Miss Philippines Angeli Dione Gomez is Miss Tourism International 2013-14

Photo courtesy of OPMB Worldwide

The year 2013 ended with a smashing victory for the Philippines. Miss Philippines Angeli Dione Gomez was crowned Miss Tourism International 2013 besting other 59 contestants. On its 17th year, the Miss Tourism International competition was held in Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, IOI Resort City, Sepang Utara, Malaysia on December 31, 2013.

Angeli is 20 years old from Cebu, Philippines, who dreams to be a film director someday. She made a back-to-back victory for the Philippines as Rizzini Alexis Gomez also won the crown in 2012. Philippines clinched its 3rd Miss Tourism International crown for 2013. Miss Philippines Maria Esperanza won the title in 2000.

The back-to-back achievement in this competition already happened for Poland that won in 1998 & 1999.

PETA's "Rak of Aegis" | January 31-March 9, 2014

The music of the legendary Filipino pop-rock band Aegis conquers the local theater scene as the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) closes its 46th Theater Season with Rak of Aegis, a Pinoy rock comedy-musical featuring the songs of Aegis.

Rak of Aegis is showing at PETA Theater Center from January 31 to March 9, 2014 running for 6 weekends (Fridays to Sundays).

The highly anticipated new musical will feature chart-topping songs of the 90s Pinoy rock band Aegis, such as "Luha," "Halik," "Sundot," "Christmas Bonus," and "Basang-basa sa Ulan" performed by a mix of talented theater artists.

39th Metro Manila Film Festival Winners (2013)

The 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) revealed its winners in the awards night held on December 27, 2013 (Friday) at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas, Pasig City.

The New Wave Section started the season showcasing the 5 indie films, 5 animated shorts, and 3 student-made shorts from December 18 to 24, 2013 at only two venues: Glorietta 4 and SM Megamall Cinemas.

Under the 2nd Cine-phone Film Festival category, it featured films made entirely through mobile phones. Here are the winners:

Chino Roque, first Filipino Astronaut selected by AXE Apollo Space Academy

AXE, the no. 1 fragrance brand in the world, unveiled a campaign in January 2013 to take the first Filipino to space with over 20 others from over 160 countries worldwide to celebrate the launch of AXE Apollo, its newest and possibly most iconic fragrance yet. It was iconic and unique that many got interested to try out a competition that will give a chance to a select few to be sent to space and become astronauts.

The Competition
The Philippines was among the top countries that participated in the global campaign with over 28,000 applications for the opportunity to become the first Filipino to ever go to space. Many were called in to take on various challenges to test their mind, body and spirit. Participants were slowly eliminated in each round.

Miss UK is Miss Scuba International 2013; Miss Philippines is 1st runner-up

Miss USA Chanel Alexandra Hasan  (2nd runner-up), Miss United Kingdom Jaime Lee Faulkner (Miss Scuba International 2013), and Miss Philippines Christine Paula (1st runner-up)

Miss United Kingdom Jaime Lee Faulkner was crowned Miss Scuba International 2013 which was held at the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on December 20, 2013 (Friday). Miss Philippines Christine Bernasor won first runner up, while Miss USA Chanel Hason clinched the second runner up spot.

The other 2 countries that made it in the Top 5 were: Miss Indonesia and Miss Thailand.

Call for Applications: KRITIKA 2014 Fellowships

The Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center of De La Salle University-Manila is inviting young critics and scholars to apply for fellowship to KRITIKA 2014 National Workshop on Art and Cultural Criticism. In collaboration with the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (USLS), this workshop will be held on April 20-26, 2014. Eminent critic and professor Rolando B. Tolentino is workshop director.
                                        
KRITIKA is envisioned to give young scholars who want to commit themselves to art criticism a forum where they could discuss their work and concerns with established art critics in the country. The workshop focuses on critical writing in the following arts: architecture, literature, theatre, film, dance, music, visual arts, and multi-art. For 2014, a fellowship will be given to food writing/criticism. 

Ten (10) applicants will be chosen for the fellowships, which include transportation stipend and free board and lodging at Balay Kalinungan, USLS-Bacolod.

Miss Philippines is Miss International 2013

Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago was crowned Miss International 2013 besting the other 66 contestants. On its 53rd year, the Miss International beauty pageant was held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17, 2013 (Tuesday).

Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker clinched the first runner-up spot, while Miss New Zealand Casey Radley won second runner-up.

Miss Russia is Miss Intercontinental 2013; Miss Philippines is 3rd runner-up

Miss Russia Ekaterina Plekhova was crowned as  Miss Intercontinental 2013 besting 58 other contestants last December 14, 2013 (Saturday evening; early Sunday morning in the Philippines) at the Maritim Hall, Maritim Hotel Madgeburg in Magdeburg, Germany.

Miss Philippines Koreen Medina won as 3rd runner-up.

This is the 42nd edition of Miss Intercontinental pageant, founded in Aruba in 1973. The organization is based in Panama City, Panama.

It is Russia's second win. Philippines has not won the title yet. Both Venezuela (1974, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2012) and USA (1973, 1979, 1982, 1994, 2011) got the highest number of Miss Intercontinental crowns won with 5 each. Aside from Russia, the countries that won the title twice are Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India and Lebanon.

Circus Vargas brings “MagiKaria!” to Manila | December 25-January 1, 2014

Christmas will be more captivating and jaw-dropping with the arrival in Manila of the internationally acclaimed Circus Vargas troupe, one of the world’s biggest traveling circuses. This extravaganza of magical proportions will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City from December 25 to January 1, 2014.

Showcasing gravity-defying flights, flashy costumes, fun dance routines, and other deliriously delightful antics, Circus Vargas will be bringing to the country its most exciting production dubbed as “MagiKaria, A Fantastical Magical Experience.”

Hi-5 House Party in Manila | December 13-15, 2013

A popular Australian group, Hi-5 comes up with a brand new stage show on their world tour. Stevie and Lauren welcome newcomers Dayen Zheng, Ainsley Melham and Mary Lascaris in a music extravaganza. Hi-5's favorite friend DJ Chats will be the "party meister"spinning discs and keeping everyone on the groove.

Hi-5 House Party (Live in Manila) is happening at SM Aura's Samsung Hall at The Fort in Taguig City on December 13-15, 2013. Shows are at 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for the whole 3 days. 

Tickets are available at all SM Ticket outlets. You can also visit www.smtickets.com or call 374-9999 and 470-2222. Presented by Hi-5 and Wilbros Live, in cooperation with SM Aura Premier, Magnolia Chocolait and Disney Junior.

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27th SEA Games in Myanmar | December 1-22, 2013

The 27th SEA Games 2013 is now being held in Myanmar from December 1 to 22, 2013. The concept of the 27th SEA Games is "Green, Clean and Friendship" which clearly reflects the objectives of the Union of Myanmar.

For this season, Myanmar wishes to convey the message  to the world that they are sincere, transparent, responsible and they aspire for understanding and closer ties with the international community.

The beautiful opening ceremony of the 27th SEA Games was held on December 11. Check out the video below:

 

WhenInManila holds Christmas Rockeoke Blog Party at Aracama | December 17, 2013

When In Manila will hold a Rockeoke Christmas Blogger Party to be held on December 17, 2013 at Aracama located at the Fort in Taguig City. This is an event for WhenInManila.com writers, photographers, partners, sponsors, friends, bloggers and their guests. Open bar starts at 9pm.

Attendees will don their rocker outfit, jamming with Guji Lorenzana, Janjay Coonquilla and the Tuesday Band.

This event is hosted by WhenInManila.com, Sha Supangan and JCI Fort Bonifacio.

#WIMpartyAracama

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Blogapalooza 2013, a networking event for brands and bloggers

When In Manila once again held the Blogapalooza event on November 16, 2013, this time at SM Aura in The Fort, Taguig City. Blogapalooza is the biggest B2B (Business to Blogger) networking event we have today. It's a great venue to interact with brands and products that bloggers can work with and write about.

#Blogapalooza is one expo event that bloggers shouldn't miss because of an opportunity to network with both bloggers and the brands. Also, it's an opportunity to forge possible projects and campaigns too.

Bloggers are strong online influencers that brands need for promotion. Blogapalooza hopes to bring the latest products and services of the brands to bloggers and vice-versa. Each brand had a representative to present their latest products/services/campaigns and engaged the audience with some simple games like tweeting a specific #hashtag tagging the brand's Twitter account. 

39th Metro Manila Film Festival (New Wave Section) | December 18-24, 2013

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held a press conference recently to support the screening of 39th Metro Manila Film Festivals’ independent, student and animation films comprising the New Wave Section. This will be held in two (2) venues: SM Megamall and Glorietta 4 Cinemas  on December 19-24, 2013.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, currently the MMFF overall chairman, encourages the public to support the 13 entries for the Full Length, Animation and Student Short Films categories. These films will be shown at Glorietta 4 in Makati City and SM Megamall cinemas in Mandaluyong  for only P100.
　　　　 

Miss Venezuela is Miss Earth 2013

 (L-R): Miss Fire Catharina Choi (Korea), Miss Water Punika Kunsuntornrat (Thailand), Miss Earth 2013 Alyz Henrich (Venezuela), and Miss Air Katia Wagner (Austria)

Out of 84 candidates around the world, Miss Venezuela  Alyz Henrich was crowned as Miss Earth 2013 during the coronation night held at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City in the Philippines on December 7, 2013 (Saturday). 



The Runners-Up are: 

Miss Air is Miss Austria
Miss Water is Miss Thailand
Miss Fire is Miss Korea

ONE FC: Moment of Truth Official Weigh-In Results

ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC) announced that all the fighters have made weight and are ready for ONE FC: MOMENT OF TRUTH which takes place on December 6, 2013 at the state-of-the-art MOA Arena in Manila, The Philippines. The card will be headlined by a ONE FC Featherweight World Championship bout between Honorio Banario and Koji Oishi.

The entire card will also be available live on Pay-Per-View at www.onefc.livesport.tv.

Mister Global Tourism Philippines 2013 winners

 

Benjie Nuevaespana won the fist ever Mister Global Tourism Philippines 2013. The awards night was held at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City on November 30, 2013. He will represent our country in Mister Global Tourism 2013 Finals to be held on December 5-14, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tanghalang Pilipino's second run of "Sandosenang Sapatos" | December 7-15, 2013

Tanghalang Pilipino’s  Sandosenang Sapatos is having its second run from December 7-15, 2013 at CCP’s Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Co-produced with the Cultural Center of the Philippines in coorperation with the City of Marikina under Hon. Mayor Del De Guzman, the play is written by playwright Layeta Bucoy; a musical adaptation of Dr. Luis Gatmaitan’s Palanca award-winning book of the same title.

Sandosenang Sapatos is directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Noel Cabangon and Jed Balsamo as music composer and arranger, TJ Ramos as sound director and Gerald Mercado as choreographer.

More info about this musical from Sandosenang Sapatos' first run.

Playdates:
December 7, 2013 (10AM, 3PM & 6PM)
December 8, 2013 (10AM & 6PM)
December 10, 2013 (10AM)
December 12, 2013 (10AM)
December 13, 2013 (10AM)
December 14, 2013 (10AM, 2PM & 6PM)
December 15, 2013 (10AM, 3PM & 6PM)