


Seated left-to-right: Yvethe Santiago, Kim Suiza, Christi Lynn McGarry, Bianca Guidotti, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Danielle Castano, Bessie Besana and Jonas Gaffud. Standing left-to-right: Jennifer Barrientos, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Venus Raj, Cindy Miranda, Nicolette Henson and Ara Arida.
Left-to-right: Megan Young, Venus Raj, Yvethe Santiago, Kim Suiza and Bianca Guidotti (Photo credit: Gerry Diaz)
Left-to-right: Mafae Yunon-Belasco, Nicolette Henson, Bianca Guidotti and Megan Young (Photo credit: Gerry Diaz)
I won’t go into another enumeration of the beauty queens who were around. Let the captions of the images above tell who attended (Janine Tugonon is in the US). But the Head of Aces&Queens was simply overwhelmed with the shower of greetings, well-wishes and all-around love and affection from everyone. 🙂
Mercator Artist and Model Management, Inc. is to fashion, entertainment and beauty pageants as MercatorTV is to virtual and visual appreciation of the outstanding talents that the company has to offer. The new website takes things two steps forward by proudly putting together the past and present achievements that define how far its services have evolved as the ‘go-to’ specialists in the highly competitive sectors they have flourished in.
Mercator Artists
Celebrity-models? or Model-Celebrities? How do you categorize thee? Consider the names Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Mikael Daez, JC Tiuseco, Benjamin Alves, Daniel Matsunaga, Fabio Ide, Akihiro Sato, Benjo Leoncio, Lemuelle Pelayo, Ervic Vijandre, Kerbie Zamora and more. You see and hear them on the boob tube or the big screen. And if that’s not enough, the company makes playing field of the country’s three big networks – ABS-CBN, GMA-7 and TV5. They have representative personalities in each station which only goes to show that the seed of trust has already been planted in its’ talents. In the film industry, Regal Entertainment signed up quite a number of them to star in both commercial & indie movies. Most notable are Venus Raj in “Pridyider” which opened this week, Benjamin Alves in the recently-released “Guni Guni” plus JC Tiuseco/Fabio Ide in the soon-to-open “Ride to Love” and Mikael Daez in last year’s “Temptation Island” remake.
The flag-bearers of Mercator Artists (Top row L-R): Venus Raj, Mikael Daez, Shamcey Supsup, Benjamin Alves, JC Tiuseco.; (Bottom row L-R): Daniel Matsunaga, Lemuelle Pelayo, Fabio ide, Hideo Muraoka and Benjo Leoncio.
Mercator Models
The catwalk and glossy pages of fashion magazines reign supreme here. Be it for high-profile fashion spreads, mainstream TV commercials or well-placed print advertisements, Mercator provides the best possible models to fill in the project. What sets them apart is the fact that crossing over to show business or beauty pageants has become a continuous option for individuals initially molded as photographic subjects and/or skilled ramp gliders.
The familiar faces of Mercator Models: (Top row, L-R) Rocky Salumbides, Vince Canizares, Carlo Sawit, Jovic Sael, Benj Bolivar; (Bottom row L-R) Jasmine Meierhofer, Darlene Anderson, Tina Marasigan, Chrizenda Cecilio and Nicolette Henson.
Aces & Queens
I must admit. Aces & Queens is my personal favorite among the three branches of MercatorTV. I’m a pageant blogger, after all. Truthfully, this is where the people at Mercator pour their labor of love. Plucking raw and unpolished ladies and turning them into gems of world-class beauty standards is not the easiest thing to do. But train hard they continue in the efforts of coming up with Filipinas who can make us proud in the international stage of competition. As a result, their track record for more than one decade now is nothing short of enviable – eight (8) Miss Universe representatives, four (4) Miss World delegates and two (2) Miss International entries.
Ten of Aces & Queen’s prides (Top row L-R) Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Queenie Rehman, Lia Andrea Ramos, Marie-Ann Umali; (Bottom row L-R) Jennifer Barrientos, Theresa Licaros, Gionna Cabrera, Elaine Kay Moll and Janine Tugonon.
Things can only get better from this point for Mercator. Aside from becoming more aggressive in building its pool of talents, Mercator Artist and Model Management, Inc. is ready to diversify their interests in the years to come.
Come check out the new website of MercatorTV!
See, read and watch what the fuss is all about. 🙂
In yesterday’s Press Presentation of Miss World Philippines 2012, 25 beautiful ladies were presented with the help of reigning titleholder Gwendoline Ruais plus her four princesses (Nicolette Henson, Chloe McCully, Bianca Paz and Jaysel Arrozal) and Pageant Director Cory Quirino. The rains did not dampen the whole proceedings. It was supposed to be held at the Manila Hotel poolside, but was transferred indoors so as not to disrupt the schedule of activities. Below is TV5’s PR for the event:
Dancing Queens – the 25 Official Candidates of Miss World Philippines 2012, that is. (Photo credit: Melvin Sia/OPMB Worldwide)
“Miss World Philippines reveals Official Candidates for 2012
June 7, 2012, Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel – TV5 and Miss World Philippines present the official 25 candidates who will vie for the title of Miss World Philippines 2012. This year’s Miss World Philippines pageant sees an exciting mix of candidates from every corner of the archipelago, as each of them embody the beauty and brilliance of the Filipina.
The lucky 25 ladies will undergo rigorous challenges in events that will demonstrate their talent, poise, intelligence and civic mindedness. Miss World Philippines takes to heart the celebration of beauty with a purpose, underscoring the advocacy of Miss World in championing the cause of marginalized women and children.
This year’s candidates are Kaye Wigand, Vanessa Claudine Amman, Rosheila Tungol, Mariz Ong, Carla Terina Lizardo, Paula Rich Bartolome, Maria Teresita Alaine Baccay, Maham Ahmed, Rizzini Alexis Gomez, Larah Grace Lacap, Vania Valeri Vispo, Paulina Eliseeff, Maryanne Ross Misa, Mariver Ocampo, Daphne Tanya Molenar, Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, April Love Jordan, Rufaida Babudin, Marie Loraine Dione de Guzman, Kaye Michelle Agnes, Fer Mary Baliquig, Queenrich Rehman, Lara Lee Sarino, Natacha Peugniez and Maria Danna Javier.
Present during the event is CQGQ, Inc. chairperson and Miss World Philippines franchise owner Cory Quirino, as well as Miss World 2011 First Princess Gwendoline Ramos Ruais and her court.
“We are very excited about this year’s staging of Miss World Philippines,” said Ms. Quirino. “With the help of TV5, we were able to travel all over the country in search of ladies who can best represent the Philippines and the Miss World cause. This gives us a better chance in winning the Miss World crown this year, “ she added.
The stage is set for a festive parade of Filipina beauty in the coronation night with the magnificent Manila Hotel as its backdrop. Former Miss World 2nd Princess and actress Ruffa Gutierrez will return to her pageant roots as she hosts the Grand Coronation Night with Game ‘n Go presenter Edu Manzano. The main event will be aired live from Manila Hotel Tent on June 24 8:30 PM on TV5.”
(L-R) 13 Maryanne Ross Misa, 14 Mariver Ocampo, 15 Daphne Tanya Molenar, 16 Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, 17 April Love Jordan
(L-R) 21 Fer Mary Baliquig, 22 Queenierich Rehman, 23 Lara Lee Sarino, 24 Natacha Peugniez and 25 Maria Danna Javier
(L-R) 6 Paula Rich Bartolome, 7 Maria Teresita Alaine Baccay, 8 Maham Ahmed, 9 Rizzini Alexis Gomez, 10 Larah Grace Lacap
(L-R) 1 Kaye Wigand, 2 Vanessa Claudine Amman, 3 Rosheila Tungol, 4 Mariz Ong, 5 Carla Terina Lizardo, 6 Paula Rich Bartolome, 7 Maria Teresita Alaine Baccay, 8 Maham Ahmed
(L-R) 16 Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, 17 April Love Jordan, 18 Rufaida Babudin, 19 Marie Loraine Dione de Guzman, 20 Kaye Michelle Agnes
To recap, the MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES 2012 Official Candidates are:
1 Kaye Wigand, 2 Vanessa Claudine Amman, 3 Rosheila Tungol, 4 Mariz Ong, 5 Carla Terina Lizardo, 6 Paula Rich Bartolome, 7 Maria Teresita Alaine Baccay, 8 Maham Ahmed, 9 Rizzini Alexis Gomez, 10 Larah Grace Lacap, 11 Vania Valeri Vispo, 12 Paulina Eliseeff, 13 Maryanne Ross Misa, 14 Mariver Ocampo, 15 Daphne Tanya Molenar, 16 Brenna Cassandra Gamboa, 17 April Love Jordan, 18 Rufaida Babudin, 19 Marie Loraine Dione de Guzman, 20 Kaye Michelle Agnes, 21 Fer Mary Baliquig, 22 Queenierich Rehman, 23 Lara Lee Sarino, 24 Natacha Peugniez and 25 Maria Danna Javier.
All photos above are courtesy of Melvin Sia/OPMB Worldwide.
Her name is Rizzini Alexis Gomez. A 1st Runner-Up of Miss Cebu 2009, she stands 5’10” and is a registered nurse by profession. Earlier this year, the 21 year-old screened for Bb. Pilipinas 2012 but was not fortunate enough to make the cut of Official Candidates. When Maxine Medina was disqualified, it was thought that she would take over the vacated slot. But it wasn’t meant to be. This time, she is putting her bets on Miss World Philippines 2012. Do you think she has the makings of a beauty queen? Or does she have meager offerings outside of an impressive height? We’ll see what’s in store for her in this competition. 😉
Below is the trailer of Venus Raj’s program on MercatorTV – ‘The Queen’:
Courtesy of MyMercatorTV
Mercator TV is the brainchild of Beauty Queen maker and Mercator Artist and Model Management Head Jonas Gaffud. The concept is to showcase the company’s popular entertainment, ramp and commercial talents by way of online programs that delve on a variety of topics such as beauty and lifestyle (Venus Raj), health & fitness (JC Tiuseco – with photo on left), reality TV (Benjamin Alves), travel (Lia Andrea Ramos), showbiz (Ervic Vijandre & Alizon Andres), brapinoy comedy (Giselle Sanchez, Fabio Ide & Daniel Matsunaga), fun and games (Jovic Susim, Benj Bolivar & Geron Lontoc), interesting personalities (Nicolette Henson), male talk (Kerbie Zamora, Bjorn Aguilar & Lem Pelayo), surfing (Luke Landrigan & Lui Villaruz), love/family (Hideo Muraoka) and more.
Below is the trailer of Nicolette Henson’s program ‘The Valedictorian’
Courtesy of MyMercatorTV
MercatorTV is something new. Something unique. Something that, unlike traditional TV itself, you can watch over and over again at your convenience.
Check out the initial list of shows in their lineup:
Below is the trailer of Lia Ramos’ program ‘Travel With Lia’:
Courtesy of MyMercatorTV
Make it an online habit. Better yet, bookmark the site right now so you can regularly visit and be updated on what’s new, what’s cool and what’s trending in the world of pop culture and entertainment.
Below is the trailer of ‘Island Boys’ with Luke Landrigan and Lui Villaruz:
Courtesy of MyMercatorTV
MercatorTV. Its’ time has come. On your demands.
Late yesterday morning, the motorcade of Miss World 2011 First Princess Gwendoline Ruais was finally held after it was postponed earlier this week due to bad weather. From the GMA Network Center in EDSA all the way to the SM Mall of Asia, she gamely waved and acknowledged the cheers of fans, supporters and onlookers along the way. It took all of two hours before reaching the end point, but she never complained. Accompanying her atop the float were the Miss World Philippines runners-up Nicolette Henson, Chloe McCulley and Jaysel Arrozal.
It was a long and successful journey for Gwen in London and now that she is back home, she’s more than ready to face the next challenge before joining Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos and Julia Motley in their world tour come January.
Some showbiz engagements before that, perhaps? 🙂
Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide
Gwendoline Ruais, Miss World 2011 First Princess, arrived in Manila fresh and triumphant from London where she achieved the highest placement of a Filipina in the contest since 1973. She was immediately whisked to a Presscon at Midas Hotel (photo above). A day after, she was lined up for several TV guestings with GMA-7 including an interview in Startalk where she detailed her wonderful memories of the pageant.
Today, she will be part of Party Pilipinas. Catch her production number together with Miss World Philippines Princesses Nicolette Henson, Chloe McCulley and Jaysel Arrozal.
Welcome back, Gwen! 🙂
Photo above courtesy of Jory Rivera of OPMB Worldwide
Here are the close-ups of Miss World Philippines 2011 candidates #13 to #25. Photos are courtesy of the pageant website.
16. LOUCELLE DE JESUS Age: 22 Region: Angeles City, Pampanga Height: 5’9 ½” Vital Statistics: 32-27-35.5 18. DONNA MARICEL CARDINO Age: 22 Region: Mandaue, Cebu City Height: 5’7 ½ ” Vital Statistics: 34-28-35.5 19. MICA ANGELA ANGELES Age: 17 Region: Sta. Rosa, Laguna Height: 5’7 ¾ ” Vital Statistics: 31.5-27-35
For the 2nd Group, my Top 6 would be (in random order):
#25 Erina Lightholder
#13 Gwendolyn Ruais
#24 Helen Nicolette Henson
#17 Erin Dolores Lane
#20 Jayanne Marie Aldanese
#22 Ma. Paula Bianca Paz
Who are yours? 😉
P.S. Don’t forget about the VOTE & TEXT promo of Miss World Philippines 2011 where you stand a chance to win a brand-new condo unit from SM Development Corporation. Once more…To vote, text MWP(space)Candidate Number/Name,Address and send to 367 for Smart and Talk N Text or send to 2344 for Globe, TM and Sun. Php 2.50 per vote for Smart, Talk N Text, Globe and TM and Php 2.00 per vote for Sun.
Videos courtesy of OPMBvids
The Press Presentation of Miss World Philippines 2011 was recently held at the Ballroom of Midas Hotel & Casino – the pageant’s official residence. National Director Cory Quirino proudly unveiled the crown to the media, while the more than two dozen candidates paraded in their swimsuits and black cocktail dresses to the delight of the audience.
The 25 ladies, with their official number assignments, are:
1 – Samantha Nerville Purvor
2 – Julian Savard
3 – Karen Joyce Peñanueva
4 – Irene Gabriel
5 – Rogelie Catacutan
6 – Richelle Therese Borja
7 – Charlotte Melissa Tyler
8 – Gaydra Rama
9 – Martha Chloe Mcculley
10 – Princess Tiffany Carbungco
11 – Mercy Malaluan
12 – Elaine Kay Moll
13 – Gwendolyn Ruais
14 – Joey Albert Short
15 – Jaysel Arrozal
16 – Loucelle de Jesus
17 – Erin Lane
18 – Donna Maricel Cardino
19 – Mica Angela Angeles
20 – Jayanne Marie Aldanese
21 – Mae Liezel Ramos
22 – Ma. Paula Bianca Paz
23 – Christine Kate Adi
24 – Helen Nicolette Henson
25 – Erina Ann Lightholder
I will give more focus on the hopefuls in the next couple of blogs. But this early, I’m keeping an eye on seven mixed-race beauties, namely, #13 Gwendolyn Ruais, #24 Nicolette Henson, #7 Charlotte Melissa Tyler, #25 Erina Lightholder, #9 Martha Chloe McCully, #22 Ma. Paula Bianca Paz (more of Fil-Am Pinay than mixed) and #17 Erin Lane. There are actually a lot of potential winners in the batch, and coming up with a Top 10 might make me leave out a few who deserve to be recognized as well.
Meanwhile, Miss World Philippines 2011 has a simultaneous promotion called VOTE & TEXT campaign wherein one lucky texter will win – hold your breath – a condo unit courtesy of SM Development Corporation! The winner will be drawn on September 17 – a day before the finals. You can view the ladies HERE so you can decide on who to vote. Here’s how:
To vote, text MWP Candidate Number/Name,Address
Send to 367 for Smart and Talk N Text or send to 2344 for Globe, TM & Sun.
Php 2.50 per vote for Smart, Talk N Text, Globe and TM and Php 2.00 per vote for Sun.
From September 7-10, the 25 candidates will fly to Puerto Princesa for the swimsuit competition. Pre-Pageant Gala Night will then be staged on September 13 at the Manila Hotel. You can check with the pageant website on how to buy tickets for this event. After that, the coronation night follows on September 18 – and telecast on GMA-7 – where one contender will win the right to represent the country in Miss World 2011 in London.
Watch out for more about Miss World Philippines 2011! 😉