2012 04/18-04/24

MANILA MAIL COMMUNITY

Manila Mail's Magandang Filipina Katrina Jayne "Trina" Dimaranan of Fremont, CA (2nd right) was crowned Bb. Pilipinas - Tourism 2012, while UST Pharmacy Graduate Janine Tugonon (center) bagged the plum Miss Universe Philippines 2012 title Sunday at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant coronation night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Nicole Schmitz (2nd from left) was adjudged Bb. Pilipinas - International 2012 while Elaine Kay Moll (right) and Annalie Forbes (left) placed first and second runners-up, respectively. Photo by Bb. Pilipinas

BAY AREA BEAUTY WINS BINIBINI CROWN

(Fremont’s Katrina Jayne “Trina” Dimaranan is this year’s Bb Pilipinas-Tourism)

By Bradford Adkins

(MANILA, Philippines) Eighteen-year old Katrina Dimaranan of Fremont, CA (a former Manila Mail ‘Magandang Filipina’ and Bay Area-based Beauty Impressario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s Miss RP-USA 2010) was crowned Binibining Pilipinas – Tourism, one of the 3 major prestigious titles awarded last Sunday night at a glittering pageant held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, hosted by 2010 Miss Universe 4^th Runner Up Venus Raj, Xian Lim, & Georgina Wilson.

On the dreaded final Question & Answer portion, when asked by random judge, matinee idol Richard Gomez on being given the chance to be President for a day, what would she do, Trina’s 30-second calm and collected reply was “If I was President for one day of the Philippines, I would try to promote education among children. Because I think one of the problems of our country today is the lack of education among children. It is important to raise children with proper education, having good morals, intelligence, confidence and optimism.” Winner!

Janine Mari Tugonon, a pageant repeater from UST won Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, while the Bb. Pilipinas-International crown was given to Nicole Schmitz. Elaine Kay Moll & Annalie Forbes, were first and second runners-up, respectively.

In an exclusive telephone interview by this writer, at a private Bb Pilipinas pageant viewing party held at the San Jose, CA residence of catering experts Andy & Domi Custodio last Sunday, hours after she won the title, Trina summed up her whole Binibining Pilipinas pageant experience (trainings, events, mall tours, fashion shows, sponsor appearances, etc) as ‘very memorable,’ especially when they did the Operation Smile, which she will cherish forever.

In another pageant segment, Trina was also adjudged as ‘Best In Talent’ (for her undeniable singing prowess ala Jessica Sanchez of American Idol; yup, she sings like that, too) and it was awkwardly shown on live TV where she was standing there, empty-handed, unlike the other special award winners that were given bouquet of flowers. Here is what she says, after San Jose’s Florence Vitug Pena asked her the behind the scenes’ happenings – “When I was walking backstage poh after that segment, the staff apologized naman, because they said they forgot to give me the flowers… na late na eh..I said, ok lang naman yun. No biggie. It’s more important that I won the title (her giggles follow).”

Asked by Andy Custodio and Annabel Alquisa of San Jose, on her stand on recent controversies involving transgenders joining the Miss Universe pageant (after franchise owner Donald Trump reversed an earlier Canadian rule disqualifying one beautiful applicant for being a transgender), she said “ I have no comment on that poh. I will wait for Bb Pilipinas Organizers on what they decide on that subject. I know that whatever they decide on will be what’s best for the organization. If ever Binibining Pilipinas decides to or not, I will support whatever their decision is.”

Asked by San Jose’s Rhuddee Vitug if there is anything she will change on her participation in the pageant, given the chance to do it all over again, what would it be and why, the ever optimistic Trina answered, “Honestly, it would be coming back here in the Philippines a little earlier. Because, I didn’t exactly meet the residency part of the Miss Universe requirement. Hopefully, everything happens for a reason, though. And I am looking forward to this new challenge. I am very excited!”

She closed the interview by delivering her message to aspiring beauty queens out there – “Being beauty queen is not being all glamorous. Everybody knows how I struggled in the past. Having won this title despite the odds, I want to inspire the young aspirants that whatever their past is, stay optimistic through it all.”

And yes – she promised she will touch base with the Bay Area Fil-Am community she grew up with and literally bring home the crown, once she gets out of her hectic year-long commitments ahead of her.

Congratulations, Trina! We are proud of your triumph!

San Jose, CA viewers greet Bb Pilipinas - Tourism 2012 winner Katrina Dimaranan on the phone (Standing L-R) Andy Custodio, Corazon Soriano, Annabel Alquisa, Domi Custodio & Doming Alquisa, (Seated L-R) Florence Vitug Pena, Manila Mail's Bradford Adkins & Rhuddee Vitug. Photo by Richard Lao

With this body form and a meaty final Q&A answer, Katrina Jayne "Trina" Dimaranan, 18-year old beauty (she's a Manila Mail 'Magandang Filipina') from Fremont, CA cinched the 2012 Miss Philippines-Tourism crown last Sunday night. Congratulations, Trina!

Paulo Avelino (currently being seen on ABS-CBN's "Walang Hanggan" teleserye) and Rocco Nacino star in "Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa" - a film now screening as a Philippine entry in the SoHo International Film Festival in New York.

There's a Jessica Sanchez Rally this Wednesday, 2PM, April 18, 2012 at CBS Studios (3rd & Fairfax) in Los Angeles in alarming response to the Half-Pinay Biritera's elimination (she luckily got saved by all 3 judges) in the ongoing search for this year's American Idol on Fox TV. The poster reads "Come out if you can! Remember, two are going home on Thursday! And if you can't please share this info. VOTE for Jessica Sanchez on Wednesday nights @ 10PM!

Arnold Vegafria, Talent Manager Par Excellence (right) is currently in New York as one of the judges in the ongoing SoHo International Film Festival (shown here with good friend Cedric Lee).

Balitang America's Henni Espinosa will be one of the lovely Sagalas parading in San Jose, CA on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Her first try and she already produced an almost Miss World (Philippine 2011 candidate Gwendoline Ruais won 1st runner up) Pageant Director Cory Quirino partners with TV5 President and CEO lawyer Ray Espinosa, left.

Easter Sunday was Roga Gabucan, Jr's (of San Jose, CA) 1st birthday celebration with family (shown here with Mom Therese Gabucan & Dad Tony 'Roga' Gabucan, Owner of Milpitas Boxing & Fitness Gym), relatives & intimate friends, complete with Lechon, pancit, karaoke, Mexican Pinata, etc. Happy Birthday, Baby Roga!

The Samahang Filipino of the Most Holy Trinity Church of San Jose, CA during Easter their Easter celebration. (Top L-R) Genny Notarte,Rhuddee Gaudinez Vitug,Paul Espiritu,Vester Lintag, Verna Perales, Lily Velasquez & Mila Pablico(Lower L-R) Cathy Ajel, Lita Ruiz, Wilma Cardillo, Josie Lintag, Florence Vitug Pena,Flor Sarpolio, Siony Pempengco & Tita Marte.

TV5 partners with Miss World Philippines

(Atty Ray Espinosa & Cory Quirino forge formidable alliance)

TO-BE SEEN IN THE CITY

Miss World Philippines finds a new home in TV5 as it inks partners with the most aggressive broadcast network in the country.

Following the success of the first Miss World Philippines last year and the 1^st Runner-Up finish of Gwendoline Ruias at the Miss World pageant held in London, England, the prestigious pageant continues to move forward for a bigger and more meaningful celebration of “Beauty with a Purpose”, underscoring the advocacy of Miss World in championing the cause of marginalized women and children.

Now that TV5 is its official media partner, Miss World Philippines is set to bring together the most beautiful Filipinas to give them a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present to the world the true beauty and brilliance of today’s Filipina.

With beauty and wellness guru Cory Quirino at the helm, Miss World Philippines begins its nationwide search for candidates who possess the outstanding qualities of a future beauty queen that will give the country a winning chance to claim the Miss World crown which has long eluded the Philippines for 61 years.

This year, the stage is set for the upcoming Miss World Pageant on August 16 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia China where more than 113 candidates from all over the world will compete for the crown that will proclaim the winner as the most beautiful woman in the world.

Miss World prized itself in being the biggest and the longest running pageant in the world, established in 1951 with headquarters in London, England.

Present at the contract signing were TV5 President and CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa and CQ Global Quest Inc. Chair and CEO and Miss World Philippines 2012 Pageant Director Cory Quirino.

TV5 will air the Miss World Philippines Pageant live from the Manila Hotel in late June. The much anticipated Miss World Pageant in Inner Mongolia, China will also be broadcast live via TV5 in August.

SEEN IN THE CITY

Arnold Vegafria judges at Soho Int’l Film Festival in New York

This Columnist had recently bumped into Talent Manager Arnold Vegafria in Los Angeles while enroute to New York. The every busy manager (he represents more than 50 of today’s hottest stars) happily reports that he is one of the judges in the ongoing SoHo International Film Festival in New York. The festival will be screening entries from all over the United States, Australia, Bangladesch, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, The Philippines, Puerto Rico, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. No, he was not a judge in the recently-concluded Bb Pilipinas Beauty Pageant as reported in other publications.

One of the Philippine entries in the SoHo International Film Festival is “ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA” ("The Dance of Two Left Feet") starring Paul Avelino (from ABS-CBN’s “Walang Hanggan” teleserye) & Rocco Nacino (from GMA 7’s “The Good Daughter” teleserye).

The other one is “SENIOR YEAR” Directed by Jerol Tarrog featuring performances from Danielle Afuang, Aaron Balana & Sheila Bulanhagui. For more information, check out the festival’s websitehttp://www.sohofilmfest.com/

Briefs & Shorts

The Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company, Inc. in cooperation with Filipino-American Association in the Bay Area will be presenting a ‘Pista sa Nayon’ Santacruzan on Saturday 11:00AM, May 19, 2012 to be participated in by Balitang America’s Henni Espinosa, Miss Philippines Earth West Coast’s Melissa Sokukawa, San Jose’s 15-year old Half-German Filipina Alexandra Drechsler, Santa Rosa’s Hannah Muntoya, among others as the lovely ‘Sagalas’. For more information, all the event organizer, Florence Vitug Pena at (408) 455-3239.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We are presently not in serious negotiations with the PLDT group as we have not yet received an offer price that is acceptable to us. The Network is not for sale but that is not to say it may not be sold, depending on the offer price.” - by GMA Network President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. in an official statement emailed to this Columnist by Katherine “Kali” Paalan-Hofileña, Publicity Specialist, Corporate Communications Dept. of GMA Network, Inc.

Duavit issued the statements in clarifying certain points raised in a news article by Mary Ann Ll. Reyes published in the Philippine Star last April 14 headlined “MVP offers up to P45 B for GMA Network. Duavit further said that it is not true that two out of the three major stockholders of GMA “are already amenable to selling their respective 33-percent stake.”

He added that the major and controlling shareholders have not yet received a price that is acceptable to them. Duavit also clarified that the sale of GMA to the PLDT group nearly occurred in 2001 with the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding between the owners and the said group. He mentioned that there were agreements already reached then among the owners on both pricing and a sale of a majority stake, contrary to the news article. The transaction, however, did not materialize due to issues encountered by the buyer, and not because of a disagreement on the indicated P14 billion price.

This article also appears online at www.FilAmnation.com and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 158 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

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