Sarah Geronimo's 8 Unforgettable Moments Including Jollibee

"Lahat ng commercial na ginagawa ko with Jollibee is something to look forward to," said Sarah Geronimo regarding her experience with shooting the latest ad #87000.

In connection with this, the Philippines' Queen of Pop has 8 unforgettable moments during her 14-year career. Here they are:

1. In 2003 when she won for A Star for a Night and got to do a duet with her idol Regine Velasquez onstage. The song was Pangarap na Bituin and she was only 14 years old then.

2. Her first time in a recording studio, also in 2003, for her debut album Popstar: A Dream Come True.

3. Her first time winning a Platinum and Gold Award for that album.

4. Her debut solo concert in 2003 at Music Museum with the same title as her first album.

5. Her first time to conquer Araneta Coliseum in 2005, via the concert The Other Side.

6. The sun dance scene in A Very Special Love (2008).

7. When she became part of ASAP in 2004 and started performing sing and dance numbers. She got feedback from people that they were able to appreciate what she does.

8. When she became a Jollibee endorser in 2004.

Some of her favorite menu items are the french fries, Yumburger, tuna pie, and Chickenjoy.

M EPISODE - A BACK-TO-BACK SHAKESPEARE PLAY ABOUT MACBETH BREAKS BOUNDARIES

Artist Playground proudly presents a breakthrough rare theatrical treat with ‘M EPISODE’ --- a two-in-one experience about Macbeth, one of the most famous tragic characters during the Renaissance period.

Synopsis: Once there were three people thrown together by ambition, the pursuit of happiness, and passion both youthfulness and maturity share. A decade or so later, they meet again. What was done is now recalled, what was promised is now collected, and what was taken away is now reclaimed.

Directed by Roeder Camanag, ‘M EPISODE' will take audiences to an in-depth view of Macbeth’s world and witness every episode that formed his psyche in two acts.

Act I: James Chalmers’ “PRELUDE TO MACBETH” introduces us to Lorna Stewart, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, and Duncan, King of Scotland for the first time.

Act II: William Shakespeare’s “MACBETH” returns to us the three characters, Macbeth now about to be Thane of Cawdor, and Lorna Stewart, now Lady Macbeth.

The Past now spurs a huge cloud of malice, malignancy, and murderous plots. All in the name of the golden round.

The cast are as follows:

Prelude to Macbeth - Paul Jake Paule (Macbeth), Jernice Matunan (Lorna), Mariella Munji Laurel (Lorna), Mitoy Sta. Ana and Andre Tiangco (Duncan), Juan Carlo Martin Pacheco and Vincent Pajara (Callum), Tasha Guerrero, Marjorie Duldulao, Princess Tuason, Kia Del Rosario, Jeremy Cabansag & Kathleen Francisco (Spirits 1,2,3);

Macbeth - Paul Jake Paule (Macbeth), Mailes Kanapi and Cathrine Go (Lady Macbeth), Anjo Resurreccion (Banquo), Mitoy Sta. Ana and Andre Tiangco (King Duncan), Al Gatmaitan (Macduff), Vincent Pajara (Malcolm), Dan Sheneill Solis (Fleance), Juan Carlo Martin Pacheco (Ross), Basty Batistis ( Porter), Gry Gimena (Lennox) , Marjorie Duldulao and Tasha Guerrero (Lady Macduff), Tasha Guerrero, Princess Tuason, Kia Del Rosario, Jeremy Cabansag, Marjorie Duldulao & Kathleen Francisco (Three Witches),

 The artistic team of M Episode are as follows:  Roeder Camañag (Director); Myra Beltran (Choreographer); Jesse Lucas(Music By); Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Speech and Voice Consultant); Reynoso Mercado (Production Designer); Anthony Salvador (Lights Designer); Paul Jake Paule (Lay-out Designer); Jaynus Olaivar (Photographer); and Alvin Espiritu (Dance Captain).

The play shall run on June 16 until July 1, 2017 with 7 pm shows on Friday and 3pm show every Saturday and Sunday.

HALLELUJAH – SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL THAT WILL ROCK THE RAFTERS ALL SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 27 AT THEATRE AT SOLAIRE

OVATION PRODUCTIONS proudly announces its new theater offering to all musical theater fans with “SISTER ACT,” the Broadway and West End smash hit musical comedy based on the hit 1992 film that has more than 6 million audiences jumping to their feet worldwide as it rocks beginning June 27 up to July 9 at the Theatre at Solaire.

Be prepared for dazzling dance routines and a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, Barry White, soul and funk to great big disco anthems.

SISTER ACT features an original score with music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Enchanted, Little Mermaid), lyrics by Tony and Academy Award-nominee Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), and a book by multi-Emmy Award winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (“Cheers”) with additional book material by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed). Directed on Broadway by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing…Forum, Smokey Joe’s Café), the production features choreography by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams) and is based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture Sister Act written by Joseph Howard.

            Produced by Whoopi Goldberg, TROIKA Entertainment and Sister Act On Tour, LLC, SISTER ACT received five 2011 Tony® Award nominations including BEST MUSICAL, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (Alan Menken (music)/Glenn Slater (lyrics), and BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL (Cheri & Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane).

Synopsis

The original film's locations of Reno and San Francisco have been changed to Philadelphia and the action now is set in the 1970s. When disco diva wannabe Deloris Van Cartier sees her gangster boyfriend Curtis Shank commit a murder at the grungy club where she's performing, she reports the crime to the police and is placed in the witness protection program. Disguised as a nun named Sister Mary Clarence, she is placed in the convent of the Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith, where she finds herself up against the rigid Mother Superior. Deloris uses her singing talent to inspire the other nuns to create a more contemporary choir, and they become the hit of the community. Word of their success reaches Curtis and his mob, who arrive on the scene to settle their score with Deloris and find themselves battling not only her, but a gang of feisty nuns and the Mother Superior as well.

            SISTER ACT will be the funniest and funkiest musical ever to rock Manila very soon.

With only a limited two-week run, don’t miss this blissfully silly heavenly hit show.

The performance schedules of SISTER ACT are as follows:

June 27 – 8 pm - Opening Night (Tuesday)

June 28 – 8 pm – Gala Night (Wednesday)

June 29, June 30 – 8 pm (Thursday – Friday)

July 1 and 2 – 2 pm and 8 pm (Saturday – Sunday)

July 4, 5, 6 and 7 – 8 pm (Tuesday - Friday)

July 8 and 9 – 2 pm and 8 pm (Saturday – Sunday)

Duration: Two hours and 30 minutes. With one 15-minute intermission.

Venue:   The Theatre at Solaire,  1 Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Paranaque City.

Tickets: Call TICKETWORLD - 8919999

Connect SISTER ACT through the following:

Website: www.ovationproductionsmanila.com

Social media: Facebook.com/ovationproductions

Twitter: @ovationprod

See you at the theater !!!!!

VIRGIN LABFEST 13 ARTIST IN FOCUS: DINGDONG NOVENARIO

Photo from the subject's FB account

                An IT specialist in Hewlett Packard and a gym instructor at Fitness First by profession, Kafatiran, a one-act play about a group of gay katipuneros, was his break as a playwright. However, Virgin Labfest 7 was not his first time in the festival. Back in 2008, he played a part in Terangati, back when the festival had a section devoted to stage adaptation of children’s works.

                This time, his play Nothing But Dreams is part of Set D, to be directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. “I loved how the play Clybourne Park was made as a sort of spin-off Raisin in the Sun, so I made this as a sort of spin-off of Clybourne Park. This is about a girl bringing a colored man back home to her family, which is basically Look Who's Coming To Dinner in a very Filipino setting,” he explained.

                Incidentally, his play about cultural diversity boasts of a powerhouse cast identified with different theater companies: Audie Gemora (Repertory Philippines / Rep), Madlen Nicolas (Dulaang UP), Thou Reyes (PETA) and Lhorvie Nuevo (Tanghalang Pilipino).

Photo from Tuxqs Rutaquio's FB account

              A self-confessed Rep fan back when the company was staging plays in Shangri-la mall, his first foray into writing for theater was when he was in first year high school. He co-wrote a piece inspired by Into the Woods for his English class. He admits that watching those plays inspired him early on to become a writer. He finds it “to be most fulfilling and least nerve-wracking.”

                Top three local playwrights he looks up to are Rody Vera, Nick Pichay, and Layeta Bucoy.

                The schedules of Set D are July 1/6/11/15, 3 pm, and July 1/5/9/14, 8 pm. Tickets may be bought at the CCP Box Office or via Ticketworld (891-9999).

Photo from Tuxqs Rutaquio's FB account

Ravel Unraveled celebrates Franco-Philippine friendship through French classics

FRENCH pianist François Chaplin performs together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of French classical music on June 22, 2017, 8:00 pm at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to celebrate 70 years of friendship between France and the Philippines.

“Ravel Unraveled” commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Amity on June 26, 1947 which formally established diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. 70 years later, French-Philippine bilateral ties have entered a period of renewed dynamism in all aspects and a series of high-level political exchanges, including the first visit of a French head of state to the Philippines in 2015.

François Chaplin trained at the Paris Conservatory under the tutelage of Bulgarian pianist Wentsislav Yankoff, and later, of French pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier. Chaplin is one of the most renowned classical pianists in France today, having recorded the complete works for piano by Claude Debussy and Frédéric Chopin’s complete nocturnes. He has performed live both as a soloist in prestigious concert halls across the globe, from Paris and London to Mexico, and with prominent orchestras such as the Japan Philharmonic and the Saint Petersbourg Philharmonic.

Chaplin is also a piano professor at the Versailles National Music Conservatory and has led master classes on French music at the Conservatory of Saint Petersburg and the University of Montreal, among others.

“Ravel Unraveled” not only marks the 70th anniversary of French-Philippine relations through music, but also symbolizes solidarity between the two countries. The proceeds of this concert will benefit the rehabilitation and housing projects of the France-Philippines United Action (FPUA) Foundation, the first foundation in the world to be administered by a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The FPUA was created following the passage of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Today, the foundation works with French donors to implement programs on housing rehabilitation, health, and children’s welfare. Upholding the principle of “Building Back Better Communities,” FPUA has completed two rehabilitation sites in Daanbantayan, Cebu, and provided over 200 disaster-resilient houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross. A third village with 46 permanent houses and a multi-purpose center will soon be completed in Bogo, Northern Cebu, which is expected to benefit more than 250 persons who still live in disaster risk areas.

The Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the SSI Group, Inc., with its continuous commitment to provide Filipinos with quality lifestyle options, co-present “Ravel Unraveled” as part of “PhilFrance : Feel French!”, a year-long festival to celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. This concert is also made possible through the generous support of SSI Group brands Lacoste and Longchamp, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, and Air France.

Tickets are priced at P3,000, P2,000, P1,000 and P800.  For details, contact the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

Baby Go Expands Her Indie Queendom by Launching BG Showbiz Plus

           

            “Ngayong nandito na ako sa showbiz, susulitin ko ang paglilingkod sa industriya,” she exclaimed with her usual grace and candor. Dubbed as the “Queen of Indie Films”, businesswoman-philantrophist Baby Go is no stranger to taking risks. In fact, the first film she produced under her company BG Productions International, Lauriana, was part of the first Sineng Pambansa All-Masters Edition. The tickets were just priced modestly since the festival was aimed at sparking the interest of the audience in works that deviate from the usual mainstream fare.

            Her new venture is BG Showbiz Plus, a magazine that would focus on the local independent film circuit. It would also have sections dedicated to business and politics. This will be helmed by Maridol Bismark of the The Philippine Star and The Woman Today as editor-in-chief. She is joined by Robert Requintina of the The Manila Bulletin as the Associate Editor. Jean Go-Marasigan as the VP of the company will also be overseeing the magazine. Some veterans of the entertainment press like Pilar Mateo, Danny Vibas, and Mell Navarro were said to be onboard as writers. Part of the proceeds from the magazine’s sale will go to PC Goodheart Foundation International, Inc.

Having experienced success as a real estate agent, she dabbled eventually in entrepreneurship and struck gold. Aside from promoting film workers internationally, she also aims to harness undiscovered talent via the publication. She views the magazine also as a way to entertain OFWs since there will also be copies sold abroad. The support of Filipino expats are being sought so her representatives are already making negotiations with different embassies.

Photo by Michelle Co Huertas

            2017 is just Baby Go’s fourth year in the business, but, the film outfit has already garnered numerous awards both here and abroad. Last May 6, Area garnered three awards from the 2017 ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA). This was held at Kuching Amphitheater, Sarawak, Malaysia.

            Gawad Pasado, on its 19^th year, awarded Iadya Mo Kami as the Best Film of 2016 (Pinakapasadong Pelikula ng Taon) along with four other films. This award-giving body is comprised of academics, hence the name Pasado (Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro). Other awards that BG Productions got for the same film were the following: Best Director (Mel Chionglo), Best Actor (Allen Dizon), Best Supporting Actress (Aiko Melendez), Best in Cinematography (Mycko David). This was held last April 25.

            On the same day, Baby Go received three special awards from the 15^th Gawad Tanglaw, namely: Presidential Jury Award for Best Film (Area), Presidential Jury Award-Student’s Choice Award for Best Film (Laut), and Presidential Jury Prize for Best Children’s Film (Child Haus).

            The critically acclaimed Area as well as the abovementioned film were screened as part of FDCP’s Cine Lokal and were shown in eight SM Cinemas.

            Film titles that are in the works include Balatkayo, Nuclear Family, and Maruming Hangin. “In every venture that I go into, I really study it well. I want to succeed in whatever project like being an indie film producer. Now that I am embarking into publishing a showbiz magazine, I would like to request for everyone’s support,” she said. Profitable or not, there is just no stopping her overflowing desire to do so much for the industry.

            BG Showbiz Plus will be available at newsstands starting July.

Photo from Pilar Mateo

REP at 50 was a Magical Moment at Solaire

              The grand musical gala which celebrated its milestone golden year, REP: 50 Years of Telling Stories culled Repertory Philippines’ or REP’s current roster of talents and acclaimed alumni to narrate the theater company’s story – from its beginnings, to its continuing efforts of nurturing the next generation of performing greats.

            “REP: 50 Years of Telling Stories encompasses all aspects of theater from the narration, music, choreography, producers, performers, comedians, set designers, and directors,” said President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. “It took a team of almost one hundred people to mount this production featuring seven segments with different directors.”

            The show is one grand story told through song, dance and visuals with musical numbers from past REP productions such as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Carousel, Camp Rock, Pippin, Annie, Sound of Music, Jekyll and Hyde, Seussical, and Les Miserables.

            It opened with a tribute to Zeneida “Bibot” Amador and honored all the REP founders who built the company with that number. It then transitioned to the tradition of telling stories that are universal and appealing for every Filipino through its choreographers, dancers, and actors.

            The work of unsung heroes like production managers, stage managers and the like were showcased in a number which gave the audience members a taste of what it’s like to work behind the scenes.  Another highlight was the telling of stories that educated young theater-goers through Repertory for Young Audiences.

            A fitting showcase brought the gala to a close, with the young and upcoming Reppers taking over the center stage as the veterans handed the baton to the new guards of Philippine Theater.

            This one-night only musical fittingly celebrated REP’s five decades of developing Filipino talents and staging excellent productions from Broadway and the West End. Bart Guingona served as overall director and collaborated with segment directors Jaime del Mundo, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Raymond Lauchengco, Freddie Santos, and Michael Williams as well as musical director Ejay Yatco and writer Luna Griño-Inocian.

            Theater luminaries and stars included REP co-founder Baby Barredo, REP Artistic Director Joy Virata, Monique Wilson, Franco Laurel, Sheila Francisco, Morisette Amon, Pinky Amador, Mitch Valdes, Ayam Barredo-Eckstein, Cara Barredo, Leo Martinez, Cocoy Laurel, EJ Villacorta, and many more gathered to #ComeHometoREP.

Avatar-Inspired Toruk Opens on June 23

Cirque du Soleil is delighted to hold it’s Asian premiere of TORUK –  The First Flight in Manila, Philippines! Inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking movie AVATAR, the show will be presented at the Mall of Asia Arena June 23^rd- July 2^nd 2017.

“After 15 months of touring North America and over 1.3 million fans, we are ecstatic to make our Asian debut in the great city of Manila! We heard Filipinos love the movie Avatar so we really hope they will join us to revisit Pandora in this visually stunning live setting. TORUK is a one-of-a-kind show with breathtaking video projections, impressive acrobatic acts, gigantic puppets… There is truly something for everyone in the family!’’ says Janie Mallet, publicist for TORUK – The First Flight.

“Avatar is really meant to be a celebration of human motion and human emotion and Cirque is able to capture that absolutely perfectly because it’s all about human performance and physicality. It makes you feel alive to watch these performers!”

- James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar

Tickets start at 1500PHP and are now on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk and smtickets.com!

The show

Since Fall 2015, TORUK – The First Flight has traveled through Canada, the United States and Mexico to bring James Cameron’s world of Pandora to life every week. Experience a storytelling odyssey through a new world of imagination, discovery, and possibility.

Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.

This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.

Cirque du Soleil

TORUK – The First Flight is Cirque du Soleil’s 37^th production since 1984. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 155 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com.

To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit https://www.onedrop.org.

Anne Curtis, Hindi Valentina Pero Leading Lady ni Dingdong Dantes

Source: rapbeer.com

Sa isang panayam maikling panayam ni MJ at ilang piling press people sa event ng Cherry Mobile na #iwANNEbe Photo Contest, gulat pero dagling pinabulaanan ni Anne Curtis ang chikang siya na ang napiling iconic suppervillain na magiging katunggali ni Liza Soberano bilang si Darna.

However, open ang Kapamilya actress na tanggapin ang role sakaling ialok ito sa kanya. Hindi naman raw siya takot sa ahas.

Matatandaan na kahit na madalas nang lumabas si Anne bilang bidang inaapi sa Kampanerang Kuba (2005) at Dyesebel (2014), napakabelievable niyang maldita sa mga nilabasan niyang pelikula kung saan siya ang antagonist gaya ng No Other Woman (2011) at The Gifted (2014).

Source: Anne Curtis' IG

Mapapanood ang maikling video interview sa channel ng Showbiz Philippines sa Youtube. Ngayon, ayon sa columnist na si Mell Navarro, ang pagkakaabalahan niyang ishoot ay ang Insomnia, kung saan unang beses niyang makakatambal si Dingdong Dantes bilang leading man. Ang pelikulang ito na under ng Viva Films ay ididirehe ni Irene Villamor na siyang nagdirek din ng Camp Sawi.

CAREDIVAS - A PINOY MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO OUR OFW HEROES SETS SPECIAL RUN FROM JUNE 24 - JULY 30

Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) in partnership with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall present the special run of CAREDIVAS - AN ORIGINAL PINOY MUSICAL to pay tribute to all overseas Filipino workers as the present-day heroes of our country with performances beginning June 24 until July 30 at the PETA Theater Center.

CAREDIVAS is a disarmingly funny and candid musical drama about five transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers in the morning and transform into glamorous drag queen performers at night. While desperate to make ends meet, they also struggle to search for acceptance in a foreign land.

As part of OWWA's 35th anniversary celebration, the organization opens the special run of Care Divas on June 24 to signal its renewed commitment in promoting and protecting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers.

2011 signaled the first run of the musical, which was also the year when it dominated the Philstage Gawad Buhay! Awards, bagging seven trophies including Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Musical Production, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical.

Giving life to the major roles are well-respected theater actors Melvin Lee (Chelsea), Vincent de Jesus and Ron Alfonso (Shai), Dudz Teraña and Jason Barcial (Thalia), Gio Gahol, Jerald Napoles and Ricci Chan (Kayla), Thou Reyes and Phil Noble (Jonee).

The actors in their supporting roles are Myke Salomon (Faraj, David, Daniel), Paul Holme and Leo Rialp (Isaac, Moshe, Yaakov, Club owner), Joan Bugcat and Gold Villar (Nonah), Eric Dela Cruz and Dom Miclat-Jannsen (Avi, Aryeh, Police), Sherry Lara (Sarah, Adara), Eko Baquial and Joseph Madriaga (ensemble).

The artistic team of CAREDIVAS are as follows: Maribel Legarda (Director), Liza Magtoto (Playwright), Vincent De Jesus (Lyricist, Composer, Arranger, Musical Director), Leo Abaya (Set Designer), Jonjon Villareal (Lighting Designer), John Abul (Costume Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Assistant Costume Designer), Carlon Matobato (Choreographer), and Gimbey Dela Cruz (Vocal Coach).

The performance schedules of CAREDIVAS are from Fridays (8 pm), Saturdays and Sundays (3 pm and 8 pm).

For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at Tel No. 725-6244, petatheater@gmail.com or TicketWorld at 891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Emma Cordero Transcends Limits Like Wonder Woman

“Ang tao sa mundo, walang limitation. Hindi ka pwedeng magkaroon ng limitation,” said the Asia’s Princess of Songs, Emma Cordero. And true enough, this woman who graced the cover of Vanity Magazine does not only talk the talk, she also walks the walk.

Last September 2016, she bested 71 other candidates in Guangzhou, China to get the coveted title of Woman of the Universe, a special award from Mrs. Universe 2016. The latter is a pageant which started 10 years ago which is open to married females from any country between the ages of 25 and 45, and who are involved in a worthy cause.

Emcor (as she’s called by family and friends) thought of taking pageantry to the next level and proceeded to organize a new one which would encourage and empower women not be only beautiful physically, but also to be more involved in making the world a better place. Aptly named after her foundation, Voice of an Angel (VOAA), the pageants King of VOAA Universe 2017 and Queen of VOAA Universe 2017 aim to showcase men and women of substance.

The singer-philanthropist revealed that the coronation night will be held at the Sun Palace Hotel, Fukuoka, Japan. The activities for the said pageant will happen from August 30 to September 3. Any between the ages of 18 and 70 years old can join and the beneficiary is VOAA Foundation, which has been active for around 20 years as a conduit for Emcor’s charity works. In Japan, it’s called Em-Cor VOAA Music International, which serves a different function as a production company for music and concert. Locally, she has Em-Cor Star Management based in San Pedro, Laguna which aims to discover and train aspiring talents.

One of the schools she’s supporting is her alma mater, Our Lady of Fatima de San Pedro Schoo, whom she eventually helped expand. She also has close to twenty scholars in both secondary and tertiary levels studying in different schools here and abroad. Her advocacy is clearly mirrored in her choice of songs, like her own composition Aiwo Agetai (I Wanna Give Love) which has an inspiring message about the children’s future. One would be reminded of the late Michael Jackson’s Heal the World.

One of the Philippine representatives is Ms. Baby Go, the matriarch of BG Productions International as well as the Queen of Indie Films. Her decision to join the pageant was influenced by the fact that she is involved in several advocacies herself, like helping out the local film industry by producing films out of well-crafted scripts. Michelle Takahashi, another singer from Japan, is also a contestant. A known practitioner of alternative medicine, Dr. Sevillo Tamayo, is the lone Philippine representative for Mister VOAA Universe 2017.

“Dito sa Pilipinas, maraming walang achievement, walang activities, kulang kasi ng nagpupush,” was some of her parting words as we capped of the tete-a-tete at Max’s Restaurant. She believes in the indomitable spirit and great potential of the Filipino people that’s why even if she is based in Japan, she will continue to find ways to be of service to the nation.

   Close to 50 finalists from all over the world are expected to be there for the pageant.