The widely-smiling Mutya had just finished her cycling 'round Bohol (supposed not to be done by someone who now 50 but who cares?) on Sept. 25 (accompanied by her sister, Bohol's internet princess Leah Tirol-Magno, Bohol, Art Magno and son Miguel Carlos) for the kids who are dear to the heart of this golden girl.

Dr. Macuno in 'round Bohol for her "bike for a cause."

It was not just an ordinary bike, it was a "bike for a cause" to help raise funds to buy portable x-ray machine (amounting to 1.2 million pesos) to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (where Mutya is a medical specialist 2 and training officer department of pediatrics).

The following tête à tête revolves around Mutya's checkered career, every aspect of which the public already knows and her private life (a glimpse of it anyway), the peaks and valleys of a life-well lived.

God will grant her wish because she has a golden heart. Here's Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno straight from the heart:

Your motto is : There is always something better.

How were you brought up as a child, being the eldest in the brood? I was brought up to set as a good example to my siblings. in a God fearing and God centered way.

Weren't you spoiled with money? I'm not. We were never given any money as baon to school when we were small. We were only given food, as my mother says the money will teach us to spend instead.

Really? You're born with a proverbial spoon to say! Yes.. I can even recall that everytime we have school functions, and we have to have new shoes or new clothes, i would be last person to get a new one in our class, since my mother will not buy me anything new right away. i guess it made me strong that way.

You're parents are into politics (including her uncle former Tagbilaran City Mayor Jes B. Tirol and aunt former city vice mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes) did your parents try to convince you to enter politics? At the moment, they are talking me into it.. but I'm praying for more guidance.

In your 24 years as a doctor, what do you consider your most memorable experience? That time when I was a first year pediatric resident, I was on duty, and I was called to help this small premature who had difficulty breathing.. my heart was wrenched with so much despair, because I knew I wanted to help her, but i could not do it, because nobody taught me how to do it since at that time, neonatology was still in its infancy and in the Philippines, it was not widely practiced yet. So, then and there, I knew that I wanted to learn more how to take care and help these small premature babies, learn as much as i can locally and abroad, and apply what I learn here in my people in Bohol.

Is it hard being a wife? No. its exciting!

Do you have regrets of not having a biological child? At one point in time. But now, I understand its God's will that all my children are the ones I'm taking care of, because I suppose if I had a lot of biological kids, (She wanted to have 5!-LPU) it would have been difficult for me to focus on being a neonatologist as it is.. so, I guess afterall, I was just fitting into God's mold for my life.

At 50, what is the most important lesson that life has taught you? That it is more important to share, to extend yourself to others no matter what, and that it is more important to focus on what you can do, rather than on what cannot be done, and to continue to live in full faith and trust in the Lord and to serve Him fully.

Do you believe in that? Yes!

Why touring around Bohol , you know, in bike? Because first and foremost, i am a true and native Boholana and proud to be one, and i wanted to experience and see my province close at hand, and it was more meaningful for me to tour bike around Bohol for this project since the people I want to serve are the Boholanos.

If you could have changed anything in your life what would it be? My height (laughs) aside from that, I praise God for what I am.

When was the last time you cried? While I was biking on the way to Ubay. I saw this old man riding his balsa, pulled by his carabao, and I thought he looked like my maternal grandfather, lolo Ariston.. and at that time, the sun was just shining so beautifully in a very soft way, not too hot, yet very clear... i felt that even from my lolo Ariston whom I haven't even been thinking in time was "present " for my project. i was so overwhelmed by it.. and I took it as a message from God that I was indeed doing what He wanted me to do.. that was in Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 at around 1145 am.

Who first told you that you're beautiful? My lolo (the late Atty. Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr.).. he always pinches my cheeks and calls me " akong linangkingan.. ka- guapa..!! bec. I was so dark when I was small.

What is your advice for maintaining your beauty? Have inner joy from having the Lord in your heart. as your personal Lord and saviour.. Eat right. Exercise.. Really exercise. Stay clean inside and outside.. Sleep. Rest when you're tired.. Stop when you're angry. Don't stay angry. Smile when you can and everytime you can.. Spread love. Hug people. Just be yourself. Focus on the positive side of everything and always believe that God is there no matter what.

Is there anything that you can't resist? Yes, butong.. young coconut.I gorge on them.

On what occasion do you lie? If I want to protect that person.

Which living person do you admire most? My parents (erstwhile Bohol governor David B. Tirol and provincial board member Amalia Reyes-Tirol)

Who or what is the greatest love of your life? My husband (Capt. Marlon Macuno of course. My son (Miguel Carlos) and then my family and then my friends and my patients.

Where would you like to go for romantic evening? Under the moon and the stars, lying on the sand, listening to the sound of the waves, just savoring the silence of the night.. no blaring music.. just the sound of nature around me.

What film influenced your life? I forgot the title, but it was this hearing impaired woman who learned how to dance despite her hearing disorder.. against all odds..

What is your greatest fear? None. I'm not afraid of anything because the Lord is with me and in me.

Are you into accessories? I'm a minor techy. I was tempted to get an iphone, no jewelries though.

Are you vain? Probably, define vain.

What do you think is your best asset? My eyes.

Anyway, have I told you that you look like younger than your age? Do you have secrets? Just my smile.. and my heart.. for those who know me and are not "afraid" of me (laughs)…

Does age, you know being a golden girl, affect your sex life? It shouldn't.. and no.

I'm curious, can you sing? Very well.

Type of music? All types.. soft rock, classical, jazz..

Favorite scent? At the moment, Dolce and Gabana light blue, Lacoste, and lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.. I guess this is the vain in me because I feel incomplete if I leave the house without wearing one.

Fave book? The Bible.

Fave hang out? My house aside from roaming abroad when I can- abroad- Rome.

Sports? Biking, running, swimming, hiking.

Five things you can't live without? A book, my bible, my stethoscope, blanket, deodorant, ha ha ha

How do you start your day? Praying the moment I wake up.

What words or phrases do you overused? Tipasi!!

Name a moment that brings back happy memories? Silent peaceful moments..

Who is Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno that the public doesn't know or doesn't see but you wish they know? A deeply caring person who is not afraid to say what she feels she should say to help a situation improve for the betterment of everybody. But who should not be feared but just be understood and given effort to know more.

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What's up? Is it real? The image of Padre Pio, an Italian saint is getting visible everyday in one of the pillars of the Baclayon Church (at the right wing of the Church fronting Immaculata High School). Call it a miracle or coincidence but no one can explain the sudden appearance of an image that looks like Padre Pio. You can view it at www.youtube.com.

Padre Pio appears at Baclayon Church, is it a miracle or a coincidence?

The University of Bohol High School Evening Session batch '98 reunion.

The 1st ever reunion of the University of Bohol High School Evening Session Batch 1998 was held on Sept. 27 at the Metro Centre Hotel. It was "to bring high school memories back and preserve the history of UBHSES '98." The event was attended by teachers (all were present led by Myrna Garsuta) and was organized by John Torralba. The next grand alumni homecoming is on May 9-10, 2009.

Goodluck to Jane Censoria Cajes who will attend the Plan International in Woking, Surrey, UK on October 8-9, 2008. Jane is the only representative from the Philippines to the said gab.

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Email me at leoudtohan@yahoo.com