POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

Eighteen years ago pa nang namayapa ang ama ni Sharon Cuneta na si Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta. Pero sinabi ni Shawie na lalo niyang na-mi miss ang kanyang ama lalo na kapag down siya. Ito ay ipinahayag ni Sharon sa kanyang Facebook matapos aksidente niyang makita ang diamond ring ng kanyang ama at ang mamahaling Rolex watch na iniregalo niya rito noon. Sinariwa niya ang nakaka-aliw na kuwento tungkol sa Rolex watch na ang ending ay binilhan din niya ang kanyang ina na si Elaine Cuneta ng parehong mamahaling relo. "Last night, I was very sad. So I busied myself by cleaning out my safe and fixing all that was inside. Then I found this ring, with a letter 'P' cut out from one diamond, which I gave to my Daddy as a gift for either his birthday or Father’s Day (Remember, his name was- IS! - Pablo?); "I then also found this Rolex watch that I gave him one Father’s Day. I remember my Dad and I agreeing to keep it a secret. So when Mom noticed the watch and ...

An English teacher from the Philippines has arrived home days after she was crowned at the inaugural Miss Landscapes International beauty pageant 2018 held in China recently. Karen Grace Atienza, of Rodriguez, Rizal, ended a nine-year drought for Filipino beauty queens when she became the third Filipino to win in pageants either hosted or held in China. The last time a Filipino beauty queen won in China was in 2009. John dela Vega, national director of the Jewel of the Philippines contest, said that the Miss Landscapes International pageant aims to achieve harmony between nature and mankind and protection of animals. Atienza said that she is excited to go back to the Manggahan National High School where she teaches in Grade 9 and show them her crown. "Throughout the pageant, I keep in touch with my co-teachers and district supervisor. I have a very supportive team of teachers," says Atienza. Asked how the government can provide quality education, the new be...

Boto si Ice Seguerra sa sexual reassignment surgery o ang pagbabago ng kasarian pero inamin niya na hindi ito ganun kadali. "Noong una, andun ako sa 'bakit kailangang ganito?' Pero mula ng nag-come out ako as transgender, it's so hard to wake up everyday seeing you're in this body," ayon kay Ice sa interview sa "Tonight With Boy Abunda" sa ABS CBN. "Alam mo yung pakiramdam na hindi naman dapat 'yun. Noong una sinabi ko rin sa wife ko, parang hindi niya ma-gets eh. 'Tinatanggap naman kita eh. For me, you're a man. Let's not talk about that.' Thank you for accepting me." Sa ngayon ay nasa transition period pa lamang siya pagdating sa usapin ng pagpapalit ng kasarian. "Nasa transitioning pa lang, sa hormone replacement ganyan. Of course ang pinaka-malaking issue talaga diyan is boses. People love what they hear. Sa akin, it's a big risk. This is my bread and butter. I feed my family sa pagkanta ko eh...

Meet Phanendra Kaushik Prasai of Nepal who won Mister National Universe 2018 during a pageant held in Thailand on June 18. Kaushik, a promotional model, has just arrived in Katmandu where he had a simple celebration with his family, friends and fashion designers after his win. "I have yet to do the big celebration which I'm not sure when exactly." Asked about his name, the Nepalese said: "Kaushik is the name of an Indian Hindu sage (rishi) and since I grew up in India, I was given the name as a pet name." Right now, he's in a very serious and committed relationship. Kaushik has a younger sister. He studied Information Management for his Bachelors from Orchid College. Just like in the Philippines, Nepalese love pageants, he says. "There are a lot of pageants in Nepal for all men, women and kids. There are new pageants every once in a while too. This year we saw about 30+ new ones all over Nepal. Apart from giving opportunities and exposure...

Karen Gallman, the country's representative to the Miss Intercontinental 2018 beauty pageant, is now engaged to her long-time boyfriend Ian Galton. Gallman made the official announcement on her Instagram as she posted a photo of her and her fiancee. It was captioned: "WE ARE ENGAGED! Two weeks today, the love of my life asked me to marry him... I said YES of course! 💍 Thank you for making me the happiest girl on the planet, I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you with all my heart ❤️ #engaged #forever." Gallman also posted images of her trips with her fiancee in Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Austria and The Czech Republic. Check out these stunning vacation photos which she shared on Instagram.                  Der Freischütz at the Vienna State Opera.                'Because happiness is not a place nor destination. Happiness is a state of mind and      ...

Sen. Cynthia Villar was awarded an honorary doctorate by the country’s premiere school in agricultural studies during the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) 46th Commencement Exercises held at D.L. Umali Freedom Park, UPLB. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food and on Environment and Natural Resources, was recognized by the UP Board of Regents for her achievements in the fields of agricultural development, poverty alleviation, education and upholding the welfare of women and children. Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Chancellor of UPLB, said Villar is being recognized “for her commitment to public service and dedication to the welfare of the Filipino people.” In receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Villar said “it is truly an honor and privilege that you all deem me worthy of this recognition.” From left: Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III – OIC, CHED / Chairman of the Board of Regents, Paolo Villar - Vista Land Chief Executive O...

Welcome home, Kenley Filarca! This successful banker-restaurateur made the Philippines proud once again when he was adjudged Mister National Universe Ambassador 2018 held in Bangkok, Thailand recently. Filarca did not bring home the major title but his awards, including People's Choice, are enough to make him a winner in the hearts of Filipino pageant fans. The guy from Ilocos Sur, who is oozing with positive vibes, met some members of the Philippine press to thank them for their support in his exciting journey to the pageant arena. At his victory press conference in Makati City, Pop News Now sat down with Kenley who gave us insights on love, friendship, lessons learned, and goals. Say hi to Kenley Filarca! - ROBERT REQUINTINA with images by Joy Arguil. 1) Sino ang tunay na Kenley Filarca? "Ang tunay na Kenley Filarca ay mapagbigay, maingay at masaya." 2) Tatlong tao na napaka-taas ng respeto mo. "Hindi lang tatlo pero magbibigay ako ng nasa To...

An abandoned baby boy was found by a businesswoman under a papaya tree on a vacant lot in Cavite last Wednesday noon. "I found this abandoned newly born baby (with fresh blood stain on his umbilical cord)," said Cielo Tuazon Camino-Yabut who found the abandoned baby under a tree near Jollibee Pag-asa in Imus. Yabut, who was on her way to a meeting at the mayor's office, said that she was thankful that the baby is still alive. "Nasa ilalim ng puno ng papaya yung baby at nasisikatan siya ng araw. Iyak siya ng iyak dahil naiinitan. Thank God at buhay pa!" She immediately called her friend Dr. Randy Calingasan for assistance who dispatched an ambulance and a medical team. Yabut said that she and the medical team turned over the baby to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Imus. The boy, she said, is now okay and being breastfed. Authorities said that people who find a baby cannot just adopt them without legal process. The 11 step...

Tinarayan ni Reina Hispanoamericana Teresita "Winwyn" Marquez ang mga pekeng pageant fans na di umano'y nagsasabi na hindi raw niya ginagampanan ang kanyang pagiging international beauty queen. Nag-react si Marquez matapos mag-post ang ibang netizens na nagsasabing wala raw siyang ginagawa matapos makoronahan bilang kauna-unahang Asian at Pilipina na nanalo sa Reina Hispanomaericana beauty pageant sa Bolivia noong 2017. Narito ang kabuuan ng kanyang reaction na naka-post sa kanyang Instagram stories: "To those fake pageant fanatics who keep bashing me and ang daming mema na hindi ako masyado nag-ttravel and walang ginagawa. Well, be updated; "If ang basehan nyo e photoshoot and travel then okay. I've done that though not as much as others pero nagawa ko na po; "I signed a network contract and I also have have an upcoming movie with Regal. My CEP is my main project (my advocacy) na sariling sikap pa it's not under RHA or MPWorg; ...

Amelia "Amy" Sunio-Abarquez, philanthropist and organizer of the Miss Tourism Philippines beauty pageant, has called on other beauty contest organizers to prove the people that they are for real and not just for show. "There’s so many pageant these days and it’s so hard to gain the trust of people. Sana dapat tayong mga involve sa pageants, hindi lang tayo dapat kumikita. Let us show them that our advocacy is for real," said Abarquez in an exclusive interview in Pasig City recently. Joining Abarquez in the team is Antonio "Tony" Abarquez, an entrepreneur and civic leader. Amelia also said: "Critics have the right to bash us but we really need to show them that we are for real. Heto kami. Hopefully, in the near future, we will gain the trust and confidence of the people. We really have to earn our stars." She added: "Pageants are here to help translate the dreams of candidates into reality." Amelia said that the Miss To...

The road to the Misters of Filipinas crowns begins! Misters of Filipinas, the country's most prestigious pageant for young Filipino men, has announced its four official candidates for this year's contest. They are Jego Nacnac, Misters of Filipinas Laoag; Ruben Anthony Timbol, Misters of Filipinas Tarlac; Federico Palejon, Misters of Filipinas Italy; and Johnchris Gamez, Misters of Filipinas Florence Italy. The announcement was made on the official Facebook page of the pageant which advocates masculinity and responsibility.                                                    Jego Nacnac   In a span of six years, Misters of Filipinas has already produced three crowns --- the latest was the victory of Ion Perez who won Mr. Universe Tourism 2018 recently. Organized by the Prime Events Productions Philippines Foundation Inc., Misters ...