A picture of things to come in BBP2013?
How would you like to see the above photo of Luzelle Felipe become a reality in Bb. Pilipinas 2013? Well, it was a Santacruzan image alright, but who knows what fate awaits the lady who is taking a shine from BPCI. With more training and polishing (paging Carnegie!), this beautiful Bulakena should be ready to step up to the plate a 2nd time and hopefully show the real stuff she is made of.
What say you, dear readers? 
In comes Janica Burasca, Miss Cebu City in the ongoing competitions for Miss Philippines Earth 2012. This pretty Cebuana is out to do better than what her predecessor (Murielle Orais, Miss Philippines Water 2011) achieved last year. The 19 year-old is currently studying Nursing at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, although she ultimately plans to become a Physician someday, preferably a Cardiologist. But before that happens, she is more focused on making Cebu City proud of her performance in the competition. If and when she wins the whole thing, she might need to study more of the environment first before setting her sights on Medicine. 
For Mom, Mommy, Mama, Momsy, Nanay, Inay, Mamang…..whatever the terms of respect and endearment are…this wonderful day is for you!
Let me share a heartwarming Mother’s Day message from Pravs J.
Why Mothers Cry…
“Why are you crying?” he asked his mom. ”Because I’m a mother,” she told him. ”I don’t understand,” he said. His mom just hugged him and said, “You never will!”
Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason. ”All mothers cry for no reason,” was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said, “God, why do mothers cry so easily.”
God said, “You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children.”
“I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining.”
“I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child’s boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager’s anxieties and fears.”
“I gave them a tear to shed. It’s theirs exclusively to use whenever it’s needed. It’s their only weakness. It’s a tear for mankind.”
To my dear readers, pay homage to the woman who carried you in her womb, nurtured you, and raised you. She deserves your undivided love and attention, at least for this special day.
Janine Mari Tugonon as Ms. Ideal Thomasian Pharmacy 2009 (L-R) Janine Mari Tugonon as Ms. Ideal Thomasian Personality 2010 candidate; Janine Mari Tugonon as Ms. Ideal Thomasian Personality 2010; and Janine Mari Tugonon as Bb. Pilipinas 2011 1st Runner-Up.
Janine Mari Tugonon has come a long way. From her days as a fresh-faced and innocent-looking student at the University of Sto. Tomas who won Ms. Ideal Thomasian Pharmacy 2009, she went on to conquer the whole campus by topping the Ms. Ideal Thomasian Personality 2010 competition. These achievements helped spur her desire to go higher with her objective. The following year, she screened for and was chosen as Official Candidate of Bb. Pilipinas 2011 where she almost nailed a crown by placing 1st Runner-Up. Armed with the confidence and the training/backing of Jonas Gaffud’s Aces & Queens, she re-joined Bb. Pilipinas and was rewarded with the biggest prize – 2012 Miss Universe Philippines.
Janine Mari Tugonon (L) as Bb. Pilipinas 2012 Official Candidate and Janine Mari Tugonon as 2012 Miss Universe Philippines.
2012 Miss Universe Philippines Janine Mari Tugonon from different angles.
From hereon, the journey to Miss Universe 2012 (be it in Miami, Johannesburg or Las Vegas) will be thornier. Aside from the presence of thoroughbreds from Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Colombia, she will need to face up to the pressure of duplicating – if not eclipsing – the Top 5 placements of predecessors Shamcey Supsup and Venus Raj. Can she live up to the expectations of her countrymen? I will reserve my judgment after her training for MU wraps up on the day of her send-off. Or should we rely on superstition saying that she will complete the ‘T’ part of the Q(uiambao), R(aj), and S(upsup) quartet? Nah. Luck plays a part but not to such obvious extent.
Focus on your training, Janine. And the rest of the Philippines will stand behind you 101% in Miss Universe 2012.
Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills crowning Miss World Philippines 2011 Gwendolyn Ruais (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide)
May 18 in SM Cagayan de Oro;
May 19 in SM Cebu;
May 27 in SM Naga;
June 1 at the SM Mall of Asia;
June 3 in SM Pampanga.
For inquiries, call Miss World Philippines Headquarters at Manila Hotel (this year’s Official Residence) at 527-0011 local 1248. Or visit their website for more details and application form.
Don’t miss the dates above. See if you have what it takes to follow the footsteps of the very first Miss World Philippines and Miss World 2011 First Princess Gwendoline Ruais.
The Miss World 2012 will be held in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China to be broadcast live via TV5 on August 16.
Let’s see which ladies will surprise us by joining MWP2012!
The Philippine Volcanoes in their new underwear ad for Bench Body
Their first underwear ads for Bench Body caused quite a controversial stir after the gigantic billboards (especially the ones at Guadalupe Bridge) were removed by MMDA Officials for provoking more than just the desire to buy a bikini/boxer brief or two. It did not dampen the team that recently topped the A5N (Asian Five Nations) Rugby Championships – the country’s first-ever win. As a result, Bench owner was inspired to schedule a new photoshoot for the boys. This time around, they were asked to wear more traditional – albeit less traditionally-designed – lower undergarments. And with a lot of black grease slapped on their muscular bodies at that.
Do you like the new concept? Well, I patronize Bench Body regardless so with or without this ad, it won’t matter. What I love, however, is the commitment of all the members to play for national pride despite majority of them being born and raised in other parts of the world.
Miss San Juan City, Samantha Purvor, as photographed by Gelbert Aplal for Rouge+
Samantha Purvor being awarded by Golden Sunset owner Ricky Reyes the awards for Best in Swimsuit and Gandang Ricky Reyes. (Photo credit: MPE website)
Could this be Samantha’s lucky year? Will she heave a sigh of relief come midnight of May 27 for victorious reasons? What do you think are the chances of this well-spoken beauty?
