POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

CJ Hirro, Miss Global Philippines 2016, is one busy person these days. Aside from modelling, ghostwriting and events hosting, CJ has added her voice in the campaign of World Vision Philippines to help end sexual exploitation of children, including online. "I go around and talk about my struggles as a sexual abuse victim, my rise to being a beauty queen, and my newfound purpose of using my title to get people talking about sexual abuse of children and contributing to efforts to end the abuses," says CJ, who finished first runner-up at Miss Global 2016 contest, when asked what keeps her busy. Aside from that, CJ is involved with pageant-related activities such as trainings, mostly on pageant Q and A, personality development, and empowerment. Get to know CJ more as she chats with POP NEWS MANILA: 1) Lessons learned in being a beauty queen? "To be honest, I never dreamed of having the title beauty queen attached to my name. Growing up carrying the baggag...

How true that Kapamilya star Matteo Guidicelli has reportedly called his girlfriend Sarah Geronimo his future wife when he went to the Italian Embassy in the Philippines recently? Here's what our source told us: Matteo reportedly went to the Italian Embassy in Makati City for still unknown reasons recently. When the ambassador asked the actor why he dropped by, Matteo reportedly spoke in Italian and said: "I am applying visa for my future wife." The ambassador was reportedly shocked. Then Matteo gave it a hearty laugh. Matteo says: "No! I'm just kidding. It is still far from my mind." In March, Matteo admitted that he and girlfriend Sarah are already talking marriage. "We stumble upon it sometimes," said Matteo, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. Sought for details, the actor smiled and told Abunda: "I'll tell you about it later." Guidicelli, 27, was born and raised in ...

Organizers have announced the partial list of candidates who made it during the grand callback for Misters of Filipinas 2018 pageant. The partial list of candidates are: Daniel Jego Nacnac, Laoag; Ruben Anthony Timbol, Tarlac; Erik dela Sena, Elcid Camacho, John Paul Ocat, Aldrin Bryan Palma, JP Rosete, Arnel Colis, Jorge Domen, Casius Panopio, John Allen Villejo, Giovanni Guillermo; Jasper Neil Ong, Judah Tiosejo, Arnel Acorda, Jake Rines, Vandave Paragas, Davidrei Manimtim, Nico Aldwin Bundang, Jerry Robert Treyes, Mark Kevin Baloaloa, Federico Garcia Palejon (Rome, Italy); and Johncruz Gamez, (Florence, Italy) "We will announce in the coming days the other official candidates who will represent the other provinces in the Philippines and the Filipino communities from Australia and Canada," according to a statement released by the Prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation Inc. (PEPPS). Last July, the PEPPS board said in a separate statement that official ...

Gemologist Mary Justine Teng, of Muntinlupa City, is one of the official candidates for the Gold Edition of the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 beauty pageant which will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on September 16. Her surname Teng may sound familiar to basketball fans, in reference to Jeric and Jeron Teng. But Justine says she is not related to the popular brothers at all. "Surprisingly, I am close to the girlfriend of Jeron Teng," reveals Justine, who is a dead-ringer for actress Cristine Reyes and mannerisms similar to that of former Miss Universe Philippines Shamcey Supsup-Lee, during an interview in Quezon City recently. Justine, 23, is an accredited jewelry professional certified by the Gemological Institute of America-New York where she took up Diamond Grading. She also studies color stone grading at GIA Education. Justine is also the co-manager at Solo Uno Jewelry Exchange Inc. A graduating student of Philippine School of Interior Design at ...

The Apollo Hospitals Group in New Delhi, India has undertaken 21 pediatric liver transplants cases from the Philippines, it was reported during a press conference held in Makati City recently. "Our transplantation success rates are some of the best in the world, which is truly a credit to the excellent team at Apollo Hospitals that adheres to the highest standards of clinical care," says Dr. Anupam Sibal, group medical director, Apollo Hospitals Group and senior paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist. Sibal says that among the Filipino babies who were successfully treated at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital were Emma Scarlet Mendoza, Nathaniel Almazar, Genesis Louis de Guzman, Jermaine Briseis Belista, Lalem Asher Lizada and Baby Fortune. India showcases as destination for successful  transplants is manifested in the real life story on Sanjay, the first child in India to have been successfully transplanted at the age of 18 months in 1998. Sanjay is now a me...

Pageant guru Rodgil Flores says the Kagandahang Flores beauty camp will continue to innovate and upgrade its training skills for girls in a bid to win more pageant crowns here and abroad. " Personally, as long as maraming lumalapit, nagpapatulong na maging national and eventually maging international beauty queen sila, KF will still be there . As a camp, we are constantly upgrading," says Flores when asked about the future of his beauty camp during an interview in Quezon City recently. He adds: " Lahat kami trying on new learnings. That’s trial and error. For us trainers, the challenge is to really come up with new techniques. We are also intensifying our training for men." Flores describes the KF queens as strong, determined and dedicated. "I think what sets the KF queens apart is that they are strong, determined, dedicated. Ang training ko is pahirapan talaga. So yung spirit nila to win this fight and to reach the end goals given to them by KF c...

Engr. Grace Cristobal couldn't ask for more when she turned a year older last August 18, 2018. "Wala na siguro akong mahihiling pa. Ngayon naman ay gusto kong makatulong sa mga nangangailangan," says Grace when asked about her birthday wish during an interview in Quezon City. (I couldn't ask for more from the Lord. I just want to help the needy) During the birthday celebration, Grace was surrounded by her supportive husband Engr. Louie Cristobal, their children, immediate relatives, close friends and business partners. Engr. Louie was emotional when he gave an impromptu message to his wife during the birthday party. The husband and wife team founded Alkaviva Water Philippines, the company that offers water treatment machine installations and opportunities for people to have their own water refilling stations. Their humble beginning is one for teleseryes. But it's all behind them now as their company continuous to innovate to be on top in this indu...

Brata Kartasasmita of Indonesia has been crowned as the new Mr. Universe Tourism 2018, replacing Benigno "Ion" Perez of the Philippines. This was announced by Mr. Manuel Genabe, CEO of Mr. Universe Tourism Organization, during the coronation night of Mr. Tourism Indonesia 2018 Friday night. "Your country's representative last year Mr. Brata Kartasasmita did very well and landed as one of the winners being the first runner up," says Genabe. He adds: "However, due to the recent turn of events with our grand winner and for his disappearance and inability to fulfill his obligations and responsibilities, it is now my pride and honor to announce that Mr. Universe Tourism Indonesia 2018 Brata is now Mr. Universe Tourism 2018 replacing the previous winner!" Genabe reminds the public that "in the event that the grand winner would not be able to fulfill his duties and responsibilities, the 1st runner-up will take his place."         ...

Familiar faces, including cross-over beauty queens, are competing in this year's Miss World Philippines pageant in a bid to represent the Philippines in various international contests. Leading the cross-over beauty queens is former Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez. She was first runner-up at the Miss Intercontinental 2017 beauty contest held in Egypt. Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Kim de Guzman is also vying for the title. She was also former Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2017.           From left: Kim De Guzman, Pauline Deveraturda, Arienne Calingo and Maria Gail Tobes. Filipina-French Maureen Montagne who won the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless is giving the pageantry a shot. Other crossover beauty titlists are Miss Manila 2017 Maria Gail Devora Tobes and former Bb. Pilipinas 2018 contestant Rose Murphy. Alyssa or Yssa Muhlach Alvarez, daughter of actor Almira Muhlach and former PBA star Bong Alvarez, also auditioned in...