Miss Philippines Leren Mae Bautista is Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015

Miss Philippines Leren Mae Bautista was crowned Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015 at the coronation night held on December 31, 2015 at Putrajaya Marriot Hotel & Spa Grand Ballroom at 101 Resort City in Malaysia. Baustista bested other 56 candidates from across the globe. 

As the 21st edition of the pageant, this is the Philippines' third (3rd) Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International (MTQTYI) crown. The country first won the title by Santarin Sherylle in 1996; second was won by Racquel Uy in 1999. 

SM Bears of Joy advocacy project

SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime, gives a chance those less fortunate to receive their own special gifts with their “Bears of Joy” project.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have the resources to purchase extra luxuries like little gifts. But with just a simple purchase of a stuffed bear worth Php 200 at any SM branch, SM Cares will give one also to the children of their chosen beneficiary, giving them a chance to feel that warmth of the season with just a small gesture.

#MerrySMChristmas2015

41st Metro Manila Film Festival Winners (MMFF 2015)

The 41st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF 2015) winners were announced during the Gabi ng Parangal (awards night) held at Kia Theatre in Cubao, Quezon City on December 27, 2015. The event was hosted by KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez.

Walang Forever won big with six (6) awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Jericho Rosales) and Best Actress (Jennylyn Mercado). Nilalang and Honor Thy Father won 5 awards each.

Christmas message of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach posted this message and photo via Miss Universe Facebook Page on December 25, 2015 (December 24 in New York, USA) and she wants to reach out to all fans from the Philippines, Colombia and the rest of the world to stop the hate:

Read: Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is Miss Universe 2015

Titus Pens iDoodle Ballpen Art Contest 2015 Winners

Ely James Gumba of Cebu was hailed the grand champion of the Titus Pens iDoodle Battle of the Champions Ballpen Art Contest, a grand on-the-spot ballpen art competition held on December 18, 2015 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Doodle enthusiasts and artists from the different parts of the Philippines have gathered together for a battle of the hands in drawing using only Titus ballpens. How cool is that?

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS screening at the new Gateway Cineplex Dolby Atmos Cinema

The biggest Dolby Atmos Cinema in the country was launched on December 16, 2015 at Gateway Mall Cineplex at Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City with a special screeening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Featuring a revolutionary audio platform that creates powerful, moving audio using audio objects and overhead speakers, Gateway Mall’s Dolby Atmos Cinema boasts of sounds that come from all directions, the dialogue and music of the onscreen story move all around the audience in three-dimensional space, transporting them into the scenes and putting them in the middle of the action. Definitely the most suitable venue for the much-awaited movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is Miss Universe 2015

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was gloriously crowned Miss Universe 2015 in the coronation night held at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on Sunday, December 20, 2015 (December 21 8:00 am in the Philippines). Wurtzbach bested other 79 contestants from across the globe.

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez  won as 1st runner-up, while Miss USA Olivia Jordan clinched the 2nd runner-up spot.

FDCP offices move to downtown Manila on T.M. Kalaw Street

The offices of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) have moved to a new location (the former premises of Instituto Cervantes de Manila) on TM Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila. The National Film Archives of the Philippines (NFAP) will also have offices in the new building.

Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna is Miss World 2015; Miss Philippines in Top 11

Miss Spain Mireia Lalaguna was crowned Miss World 2015 in the coronation night held at the Beauty Crown Grand Theatre in Sanya, China on December 19, 2015 (Saturday). Lalaguna bested other 113 contestants from across the globe.

Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk won as 1st runner-up, while Miss Indonesia Maria Harfanti clinched the 2nd runner-up spot.

Miss Russia Valentina Rasulova is Miss Intercontinental 2015; Miss Philippines as 1st runner-up

Miss Russia Valentina Rasulova was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2015 at the coronation night held at the Grand Ballroom in the Maritim Congress Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany on December 18, 2015 (December 19, 2015 3am in the Philippines). Miss Intercontinental 2014 Patraporn Wang from Thailand crowned her new successor.

Miss Philippines Christi Lynn McGarry (Miss Asia & Oceana) won as 1st runner-up while Miss USA Brianne Bailey (Miss North America) clinched the 2nd runner-up spot.

Titus Pens iDoodle Battle of the Champions at SM Mall of Asia | December 18, 2015

Young creative minds to assemble at Titus Pens iDoodle Battle of the Champions, Titus Pens set to host doodling workshops on fashion, comics, travel and food

Doodle  enthusiasts  across  the  country  are  all  set  to  stretch  their  creative  muscles  for Titus Pens  iDoodle  Battle  of  the  Champions,  a  grand  on-the  spot  ballpen  art competition on December 18, 2015 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Miss Universe 2015: Submit your Facebook Final Question

IMG Universe, LLC invites you to submit a final question to be asked live in the 2015 MISS UNIVERSE® Competition via Facebook post and your Facebook account name and Facebook profile picture may be displayed on-air.

In memory of Chinese fighter Yang Jian Bing (1994-2015)

The ONE Championship (ONE) family suffered a tragic loss when Chinese flyweight Yang Jian Bing passed away on December 11, 2015 (Friday) at 12.06 PM due to cardiopulmonary failure. The formal hospital medical reports and procedures are still being carried out. He was 21 years old.

Yang, a native of China was hospitalized at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City, Philippines, after a sudden collapse on the morning of December 10, 2015 while he was jogging trying to cut his weight in time of the weigh-in that evening which was held at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" advance screening by Golden Ticket Events

The biggest movie event of the year has arrived! Golden Ticket Events will be holding a special advance screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 16, 2015 10pm at SM Megamall Cinema 3.

Join Princess Leia, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C3-PO, plust an all-new cast of heroes, bots, and villains in the newest Star Wars chapter to hit the silver screen!

Mister Worldwide 2015 candidates | Glamshots

Featured here are the glamshots of Mister Worldwide 2015 candidates. The pageant holds its first edition held in Orlando, Florida on December 3-13, 2015.

The finals night will be held on December 13, 2015 (Sunday) at 6:00 PM at the Señor Frogs Restaurant and Theater Lounge. Who do you think will win Mister Worldwide 2015?

Mister Worldwide 2015 finals night on December 13, 2015

Mister Worldwide 2015 holds its first edition being held in Orlando, Florida on December 3-13, 2015. The finals night will be held on December 13, 2015 (Sunday) at 6:00 PM at the Señor Frogs Restaurant and Theater Lounge.

Who do you think will win Mister Worldwide 2015?

Celebrating gentlemen's masculinity, intelligence and beauty, here are the nine (9) official candidates to the 1st Mister Worldwide in their Swimwear:

ONE Championship: Spirit of Champions fight card in Manila | December 11, 2015

Asia's premier mixed martial arts organization is back at the state-of-the-art, 20,000-seater Mall of Asia Arena this Friday, December 11, in an event dubbed as ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS. 

The fight card highlights the return of former women's boxing world champion Ana "Hurricane" Julaton as well as a bout featuring bantamweight stalwart, Mark "Mugen" Striegl. In the main event, Paul "Typhoon" Cheng steps in as a last minute replacement for original participant Chi Lewis-Parry, as he takes on Filipino-American Brandon "The Truth" Vera for the ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

Paul Cheng replaces Chi Lewis-Parry in ONE Championship fight night in Manila

Manila, Philippines - After multiple requests made by ONE directly to Chi Lewis-Parry and his manager over the last few weeks, Parry has failed to submit his medical results and his drug tests for the fight this Friday. Additionally, he decided not to board the plane departing from London to Manila.  He will not be fighting this Friday.

The next top HW contender, Paul Cheng will be stepping in for the World Championship fight against Brandon Vera.  Can China claim its first ever Heavyweight World Champion or will the hometown hero make it a storybook win for Filipinos?

Miss Philippines Angelia Ong is Miss Earth 2015

Miss Philippines Angelia Gabrena Ong was crowned Miss Earth 2015 at the coronation night held at Marx Halle in Vienna, Austria on December 5, 2015 at 8:15 pm (which was 3:15 am, December 6 in Manila, Philippines). Ong bested other 85 beautiful candidates from all over the world.

Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell from the Philippines crowned her successor who is also from the Philippines. Philippines became the first country to win back-to-back in Miss Earth pageant. Angelia Ong is the 3rd Filipina to win the title. The first crown was won by Miss Philippines Karla Henry in 2008.

Miss Earth 2015 Live Streaming | Live in Vienna, Austria

Miss Earth 2015 Coronation Night will be held at Vienna Austria on December 5, 2015 at 8:15 pm (which is at 3:15 am, December 6 in Manila, Philippines).

Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell from the Philippines will be crowning her successor in a few hours.

Angelia Ong is representing the Philippines at the 15th edition of Miss Earth.

Miss Paraguay Stephania Stegman is Miss Supranational 2015; Miss Philippines in Top 20

Miss Paraguay Stephania Stegman was crowned Miss Supranational 2015 in the coronation night held at Krynica Zdrój, Poland on December 4, 2015. Stegman is a professional model who currently lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she works and studies.

Miss Canada Sierra Bearchell won as 1st runner-up, while Miss Colombia Monica Castano clinched the 2nd runner-up spot.

Mister Switzerland Pedro Mendes is Mister International 2015; Mister Philippines in Top 10

Mister Switzerland Pedro Mendes won Mister International 2015 in the finals night held at Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila Hotel in Pasay City (Manila, Philippines) on November 30, 2015.  Mendes bested other 35 gorgeous candidates from across the globe.

Mister Brazil Anderson Tomazini won as first runner-up, while Mister Korea Sang-Jin Lee clinched the second runner-up spot. Mister Panama Julian Torres won as third runner-up while Mister Czech Republic Jakub Kraus made it as fourth runner-up.

ONE Championship: Spirit of Champions at SM MOA Arena in Manila | December 11, 2015

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE) has announced the complete fight card for ONE: SPIRIT OF CHAMPIONS which takes place at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in the Philippines on December 11, 2015. The card is headlined by a spectacular showdown between Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Chi Lewis “Chopper” Parry for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight World Championship.

In addition to the main event, five exciting new bouts featuring local and international MMA athletes have also been announced. These bouts will include the Lee siblings from Singapore, Angela Lee, with her younger brother, Christian Lee making his professional MMA debut. Angela will face Lena Tkhorevska from Poland while Christian meets Australia's David Meak. Filipino fighters Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio and Eugene Toquero are also on the card and will face Yang Jian Bing and Wu Ze respectively. Bruno Pucci returns to the ONE cage to battle Indonesia-based Dutch fighter, Anthony Engelen.

I Run for Integrity at CCP Complex | December 12, 2015

With the goal of making integrity everyone’s concern and part of daily life, the Integrity Initiative - spearheaded by the Makati Business Club, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM), the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), and Financial Executives of the Philippines (Finex) - is staging a historic run on December 12, 2015 at the CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Mister International 2015 candidates presented to the media

The candidates of the 2015 Mister International Pageant were presented to the media last November 19 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

The gorgeous contestants, who came from all corners of the globe, convened in Manila, Philippines for the 10th edition of the most prestigious annual male pageant in the world.

Mister Globe 2016 cancelled till further notice

Chairman of Mister Globe organization Roberto De Neuville has announced the pageant's cancellation for this year as it shows empathy and commiseration of the terrorist attack in Paris, France last November 13. Almost a hundred died and over 300 were wounded. My deepest condolences to the families that were left behind.

Mister Globe 2016 was originally scheduled for November 14-22, 2015 and the finals night was supposed to be held on November 21, 2015 in Paris, France. The reigning Mister Globe 2015 is Ismael Aiaz of Madagascar.

We will just have to wait for the organization's announcement of the new schedule.

Gatorade Run at SM Mall of Asia grounds | November 22, 2015

The #1 sports drink holds the first-ever Gatorade Run in Manila happening on November 22, 2015 at SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

There are 2 categories open: 11k & 22k. The race distances are actually based on the race date: 11 - 22 (November 22).

Mister Puerto Rico is Mister Model International 2015

Mister Puerto Rico Melvin Roman was declared Mister Model International 2015 at the finals night held at The Flamingo Theater in Brickell Bay in Miami, USA on November 11, 2015.

As the 3rd edition of Mister Model International Pageant and the first edition of Men's Fashion Week, Roman bested other 20 model candidates. Two of the distinct features of this pageant, Mister Model International includes fashion designers' castings for the Miami Fashion Week and castings for 2016 Calendar (both of which they did for the first time).

Miss Grand International 2015 is Miss Dominican Republic; Miss Philippines - 3rd runner-up

Miss Dominican Republic Anea Garcia was crowned Miss Grand International 2015 held at Indoor Stadium in Bangkok Thailand on October 25, 2015 (Sunday). 

This 3rd edition of Miss Grand International had 77 contestants in all. The Preliminary Show (Pre-Pageant) was held on October 23 (Friday) at 2:00 pm.

THE MUSIC RUN by Philam Life at the Philippine Arena | November 14, 2015

The Music Run by Philam Life is bringing the beat to the Philippines on November 14, 2015 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. This is the biggest and the most interactive fun run of the year that puts music at its peak of enjoyment.

The Music Run™ has been making waves in Asia with sell-out crowds in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Taipei and Yangon, and this is the first time it will be staged in the Philippines.

Hillarie Danielle Parungao is Miss World Philippines 2015

Hillarie Danielle Ang Parungao was crowned Miss World Philippines 2015 held at The Theater of Solaire Hotel on October 18, 2015 in Pasay City. The pageant had a delayed telecast via GMA Network at 10:00 pm. Parungao bested other 25 candidates.

Parungao will represent the Philippines in Miss World 2015 to be held on December 19, 2015 at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China.

Smart Enterprise unveils Smart Logistics Solutions to improve operational efficiency

Wireless service provider for SMEs, Smart Enterprise, launched the Smart Logistics Solutions (SLS) —a business-to-business (B2B) suite of software and hardware specifically designed to cater to the needs of transportation, logistics and distribution industries.

PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto noted that the launch of Smart Enterprise’s new product suite encourages SMEs to move towards a mobile and digital vision for their businesses.

Mason Noise got axed by Simon Cowell from The X Factor UK (6-Chair Challenge round)

Mason Noise (Waiter, 21) is one of my favorite contestants in the BOYS category at The X-Factor UK 2015. He's got the flair, the passion, the voice, the looks & the X-Factor! He did the judges proud during the audition stage, and in the Bootcamp group and individual challenges. Mason is just an awesome total performer!

For the 6-Chair Challenge, Mason impressed the judges and the huge audience with his The Weekend, Blackstreet and Justin Timberlake mash-up performance at Wembley Arena.

Miss Globe 2015 is Miss Philippines Ann Lorraine Colis

Miss Philippines Ann Lorraine Colis was crowned Miss Globe 2015 held at Rose Theater in Toronto, Canada on October 8, 2015. Colis bested the other 53 beautiful candidates across the globe. 

This 42nd edition of the pageant was held in Canada for the very first time, and first time for the Philippines to compete.

FLOTSAM film: 1 Surf Town, 8 Love Stories, 10 Songs

Flotsam, director Jay Abello's newest film, encompasses sweeping visual style and simple but heartwarming narrative shot entirely  in the scenic backdrop of La Union province in the Philippines. The film brings us to an excursion of coincidence, uncertainty and emotional roller coaster.

The Director

Emilio “Jay” Abello IV’s active involvement in the Negros theatre scene led him to work as Assistant Director, Cinematographer, Screenplay Writer, and Director in films. Best known for his full-featured documentary Pureza (2012), a full-feature documentary on the sugar industry of Negros and his Cinema One Originals full-length feature film Red (2014), headlined by actor Jericho Rosales. His other works include Cinemalaya finalists Ligaw Liham (2007), Namets (2008), to name a few.

Go-See: Mr. and Ms. Best Model Asia Pacific-Philippines 2015 | October 10-11, 2015

Mr. and Ms. Best Model Asia Pacific - Philippines 2015 will be having a Go-see for Models on October 10 (Female) & October 11 (Male) at 12 noon to 5:00 pm. This will be held at #772 EDSA corner East Avenue, Q.C. (across GMA 7).

My Top Picks for 2015 Emerging Influential Blogs

The Digital Filipino, headed by Ms. Janette Toral, recognizes the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs each year through its writing project. Any blogger can nominate his/her Top 5-10 blogs that s/he finds interesting and deserve a notice amongst readers. 

These are fresh new blogs with no less than 20 posts and active online for at least 3 months to one and a half years gaining significant following from the netizens and has somehow created an impact in their respective field and in the online world.

QC Pink Festival features Berlin Festival Prize Winners at Gateway Mall Cinema | October 6-11, 2015

The Quezon City International Pink Film Festival (QCIPFF) closes the city’s Diamond Jubilee Year Celebration with a landmark event that will provide greater recognition for the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.

Mr. Universal Ambassador 2015: Asian candidates

Mr. Universal Ambassador 2015 will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia on November 3-13, 2015. Here are some confirmed candidates from Asia:

Tanghalang Pilipino's MGA BUHAY NA APOY at CCP | October 2-25, 2015

In Tanghalang Pilipino (TP)'s MGA BUHAY NA APOY, a Manila-based family comes face to face with the harsh reality of extremely strained relationships resulting from the cowardly denial of some painful truth about their past and from the utter disregard for their glorious indigenous Palawan cultural roots and spiritual traditions.

Eli Roth's THE GREEN INFERNO: a film masterpiece casting the cannibals

From director Eli Roth, the horror mastermind behind some of the scariest movies of all time such as Cabin Fever and the blockbuster Hostel franchise, comes The Green Inferno, a terrifying new film about a group of college students who take their humanitarian protest to the Amazon jungle, only to be taken prisoner by the indigenous tribe they came to save.

Guerilla Race Warrior 2015 at Timberland Heights (San Mateo, Rizal) | October 25, 2015

The country's first military-inspired obstacle race is back this October again and it promises an all new adrenaline treat for the fearless Guerilla Racers. The Guerilla Race will face the wilderness and off-track slopes of Timberland Heights on October 25, 2015 as it unveils its more gruesome class, the Guerilla Race Elite Category. 

Misters of the Philippines 2015: Full List of Winners

Reniel Villareal of Pagbilao, Quezon was declared Mister International Philippines 2015 at the Finals Night of Misters of the Philippines 2015 held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on September 13, 2015.

Rick Palencia of Tacloban City won the title Mister Global Philippines 2015. Arcel Yambing of Bacolor, Pampanga was awarded the Mister Model International Philippines 2015 title, while Willan Pagayon of Iloilo City won Mister Tourism International Philippines 2015. All 4 will compete in international pageants.

36th Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center | September 16-20, 2015

The country’s biggest book event is right around the corner: the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), which heads back to the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City on Sept. 16-20, 2015.

Job Fair: Maersk Shipping Line looking for qualified candidates for expansion

The Maersk Group is a worldwide conglomerate and operates in some 130 countries with a workforce of over 89,000 employees. In addition to owning one of the world’s largest shipping companies, Maersk is involved in a wide range of activities in the shipping, logistics, and the oil and gas industries.

Misters 2015 Exclusive Interview: MARCEL STULIR (Butuan City)

#5 Mr. Marcel Stulir 

(Butuan City)
Misters 2015: The Pageant

Exclusive Interview

Misters 2015 Exclusive Interview: CARLOS CHING (Cebu City)

#29 Mr. Carlos Ching 

(Cebu City)
Misters 2015: The Pageant

Exclusive Interview

Misters 2015 Exclusive Interview: JULES CHAN (Filipino Community of Great Britain)

#28 Mr. Jules Chan 

(Filipino Community of Great Britain)
Misters 2015: The Pageant

Exclusive Interview

Pioneer announces "Stories of Hope" Playwriting Competition; Virgin Labfest Campus Tour

Since 1954, Pioneer has been in the service of insuring Filipinos and the things they value most. Through the decades, it has also found inspiration through the arts, and has supported the artistic community through insurance coverage and sponsorships. As a means of continued support for the Filipino talent, Pioneer announces Pioneer Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition.

Misters 2015 Exclusive Interview: ROBERT MCNAMARA (Filipino Community of Australia)

#14 Mr. Robert Mcnamara 

(Filipino Community of Australia)
Misters 2015: The Pageant

Exclusive Interview