Easter surprises

Let me hear you sing and make some holy crazy noise as we celebrate the Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

That song, He lives, He Lives (words and music by Alfred H. Ackley) is one of the many Christian hymns I love to sing. It has an eternal magnetic effect knowing that your God is alive. We will sing the wondrous story of the Christ Who died for us.

How He left His home in glory for the cross of Calvary. Hosanna in the highest!
By the way, the tradition of coloring Easter eggs as a family reflecting on the beauty of new life. Tie this tradition to the Church's joy at the Resurrection of Jesus and our treasuring of the sanctity of all new life.

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While the city introduced this year’s Miss Tagbilaran with less fanfare (all eyes will be watching the pageant and coronation night on April 29, remember that previous shows were in little bad taste), the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bohol headed by Jane Censoria Cajes has just launched their own contest they called Mr. and Miss Teen Bohol, with the grand finals slated on May 28 at the Bohol Cultural Center.

Beauty experts noticed that the Mr and Miss Teen Bohol is the answer to the meltdown of local beauty pageants in the province (Miss Tagbilaran and Miss Bohol Sandugo).

The winners will become ambassadors of goodwill, that is, to promote and honor youth, encourage personal growth and individual development and to promote Boholano culture and the engagement of positive cultural activities by young people.

Cajes is reminding us that “The search is not about a crown or a title, it is about service.”

Without much ado, here’re the contestants from the 1st district of Bohol.

The male contestants are:
• Joseph Jay King Plaza (Alburquerque), 19, 5’7”.
• Joseph Noel Mendaña (Tubigon), 17, 5’9”
• Hilary Jalem (Balillihan), 16, 5’8”
• Romeo Blanco,Jr. (Baclayon), 17, 5’10”
• Ian Orillos (Tagbilaran City), 19, 5’6”

The female contestants are:
• Dannah Jade Baldumah (Calape), 18, 5’5”
• Clarise Elaine Falcon Radoc (Tubigon), 15, 5’6”
• Ma. Mediatrix Escabarte (Maribojoc), 15, 5’3”
• Maria Tiffany Tabigue (Balilihan), 18, 5’3”
• Guldameer Malou Sombrio (Loon), 18, 5’3”

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Bamboo, Nikki Gil and the environment


Puro caña, puro amor!

I enjoyed the Bamboo concert years ago so I was expecting the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) environmental campaign with Bamboo and Nikki Gil would be a blast.

Pinoy rock band Bamboo, the group behind the hit songs Noypi, Tatsulok and Halleluia performed in a special concert, the biggest gathering of youth in Bohol exclusively presented by SK headed by its national president Jane Censoria Cajes.

While Bamboo was performing on stage, teenagers had tried to sing with the front man Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac. The more than 6,000 warm bodies inside the Bohol Wisdom gym looked like a giant wave joining Bamboo singing Himala, Tatsulok, Elise, Noypi, Awit ng Kabataan, Don’t Wait for Tomorrow, Halleluia.

Halleluiah, indeed!

Lead vocalist Bamboo Mañalac, guitarist Ira Cruz, bassist Nathan Azarcon and drummer Vic Mercado expressed their support in songs.

Monica Pauline Santos Gil, popularly known as Nikki Gil, almost quit show biz because she suffered from burnout while juggling roles as a TV host, singer, actress and college student.

She graduated from Shekinah Christian Training Center in March 2004 as batch valedictorian. In 2009, she graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University majoring in English Literature.

In 2007, Gil did her first movie appearance by doing a cameo role as John Lloyd Cruz’s girlfriend for “One More Chance”. Currently, she is scheduled to appear in an upcoming movie by Star Cinema starring Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz and in an upcoming independent film with Marvin Agustin.

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Bared’s recent item about Boom Reyes drew a rejoinder from Chito Alcid himself.

Boom Reyes won the Miss Gay Philippines 2009. Boom Reyes, will be representing the country to the annual Miss International Queen in Thailand in October. There was no contest held last year though due to the worsening peace and order situation in Pattaya Thailand - where Tiffany and all the other Gay Beauty Pageants are being held.

Here’s more info about Boom from Chito, the founder-producer.:

Boom Reyes is from Tagbilaran City, Bohol, she's 26 years old, stands 5'8. She works as a learning and development specialist after finishing BS Tourism. Born on Nov. 8, 1982, she is Louie Reyes aka Boom Reyes. A high blue belter in taekwondo, she is a frustrated chef. In Manila, he stays in Bacood, Sta. Mesa. She won the 30th year Miss gay Philippines staged at the Music Museum last March 17. Hosted by Dennis Banez with Evangeline Pascual, Alma Concepcion and Maria Isabel Lopez.

Other four winners are Nikkie Normanson Istanislao of Makati, Mai Aracache of Bacolod, Alicia May Hitomi of La Union and Shane Marie Madrigal of Marikina, if you need photos, check google.com and ask for Miss Gay Philippines. Andun po ang record, video etc. Salamat.