North Cotabato beauty Mary Jean Lastimosa, crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014

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Mary Jean Lastimosa,  26-year old North Cotabato beauty bested 39 other contestants in the coronation night and was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014 at the annual beauty pageant's grand coronation night held at the Araneta Coliseum,  March 30, 2014.

Here's the question-and-answer portion with Lastimosa, asked by reigning Miss Universe Queen Gabriela Isler

Q: "What is the greatest advantage of being a woman?"

Lastimosa answered: 

"The greatest advantage of being a woman is being able to compose herself. Just like here, we're standing in front of thousands of people, not knowing if you're going to cheer for us or boo us. But we try to compose ourselves. We keep the emotions and show the beauty that is in us and tonight thousands of people are standing here, celebrating the beauty of women."

Here are the other winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2014 beauty pageant:

Bb. Pilipinas International 2014: Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti

Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014: Kris Janson 

Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014: Yvethe Santiago

Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2014: Parul Shah

First runner-up: Laura Lehmann

Second runner-up: Hannah Ruth Sison

Best in Long Gown: Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti

Best in Swimsuit: Mary Jean Lastimosa

Best in Talent: Gabrielle Tilokani

Best in National Costume: Kris Janson

Miss Friendship: Racquel Kabigting

Miss Photogenic: Kris Janson

Miss Philippine Airlines: Pia Wurtzback

Miss Cream Silk: Yvethe Santiago

JAG 2014: Pia Wurtzback

Binibining Avon: Yvethe Santiago

Manila Bulletin's Reader's Choice Award: Ladylyn Riva

Photos by https://www.facebook.com/myrns.roman

Sta. Fe , Leyte students, barefoot no more

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More than a thousand barefoot kids and children in tattered shoes and worn out slippers marched toward the expansive school grounds of the Sta. Fe Central School, the biggest school in this district, last Tuesday morning, they diligently fell in line behind designated scouts who carried their special “numbers.”

Unmindful of the searing pre-noon heat, the students came from the 17 schools of Sta. Fe who were chosen to receive premium slip-ons from Skechers donated through Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines.

Before it reached the school, volunteers painstakingly went through the list earlier submitted by the teachers, ensuring that they had the right sizes and carried the huge cartons containing the Skechers slip-ons toward the delivery vans en route to the school.

Representatives from the Youth with a Mission (YWAM), to spice up the occasion, even presented a brief puppet show to the delight of children.

The distribution of the Skechers slip-ons was both fun and tedious. Trying the slip-ons to each and every student was a daunting task. But the reward came from the sincerest “Thank Yous” from the students, a tight hug, a big smile and the happy races of some of the students as they clutched their new pair of shoes while othes waved them on air.

Mrs. Rosario Buena, district supervisor of the Sta. Fe district which covers 17 schools and 3,999 total school population, said that the students were eagerly looking forward to this day when they would receive and bring home new pairs of footwear.

“Wala na kasi talaga silang gamit na sapatos. Tinangay ni Yolanda ang lahat ng kanilang mga gamit, mula bahay, damit, school supplies at mga sapatos. Noong sabihan ko sila na magbibigay ang Operation Blessing ng sapatos sa kanila dahil may donasyon ang Skechers, sobrang tuwa ng mga estudyante (The students do not have any more shoes left to use. Yolanda washed away everything that they had from their homes, clothes, school supplies, and their shoes. So, when I told them that Operation Blessing will be giving them shoes coming from the donation of Skechers, the students were so happy),” Mrs. Buena said.

She added that the new slip-ons meant a lot to the students, especially since most of them now come to school in tattered shoes and slippers, while some even go to school barefoot.

Mrs. Buena added that the new pairs of slip-ons signified new hope for the students and a validation that help will continue to come and that better days are bound to come.

She also thanked Operation Blessing for the simultaneous feeding programs being conducted in the different schools of the district which have motivated more students to regularly attend their classes.

MYX Music Awards winners: MYX recognizes the Parokya ni Edgar as Magna Awardee 2014

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MYX recognizes the Parokya ni Edgar as Magna Awardee 2014.

Every time that MYX mounts the Philippines’ biggest awards night in music, they select one mover and shaker of local music scene that they deem historically groundbreaking.

This year’s music awards saw the recognition of a group that has brought a whole new, hilarious flavor to Philippine sound.

The award was given to a band that celebrated twenty years of friendship, humor, and good music—Parokya ni Edgar.

In true Parokya fashion, eight friends and pioneers of band members Chito Miranda, Buwi Meneses, Gab Chee Kee, Darius Semana, Dindin Moreno and Vinci Montaner gathered on stage around a plastic table and monobloc chairs to share a pitcher and snacks.

Among those present at the table were Rico Blanco, Gloc-9, Miggy Chavez, Yeng Constantino, Barbie Almalbis, Gabby Alipe, Ebe Dancel, and Raimund Marasigan. They performed six renditions of Parokya ni Edgar’s famous songs, “Buloy”, “Harana”, “Pangarap Lang Kita”, “Halaga”, “The Yes Yes Show”, and “Inuman Na,” which aptly capped off the performance when the members of Parokya ni Edgar stepped on stage to accept the title.

As Chito Miranda found himself humbled by all of this. “Usually people would expect us to say something funny, but for once I’m speechless,” he shared when MYX Channel Head Andre Allan Alvarez presented him with the award.

The night of the MYX Music Awards was also one to honor artists, groups, and music video directors who made an impact in the local scene over the past year.

Here is the complete list of winners from the MYX Music Awards night, which was held last Wednesday (March 26, 2014):

Favorite Music Video: “Magda” by Gloc9 feat. Rico Blanco

Favorite Artist: Sarah Geronimo

Magna Awardee: Parokya ni Edgar

Favorite Female Artist: Yeng Constantino

Favorite male Artist: Bamboo

Favorite Group Winner: Parokya ni Edgar

Favorite Celebrity Guest Appearance in a Music Video: Kim Chiu for “Discolamon” by Banda ni Kleggy

Favorite New Artist: KZ Tandingan

Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ: Abra

Favorite Mellow Video: “Magkabilang Mundo” by Jireh Lim

Favorite Rock Video: “Carousel” by Bamboo

Favorite Urban Video: “Magda” by Gloc9 feat. Rico Blanco

Favorite Remake: “It Take a Man and a Woman” by Sarah Geronimo

Favorite Media Soundtrack: “Carousel” by Bamboo

Favorite Collaboration: “Magda” by Gloc 9 feat. Rico Blanco

Favorite Song: “Magda” by Gloc9 feat. Rico Blanco

Favorite International Video: Roar by Katy Perry

Favorite K-POP Video: “Wolf” by Exo

"Sir Chief" Richard Yap taps into his inner health

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By taking care of his inner health, Richard Yap says, “I am able to live more and live young.”

Richard was already taking the product for over five years even before he was tapped to serve as C-Lium’s brand ambassador. 

It is undeniable that Richard Yap’s rise to fame has been quite monumental. From playing Papa Chen in the primetime soap Binondo Girl, Richard is now known as the well-adored Sir Chief in the daytime “kiligserye” Please Be Careful with My Heart.

His love story with Maya, played by Jodie Sta. Maria, has become the talk of the town: from their first hug to their first kiss to their eventual marriage. It’s no wonder that the soap has been going strong in Philippine television for more than a year.

Despite the pressures that come with being a celebrity, Richard looks great for his age. His skin glows, his looks are youthful and healthy, and his body is very fit. It’s surprising to know that he will celebrate his 47th birthday on May 18 this year.

While it may all look effortless, Richard says that his sense of well-being is a result of making healthy choices. For one, Richard finds the time to exercise, despite the fact that he has only around three to four hours of sleep each day. “I have always been a great fan of exercising whether it be going to the gym or taking up an active sport,” he says.

Paying attention to his diet, Richard is a conscientious eater, trying out a little bit of everything. “I limit my intake of carbs and protein to a certain level,” he says. “I eat five to six small meals a day in order not to gain weight. As much as possible, I shy away from fatty food although I do have my cheat days. I try to consume more fish and chicken whenever possible.”

Richard also supplements his diet with C-Lium Fibre, an all-natural source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which he endorses. “It’s very important since we are always on the go and we are not guaranteed to get enough fiber in our diet everyday,” he says. “Taking C-Lium helps a lot in fulfilling that need.”

According to the US-based National Fiber Council, taking fiber regularly aids in promoting good digestion and helps in weight management. It has also been clinically proven to regulate the absorption of cholesterol and sugar into the system, minimizing the risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, among other life-threatening illnesses. 

Taking a more proactive stance to health is something that Richard believes in. He listens to his body for telltale signs of illness. “If I see there is something which is headed to a certain unhealthy level, I usually address it by changing my diet and eating habits and not waiting until I get sick.”

C-Lium is part of Richard’s health arsenal, which is more crucial now that Richard has to juggle many activities. Aside from being an actor, he is also a husband to Melody Yap and a father to two teen-agers. But Richard knows his priorities very well, and takes his showbiz adventure one day at a time. “Dreams do come true,” he says. “Just don’t be afraid to take the plunge when the opportunity comes.” 

C-Lium Fibre is available in husk and capsule format and is being sold in supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.

Smart, Deezer tie up to bring world of music to PH mobile users

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Here's a great news and updates from the Philippine mobile leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart)!

Smart Communications, Inc. announced a strategic and exclusive partnership with leading global music streaming service Deezer to bring the full breadth of music experience to mobile users in the country through Deezer’s Premium+ service.

With Deezer Premium+, more than 72 million Smart mobile subscribers nationwide will be able to enjoy unlimited web and mobile access to the most number of music tracks online and offline, all in high-quality and without the interruption of ads.

Deezer’s availability in more than 180 countries will also allow Smart to provide a seamless experience to mobile users who want to be able to listen to their favorite songs wherever they are, whether they are in the Philippines or overseas.

Smart will soon announce affordable streaming rates and promotions with Deezer that both prepaid and postpaid subscribers can enjoy. With this groundbreaking partnership, Smart users will be able to purchase a Deezer Premium+ subscription using only their prepaid or postpaid accounts.

“We are excited to announce this pioneering partnership with Deezer, which will deliver even more exciting music experiences to our subscribers and enhance their mobile lifestyles on the go,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, Innovation and Product Development Group Head at Smart.

“With SPINNR, we promised the total music experience to users at affordable prices. This partnership broadens our portfolio even further with millions of music tracks from Deezer, the largest digital music catalogue in the world, which users can enjoy whether they are here or abroad,” Limcaoco explained. “This strengthens Smart’s expanding suite of mobile content and application offerings that makes us a formidable player in the entire mobile ecosystem.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Smart, the Philippines’ largest mobile operator, to provide music fans in Philippines easy access to all the music they can consume. This collaboration puts millions of tracks in the hands of millions of mobile users in Philippines whether they are at home or on the go,” added Steven Frank, Business Development Manager for Asia Pacific at Deezer.

Smart’s Limcaoco added that with Smart’s newly modernized network that now includes more than 10,000 4G-capable (HSPA+, LTE/LTE-A) sites all around the country, users will be able to enjoy seamless and unhampered access to various mobile services that include the likes of Deezer and SPINNR.

On mobile devices, the Deezer app can be installed on iOS, Android, Windows Phone as well as Blackberry 10 smartphones and tablets. It can also be enjoyed using traditional desktop browsers in laptops and PCs.

For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph<http://www.smart.com.ph/> 

or www.deezer.com<http://www.deezer.com/>.