its features, Boncales said tarsier is not a monkey but actually a primate.

“Wow, it’s so cute,” they said when they saw the timid tarsier hiding in one of the trees inside the 8.4 hectare of the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Barangay (village) Canapnapan in Corella town.

James shared they had a tarsier in Malaysia.

The Philippine tarsier is commonly found on Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao.

“What happened if I will touch a tarsier?” asked Peters.

Boncales said the Miss Universe beauties were so “inquisitive” that they wanted to more about Bohol.

Peters, Alexandrova and James arrived in Bohol at 10:40 a.m. on Friday.  They were met my local officials, BTO and Department of Tourism (DOT)- Central Visayas and fans at the Tagbilaran Airport. They proceeded to People’s Mansion where they met acting Bohol vice-governor Benjie Arcamo, Bohol first lady and Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto, provincial administrator Ae Damalerio and provincial legal officer lawyer Mitchell John Boiser.

Miss Russia Kseniya Alexandrova and 

Miss Malaysia Samantha James hit the beach! Leo Udtohan

They were given a raffia, a native product of Bohol and a copy of the book “The Bohol We Love”.

After brunch, the Miss U beauties did not waste any time taking in the beauty of the place.

They went to the tarsier sanctuary in Corella town. They just stayed there for half an hour and proceeded to Bohol Beach Club on Panglao Island, known for its pristine and white-sandy beaches.

Alexandrova and James were spell-bound as they swam in the crystal waters of Panglao. They also took a banana boat ride, another fun and popular activity in the island.

Although they stayed only for five hours before their 3:30 p.m. private flight to Manila, they said they enjoyed their stay.

“I love it. Really. It’s my first time in Asia and I am so happy that I started in Philippines,” said Alexandrova.

She said she fell in love with the beauty of the Philippines.

“It’s so beautiful, it’s so different in my country. I really enjoyed, I really loved it. It’s so beautiful. People here (are) too kind,” she added.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Samantha told the girls while having her mango shake on the beach.

Miss Russia Kseniya Alexandrova  (with your VRS) 

on Bohol: ‘I’m falling in love with this fabulous paradise. ‘ 

Photo courtesy: Mike Ligalig 

Peters, who visited Bohol twice, agreed, “The best part after Vegas.”

Boncales said the beauties wanted to see more of Bohol.

“Unfortunately because of the time element kinapus ng oras. Kaya naghihinayang kasi they wanted to see more of the island especially the beaches and of course the Chocolate Hills,” said Boncales.

But for Alexandrova, she said she had a good reason to come back.

“I will definitely come back,” she said.

“And I will bring my friends,” she quipped.

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

Early favorites of Sikatuna 2013 candidates

Wake-uppers:
Seen: Jose F. Lacaba is the U.P. Gawad Plaridel Awardee for 2013.

Scene: Tomorrow, July 1, is the first day of office of all elected officials. In Tagbilaran City, it is also a non-working special public holiday as Tagbilaran celebrates its 47th charter day. Blogger Edik Dolotina posted on Facebook: May you remember why you are elected into public office.
Scene:  Island City Mall's "Voices of Champions" winners: Alma Mida Golosino (champion), Mecerdita Quiachon (first runner-up) and Tom Cesar Vergara (second runner-up).
 
Scene: A tarsier was found at the Forbes Park in Makati and died a day before it was going to be flown home. Tarsiers, which are not endemic to Luzon, was smuggled out of Bohol or in the provinces of Samar, Leyte, and also in Eastern Mindanao. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has identified the Philippine tarsier as a near-threatened species, with its population decreasing rapidly. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) said that keeping wildlife is illegal, except among registered breeders and wildlife farms. It added that keeping tarsiers as pets is highly unadvisable because tarsiers are highly strung and sensitive.
 
Scene: PIA-Bohol planted a total of 93 indigenous trees including the all-time-favorite saguimsim, tugas and secondary growth forest trees in time for the Arbor Day, June 25.

Courtesy: Emerson Pinos

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Long before the current male beauty pageants flooded the market, in the '80s-90's there was a male beauty pageant in Bohol— the Ginoong Filipinas-Bohol— franchised and organized by fashion diva Maximiel Tallo, with hot looking men, some of whom were from buena familia.

The search produced winners who became models and product endorsers. However, in a sudden turned of events, the  Ginoong Filipinas- Bohol had its last show in 1997 which featured the collection of Cebu-based designer Protacio.

Courtesy: Emerson Pinos

"I can't remember who won the title," revealed VRS.

But what some people probably don’t know is that the Capitol official photographer Raymund Buslon was a candidate of Ginoong Filipinas-Bohol in 1997 and even declared second runner-up  and a special awardee.

"We all know that Raymund is not the type of a person who like that thing but he was there.  His mestizo looks were uncoventional but unarguably gorgeous that made him a runner-up," added VRS.

Courtesy: Emerson Pinos

After 16 years, a new male pageant is born. This time, it is called Sikatuna: Rajah sa Bohol (is it the answer to Hari ng Negros, a popular male pageant in the country which started in 2003 as Ginoong Canlaon, a city in Oriental Negros?)

But who's this Sikatuna who was a rajah (king) in Bohol?

History has it that Sikatuna (real name was "Katuna" but "Si" was added to his name as this is a nominative marker for a Filipino) was a datu or lord in Bohol, who made a blood compact and allianced with the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. It's the same Sikatuna in The Order of Sikatuna, a national order of diplomatic merit of the Philippines. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.

The Sikatuna: Rajah sa Bohol commitee says: In celebration of this year’s 25th Sandugo Festival, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) - Boholana Kisses will showcase the first-ever SIKATUNA: Rajah sa Bohol – the quest for the most stunning young Boholano that truly represents the personality and physical attributes of Rajah Sikatuna. This activity plays a very significant factor in commemorating our grassroots who has been a big role in putting Bohol into the world map. This activity aims to preserve its importance and also promotes local tourism.

Buslon. Courtesy: Emerson Pinos

The search is over and fifteen (15) of the hottest men in the province will compete for the title.

The candidate from Getafe is an early frontrunner, a big favorite for the title especially because of his impressive pageant portfolio.

Twenty-year-old Danilo Torcendes, who stands 5'11, already represented his town in ICM modeling contests and fashion shows and attempted to become a youth ambassador in Mister and Miss Teen Bohol 2010 (which was revived last year) contest. He only landed until the top 12, but the experience proved to be invaluable.

Other early favorites (with 500+ Facebook likes) for Sikatuna are Neil Namuag  of Albur and Jericho Castro of Tagbilaran City.

The talent night is on July 19 at the Tagbilaran Tourist Port, while the grand coronation is on July 26, 7 p.m. at the Bohol Cultural Center. For tickets and inquiries, please call +639-0844-58604.

Teleserye lines we can't forget

If there are unforgettable movie lines, there are teleserye lines that are memorable. Remember the classic Pinoy movie lines, “You’re nothing but a second-rate trying hard copy cat!” (Cherie Gil in Bituing Walang Ningning) and “Walang himala!  Tayo ang gumawa ng himala!” (Nora Aunor in Himala)? I'm sure fans out there have their favorite catchy lines or memorable quotes from their favorite teleserye or soap opera.

In Be Careful with my Heart, a daytime television drama which is top billed by Jodi Sta. Maria, the simple, sweet and idealistic Maya and Richard Yap a.k.a. Sir Chief, some memorable lines are:

Kung sa tingin mo naman walang nagbibigay ng love sa iyo, huwag na huwag mong kakalimutan si God. Love na love ka nun.
 
Ang mga problema ay hindi hadlang sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap, ito ay mga gabay lamang.
 
Ang tunay na sekreto sa tagumpay ay pagsisikap at patuloy na pagbangon sa bawat pagkakamali.
 
Ang mga taong agad sumusuko ay hindi nanalo, ang mga taong laging panalo ay hindi kailanman sumusuko.

Kung lahat ng makakaya mo ay iyong ibinibigay, tagumpay mo ay walang kapantay.
 
Hindi mahalaga kung gaano ka katagal nabuhay, ang mahalaga ay kung paano ka nabuhay.

Now, on (controversial) My Husband's Lover, a primetime drama series on GMA 7 starring Carla Abellana, Dennis Trillo and new kapuso star Tom Rodriguez, the memorable lines are:

Naawa ako sa iyo, hindi mo matanggap ang sarili mo. – David
 
Hoy..ang lalaki ng katawan ninyo eh ang lalandi ninyo. Lumayas nga kayo rito. Kitang-kita ko ang kulay ng mga matris ninyo!- Roi Vinzon to the machong paminta na naglalambingan sa gym.
 
He is too barbaric kaya naging siyoke ang anak niya.- Roi Vinzon to Kuh Ledesma
 
Hindi ako perpektong lalaki, Lally...Kaya tulungan mo ako na maging deserving sa pagmamahal mo. - Tom Rodriquez to Carla Abellana
 
May iba't ibang klaseng bading. May nagdadamit pambabae, may parlorlista, may mahinhin kumilos pero nakadamit panglalaki pa rin. At tayo na hindi mo talaga mahahalata sa pananamit at hitsura. - Victor Basa to Tom Rodriquez

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