The housemates of the latest season of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB): Lucky 7 were revealed one by one last week.

Two lucky teens were from Bohol. They were: Ma. Niña Vivoree Matutes Esclito, the “Go Better Girl ng Bohol”  and  Fenech Aimee Veloso, “Ang Ballroom Baby ng Bohol.”

Vivoree  was introduced on the late night talk show, “Tonight with Boy Abunda” last week as new teen housemate.

Vivoree, 16, who hails from Loon town, is a grade 10 student of Tagbilaran City Science High School.

“She can sing and play the guitar,” said teacher and cultural worker Butch Bernas, who was Vivoree’s grade 7 adviser.

Bernas added Vivoree is a “shy-type student.”

On “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” Vivoree talked about her expectations of PBB.

“I expect to learn different things. Yung experience po, magandang experience and new friends – new true friends,” she said.

When asked what’s the difference between a friend and a true friend, Vivoree answered, “A friend is just someone you can talk to. While a true friend is someone who’s going to be there no matter what happens.”

Vivoree, who dreams of becoming a performer, said that the reason she auditioned to for PBB was to, “At first po, try lang po talaga. Minsan lang po yun nangyayari, yung mga auditions po sa lugar namin, so sinubukan ko po. But then nung nagtagal po, narealize ko na I’m doing this for something not just for nothing. And that dream isyung pumasok sa bahay ni Kuya.”

She hopes that her stint inside the “PBB” house will be able help her overcome her insecurities.  She said she was bullied because of her being ma-balbon. She shared, “sinasabi nila na pinaglihi ka ba sa unggoy?” But since then she has learned to, “just shrug it off and go on with life.”

Veloso, 13, who hails from Barangay Manga, Tagbilaran City, was introduced on “It’s Showtime.” She said that she auditioned for the reality television show in order to prove that is he is an independent girl.

Veloso said is a “lola’s girl.”

The other teen housemates are Edward Barber (Ang Cheerful Charmer ng Germany),  Yong Muhajil (Ang Pag-a-son ng Angkan ng Zamboanga),  Kristine Hammod (Ang Sporty Spice ng Laguna),  Rita Gaviola (Ang Badjao Girl ng Lucena), Kisses Delavin (Ang Miracle Daughter ng Masbate) and  Christian Morones (Ang Courtside Kusinero ng Zamboanga).

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Battle against illegal drugs

 

Jorge (not his real name) was holding a placard while marching on CPG Avenue in Tagbilaran City for Tuesday’s anti-illegal rally organized by the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO). His placard read: “drug addicts don’t grow old they die young.”

Jorge, 27, surrendered to Getafe Police Station last month for fear of his life.

He said he joined the rally to show his support to stop illegal drugs in the province.

“I decided to take a stand against drug use for the future of my children,” he said.

His friend was also waving his placard which read: “Undanga ang drugas, unaha ang pamugas.” (Stop drugs, and look first for rice).

At least 1,000 participant from the different sectors including surrenderees from different towns joined the rally which started at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 12 hours  after two half-brothers who were suspected drug pushers and users were killed by unknown assailants on Pamaong Street, in this city.

The activity kicked-off at Camp Francisco Dagohoy, passing through  Sen. Jose Clarin street and CPG Avenue, two of the major  thoroughfares in the city.  It culminated at the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex where key leaders gave their speeches.

Participants were seen waving placard with anti-drugs messages. One placards raised by a policeman that caught the attention of onlookers were “Droga ayaw hununga? Menteryo luag pa!”.  (You will not stop drugs? The cemetery is still spacious). Other messages were “Sa druga walang forever”  (In drugs there is no forever),   “Hay naku! undang namu patay jud mong Bato”,  (OMG, stop drugs or else  Bato will kill you)” and  “Di musunod sa Tokhang matikwang (Those who will not follow Tokhang will be displaced)!”

SPO2 Melinda Mendez-Basalo said the rally was aimed at creating awareness among the masses, particularly the younger generation, about the hazards of using drugs and for the promotion of a drug-free society.

“This is big help for the PNP to reach out to remote sectors in the province as well as in the country to send our message of our intense campaign illegal drugs,” she said.

Senior Supt. Felipe Natividad, BPPO director, said the rally was conducted to inform the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is serious in fighting against illegal drugs in the province.

The BPPO reported that  30,287 drug personalities across the province have surrendered to authorities and pledged to cut their involvement in illegal activities since July 1, 2016.

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