POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Ma. Venus Raj received her master's degree during commencement rites at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City last June 25 "Nagbunga na ang apat na taong pagsisikap. Sa mga kapwa ko magtatapos, isang taos-pusong pagbati sa inyo. #ThankYouJesusForSustainingMe," said Raj as she uploaded a selfie on Instagram after graduation. "To those who became instruments in making this journey possible, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can never boast of this moment, this is all by the grace of God. "Sa lahat ng magsisipagtapos, let us still consider ourselves students of this life. Never stop learning. When we stop learning, we stop growing. There are far more lessons that we have to discover. Don't be afraid of the process, God is with you.  #GodIsFaithful #HeIsAble," Raj added. The 29-year-old beauty queen from Camarines Sur completed her master's degree in Community Development. Law

Kapamilya star Nadine Lustre is this year's sexiest Filipino woman, according to poll results conducted by FHM Philippines magazine released on June 28. “Nadine Lustre’s ascension to the Throne of Sexy comes as no surprise – not only does she have the most loyal fans, she also has the glowing assets to show for it. Give her a warm welcome!” FHM Philippines said on its Facebook post. Lustre received a total of 491,039 votes or 9.85 percent of the total. Last year's title holder, Jessy Mendiola, fell to No.4 with 350,182 votes or 7.03 percent. Other celebrities in the Top 10 are: 2) Kim Domingo (450,192 or 9.03 percent) 3) Rhian Ramos (359,405 or 7.21 percent) 4) Jessy Mendiola (350,182 or 7.03 percent). 5) Ellen Adarna (320,391 or 6.43 percent) 6) Jennylyn Mercado (318,273 or 6.39 percent) 7) Angel Locsin (248,192 or 4.98 percent)  8) Liza Soberano (201,925 or 4.05 percent) 9) Maine Mendoza (200,182 or 4.02 percent) 10)

The Philippines takes center stage as it hosts the first Mister Universe Tourism in October this year. "Our main objective is to promote tourism and culture of every country," said Board Member Gerald Ortiz, of the 4th District of Quezon Province, during the soft launch of the newest international pageant for men, held at Brown Restaurant in Mandaluyong City on June 28. Ortiz said that the debut of the international pageant is targeting 50 contestants. "So far, 20 countries have already confirmed their participation in the contest." The candidates are expected to arrive in the country on Oct. 5. They are expected to tour the popular scenic spots in the country during their 10-day stay here. There will only be three winners during the contest - a titleholder and two runners-up. The ultimate winner will receive US$4,000 worth of cash and prizes. This male pageant is organized by KASAMA, Inc., which also organizes the annual Mister and Miss Philippi

Three months before his reign ends as Mister Chinatown Philippines, hunky Filipino-Chinese Jan Louie Ngo said that he is ready to embark on a new journey on television and even trading. "It was great actually. Before, I came from the bank, I was actually a trader there, foreign exchange. After I won, sobrang nagbago ang life ko," said Ngo, during an interview at the launch of Mister Universe Tourism 2017 pageant at Brown Restaurant in Mandaluyong City on June 28. "Right now, I'm one of the hosts of 'Swak na Swak' on ABS CBN. From the transition there, from a banker to ABS CBN, I was empowered because of Mister and Miss Chinatown Philippines. "After my reign, right now, I am still with Sun Life as financial adviser. I will pursue hosting even more," said Ngo. In fact, Ngo will leave for China soon to study broadcasting there. "For a short period of time lang naman. It's a scholarship I got from Ateneo de Manila." When n

Madonna, 58, is head over heels with a 31-year-old male model Kevin Sampaio. According to American entertainment and gossip website Radar Online, Madonna and Sampaio have been dating secretly for more than a year now. “Madonna did not want to go public with Kevin until now because she was just trying to get to know him better and she wanted to make sure that she could trust him. She was impressed by the fact that, after a year of dating, he did not go running to the press and that he kept their romance private,” a source told the site. The pop star and the fashion model first met on the set of her music video "B**ch I'm Madonna" in 2015. Since then, the two have been seeing frequently. Reports also said that Sampaio had met the children of the singer and they hit it off well. The source added that the two are getting serious with their relationship. “They have gotten a lot more serious in the past six months and he’s great with her kids. Madonna j

Actor Piolo Pascual couldn't be prouder of his son singer-model Inigo Pascual who topped the first Billboard Philippine chart recently. This means that Inigo earned the distinction of being the first Filipino singer to reach No. 1 on the country's debut rankings reflecting local music consumption. Inigo's "Dahil Sa'Yo" topped the debut of the Billboard Philippine Top 20 chart for the week of June 19, 2017. In second place is "Sila" by Sud. Holding at Nos. 3 and 4 are the songs by Jona entitled "Pusong Ligaw," and  "Maghihintay Ako," respectively. Other songs in the Top 10 are "Pasensya Ka Na," Silent Sanctuary, No. 5; "Mobe," Enrique Gil (6); "Hiling," Mark Carpio (7); "Hanggang Kailan," Michael Pangilinan (8); "Tulad Mo," TJ Monterde (9); and "No Games" (featuring King Badger & Skusta Clee," (10). Piolo said that he is very proud of his son

Celebrity doctor Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho Jr got married during a civil ceremony in Makati City on Friday, June 23. The civil wedding was officiated by Makati Mayor Abby Binay at the residence of Belo. "I was afraid that I would feel like I would lose my freedom by getting married . Instead I feel joyful and free. Thank you #mayorabbybinay for officiating our civil wedding," said Belo in a post on Instagram after the wedding. Baby Scarlet Snow Belo, daughter of the newly weds, witnessed the simple ceremony. Kho said that he and Belo are now "officially off the market." "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh," said Kho on his IG post. Netizens congratulated the couple in their respective social media accounts. - ROBERT REQUINTINA

Another Barretto is making her presence felt in local show business. So far, Claudia Barretto is not into acting but she is passionate about music these days. "Ever since I was younger, I enjoyed singing. And I was a very shy person and that's the only thing that was holding me back. So the only reason I did not enter the industry sooner it's because I was really shy. But it wasn't an effort to go to music. It just happened that I was passionate about music. I love singing," said Claudia, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Claudia has recorded her debut song "Stay" which already went No. 4 on Spotify Viral 50 Philippine chart. Its music video has already notched 116,000 views. "It was written by Moira dela Torre. She's a Cornerstone talent. I specifically asked for something  that wasn't usual. Like something that's gonna be new to the OPM scene. "So she gave me 'Stay.'  W

Renewable energy firm Mackay Green Energy recently disclosed that a growing number of overseas clients has expressed interest in the company’s technology that utilizes bana grass as alternative source of energy. Mackay Green Energy has developed technologies to convert bana grass, a variety of grass that can be converted to fuel found to be superior to fossil-based coal and can be mixed with coal for power generation. “We are planning to expand internationally and export to other countries for their need of biomass and green coal. Present requirement for biomass mostly comes from Korea and Japan,” Rex Jamillarin, Mackay Green Energy Chief Technology Officer said. According to Jamillarin, Korea signed an environmental agreement and has since made moves to require coal-fired power plants to get renewable energy certificate. The same also goes to Japan. “To achieve that renewable energy certificate, coal-fired power plants has to mix biomass with coal in a certain ratio so

Sorry pageant fans! There will be no Miss Universe 2017 beauty contest in the Philippines later this year. This was announced by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo at the sidelines of the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism for Development on Thursday. “No Miss Universe this year. Baka next year next,” said Teo, according to a report by ABS-CBN. (Maybe next year). It would be recalled that the Miss Universe Organization offered the rights to the Philippines to host once again the Miss Universe 2017 beauty contest. Officials of the most prestigious beauty contest led by MUO President Paula Shugart arrived in Manila recently to meet local organizers about hosting the contest back-to-back. But Teo said that the the staging of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant in November would be decided upon by President Rodrigo Duterte, during an interview on CNN Philippines. The Miss Universe 2016 beauty pageant was held in Manila for the third time last January 30, 2017.

Kapamilya singer Jovit Baldivino has called on the public not to judge him, adding that they should not believe in everything they read in the news about his personal life. Baldivino aired his latest sentiments about his personal life on Facebook recently. His full post read: "Kalmado lang kami lahat. Family ko, relatives ko mga kaibigan ko, kasi ayaw namin na mas lalo pang lumaki yan, at ayaw din namin magsalita ng masasakit na bagay sa mga taong mapanghusga, basta andito pa din ako nakatayo at paninindigan ko, namin, na wala kaming ginawang masama. "Oo minsan nagkamali ako, nagsisi, pero pinilit kong ibangon ang lahat ng bagay na nagkulang ako, kasi hindi ako masamang tao alam ng karamihan yan, pero kung naniniwala kayo sa bagay na yan, wala naman ako magagawa kasi hindi ko naman po hawak ang mga pagiisip nyo. "Kayo naman din po ang dahilan kung bakit ako nabubuhay at kung bakit ako andito sa kung ano man ako ngayon, at kayo din ang nagsabi na wag kang m

Actor Sam Milby is hopeful that he would settle down with television host Mari Jasmine soon. However, the actor said that he is not pressured to get married. "That is my ideal age (34). Pero pag 35 na ako at parang hindi ko pa nararamdaman, I don't wanna feel pressured kahit halos lahat ng kaibigan ko (are getting married)," said Milby during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "Ako, if I feel na ito na ang tamang panahon, and I feel na  sya talaga yung gusto kong makasama habang buhay, then I'll propose," Milby added. Milby, 33, hopes that Jasmine is the one for him. "I hope. I don't think you should be in a relationship pag hindi yun ang iniisip mo. You shouldn't think that it's just a pastime," he added. As he celebrates his 12th anniversary in showbiz, Milby released his new CD called "Sam:12." "This album was supposed to be released last year. Halos lahat ng songs na-rec

The Miss Global Philippines beauty pageant launched Bio Luce shampoo and conditioner products as one of its major partners for this year's beauty contest during an event held at the West Avenue Suites, Quezon City last May 26, 2017. Kazuyoshi Irizuki, president of Brand Master Corporation, led the launch of one of Japan's best-selling hair products in the country. Joining him were Rizza Lao Laping, chairperson of Miss Global Philippines and 2016 Miss Global Philippines Camille Hirro, who hosted the occasion. Irizuki said that Bio Luce products sell an average of 50,000 bottles every month in Japan and increasing. Irizuki believes that Filipinos will also love these hair products because they have 100 percent pure organic ingredients and they have no harmful chemical ingredients. Laping thanked Irizuki for choosing the Miss Global Philippines as their partner in this year's beauty contest. Miss Global England Sophie Rankin endorsed the products as she