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.

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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.

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Filipino Whiz Kid tops Bahrain spelling bee

Prayers granted for Franzine May Alcantara-Tagayun who sealed the Top Prize in Smart Events Spell Bound Bahrain at Baharain Keraleeya Samajam for Junior Division last November 29.

“She depended on God for intervention and grace” her mother said during the competition. She just kept praying and making the sign of the cross while waiting for her name to be called.

Participated by 150 students from different schools during the written round, the 12-year-old whiz kid was able to advance to the Top 20 and grabbed the number 1 spot in  the Oral Final where contestants spell the given word orally.

The Filipino pride took home one thousand US Dollars and a trophy.

Kerala Engineers Forum (KEEN4) Bahrain, a fraternity of engineers from the south Indian state of Kerala and residing in Bahrain, conducted the event together with India Spelling Bee which hosted the event.

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Pinoy Bestfriends win The Apartment: Design your Destiny reality TV Show

Another Filipino pride! Pinoy dynamite duo Deankie Latonio and Tiara Sison bested 9 other teams from all over the world and came out triumphant in the reality interior design TV show "The Apartment - Design Your Destiny" last Sunday, December 1, 2013.

The Apartment - Design Your Destiny is patterned as a pressure stress test where teams will design and decorate a room each week.

In the final episode entitled "What We'd Do for an Apartment", the 23 year old bestfriends from Cebu competed against Australian Yvette,  a fashion reporter/blogger and British/Thai Sonya who is a model/actress where they were tasked to design an entire apartment from scratch in just 72 hours. Laurence Llewellyyn-Bowen, designer to the British Royal Family, who served as the competition's head judge including Designer Jamie Durie who doubled as the competition's host and judge, and celebrity designer Jamie Durie favored Deanki and Tiara's work and declared them the eventual winner.

The Filipino pair walked away with an expensive brand new double-storey home at Elmina, Malaysia. Other contestants are from the US, Thailand, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Here are the designs that made them win: (Click here for the complete set of pics on their Apartment Design)

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Angelee delos Reyes grapples 4 medals in Miss Earth 2013

Miss Earth Philippines 2013 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes secured 4 medals to emerge as one of the favorites to win the title for the 13th edition of the Miss Earth pageant. The eventual winner will be crowned by Miss Earth 2012 Tereza Fajksová from Czech Republic on December 7, 2013 at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

The 24 year old beauty grabbed 2 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze. She won Silver in National Costume in Asia & Oceania Group (with 3 competing other Groups), Bronze in Most Child Friendly in Group 1 (with 2 other competing Groups), Silver in I Love my Planet School tour Challenge in Group 1- Binangonan Elementary School, Rizal (with 2 other competing groups) and recently bagged Bronze in Evening Gown Final competition won by Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich (Gold) and Miss Nepal Rojisha Shahi Thakuri (Silver)

This Filipino beauty queen who stands 5’7 ½" and measures 34-23-34 was also sashed as Miss Eco Tourism. In the preliminaries too, she earned a spot in the Top 15 Swimsuit Competition held at F1 Hotel and Hannah Beach Resort and Top 15 in Resorts Wear.

Preliminary Performance of Angelee delos Reyes in Miss Earth 2013
in Long Gown, National Costume and Swimsuit Competitions.

The 15 favorites to win the Miss Earth Crown include Misses from Venezuela (2 medals), Thailand (2 medals), Korea (1 medal), Philippines (4 medals), Tanzania (1 medal), Bolivia (1 medal), Brazil (1 medal), Ukraine (1 medal), Indonesia (2 medals), South Africa (2 medals), Northern Ireland (2 medals), Nepal (2 medals), Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland

Venezuela, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Tanzania

Bolivia, Brazil, Ukraine, Indonesia, South Africa

Northern Ireland, Nepal, Mexico, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Poland

This year's edition of Miss Earth was participated by 88 countries (wikipedia.com) and aligned with "The International Year of Water Cooperation".

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Filipinos bag 62 medals in International Math and Science Olympiad

Something to warm our grieving country, Philippine Team bagged 62 medals in the just concluded 10th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for Primary School Students held at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier from November 25 to 29, 2013.

Philippines clinched three gold medals earned by Stefan Marcus Ong (St. Jude Catholic School), Steven Reyes (St. Jude Catholic School) and John Henry Marquez (UP Integrated School). Filipino students also took home 18 silver and 41 bronze medals and bested 13 competing countries from  South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, China, India, Nigeria, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Brunei and Malaysia.

IMSO was organized by the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines, the City of Taguig, the Department of Education and the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.

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Simon Cowell: Ellona, now in Top 6 can win X Factor Season 3

Ellona Santiago earned a standing ovation from all four judges - Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio, Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell with her performance of Jessie J's Mamma Knows Best during the Top 8 episode and Big Band Week of The X Factor on Wednesday night, November 27.


"You may now have a chance, after that performance Ellona, of actually winning this whole show," Simon Cowell said. With her rendition of "Burn" last week, Ellona received a not-so-good  comment from Cowell who described her as a "dancing puppet". This week, she was the top performer based on votes from the Judges.

Judges’ comments:  Ellona Santiago sang “Mama Knows Best”  by Jessie J. – Kelly said: “That was your best performance since you have been here.”  Paulina said: “I am a big fan of yours and I love that you are in command.  You are a superstar.”  Simon said,  “I did not say you were a Muppet, I said you were a puppet last week.  This week it was a game changer.  Next week lose the dancers.  You are an incredible singer, fantastic choice of song.”  Demi said, “Ellona  I could not be more proud of you.  Your story touched so many people, I  am really really thankful for you.  I agree with Simon, you could win this competition.”

Ellona performed the impressive rendition in honor of her eldest sister Julie Rose who was diagnosed of Stage 4 Cancer. Her next performance will happen on December 4.

To check her past performance videos, see this previous post: Filipina Ellona Santiago Enters Top 8 in X Factor USA Season 3

 

"Mamma Knows Best" Live Show 5 Top 8 Perform 

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Regine Sings with the Girl on Fire

Alicia Keys, world-renowned R & B artist performed her chart-topping song "If I ain't Got You" with Asia's songbird Regine Velasquez during the “Set The World on Fire Tour” held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday night, November 25, 2013.

Deafening cheers roared the arena when Regine surprisingly emerged on stage and sing with the multi-Grammy Award winner in the middle of her performance. The 42 year old Regine couldn't hide her delight and showcased her vocal talent while the 32-year-old Alicia Keys in the piano and harmonized.

According to Philstar.com, Alicia heard about (or did she see?) Regine singing her (Alicia’s) song If I Ain’t Got You on YouTube and she loved it, so impressed with Regine’s rendition was Alicia that when friends broached the idea of having Regine guest on her show, she readily said yes.

Also in the said concert was Allan Pineda or apl.de.ap who performed "Where is the Love" together with Alicia Keys.

 

"If I Ain't Got You" Alicia Keys feat Regine Velasquez

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