PINAY WAGI BILANG MISS TEEN NORTH AMERICA 2008

By Ruth T. Rodriguez

Si Lovely Mae Acosta Orsino, nanalo bilang Miss Teen North America 2008. Ang kanyang ina na si Ellen Acosta Orsino ay taga-Palawan.

NAKA-CHIKA KAMAKAILAN ng inyong Stargazer ang isang pinay na nanalo bilang Miss Teen North America 2008 ng ito ay mag-balikbayan sa Puerto Princesa.

Nakakabilib ang achievements ni Lovely Mae Acosta Orsino, ang Miss Teen North America 2008. Dahil sa halos 4 years na siyang sumasali sa mga beauty pageant sa North America ay 43 crowns lang naman ang nakuha niya out of 47 pageants.

Bongga naman ang kababayan nating ito – tunay na BEAUTY AND BRAINS talaga. Ipinanganak si Lovely sa Hawaii at doon din siya lumaki. Parehong Pilipino ang mga magulang ni Lovely – si Benny Orsino ay mula sa Capas, Tarlac at si Ellen Acosta Orsino naman ay taga-Puerto Princesa.

Lovely is the youngest child at dalawa lang silang mag-kapatid. Kung si Lovely Mae ay humahatawa sa paghakot ng mga beauty titles, ang kanyang ate na si Elaine naman ay sa academics. Graduate ito bilang summa cum laude at ngayon ay masayang naninirahan sa Washington kasama ang kanyang asawa’t anak.

Fourteen years old lang si Lovely ng una siyang sumabak sa beauty pageant. Hindi naging hadlang ang pagiging baguhan niya para manalo ng titulong Miss Pink Sapphire Asia Pacific 2005, ang unang korona na kanyang napanalunan.

Mula noon ay sunod-sunod na beauty pageant na ang kanyang sinalihan, at kabilang nga dito ang koronang kanyang tangan ngayon ang Miss Teen North America 2008. Ang Coronation Night ay gaganapin sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Short Chat with Rated K’s Korina Sanchez

Isang totally refreshing na umaga talaga ang maka-chikahan ng inyong Stargazer at entertainment radio talk show host ang award winning at respetadong journalist na si Ms. Korina Sanchez ng Rated K. Taliwas sa paniniwala ng marami, isang mabait at accommodating na Korina ang aking nakausap.

Si Korina Sanchez kasama ako at si DJ Reggie na co-host ko rin sa Breaktime. Very refreshing ang makapanayam ang sikat na host ng Rated K sa aming programa.

Ibinahagi niya ang kanyang mga experience at plano sa buhay bilang isang mamamahayag at bilang isang girlfriend ni Sen. Mar Roxas, at maging kung ano pa ang kanyang mga pangarap sa buhay at para sa bansang Pilipinas.

Siyempre, itinanong ko kung kelan siya ikakasal. Huh, isang tawa lamang ang kanyang isinagot dito.

Si Miss K ay nasa lungsod para isang magandang istorya at nakatakdang mamahagi ng tsinelas sa isang barangay sa Puerto Princesa.

Little Dreamer grand finalist Risie Mayo, bumisita sa Puerto

Finally, we would be laying our eyes on Palaweña Little Dreamer finalist ng Pinoy Dream Academy na si Risie Mayo.

Siya ay dumating sa lungsod dahil special guest siya sa 75th Anniversary ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) kasama ang bandang Imago at Calla Lily. Isang free concert ang inihanda ng PCSO para sa mga taga-Puerto Princesa at ito ay naganap sa City Coliseum.

Pangalipay sa Baybay

Talaga namang we can truly feel the summer heat! Hindi pa ba obvious kung tayo ay pagpawisan na?

Punuan na ang mga resort at beaches ngayon sa lungsod at sa buong Palawan na ata. Puno din ng events dito at ang pinaka-inaabangan nga this month ay ang Pangalipay sa Baybay. Mas bongga this year ang Pangalipay, iba-iba ang mga gimiks: fire dancing, dansport, fashion show, songwriting competition, body painting – kaya kung ako sa inyo, enjoy pangalipay sa baybay!!!

 

Karylle’s love affair in Palawan blossoms; Pokwang’s comedy invades it!

By Ruth T. Rodriguez

DESPITE BEING loveless this Valentine’s Day, Karylle (former gf of Dingdong Dantes) is pretty as ever! The talented singer, stage and movie actress will be in Puerto Princesa on February 14 to grace the city’s Love Affair with Nature in barangay San Jose.

Sources said Karylle is already excited to be in the city to join its residents in celebrating their unique romance for the environment and to see its beauty and grace. Marami na raw kasing narinig ang dalaga na pawang mga magagandang bagay about Puerto Princesa.

Talented singer/actress Karylle serenaded couples in mass wedding during Love Affair with Nature in Puerto Princesa on Valentine’s Day.

Pokwang’s comedy in the city

Talented comedienne Pokwang (Marietta Subong in real life) will also be here for a Valentine’s Day comedy show.

Excited na ang mga taga-hanga na makita si Pokwang dahil sa kakaiba niyang galing sa pagpapatawa that’s seen everyday sa Wowowee kung saan siya ay isa sa mga host. According to her show’s promoters, tiyak na mag-eenjoy ang mga taga-Puerto Princesa sa kanyang gagawing pagpapatawa dahil sa hindi ito basta lamang slapstick.

Pokwang has really gone a long way in terms of her career. From a struggling OFW, punong-puno na ng pag-asa ang kanyang buhay kaya naman pinagbubutihan daw niya ang pagtra-trabaho. Tama lang naman!

Rihanna vs Chris Brown

Rumored boyfriend-girlfriend Rihanna and Chris Brown were embroiled recently in a battery incident in Los Angeles. Sino si Rihanna? Girl, my goodness! Siya lang naman ang nagpasikat sa kantang Umbrella, and was here in the Philippines last year for a concert.

In that concert, she was with Chris Brown na diumano ay boyfriend niya. According to police reports, Brown was arrested for hitting a woman na noong una ay hindi kinilala. Later ay naglabasan na si Rihanna pala ito.

The police also claimed Rihanna was badly hurt. Talaga daw parang binugbog sarado dahil sa mga tama ng suntok sa kanyang mukha. Chris is out on a $50,000 bail at ang kanyang lawyer ay walang iba kung hindi ang lawyer ni Michael Jackson na kung tawagin sa Planet Hollywood ay “loser?”

Apparently, the reason that caused the incident to happen ay dahil nahuli ng sikat ang singer na may ka-text na ibang girl. Tignan mo nga naman ang text, maraming sinisirang relationship.

 

Ploning Foundation & new movie projects for Juday & Direk Dante

By Ruth T. Rodriguez

AFTER PLONING lost in its bid in the Oscars 2009’ Best Foreign Film Category, the group, headed by Director Dante Nico Garcia and his best friend Judy Ann Santos, has come up with the idea of putting up a foundation aimed at helping future films from the Philippines that will be chosen to compete in prestigious award-giving bodies in Hollywood, such as the Academy Awards and the Oscars. Ayon kay Direk Dante, the idea actually came from Juday, who wants to keep the contacts that their group has established at siyempre, she wants to see more Filipino films competing in the Oscars in the future. The Ploning Foundation will be launched on February 22, 2009 in Manila. After the launching, DirekDante and Juday will start shooting a film for Regal. It will be a romantic comedy type of film, which was conceptualized by Philippine Songbird Regine Velasquez, inspired by the movie Notting Hill and Mrs. Doubtfire. It will feature Juday and Ogie Alcasid. “This film is not a follow up to Ploning,” Direk Dante clarified in a brief chat.

Bagong project para kay Direk Dante Nico Garcia

Teleserye at Paradise
Matapos ang shooting ng pelikula nina KC Concepcion at Richard Gutierrez sa bayan ng Coron, here comes a Teleserye shooting in El Nido, a beautiful paradise on earth in Palawan. Ang nasabing teleserye ay pagbibidahan nina Jericho Rosales at Karylle. Karylle confirmed this herself, to my former radio partner Joel Carl Contrivida, at a presscon of S magazine that will feature her. Mukhang paborito ata ng mga artista ang probinsya natin. Tama yan! This only means that efforts of the local government in promoting our tourists spots are paying off.

Miss Puerto 2009 Screening
Screening pa lang ay patalbugan na sa pag-rampa ang mga naggagandahang dalaga ng lungsod sa ginanap na screening ng Miss Puerto 2009. Humigit kumulang sa 65 aspiring beauty queens ang rumampa, samantalang 20 lamang ang pipiliin para maging official candidates ngayong taon. Ayon kay Ms. Connie Aban, exciting ang Miss Puerto candidates ngayon. Mga naglalakihang bituin gaya nila Gabby Concepcion, Ryan Agoncillo, Dingdong Dantes at and bosanova queen na si Sitti ang kanilang inimbitahan para sa Coronation Night. Samantala, hindi pa ni-reveal kung ano ang magiging tema at konsepto ng Miss Puerto ngayong taon, pero tiniyak ng City Events na isang masaya, kakaiba at exciting na Miss Puerto pageant ang mapapanuod. at habang sinusulat ang balita ito ay hindi pa inilalabas ang twenty (20) official candidates ng Ms. Puerto 2009 ito.

 

KC and Richard Gutierrez was in Coron, Palawan

By Ruth T. Rodriguez

IN LOVE na in love diumano ang mega-daughter na si KC Concepcion sa ganda ng mga beaches sa Calamianes Islands Group, lalo na sa bayan ng Coron, kung saan siya at si Richard Gutierrez ay nag-shooting ng bago nilang pelikula na When I Met U.

Pagbalik daw ni KC sa Maynila ay wala siyang ibang bukang-bibig sa mga kaibigan kung hindi ang subukang pumunta ng Palawan dahil sa sobrang ganda ng mga beach nito.

This is because KC is a beach person like her dad Gabby. She likes the beach so much that’s why parati siya sa Boracay. Ngayon daw ay may bago ng beach destination si KC at iyan ay ang Palawan.

Balitang-balita din na nag-enjoy ng husto sa Coron ang kanyang leading man na si Richard dahil sa maging ito ay sige rin ang pagyayaya sa mga kaibigan. My goodness, Coron palang iyan. Paano na kung sa El Nido siya nag-punta? Maloka kaya siya?

Ok na si Angel at Luis

All’s well that ends well. Finally, hindi na dapat mag-worry ang mga Luis-Angel fans dahil sa ok na ang kanilang mga idolo. Naayos na nina Angel at Luis ang kanilang hindi pagkakaunawaan matapos maka-balik ng mga ito mula sa pagbabakasyon sa Macau.

Angel clarified on PEP na walang third party na involved sa muntik ng pagkakadiskaril ng kanyang relationship with Luis. Ang bahay sa White Plains na napapabalitang iniregalo sa kanya ng isang benefactor na DOM ay kanyang pagod at hirap diumano at hindi nag-mula sa kung kanino man.

Para patunayan ito, inimbita pa niya ang mga press people na pumunta sa blessing ng kanyang bahay sa White Plains. Ay, bongga!

Para diumano hindi na putaktiin ng intriga ang kanilang relationship, both of them agreed na i-keep private ito para di maapektuhan.

 

Ploning’s star failed in the Oscars

By Ruth T. Rodriguez

MALUNGKOT NA balita. Nabigo ang pelikula ni Angga Garcia na Ploning in its bid to be among the nine films na mag-qualify sa Oscar this year, under the Best Foreign Film Language. Ito ay according to the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science.

Sa website ng Philippine Entertainment Portal lumabas ang chika na nakuha naman sa isang website. Sayang naman! We know the movie deserves to be included, but the judges have decided.

Anyway, hindi man ito nangyari, things have happened to Juday and Angga Garcia. She won P1 million from Deal or No Deal, dib a? And si Angga naman has won an award na.

We’re still proud of Ploning despite this sad news.

Besides, Juday is “no regrets” because she did everything naman for Ploning. Hindi biro ang mga pinagdaanan nilang fundraising just to raise the money they need.

Karylle on Echo and Christian

O, sabi nga, when a door closes, a window is opened… tama bang equation ito sa nangyayari sa buhay pag-ibig ni K? Naiipit ng intriga ngayon si Karylle, ang lovely daughter ni Ms. Zsazsa dahil sa ito raw ngayon ang apple of the eyes nina Jericho Rosales at Christian Bautista.

Kamakailan nga daw ay nakita itong si K na kasama si Christian in watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, samantalang si Echo naman at siya daw ay consistent ang pag-te-text together.

So, what’s the fuss all about? Eh, hindi ba puwedeng bumuo ulit ng love life si Karylle for herself? Pero nilinaw na ni K ang mga issue. According to her, si Christian is a close friend at matagal na silang magkakilala. She didn’t deny that she and Christian watched the Brad Pitt film, pero hindi naman daw sila sweet gaya ng mga napa-balita.

And mind you, Christian naman said daw in an interview that he’s not closing his doors on the possibility that his friendship with K would go to another level. Aba! Hindi naman masama because pareho silang single.

Dating kilala din daw ni Karylle si Echo. Meaning dati na silang magkaibigan kaya’t hindi dapat bigyan ng ibang kahulugan ang kanilang pagiging malapit sa isa’t-isa. You go, girl! Ang ganda mo, haba ng hair.

Incidentally, we might be waiting to see K here in Puerto Princesa. Siya kasi ang napipisil na maging special guest din ng lungsod sa Love Affair with Nature na magaganap sa February 14. Bongga!

Ben-Jen happy over new baby Seraphina

Nakakaloka ang pangalan ng bagong baby nina Ben Affleck at Jennifer Garner. Born on January 26 in the Year of the Ox, her name is Seraphina Elizabeth. Sabi sa OMG! Masayang-masaya ang doting dad and mom tandem na ito. While Jen stays at home to take care of the new baby, it’s Ben who picks up Violet, their eldest daughter, from school.

Nakuha daw ng dalawa ang pangalan from Seraphim, o iyong highest order ng mga angels. Inaasahan ng dalawa that both Violet and Seraphina will grow up to be good people. Sabagay nga naman. Sa America kasi ang mga bata, parang kailangan lagi ng pag-gabay ng magulang.

Congratulations na lang!

Greeting, wishes and good luck time!

Good luck sa aming kasama na si Leny Escaro na ngayon ay taga-DILG. May you have the most favorable ride in this new journey in your life.

Happy Foundation Day sa mga taga-Sofronio Espanola na mag-ce-celebrate sila ngayong January 18.

Lagi niyo pong ugaliin ang pakikinig sa Break Time kasama ko at si Ms. Janis Gordola every 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. sa DYPR.

Malapit na ang Valentine’s Day kaya advance Happy Valentines! Abangan ang Love Affair with Nature at lumahok kayo, ha?

 

Jam Charish Libatog: All set for Miss Tourism International

Contributed by Ariel Allosada Allera
laraduttallerariel@yahoo.com

ANOTHER CEBUANA beauty has made it to the national stage again—and, who knows, will bring home another international crown to our country.

Jam Charish Libatog bested 23 other aspirants for one of the two Mutya Ng Pilipinas major titles bestowed upon her at the coronation night last December 7 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Libatog is in Malaysia to compete for the title of Miss Tourism International to be held tomorrow, December 31. (Photo borrowed from Joseph Ong)

Crowned as 2008 Mutya Ng Pilipinas – Puerto Princesa Tourism, Jam is currently in Malaysia, all set to compete and vie for the title of Miss Tourism International to be held on December 31, 2008.

Jam stood out during the national competition with her height, and edged out her co-candidates via her wit which paved her way to getting high marks in the final Question-and-Answer. Her co-winner, Jonavi Quiray, was awarded as Mutya Ng Pilipinas International and is from Puerto Princesa.

This paper’s fashion scribe Dexter Alazas (who also happens to be her manager) accompanied her to what the locals fondly call “the City in a Forest.” He recalls her protege to getting almost discouraged at the 11th hour due to her lack of publicity as compared to her co-aspirants who seemed the favorites of the press.

“I guess that sometimes Jam was just a bit shy and hesitant to rub elbows with the so-called important people. Knowing her, Jam is really the conservative type and has not always been one to show off. I always remind her now that she should be more talkative, to keep abreast with current issues, and to touch base with our culture,” Dexter said in an exclusive interview for The Freeman Entertainment.

During their arrival in Cebu the next evening, the statuesque registered nurse was thrilled at the motorcade prepared for her by the staff and crew of StyleFirm and A.D. Models Philippines, both managed by Dexter Alazas (who also happens to be the mentor of her colleague, recently crowned Miss Earth Karla Henry).

Jam admitted to not expecting a win over her co-candidates who seemed more confident and ambitious to bag any of the two titles. “They were really all bent on winning. They looked as though they would kill just to get the Mutya title, while I was just being myself all the time, hoping that the competition would already conclude, as I nearly got sick from lack of sleep and rest,” she revealed.

With barely a couple of days in Cebu, Jam had to fly back to Manila in preparation for her trip to Kuala Lumpur, where her fellow contenders for the 12th Miss Tourism International crown were awaiting the Philippine delegate. She’s confident that with her height, coupled with her pleasing personality, capturing the most coveted crown will not be a far cry.

Dexter Alazas, who has been mentoring her for three years now, said, “I’m proud to say that Jam is one of the aces in our agency. She’s not only tall and gorgeous, but she’s also quite keen in reasoning; hence, I’m optimistic that she has high promise to becoming the next international title-holder in A.D. Models Philippines.”

This year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant is headed by Roberto de Venecia with the help of fashion designer and beauty-queen discoverer Renee Salud and businessman Alberto “Bert” Abesamis.

 

Actress Alessandra de Rossi to visit Puerto

By Richard L. Bantayan

SEXY MODEL actress Alessandra de Rossi is set to be in Puerto Princesa on April 22 as special guest in the search for “Bench Body” on April 25, 2008 at the Baywalk.

Margarette S. Lumauag, owner of the only Bench store in Puerto Princesa said the search has invited De Rossi to be its special guest on the night of the event at the Baywalk near the pier. It’s not clear if she will have radio guestings or tours.

The search for Bench Body in Palawan is open to males and females between 16-24 years old. Lumauag said it will give young hopefuls in Puerto Princesa the chance to be exposed in the world of brand modeling.

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Living in China

By Yolly R. Parker-Dixon

I HAVE lived or stayed for years in foreign countries, like Singapore, and has traveled to Japan and Korea and I love these places. When it comes to food, these places are wonderful, healthy and sanitary too!

Now that were are living in China for about four years now, which is not really a choice, ask me about food here and I will give you a head shake. Oh, they have superb food in China but you have to go to the right restaurants to be assured they’re clean. Of course, they’re not cheap.

Me, my daughter Eliya and my husband Geoff living happily together in China.

My friends and I here have found local restaurants where food is cheap and delicious too, but no assurance of cleanliness and sanitation. They eat absolutely everything in these restaurants: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, bats, dogs, cats, snakes, frogs, turtles… anything that moves is good for food. Living here this long, we haven’t seen a single bird flying in the sky because they eat them too. I’ve often wondered if China has laws that can protect animals. Imagine, no birds in this country?

Most of the food that we’ve found here, my husband can’t eat. I can’t eat them either because I’m afraid I’d get sick or something. When I feel this way, I always miss Pilipino food that’s why when we travel back home, I see to it that when I go back to China, I carry with me our own herbs and spices – those we can’t find here, so that I can cook all the food that I miss, like sinigang, binagoongan, kare-kare, you name it.

With my daughter Eliya and my friend Richie standing beside a tarp announcing our new business venture in China — that is, occasionally opening a restaurant that will cater Pinoy dishes to Pilipinos and foreigners.

Every time my friends would know I’m back from the Philippines, they’d go to my home and persuade me with their presence so I’ll cook for them because they also miss Pinoy food. Aside from that, they say they love my cooking, so why not?

This would go on for several times so I thought why not cook Pilipino dishes for everyone? I will cook not just for the Pinoy community here, but also for the ex-pats who love our dishes better than in China. My husband Geoffrey and I started inviting foreign friends to our house for dinner and serve Pilipino recipes. Of course, they love them. They love my chicken adobo; Bicol express, which they prefer hotter and spicier; the torta, usually ground pork or beef with egg and fried; my embutido and everything else I cook for them.

That’s it! This gave me the idea — why not a fine venue for all of these recipes and invite our foreign friends? Why not when it can also be income generating for me?

My husband Geoff (left, wearing red) and I (extreme right, wearing the traditional Pilipina kimona and saya) with our Pilipino and ex-pat friends during the opening of our restaurant in Shundeh.

My husband Geoff is checking if the dishes are ready.

After finalizing plans with a few of my Pinay friends, we picked August 4 as the date of our food business venture here in China.

It was exhausting! Buying all the things that we need; preparing and decorating the place we have rented; cooking the dishes; serving and entertaining at the same, phew! But it was really fun! Our place was packed, they love the food, everybody enjoyed, and we are very happy, of course!

Everyone’s asking when will be the next one? And that’s how we did it. Our venture is still not permanent yet but we set at least once or twice a month so friends and other foreign people coming to this place will have a taste of a different kind of food. And of course to boast, promote and be proud of our own.

And while Pilipino music is playing in the background, we donned our traditional costumes and showed them the true Pilipino hospitality and friendliness that you will find only with a Pilipino. Proud to be one!

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Paskuhan ng Pamilya

Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. and the Provincial Information Office will be awarding the winners of its essay writing contest for the media and those of its parol (lantern)-making contest on December 14 at BM Beach Resort via Paskuhan ng Pamilya 2007.

Paskuhan will be a whole day fun and health event and will consist of the following: games, hourly raffle, entertainment (music and dance), lunch and snacks, gift-giving, balloon twisting, station games, booths, essay contest awarding at 3PM and parol-contest awarding also at 3PM, blood smearing for malaria parasite, eye-check up and blood pressure check up for the families of the media and guests.

Media and other invitees are allowed to bring three members of their families to enjoy the activities. They may register their names with the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. at 434-5204 or text Mitch at 0917-501-4411.

SPEX’ Paskuhan hopes to include the families of the media practitioners in Puerto Princesa and their guests so they can avail of the health services indicated above. Paskuhan has been an annual Christmas event sponsored by SPEX with the Provincial Information Office.

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MOA signing, turn-over ceremonies & launching of My PSU Prepaid SIM

GLOBE Telecommunications and Palawan State University (PSU) signed a memorandum of agreement on December 6, 2007 for the “My PSU Prepaid Sim,” then turned-over and launched it eventually at a specially arranged simple event at the university’s Performing Arts Center.

 

The Globe-powered sim card offers affordable MyPSU to MyPSU call and text rates; access to relevant MyPSU information via the MyPSU Mobile School Assistant; get latest school info via PSU Alerts and 20 other services by just keying in Text <KEYWORD> and send to 7585. For complete list of keywords, please see below.

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