The search for the quintessential Boholana is definitely on with the sixteen ladies vying for the Miss Bohol crown introduced to the members of the press and the Bohol blogging community yesterday, June 25, at the luscious Be Grand Resort, Panglao.

The press presentation allowed the media and the members of the Bohol Bloggers Collective to get to know the candidates more, probe their minds and hear their thoughts on different issues in the community. While the questions could get a bit tough, the Boholana beauties, clad in their white outfits, aced the interviews with a breeze.

Jean Olive Zoilo, the beauty from Tubigon, was applauded by the crowd with her response on the question on Same-Sex Marriage.  “We should be happy for them. If it does not put negativity in our lives, why not,” Zoilo said.

Queenie Mae Baquial of Sevilla emphasized her advocacy on Breast Cancer Awareness after her mother died due to the illness last year. Tanya Bianca Schreurs of Garcia-Hernandez talked about her advocacy on handwashing that will help build a “stronger nation” through proper sanitation. Judy Ann Cimafranca of Dauis  highlighted her advocacy called “True Love Waits” which is on Premarital Sex and Teenage Pregnancy.

Pearl Dianne Bungabong of Alburquerque, Miss Silka Bohol 2014 and Miss AMPC 2015 2nd runner-up, talked about the pressures of winning the pageant. “I don’t want to be a bridesmaid anymore,” she said.

Glyssa Perez, the candidate from Danao, said that being herself will help her be more than just being the cousin of Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina. She also shared her passion for helping the community which is the core of being Miss Bohol and the Miss Bohol pageant.

Catherine Tabaniag, who is representing the town of Panglao, weighed on the issue regarding the New Bohol International Airport.  She told the press that the project will open more opportunities for the Boholanos and will outweigh the disadvantages such as noise and garbages.  She ended her answer saying that “the success of Panglao is not only the success of the Panglaoanons but also the success of the entire province of Bohol.”

This year’s edition of the pageant will be the JCI Chocolate Hill’s third year to organize the pageant. Throughout the course of the ladies’ pageant experience, they will be reminded of what being Miss Bohol is with the presence of JCI Chocolate Hill’s president, Miss Bohol 2014 Queenie Melody Fullante.

In a separate interview, Fullante advised the girls to be themselves and to have fun.

“Sometimes, when you join pageants, people expect you to be the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most charming. But you don’t need to be that. All you need to be is to have a little of those things and you will be fine. What is important is that you let who you are shine and you have the heart for what you do,” Fullante said.

The new Miss Bohol will be crowned by last year’s winner, Mary Eda Cimafranca, on July 17, 2016, at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium. Prior to that is the Talent Competition that will be held on July 7, 2016, at the same venue.

The battle for the crown is definitely on! (By: Deejay Arro)