Wake-uppers:
Scene: The talent of movie producer-writer Achinette Joy Villamor of Tagbilaran City shines as she was recognized in one of the most prestigious award-giving bodies in the country. Achinette was nominated in the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards in the Best Screenplay category for the film Balangiga: Howling Wilderness. Two of her films she produced, Balangiga: Howling Wilderness and Alipato, got 11 and two nominations, respectively.
Scene: Former beauty queen Anna Maris Igpit-Taylor and Tommy Taylor have welcomed their first son together in Sydney, Australia. Maris made the announcement through her favorite medium, Facebook. “Today at 7:49 a.m. (May 15), Tommy Taylor and I became proud parents to a healthy, 7.7 lbs baby boy. We are totally over the moon after an intense 5 hour labour. Please help us welcome our beautiful bundle of joy, Luca Taylor,” she announced while cuddling the baby. Maris had previously revealed that she and Tommy were expecting a boy. Maris has been openly documenting her pregnancy on social media. She’s also proudly shared plenty of baby bump pics on Facebook and ‘gram. Maris’ mom, Maricor, is in Sydney to support her.
The comeback: 18 candidates vie for Miss Loboc 2018
Dormant for many years, Miss Loboc is making a much-awaited comeback. The pageant happens to be one of the province’s most prestigious before it folded up.
In the early ’70s , the town of Loboc conducted an annual search for a Miss Loboc. The local organizers would comb the entire town for beautiful women of good moral character and entice them to join the search. The fairest and brightest would be crown Miss Loboc until it folded in 1990s.
But not many people these days can recall just how prestigious being Miss Loboc was back then — some would even argue it was absolutely more distinguished and esteemed than the still-running pageants.
There was Cynthia Limbago, a Miss Loboc winner, who represented the town in Miss Bohol Sandugo. Incidentally, her daughter Erika Limbago has joined the revived Miss Loboc this year.
Miss Loboc was changed to different names like Miss Agri and Miss Loboc Tourism until it folded up.
The good news now is that the local government of Loboc through Mayor Helen Calipusan-Alaba has revived Miss Loboc— although jazzed up to keep up with the times.
Elmer Varquez, the town’s tourism officer, is this year’s chairman.
The relaunch is calculated to restore the past glory it enjoyed. Like in previous years, the pageant focuses on promoting the town as a premier tourism destination in the province and further complement the LGU’s program to enhance tourism.
But Loboc is not only Bohol’s musical town, it is also the home of some beauty queens.
Perla Salig (now Mrs. Teves) became first runner-up of the 1979 Bb. Pilipinas. Perla became Miss Loboc Academy and Miss Commerce at the then Divine Word College in Tagbilaran now Holy Name University. She won the Mutya ng Bohol pageant held in Cebu City sponsored by the Circulo de Boholano and represented the Central Visayas.
Another beauty queen, the most successful beauty queen of Loboc, however, will forever be Loboc Councilor Tessie Labunog-Sumampong. Tessie represented Loboc town at the 1983 Miss Young Bohol and she was declared 4th runner-up.
Tessie, of course, is the proprietor of Loboc Riverwatch Floating Resto and Cuisina Ni Tisay, a favorite destination of stars and celebrities. Just recently, she was featured on ABS-CBN’s Magandang Buhay where she taught Melai and Karla Estrada how to cook balbacua.
Tessie said Miss Loboc is not just another beauty pageant.
“This is a program that hopes to create ambassadors who will showcase Loboc’s tourism, culture and heritage that will ignite positive change in the community,” she said.
For its comeback year, 18 lovely ladies vie for the crown. They are Mylene Morales, Michaela Soriano, Ginalyn Vargas, Fel Angelie Curpos, Dexie Campos, Anabel Acuna, Erika Limbago, Yholmarie Camarote, Kristine Clare Dango, Cherry Mae Vale, Joanna Simacio, Precious Ara Theresa De Costo, Jea Rose Lagrimas, Mary Purifel Ajoc, Angelie Tabuada, Mikaella An Melisimo, Jocelyn Toledo and Anna Leizel Libardo.
The coronation night is on May 21, 8 p.m. at JAD Complex with celebrity guest Neil Coleta.
The pageant is co-presented by Camp Sabros thru Edwin Sacdalan and One Dreamer Commissary. Others sponsors are LABB Construction, Rural Bank of Loboc, Sta. Clara Power Corporation, GLEH Financial Solutions, Loboc River Resort, M Lhuillier, Globe Telecom and Nelson Yu of N.N. Yu Construction Inc as Gold Sponsors; Nuts Huts, Cebuana Lhuillier and The Bellevue Resort as Silver Sponsors; Loboc River Floating Resto, Loboc River Cruise Floating Resto, Travel Village, Loboc Riverwatch Floating Resto, Cocina de Loboc, Bohol Turistas, Jojie’s Bakeshop, Estrella Bakery, Hilltop Cottages and Cuisina ni Tisay Catering Services as Bronze Sponsors. The Major Sponsors are Aproniana Gift Shop, Bohol Waterbike, Mithi Resort and Spa, Island Souvenirs, Ford Philippines, Informatics , Ochoco Accounting, Auditing and Taxation Services, TJ Medrana Photography and Kim Villamor.
Text voting is now open for Texters Choice Award. To vote, type: MISSLOBOC<space>LAST NAME and send to 2948. Voting ends on May 21 at 7 p.m.