Merry Christmas!!

It's the Birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ..Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas to everyone!!
May the spirit of Christmas bring peace of mind, and good vibes to everyone, and not only on Christmas Day but in the new year to come in 2013.

Miss USA is Miss Universe 2012

At long last! The new Miss Universe was crowned in Las Vegas, USA 19th of December in the person of 20 year old Olivia Culpo of the USA. Olivia, who was born in Rhode Island was crowned Miss Universe 2012 among 88 other delegates from all over the world. She was the 8th Miss USA to bag the Miss Universe title. This year's batch of delegates is one of the most impressive in years. However, a string of controversies and intrigues hounded this year's decision. Aside from being the homeground, Miss USA was not a heavy favorite from the start, and did not excell in the preliminaries. Our very own Janine Tugonon of the Philippines emerged as 1st runner up. She could have grabbed the crown, mainly because of her outstanding display of swimsuit and evening gown, and her answer to the crucial Q&A portion wherein her answer was well-received. Janine has been a consistent favorite from the start of the pageant. 2nd runner up went to Miss Venezuela, Irene Quintero, who was also a heavy favorite. 3rd runner up went to another favorite Miss Australia, Renae Ayris, and 4th runner up went to Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus.
Melinda Bam of South Africa, who has been ranked as the top favorite, only made it to the top 10 cut, along with another strong contender Miss Mexico, Karina Gonzalez. Completing the top 10 were Miss Russia, France, and Hungary. Rounding up the top 16 semi-finalists were Miss Turkey, Peru, Poland, Kosovo, Croatia and India.
Several other heavy favorites did not even make the semifinals, among them delegates from Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Guyana, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Netherlands, New Zealand and Finland.
Miss Photogenic went to Miss Kosovo, Miss Congeniality to Miss Guatemala, and the Best National Costume to China.
This is the best ever placing of the Philippines in over 10 years since Miriam Quiambao emerged also as 1st runner up. For 3 consecutive years, the Philippines has placed among the top five. Venus Raj 4th runner up in 2010 and Shamsey Supsup 3rd runner up in 2011.

2012 Metro Manila Film Festival Official Entries

This year's Metro Manila Film Festival seems to have a promising line up of official entries, and a star-studded one. The 2012 Metro Manila Filmfest official entries are: Regal Films " Shake, Rattle & Roll 14" starring Dennis Trillo, Paulo Avelino, Herbert Bautista, Janice de Belen, Vhong Navarro, Lovie Poe, Arlene Muhlach, Martin Escudero, Eula Caballero, Empress Shuck, Jc Tiuseco, Ronnie Lazaro, Alex Castro, Makisig Morales, Snooky Serna, Dennis Padilla, Dimples Romana, Fabio Ide, Ivan Dorschner, Carlo Aquino, Eri Neeman, Albie Casino, Rommel Padilla, Ella Cruz,  Aj Dee, directed by Chito Rono. Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions "One More Try" starring Dingdong Dantes, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo, directed by Ruel Bayani. ABS-CBN Film Productions and Viva Films "Sisteraka" starring Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, directed by Wenn V. Deramas. Quantum Films "The Strangers" starring Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil and Julia Montes, directed by Lawrence Fajardo. Octo-Arts, M-Zet, GMA Films, APT Entertainment and Imus Productions "Si Agimat, si Enteng at ako" starring Bong Revilla, Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos, Gwen Zamora, Ryza Mae Dizon, directed by Tony Reyes. GMA Films 'Sosy Problems" starring Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heusaff, Bianca King, Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Mikael Daez, Benjamin Alvez, Alden Richards, directed by Andoy Ranay. Scenema Concept Intl. Inc "El Presidente" starring Jeorge E.R. Estregan, Christine Reyes, Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Cesar Montano, Alan Paule, directed by Mark Meily and Center Stage and Solar Entertainment "Thy Womb" starring Nora Aunor, Lovie Poe, Bembol Rocco, directed by Brillante Mendoza.

2012 Miss Universe Favorites

It's Miss Universe season once again, and it's the very last of the major international beauty pageants for 2012, and the most prestigious. The 2012 Miss Universe will be held in Las Vegas and 89 delegates from all over the universe will be competing for the title. The delegates have already arrived in Las Vegas, and they have started to undergo the preliminary activities. Social media, and the major bloggers and beauty pageant experts have already selected their favorites. Coronation night will be on December 19th.
Our very own Janine Tugunon of the Philippines is one of the early favorites, and is among the top 16 contenders. The Philippines has scored runner up positions for the past 2 consecutive years: Venus Raj was 4th runner up in 2010, and Shamsey Supsup was 3rd runner up in 2011. Will we be able to score a higher place this year?? But the competition is very tight this year! There are several stand-outs, and among them are delegates from South Africa, Colombia, Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, Angola, Ecuador, Paraguay, Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, Puerto Rico and France. It's going to be another year of South American beauties, and it seems that our very own Janine is the only Asian to be a favorite so far.