The beauties of Bohol

Aside from the serenity of the Chocolate Hills (back to original shape after a killer quake ruined some of them), the leisurely cruise along the Loboc River (turned enchanting by color-changing lights along both banks, donated by the family of Ben Chan) and the deepening mystery of the widening eyes of the Tarsier (the longer you gaze into them), Bohol boasts of natural beauties that easily disarm a visitor with pristine smiles.

Described as “natural” because they are presumed to be untouched by cosmetic surgery, 20 of those beauties (the same number of barangays) competed for the 2017 Miss Bohol title, parading before a panel of “beauty-expert” judges composed of Renee Salud; director Tony Reyes; Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo; Boholana actress Rich Asuncion; Air Asia Commercial head Gerard Penaflor; and reigning queens Mariel de Leon (Bb. Pilipinas-International), Karen Ibasco (Miss Philippines-Earth) and Mary Ann Mungcal (Miss Global Philippines).

The candidates were serenaded by StarStruck discovery Migo Adecer who acknowledged the ladies with a stem of red rose each after a well-applauded song number. Properly trained, Migo could develop into a charming performer, just wait and see.

After the two-hour pageant hosted by 2009 Miss Earth Sandra Seifert and Vince Velasco (son of STAR sports columnist Bill Velasco), declared winner was Pauline Amelinckx (from Barangay Tubigon), a 20-year-old Fil-Belgian fresh International Studies graduate from Cebu Doctors Hospital, who is a deadringer for Bea Alonzo. Her runners-up: Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados (Loon), first; Angelika Concha (Calape), second; Bianca Gaviola (Tagbilaran), third; and Maria Andrea Cuarteros (Jagna), fourth.

Asked how she felt being at the other end of the stage this time, Mariel admitted that she was as nervous as she was during the Bb. Pilipinas pageant.

“Like during the pageant,” said Mariel, “the hardest part was the Q&A. I picked Miss Tubigon because she knew what she wanted to say and she said it well, very natural, neither rehearsed nor scripted.”

Now preparing for Ang Panday, her movie debut for the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) produced, written, directed and starred in by Coco Martin, Mariel clarified that she never said she didn’t want to go into acting (she’s more inclined toward classical singing). Why the, uhm, change of mind?

“I’ve never really closed my door to showbiz. The opportunity is too big to turn down,” added the daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong. “My parents are happy for me because they really wanted me to be in showbiz.”

Mariel is two inches taller than Coco. Wouldn’t there be any height problem between them?

“Sana wala,” Mariel smiled. “Otherwise, that can be easily remedied.”

A star material herself (paging Star Cinema, Viva Films and Regal Films!), Miss Bohol Pauline (an only child) was born in Belgium where she finished prep school and kindergarten. Her Belgian father moved the family to the Philippines where he chose to retire. Pauline studied high school in Iligan City before proceeding to college in Cebu, initially enrolling for Medical Technology course (“Not my line”) before shifting to International Studies.

“I wanted to work as a flight attendant because I love to travel until I changed my mind,” she said. “And now I want to join foreign service.” That is, unless a movie company “snatches” her.

Incidentally, another Boholana beauty, Lola Primitiva Veloso celebrated her 90th birthday with family members who flew to Tagbilaran from abroad and other places in the country on July 23, the day after the Miss Bohol pageant. Lola Priming is a retired teacher. Rich Asuncion attended the party with her two younger siblings. Nice to learn that she had their family house renovated and her parents’ fish business is thriving. 

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