POP NEWS PHILIPPINES

"We did it Philippines!" Thus said Filipino-Australian beauty queen Karen Gallman few days after she was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2018, the first for the Philippines in 47 years. On Instagram, Gallman said: "I’m so proud to bring our nation its first Intercontinental crown. The overwhelming support from you all has been amazing and I can’t thank you all enough nor have done it without you. This crown is not just for me, its for all of you and a representation of what we can achieve as a nation. Keep pushing to be the best version of yourself by “always looking up to God and being thankful for everything; "Thank you to my MIC queens, chaperones and the team for a wonderful three weeks that I will always cherish!" she added. The Philippines made another pageant history when Bb. Pilipinas Karen Gallman finally clinched the elusive Miss Intercontinental 2018 crown during a contest held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last Jan. 26. Gall...

Jay Daniel Verano, dubbed the Prince of Scents, has been branded by some people as snob and unapproachable. While he may not be too friendly in the beginning, Jay claims he would rather know the person first before he gets warm with them. Yet behind the quiet persona is a young man with so much fire and passion within. Jay is a man with many F.A.C.E.S. He can be relentless once he sets his mind into anything and everything he loves – Fashion and Fitness …Art (and Photography)…Culinary…Environment…and Scents (F.A.C.E.S.) Having been born underprivileged did not hinder from pursuing his dreams. It only pushed him to dream big, work hard and focus on his goals. The fulfillment of his dreams are not for him alone, but for his family. Such are his mother and his siblings whom he loves more than anything in this world. Jay also strives hard so he can help make a difference in this world by actively sharing his time and resources to his causes, being an advocate of nature and th...

Sen. Cynthia Villar has lauded the volunteers and government officials who led the launch of the inter-agency campaign to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay. Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said the campaign called “Battle for Manila Bay,” provided the needed boost to volunteers who have made it their life’s mission to help clean and rehabilitate the historic bay. “Nakakatuwa na mas marami na ngayon ang involved sa paglilinis ng Manila Bay. Dati pare-parehong mukha ang nandiyan. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil sa inter-agency effort na ito, mas marami ang nakaalam kung gaano kagrabe ang sitwasyon ng Manila Bay ngayon at mas marami ang na-engganyo na tumulong,” Villar said. In a ceremony marking the 10th year anniversary of the issuance of the Supreme Court mandamus on Manila Bay rehabilitation, Villar was recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for “her unwavering support and relentless effort in championing the ...

Popular Filipino haute couture designer Arielle Agasang of the Agasang House of Couture said that he is deeply honored to be chosen as one of the fashion designers for the Miss Intercontinental 2018 beauty pageant which wrapped up in Manila last Jan. 26. "It is always an honor to dress up and style for an international beauty queen like Veronica Vallejo, our Miss Intercontinental 2017. The Miss Intercontinental pageant is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talents of Filipino designers," said Agasang, during an exclusive interview. Agasang dressed up Miss Intercontinental 2017 Veronica Vallejo of Mexico for gala night, meet-and-greet event, terno competition, and guest appearances for the pageant. Popular Filipino designer Arielle Agasang (2nd from left) with Dr. Rhoda Espino (left) of Metro Esthetico Skin Care Center in Pasig City share a light moment with Miss Intercontinental 2017 Veronica Vallejo of Mexico (2nd from right) and her companion. "Some...

A new television series entitled "Saludo" that will celebrate the everyday heroism of the Filipinos was launched at the Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City recently. Police Chief Superintendent Rhodel Sermonia of the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) under the Philippine National Police (PNP) and popular film producer Leonora Sy led the launch of the new television series which will be aired on PTV4 every Sunday at 8 p.m. Sy said: "SALUDO is a one-hour weekly hero-serye program of PTV4. It is a compilation of stories of everyday Filipino heroes, the least-told life stories which could be the inspiration of each and every Filipino." "This is dedicated to all the everyday heroism of the Filipino people. They all deserve the praises for whatever heroism they have shown," added Sy, executive producer of the show. For its premier episode on Sunday, Jan. 27, "Saludo" will feature the heroism of former Philippine National Police Chi...

The One 690 Entertainment Bar at 39 Roces Avenue in Quezon City is old school gay bar no more. It is bolder, wiser, and sexier in 2019! This was revealed by successful businessman and Mr. Gay World-Philippines 2009 Wilbert Tolentino during the relaunch on the evolution of entertainment bar which was highlighted by fabulous 24 production numbers he conceptualized. "We've leveled up! The One 690 is a fun place that's perfect for the millennials!" says Tolentino in an interview at his popular entertainment bar. Wilbert Tolentino (2nd from left) and some of the people behind the success of The One 690 Entertainment Bar at 39 Roces Avenue in Quezon City. Would you believe that more and more women are going to his entertainment bar these days? “Our regular Girls Night Out which is trending among female millennials. We also have many bookings of bridal shower parties!" Tolentino said. He added: “Open-minded na ang society ngayon compared noong 70s 80s...

Sen. Cynthia Villar  has cited the Philippine Eagles as an organization has truly been a very active partner of the government in providing the needs of our fellow Filipinos when and where they are most needed. Speaking during the organization’s Joint Induction ceremony of Governors and Club Officers for NCR and Calabarzon held in Taguig, Villar said that the Philippine Eagles is known for its many service-oriented advocacies that reach even the remotest area of the country, The re-election senator relates that since she was elected congresswoman until she became senator, she has stood on her principles and focused on her advocacies for the good of our people and our country.

More than one month after Catriona Gray was crowned 2018 Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 17, former supermodel-turned-television host Tyra Banks admits that she hasn't gotten over the Lava Walk of the Filipino-Australian beauty queen. "Can’t stop thinking about that #LavaWalk," said Banks in her latest tweet which has been re-tweeted 1,561 times and garnered more than 11,000 likes on Jan. 10. Banks made the latest reaction after Gray demonstrated the iconic Lava Walk to host Stephen Walker during an appearance on Celebrity Page Network in New York recently. During her guesting, Gray taught Walker how to do her slow-mo turn. Walker successfully performed the Lava Walk. It was during the preliminary competition of the 2018 Miss Universe pageant when Gray introduced the Lava Walk. Gray said that she was thrilled to receive a comment from Banks after the show. "Tutoo ba ito! And when I read, 'Oh my God!' It's just wow! And when one...

An 18-year-old singer and ice hockey enthusiast will aim for a back-to-back win at the Miss Multinational pageant which will be held in India on January 21. Filipino-Canadian Kimi Mugford, the youngest among the current batch of winners of Miss World Philippines, said that she is not pressured at all to compete in the pageant because she has replaced pressure with excitement. "I've always replaced pressure with enthusiasm and the motivations to keep me going to vie for the crown. So that's how I have been dealing with pressure," said Mugford. The reigning Miss Multinational is Sophia Senoron from the Philippines, also a champion debater. With Miss World Philippines national director Arnold L. Vegafria. Mugford said that she and Senoron have been hanging around a lot since she won Miss Multinational Philippines last October 2018. "Sophia and I have been hanging a lot since I won Miss Multinational Philippines just because we've been going t...

Catriona Gray finally opened up about hiding in the Philippines after she was crowned Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 17. "Well, I did go into hiding, mostly because I was in the Philippines for a charity event, but it wasn't actually my homecoming event. So I didn't really do a lot of interviews or talk to the media," said Gray, during an interview for Fox News recently. Gray continued: "And another thing is that Christmas and New Year for me is a time for family. I'm an only child, and I'm very, very close with my parents, who actually live in Australia." "So before the coronation in Thailand, the only time that I was with them previously, was in March of 2018. So that Christmas and New Year break was only one of the two times in the whole year that I was able to be with them and spend time with them," she said. "So that is why.  And I always take a hiatus, and take quiet time during moments like those, ...

The Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI) announced the holding of the 17th Franchise and Business Expo at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Feb. 1-3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. With the theme “Galing ng Pinoy: Local is the new focal,” the AFFI hopes to attract more aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs to go into business by coming up with innovative business concepts. Alternately, they can enter the business scene by becoming franchisees of existing tried-and-tested businesses. More than 300 exhibitors from food retailer to service providers are expected to grace the event. Expo attendees may also find new and interesting business concepts through various breakout sessions that will be held during the 3-day event. Some of the highlights which attendees can look forward to include entrepreneurship talks, on-stage demonstrations, mentoring sessions, in-depth seminars, a business walk tour, and cultural and product presentations, all valuable information for those who ma...

Actor Derek Ramsay remains silent about his reported to transfer to another network as he bares his goals for 2019. ’Basta makikita n’yo na lang ako sa TV. Bawal pa po muna ako magsalita. But soon, you’ll see me on TV and I’m really excited about that. My goal for 2019 is really to focus on pro golf but plans changed and another blessing was given to me. I’m really excited what’s gonna happen in 2019. So you will see me on TV,’’ Ramsay said when asked about his pending transfer to another major television network," says Derek when asked if he already signed up with a major television network, during the launch of a television commercial for Dunkin' Donuts recently. For six years, Derek was under contract for TV5 . He bid goodbye to the Kapatid Network in April 2018. Rumors have it that the Filipino-British actor is set to sign up for GMA Network this year. Aside from show business, Ramsay also divulged his other goals for 2019. “I’ve said many times that I am ti...

Miss Universe Catriona Gray said that she is set to visit Indonesia for the first time in the coming days as she hinted at pursuing Broadway in the future. "I've been told we're off to Indonesia which will be my first time there," said Gray during an interview for the morning show "Good Day New York" on Fox 5 last Jan. 8. This will be her first official trip abroad as Miss Universe. On the second day of her media week tour, Gray said: "I'm excited about it because my roommate during the Miss Universe pageant was Miss Indonesia. And she told me beautiful things about her country where to visit, where to eat. So I hope I can catch up with her and also I can look around and really explore." She did not give details of her trip to Indonesia. Hosts Rosanna Scotto and Lori Stokes also asked Gray about her long-time boyfriend Filipino-German Clint Bondad who is one of the hosts for the Kapuso morning show "Unang Hirit." Scotto...

Simone Nadine Bornilla may have already passed on the Miss Philippine Youth crown but she continues to make waves through her new line of swimwear. Called Simone Swimwear, Nadine says her line has buoyant colors that will definitely keep you afloat in the scene of the much awaited summer escapade anywhere in the universe. The teen queen posted some of her designs on Facebook. Fresh from her successful stint in Miss Teen International beauty pageant in India, Simone Nadine Bornilla arrived home as she met members of the pageant media in Makati City recently. Asked what she learned in the prestigious teen pageant, Nadine said: "I got nervous! I guess we should always remember, we should never allow nervousness to get in our way." Nadine also gave her advice to the next Filipino teen who will compete in Miss Teen International pageant. "Manage your time. Always think you are competing with yourself not with the other girls," says Nadine, during an excl...

One day after she celebrated her 25th birth anniversary, Miss Universe Catriona Gray marked another milestone after the number of her Instagram followers has already reached four million. "Feeling 🥰😄😻☺️from all the birthday love! Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their messages! Also were 4MILLION strong 😱, thank you for joining along in this amazing journey!" said Gray on Instagram. As of Jan. 12, Gray's number of followers has reached 4.1 million. Gray also invited pageant fans to tune in to "Good Morning America" and "LIVE Kelly and Ryan"  on January 7 (January 8 Manila time) as she kicks off her Miss Universe official duties. "Tomorrow my @missuniverse duties officially start with the beginning of media week! Who's excited?! I know I am!! 😄⚡🇵🇭 Catch me tomorrow on Good Morning America 8:40 AM ET and LIVE with Kelly and Ryan at 9:40AM ET," the Filipino-Australian beauty queen said. Gray is now in New York C...

Senator Cynthia A. Villar recognized the huge contribution of gamefowl breeders and suppliers,  pigeon raisers, financiers and suppliers  as  well as  suppliers of veterinary products and service providers to the gamefowl industry. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 6th Gamefowl Festival at the SMX Convention Center at SM MOA, Pasay City, Villar thanked the industry for giving jobs, livelihood and business opportunities to our people. The re-electionist senator also wants our local gamefowl raisers, breeders, hobbyists  and traders to create or form  business ventures and partnerships with other participants  here and abroad. Also with the senator is Game and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra.