Mr. Lapu-lapu contestants revealed

CEBU, Philippines - The first-ever search for Mr. Lapu-Lapu will not only be a contest of beauty, brains and body, but of brawns too! Just like the historical figure Lapu-Lapu, who defeated Ferdinand Magellan and his troupe of Spanish invaders in a battle by the Mactan beach in 1521— he who must be crowned come coronation night this April 16 must possess that remarkable character, physical strength and fierce love of community exemplified by the first hero of our country.

While Lapu-Lapu’s shrine stands mighty on a plaza named after him in Mactan Island as enduring reminder of his bravery, the Lapu-Lapu City’s youth need a modern-day hero they can relate to, a male image they can strive to emulate. Pageant organizers hope they will find that role model in Mr. Lapu-Lapu 2011.

Representing the different barangays of Lapu-Lapu City, the candidates were presented to the media March 15 at the Waterfront Airport Hotel in Mactan.

The finalists are: Marc Kelvin De Asis, 22, Physical Therapy student; Jiri Othello Dinsay, 20, Nursing student; Jose Felix Cleopas, 25, USPF Juniors Basketball Assistant Coach; Jesse Cortes, 21, Information Technology student; Rydell Quiblat, 21, Nursing student; Brien Nikhel Pacas, 19, high school senior; Edwin Albert Ayo, 20, Airline Management major; and George Ambrosino, 20, Engineering student.

Completing the roster are Jan Rythm Mateo, 21, Business Administration student; Pocholo Enriquez, 21, registered nurse; Loreniel Tequin, 21, Civil Engineering major; Edgar Rey Jugadora, 22, technical support representative; Patrick Grandl, 20, nursing student, Jumar Andrew Bilocura, 22, Industrial Engineering student; Rashed Al-Sughayer, 21, Electronics and Communication Engineering student; and Alexander David Lopez, 24, COOP-NATCCO administration assistant.

Lapu-Lapu City Councilor and Chairperson of the city’s tourism committee Queenie Ammann, together with pageant director and producer Dexter Alazas, strove to come up with a male pageant that focuses not on frivolity, but on community service and physical strength.

To test their skills, the guys were subjected to an island challenge in Olango ala Survivor where they were made to search for their own food. Different challenges incorporating the history and sights of Lapu-Lapu City, held in its islands and barangays will also be staged.

They also participated in feeding programs, talent showcase and a Christmas gift-giving activity with less fortunate children during pre-pageant activities that began last year yet.

On coronation night which will be held at the Hoops Dome in Gun-ob in Lapu-Lapu City, the gentlemen will present their individual community project proposal for their assigned barangay called “Hero Plan of Action”, and judges will pick whose project they think is best and most feasible.

Instead of the traditional sash, crown and scepter given to pageant victors, Mr. Lapu-Lapu 2011 will be crowned with a putong or tribal headgear, and will be awarded with a shield and sword. Special awards such as Mr. Friendship, Best in Hero Costume and Mr. Photogenic will be voted by the contestants themselves, while the awardees for Mr. Hero Personality, Mr. Physique and Mr. Popularity will be determined by online voters via Facebook.

Main hosts for the ceremonies will be Ms. Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry and Andrew Sarmiento. Segment anchors will include Ms. Cebu 2011 2nd runner-up Vanessa Amman, together with the beauty triumvirate of RCTV’s newest fashion and lifestyle show “VIDA”: Ms. Cebu 2007 Loise Angelique Tan, Ms. Cebu 2008 Sian Maynard and Ms. Cebu 2009 Kris Janson.

Homegrown talents will provide the musical entertainment, such as orchestral group Asian Troubadours and upcoming Cebu band Wonggoys.

Tickets are sold at P500, P300, P200, P100 and P50. For ticket inquiries and reservations, contact The Style Firm at 0921-520-9695. 

“World invasion: Battle Los Angeles” Opens at no. 1 in Phl, grosses P17.57m in 5 days

Columbia Pictures’ sci-fi action-thriller “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” colonized the Philippine box-office, claiming the No. 1 spot with a nationwide gross of a staggering P17.57 million for the five-day March 16 to 20 frame. This was announced by Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., the film’s local distributor.

Rolling out in 84 screens (including 10 digital 2D cinemas), the alien invasion epic is the third movie from Columbia to open at No. 1 in the country this year, following the terrific launchings of January’s “The Green Hornet” and February’s “Just Go With It.”

True to its title, “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” likewise captured the weekend’s global box-office crown overall, with similar No. 1 openings in the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, Korea, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Iceland, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates.

In the local front, Trinoma posted the highest receipts (P1.09M) followed by Greenbelt 3 (P828,966), SM Megamall (P816,274), SM Mall of Asia (P814,613), Glorietta 4 (P607,206), Power Plant (P557,959), Gaisano Davao (P533,177), Ayala Cebu (P505,840), SM North EDSA (P481,952) and Alabang Town Center (P480,006).

Also making impressive sales are Eastwood (P458,927), SM Cebu (P446,360), Greenhills (P414,072), Gateway Cineplex (P403,400), Robinsons Ermita (P383,939), Market Market (P343,237), Shangri-la Cineplex (P337,388), Newport Cinema (P323,647), SM Fairview (P311,283) and SM Bacolod (P309,864).

In the film, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world – Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before.

Still playing soon across the Philippines, “World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH. and join our fan contests. (FREEMAN)