Wake-uppers:

Scene: Ma. Rhea Rebecca Rocha was crowned as Miss Jagna Festival 2015 during the three-day First Calamay Festival.

Scene: Cusina ni Tisay has received another (major) award: Best Authentic Bohol Cuisine Restaurant. It was presented by QAsia Seal of Product and Quality Service during the 10th National Product Quality Excellence Awards 2014-2015.

Seen: Another project for Lailette Geulen-Boiser aka Scarlette in showbizlandia is on GMA’s Afternoon Primetime drama Healing Hearts which will premier on May 11. Healing Hearts stars talented teen actors Joyce Ching, Krystal Reye, Ken Chan and Kristoffer Martin. On the hand, the small but terrible TinTin Ng is still on GMA’s Pare ‘Koy (topbilled by Dingdong Dantes) which is directed by Boholano director Maryo Delos Reyes.

Scene: Talented Boholano siblings whose fingerstyle guitaring is to the superlative degree were handpicked by the producers to audition in Manila last week for The Voice Kids PH Season 2. Find out if these siblings follow the footsteps of Lyca, Dare, Juan Karlos and Darlene soon on ABS-CBN.

Scene: The latest survey conducted by Bohol Poll 2015 revealed that poverty in Bohol appeared to be worsened as 67% of Boholanos or almost seven out of ten said they are in a dire poverty based on “self-rated poverty” survey.  The Social Weather Station-trained Bohol Poll said the self-rated poverty this year is higher than 62% in 2014.

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Another set of beauty queens. They come smarter and prettier every year.

“I am proud of this year’s batch,” said James Tripoli, the young executive liaison officer of Tubigon Mayor Marlon Amila, and chairman of the five main events in Tubigon fiesta (Ambongan sa Tubigon, Tanda Street Party, Tanda @25 concert, Sambunot sa Awit and Tanda Zumba Marathon). “They exude not only beauty, brain and confidence, they also have a heart for community service.”

“After the success of last year’s Tanda Street Party, I decided to create another something new for this year’s town fiesta and 25^th Tanda sa Tubigon celebration,” said James. “As long as I can with the Amila administration, I will try my best to make our town prosperous, open-minded and city-like.

Barely a week from now, on May 13, one of the 12 hopefuls will be crowned 2015 Anyag sa Tubigon by outgoing Anyag 2014 Jaya Sierras Lozano at the coronation night at the Tubigon Cultural Center.

Anyag reaffirms the pageant’s commitment in searching for Tubigon’s finest daughter.

“Anyag unveils a stunning edition as we celebrate the beauty of life at its fullest. Truly a remarkable night we shouldn’t miss… May 13, 2015,” the Anyag sa Tubigon page posted on Facebook. “A night of beauty, wit, flair, and glamour,” added

According to beauty pageant watchers, the early favorites (not reflective of the final outcome) are Pauline Amelinckx, Jean Olive Zoilo, Janine Hannafe Valerie Hattori and Micel Damarillos.

“For sure, there will be dark horse who will upstage other contestants. It happen every year,” warned James.

Tubigon has produced winners in Miss Bohol: Amir Sol (2010) and Farrah Mian Abarquez (2011). Mariecris Evardo was first-runner up in Miss Bohol Sandugo 2012.

Meanwhile, 12 hottest and gorgeous men will compete for Ambongan sa Tubigon on May 10. According to James, the organization promotes gentlemanly conduct and character.

“It’s another first in Tubigon,” revealed James. “I have observed that most of the pageants are for women and transgender. Why not give a chance to the gentlemen to show what they have and what they can? If we give female pageant candidates respect and highlight their importance in the society, we should also respect male pageant candidates as well.”

As the pageant rolls closer to the coronation night, beauty pageant watchers are abuzz with their fearless forecasts. Early favorites (again not reflective of the final outcome) are Jose Rinan Calunia of barangay Ilijan Norte, Marc Ian Alasagas of Barangay Pooc Occidental and Frikko Khan Valdez of barangay Potohan.

And….

14 candidates for Dyosa sa Tubigon will hit the stage on May 6. Dyosa is not your usual beauty contest because all contestants are gays.

For its second year, the pageant aims to bring awareness about homosexual rights. For the contestants, the pageant celebrates their rights, identity and expression.

The most likely bets to win the title (again not reflective of the final outcome) are Barbie, Kristie and Angel.

Yuri, the “mother butanding” and former host of GMA Cebu’s Buena Mano will host the Dyosa event.

Ruel Savello is the over-all choreographer for the three main beauty pageants in Tubigon. Anyag will be directed by Bohol’s celebrated choreographer Dennis Balbero, Ambongan has William Paolo Fortuna as artistic director and Dyosa will be directed by Hypthaly Tirazona.

For tickets and inquiries, please call 0910-336-0367.