I might be a day late but let me greet you all a very Merry Christmas. And just like last year, I have a very simple gift to all my readers who have been with me throughout the years. We've shared two Christmases together and every day, I have remained thankful and humbled by your support.  Sending you all my wishes this holidays. Merry Christmas!

This is my first attempt on calligraphy and I hope you guys appreciate the effort just for me to send you my Christmas wishes. May we all have a meaningful celebration, one that goes beyond the gifts, the food, and the glitz of the occasion. May we find ourselves rooted in the true spirit of Christmas which is love, humility, and sharing. May all be blessed everyday. Lots of x's and o's, Deejay #deejaywrites #christmas #art #calligraphyph #calligraphy

A photo posted by Dandreb James Arro (@deejaywrites) on Dec 25, 2015 at 4:10am PST

In a few hours, a new Miss Universe will be crowned and will wear the DIC crown worn beautifully by Colombia's Paulina Vega who won earlier this year, after Miss Universe 2014 was moved to January 2015.  All pageant fans will have its eyes set on the stage of Planet Hollywood as 80 stunning contenders will face the ultimate decision.

Before the coronation night, the ladies conquered the stage for the Preliminary Competition where fifteen delegates' fate, and not ten (this was confirmed by pageant blogger Norman Tinio in his prediction blog post), were ultimately sealed.  Although the prelims was not just the ultimate consideration, since there was that closed-door interview and of course, their overall impression since the day they arrived in Vegas, the preliminary allowed the candidates to strut their stuff on stage with their eyes set on the crown.  Those who stood out will definitely be the ones who will potentially battle it for the crown.

Now, after watching the Preliminary Competition, and judging each girl in both swimsuit and evening gowns, I came with the following fifteen delegates who I think will make it one step ahead later. Before that though, allow me to give you six ladies who I think will be potential spoilers to my Top 15. They are: Miss Australia Monika Radulovic; Miss Finland Rosa-Maria Ryyti; Miss Georgia Janet Kerdikoshvili; Miss India Urvashi Rautela; Miss Mexico Wendy Esparza; and Miss Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong.


Now here is my top 15 for Miss Universe 2015.

Philippines - Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
USA - Olivia Jordan
Venezuela - Mariana Jimenez
Dominican Republic - Clarissa Molina
Spain - Carla Barber Garcia
Colombia - Ariadna Gutierrez
Peru - Laura Spoya
Kosovo - Mirjeta Shala
Brazil - Marthina Brandt
Haiti - Lisa Elizabeth Drouillard
Vietnam - Huong Phan
France - Flora Coquerel
Paraguay - Myriam Arevalos
Russia - Vladislava Evtushenko
Myanmar - May Thaw

While the usual names are there, I believe that Myanmar and Spain can really pull an upset against all other delegates despite going unnoticed before the preliminaries. Spain, for once, is a regal beauty and can deliver both in swimsuit and in evening gown.
Narrowing the field of fifteen to ten, I came to consider their performance in the preliminaries and their overall look in the swimsuit parade.  This would mean that I have to eliminate Misses Russia, Myanmar, Haiti, Kosovo, and one of this year's favorites, Miss Vietnam.  This leaves me with my top 10, in order of preference, as following: Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Philippines, USA, Colombia, France, Spain, Paraguay, Peru, and Brazil.

With the top 10 competing in the evening gown segment, I looked into the elegance and performance of the girls as well as the overall styling.  It is because of this that Mariana Jimenez of Venezuela failed my cut, not unless she wears another gown and with a better styling.

Considering the ladies' showmanship, I am betting that this year's top 5 could possibly be comprised of Laura Spoya of Peru, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines, Olivia Jordan of the USA, Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia, and Clarissa Molina of Dominican Republic.  I would not be surprised though if Paraguay, Brazil, and Spain clinches one of my predicted top 5's spot.


I do agree with Sir Norman that the Q and A round will determine the fates of our ladies.  All of those I predicted to be in the top 5 are all heavy favorites for the crown and so there is much more pressure and so much more at stake come the final question. One slip and it's gone.

Ultimately, I think Pia's consistency and her elegance and sass will bring the country's much coveted third Miss Universe crown.  Her sheer determination will hopefully shine through despite the tough competition of Miss Dominican Republic and Colombia who is stumping to death to end of being the last girl standing, especially the latter who is there to claim a back-to-back win for her country.  Below is my predicted result.

Miss Universe 2015 - Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
First Runner up - Dominican Republic, Clarissa Molina
Second Runner up - Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez
Third Runner up - USA, Olivia Jordan
Fourth Runner up - Peru, Laura Spoya

The new ownership of Miss Universe may leave all of us in surprise.  We still don't know what IMG is looking for. Whatever the results may be, though, I wish all the delegates, especially our very own Pia, the very best.

Lahoy, in English, means to slip through and being in Bohol Lahoy Dive Resort in Cabantian, Guindulman  means saying goodbye temporary to the stressful demands of our individual lives and slipping through a space of beautiful tranquility amidst chirping birds, lush trees, and the scenic sea.


The resort, owned by German national Michael Herder and managed by the Swiss couple Hanspeter and Daniela Ritter, takes you to enjoy the laid back life of the Bohol's east side.  Guests have all expressed their pledges to come back, saying that they feel in love with the peaceful silence of the place as they get to relax in their comfy villas.

This bungalow houses three rooms.

This is their family bungalow

An hour away from Tagbilaran City, the calming silence at Bohol Lahoy Dive Resort is waiting for you to experience.  One of it's main attraction is that miniature version of a cliff dive that you'll do at Batong Galain, a separated rock formation from the rocky cliffs along the Cabantian shore lines. (galain in Visayan means doing something distinct or in contrary to something. It can also mean opting to be separated from the group).

A view of the rocky but breathtakingly beautiful sea of Cabantian, Guindulman

My paternal grandmother leaves in Cabantian and during one visit (I was college already at that time), I had the chance to set foot at the iconic Batong Galain. And one thing I could describe it is treacherous. At the side nearer to the shoreline, it would seem that it won't be a scary jump on the other side but once you see the other edge, you'll realize how deep the water is already.  You'll be jumping on a deep space surrounded by corals.  If you ask me if I did jump, no because I was too scared.  But the brave souls will surely enjoy the jump and would surely repeat it.

That's Batong Galain!

You may simply stay in and forget about the world for a moment, or experience a miniature version of a cliff dive at Batong Galain, or go diving in their different dive spots.  Whatever your concept is of a peaceful serene vacation, Lahoy is ready to take charge.

You may spend some quiet moments here in their dining area

For reservations and more info, visit www.bohol-lahoy.com or contact 09294541635 or 09202798228

Just a few more hours and we will be waking up by the sound of church bells with the start of the Misa de Gallo.  For Tagbilaranons, however, mornings will be much more jolly and festive with Pamahaw sa Plaza which will start also tomorrow morning at 5:30am.

Pamahaw sa Plaza is a spin-off of the International Fusion Nights, a nightly cultural exchange through the festive flavors of the food presented by different concessionaries.  The only difference is that the feast won’t start at sundown.

Not from Tagbilaran but would want to start your day with sumptuous food? Worry not as Pamahaw sa Plaza will wrap only until 10:00am, giving non-Tagbilaranons a chance to take a bite of the breakfast joys greeting Misa de Gallo attendees every day.

Pamahaw sa Plaza is the product of the Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants (BAHRR) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Bohol Investment Promotion Center (BIPC).  It will run from December 16 until December 24.

A few meters away from Anda’s Quinale Public Beach is this small newly-opened restaurant called Coco Loco.  From the get go, you’ll know what is the star is in the restaurant. Coconut, of course. If the name and the hanged paintings do not make it more obvious, I don’t know what will.

The quirky paintings have one thing in common

Coco Loco is the recent initiative spearheaded by TAFIAS, the same local livelihood group that brought to our taste buds homemade taro ice cream and the popular tilapia chips.  This time around, it is not taro or tilapia but coconut which will serve as staple ingredient in their menu offerings that is of foreign backgrounds but done with locally-grown Filipino ingredients.

Robin Gurney, one of the pivotal individuals behind the different entrepreneurial undertakings of TAFIAS, said that apart from the usage of local ingredients to recreate many of their menu’s foreign offerings, all local ingredients are organic while sauces and other food and drinks are homemade.  There’s always something special and scrumptious about a food with a touch of home.  Much more, rice meals also come with either the white rice variant we all know and love or the more fiber-enriched brown alternative.  That’s happy tummies and healthier options in one place.


When your feet brings you to Anda, don’t forget to make a stopover at Coco Loco and feast on their savory rich flavors.  There is their flavorful half-rack BBQ ribs (Php349) made of locally-produced beef slow cooked for maximum juiciness and covered in our secret homemade sauce.  Their BBQ ribs are available only during weekends unless you press your order in advance and is best paired with the refreshing Coco Loco Iced Tea (Php49).  For instant refreshments, you won’t regret trying their Banana Shake with Honey and Coco Water (Php99) with TAFIAS’ Homemade Taro Ice Cream (Php79).

Refreshments for a hot midday: Banana Shake with Honey and Coco Water and Homemade Taro Ice Cream in Ube Flavor. When in Anda, chill at the quaint #CocoLoco, just near Quinale Beach. This is another project of Tafias, the same group that brought to us Tilapia Chips. #BeholdBohol #foodporn #iblogforph #iblogforBohol

A photo posted by Dandreb James Arro (@deejaywrites) on Nov 3, 2015 at 7:34pm PST

Enjoy a single BBQ Beef Ribs (made of locally-produced meat and original homemade sauce) for Php99 or an entire half-rack at Php379 only at #CocoLoco, the dainty place ready to fill anyone's appetite. Comes with rice and iced tea #foodporn #BeholdBohol #iblogforph #iblogforBohol #AndaleAnda

A photo posted by Dandreb James Arro (@deejaywrites) on Nov 3, 2015 at 8:05pm PST

Healthier alternatives, great food, friendly staff, and supporting local communities, Coco Loco is simple a one-stop shop from the fine white sands of the Quinale Beach that will allow you to unwind, feast, and give back all in one shot.  Now who wouldn’t go Loco for Cocos for that if that’s the case.

Robin Gurney (far right) with his staff and another foreign national friend who was enjoying the sumptuousness of Coco Loco.

For reservations and advance orders, contact 0908 508 5847 or visit cocoloco.ph