MISS EARTH 2016 NATIONAL COSTUME COMPETITION

Miss Earth 2016

National Costume Competition 

October 24, 2016 

Grand Ballroom, Century Park Hotel

ASIA WINNERS :

Gold : Thailand 

Silver : Japn 

Bonze : Indonesia 

AFRICA WINNERS : 

Gold : Uganda 

Silver : South Africa 

Bronze : Nigeria 

AMERICAS WINNERS : 

Gold : Mexico 

Silver : Bolivia 

Bronze : Ecuador 

EUROPE WINNERS : 

Gold : England 

Silver : Swenden 

Bronze : Kyrguzstan 

MISS FRIENDSHIP :

Gold : Bahamas

Silver : Singapore 

Bronze : Myanmar 

MISS PHOTOGENIC:

Gold : Vietnam 

Silver : Myanmar 

Bronze : Venezuela 

#MissEarth2016

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FabManila.com Presents: Sweetheart Ola for 121 Gym Fitness
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Fabmanila.com proudly presents: Sweetheart Ola for 121 Gym Fitness.

Photos By: Melvin Sia of Fabmanila.com

Video by: Johnson Reyes of Fabmanila.com

Video Edited by: Slick9.com for Fabmanila.com

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FACE OF PHILIPPINES 2016

2017 Asia Model Festival

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Asia New Star Model Contest

FACE OF THE PHILIPPINES

October 20, 2016

#MFFNow

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Misters of Filipinas titlists vie for int’l tilts in China, Indonesia

Misters of Filipinas titlists vie for int’l tilts in China, Indonesia
By JAY PATAO
Photos by Joy Arguil

TWO Misters of Filipinas titleholders are ready to go to “battle” as they vie for their international pageants happening in China and Indonesia very soon.

Don Mcgyver Licup Cochico, the 26-year-old Police Officer 1 assigned at PNP’s SOCO Crime Laboratory (Polygraph Division) and holder of the title of Manhunt Philippines 2015, will vie along with some 50 contestants worldwide for the 17th Manhunt International Pageant that will hold its finals at Haiya Theater in Shenzhen, China on October 29.

The two were feted with a warm sendoff party at New World Hotel in Makati City last Tuesday, October 18 by Prime Events Productions Philippines Inc. (PEPPS), the organization that stages the annual Misters of Filipinas and holds the franchises for the two international pageants.

A 6-foot tall “Gwapulis” or “Batang SOCO” as he is fondly called, Don, who is from Sta. Cruz, Manila, will attempt to score a back-to-back victory for the Philippines. The reigning Manhunt International is June Mendoza Macasaet of Lipa City, Batangas who won the title in Bangkok, Thailand in 2012 (No international pageants were held in 2013-2015).

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Vincent Christopher Issen Pagente Jarina from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, will vie alongside 30 other delegates from all over the Asian region for the coveted Mister Asian Pageant to be held at Manado City Government Ballroom in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia on November 19.

The new pageant organization seeks to find Asia’s “most charismatic man” by way of four challenges, a pre-judging interview and a final stage show. The sports challenges will test the contestants’ skills, discipline and athleticism.

Jarina, a varsity basketball player of NCBL for Trinity University of Asia, is a BS Business Management student who hopes to inspire young aspiring basketball players by being a role-model in his chosen endeavors. He is leveling up his mission now that he is competing for an international pageant.

Fabmanilaph wishes Cochico and Jarina all the best as they carry the Philippine colors proudly in Shenzhen and Manado.

PH bets win in Algeria, Mongolia tilts

PH bets win in Algeria, Mongolia tilts
By JAY PATAO

TWO more Philippine beauties won in their respective international pageants in Algeria and China this weekend, bringing pride and joy to Filipinos who eagerly await the participation of Pinay beauties in major global pageants beginning this month, and the Philippines’ hosting of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant at the MOA Arena on January 30, 2017.
 
Christine Joy Fabros Picardal of Agoo, La Union was crowned as Miss Diamond of the World 2016 at the international tilt held at Sofitel Algiers in Algiers, the capital city of the northern African nation of Algeria last October 7.

Runners-up to Christine were the delegates from Romania and Russia. Misses Algeria and Germany completed the top 5, while Miss Zambia won the Best National Costume award.

Picardal was crowned by Delia Duca of Romania, last year's winner and Romania's delegate to the 2012 Miss Universe Pageant and various other international tilts.

Christine is a multi-titled beauty queen from the Ilocos region who has won, among others, the titles of Miss Agoo in 2011, Miss Rosario in 2012 and Miss Baguio 2014.

Meanwhile, Princess Joy Veliganio Ramos, 23, of Antipolo City, Rizal finished as second runner-up at the 5th Face of Beauty International Pageant held at the Concert Hall & Convention Center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia last October 8, Saturday night.

Aside from her third place finish, Princess was also voted as the People’s Choice and in Best in National Costume for her Mindanao-inspired gold ensemble created by Weng Alicarte.
The Face of Beauty International 2016 title was won by Russia’s Alena Raeva while the Teen Face of Beauty 2016 crown went to Myanmar’s Chuu Thaint Myat Noe.

The runners-up were: Zambia’s Brandina Lubuli, first; the Philippines’ Princess Ramos, second; Urangoo Enkhtaivan, third; and Portugal’s Natalia Pereira, fourth.

The victories of Picardal and Ramos closely follow the victory streak of Philippine bets in recent international pageants, both male and female.

Dumaguete’s Trixia Marie M. Maraña was crowned as Miss Asia 2016 in Kerala, India last August 18; Karan Singhdole of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna won the inaugural Man of Year pageant in Pekanbaru, Indonesia last August 20; Camille Jensen Hirro of Lubao, Pampanga was 1st runner-up at the 4th Miss Global Pageant at the PICC last September 24; Jeslyn David Santos of Hagonoy, Bulacan was crowned as Miss United Continents in Guayaquil, Ecuador on September 24; and Andrea Tangonan Biondo was 2nd runner-up and Mister Southeast Asia International at the 2nd Mister Universal Ambassador tilt in Surabaya, Indonesia last September 20.

Miss World team visits PGH “Beauty with a Purpose” ward

Miss World team visits PGH “Beauty with a Purpose” ward
By JAY PATAO
Photos by Melvin Sia & Bruce Casanova

THE reigning Miss World and Mr. World visited the Philippine General Hospital’s “Beauty with a Purpose” ward, a the newly-operating hematology and oncology pediatric isolation area yesterday.
Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna from Spain and Mr. World 2015 Rohit Khandelwal from India, together with Miss World Organization (MWO) executive director Steve Douglas, are on the Asian leg of their “”Beauty with a Purpose” tour that included visits to China and Hong Kong, as well as to Korea (after their Manila visit).

Also present during the visit were: Miss World national director Cory Quirino, PGH Medical Foundation chairman Dr. Greg Alvior as well as other members of the board, and Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray who will vie for the 66th Miss World finals in Washington, DC on December 20.

Ms. Alice Eduardo, CEO of Sta. Elena Construction & Development Corporation, donated the P10 million ward for terminally-ill cancer-stricken children. It was inaugurated last year by Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss from South Africa, MWO chairman Julia Morley and Ms. Quirino.

The new “Beauty with a Purpose” ward is now fully operational to attend to 30 immuno-compromised children. According to Dr. Alvior, the mortality rate of the patients has been reduced dramatically.

Ms. Quirino said that they have permanently adopted flagship projects through PGH Medical Foundation and the Tuloy Streetchildren Village Foundation led by Fr. Rocky Evangelista.

Lalaguna and Khandelwal expressed their sincerest thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome they have received from Filipinos during their 3-day stay in Manila. In unfaltering Tagalog, Lalaguna, a graduating Pharmacy student from Barcelona, surprised everyone and said: “Magandang umaga sa inyo, Masaya ako dito. Salamat sa inyo.” Khandelwal, who is from Hyderabad and his country’s first Mr. World noted that Filipinos are the happiest people on earth. “I am always amazed at the warmth and friendliness of Filipinos everywhere I go during my global tour as Mr. World.”

“MWO led by Ms. Julia Morley is always happy to be here in the Philippines, one of her favorite countries where its “Beauty with a Purpose” advocacy come into fruition with well-meaning and well-caring people like Ms. Alice Eduardo, Dr. Alvior, Fr. Evangelista, and Ms. Cory Quirino. You can be sure we will be back in Manila very soon,” Steve Douglas added.

83 beauties in Manila for Miss Earth 2016

83 beauties in Manila for Miss Earth 2016
Text & Photos by JAY PATAO

EIGHTY three beauteous and environment-saavy delegates from as many countries worldwide are now in Manila for the 16th Miss Earth Pageant to be staged on October 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and to be aired on October 30 on ABS CBN, The Filipino Channel and Star World.
The delegates were presented to members of media at the Diamond Hotel poolside yesterday where they paraded in fiery red swimsuits designed by Ricky Abad. They introduced themselves individually along with their personal environmental platforms.

Also present during the event were Filipina Miss Earth titleholders Jamie Herrell (2014) and Angelia Gabrena Ong, who won the coveted crown in Vienna, Austria last year, and Miss Earth-Air 2012 Stephanie Stefanowitz who hosted the press meet.

At the end of the event, the Darlings of the Press, voted by the press people present, were announced. Bronze medalist was Miss USA Corrin Julia Stellakis, silver medalist Stefanie de Zorzi of Venezuela and joint gold medalists Katherine Elizabeth Espin of Ecuador and Imelda Bautista Schweighart of the Philippines.

Chloie Syquia Skarne, Gabby Concepcion’s daughter with Jenny Syquia, wore the banner of Miss Sweden, after winning the title in Stockholm last August.

Meanwhile, Schweighart, a Filipino-German beauty from Puerto Princesa City, has caught the attention of netizens after likening Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in a Facebook live video during a meet-and-greet with members of media and executives of Oakwood Joy-Nostalg Premier Center, one of the official residences of this year’s delegates.

“This is a democratic country,” said Miss Earth Pageant’s executive vice president Lorraine Schuck. “She was voicing her own opinion while you or I may have the same or different opinions as well.”
Miss Palestine, Natali Rantisi, did not show up for the swimsuit event but Miss Iraq Susan Amer Sulaimani did, but wrapped her body in a red sarong.
 
Initiated in 2001 by Carrousel Productions Inc. spearheaded by Ramon Monzon, Schuck and Peachy Veneracion, Miss Earth continues to build its reputation as the most relevant and worthwhile beauty event in the world, setting a legacy of beauty and responsibility.

The winner is proclaimed and crowned as the most beautiful women of the Earth to serve as a role model dedicated to uphold the advocacy to preserve and restore Mother Earth. This year’s theme is “Continuing a Legacy for Beauty and Responsibility.”
 
Ong will crown her successor who will be fitted with the newly-polished and modified crown created by Florida-based environmental jeweler, Ramona Haar. A durable metal base was added to the crown's original design from the 2009 edition of the pageant to enhance the crown's general appearance and to have an intimate fit to the head of the winner

Married, single moms vie for Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016

Married, single moms vie for Mrs. Philippines Globe 2016
Text & photos by JAY PATAO

SEVENTEEN married women and single mothers are vying for the 5th Mrs. Philippines Globe Pageant finals to be held on October 23 at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.
“Mrs. Philippines Globe promotes women as symbols of inspiration through their achievements, charitable acts and life stories,” said national pageant director and former beauty queen Carla Cabrera-Quimpo.

The delegates for this year’s search were presented to members of media at the Patriarch Events Hall in Makati City last October 13 with past and present titleholders in attendance, including the current Mrs. Philippines Globe Sherry Lou Villaseñor.
 
Mrs. Globe 2013 Sheryl Lynn Callister-Baas, a Dutch-Filipina who has a foundation that helps the poor people in Leyte and Isabela, also graced the occasion.
Ranging from 25-55 years old, these year’s contestants come from diverse fields of expertise: banking, dermatology, aviation, human resource, online business, engineering, events and business processing outsourcing.

They are: Darlene Go Conde, Marjorie P. McMurchie, Brook Irene Rose Cajita, Niezal V. Cayangan, Madonna Caguioa Naval, Maria Giselle Lyn Barrion, Maria Theresa Uhlmann, Annalyn Marie Gayatin, Michelle Duyungan Boyero, Rasha Demonteverde, Timikko Santos, Genieve Uy, Fritzie Lexdy Noche, Coleen Hazel Ramos, Nova Christine de la Cruz, Geisha Marie Muring and Angelica Marie Catangay.

A new title has been added for grabs this year – Mrs. Philippines Globe Classic.
Founded in 1996, Mrs. Globe is one of the biggest international beauty pageants for married women and single mothers that celebrates beauty, culture goodwill, tourism awareness and charitable acts through pageantry and competition.

Bb. Pilipinas queens vie for international pageants this October

Bb. Pilipinas queens vie for international pageants this October
By JAY PATAO

Photos by Edmund Chua & Raymund Saldaña

FABMANILAPH wishes Bb. Pilipinas 2016 titleholders Jennifer Alviar Hammond, Nicole Ignacio Cordoves and Kylie Fausto Verzosa all the best as they embark on their international pageant journeys in October.

The three queens were given a very warm sendoff party at the Monet 2 ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta Center last Wednesday September 28 with Bb. Pilipinas vice chairperson Conchitina Bernanrdo-Sevilla and member Betsy Westerndorp in attendance as well as their fellow titlists Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Louise Eden and Bb. Pilipinas-Globe 2016 Nichole Marie Manalo.

Jennifer leaves on October 3 to join 60 other delegates worldwide for the 45th Miss Intercontinental Beauty Pageant which holds its finals at the Stein Studios in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 15.
Jennifer hopes to become the first Filipina to win the coveted title after successive runner-up finishes by her predecessors Kris Tiffany Janson (2nd runner-up, Miss Photogenic and Asia & Oceania’s Continental Queen 2014) and Christi Lynn McGarry (1st runner-up and Asia & Oceania’s Continental Queen 2015).

Kylie leaves on October 7 to join 70 other contestants from around the world in Japan for the 56th Miss International Pageant with the finals happening at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan on October 25.

Kylie is gunning for the country’s 6th Miss International crown after Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005) and Bea Rose Santiago (2013).

Nicole Cordoves leaves also on October 7 to join about 80 other delegates worldwide for the 4th Miss Grand International Pageant happening at Westgate Resort & Casino on October 27.
Nicole is hoping to become the first Filipina winner of the coveted crown after runner-up finishes by Ali Forbes (3rd runner-up 2013) and Parul Shah (3rd runner-up and Best National Costume 2015).
Best of luck, ladies! May you continue the victory streak of Pinay beauties on the global pageant arena and the legacy of Bb. Pilipinas’ women of beauty and substance.

Miss United Continents 2016 Jeslyn Santos is back from Ecuador

Miss United Continents 2016 Jeslyn Santos is back from Ecuador
By JAY PATAO

Photos by Joselito Caleon

JESLYN David Santos, the newly-crowned Miss United Continents 2016 arrived at the NAIA last Tuesday September 27, just two days after she became the first Filipina and Asian to win the international beauty title in Guayaquil, Ecuador last Sunday.

The 23-year-old Bulakenya (She’s a native of Hagonoy) was welcomed at the airport by her mentor-discoverer and Philippine licensee of the international pageant John de la Vega and his pageant team and select members of media.

“I still can’t believe I’m back as Miss United Continents! Hindi pa nagsi-sink in na nanalo na ako kasi wala pa akong tulog,” the 5’8” beauty queen said during an interview immediately after coming out of NAIA Terminal 1’s arrival area.

Jeslyn won over 27 other delegates worldwide in the beauty pageant that was launched in 2006 as Miss American Continents, a competition for Central and South American delegates, and re-launched as Miss United Continents in 2012 as Miss United Continents for delegates from across all continents.

A Broadcast Communications graduate of Bulacan State University, Jeslyn covered her face and cried tears of joy when she was announced as the eventual winner, edging Miss Denmark Mette Riis Sorensen who was named 1st runner-up.

Wearing a royal blue Cathy Capistrano serpentine gown, Santos was crowned by last year’s winner Nathalie Lago from Brazil.

The other finalists were: Lopamudra Raut of India, 2nd runner-up; Taynara Gargantini of Brazil, 3rd runner-up; Cynthia Lizeth Duque of Mexico, 4th runner-up; and Rita Silvestre of Panama, 5th runner-up. The delegates from Colombia, Dominican Republic, South Africa and Thailand rounded up the top 10.

Proceeds from the ticket sales of the coronation night will go to the Red Cross Organization in Guayas for the benefit of the earthquake victims of Manabi last April.
As the new Miss United Continents, Jeslyn won $10,000 in cash, part of which she plans to donate to an institution for the elderly.

Jeslyn was a contestant of Bb. Pilipinas in 2014 and 2016. She also represented the Philippines at the inaugural Miss World Peace pageant in Hong Kong last year where she finished as a top 10 finalist and won as best in Evening Gown.

Albay’s Catriona Gray crowned as Miss World PH 2016

Albay’s Catriona Gray crowned as Miss World PH 2016
By JAY PATAO

Photos by Edmund Chua

FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN model, host and aspiring singer Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray was crowned as Miss World Philippines 2016 in glittering rites at the Tent of Manila Hotel Sunday night, besting 23 other contestants and succeeding last year’s winner and Miss World 2015 top 10 finalist Hillarie Parungao.

A heavy favorite right from the start, Catriona also achieved a near-sweep of the special awards including Miss Manila Hotel, Miss Hannah, Miss Fashion Runway, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown.

Runners-up to Gray were: Arienne Louise Brago Calingo, 24, from Angeles City, 1st Princess; Ivanna Kamil Suficiencia Pacis, 23, from Makati City, 2nd Princess; Marah Olivan Muñoz, 23, from Parañaque City, 3rd Princess; and Sandra Raymundo Lemonon, 21, from Pasig City, 4th Princess.
At the pageant’s charity gala night held at Enderun Tent in Uptown Taguig last September 27, Gray was also named as Miss Organique, Miss Figlia, Miss Folded & Hung and Miss Talent.
Standing 5’10”, 22-year-old Gray was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia to a Scottish father and a Filipina mother from Albay which she represented in the pageant. She has a Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

During the final question round, Gray was asked why she should be Miss World Philippines 2016 and she replied: “To be Miss World Philippines is to be passed a torch that burns with passion and purpose. If I were to become Miss World Philippines, I will dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set charitable causes alight, such as my personal advocacy Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project. And I will focus on passing on this torch to empower others because I believe (that) together there is no darkness that our light cannot overcome.”

“Catriona rightfully deserved the crown and I am very positive she can be the next Filipina Miss World after Megan Young,” said Ms. Cory Quirino, the national director of the Miss World Pageant. “The essence of Miss World ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ continues as we await the arrival of the reigning Miss World Mereia Lalaguna of Spain and Mir. World Rohit Khandelwal of India on October 9 to grace the charity projects of PGH Medical Foundation for its pediatric cancer patients and Tuloy Foundation to provide for homeless streetchildren.”

Gray will join about 110 other delegates worldwide to vie for the 66th Miss World Pageant to be held at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Maryland near Washington, D.C. on December 18, 2016.

‘I Am Pogay’ winner is Mr. Gay World PH 2016

‘I Am Pogay’ winner is Mr. Gay World PH 2016
By JAY PATAO

Photos courtesy of Jory Rivera & Joy Arguil

JOHN Fernandez Raspado, a 35-year-old, 6’2” online marketing entrepreneur and winner of I Am Pogay contest in ABS CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime!” in May 2014, won the coveted Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 title in a sold-out finals show held at the UP Theater in Quezon City last Sunday.

The 4-hour show hosted by Paulo Bediones, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2002 Kristine Caballero-Aplal started at around 9:00 pm Sunday night and concluded at past 1:00 am Sunday morning.

Raspado bested 35 other masculine-looking gay men from all over the country and succeeded last year’s titleholder and Mr. Gay World 2015 2nd runner-up Christian Lacsamana (who was Raspado’s runner-up in I Am Pogay).

 
Raspado was also greeted and awarded on stage by Mr. Gay World national director Wilbert Tolentino (who is also the first Mr. gay World Philippines in 2009) and Dieter Sapper, CEO of the Mr. Gay World Organization.

Raspado will vie for the Mr. Gay World Pageant in 2017.
Runners-up to Raspado were: John Bench T. Ortiz, 24, a dietician and fitness trainer from Tayug, Pangasinan, first; and Christian Khalil Gorospe Vera Cruz, 33, an advertising executive from Zamboanga del Sur, second.
Rounding up the final five were: John Jeffrey Carlos from Cavite and Leo Andrew Ponce from Nasugbu, Batangas.

The top pick to win the title from the start, Raspado nearly swept the special awards, winning 7 including Best National Costume, Photographers’ Choice and Best in Talent.
During the final question round, reigning Mr. Gay World Roger Gozalbez Pitaluga from Spain asked (on video) “What are the challenges facing the LGBT community in the Philippines?” Raspado essayed on the challenges of the Filipino LGBT community to break stereotypes and find acceptance and respect from everyone.

Raspado, who dedicated his victory to his brother suffered a stroke recently, won P200,000 in cash and about P300,000 worth of products and services from the pageant’s sponsors.
The contestants competed in spectacular costumes, swimwear and formal wear with the top 5 coming from earlier cuts of 15 semi-finalists and 10 finalists.

The celebrity panel of judges included Miss World 2nd Princess 1993 Ruffa Gutierrez, actress Lorna Tolentino, comedian John Lapuz, film director Mario J. de los Reyes, Mister International 2014 PO2 Neil Perez, Manhunt Philippines 2015 PO1 Don McGyver Cochico, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2015 Janicel Lubina and Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, and Carousel Productions’ projects director Peachy Veneracion.