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All posts for the month February, 2010

Mr. World-Philippines 2010 winners

Posted by Norman on February 28, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

It’s 2am and the winners of Mr. World-Philippines 2010 have just been announced during GMA-7’s Master Showman Presents. Alvin de Joya, chinky-eyed (Korean-looking) representative from Cauayan, Isabela and one of the tallest at over 6’1″, will be representing the country in the Mr. World 2010 to be held in Incheon, Korea on March 27. He was in tears after being selected as the top winner. First Runner-Up is Jericho Intacto, while Mr. Photogenic Jason Villegas placed 2nd Runner-Up. The two other guys in the Top 5 are Jomar Cosme and Christian Daniel.

(L-R) Jason Villegas 2nd Runner-Up, ALVIN DE JOYA Mr. World Philippines 2010 and Jericho Intacto 1st Runner-Up

Other special Awardees are Jayson Acero (Best in Talent and Mr. Friendship co-winner), Christian Daniel (Best in Formal Wear), Robert John Porter (Mr. Friendship co-winner). On hand to relinquish his title is Emmanuel Mago, Mr. World-Philippines 2007. Mr. World is held every 3 years which explains the jump.

Alvin de Joya in swimwear (Photo credit: Jory Rivera/OPMB Worldwide)

Congratulations , Alvin! 😉

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Pre-Pageant tonight on GMA-7

Posted by Norman on February 28, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , .

You might have missed my previous blog about Binibining Pilipinas 2010 having a pre-pageant scheduled for tonight. This will be a perfect opportunity for those who want to scrutinize the 24 Official Candidates before the finals on March 6. They will be presented in their (2-piece) swimsuits and evening gowns afterwhich several special awards will be handed out. The special presentation has never been done by the organizers for a long, long time now. It will be shown on SNBO after Show Me Da Manny over GMA-7 (around 10:30PM).

The Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Official Candidates during their Press Presentation at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. (Photo credit: Mabuhay Beauties)

The Pre-Pageant Night will give the viewers a chance to take a closer look at the 24 official candidates as they sizzle and mesmerize in the swimsuit and long gown competitions. It will also be in this pageant that winners of the first batch of special awards will be announced, including the first winner of the Best in Regional Costume award. It will be hosted by Rhian Ramos, Drew Arellano and Jay-R. JayR also joins Kris Lawrence and American Idol finalist AJ Tabaldo in a special medley of love songs with the official candidates.

Mr. World-Philippines 2010 to be chosen tonight

Posted by Norman on February 27, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Here’s the press release for Mr. Philippines-World 2010 (being organized by Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) which will culminate in the selection of the winner tonight during Master Showman Presents on GMA-7. I must say that the screenings and preparations for this year’s competition have been quick and easy. The international contest will already start reeling in next month in Korea which beckons the need to have a national winner who will represent the country in time for the same.

The search for the Philippine representative to the Mr. World competition culminates on Feb. 27, 2010 at German Moreno’s Master Showman on GMA 7. On this night, 17 handsome Filipino men will vie for the title of Mr. World Philippines 2010 and will go on to compete in the finals to be held in Korea the “Land of the Morning Calm”, in March this year.

Mr. World, which was organized in 1996 by the same group that stages the prestigious annual Ms. World Beauty Pageant, has been conducting the international yearly search for that man with the elusive X-factor since its inception. After more than a decade, the pageant haw grown considerably in popularity, so much to the eighty countries are noe slated to compete in the March 27, 2010 competition in Incheon, Korea. The last Mr. World-Philippines search was held in February 2007, where Emmanuel “Bhobby”Mago, an aspiring basketball coach, won the much coveted titile.

All 17 candidates will be squaring off on pageant night, the culmination of personality development training and orkouts. Aside from their physical attributes, their intellect, talents, charm; and wit, as well as character, will all be appraised by a panel of judges comprised of well-known personalities from the fields of business, fashion, and entertainment.

The Mr. World-Philippines 2010 winner will see stiff competition in Korea with 80 other representatives from all over the world flying in for the pagant. Contestants will not only be asked to model menswear and sportswear but, more importantly, will also “be tested on their strength, perseverance, mental agility, and determination against a backdrop of some of Korea’s most spectacular locations”.

Locally, Mr. World-Philippines is being staged by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), which has been responsible for grooming beauties for the Ms. Universe, Ms. International and Ms. World pageants. The finals will be held on February 27, 2010, live on German Moreno’s Master Showman.

Mr. World-Philippines is presented by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., in cooperation with Araneta Center Inc. and GMA 7.

The official candidates:

Photo credit : OPMB Worldwide

Photo credit : OPMB Worldwide

1. Jerby dela Cruz, 22 yrs. old, Roxas City Capiz
2. Rafael Evangelista, 24 yrs. old, San Fernando City, La Union
3. Ian, 22 yrs old, Bacoor, Cavite
4. Jeric, 25 yrs. old, Mandaluyong City
5. Jason Villegas, 20 yrs old, Manila
6. Robert John Porter, 22, Bacolod City
7. Rommel Bungay, 19 yrs. old, Marikina City
8. John Philipp Ramos, 24 yrs. old Nueva Ecija
9. Alvin de Joya 23 yrs. old, Cauayan City, Isabela
10. Donald Sanchez Bahian, 22 yrs. old, Cebu City
11. Jimmy Dionisio, 21 yrs. old, Caloocan City
12. Carlo Morris Galang, 21 yrs. old San Juan City
13. Jason Acero, 23 yrs. old, Guiguinto, Bulacan
14. John Neil Gorospe, 23 yrs. old Sampaloc, Manila
15. Jomar Cosme, 23 yrs. old, Malasique, Pangasinan
16. Jonathan Collado, 24 yrs. old, Silang, Cavite
17. Adrian de la Cruz, 24 yrs. old, Bustos, Bulacan

My favorites among the 17 contenders are:

John Neil Gorospe

Adrian dela Cruz

Jerby dela Cruz

Donald Bahian

Alvin de Joya

Thanks to Melvin Sia of OPMB Worldwide for the images.

Whoever wins tonight will have his hands full preparing for Mr. World 2010, so best of luck to you! 😉

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 at the Gateway Mall Fashion Show

Posted by Norman on February 27, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , .

Continuing with my blogs on Binibining Pilipinas 2010, I am sharing with you the video clips of the fashion show the 24 Official Candidates participated in at the Gateway Mall. This is part of their training en route to the finals night. I must admit that seeing the ladies’ movement and strides gives me a more lucid perspective of their individual potentials as winners in the pageant. See if you will like them even more.


video courtesy of YouTube/deybid007


video courtesy of YouTube/deybid007

Do watch out for the pre-pageant tomorrow night, February 28, over GMA-7’s SNBO!

By the way, I will be leaving for the U.S. this coming Monday, March 1. I will be back after two weeks. Expect my fresh daily blogs to be more of fresh-every-other-day due to the unpredictable road trip schedule we’ll be embarking on while in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Designer Mich Dulce wins in London!

Posted by Norman on February 26, 2010
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

It really feels nice splashing good news all over. Here’s another one. Filipina Fashion Designer Mich Dulce just recently won the British Council’s Young Fashion Entrepreneur (YFE) Award for 2010. And since hats are her thing, it comes more amusing that her designs won despite representing a tropical country like the Philippines where the market for the same are practically negligible. Anyways, here is the full news of her achievement:

Mich Dulce wins fashion award in London

MANILA, Philippines – Filipina fashion designer Mich Dulce is this year’s winner of the International Young Fashion Entrepreneur award.

Dulce received a £5,000-grant for a collaborative project with the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations.

She bested finalists from Russia, Libya, Bangladesh, India, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, and Turkey in terms of entrepreneurial ability, leadership skills, and market awareness, the British Council said in a statement.

“Designer and milliner Mich Dulce has a distinct aesthetic — a sense of the sublime coupled generously with exuberant experimentation,” the British Council said.

Dulce studied at leading fashion institutions including Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, and the New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. She also apprenticed under Marjan Pejoski, Jessica Ogden, and Susan Cianciolo.

“Since launching her label in 2001, Mich Dulce has established a successful brand recognized for her handmade, exquisitely moulded hats,” the British Council said.

Dulce was also one of the 14 celebrities who joined ABS-CBN’s hit reality show “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition” in 2006. Photo courtesy of the British Council

A Mich Dulce hat

Congratulations, Mich! 😉

“Sabungero” (The Cockfighter) wins at the 2010 Honolulu International Film Festival

Posted by Norman on February 26, 2010
Posted in: 6 The Movie Corner. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Another victory for Filipino indie movies! “Sabungero” (The Cockfighter), directed by Miguel Kaimo and Rozie Delgado, was given the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking in the ongoing 2010 Honolulu International Film Festival which aims to “showcase the finest independent cinema the world has to offer while helping to advance the careers of promising filmmakers by providing a platform through which their talents can be recognized.”

The movie stars Joel Torre, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino, Maritoni Fernandez, Leo Martinez, Mark Gil, Edwin Nombre and Sid Lucero. Story and screenplay by Troy Bernardo and Luz Inocian. It is produced by JC and Fay Bernardo.

The citation will be handed out on April 25 during the Closing Night Awards Ceremony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa in Honolulu.

Here is the full trailer of the movie.


video courtesy of YouTube/sabongplayer

Congratulations!!! 😉

Mellow 94.7 Listeners’ Party

Posted by Norman on February 25, 2010
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

For all those who are attending Mellow 94.7’s Listeners’ Party tonight, the venue will be at Bagaberde Grill & Bar Macapagal. Get ready for one whole night of fun, singing, dancing and bonding (did I forget to add drinking?) with the Mellow jocks. I will be there. Although work tomorrow morning will keep me from staying late, I will still be there. If you’re not sure where Bagaberde Macapagal is exactly located, I took the liberty of posting a map so you won’t have to waste time looking for the establishment.

If you still haven’t gotten an invite, tune in to Mellow 94.7 this morning till afternoon and you just might score one for you and a companion.

See you there! 😉

“Walang Hanggang Paalam” wins Best Showcase Feature at the 2nd Soho International Filmfest 2010

Posted by Norman on February 25, 2010
Posted in: 6 The Movie Corner. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Don’t look now, but another Filipino indie movie has done the country proud by being named Best Showcase Feature at the 2nd Soho International Film Festival 2010 in New York City. “Walang Hanggang Paalam” (literal English translation: “Never-Ending Goodbye”) came out on top and bested 11 other competing movies from different participating countries. The festival “encourages new and seasoned filmmakers to create innovative and thought-provoking pieces and will host screenings and events in the renowned SOHO district of New York City to bring together filmmakers, critics, and cineastes from across the world.”

The movie is directed by Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos. It stars Joem Bascon, Lovi Poe, Jake Roxas and Jacky Woo. The plot is about Maria (Lovi Poe), a 16-year old girl who elopes with her boyfriend Ryan (Joem Bascon) to Baguio. While they are in a hotel in Baguio, they meet a terminally ill tourist (Jacky Woo) who is in Baguio beause it is where he met his ex-wife who is a Filipina. Maria develops a strange relationship with the tourist and she is later torn between the love of Ryan and the older stranger she has just met. Meanwhile, Maria’s father (Ricardo Cepeda) hires a private detective named Patrick (Jake Roxas) to look for his daughter. Patrick is a homosexual who is learning to deal with the promiscuity of his lover (Rico Barrera).

Below is a two-minute teaser trailer of “Walang Hanggang Paalam”


video courtesy of YouTube/reysison10

I must admit that I didn’t give this movie much thought of watching at first, but I’m now doubly intrigued in catching the same or buying a personal dvd copy.

Congratulations!!! 😉

Steven & Sarah win Starstruck V!

Posted by Norman on February 24, 2010
Posted in: 5 TV Tales. Tagged: , , , , , , .

And then there were two. Two winners, that is. The text votes and the Starstruck council members have spoken. During the Final Judgment at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday night, Steven Silva – a Filipino/Chinese/Portuguese dude who resides in Oceanside, California but representing Davao – and Sarah Lahbati – a Filipino/Moroccan teener who used to live in Geneva, Switzerland and is now based in Cavite – were declared Ultimate Male Survivor and Ultimate Female Survivor, respectively. Although Sarah’s win was almost assured going into the finals, Steven’s was a bit of a surprise since his two competitors – Enzo Pineda and Rocco Nacino – were given the edge to come out victorious.

Steven Silva - Ultimate Male Survivor

Sarah Lahbati - Ultimate Female Survivor

After all scores from the council members and percentages of the text votes were tallied, these two came out on top. Steven got 93.5 total, while Sarah notched 94.6 which gave them relatively comfortable leads over their closest pursuers. Enzo Pineda of QC was named First Prince, while First Princess was Cebuana Diva Montelaba.

Steven and Sarah both win P1.5 million in cash and an exclusive contract with GMA-7 worth a minimum guarantee amount of P3.5 million. The remaining contenders in the Top 5 each received P200,000 in cash plus exclusive GMA-7 contracts. A bit of good news that night was the announcement that the 9 avengers (losers in the Final 14) will also be signed by the network to exclusive contracts, thereby keeping rival stations from pirating the new talents they have painstakingly built in the last four months that the show was on air.

Below is the video higlighting the announcement of winners of Starstruck V last February 21.


video courtesy of YouTube/tirso3rd

This is where the real test begins for the winners and the losers. Let’s see who among them will become big stars in a year or two.

Congratulations to Steven and Sarah! 😉

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Press Presentation Videos

Posted by Norman on February 23, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , .

I am sharing with you the videos of the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Press Presentation held recently at the poolside of Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The 24 Official Candidates were formally presented to the media and it is from this event where the Miss Photogenic awardee will be selected by votes from all attending press photographers. Watch them in action and tell me what you think!

Videos courtesy of YouTube/ecurb of OPMB Worldwide

Just a reminder – the pre-pageant night will be shown over GMA-7 this coming Sunday night, February 28 and the Coronation Night will be on the following Sunday night, March 6, also on the same channel.