Shock as Pinay frontrunner eliminated from 'X Factor USA'

Abs-cbnnews: MANILA -- Shocked and speechless -- these were the reactions of judges, and Filipino-American Ellona Santiago herself, when she was eliminated Friday (Manila time) from "The X Factor USA" after a stellar showing on the reality talent search.

Santiago, who was among the last six finalists on the Fox show, was the first of two acts to be eliminated based on public votes during the program's December 5 episode.

The announcement of the 17-year-old singer's elimination was met with boos from the audience. Her mentor, judge Demi Lovato, was heard saying, "This is ridiculous!"

Judge Kelly Rowland also appeared shocked at the announcement.

"This is a real shock here on the stage and in the audience," host Mario Lopez said as he called on both Santiago and Lovato to take center stage.

Asked for her thoughts on being sent home, Santiago said, "A lot's going through my mind and... I don't know, I guess I didn't give the strongest performance last night, and I just hope I can have another change again, but..."

"I'm actually pretty speechless and disappointed," said Lovato, who was standing beside Santiago. "I feel like a lot of really amazing people have been sent home that didn't deserve to go home so soon, and Ellona is definitely one of them."

"She could have won this competition," Lovato added.

Stellar run

Santiago, who became known in the competition for her "diva" performances, was seen as one of the frontrunners on "The X Factor USA" after consecutive raves from judges until reaching the top 6.

The Pinay's last numbers on the show were "unplugged" renditions of Lady Gaga's "Applause" and Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy," which garnered glowing reviews from the judges.

Paulina Rubio called her a "superstar," with fellow judge Simon Cowell referring to one of her numbers as "incredible." Addressing her mentee, Lovato also said, "America should vote for you because you deserve it!"

Santiago, however, went on to garner the fewest votes.

Fellow finalists Rion Paige, who was also mentored by Lovato, and Carlito Olivero were also in the bottom three in terms of public votes. The two acts sang "for survival," with Olivero moving on based on his last-chance performance.

He joins duo Alex & Sierra, Jeff Gutt, and band Restless Road in the semifinals of "The X Factor USA," which will kick off next week.

'Best is yet to come'

"Just because I'm off the show doesn't mean my dream ends, keep a lookout for me," she asid. "Thank you so much for all the people who voted me each week and kept me this far, and thank you even though many of you couldn't but continuously supported me along the way."

"I'm blessed, grateful, and the best is yet to come. I love you all!"

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News, Santiago said she was hoping to win the competition to give her parents a better life. She said she wants to repay them for their sacrifices for her and her siblings.

Born in the Philippines, Santiago's family moved to San Lorenzo, California when she was only 11 months old.

Ellona, eliminated in X Factor USA Season 3

Ellona's exit interview

Read More

Miss Venezuela is the new Miss Earth, Miss Philippines finishes in Top 8

Alyz Henrich of Venezuela has been crowned Miss Earth 2013 held at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on December 7.

Miss Air is Katia Wagner of Austria. Punika Kulsoontornrut of Thailand is Miss Water and Catharina Choi of Korea is Miss Fire.

A well deserved win from this Latina beauty who wants to ensure water preservation as her primary environmental advocacy.

"We are responsible for the destruction of our nature. We need to be aware and take care of Mother Earth.", the 22 year old beauty's answer to the Q&A portion.

Meanwhile, Miss Philippines Angelee Delos Reyes finished the pageant in the top 8 with Misses from Poland, Austria, Korea, Serbia,Thailand, Venezuela and Mexico.

Miss Fire, Miss Air, Miss Earth and Miss Water of 2013

In the Q&A, Angelee was asked "A month after Yolanda struck the country, how do you think Mother Earth feels now?"

The 26-year-old Filipina beauty answered: "She feels sad now. It's a wake up call for us. We must take care of Earth so it can take care of us."

            

Angelee in swimsuit (Top 8) -Missosology

Angelee in Night Gown (Top 8) -Missosology

However, her straight to the point answer that was well applauded by the audience was not enough to earn her the most coveted crown that night.

Crowning moment with Miss Earth 2012, Tereza Fajksová

Included in the the top 16 were the candidates of Turkey, Chile, France, China, Mauritius, Spain, USA, and South Africa.

Miss Earth 2013 Major Awards (wikipedia.com)

Miss Earth 2013 Sponsor/ Minor Awards (wikipedia.com)

Watch the full show of Miss Earth 2013 here:

Read More

Bea Rose Santiago, ready to win the Miss International Crown

Bea Rose Santiago, the country's bet to the 53rd edition of Miss International was oozing with elegance and confidence during her send-off presser, held at Sachi Restaurant in Cubao, Quezon City, northeast of Manila, on December 4. Crowning of Miss International 2013 will take place on December 17, 2013 in Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall, Tokyo, Japan.

Leaving this 6th of December,  Santiago who will be competing with 72 contestants in the pageant wants to finish the international pageant with a slam to give the Filipino people especially those hit by ST Yolanda, a reason to smile this Christmas.

“I'm very happy to represent our country for Miss International. I'm dedicating my pageant for the Haiyan or Yolanda victims. I'm not going there just as Bea Santiago, but as Miss Philippines. If I win or if I make it, that would bring happiness to them and make them proud,” said Bea during the send-off.

Send-off pic by Missosology

Filipino beauty queens had been performing very well for this year having won Miss World by Megan Young and Miss Supranational by Mutya Datul including Ariella Arida who completed the 5 year semi final streak with her 3rd runner up finish in Miss Universe 2013. Added to that are 3rd Runner Up placement of Ali Forbes in Miss Grand International and Top 10 inclusion of Cindy miranda in Miss Tourism Queen International. Meanwhile, Angelee delos reyes is one of the favorites to win Miss Earth Crown who already bagged 4 medals in the preliminaries. (See related article here: Angelee delos Reyes grapples 4 medals in Miss Earth 2013 )

With too much weight on her, this Gawad Kalinga Ambassador doesn't want to feel too much pressure. In an interview, she mentioned that she just wants to enjoy her stay in Tokyo and do her best to bring home the crown.

The 23-year-old Bea went through rigorous training with the Japanese language and a one-on-one coaching with Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman in preparation. She grew up in Masbate and Canada.

Bea and Ariella during send off. Pic taken by Missosology

Cindy, Mutya, Bea, Ariella and Pia during the send-off.

Definitely, her moment has come. Do you think she will be our 5th Miss International? Let us hear your comments below.

Read More

BangonPilipinas: Local, foreign celebs reach out to help Yolanda victims

GMA News: In light of the recent calamity that struck the Philippines and claimed the lives and properties of its citizens, celebrities all over the world engaged in various fund-raising activities to help the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

In Southern California, actors Leandro Munoz, Anjanette Abayari, Antoinette Taus, and Tom Taus participated in the Bayanihan in Concert #3 held at the Beyond the Star’s Palace in Glendale. The live music benefit concert brought in more than $3,000 worth of cash donations, which was turned over to GMA Kapuso Foundation. Meanwhile, the My Husband’s Lover cast, who are currently touring  the US, made it a point to appeal for donations for their typhoon-stricken kababayans to those who were present during their concert.

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and well-known English footballer David Beckham – considered by many as a “power couple” even beyond UK’s borders – reportedly donated personal items such as shoes and clothes to the British Red Cross in order to raise money for the Filipinos affected by the devastating storm. The Beckhams’ donations – many of which come from high-end brands like Jimmy Choo, Dolce and Gabbana, and Roberto Cavalli – drew crowds to the charity shop in London where the couple’s items were displayed.

Newly-crowned Miss World Megan Young – who made her first foray into show business through GMA’s original artista search program, Starstruck – joined forces with New York-based non-profit organization Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) for a dinner fundraiser at Doubletree by Hilton.

The Mulligan Project’s 4th Annual New Moon Festival – a star-studded event that is known for extending aid to children in Central Vietnam – allocated 25 percent of the funds they raised through providing live entertainment and serving Vietnamese cuisine to Philippine typhoon relief efforts. Some of the notable Fil-Am personalities who lent their talents to the festival are Michael Galante, Anna Maria Perez De Tagle, Andrew Soriano, and fashion designer Joey Galon.

Paul Walker, whose biggest claim to fame is his stint as Brian O’Conner in The Fast and the Furious film series, expressed his desire to help the Philippines via Reach Out Worldwide, a non-profit disaster relief group that Paul founded. Unfortunately, Paul wouldn’t be able to personally see the fruits of his labor, as he was killed in a car crash shortly after gracing a fundraising event organized by his group.

More than the amount of money raised in the various fund-raising efforts, these celebrities’ selfless acts certainly helped spread awareness of the need to reach out to those devastated by typhoon Yolanda not only to provide relief goods but also to help them rebuild their lives. — GMA International

Read More

BangonPilipinas: German cruise line to hire Pinoys from Yolanda-hit areas

GMA News: A German cruise line has held a two-day job fair offering opportunities to qualified candidates in the Visayas region, especially those affected by the earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

Qualified candidates will work onboard 10 vessels, according to AIDA Cruises in a statement.

Imke Mecke, AIDA’s senior manager for recruitment fleet, said they have been conducting their “Career Caravan” in the Visayas since 2009.

“The hospitality and excellent qualification of the Visayans are highly appreciated by the German guests onboard,” she said in the statement.

During the caravan, Mecke said two new AIDA vessels will arrive in 2015 and 2016, which will be manned by Filipino crew members.

Aside from the job fair, AIDA Cruises, in cooperation with Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC), also conducted a charity event last December 5, 2013 at MMC's office in Cebu City.

During the event, Mecke handed over individual checks to AIDA families affected by the earthquake and super typhoon summing up to a total donation of US$10,000. — KBK, GMA News

Read More

Azkals clinch 133rd rank in FIFA, highest for Team Philippines

The Philippine National Football Team has set another record for grabbing it's highest placement in FIFA Rankings at 133rd in the November 28 update.

Despite a 4-0 loss to United Arab Emirates last November 9 and a 1-1 draw against India last November 15,Azkals still managed to leap four spots in the latest edition of FIFA. It could be due to the fact that they are competing against higher-ranked teams.

The Philippines is now the highest ranked team in Souteast Asia and 19th-ranked squad in the Asian Football Confederation. Iran at 45th is the highest ranked Asian Team followed by Japan and South korea now in 48th and 54th Rank, respectively.

Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, and now Portugal (from 9th rank) are the Top 5 in FIFA Rankings.

Here is the current ranking of Southeast Asia countries:

1. Philippines – 133
2. Singapore – 140
3. Hong Kong – 158
4. Malaysia – 158
5. Indonesia – 162
6. Laos – 163
7. Thailand – 173
8. Chinese Taipei- 174
9. Myanmar – 184
10. Cambodia – 188
11. Brunei Darussalam – 189
12. Timor-Leste – 189

Read More

Nietes, Sabillo retain WBO belts

Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) world lightflyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and WBO world minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo successfully defended their WBO world titles over Mexican Sammy Gutierrez and Nicaraguan  Carlos Buitrago last Saturday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City in the double main event of the Pinoy Pride XXIII.

Nietes managed to knockout Gutierrez with his stone-like punches in the third round. In the opening round, the Mexican boxer was knocked down twice but was saved by the bell. Meanwhile, Sabillo won the battle through a split draw to retain his belt.

Filipino boxers who also emerged victorious were Melindo who won against Juan Francisco Estrada last July at the Cotai Arena in Macau. Jason Pagara and AJ Banal also brought home the bacon after beating Vladimir Baez of Dominican Republic and Lucian Gonzales of Puerto Rico, respectively. Former world title contender Jimrex Jaca ignited the ring of fire with his first round knockout of Indonesian Wellem Reyk.

Read More