Sunday, July 31, 2016

Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2016

Cultural Costume Competition
July 17, 2016
Eastwood Mall Open Park

Fabmanilaph


Modele Philippines hunt yields potential mannequins

Modele Philippines hunt yields potential mannequins
By JAY PATAO
Photos by JOSELITO CALEON
CAPPING its 29th year, Professional Models of the Philippines (PMAP), the country’s most esteemed models’ guild, held three casting calls for its model hunt that aims to discover the next game changers in the professional modelling industry.
The search is PMAP’s first project after the new set of officers lead by its president Raphael Kiefer were inducted last year.



The third casting call held recently at F1 Hotel in Taguig City yielded interesting and intriguing aspirants including 12-year-old, 5’8 ½” tall Kira Eowyn Manansala who does oil painting and ultimately ambitions to be a Miss Universe.
Aside from Kiefer, former PMAP president Angel Agustin, actress-model Marina Benipayo, beauty queen-model Patti Betita and top fashion designer Renee Salud, among others, conducted the auditions with select members of media joining in the interviews.
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines and PMAP member Maxine Medina, who is excited about competing for the 65th Miss Universe Pageant on January 30, 2017, also attended the casting call to support the search.



“An unknown or inexperienced model needs all the honing, polishing and nurturing on the rudiments of modeling that he or she can get to make it big in the modeling industry,” Agustin said.
The competition will have four preliminary challenges. Each challenge is to be preceded by a master class to be conducted by a fashion luminary such as model, photographer, stylist, director, etc. These challenges are Catwalk Challenge, the Model Look Challenge, the Face Challenge, and the Body Challenge.
Industry.
The search originally planned to select 10 pairs of finalists but with the rich harvest of potential models who could influence the future of modelling in the country, Salud said the final roster might be increased to 15 pairs. Females must be at least 5’8” tall with a maximum waistline of 24 inches while males must be at least 5’11” tall.



The final casting calls will be held at Marco Polo Davao (for the Davao/Mindanao screening), July 31; and Marco Polo Cebu (Cebu/Visayas screening), August 7.
The final casting call will be held on August 13.
The first Modele Philippines winning pair will receive a high level of exposure in the modeling world, the opportunity to work with the industry’s best, a one-year endorsement contract with Zen Institute, a fashion spread in a top fashion magazine, free trip to Thailand and cash prizes.
Modele Philippines is presented by The Zen Institute, in partnership with Marco Polo Ortigas, DVO and Cebu, F1 Hotel Manila, Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila, Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Experience Travel and Living magazine, Retro 105.9 DCG-FM, Jetsetter Asia and Village Connect and Sonshine Media.

Marry Me at Marriott 2016 – grand wedding showcase to celebrate forever

Marry Me at Marriott 2016 – grand wedding showcase to celebrate forever
By JAY PATAO
Photos by Edmund Chua
MARRY Me at Marriott 2016, easily the biggest wedding event of the year, happened last July 19 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila, the biggest, grandest ballroom in the country.
The fabulous fashion show highlighted the exquisite creations of top Philippine designers Mark Bumgarner, Francis Libiran, Ryan Madamba and Cary Santiago – four talented couturiers coinciding with the fourth year of the exquisitely beautiful annual event that never fails to thrill couples looking forward to make their wedding dreams come true and to celebrate forever


Bumgarner’s sleek silhouettes concluded with top mannequin Joey Mead-King and Miss Universe-Philippines Maxine Medina that elicited cheers from the audience.  


Francis Libiran’s opening salvo was Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus with Bb. Pilipinas International Kylie Verzosa and sultry actress Arci Muñoz as his finale duo.
Ryan Madamba showcased ultra-feminine lines while award-winning Cebu designer Cary Santiago displayed seamless perfection with three spectacular emsembles worn by Miss World 2011 1st runner-up Gwen Ruais, Miss Intercontinental 2015 1st runner-up Christi McGarry and Filipino-Korean beauty Cassandra Naidas. 


The ballroom’s opulent interiors and innovative technology, including 176 adjustable pillow lights, adjustable ceiling height, and the skyfold panel that slowly revealed the stage at the holding area for cocktails, added to the luxurious thrills that awaited the guests.
The grand cocktails that preceded the show were overseen by executive chef Meik Brammer with opulent servings of Chinese pork knuckles with jelly fish and bean curd skin rolls, a live station of a wide pan of gambas with parsley rice and mouthwatering dessert choices. 


Marriott Hotel Manila’s general manager Bruce Winton and communications director Michelle Garcia opened the event by welcoming the guests for the grand show that was interspersed with entertainment numbers from the cast of Resorts World Manila’s musical play ‘Annie.”
With iconic fashion director Robbi Carmona at the helm of the show, it could not be anything but exciting, grand and exquisitely beautiful.

FHM 100 Sexiest hottest party honors Jessy Mendiola and Marian Rivera

 By JAY PATAO
Photos by Joselito Caleon
THE country’s sexiest women gathered once more in the hottest and much anticipated event of the year – FHM’s 100 Sexiest Party – at Valkyrie, Uptown BCG, Taguig City last Tuesday.



FHM took its brand to new heights as its recent issues looked sharper, smarter and cooler in order to reach a wider audience, specifically the new Filipino male who has now become more discriminating.
After the James Bond-themed red carpet welcome, the party to celebrate the 100 women who made it to this year’s sexiest list began with hot production numbers by Dawn Chang and Arni Ross.
FHM’s first Pinay cover girl Sunshine Cruz also made a special appearance, still looking as lovely and sexy as when she graced FHM’s issue in April 2000.



Cheers welcomed Marian Rivera-Dantes when she was honored as the first FHM Philippines Hall of Fame awardee, topping the list a record three times (in 2008, 2013 and 2014). A proud mom, the Kapuso primetime queen thanked everyone and excused herself that she cannot stay long at the party “kasi hinihintay ako ng anak ko!”



Rhian Ramos, who was no. 5 in this year’s list, also made a special appearance, and thanked FHM who wooed her several times before finally saying yes to grace the cover of the July issue. She is currently in the GMA soap “Sinungaling Mong Puso.”



The July issue of FHM comes with a special FHM 100 Sexiest insert and is now available on nestands, and in bookstores, convenient stores and supermarkets nationwide.
FHM’s Sexiest for 2016 Jessy Mendiola was hot in a beaded red showgirl costume that displayed her ample assets. “This is surreal!” was all the Kapamilya star could say after sashaying on stage.
In a post-party interview, Jessy said that “I am very thankful to everyone who voted for me…kahit hindi ako marunong rumampa. At least now, we have proven to everyone that anybody can be sexy, no matter what your body type is!”



Jessy, who is a mainstay of the gag show “Banana Sundae”, was ranked no. 23 in last year’s polls.
“I love my (oversized) thighs. Although many hate my thighs, I love them because they are functional thighs. I walk, jump and run with them!”
How does Jessy keep sexy? “Para akong si Pia Wurtzbach. If Pia is confidently beautiful with a heart, ako naman, confidently sexy with a heart!”
Topping the sexiest list for Jessy is surreal, but for everyone at Valkyrie that night, she was sooo real!

65th Miss U tilt to be held in PH

65th Miss U tilt to be held in PH
By JAY PATAO
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo has announced in a press conference in Makati yesterday that the 65th Miss Universe Pageant finals will be held in the Philippines on January 30, 2017.
"I would like to inform everybody that the Miss Universe pageant will be on January 30, 2017 in the Philippines," said Teo. "The government is not going to spend any single centavo. It will be the private sector who would shoulder the expenses," Teo said before members of media at the press conference.
DOT Undersecretary for Public Affairs Kat de Castro said in the same press conference that her department got in touch with Shawn McClain, the vice president for business development and marketing of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), to iron out issues.
"They got in touch with me this morning. McClain was shocked when an article came out saying that President Duterte doesn’t want it (Miss Universe) to happen here, because everyone was already on board,” De Castro said.



The apparent misinformation stemmed from a statement by President Duterte last Wednesday that “I would not spend government funds on hosting the Miss Universe pageant” – leading some to believe that the plans to hold the pageant in the country would not push through.
Teo said that the DOT was initially waiting for an administrative order before making the announcement “but because of the (misleading) news release, I said we should come out and announce.” Teo added that the administrative order will be signed before the end of the month.
Teo said she assured the President that the government will not shoulder any expenses, which will amount to $11 million (about Php 520 million).
Teo declined to divulge who the sponsors are but confirmed that tycoon Henry Sy and Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada (chief of Tiger Resort) are among them.
The 23rd Miss Universe Pageant was held for the first time in the Philippines on July 21, 1974 at the Folk Arts Theater where Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran crowned her successor Amparo Muñoz of Spain. Twenty years later, the 43rd pageant was held at the PICC on May 20, 1994 where Puerto Rico’s Dayanara Torres crowned India’s Sushmita Sen. Although reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will crown her successor on January 30, 2017, the winner will still be officially known as Miss Universe 2016.
The host delegate will be Miss Universe-Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina


Monday, July 18, 2016

Mr. World 2016 Sam Ajdani

SAM AJDANI FLIES TO U.K. FOR MR. WORLD PAGEANT ON JULY 19

Model / fitness trainer Sam Ajdani flies to the United Kingdom on July 8 for the biennial Mr. World Pageant, which will be held at the Southport Theatre & Conference Center, Southport, United Kingdom on July 19.
For this year , 50 candidates will be competing in five challenges including Talent, Fashion & Style, Extreme Challenge, Sports and Multi-Media.



Venue / Full Belly Craft Kitchen
Date / July 7, 2016
Photographer / Lito Caleon / Fabmanilaph

AMBASSADOR OSSOWSKI WEDS ANJELLICA LOPEZ

 By JAY PATAO
Photos courtesy of James Ko



CONGRATULATIONS to His Excellency Ambassador Thomas Ossowski of the Federal Republic of Germany and best wishes to Anjellica Lopez, Bb. Pilipinas 2016 and Miss World Philippines 2013 alumna.


The couple tied the knot at the former's residence in Forbes Park last Saturday, July 9.
Ambassador Ossowski will soon leave the Philippines to accede to his new post in the European Union.

30 beauties vie for 48th “Mutya” tilt

By JAY PATAO Photos by Joselito Caleon


 AN impressive line-up of delegates from all over the Philippines and Filipino communities overseas vying for the 48th Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant were presented to members of media at the newly-opened Hotel 101 Manila on Macapagal Ave. corner EDSA Extension, Pasay City yesterday. Wearing stylish two-piece swimsuits, the contestants are geared up to assist in promoting tourism, social responsibility, fashion and beauty.



The winners will represent the country in international pageants namely: Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International and Tourism Queen of the Year International, and one special lady to be named as winner among the delegates from overseas Filipino communities. Mutya ng Pilipinas president Jacqueline Tan welcomed the delegates and enjoined everyone to follow this year’s journey which will take the candidates to Ilocos Norte and Palawan, among other tourist destinations. The Miss Asia Pacific International Pageant, begun in 1968 and in hiatus for more than a decade, will be re-launched and will see delegates from all over the world vying for the crown in October in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.



Chosen as Darling of the Press at the meet was sportscaster Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan of Manila who received her sash and bouquet from reigning Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International Leren Mae Bautista and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International Janela Cuaton.



The 30 official contestants are: Lynette Bradford, Melbourne; Joanna Rose Niño Tolledo, Caloocan City; Cassandra Costales McDonald, Australia; Jannie Loudette Vicencio Alipo-on, Navotas City; Marah Olivan Muñoz, Parañaque City; Jessica Jane San Jose Morales, Pasig City; Thalia Joyce Nalda Coronico, Davao; Rose Ann de Jesus, Concepcion, Tarlac; Joanna Marie Naval Rabe, Zambales; Michelle Charlotte Thorlund, California; Rhancoise Marie Mayangitan, Pampanga; Mariel Debuayas Cartagena, Cebu; Mayu Eustaquio Murakami, Japan; Rodelyn de Leon, Aurora; Ann Lauren Rinono Ose, Scandinavia; Maeryhnella Umayam, United Kingdom; Petche Ann DahuyaVale, Bohol; Angela Villanueva Yagaya, Western Visayas; Neliza Bautista, Northern Mindanao; Jurice Carabello Encarnacion, Canada; Dianne Irish Joy Lacayanga, Paniqui, Tarlac; Rianne Charlotte Kalaw, Batangas; Kristen Karla de la Cruz, Zamboanga; Ace Dianne Paco Morales, Bataan; Mary Theresa Erna Gomez, Tarlac; Justin Mae Alcaide San Jose, Calabarzon; Marie Joyce Catacutan Marfori, Mabalacat City; Ganiel Akrisha Arun Krishnan, Manila; Renelyn Arinaza Deguit, Negros Island Region; and Ashley Nicole Smith Singh, Central Luzon. Pre-pageant events this year include the swimsuit competition at Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa City on July 21; the long gown competition at Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on July 25; the regional costume competition on July 26. The grand coronation night will be held at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater on July 30 to be aired on ABS-CBN on July 31 at 10 AM.