POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

The Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) Foundation has again acknowledged the important role of the youth sector in significantly reducing poverty in the country and improving the lives of many poor families. An the 2nd Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge, the Foundation gave due recognition to 10 outstanding youth organizations for their unique and innovative solutions and undertakings to address poverty in impoverished communities. 2ND VILLAR SIPAG YOUTH AWARDS - Senator Cynthia Villar poses with the winners of the 2nd Villar SIPAG Youth awards held in Las Pinas City last July 27. The 10 outstanding youth groups (seated from left): Rayjand Gellamucho - Youth first initiative Philippines Inc., Ma. Arlene P. Toledo - Tigbao 4th Club 3, Rafael Dionisio - The circle hostels tribes and treks and the plastic solution, Reymark P. Marcos- Monteverde 4-H Club, Kyle Isaac Tan Kua - Adopt A Barangay, Metodia B. Maraguinot- Youthlead Philip

Residents of Quirino province woke up to heavy drumbeats as Rep. Dakila "Dax" Cua officially launched the "Trabaho at Oportunidad" (TAO) Movement in Cabarroguis town this province last July 27. T.A.O. is a multi-sectoral organization that aims to uplift the standards of living of Filipinos by providing training, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities to Filipinos. It will tie-up with various groups for the successful implementation of the program, says Rep. Cua, of the lone district of Quirino. "Ang gusto kong ipakilala sa taong bayan ay ang organization na T.A.O. at ito ay napaka-simple nguni't napakamahulugan; "Ang ipinaglalaban dito ay simple lang - trabaho at oportunidad. Marami kasing nangangarap na buhay dito sa ating bansa. In fact, yung iba pa nga po ay nag-a-abroad para magkaroon ng magandang buhay.; "Ang T.A.O. ay magdadala ng mga tao sa business sector. Yung mga naghahanap ng trabaho, yung mga school na nagte-trai

Senator Cynthia Villar turns 68 today, July 29, as she makes simple wishes on her birth anniversary "Lahat ng tao gusto natin good health at saka sana marami pa tayong maibigay na hanap-buhay sa ating mga kababayan," says Villar, during an interview at the 13th Waterlily Festival held at the Villar SIPAG compound in Las Pinas City last July 27. (We all want good health. Hopefully, there will be more jobs for the people). Despite being the richest member of the Senate, the senator usually marks her birthday in a quiet way. "Bihira siya magbigay ng malaking party. She's very simple. Usually pag birthday niya, dinner lang sila ng family niya, as in," a source says. (She seldom throws big party on her birthday. It's always a quiet dinner with her family). The same source also says that the senator celebrated her birthday in advance through the 13th Las Pinas Waterlily Festival last July 27. It was during this event that her friends, members of the

Prime Event Productions Philippines (PEPPS) Foundation Inc., the group that organizes the annual Misters of Filipinas contest, has said that it is fully aware that reigning Mister Universe Tourism Ion Perez has a child when he competed and won in the local male pageant. "The PEPPS Board is very much aware of the fact that Mr. Ion Perez has a son at the time that he joined the 2017 edition of Misters of Filipinas," says the popular pageant organizer in a statement when asked to comment on Perez having a three-year-old son. The statement was released by Richard Montoya, PEPPS director for legal.  "The PEPPS Board has been very considerate of this sensitive issue and we have told the candidates that the rule that we have adopted since the 2015 edition is that the Candidate must be SINGLE as shown in his Passport and was NEVER Married; "We also made it clear with the candidates during the previous editions that it will never be considered a 'MISTAKE'

Waterlily-inspired gowns and costumes and waterlily-made handicraft brought splashes of color and vibrant life to this year’s celebration of the 13th Las Piñas Waterlily Festival held at the Villar SIPAG grounds in Las Piñas City last July 27. The annual festivity, a brainchild of Las Piñas daughter Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, was packed with families and foreign and local tourists who flocked to the city to marvel at the exhibit display of creative and innovative water lily products and to participate in the handmade paper demonstration using the versatile aquatic blooms.  Sen. Cynthia Villar (center) poses with the winners of the Miss Water Lily Festival 2018 now on its 13th year. The winners are Arlyn Claire M. Sangab of Barangay Pamplona 1 who won the grand trophy and P20,000 cash; Rebecca Kirsten S. Lopez of Barangay. Talon 4, 1st runner-up who got P15,000 cash and Rojielen Angela Autencio of Barangay. Pulanglupa 1, 2nd runner-up who got P10,000 cash. Patricia Mariel R. Vela

Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. announced the holding of the search for the Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA) for the year 2018. Carrying the theme “FORWARD: Challenging Design Boundaries,” AYDA 2018 encourages Architecture and Interior Design students to depart from their usual comfort zones. They are tasked to challenge the vernacular archetypes and present design boundaries so they can come up with more creative creations in a variety of ways possible. From left: Hazel Gotan, marketing officer, NPCP; Shyra Lara Castillo, asst. marketing manager, NPCP; Gladys Goh, group general manager, Nippon Paint Malaysia; Michael Francisco, general manager, NPCP; and TJ Ng, sales manager, NPCP. During the last decade, several design disruptions have created a tremendous impact on the design industry with a more recurring pattern and consumer behaviors that have influenced the way people interpret spaces. Notions like “adaptive reuse,” “disruptive technology,” and “experimenta

Hello Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray! This July, ABS-CBN Lifestyle welcomes Catriona Gray as its first Inspo who will write her beautiful journey on http://Lifestyle.ABS-CBN.com. The ABS-CBN Lifestyle Inspo is a guest editor who will help curate site content on style and fashion, food and dining, health and wellness, travel and leisure, pop culture, homes, tech, and other inspiring and relevant stories to guide every Filipina to live her best life. Besides Catriona as a temporary part of the staff, ABS-CBN Lifestyle continues to produce more timely and relevant content catering to the Filipina millennial. Pop News Now sat down with Catriona at the launch of her journalism career at the poolside of Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City on July 25. Know more about this stunning Filipino-Aussie as she talks about success, her fans, daily outfits, and favorite food! - ROBERT REQUINTINA 1) If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done? &q

Organizers of the Miss Global Philippines beauty pageant have said that they have nothing against transgender women. But they pointed out that do not see their contest accepting them in the future. "This is a female pageant. That's why we empower women and only women. Transgenders, they had sex change. Kung magpapasok ako ng transgender, that means ma-o-over power na tayo ng men. (If I will accept transgender women, that means we are overpowered by men)," said Pauline Sofia Laping, CEO and national director, when asked if Miss Global Philippines is ready to accept transgender women contestants soon, during an exclusive interview at West Avenue Suites in Quezon City recently.                                                     Darling of the Press Eileen Gonzales "Now ako ang pinaglalaban ko mga kakabaihan. Pero kami tinatanggap namin ang single mothers. We give chance to them. (I fight for women empowerment. But we accept single mothers)," adds Lapin

Celebrity dentist Dr. Mario Guiang Jr. is a big fan of tattoo and he wants the whole world to know that there's nothing wrong with it. "I want to get away with the stereotype that tattoo is for criminals. We've been used to reading stories or watching movies with criminals having lots of tattoos. Tattoo is an art," said Guiang, during an exclusive interview in Timog recently. Guiang, a fitness and health buff, wears a tattoo on his right biceps in Samoan style. There's an eagle and dragon icons on his black tattoo. "The eagle is inspired by my travels. I love to travel around the world. And when you fly, you aim high! I have so many dreams and visions. On the other hand, the dragon is an ally of rat. In feng shui, my animal sign is rat," said Guiang, who praises artist Jerard Cayabyab Martinez of Tarlac for his tattoo. Guiang also said that he fully supports local Tarlac artists as he envisions the best of Tarlac through social media posti

There's no stopping reigning Miss Philippine Youth grand winner Simone Nadine Bornilla these days! Aside from school (Colegio San Agustin - Makati), judging local beauty pageants, modelling, and preparing for the screening of Miss Philippines Youth contest, Nadine is the brand ambassador of BAYONGciaga, a proudly Philippine-made, hand-woven bag that provides sustainable income to communities of bayong weavers. "The screening (for Miss Philippines Youth) is coming up so we're preparing for it. Hopefully, the next batch of winners is truly deserving," says Nadine, 15, during a photo shoot for her endorsement at Studio A in Quezon City.  Joining her in the photo shoot is reigning Mister Universe Tourism Ion Perez. Also present at the shoot were Dr. Jumel V. Bornilla, President of Mr. Universe Tourism, and Manuel “Manix” Genabe III, CEO, Mr. Universe Tourism. From left: Reigning Mister Universe Tourism Ion Perez, Javier Villaruel, Nadine Bornilla, and Jeov Ra

Richard Lim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunland Development Corporation (SDC), gave a glimpse of what's to come as work begins on the new addition to their growing hotel chain. Richard Lim, who dreams of adding a hotel every six months, said SDC's biggest, luxurious and most elaborate project --- Red Hotel Suites --- is located along Marcos Highway in Marikina City. This new hotel is just a stone-throw away from malls and just a few kilometers from various tourist attractions in different Rizal provinces. It is scheduled to open by 4th quarter of 2019. GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY --- Officials of Sunland Development Corporations lead the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed 18-storey Red Hotel Suites with roof deck and a basement on Marcos Highway corner Ditchoy Street in San Roque, Marikina City on July 22, 2018. In photo are (from left) engineer Ruel de Luna; David Cayetano, Simon Tan, VP for Operations, Sunland; Dr. Howdin Lam; Richard Lim, Presiden