Tough competitors, intriguing personalities round up ‘Boracay Bodies’ cast

Ethel Booba and Krista Miller may have gotten the lion’s share of attention during the recent press conference that launched TV5’s newest primetime reality series, “Boracay Bodies”.

But that does not necessarily mean that they’re already the odds-on favorites to win the competition and won’t be facing stiff challenges from Luke Jickain, Joross Gamboa, Brent Javier, Wendy Valdez and Helga Krapf.



Following the program’s format, all contestants need to complete specific daytime tasks, party at night and gain points to help determine who wins and who loses each task.

At the show’s ultimate grand party, the last male and female contestant left standing will emerge as the Ultimate Party Boy and Ultimate Party Girl, who will take home P500,000 each courtesy of sponsor Boracay Rum.

As we already know a lot about Ethel and Krista, who both have been hogging headlines as of late, let’s take a look at the other contestants and see what they bring to the table.


JOROSS GAMBOA, ‘The Jester’
Outside of Ethel, Joross is the life of the party among the boys as he likes to make everyone laugh. No stranger to reality competitions, Joross was a member of the star-studded first batch of ABS-CBN’s “Star Circle Quest” that produced the likes of Roxanne Guinoo, Melissa Ricks, Michelle Madrigal, Sandara Park and the comebacking Hero Angeles.

And don’t let his clowning demeanor fool you, Joross is as serious as they come when it comes to his craft. Now a sought-after character actor, he won the Cinemalaya 2012 New Breed Best Supporting Actor award for “Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino” and was recently in the cast of the John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo romantic comedy blockbuster “It Takes A Man and A Woman”.


WENDY VALDEZ, ‘The Righteous’
Another reality show veteran, Wendy started out as the most hated housemate in the second season of “Pinoy Big Brother”.

Surprisingly, she managed to parlay her initial bad girl image to a third place finish on the show and even went on to headline her own teleserye, “Margarita” before finding her niche in supporting roles that showcases more of her range and depth.

Now a born-again Christian, the once feisty and sassy lady has mellowed down and exhibited a more pious attitude. As evidenced in most of her conversations with all of the cast members in this reality show, she would always preach the messages of the Lord through Bible verses to guide her co-actors to be morally upright. Hence, the title, “The Righteous”.


 HELGA KRAPF, ‘The Sweet Girl’
Not too many are aware of it, but Helga was also a part of the first batch of “Star Circle Quest” where she made it as far as the top 50. Since then, she has never been out of projects and in addition to sitcoms and teleseryes has appeared in the romantic comedies “Forever and a Day” and “I Won’t Last a Day Without You”.

Her sweet and naïve image on the show might actually work to her advantage as it would be a mistake for anyone to underestimate her, even as her fellow contestants consider her as the baby in the group.

Regardless of what happens to her on “Boracay Bodies”, making it as one of the contestants might just give her the career boost that she needs and may lead to the lead roles that has eluded her all throughout her nine years in the business.





Although he won prestigious competitions such as the Mossimo Bikini Summit and MTV Best Model of the World-Philippines Manhunt and was a finalist for the MTV VJ Hunt batch won by Kat Alano, Andi Manzano and Sib Sibulo, Brent said his inability to speak Tagalog well has somewhat stalled his showbiz career.

He also attributed his laying low for a relationship that lasted for five and a half years. But now that that’s over and done with, Brent is ready to pick up where he left off and “Boracay Bodies” just might be the ideal starting point to resume his career.

Still regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful and sexiest men, what makes him more attractive is his quiet and reserved personality — something that could propel him to win this competition.


VICTOR SILAYAN, ‘The Lover Boy’
The grandson of the late, great actor Vic Silayan and the nephew of late beauty queen Chat Silayan, Victor is one of TV5’s Primetime Princes and best known as Eula Caballero’s love interest in “The Sisters” and “Third Eye”.

His boy-next-door looks, quiet and accommodating charm and gentlemanly demeanor make him similar to Brent except Victor seems to be more fun-loving and easygoing and has a propensity to try out just about anything.

Although he chose Wendy as the hottest among the girls during the press conference, Joross suggested that something seems to be brewing between her and Krista. Whether that will help or hurt his chances in the competition remains to be seen.


Brother of model-turned-chef Martin Jickain, Luke is a Filipino-French model who has branched out into acting in recent years, having appeared in the teleseryes “Maria La Del Barrio” and in “Imortal” as an uncredited vampire.

A man of literally few words, Luke’s quiet and sometimes brooding persona may come off as too serious.

That seems to have changed on “Boracay Bodies” as has shown that among all the others, he had the strongest desire to understand the members of their group. During the tense moments, it was always he who acted as the peacemaker and showed a willingness to sacrifice himself in order to help his group members.

“Boracay Bodies” airs every Saturday at 9PM on TV5 starting April 6.

source: interaksyon.com

Attention, songwriters: PhilPOP 2013 is on!

After a successful debut in 2012, the illustrious Philippine Popular Music Festival songwriting competition is gearing up for its 2nd run this 2013. Entries are already being accepted on www.philpop.com.ph, with the deadline for submission on February 28.

The group behind this this endeavor is the PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Inc, which involves itself in nation building through music. It seeks to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine.

Expecting to break the record of 3,000 participants in the initial run, Philpop, under the baton of its executive director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, laid out a more comprehensive and arduous screening process to find the top 14 finalists.

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join. The song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights.

It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”. The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista.

First runner-up award went to Australia-based Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion. Young composer Toto Sorioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel while first timer James Leyte, who works in an IT department, won the Smart People’s Choice Award for his reggae-influenced song entitled “Brown” co-interpreted by Brownman Revival.

Maestro Cayabyab clarifies that even the past winners can still join the competition.

“We are continuing to promote the songs from the Philpop and the album while drawing up strategies to further thrust these songwriters and songs into the spotlight,” shares Maestro Cayabyab. “We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious songwriting competition in Philippine history with even more songwriters vying for the 1 million peso grand prize this 2013.”

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.

source: interaksyon.com

'Fearless young artists' win 2012 Metrobank art competition

With experimental takes, strong imagery, exquisite technique and unconventional painting styles, the winners of the 2012 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Awards (MADE) earned their place among the roster of winners of the 28-year art and design competition.

According to a press release from Metrobank Foundation, the winning art pieces in this year's competition are a "display of courageous audacity in breaking conceptual and artistic norms."

This year’s Grand Prize winners are Christopher L. Gomez (Painting, Water Media), Michael G. Villagante (Painting, Oil-based Medium), Ronante S. Maratas (Oil-based Medium), Alexander A. Tee (Sculpture), and Arch. Jonathan Dangue (Architecture).

Gomez's watercolor painting entitled "Asong Tao: Taong Aso" depicts a human face using dry and wet wash techniques, revealing the artist’s freedom and experimental take on the nature of the medium, the press release said.

"With the face looking at the audience, in its massive scale and confrontational air, the artwork faces the issues and various emotions of human existence, struggle and human relationship expressed through the movement of the colored pigment onto the paper," the release said.

Villagante's winning painting “Sagad Hanggang Buto”, meanwhile, depicts two human figures, side by side with a mass of human hands and crab claws reaching from under a veil where the head is supposed to be positioned. This mass of hands and crab claws is attached to the disintegrating skull of the other human figure standing at the side.

"This strong imagery employed with exquisite technique speaks of the artist’s disgust to crab mentality fueled by greed and selfishness. Like Van Gogh, Villagante aims to depict “vigorous emotional reverberations” in order to awaken, shake and challenge some pre-existing social conditions," the release said.

Meanwhile, Maratas' “Undoing Ruin” won the judges' nod for his "obscure images of eyes, unrecognizable figures, figures of a different species, hands, and thick slashes of colors chaotically displayed and rendered in bright colors."

"Maratas’ work speaks the language of neo impressionism colorfully depicting vivid images between reality and imagination. The artist depicts bravery not just by choosing this unconventional painting style but of the deeply personal emotions and memories embedded in the hard strokes and vibrant colors in the artwork. Undoing Ruin is the artist’s allusion to those moments in life where one makes a choice between having the courage to dive into unknown waters or regret that you never had the courage to even try," the release said.

Tee's sculpture entitled "Batak" depicts a right arm with a clenched fist that extends until a part of the shoulder and lower half of the face.

"From a glance, one can see the muscular anatomy of the limb but upon closer look one can notice a line that cuts through the back of fists, near the knuckles, that connects until the side of the face. The artist refers to this as an invisible thread that enables the person to subdue emotions of outrage. Batak symbolizes Filipino’s resiliency, struggling with one’s self and stretching one’s limit. Tee confronts issues concerning mankind’s psyche through visual representations and forms," the release said.

In the architecture category, Dangue won with his "Tahanang Walang Hagdan" design.

“Ang tahanang walang hagdan ay idinesenyo upang hanggang sa pagtanda ng mga magulang na gagamit ng tahanan ay patuloy nilang tamasain ang pag baba at pag akyat upang makita ang mga magagandang tanawin sa lokasyon ng ating proyekto," said Dangue.

Dangue was also the Grand Prize winner in the 2011 MADE Sculpture competition for his bamboo toothpick assemblage “Walang Pinanghahawakang Anuman sa Palad.”

The winners will be awarded with a glass trophy designed by sculptor Noell El Farol and a cash prize of P300,000.00 each.

"This year’s set of winners is a manifestation of the fearless nature of our young artists to go beyond the usual norms, defy the formalist standards, post challenging questions and issues relevant in our present society. We have faith that our rich Filipino culture will continue to flourish through these young artists and designers,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.

A special selling exhibit by the MADE Network of Winners will be showcased side by side with the top semifinalists’ during the awarding ceremony, the release said. "This special exhibit is a vision of the future of MADE’s new winners, to be future masters in their craft," they said.

A percentage of the proceeds from the MADE NOW exhibit will support the various outreach programs of the alumni organization.

Previous winners of the MADE competition include Bobby Feleo, Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Duddley Diaz, Dan Raralio, Noell El Farol, Alfredo Esquillo, Jr., and Gabby Barredo, and established architects and designers such as Architects Noel Tan, Michael Peña, Jericho Adriano, John David O’Yek and Angelo Mañosa. Interior Designers Marybeth Tabaquin, Jasmine O’yek Sy, Wilhelmina Garcia, April Frigillana and Karina Diana Cortez.

The awarding ceremony will be held on September 13. For more information, visit the Metrobank Foundation website. –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Fil-Am eats 18 'balut' in five minutes to win New York competition

With that, 27-year-old Hollis resident Wayne Algenio set a record for balut-eating in New York, the first competition of its kind in the city.

In a YouTube video, Wayne could be seen focused at stuffing his mouth, drinking bottled water and occasionally dancing. At the end of the Maharlika-organized contest, he was awarded the championship belt, bits of ‘balut’ or days-old duck fetus still stuck around his mouth.

“I’m very excited about being the balut champ of New York,” Wayne told The FilAm. “I didn’t realize how much media coverage there was.”

“This contest was my first experience with ‘balut’ and I didn’t really get the full taste of it because I was just shoving it into my mouth and eating it as fast as possible,” he described the summer afternoon contest held in Brooklyn’s DeKalb market. “I did not have a tummy ache afterwards; actually I was still hungry.”

Wayne works as a sterilization technician at SurgiCare of Manhattan. He studied at CUNY’s John Jay College.

He has participated in a Dani’s pizza-eating contest and placed fourth, winning $100.

For this competition, Wayne won a belt and no cash prize. “Just receiving a belt was more than enough for me,” he said.

He vowed to be back next year “to defend my title.”

Way to go, Wayne! - The FilAm

source: gmanetwork.com

New world record set at mobile-phone throwing contest

HELSINKI — A Finnish teenager has smashed the world record — and probably his phone — in this year’s annual mobile-phone throwing contest in Finland.

Eighteen-year-old Ere Karjalainen launched a phone the “amazing” distance of 101.46 metres (332 feet 10 inches), Finnish public television network YLE said after Saturday’s event.

Second place went to South African Jeremy Gallop, who threw a phone 94.67 metres.

According to contest organisers, the competition offers mobile phone users a unique opportunity to “pay back all the frustrations and disappointments caused by these modern equipments.”

Finland is the home of Nokia and is awash in obsolete phones, organizers said.

“There will be no doping tests,” organisers said on their English website.

“However the jury can rule out the contestant if his/her mental or physical preparedness is not adequate for full a performance.”

The event has been held in the southeastern town of Savonlinna since 2000.

article source: interaksyon.com

Philippines Wins ASEAN Quiz Tilt

A team of three fourth year high school students from different schools in the Philippines bagged the championship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Quiz Regional Competition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Aug. 3.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila, the Philippine Team bested 27 other contestants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in winning the title.

The Philippine Team was composed of high school seniors Franchesca Anne Inacay of St. Albert the Great School in Dagupan City (Region I), Kristiyanne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (Region XII) and Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog (Region VIII).

The Filipino trio grabbed a total score of 71 points. Cambodia came close with 70 points while Thailand scored 68 points.

The competition had three rounds: The first round, which consisted of the True or False items (20 points), the second round, which consisted of the Multiple Choice items (20 points), and the third round, which consisted of the Fill in the Blanks items (40 points).

In the first round, the Philippine Team got a perfect score of 20 points. In the second round, the team got 19 out of 20 points while in the third round, the team earned 32 points.

During the competition, the students answered questions on politics, economy, security, sports, culture, tourism, science and technology.

The Philippines has been consistent in winning the ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition, the DFA noted.

In 2002, the Philippines won first and second places in the individual delegate category of the competition.

In 2004, the country copped first place while in 2006, the Philippines came in second. The Philippines won the first place again in 2009.

Meanwhile, the DFA said that secondary schools that want to participate in the next ASEAN Quiz Competition may e-mail the Department’s ASEAN Secretariat at asean.philippines@dfa.gov.ph.

source: mb.com.ph

Lance Armstrong banned from Ironman over doping probe

(CNN) -- Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong won't be allowed to compete in triathlon contests while he's under investigation for doping, the World Triathlon Corporation announced Thursday.

The ruling bars him from the Ironman France competition scheduled for June 24 in Nice, the agency said.

WTC rules "dictate an athlete is ineligible to compete during an open investigation. Armstrong is therefore suspended from competing in WTC-owned and licensed races pending further review," the WTC said in a statement.

Armstrong said Wednesday the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency intends to "dredge up discredited" doping allegations against him in a bid to strip him of his seven Tour de France victories.

The champion cyclist has always insisted he never took performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong was accused of using such drugs by other riders, but never failed a drug test.

"Unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one," Armstrong said on his website. "That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence."

The Washington Post said it received a copy of a 15-page agency letter sent Tuesday to Armstrong and several others.

Justice Department prosecutors in February said they closed a criminal investigation after reviewing allegations against Armstrong. They had called witnesses to a federal grand jury in Los Angeles, but they apparently determined they lacked evidence to bring a charge that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

"These are the very same charges and the same witnesses that the Justice Department chose not to pursue after a two-year investigation," Armstrong said Wednesday.

According to the Post, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency alleged it collected blood samples from Armstrong in 2009 and 2010 that were "fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions." The allegations were previously unpublicized, according to the Post.

Prosecutors drop Lance Armstrong doping investigation

The letter says Armstrong and five former cycling team associates engaged in a doping conspiracy from 1998 to 2011, the Post reported. Riders will testify that Armstrong used EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone and masking agents, and that he distributed and administered drugs to other cyclists from 1998 to 2005, the Post quoted the letter as saying.

In a statement obtained by CNN, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis T. Tygart said the five other people, formerly associated with the U.S. Postal Service pro cycling team, are three team doctors and two team officials. The letter included written notice of alleged anti-doping rule violations, Tygart said

"USADA only initiates matters supported by the evidence," Tygart said. "We do not choose whether or not we do our job based on outside pressures, intimidation or for any reason other than the evidence." All named individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, he added.

His statement did not mention anything about Armstrong's status as a triathlete.

According to its website, the quasi-government agency is recognized as the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American and Paralympic events in the United States.

Armstrong lashed out at the organization, saying it has "self-written rules" and that it punishes first and adjudicates the facts later.

Armstrong has been dogged by allegations of drug abuse in recent years, with compatriot Floyd Landis -- who was found guilty of doping in the 2006 Tour de France, resulting in him being stripped of the title -- making a series of claims last year.

Armstrong came out fighting once again in May 2011 in the face of fresh allegations made on the CBS News "60 Minutes" show by another American, Tyler Hamilton.

In the CBS interview, Hamilton -- who retired in 2009 after twice testing positive himself -- says he first saw Armstrong use blood boosting substance EPO in 1999, the year of his first Tour de France victory.

"I saw it in his refrigerator," Hamilton told the American news program. "I saw him inject it more than one time like we all did, like I did many, many times."

On his Twitter page, Armstrong at the time said he never failed a drug test.

Ex-teammate: I saw Lance Armstrong inject banned substances

article source: CNN

Sweden snags top prize in Eurovision Song Contest

(CNN) -- A Swedish performer emerged victorious in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, beating out competition from 25 other nations.

Singer Loreen, 28, won for "Euphoria," an upbeat dance-style song. Dressed in dark colors, she sang in shadows, playing off flashing lights, wind and snow.

"I want to say that I love you so much. Thank you for believing in me," she said soon after winning, addressing her fans. "This is not just mine. This is ours."

The annual event attracts an estimated global audience of 125 million and is loved for its combination of over-the-top costumes, kitsch pop songs, sometimes dubious talent and international rivalries.

Among the more unusual contenders this year was Buranovskiye Babushki, a group of self-described grannies from Russia. Dressed in flowing skirts and sensible shoes, they performed a choreographed baking routine. Russia finished second behind Sweden.

Serbia won third with a performance by Zeljko Joksimovic.

Donny Montell, Lithuania's entry, sang "Love is Blind," ripping off a blindfold as he broke into dance.

Yet for all its entertainment value, talk in the run-up to this year's contest was dominated by where it was being held -- Azerbaijan -- as its performers.

The host nation generally uses the event to promote itself to tourists and foreign investors.

But this year, human rights activists have questioned whether Azerbaijan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, should have been allowed to host the contest given what they describe as its poor record on freedom of expression.

Human Rights Watch last month urged the contest's organizers and other nations to put pressure on Azerbaijan's government to prevent "violence against journalists, social media activists, and human rights defenders; refrain from using politically-motivated criminal charges against journalists and others; release people imprisoned on politically-motivated charges; and allow peaceful assemblies."

At present, Azerbaijan "remains hostile towards free media and other forms of free expression," the group said. "Police have violently dispersed protests, beating and arresting peaceful demonstrators and organizers."

Azerbaijan ranks 162 out of 179 countries in the latest Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

Rights advocacy group Amnesty International says 12 people are currently in prison in Azerbaijan because of their connection to anti-government protests held last year.

Eleven of the prisoners began a hunger strike on 15 May that they intended to maintain until the end of the Eurovision Song Contest, Amnesty said. It was not immediately what has or will happen, with the talent show now complete.

Azerbaijan's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Fakhraddin Gurbanov, told CNN that human rights are guaranteed by his country's constitution, but admitted there are problems.

"We are only 10 years old, and we are building a democratic society," he said prior to the event, which he promised would showcase his country's culture and hospitality. "It's a long way to go. It's not easy, it's very challenging."

Emin Milli, a former political prisoner in Azerbaijan now studying in London, accused the government of detaining a few individuals on politically-motivated grounds in order to scare other people. He told CNN he'd hoped performers on the live show would comment on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan -- a statement that would be seen by tens of millions of people -- but that didn't happen.

Despite the "Euro-" prefix, contestants can come from any member country of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that includes numerous non-European nations, some, like Azerbaijan, from central Asia.

The EBU is made up of broadcasters, not governments, and each year it is up to the participating broadcaster from each country to submit one act chosen through their own selection process.

With Loreen's victory Saturday, Sweden joins France, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg as countries that have recorded five wins.

They all trail Ireland, whose contestants have walked away with the top prize seven times, including a run of three consecutive victories in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

The voting that led to Loreen's win began after all the finalists performed.

Countries were awarded a set of points from one to eight, then 10 and finally 12 for their favorite songs. Voters could not select performers from their own countries, and the scores were announced in both English and French.

Television viewers cast votes in their respective countries through telephone hotlines, which count toward the final vote.

Many perceive the voting to be tactical, with neighbors or members of regional blocs, such as the former Soviet nations, appearing to base their scoring on geopolitical alliances rather than artistic merit.

Most winning acts or artists go on to sink without trace.

Among the few notable exceptions are ABBA, who won in 1974 with "Waterloo," and Celine Dion, who was imported from Quebec to represent Switzerland in the 1988 contest.

source: CNN

2012 Miss Philippines Earth Beauty Contest Completes Preliminary Competitions

MANILA, Philippines — The 2012 Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant has completed its preliminary competitions as it presented 16 special awards to candidates.

Miss San Juan City Samantha Purvor led the preliminary contests by winning Best In Swimsuit; Miss Zenea Slimming and Body Sculpting; Miss Extraderm; Miss Pontefino Residences; and Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes.

Miss Tabuk City Glennifer Perido won Miss Redfox; Best In Resort Wear; and Miss Golden Sunset; and Miss Marilao, Bulacan Aufelyn Zabala, Miss Talent, and Miss Beverly Hills 6750.

Other winners of special awards were Miss Quezon City Stefany Stefanowitz, Best In Evening Gown; Miss Puerto Princesa City Thoreen Halvorsen, Miss Prime Med; Miss Pagadian City Cristelt Gerona, Miss Photogenic-Ever Bilena; Miss Lucena City Jennifer Edytha Japor, Miss Friendship; Miss Batangas City Queenie Uy, Miss Pontefino Hotel; and Miss Kawit, Cavite Reveleen Carandang, Miss New Placenta. It was presented by Jaime Acosta, CEO and President of Psalmstre Inc.

At least 47 candidates are taking part in the environment-driven beauty pageant now on its 12th edition. Reigning Miss Philippines Earth Athena Mae Imperial will crown her successor at the Center Stage of SM Mall of Asia on Sunday, May 27.

Other titles up for grabs were Miss Philippines Eco Tourism, Miss Philippines Fire, Miss Philippines Air, and Miss Philippines Water.

Imperial also placed won Miss Water in the 2011 Miss Earth beauty pageant.

Other candidates competing in this year’s pageant are Ariella Arida, Lei Denise Mendoza, Dianne Dreyfus, Christina Jana Siratnanont, Zeneline Bulalaque, Roxanne Corluy, Daniella Marisse Fernandez, Dorothy Joy Pagurayan, Lara Theresa Leones, Roanne Marie Roche, Melanie Belina, Maria Genefe Navilon, Ellyz Lee Santos, Maricel Mansano, Jem Francelle Sanico, Janica Burasca, Ina Dominica Guerrero, Jennifer Grace Alberto, Dane Felisse Marasigan, Alvy Faith Pel-Ey, Jaydielou Dilidili, Bhertie Bagaporo, Trissia Joy Alvade, Abbygale Rey, Zandra Flores, Jade Charmaine Manago, Kathleen Subijano, Ivy Salvino, Glenna Christina Duch, Krystal Alonday, Gail Garcia, Mary Joyce Cruz, Margaret May Liavor, Princess Manzon, Dianne Ramos, Kaylee Calaguas, Candice Ramos, and Kristina Cassandra Buac.

Last year, the beauty pageant was expected to be held in Vietnam but it was later offered to Bangkok, Thailand. However, the flooding in Thailand forced organizers to cancel the pageant and moved it back to the Philippines.

Karla Henry is the first Miss Earth winner from the Philippines in 2008. She is also the first Asian to win the crown. Brazil has won the pageant twice – Priscilla Meirelles (2004) and Larissa Ramos (2009).

source: mb.com.ph

Power balladeer Jessica vs. ‘genius’ Philip on ‘Idol’ finale

LOS ANGELES – Jessica Sanchez, the teen with the big voice, chose power ballads while Phillip Phillips went with an indie vibe as the two diverse “American Idol” finalists sang on Tuesday for the hearts and votes of America.

Sanchez, 16, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of America’s most-watched TV show, was deemed ahead after performing songs made famous by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.
But it was acoustic guitar-playing Phillips who brought all three judges to their feet at the end of the performance finale.

“You were perfect tonight, and I think you are the man,” said judge Steven Tyler as Phillips closed the show with his potential first single “Home”—a song that mixed the style of folk-rock band Mumford and Sons with Paul Simon and featured a marching band.

Randy Jackson called the Georgia singer’s performance “brilliant, genius” and added “Dude I loved the song! I loved you. I loved the production … Everything about that was perfect.”

Phillips, 21, also put his own spin on his two other songs—Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out” and the classic “Stand By Me”—earning screams of adulation from the audience of 7,000 in Los Angeles. But he failed to convince the three judges.

“This is a tough one,” said Jennifer Lopez. “It’s like a battle of the opposites.”
Sanchez, a home-schooled California teen, won praise for her renditions of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer.”

But her potential first single, a pop ballad called “Change Nothing,” fell flat with the judges, bringing tears to the eyes of the young singer.
Jackson thought the song was “just okay” while Tyler said “It didn’t feel like the proper song for you to sing.”

But the judges’ impact is limited to potentially swaying audience votes. America’s “Idol” will be chosen by viewers and fans who have four hours to vote by phone, text and online after the show ended on Tuesday.

Results will be announced at the end of a star-studded two hour finale Wednesday (Thursday morning in the Philippines).

Based on social media buzz and Twitter postings going into Tuesday’s final, Sanchez had a 17 percent lead in Yahoo! searches, the Internet search engine said.

She also generated 60 percent more mentions in social media than Phillips, according to a survey by analytics company General Sentiment.

But Phillips, whose goofball humor has charmed millions of young female viewers, has never been in “Idol”s bottom three.

Sanchez, who is sometimes criticized for failing to connect emotionally with her lyrics, was saved by the judges from elimination in April after coming bottom in the public vote.

The young girl of Mexican and Filipino descent has millions of supporters in the Philippines, while Phillips has won sympathy for a kidney problem that has plagued his health during the show.
“Pheel Better Phillip” read one poster in Tuesday’s audience.

The winner will receive a guaranteed recording contract, putting him or her on a potential road to the stardom enjoyed by early champions Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

But more recent winners have fared less well and audiences for “American Idol”, now in its 11th season, have fallen by 23 percent to an average 19.2 million viewers.

article source: interaksyon.com

Malacañang urges Pinoys in US to vote for Jessica Sanchez

Malacañang on Friday congratulated Jessica Sanchez for making it to the Top Two of the reality singing competition "American Idol" and urged Filipinos in the United States to vote for her in next week's finals.

“Please show your support in any way possible for Jessica Sanchez. This is the last stretch and we know that when Filipinos gather and put their minds into it, it will happen,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte at a press briefing.

She said the Filipino-Mexican-American contestant inspires the people to pursue excellence in everything no matter how big or small the stage may be.

“Excellence knows no boundaries. The power of music uplifts us all. The entire Filipino people have united in admiration and enthusiasm over the performances of Jessica Sanchez in American Idol,” she said.

“Her perseverance and passion have inspired and surprised not just America, but the whole world with a voice that is as powerful as it is stirring,” she added.

She further said that “as we move on to the final stage of the competition, we stand in solidarity with Jessica Sanchez as she shows the world what Filipinos are capable of.”

Sanchez vs. Phillips

Sanchez, who hails from Chula Vista, San Diego, California, will be pitted against Phillip Phillips, the other finalist.

Joshua Ledet was eliminated after public voting determined he was the contestant with the least number of votes.

Sanchez's top 2 achievement is the highest attained by a contestant with Filipino heritage on the show.

Filipino-American Jasmine Trias made it to the top three of AI's Season 3, while Ramiele Malubay, another Fil-Am, placed ninth in Season 7.

Thia Megia, another Filipino-American, meanwhile, finished in the top 11 of last year's competition.

Sanchez's mother is Filipina from Bataan, while her father is Mexican. - VVP, GMA News

article source: gmanetwork.com