POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

STUNNING BEAUTIES --- From left: Miss Gapan, Maria Paula Bianca Paz, Silver; Miss Tanauan, Diane Carela Querrer, Gold; and Miss Cebu City, Jamie Herrell, Bronze. (Photo Courtesy of Carousel Productions). The gorgeous beauties of Miss Philippines-Earth 2014 showcased their most creative and stunning creations on the catwalk of Patio Victoria, Intramuros, Manila last April 9, 2014. Materials of their dresses were composed of ordinary everyday objects, reusable or even useless items, which were transformed into fashionable works of art by their own sponsored designers. All candidates had their moment to strut in their best form in front of the judges. They all received praises and at times, intriguing critique, from renowned celebrity personalities such as Eric Pineda and former Miss Universe candidate Joyce Ann Burton, who were amazed at how such ‘trash’ had been entirely transformed to class! In the end, the winners of the night were Miss Tanauan (Gold), Miss Gapan (Silv...

2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauties with (seated from left) Psalmstre Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jaime V. Acosta, 2012 Miss Earth Air Stefany Stefanowitz and 2012 Manhunt International June Macasaet. The girls of 2014 Miss Philippines Earth learn more about New Placenta and other products from Psalsmtre brand speaker and resident pharmacist Zander Bautista.  2014 Miss Philippines Earth candidates pose for photographers during the Psalmstre plant tour. Wow! New Placenta soap!  Exciting! My skin's newest companion --- New Placenta soap. From left: Psalsmtre Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Acosta, 2014 Miss Philippines Earth candidate Bianca Paz, Miss Earth Air 2012 Stefany Stefanowitz and 2012 Manhunt International June Macaset. (Photos courtesy of Emerson Cebanico) Candidates to the 2014 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant spread cheers to media men and employees of Psalmstre, maker of the popular New Placenta beauty soap, du...

2014 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Mary Jean Lastimosa. The word is out! The 2014 Miss Universe might be held in China later this year! That's according to billionaire Donald Trump who owns the Miss Universe Organization, during a recent interview. Aside from China, other countries in the running include Panama, Puerto Rico and Las Vegas, Nevada in USA. I noticed that  Mr. Trump is really in love with Panama that he still considers the country as a possible venue soon. Remember that he has set his sights on Panama since 2011, but the Latin American country has turned down the offer due to financial woes. There are rumors that the Miss Universe contest will also be held in the Philippines this year or next year. But if the pageant will be held in China, will Mary Jean Lastimosa win the title? Let's just hope for the best. I think MJ is a strong candidate who has really prepared for this. You simply can't ignore a candidate like MJ. If it pushes through, this will ...

Anne Curtis and the staff of E! Asia during an exclusive interview in her residence in Makati City.                                 Meet Princess, one of the dogs of actress Anne Curtis. That's the P15 million question I got from Dollar, Tiger and Summer after I covered Anne Curtis for StarStudio Magazine, the entertainment magazine of ABS-CBN. Nevermind kung sino sila Dollar, Tiger and Summer, let's go back to the question: "Mabait ba si Anne Curtis?" My answer is "yes!'' Well, hindi pa naman kami close ni Anne because I only covered her for one day. And based on my initial impressions, okay naman s'ya. Naalala ko lang uli si Anne when another controversy came up the past days. Still reeling from an incident at The Fort that involved her kapamilya stars John Lloyd Cruz and Poemela Beranda, eto na naman ang isang balita about Anne. Nag-wala raw si Anne who at that time was drunk sa birthday p...

With Melai (center) and Jason (right) after dinner in Quezon City. The Melai-Jason wedding entourage. Groom Jason Francisco is flanked by Best Men Paul Jake Castillo and Ryan Bang as they await for the arrival of the bride Melai Cantiveros.                          Melai is escorted by parents Dionisio and Virginia in the wedding march. The Holy Cross Parish in General Santos City is witness to the wedding of Melai and Jason last December 9, 2013. Melai and Jason show off their wedding rings.     Bugoy Drilon sings the newlywed's theme song 'This I Promise You' by N' Sync. Male guests dance as they prepare for the throwing of the groom's garter. Richard Paras (right), popularly known as Rica, Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate, hosts the throwing of the bride's bouquet for women during the after-wedding party...

ALONE BUT HAPPY IN MAAPON RIVER. Behind is the Maapon River in Kakati, sight of the Lunesan Sa Ilog Festival, which is part of the annual Bulihan Festival in Sampaloc, Quezon. Spirits are high as residents of Sampaloc, Quezon province lay the groundwork for the 4th Bulihan Festival from April 23 to 26. Now on its 4th year, the Bulihan Festival celebrates the ingenuity and expertise of Sampalokis (that's how residents of Sampaloc town are called) in making Buri products. With their expertise and talent, Buri items such as bags, sleepers, hats, bracelets, men's wallets have become one of the hottest products here and abroad. Thanks to the Mayor Emmanuel S. Torres who vigorously campaigned to highlight the Bulihan Festival. The town's amiable and friendly mayor said that the festival has been on-going for many years now but it was only in 2010 when he finally decided to give the local craftship full-blast promotion. "This is something I want to highlight in...

Mary Jean Lastimosa, the country's bet to the 2014 Miss Universe beauty pageant. Never give up on your dreams! This was proven by entrepreneur Mary Jean Lastimosa whose sweet victory came after she was crowned 2014 Bb.Pilipinas-Universe the third time she joined the beauty pageant, during a tense-filled show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City early yesterday morning . "Never give up on your dreams! And this is my third time. I hope that this will serve as an inspiration. Never say never! If it's in your heart, live your dreams, work on it and never give up,''  said Lastimosa, 26, who will soon represent the Philippines in the 2014 Miss Universe beauty contest. Moments before her name was announced as the top winner, Lastimosa said a prayer. "I imagined myself wearing the crown. And then I prayed, please Lord, please let me have this.'' Her prayer was answered. The crowd cheered wildly when Lastimosa's name was...

2013 Miss Universe Gabriela Isler (3rd from right) joins the winners of the  2014 Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.  The 2013 Miss Universe Gabriela Isler fever is over! But the frenzy for the winners of the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant has just started. Congratulations to Bb. Pilipinas Universe Mary Jean Lastimosa, our bet to the 2014 Miss Universe beauty contest later this year. There are reports that it will be held in Russia, USA and even the Philippines. Let's just wait for the announcement of billionaire Donald Trump for the venue of the most prestigious beauty contest. Other winners were Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti who will be our representative to the Miss International contest in Japan. Mary Anne is the girl with an impressive background and a megawatt smile. Yvethe Marie Santiago, my kababayan from Bicol, is our delegate to the Miss Supranational contest in Europe. I really thought th...

2013 Miss Universe Gabriela Isler smiles during a press conference at the Sofitel last March 27, 2014. Isler said that she wants to comeback to the country and explore the island. Reigning Miss Universe Maria Gabriela Isler of Venezuela admits that the Philippines has become a tough competitor in major beauty pageants abroad as she admires the outpouring support of Filipinos to beauty queens. On the eve of the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest, Isler said that she would not be surprised if a Filipina will be crowned Miss Universe later this year. "Of my God, yes! And also all the public, for example, in my Miss Universe. You can hear all the Philippines fans just clapping! My God! (And there are) just four Venezuelan people. just my family, and all the fans from the Philippines! And I think since four years ago, the Philippines is going to the top four, top three, so its always more close to getting the title as Miss Universe. So I think all the countries are ge...

Janicel Jaramilla Lubina in Cary Santiago evening gown. Janicel Jaramilla Lubina is the Philippines bet for the 21st Top Model of the World Competition in Egypt on April 11. By now, Palawan beauty and former Kasambahay Janicel Jaramilla Lubina is in El Gouna, Egypt to represent the country in the 21st Top Model of the World competition on April 11. During send-off press conference held at the new Kimukatsu Restaurant at Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City, Lubina said she will promote the country's tourist destinations and the Filipinos "who love to welcome visitors.''   "There's so much fun in the Philippines. And they will really enjoy our country because there's so much to explore here. Of course, the warmth of Filipinos is one thing I can be proud of,'' said Lubina. The 19-year-old dusky charmer is the reigning  Slimmer’s World Miss Bikini Philippines. She stands 5-foot-8 and measures 34-22-34.  A part-time model, Lubina wa...

Binibini No. 30 Joy Marie Gangan. Binibini No. 2 Mary Ainjely Manalo & Binibini No. 11 Laura Lehman. Binibini No. 5 Hannah dela Guerra. Binibini No. 1 Julian Aurine Flores. Binibini No. 12 Sarah Asido and Binibini No. 40. Vessica Sambo (right). Candidate No. 6 Anabelle Christine Tia and candidate No. 31 Angelique de Leon. Binibini No. 35 Yvette Santiago. Binibini No. 4 Parul Shah. 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Ma. Venus Raj. Up to now, hindi pa rin nag-babago. Magiliw pa rin sa mga mediamen. That night I asked her to sign my ticket of the 2010 Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest. Mangiyak-ngiyak sa tuwa si Venus and gusto n'yang hingin 'yung ticket. I told her it's a souvenir from 2010. She said: "Buti ka pa may ticket ka pa nito. Akin na lang!" Tumawa na lang ako. After my solo pic with her, she told me "hahanapin talaga kita dahil sa ticket na yan!"  Last year's first runner-up and this year's Binibini ...