POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

A student of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City was crowned Dream Girl of the Year International 2018 during the Miss Tourism International 2018 pageant held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia recently. Julieane Aya Fernandez was one of the five major winners in the beauty contest dubbed the "holiday pageant" because the Miss Tourism International contest is usually staged around the holiday season. Other winners were: Astari Vernideani of Indonesia, Miss Tourism International; Sarah Pkyach of Kenya; Miss Tourism Metropolitan International; Sandra Callahan, Australia, Miss Tourism Global; and Laura Skutane, Latvia, Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan International. Host delegate Caenne Ng of Malaysia won the special title of Miss Southeast Asia Tourism Ambassadress. Aya is a broadcast communication student from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. She is also a recipient of the Most Promising Youth Social Enterprise for the year 2017

A 22-year-old fitness trainer from Laoag, Ilocos Norte who was about to give up his stint in pageants won Mister Model Worldwide 2018 during a contest held in India recently. Carlo Pasion waited for one year and three months before he could compete in an international pageant. Normally, a Filipino contestant would compete within the year the delegate won in the local search. The pageant in India focuses on modelling and physique. Other winners for Mister Model Worldwide 2018 were: Thailand, 1st runner-up; India, 2nd runner-up; Bolivia, 3rd runner-up; and Nigeria, 4th runner-up. Pasion won the Misters of Filipinas contest in September 2017, earning him the right to compete abroad. He was supposed to join the Mister Ocean 2018 contest in China in August but it was cancelled. "After that I was ready to give up pageants. I told myself I will pursue aviation this time. Maybe pageant is not for me. Then one day I received a call from Carlo Morris Galang that I will be com

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga --- Beauty queens and other groups spread holiday cheers when they gave gifts to 800 Aeta children here as part of the Christmas project dubbed "Angels' Dream". "From 300 and 600,  we are granting the 800 wishes of Little Angels. Thank you to all those who helped for making this annual project a success.  We can all be a heaven-sent and we can be a blessing by giving," says Midori Clark Hotel and Casino General Manager Vic Chan, during the gift-giving event held in the establishment last Dec. 18. In response, Jumong Ragondo, an elementary pupil from Sapang-Bato Elementary School, read a thank you letter written in Pilipino in behalf of the Aeta children. Ragondo promised the group that he and the children will study hard. During the first year of the holiday project in 2016, some 300 wishes from Aeta kids were granted. Then the number of wishes granted doubled in 2017, adds Chan. Among those who took part in

Newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray flew to New York City last Dec. 20 to start her reign for the most prestigious beauty pageant. This as Gray's Instagram followers have already reached more than three million just three days after she won the crown. "How I'm feeling now that there's 3MILLION of you on this journey!" says Gray on IG. Few days before the coronation night last Dec. 17, the number of her followers was only 800,000. Before she left the country, Gray would attend a private charity function in Metro Manila. As soon as she arrives in The Big Apple, Gray will do a series of press tours where she will make guest appearances on popular American radio and television shows and sit in on print interviews. Last Dec. 19, architect Richelle Singson-Michael, daughter of former Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, said that Gray is expected to return to Manila in January or February "for her victory parade and press conference." -  R

Miss Philippines Simone Nadine Bornilla may not have won the crown at Miss Teen International 2018 but she made her country proud when she won two special awards during the finals held in India recently. Bornilla, 15, an aspiring surgeon, won Miss Teen International Asia and Oceania and Best In National Costume. Miss Mexico was named Miss Teen International 2018. The runners-up were Miss India, 1st runner-up; and Miss Venezuela, 2nd runner-up. Bornilla, who is the reigning Miss Philippine Youth, thanked her supporters in her journey to the international pageant. "PHILIPPINES! I was so happy to be wearing your sash tonight. I know we didn’t get this far as we wanted to be, but I do hope that I made you all proud," says the teen queen. She adds: "I want my kababayans to know that I had an amazing journey here in India and that I learned much more than any classroom could teach me. The bond I had with these lovely girls from the South and North America, Eur

Reigning Miss World Philippines Katarina Rodriguez may not have won the Miss World 2018 crown in China recently but says that she won't change a thing during the international competition. "I arrived in China feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders & now I leave China feeling absolute freedom," says Rodriguez on Instagram just one day after she arrived from China recently. Rodriguez continues: "I would not have changed a thing during my time in Miss World this past month. Despite not bringing home the blue crown, I did exactly what I wanted, I represented my beloved country for my last time & introduced to the world #ProjectBecome & the @teachpeacebuildpeacemovement; "This competition was more than just a crown. It meant becoming a woman. It was opening my heart and mind to a panel of judges, who in retrospect had their preferences, knowing the possibility that my reality wouldn’t be what they were looking for," the

Swimsuit Diva Domz Ramos, official swimwear designer of the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant, continues to spread cheers to the poor this holiday season! Now on its third year, Ramos and his team will lead the "Ma-Barbie Doll ang Pasko Caravan" which will kick off in Lipa City, Batangas on Dec. 18. Helping him in his advocacy is former Mr. Gay World finalist-entrepreneur Wilbert Tolentino, also of WEMSAP. "We will be giving away dolls and toys to all the street kids in some parts of Metro Manila and in the provinces. It's our humble way of giving happiness to the street children this holiday season," says Ramos, during an exclusive interview. Other schedules of the gift-giving activity are: Barangay Canlalay, Binan, Laguna, Dec. 19; Dasmarinas, Cavite, Dec. 20; Lobo, Batangas, Dec. 22; Barangay San Andres, Malate, Manila, Dec. 23; Barangay Bagumbayan, Taguig City, Dec. 26; and Ilocos Sur, Dec. 28. At the event, the children will also be treated t

Miss Universe Vietnam H'Hen Nie thanked her Filipino pageant coaches after she made it to the Top 5 of the 2018 Miss Universe beauty pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 17. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much, My Teacher Anjo Santos," says Nie on Instagram. Aside from Santos, her other pageant coaches were Gerard Ruivivar and Kim Rocafor. Santos, who was born and raised in Bicol, trained Nie in pasarela and make-up. He said that the national director of Miss Universe Vietnam approached him to train Nie. Santos and Rocafor trained Nie for the question-and-answer portion. "Miss Vietnam is so determined na kahit hand movements lang, nakukuha niya ang instructions," says Santos, who is an independent pageant coach in an interview on "GMA News To Go" program recently. Santos also trained Ma. Venus Raj, another Bicolana, who won 4th runner-up in the 2010 Miss Universe contest held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a grooming a

Bb. Pilipinas-World 2007 Maggie Wilson-Consunji has admitted that she got immense backlash when she gave negative comments about newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray earlier this year. "Today, I kept changing my settings here on IG because of the immense backlash I’ve been getting over something I said 9 months ago," said Maggie on Instagram last Dec. 17. It would be recalled Maggie and former Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago were caught up in a controversy after they commented that Catriona does not deserve to win the Best In Swimsuit award during the Bb. Pilipinas 2018 contest. Supporters of Catriona bashed the two beauty queens on social media. Catriona then addressed her fans. The Filipino-Australian beauty queen said: "Hey, my loves. I've been seeing some comments online regarding the comments of two of our beauty queens and their opinions on the best in swimsuit award in BBP2018; "Firstly, everyone is entitled to their own op

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the Inauguration of the Las Piñas Drug Rehabilitation Center last Dec. 13 which was donated by former Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar. The Mella Hotel of Villar owned by Vistaland was also inaugurated by President Duterte. It is in celebration of the birthday of Manny Villar, Nacionalista Party President and the only Filipino who holds the distinction as the first Post-War public official elected as both Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President. “The rehab center is part of our contribution to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Through this facility, we can now have a place in Las Piñas and neighboring cities to transform drug-dependent individuals into fully responsible and productive members of our society,” Cynthia Villar said. It can be recalled that the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) farm schools also provided  training prog

Residents of Las Piñas City gathered on Dec. 14 to watch the parade of giant colorful lanterns made of recycled materials as part of this year’s celebration of the 13th Las Piñas Parol Festival. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar and representatives from the local government joined spectators as giant lanterns made by local residents were paraded in the city grounds. “A Filipino Christmas is not complete without a traditional parol hanging outside our homes. I am truly amazed by the creativity of the Las Piñeros as they continue to come up with unique and creative designs that make Christmas in our city truly alive and colorful,” Senator Villar said. The festival was launched by Senator Villar thirteen years ago to revive the city’s parol-making industry. Villar helped organize the “Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Pinas" and later on set up the Las Pinas Parol Center which has since served as the training area for lantern makers. This year, the lanterns built by Las Piñeros were used to ad

Newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray is expected to move into her lavish New York City apartment few days from now to begin her reign. This after she was crowned 67th Miss Universe during a worldwide telecast of the beauty pageant from Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 17. The new apartment, which will also come with a year-long salary as Miss Universe and living expenses, is a part of her prize package. 2017 Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel Peters has already moved out of the luxurious apartment after she packed up in November. Gray, 24, is also expected to haircare products, shoes and accessories for prizes.  She will also receive dermatology and skincare services, professional health and nutrition consultation, dental services and extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners, and access to various events including casting opportunities, movie premiers, screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties. The beauty queen from Oas, Albay in Bicol said that

Sen. Cynthia Villar’s work in the clean-up and rehabilitation of Manila Bay was recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a ceremony  marking the 10th year anniversary of the issuance of a mandamus directing 13 government agencies to lead the rehabilitation of the bay. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources was recognized for “her unwavering support and relentless effort in championing the Manila Bay Rehabilitation cause.” The plaque which was signed by DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu, was given by DENR Usec. Sherwin Rigor in the presence of representatives from the so-called mandamus agencies and DENR officials. VILLAR CITED AS MANILA BAY CHAMPION: Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, received from Department of Environment and Natural Resources Usec. Sherwin Rigor a plaque of appreciation in recognition of Villar's work in the clean up and rehabilitation of Manila Ba

Miss Philippines Catriona Gray captivated the crowd as she paraded with 93 other contestants at the preliminary competition of the 2018 Miss Universe beauty contest held at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 13. Fans cheered and waved their flags in front the contestants who competed in the swimsuit and evening gown categories for two hours which was streamed live on the pageant's website. The pre-pageant activity selected the Top 20 candidates who would have the chance to become the next Miss Universe. The Top 20 will be announced during the broadcast finale on Monday, Dec. 17. For the first time in 67 years, an all-women selecting committee will choose the winner. Gray was one of the most applauded girls in the prelims. Other candidates who were cheered by pageant fans were delegates from Thailand, Spain and some of the contestants from Latin America. In the swimsuit competition, Gray showed off her toned body in a swimwear by Sirivannavari Bangkok. For

Reigning Miss Philippine Youth Simone Nadine Bornila is in India now to represent the country in the prestigious Miss Teen International 2018 pageant. No doubt Nadine, 15, is enjoying her stint in the pageant as she explores India with the other girls based on the photos sent by her father Dr. Jumel Bornilla. She has also done fun shoots for the contest. “I’m having the time of life with my new found sisters.” The finals will be held on Dec. 19. Help Nadine win in her bid for the first ever crown of Miss Teen International for the Philippines! This year is the pageant’s 25th edition and the Philippines nor any other Asian country has ever won this crown. Here’s how! OFFICIAL VOTING MECHANICS: • For Facebook Voting: Step 1: Go to this link: http://www.facebook.com/Missteenint/posts/1185945661543718 Step 2: Like the official page of Miss Teen International Facebook fanpage. Step 3: Like my photo posted in the link above. Step 4: Please comment on my photo. Step 5: Plea