Check out today’s Super Sireyna of Eat Bulaga on the noontime show of GMA Network where I will be briefly introduced as one of the judges for the post-program #PreJudging of one of the more anticipated beauty contests on nationwide TV.
I will join Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, actor Benjamin Alves and celebrity/car racer Marlon Stockinger in the panel for the Live Stream of the Pre-Judging in FB and the show’s YouTube channel.
This is going to be exciting because I have reviewed the 46 Official Candidates and they look gorgeous!
I don’t normally blog about movies, but this one is pageant-related in a way so here goes…
On November 1, please support Miss Universe Philippines 2016 and 65th Miss Universe Top 6 Finisher Maxine Medina in the movie Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted. She stars alongside Benjamin Alves, Cristine Reyes, Daniel Matsunaga, Ashley Ortega and more.
Team Mercator was supportively present during yesterday's formal opening of Book and Borders Cafe in Tomas Morato, QC (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)
Bb. Pilipinas 2015 alumna Teresita Ssen Marquez during the book reading (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)
If you attended the formal opening of Book and Borders Cafe along Tomas Morato in Quezon City yesterday, chances are that you’d get starstruck with the beautiful and handsome guests who graced the happy and mind-filling occasion – all from Team Mercator of Jonas Gaffud.
Two lovely Miss Universe runners-up – 2010’s Venus Raj and 2013’s Ariella Arida – gamely offered their time to be the ‘baristas’ during the event. Bb. Pilipinas 2015 alumna Teresita Ssen “Wynwyn” Marquez lent her full dramatic speaking voice when it was time to do the book reading. Singer-actor Ken Alfonso delivered a melodious number that made the girls in the place go ga-ga over his looks and voice. Models Sam Ajdani and Amadeo Leandro made sure that their presence alone was more than enough to make heads turn 180 degrees everywhere they go. And TV/Film personalities Benjamin Alves and Karylle warmly welcomed everyone with their usual book-loving charms.
Do take the time to drop by Book and Borders Cafe one of these days. You won’t be able to see the complete cast of beautiful guests all in one place again, but you will definitely get more for your productive time with books, coffee, smoothies and good food to while those lazy afternoons or relaxing early nights inside its cozy set-up.
Miss Universe runners-up Ariella Arida and Venus Raj helping out in preparing coffee for the guests (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)
Drop by the newly-opened Book & Borders Cafe on Tomas Morato. You might even catch celebrity endorsers (bottom right photo) Benjamin Alves and Karylle getting their mind and tummy fills in the place.
If you love reading like I do (next to pageant blogging and movie-watching, of course), then might I interest you to check out the newly-opened Book & Borders Cafe on 281 Tomas Morato, Quezon City (right between Scout Castor and Lozano Sts.)? The place is very conducive to poring over your latest hard-bound or paperback thrillers, autobiographies or love stories. What’s more, you can sip your favorite latté or espresso, bite on yummy muffins or fork over a healthy salad bowl while comfortably leafing through page-turning plots. And yes, they also have cool smoothies on the menu.
Celebrity endorsers Benjamin Alves and Karylle frequent the place at random. Who knows, you might catch them eating breakfast or reading scripts. But ssshhhh…don’t disturb them beyond a simple Hi or Hello. 😉
Book & Borders Cafe could be your new favorite hangout of a reading place in QC
Upcoming hottie James Reid before he fell on the mosh pit around the ramp (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
Just when the boiling excitement over “The Naked Truth” of Bench was starting to die down, Cosmo Philippines immediately followed up with the annual Cosmo Bachelor Bash titled “Cosmo Tower 69” at the World Trade Center.
A purely male affair, there can really be no direct comparison to the grand event at the MOA Arena. Except for the endless show of flesh, that is. Celebrities like Paulo Avelino, Benjamin Alves, James Reid, Rafael Rosell, Geoff Eigenmann, Pancho Magno, Aljur Abrenica, Markki Stroem, Joseph Marco, John Spainhour, Neil Perez, Diego Furoni, Vince Velasco, LA Aguinaldo, John James Dy and Charles Sutcliffe trooped to the stage in varying stages of undress.
So was the Bash better than the Truth? Not really. But if the “almost-too-close-to-touch” affair was any indication, the lucky viewers at the venue definitely had more exposed ‘cheeks’ to the Naked eye. Check out some of the Bruce Casanova images below. You can see more HERE.
PBB All-In Big Winner Daniel Matsunaga and Misters of the Philippines 2014 Top Winner Neil Perez (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
GMA-7 hunks Benjamin Alves and JC Tiuseco (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
Markki Stroem fired white smoke to the audience, while Aljur Abrenica (rightmost) played brotherly splash on younger sibling Vin. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
Mr. World Philippines 2014 John Spainhour and popular Brazilian model Diego Furoni stepped out to the endless shrieks of the audience (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
Compared to what they revealed in their respective Bench outings, Rafael Rosell (left) and Pancho Magno were definitely more modest, but still naughty in their turns. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
P.S. Want to watch the fall (and rise) of James Reid during the show?
The Recycled National Costume Competition was a sight to behold.
Gala Night hosts (L-R): Divine Lee, JC Cuadrado and Patricia Fernandez
The Gala Night of Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth Philippines 2014 last night was a well-attended event. Held at the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Manila, guests were treated to a night of songs, good food and the Recycled National Costume Competition of the candidates. Hosts JC Cuadrado, Divine Lee and Patricia Fernandez made sure that everyone enjoyed the proceedings which include the colorful eco-creative formal creations judged by such esteemed judges which include designers Rajo Laurel, Eric delos Santos and Avel Bacudio, actor Benjamin Alves, Producer Michael Carandang and Mega Group’s Suki Salvador among others. Performers who regaled the audience with their show-stopping numbers were the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Bayang Barrios and the Mandaluyong City Children’s Choir. By the way, I also spotted celebrities like Victor Basa, Victor Silayan, and Katarina Rodriguez (of Asia’s Next Top Model S2) and former Binibinis Aiza Faeldonia and Angelique de Leon inside the ballroom.
Okay, time to buckle down to the business of sharing my choices for the two crowns to be handed out tomorrow night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Among the twenty (20) teenaged ladies, I’ve had my eyes transfixed on two competitors who embody the image and personality of whoever will win the first Miss Teen Earth title. My #1 pick is Vanessa Mae Walters of Cebu City. This graceful and elegant lass shows off a sense of style that is hinging on the cusp of adulthood, but still exuding the youthful joie-de-vivre of a sixteener. She simply has an over-all impact that stands out from the rest. I reckon that she will be a most qualified young ambassadress of Mother nature. My alternate (or #2) is Angelique Stephanie Passion, who can also shine well as a potential winner. I would love to see one of the two taking it all the way. Completing my Top 5 are Shawntel Michole Cruz, Deanne Patricia Perez and Francesca Taruc.
My Top 5 for Miss Teen Earth Philippines 2014 (Photo credit: Edmund Chua)
Now, assessing the young girls is a trickier act to accomplish. An armchair judge needs to look beyond the cuteness of each candidate and see the more intrinsic qualities of a sub-10 year-old who could be capable of meeting the demands of the responsibility of a Little Miss Earth Philippines. But unlike the teens, I have one solid choice to be declared the winner and she is Joseayn Dennies Albasin of Cagayan de Oro City. I personally feel that she has all the qualities that could make a wonderful earth champion for the children. She has the expected girly ways from someone her age, but beautifully spiced with the natural nuances of a smart charmer. She is such a stylish girl. The four others who qualified for my top quintet are Juviel Viado, Candesse Bartolome, Heunize Ciar and Tyra Izabelle Pilapil.
My Top 5 for Little Miss Earth Philippines 2014 (Photo credit: Edmund Chua)
Kudos to Captured Dream Productions headed by its hands-on CEO Vas Bismark and ever-warm Managing Director Jed Velasco for an impressive conduct of the Gala Night. By the way, if you can’t watch the live finals tomorrow night, you can catch the delayed TV telecast of the pageant on June 8 over at GMA-7’s SNBO. 🙂
Jonas Gaffud (center) with two of his muses Ariella Arida (left) and Venus Raj at 71 Gramercy for Mercator’s 10th Anniversary Fashion Ball
Pia Wurtzbach during the event
Also last Thursday night, the 10th Anniversary Fashion Ball of Mercator Artist & Model Management Inc. was successfully held at 71 Gramercy on the 71st floor of Gramercy Residences inside Makati’s Century City. It was a well-attended event with friends from the media, contract artists, beauty queens, fashion designers and several well-wishers joining Jonas Gaffud and his team in celebrating the talent organization’s first decade in the fashion and entertainment industry. Spotted were beauty queens Venus Raj, Queenie Rehman and Ariella Arida, actors Benjamin Alves, Fabio Ide, Paolo Ballesteros and Ian Batherson, Pia Wurtzbach, Kimverlyn Suiza, Ken Alfonso and many more.
Here’s to more productive and rewarding years in the biz! 😀
Snippets from the video shoot (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)
In cooperation with Bluewater Day Spa and Spyder Philippines, the talents of Mercator Artist and Model Management have prepared a hot summer video ad campaign which sizzles with the participation of such familiar pageant faces like Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Kimverlyn Suiza, Mariel de Leon and Cassandra Naidas plus showbiz personalities Benjamin Alves, Daniel Matsunaga, Fabio Ide and Wynn Marquez. Of course, some of their models – Kevin Redder and Ann Casas – are also in the vid.
Venus Raj speaking in front of a full-packed venue during the Youth Convention hosted by the Atty. Francis Padua Papica Foundation in Naga City.
Years after Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Maria Venus Raj brought the Philippines pageant honor in Las Vegas, she is now gazing at more charity and advocacy-oriented activities.
Guests of Honor and Speakers during the Naga City-hosted Youth Convention
During a chat we had early last year, I remember her saying that she sincerely wants to put up a foundation for the education of streetchildren. So I was no longer surprised when she turned out to be one of the speakers during the Youth Convention organized by the Atty. Francis Padua Papica Foundation and attended by thousands of youth leaders from all over the country. Along with the Hon. Leni Robredo, mentor Jonas Gaffud, fellow Beauty Queen Ariella Arida, actor Benjamin Alves, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Jim Paredes and more, she spoke to the participants about her journey to success and inspired them to do everything to the best of their abilities to rise above the challenges today.
This speaking engagement should help Venus jumpstart her noble plans for the future. Her leadership skills cannot be ignored. And in just a few years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised if she joins politics in the Bicol Region, if not put into motion her long-cherished dream of putting out-of-school youth inside the classroom.
Your blogger is behind Venus in whatever good endeavor she plans to accomplish in the years to come. 🙂
The festival will run from July 26-August 4, 2013.
In case some of you are wondering why I am giving a spot feature to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, your blogger is also a self-confessed indie movie buff who enjoys watching flicks that have moderately off-mainstream appeal. This year, the line-up is particularly special with the presence of some big-name stars as well as plots that are both ground-breaking and innovative in appeal. Do check out seven of the more interesting opuses below:
courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn
Vilma Santos stars in her first indie movie and Jeffrey Jeturian has the honor of directing her in this one. “Ekstra” (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.
The project is made more luminous with the cameo appearances of Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera, Cherie Gil, Cherrie Pie Picache and Pilar Pilapil playing their real selves.
courtesy of Christopher Ad. Castillo
The first directorial debut of Christopher Ad. Castillo (yes, he is the son of the late renowned director) takes pride in having Gretchen Barretto – another indie first-timer – in the lead. “The Diplomat Hotel” is about Victoria Lansang (Barretto), a popular news reporter who has been requested to mediate a hostage crisis. And in front of a national television audience, something horribly goes wrong and people are killed while Victoria suffers a mental breakdown. A year later, she’s eager to get back into the game but the only assignment she can get is to do a documentary on the last night of The Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City, a crumbling and abandoned building infamously known for its bloody past and its hauntings and has carved a place in Philippine ghost lore. Looking for redemption, she arrives there with her crew and they start filming. But as they get deeper into the night, the place starts to exert its will on them and they find out exactly what monstrous evil awaits at The Diplomat Hotel.
courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn
What do you get with the combination of Cinemalaya favorite Eugene Domingo and Japanese actor Yuki Matsuzaki (who has starred in a string of Hollywood films like Letters from Iwo Jima)? Director Leo Abaya’s “Instant Mommy“!
In order to solve a personal predicament, Bechayda (Domingo), a wardrobe assistant in TV commercials, pretends to be pregnant.
The film is one summer’s journey with her as she reaches the fateful decision amidst a highly visualized world where the video screen not only reigns supreme but is also the frame within which a usually unsuspecting public accesses the content of image-makers.
courtesy of Joseph Israel Laban
This is going to be the most controversial entry for 2013, I reckon. Coming from one of GMA-7’s most prolific documentary filmmakers – Joseph Israel Laban – “Nuwebe” is inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history. It follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father. Her story is complex. Krista refuses to see herself as a victim.
With an almost documentary style, “Nuwebe” follows Krista’s story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon to her age. Her mother on the other hand is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband.
The movie stars TV child performer Barbara Miguel as Krista, with the support of Anita Linda, Jake Cuenca and Nadine Samonte.
courtesy of MyCinemalaya
“Debosyon” is from Director Alvin Yapan and stars Paulo Avelino and Mara Lopez (yes, the daughter of Ma. Isabel).
Mando, a Bikolano devotee of Ina, Virgin of Peñafrancia, Patroness of Bikolandia, injures himself in the middle of the forest at the foot of the Mayon Volcano. He will be nursed back to health by a mysterious woman, Salome, living there. They will fall in love with each other. But when Mando invites her to come with him to the plains, Salome refuses, saying a curse prohibits her from leaving the forest. Salome holds a secret that will devastate Mando’s love for her. Mando relies on his devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia to lift the curse, making him realize just how inextricably linked are the virtues of love and faith.
courtesy of Jerrold Tarog
From one of my favorite indie film directors who has successfully crossed mainstream, Jerrold Tarog is bringing “Sana Dati (rough literal translation: Wish Before) to the festival. Lovi Poe, Benjamin Alves, Paulo Avelino and TJ Trinidad star in this one.
Andrea Gonzaga (Lovi Poe) has accepted her fate by agreeing to marry a man she does not love. But a few hours before her wedding, someone arrives to remind her of the true love she once had and lost. “Sana Dati” is a love story about bittersweet compromises and real-life decisions. It is the third part of Jerrold Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after Confessional and Mangatyanan.
Lastly for this group, there is “Quick Change” which is the second directorial effort of Eduardo Roy, Jr. who brought us the memorable “Bahay Bata” a couple of years back.
courtesy of B0nfire Productions
This movie is about the life of Dorina a middle-aged transsexual looking for his niche amidst the complexities of the world he is in. This is a story of suffering, acceptance and hope.
“Quick Change” casts newcomer Mimi Juareza in the role of Dorina. He is joined by Miggs Cuaderno and Junjun Quintana.
Cinemalaya 2013 (Philippine Independent Film Festival) will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 with the main venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) plus simultaneous showings at select Ayala Mall cinemas. If you’re up to it, then better plan on buying tickets to the more anticipated movies (like Ekstra, Instant Mommy and The Diplomat Hotel) ahead of time so you don’t have to get stuck in long lines for the same.
Do watch out for it, and let’s keep on supporting the local indie filmmaking industry! 🙂
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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Check out today’s Super Sireyna of Eat Bulaga on the noontime show of GMA Network where I will be briefly introduced as one of the judges for the post-program #PreJudging of one of the more anticipated beauty contests on nationwide TV.
I don’t normally blog about movies, but this one is pageant-related in a way so here goes…
normannorman.com 