A Repost From Manila Bulletin

Top 15 Miss Universe candidates selected

Manila Bulletin - Friday, August 20

• Send
• IM Story
• Print

Three days before the pageant, preliminary judges selected last Thursday night the Top 15 candidates for the 2010 Miss Universe beauty contest now being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

But the semifinalists will be announced during the televised show on Monday night Aug. 22 (Tuesday morning Aug. 23, in the Philippines).

The seven preliminary judges ranked the 83 contestants based on evening gown, and swimsuit, during a two-hour presentation at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Reports said that Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj, 22, got the loudest cheers from the audience, who were mostly Filipinos. Also cheered were beauties from Haiti, Canada, Australia, USA, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The last time the Philippines entered the semi-finals circle was in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao was first-runner up in the beauty pageant held in Trinidad and Tobago.

If the preliminary results will be based on the online popularity survey sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), aside from Raj, the Top 15 will consist of Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson, Miss Bolivia Claudia Arce Lemaitre, Miss Jamaica Yendi Philips, Miss Guatemala Jessica Scheel, Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul, Miss Indonesia Qory Sandioriva, Miss Peru Guiliana Zevallos, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarette, Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro, Miss Russia Irina Antonenko, Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente, Miss Brazil Deborah Lyra, Miss Trinidad and Tobago LaToya Woods, and Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin.

But organizers said that the online popularity survey will have no bearing on the preliminaries and the finals.

Billionaire Donald J. Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), has vowed fair judging in the contest.

A statement issued by Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, read: "As disclosed at the top of each broadcast, members of the Miss Universe Organization play a role in the selection of the Top 15 semi-finalists. In the 2009 Miss Universe competition, a preliminary panel of judges selected nine of the Top 15 and members of the Miss Universe Organization, including owner Donald J. Trump, selected the remaining six;

"A separate panel of judges, introduced live at the Finals telecast, is solely responsible for the selection of the Top 10, Top 5 and the ultimate winner of the pageant. This system has been in place since 2005 and has always been fully disclosed to the contestants, their directors, the judges and the viewing audience;

"The procedure is overseen by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young and NBC Program Standards and Compliance. To in any way call into question the integrity of the judging process or suggest the pageant is somehow orchestrated or 'rigged' is utterly false and misleading."

"When I bought Miss Universe 12 years ago, it was a sick puppy. Now the Miss Universe contest is seen in over 180 countries around the world and the ratings are through the roof and that's because of the beautiful women," said Trump. "I'm not changing a thing!"

This year's preliminary judges are president of Farouk Systems Inc. Basim Shami, publicist and TV personality BJ Coleman, finance official Carlos Bremer, Corinne Nicolas of the Trump Model Management, talent producer Louis Burgdorf, entertainment correspondent Natalie Rotman, and Sadoux Kim, of "The Apprentice" franchise.

Reposted From Manila Bulletin

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Boy on Mariel’s departure: ‘It’s about love’

By Gerry Plaza – August 19th, 2010

Email Facebook Twitter Print

Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza, Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Mariel Rodriguez shocked colleagues, followers, and even her manager Boy Abunda with her sudden sabbatical from the ABS-CBN noontime show “Pilipinas Win Na Win!”

It was reported that she took an indefinite leave from the program to take a vacation at the time when rumored boyfriend Robin Padilla himself took a leave to commemorate the holy month of Ramadan.

ABS-CBN aired a report Wednesday showing Mariel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport preparing for her departure. In the report, Mariel said she was on her way to India.

“Yes I’m going to India. I will go wherever…kung saan ako dadalhin ng mga paa ko.” The report said she confirmed off camera that she was following Robin, who is in India for his self-imposed Ramadan break.

Boy said it was difficult for him accept Mariel’s decision. But in the end, he said, the reason was clear.

“It’s not speculative, it is about love,” Boy said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Wednesday.

“In the beginning para kang magulang. Marami kang tanong. Marami kang pag-aalinlangan. Pero na- re-realize mo that Mariel is very happy,” Boy told ABS-CBN News.

But Boy was quick to deny reports that Mariel left the country because she was pregnant or will tie the knot with Robin.

“Ayokong magsinungaling na siya’y nagpapahinga lamang sa isang lugar. But she’s not pregnant or is getting married,” Boy added.

The talk show host-talent manager reiterated that Mariel will honor her show biz commitments upon her return from her vacation—when, he really could not say.

Robin professed his love for Mariel two weeks ago as she was interviewing him in a special segment on “Entertainment Live.” During the show, Robin gave her a P1.2 million ring, which he said she must keep regardless of the outcome of his courtship. But it was clear, especially among showbiz insiders that they had been together since then.

Both were romantically linked since Robin first met Mariel when the action star guest hosted the cancelled noontime show “Wowowee” in May. At the time, Mariel had recently broken up with former boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo.

Robin, meanwhile, had been divorced from his ex-wife Liezl Sicangco in Australia for two years. Liezl has since remarried. The annulment of their marriage in the Philippines, on the other hand, is still being processed.

Reposted From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Some Miss Universe bets go topless

ABS-CBN - 2 hours 29 minutes ago

• Send
• IM Story
• Print

Some Miss Universe bets go topless

LAS VEGAS - Photos of Miss Universe candidates posing with body paint on different parts of their bodies are all over the Web. Some news agencies criticized the photos since some of the candidates posed topless.

But candidates say none of them were forced to go topless, and that they only had body paint on whatever body part they were comfortable with. "May option ka naman kasi, whether gusto mo or ayaw mo. Iyong hindi naman ako tinanong noong photographer kung gusto ko or ayaw ko, basta sinabi lang niya doon sa nagpa-paint: 'Okay lagyan siya ng gold, lagyan siya ng ganito...' Hindi naman niya sinabing o tanggalin mo iyang top mo," said Miss Philippines Venus Raj.

Reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez says the photos were beautiful and shot professionally. "I think this is the best….our photographer, he's the best. He knows what he knows and he's great," she said. Miss Venezuela enjoyed the body art session and hopes she could do it again. "The girls I asked said they were very comfortable with it. It was great shooting. And I saw the pictures... They were amazing pictures. I wish I could have the opportunity to pose again," said Marelisa Gibson, Miss Venezuela.

The Miss Universe organization says nudity is part of many cultures, and the pictures were cutting edge . Some mediamen covering the pageant said the photos displayed a different kind of beauty and should not be made an issue.

"I think it's art. That's how I would put it," said Jessica Carrillo of Telemundo.

Meanwhile, the Miss Universe fever is now being felt all over Las Vegas as the city awaits the coronation night on August 24. Posters of the reigning Miss Universe are everywhere. A video wall plays the images of candidates.

The Mandalay Bay Hotel, where the pageant will be held, is fully booked.

Rental cars are difficult to get, and because it is the summer season, visitors are trooping to enjoy the cool pools around the strip. The Miss Universe pageant moves to different locations around the world.

Las Vegas, of course, is very proud to host what is called "the most beautiful day in the universe."

This year, 83 candidates will vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2010.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Robin says sorry to ex-wife Liezl

ABS-CBN - Wednesday, August 18

• Send
• IM Story
• Print

Robin says sorry to ex-wife Liezl

MANILA, Philippines - Action star Robin Padilla has apologized to his former wife, Liezl Sicangco, and their 4 children.

Padilla said sorry after reports came out that the action star has been neglecting their 4 children -- Roselle Elizabeth, Kylie Nicole, Sherileen Zel and Ali – lately due to his rumored girlfriend Mariel Rodriguez. This reportedly irked Sicangco.

In his official statement sent to "The Buzz," Padilla said he will personally talk to his children, who are now in his custody, to convince them to join their mother in Australia.

He also apologized to them for his shortcomings.

"Ang Ramadan ay buwan ng pag-aayuno, pagpapatawad at pagmamahal... ako ay nakikiisa sa Islam sa pagbibigay halaga sa mga ina. Sapagkat ang paraiso ay nasa paanan lamang ng mga ina, kaya't ako mismo ang kakausap sa aking mga anak na umuwi na sa kanilang ina. Kung ako man ay may pagkukulang bilang ama, ako'y mapatawad ng Allah, ni Liezl at ng mga bata," Padilla said.

Last week, Rodriguez broke her silence on the issue. She said she respects Sicangco’s sentiments as a mother.

"Karapatan niya 'yon. She's a mother. She really has to take care and protect her kids," Rodriguez said.

Padilla met Rodriguez when he became the first guest host of defunct hit noontime show "Wowowee" for 2 weeks.

Rodriguez has recently split from actor Zanjoe Marudo. Padilla's marriage to Sicangco, meantime, ended in divorce 2 years ago.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Willie unfazed if ABS-CBN files case

By Gerry Plaza – August 16th, 2010

Email Facebook Twitter Print

Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza
Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Willie Revillame said he was unfazed should ABS-CBN pursue a case against him for seeking to unilaterally end his talent contract.

“Karapatan naman nila yun. Okay lang sa akin,” Willie said in an interview aired on GMA-7’s “Showbiz Central” on Sunday, August 15. “(Kung mangyayari yun) sasabihin ko lang po lahat ng totoo.”

Willie sought to rescind his contract with ABS-CBN after the network had allegedly reneged on an agreement that would allow his return to his now defunct noontime show “Wowowee.” The popular host claimed that he decided to leave ABS-CBN because the network did not “treat me fairly,” he said in a letter to the network last week.

“After much thought and thorough reflection on where I should stand in the face of these frustrating events, I have come to the conclusion that I should now rescind our contract,” Willie said in the letter addressed to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III on August 9.

He claimed that top officials of the network met him in July to negotiate his return to “Wowowee” that ended in an agreement that will allow a comeback on July 31. After a week of preparations for his comeback to “Wowowee,” Willie said ABS-CBN suddenly changed its mind.

ABS-CBN, instead, offered him two new shows on Channel 2 and sister channel Studio 23, one of which is pre-recorded.
The network had since decided to cancel “Wowowee” in favor of a new noontime show, “Pilipinas Win na Win!” that premiered on the supposed agreed date of his comeback, July 31.

Willie revealed in a press conference that the comeback was blocked by top officials of the network, who opposed his return.
“Sa puso ko, pinapakiramdam ko kung masaya ako pagbalik ko,” said in the television interview on August 15. “Hindi na ako magiging masaya kasi ang feeling ko hindi na ako welcome.”

He declined the ABS-CBN offer. “Although ABS-CBN has graciously offered me a replacement program, I am declining it because it is a one-hour weekly show, not live but pre-recorded, and therefore, not of the same kind of equivalent importance as ‘Wowowee,’” Willie said in his letter to ABS-CBN.

While there are speculations that Willie would move to TV5 for a supposed new noontime show, ABS-CBN had quickly shot down that possibility.

“ABS-CBN wishes to reiterate that it will hold Willie to his obligations under the contract which expires September 2011,” it said in a statement.

Despite this, Willie said he has other plans.

“I have to move on with my life kung ano ang gusto kong gawin, which is balak kong magtayo ng sarili kong production,” Willie said.

Reposted From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From GMA News.TV

Spokesman on Noynoy’s rumored wedding plans: Who knows?

GMANews.TV - Sunday, August 15

• Send
• IM Story
• Print

Malacañang whetted public curiosity on President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III’s plans to settle down in marriage when it hinted he may be serious in getting TV host and singer Herminio “Ogie" Alcasid Jr. and bride-to-be Regine Velasquez as wedding godparents.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is “only" 50 years old, and is still in a position to determine his state of life.

“May pagkakataon siyang… nasa kanya kung ano gusto niya, kung ano magiging decision niya sa kanyang state of life.... Kung nagsalita siya, who knows? Yan hihintayin ng buong Pilipinas at siguro ng buong mundo (He has the chance to determine his state of life. And once he announces it, who knows? I am sure the country and the world will be waiting to hear it)," he said on government-run dzRB radio.

At the time, Lacierda was asked about Aquino’s quipping to Alcasid last Friday, when he said he wants Alcasid and Velasquez to be godparents at his wedding.

But Lacierda said he cannot make further comments about the “wedding plan" because it involves Aquino’s private life.

“I do not discuss his private life with him)," he added.

Aquino will be one of the groomsmen at the wedding of Alcasid, who had supported his presidential bid.

The President’s girlfriend is Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad. — LBG, GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV