E1
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor
/
Young Life
Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph
MAXINE MEDINA’S MISS UNIVERSE OUTFITS By Bernadette Lunas
Photos by Sonny Espiritu
T
HE most “confidently beautiful” day is finally happening tomorrow. But before the much-awaited event, our Miss Universe 2016 bet Maxine Medina showed fans and critics alike that we still have a fighting chance to, once again, take home the crown.
During the pageant’s Preliminary Competition on Jan. 26, Medina was all smiles as she strutted on stage and showed off her playfulness, fierceness and elegance, to the delight of the cheering crowd. Filipino designer Rhett Eala has been given the honor to create the evening gown and national costume worn by the 5-foot-8 beauty queen. Prior to this, Eala had the privilege to have the 26-year-old Miss Universe contender wear his creations during the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas finals, where he created a magenta trumpet hem fitted dress for the evening gown portion and a pink Filipiniana terno for the national costume. In earlier reports,
Medina admitted having a hard time choosing her designer, for which she thankfully had the help of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. chairperson Stella Araneta. “It’s crucial because it’s really hard to choose a gown for the finals, and to even look better on stage,” shared Medina. Aside from their winning tandem at the BBP 2016, the designer and the beauty queen has already been working together for about five years—with Medina modeling Eala’s creations. Eala describes the gowns he made for Medina for the preliminaries as “modern and sexy,” a confirmation well received by fans and spectators who have been wanting to see the fiercer side of the Philippine representative. As per Medina’s request to show off her figure, the gowns were flattering and were indeed oozing with sexiness and sophistication—and green seems to be her color of choice. Medina looked confident and like she was truly having fun as she strutted on stage wearing her Yamamay swimsuit in green and white. The charming smile she gave and twirl she did when she was introduced showed her playful side. For the evening gown segment, Medina received loud cheers as she worked the
stage in a vibrant emerald green dress, whose layered fringe skirt made it seem like it was moving with her. Her color preference was a good choice as it made her stand out from the crowd of red and white shimmery dresses. Medina’s green column dress—with its spaghetti straps, sweetheart neckline and glittered bodice—veered away from the usual pageant gowns with high slits, fitted or balloon skirts and long trains. Meanwhile, for her national costume, Eala created a show-stopping, Pearl of the Orientinspired piece that made Medina shine during the portion. The crowd went wild when she took the center stage wearing a Mindanao vinta-inspired long sleeve dress, with touches of green, paired with a reportedly million-peso headdress adorned with South Sea pearls. Now that’s an #OOTD worthy of a crown. The top 12 of the 65th Miss Universe will be determined by their combined scores from the preliminaries and online public votes. The result will be announced at the coronation night, happening on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Let’s cheer for our favorite contestant tomorrow—may that be Medina or the other beauty queens.
Jeffrey Juanego and son Jeffrey John
SPORTS BRING OUT THE BEST IN KIDS “FULL support is vital especially if you want your kids to excel in their sport,” says Alexander Arabia, a proud father who supports his son Alejandro’s basketball clinic every weekend. Alexander understands that getting children into sports is vital to their overall development. But more importantly he knows that moral, emotional and financial support are equally important to help kids be better athletes and people, in general. This is espoused at the recently concluded SBP-Passerelle, the longest running twin tournament in the country organized by BEST (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training). The said tournament gives importance on the vital role of parents, coaches and school officials in shaping the kids to become better individuals. “At BEST Center, we encourage parents to be role models to their kids by imposing good behavior and promoting fair play and sportsmanship,” shares BEST Center founder and former national coach Nicanor Jorge. The said values, he emphasizes, will serve as good foundation for the kids to learn from.
Maxine in Sherri Hill halter dress during the parade of nations
SHE SLAYED IT. Hometown bet Maxine
Medina showed her playful and fierce side during Miss Universe 2016 Preliminary Competition where she wore a Yamamay swimsuit in white and green during the swimsuit portion, emerald green fringe dress in the evening gown segment, and a Mindanao vintainspired long sleeve dress as national costume.
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Alexander Arabia and son Alejandro
Turn to E2
BULLETIN BOARD
ACSLV68 TO HOLD FUNDRAISING SALE
Some of the unique and exquisite items sold at Cabinet of Curiosities pop-up shop
IN A bid to support the 24 scholars of the Assumption Convent San Lorenzo Village High School ‘68 (ACSLV68) Association, Inc, the group will hold the Cabinet of Curiosities pop-up event at Makati Garden Club on Feb. 2-4. ACSLV68 is an association established in 2004 by high school classmates who have maintained a close friendship spanning more than five decades. They provide scholarship to deserving high school and college students Since 2013, the group holds a fundraising event dubbed Birds in Paradise, where-
in they sell stunning and unique items sourced from around the world. The wares include European antiques, contemporary furniture and soft furnishings, antiquarian Filipiniana prints and maps, 19th century Russian icons, oriental carpets, crystal decanters, silver, tableware, and others exquisite pieces. This year, the three-day pop-up shop will be called Cabinet of Curiosities. From supporting a day care center in Lupang Pangako in Payatas, the ACSLV68 has since expanded their program to providing high school and college scholarships “as a
way of helping in community and nation building, and to inspire the younger generation to be responsible citizens.” Fourteen college scholars are currently completing their degrees in Law, Journalism, Business Administration, Accountancy, Basic Education, Customs Administration, Radiologic Technology, Computer Engineering, Public Administration and Physics in different colleges and universities in Metro Manila. Ten more students are in high school. For more information, email birdsofparadise2016@gmail.com.
Young Life
E2
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017 isahred@gmail.com
SPORTS...
From E1
Vanni and Maricel Jugo with sons Camilo and Javi (De La Salle Greenhills SBP) and Julian (De La Salle Passerelle)
Hence Alexander shares how driving them to practice, silently cheering them on at the sidelines, and fetching them afterwards, can help parents get to know more about their kids. For Yuan Pasumbal of International School of Better Beginnings (ISBB), his parents are not the only ones who fully support his passion—all of his three siblings are also present in every competition he’s in. “We never miss any game, wherever and whenever they may be,” say Yuan’s parents Fredrick and Reinates. Coaches also play an important role in child development. They are the kids’s role models and are responsible for their performance on the court as well as on how they behave off court. “Coaches serve as examples for kids to follow,” enthuses coach Ronie Gallo of Ferndale International School of Zamboanga City. Coach Ronie’s son is one of the players of his team, yet he admits to never having any favorites. “As both parent and coach, I never play favorites, [I instead] emphasize the importance of fair play and teach them to accept the results of the game, whether [they] win or lose,” shares the father-coach. Contrary to what others think about sports being a hindrance to learning, Bro. Felipe Belleza of De La Salle notes how sports complement education. “While studying sharpens their academic skills, playing sports helps build character. They do not develop talent but also learn life skills which they can use throughout their lives, regardless of whatever profession or path they choose to take.” Call (02) 411-6260, 372-3066, 372-3065 or email bestcentersports@gmail.com for more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments.
BEST Center’s Marilyn Jorge and De La Salle’s Bro. Felipe Belleza
NOSTALGIA TRIPPING: 6 COOL TOYS OF ‘90S KIDS By John Ray Villanueva
I
N THE time when Internet and gadgets were not yet taking over children’s playtime, kids in the glorious ‘90s era had to be creative and resourceful in coming up with toys they can play with friends.
Indeed, as the philosopher Plato once said, “Necessity is the agility to avoid the sipa from falling on the ground. mother of invention.” This used to be our National Sports—using a different kind Who would have thought that a small marble could set a of ball—until it was changed to Arnis in 2009. friendship afire, and a piece of teks could end it? Who would have thought that a rubber band would be a source of fun? Tamagotchi Let’s go and take a trip down memory lane to see the toys This is the first virtual pet device the ‘90s kids have enjoyed. introduced in the Philippines. The aim of the game is to take care of your Teks pet from its birth up to its adult stage. Every boy in the neighForgetting to feed them or even borhood had probably bathe them are strictly prohibited come home crying from since pets could also get sick which losing these miniature might be the cause of their death. cards to his friends. Hence many have actually spent Popularly known to Filimore time taking care of their virtual pinos as teks, these cards pals than their selves. are usually played in a betting game where the winView-master ner takes home his oppoIf this generation has VR nent’s cards. goggles, the kids of the ‘90s To play, players toss the cards in the air, and whoever betted had View-master. on the side that came face up won, and will take all the cards This gadget has two reels thrown as a prize. that merge inside. It shows Perseverance is a virtue in this game because once you lose three-dimensional images your teks, you may keep on playing to take everything back again. that are just photographs of the same subject. Aroma Beads or ‘Kisses’ The reels of View-masWho would ever forget the ter have at least 14 photos to beads that fooled a lot of ‘90s kids? show in 3D scenes. Technically, these aroma beads are not toys, but it had Brick Game amused a lot of youngsters in Brick Game has arguably honed the that era. So amusing that kids logical thinking of many ‘90s kids. believed these aromatic air It is an affordable, battery-operfresheners multiplied on their ated gadget that comes in various own if you kept them in a cot- designs. ton inside a matchbox or any other container. It allows users to play a monoThe truth, however, is these kisses are absorbent, that when chrome version of Tetris, among it absorbs liquid, their size increases thus creating an illusion other brick games, using buttons that they multiply. similar to NES. This game used to be popular Sipa among children and adults. This is most likely the reason why many ‘90s kids have good kicking skills. Truly, the ‘90s kids had great childSipa, the toy, is made of small metal washer hood. They had the chance to spend and colorful plastic straws. The players must their leisure outside with their playkick it up repeatedly to the air, without it mates, without much influence from touching the ground. This game requires the digital world.
SIMPLE DAYS. With no Internet and mobile devices, the ‘90s kids whiled the time away with toys and gizmos that are simple and somehow unconventional.
LOVE AND CARE FOR CAMBODIAN CHILDREN
Choi Gee-sung gives out goodie bags to children in Cambodia
MORE than 2,800 children in Cambodia benefitted from the second “Samsung Love and Care” of Samsung Electronics. The company’s annual regional employee volunteer program gathered 56 employees from 11 countries to spend quality time with the youth in a bid to address pressing educational gaps and social issues in the country. The program, which kicked off on October 2016, will run over the course of three years. “We are always committed to go beyond business achievements and to contribute back to the communities,” enthused Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania vice president for Corporate Marketing Irene Ng. She added, “Following last year’s success and earnest positive feedback from volunteers, we are excited to be in Cambodia this year for this meaningful initiative. We believe that technology can go a long way in empowering youths.” Samsung employee-volunteers, together with nongovernmental organizations Pour Un Sourire D’enfant and People Improvement Organization, organized education and interactive activities for the underprivileged children in local communities in Cambodia, building ties and bringing joy to the community. Using Samsung tablets and mobile learning apps, the
Samsung employeevolunteers interact with kids using tablet computers and learning apps
volunteers bonded with children over interactive learning games, teaching them numerical and literacy skills. They also helped with simple refurbishments for the schools, such as giving a fresh coat of paint for the classroom walls and tables. Tree planting, wherein children were taught how to care for environment, allowed for cultural exchange among volunteers and locals. “By addressing the local needs and focusing on the children’s wellbeing, we want to make a positive difference. For our employees, this is our chance to give our best to the community of Cambodia,” said Ng.
Showbiz
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017
E3
Miss Dominican Republic Sal Garcia
Miss USA Deshauna Barber
Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar
Miss Brazil Raissa Santana
FEARLESS FORECAST...
From E4
Top6
Miss USA Deshauna Barber If the first part of the competition were the Q and A portion, Barber would be first on the list. Her strong projection, toned body and simple feminine red gown during the prelims have already secured her a spot but Barber needs to work extra once she enters the semifinals because she can only captivate the judges with her strong communication skills once she advances in the top 6. Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar She may have gained weight but still shone in shimmering gold evening gown with big raffles. Her looking heavy was obvious during the swimsuit round and National Costume parade. Prior to her arrival in Manila, she’s the biggest threat to the crown but as the competition nears, more and more girls are showing their best efforts making the competition much even tougher for the perceived frontrunners. Miss Brazil Raissa Santana Just like the other frontrunners, Santana started off strong but slowly faded when she hit the stage during the prelims. She worked the stage with athletic-type body and glistening white see-through gown but there delegates who outshone her “just above average” performance. With her stunning look and figure, Santana is still one of the girls to watch out for.
Miss Germany Lana Broder
Top 9
Miss Dominican Republic Sal Garcia She looked divine and flawless onstage. This international model who walked the runway for popular brands owned the stage with her long, beautiful body and white see-through gown. She looks sensational with led and spotlights training on her but the same thing cannot be said of this pageant queen when people see her up-close. Miss Germany Lena Bröder She is a total package. With extraordinary performance in swimsuit and aqua serpentine evening gown, she can secure a spot in the semifinals. And if her performance during the closed-door interview with the judges was even better, we wouldn’t be surprised if this German beauty gets a higher placement. Miss Spain Noelia Freire The Spanish stunner is very consistent in terms of her style. During the preliminaries, Freire looked like a goddess on stage with her great body and brilliant see-through gown. Just like the two other delegates on this list, she might pull off a great surprise during the grand coronation.
Dashing Derek Ramsay with the reigning queen Pia Wurtzbach host the pageant's crucial event that will determine the 12 delegates that will advance in the final round - Image by Sonny Espiritu
Bubbling up The following delegates are better alternatives: Miss Nicaragua Marina Jacoby - good overall stage projection with stunning face and high slit red evening gown; Miss Argentina Estefania Bernal - was hot in her classy pastel blue evening gown; Miss France Iris Mittenaere - stood out with to die for body and shimmering yellow gown; and Miss Sierra Leone Hawa Kamara– our, and the fans, sentimental favorite. - With Eton B. Concepcion
Miss Spain Noelia Freire
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday, January 29, 2017
ACROSS 1 Falafel bean 5 Figure of speech 10 Colder than cold 16 Pine cousin 21 Historical periods 22 Uptight 23 Conductor Antal — 24 January, in Jalisco 25 Volt or watt 26 High mark (hyph.) 27 Made up for 28 Nobelist from Egypt 29 Water color? (2 wds.) 31 Japanese honorific 33 Famous last words 35 Ltd. cousin 36 “Nick of Time” singer 37 Film, as of dust 40 Baja “Mrs.” 41 Hermes’ mother 42 Tattered cloth 45 Steely, as nerves 46 Ecol. bureau 48 Labor org. 50 Erudite person 52 Votes in 54 Scrooge’s nephew 55 Chilly in Chile 57 Drag along 58 Taboos (hyph.) 59 Brown songbird 60 Vitamin amts. 62 Calculus pioneer 66 1960s space chimp 67 Latin dance (hyph.) 69 Apollo’s priestess at Delphi 71 Luxury car 72 Back down (2 wds.) 74 Rural elec. provider 76 Tizzies 78 Pen part 79 Reebok rival 80 Some Voltaire works 83 Foot pedal 85 Here, to Pierre 88 No longer chic 89 Salvers 90 Town named for a Great Plains tribe 93 Fools with photos 95 Entre — (confidentially) 97 “— be a pleasure” 98 In the wake of 100 Auntie Em’s st. 101 Elephant or swan 106 Simon or Diamond 108 Lens settings 110 Junk food 112 Ogden or old car 113 Horse handler 115 Hobgoblin 116 Thinnest coin 117 Ipso — 118 King, to monsieur
120 Canceled 122 “Star Trek” speed 123 Softly lustrous 124 Anchoring place 128 Fair-hiring abbr. 129 Authorizes 130 Blimp, for short 131 Weathervane dir. 132 “Judith” composer 133 Shale extract 135 El — (ocean current) 137 Olfactory stimulus 139 Pouch 140 Map collection 142 Funny-peculiar 144 Menacing 148 Hot coffee hazard 150 Tabloid staffer 153 Win by — — 155 Fidel’s country 156 J.R.’s mama 157 Some macaroni 158 Talks up 159 Premed class 160 Shoulder muscles 161 Get cozy 162 Mete out 163 Sheet of stamps DOWN 1 Satyr 2 Hindu god of fire 3 Hide 4 Purplish flower 5 Emphatic letters 6 Agent 7 Small bay 8 Columbus sch. 9 Muddle 10 Bell town of fiction 11 Compost 12 — -Magnon 13 Indian Ocean feeder 14 Things 15 Apple juice 16 Reduced 17 Santa — winds 18 Call again 19 They have brains 20 Stolen auto (2 wds.) 30 Worms and flies 32 School (abbr.) 34 Table salt 38 — Wiedersehen 39 Dawdle 41 Ski slope bump 42 Keep subscribing 43 Solo 44 Columbus’ port 46 Builds 47 Phnom — 49 AAA or EE 51 Shade 53 Steppes horseman 54 Herr’s spouse 56 Where Waikiki is 59 Rider’s command
61 63 64 65 67 68 69 70 73 75 77 81 82 84 85 86 87 91 92 93 94 95 96 99 102 103 104 105 107
Go through carefully Evans or Hunt A Bronte sister Pajama coverers XV x X + 1 Raids Pastors Egypt’s cont. A Peron Far-reaching view Organize (2 wds.) PFC mail drop Always, to Whitman Weapons cache Striving to win Movie with a posse “City of Festivals” — the wall Crash-probing org. Small parachute Cellar access Microwave Mantra chants Jacket style Sgt. Preston’s group Pushpins Basso Simon — Avignon’s river “The Maltese Falcon”
109 111 114 117 119 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 130 134 136 137 138 140 141 143 145 146 147 149 151 152 154
villain Bridge tower Can. neighbor Kiwi’s extinct cousin Sitar music “— — Rhythm” Luau welcome Knock on — Earliest Crowded together Ancient consultant Carrying a beeper (2 wds.) Soprano — Farrell Monte — sandwich King-size spoon Vikings “Don’t tell — —!” Show biz org. Citrus coolers Twins, e.g. PC fodder Popular salad Diplomat Abba — Deem Put a match to Booster seat user Mouse catcher Cambodia’s Lon —
E4
Showbiz
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com
65TH MISS UNIVERSE FEARLESS FORECAST
By Nickie Wang
M
EETING the 86 Miss Universe delegates up-close allowed us to know a little bit of their personalities and see how different they look in person compared to their pre-arrival studio photos.
And now, seeing them in motion on stage during the preliminaries gave us an entirely different perspective on these women vying for the coveted tittle. On Thursday night, the candidates brought their ‘A’ game in their Yamamay swimsuits and mostly glittering evening gowns. As expected, some of the girls were a big surprise, some met and exceeded our expectations, and there were those who lost their luster while performing before a set of judges that will determine the 11 delegates (the 12th will be determined via fan votes) who will advance to the finals tomorrow. Hosts Derek Ramsay and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach introduced the preliminary round judges, namely, Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, model Cynthia Bailey, former journalist and publicist Rob Goldstone, People’s Choice Awards Executive Producer Fred Nelson, social entrepreneur and women’s empowerment activist Francine LeFrank and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori. In what we call our “fearless forecast,” we are coming up with a list of delegates who performed exceptionally well during the preliminary competition held at the Mall of Asia.
Top 3 Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach She is every inch a beauty queen. The 21-year-old stunner had a very strong presence onstage. Her 5-foot-11- frame complimented her killer body well owning one of the best figures in this year’s batch. Her dramatic, white feathery evening gown with down comforter rocked the MU stage, and that performance alone put her on our list as one of the delegates who are likely to win the crown.
Miss Philippines Maxine Medina The classy hometown girl owned the preliminaries if we are to base it on the deafening cheers of the crowd at the MOA Arena. Medina brought her “A” game strong swimsuit catwalk and stylishly unique emerald green string gown – a standout among mostly glittering white, red and blue ensembles. But, she definitely in a challenging situation. First, only seven candidates have been crowned in their hometown. Secondly, the first back-to-back victory happened just a few years ago. Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane She is a social media darling and a crowd favorite. Even local pageant fans were cheering for her during the prelims. She had an excellent catwalk during the swimsuit round and stunned the Arena with her shimmering two-toned gown. Suansane looked confident onstage as if she’d kill just to get the crown. Turn to E3
FRONT-RUNNERS. Among 86 candidates competing for the coveted Miss Universe crown, Venezuela's Mariam Habach, hometown girl Maxine Medina, and Thailand's Chalita Suansane are favored to win based on their performance during the preliminary competition.
BOYZ II MEN PERFORMS
AT MISS U GRAND CORONATION
Grammy-award winning vocal group Boyz II Men will serenade the finalists at Miss Universe grand coronation tomorrow
THERE’S no Bruno Mars but Miss Universe fans should not be disappointed. The Miss Universe Organization announced Wednesday night that the Grammy-winning group Boyz II Men joins the lineup of artists slated to perform in the coronation night (say in Manila) of the 65th Miss Universe tomorrow. The group, best known for hits like “I’ll Make Love To You” and “On Bended
Knee,” will perform on the same stage as American rapper Flo Rida. The group’s other hits include “End of the Road,” “One Sweet Day,” “4 Seasons of Loneliness” and “Water Runs Dry.” They won two Grammy awards in 1994. This is not the first time Boyz II Men will perform in the Philippines, having held a concert back in 2014 at Smart Araneta Coliseum as part a world tour promoting their album, “Collide.”
Confidently beautiful Pia Wurtzbach
5 REASONS
PIA WURTZBACH IS THE ‘BEST MISS UNIVERSE EVER’ MISS Universe is definitely not just about the glitz and glamor, it is also about fulfilling a greater set of duties and responsibilities as a representative of the organization. In 2015, the then 26-year old pageant veteran Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach won the prestigious title besting 79 other candidates. Apart from bringing pride to the Philippines, the reigning Miss Universe has done outstanding work for the MUO she’s now tagged as the best “Best Miss Universe Ever.” As she relinquishes her crown we’re listing down the reasons why she’s really worthy of the crown. She is now the Miss Universe Organization ambassador There are few reasons why she’s the “best Miss Universe ever,” and extending her work with MUO as its ambassador even after her reign is just one of those. No doubt that Pia is the best woman for the job as she has exceeded the expectation of MUO. Hence, she’ll continue working for the organization. Social media darling With over 2 million followers on Instagram, Pia became the most followed Miss Universe titleholder in the history of the pageant. All of her posts, from her crowning moment to her Miss Universe journeys, stunning photo shoots, holiday pictures, and personal posts, her social media followers can’t get enough of her Miss Universe life update. Unconventional beauty queen She is a modern Filipina and breaks beauty queen stereotypes. According to former Miss USA Olivia Jordan, Pia knows what she wants, she’s sure of herself, and knows how to get what she wants without putting aside her principles. She’s fearless, she’s brave, and she’s a strong person. A champion of well-meaning causes Apart from HIV/Aids awareness advocate, Pia is also a champion of the LGBT community. She thanked the LGBT fans right after her win and she consoles the victims of Orlando shooting. She renounces terror attacks against the members of the community. She is “confidently beautiful with a heart” Part of Pia’s everyday routine is serving meals to people with severe illness through a non-profit organization God’s Love We Deliver based in New York. She also works tirelessly with Project Sunshine to provide free educational, recreational, and social programs to children facing medical challenges and their families.