2 Binibini's vie in international tilts

Three weeks ago, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2002 Kristine Reyes Alzar (The Pride of Lipa City) came home with the Miss Tourism International Ukraine Black Sea 2002 title she won (over two dozen other hopefuls) in Odessa, Ukraine. In November, Kristine will go to Hawaii for the Miss International contest for which she was officially chosen.

Meanwhile, two more Binibinis have been tapped for other international pageants in Turkey this month. Here’s the report of Funfare’s "beauty experts" Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel:

Last July 12, three gorgeous ladies were presented to the press photographers and media at the Oasis (formerly Gazebo) of the Araneta Coliseum.

First to compete abroad is Bb. Pilipinas-first runner-up and Miss Internet, Margaret-Ann "Ma-Ann" Awitan Bayot for the title of Miss Internet WWW 2002. The pageant is scheduled today in the ancient city of Istanbul.

The first Filipina to compete in the Miss Internet WWW was Bb. Pilipinas-International 2000, Joanna Maria Mijares Peñaloza, who won a special award.

The 20-year-old Ma-Ann stands 5’10" tall, weighs 116 lbs. and measures 34-25-35. She’s a graduating student at the Centro Escolar University where she is taking up BS Tourism.

Ma-Ann was among the crowd favorites during the Binibining Pilipinas finals where she was adjudged Miss Yehey Internet, Miss Creamsilk Beautiful Hair and Miss Photogenic. She will be competing with 49 other national beauties from other countries.

The other Binibini to compete abroad is reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Karen Loren Medrano Agustin, a 19-year-old computer science student at AMA University, who was also our bet in the Miss Universe pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 5’8" Karen, who weighs 110 lbs. and measures 35-23-35, believes she has prepared well in showcasing the Filipina beauty, intelligence and charm when she seeks to capture the Miss Globe title on its 15th edition on July 30 at the Sheraton Istanbul. Karen is up against 34 other beauties. But the bigger obstacle is that the title she is seeking is currently being held by another Filipina, Maricar "Rica" Manalaysay Balagtas, the first Filipina and first ever Asian to win the coveted title.

Karen’s experiences as participant in the last Miss Universe and her pre-pageant training in Colombia under Señores Alfredo Barraza and Javier Murillo, have given her the glow and confidence she needs to become an heiress to the throne of Maricar who was also presented to the media.

To Ma-Ann and Karen, the best of luck and may you bring back another world crown. And to Maricar Balagtas, we are proud of you.

HBO Sex and the City promo

Here is the 11th (and last) set of questions in the joint Funfare-HBO promo for Sex and the City, for the episode entitled Just Say Yes airing tonight starting at 10 (with a replay on Saturday, July 27, same time):

• What happens to Carrie when she finds a ring in Aidan’s bag?

• Who helps Aidan choose Carrie’s first engagement ring?

• How old is Trey?

• What type of ring does Aidan eventually give Carrie?

• Does Carrie accept Aidan’s proposal?

(Note: Send entries – with name and address, including title of episode – to SATC-Funfare Promo, c/o Virtusio PR, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Or e-mail to: [email protected]. Senders of the first seven sets of correct answers will get SATC notebooks and posters.)

What’s up?

• Condolences to, 1) Mario Bautista whose mother, Sabina Escobar Bautista, died at 85 in Sydney where her remains were cremated before being flown to the Philippines; 2) Joel Lamangan whose father, Marcelo de Leon Lamangan, died at 96 last July 19. His remains lie at Funeraria Alvarez in Cavite City, with interment set for Sunday, July 28; and 3) Mel Chionglo whose mother, Dominga Tan Chionglo, died on July 21; remains lie at Funeraria Paz (Quezon City) for three days, to be brought to Lucena City for burial over the weekend.

• Correction, please: Jules Ledesma said that the watch he gave his girlfriend Assunta de Rossi is a Chopard Happy Sport and not, as last Sunday’s Conversations mentioned, the Rolex owned by his late wife Maria Victoria Tsung Pek.

• From reader Mike Gonzalez, e-mailed from Los Angeles:

Have you heard of the Filipino band called Society of Seven (SOS) based in Honolulu? They are now playing in the showroom of the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and soon at the Aladdin starting September for a two-year stint. At one time, Bert Nievera and Jun Polistico were part of their band. Gary Bautista is one of their members. From what I understand, they have been performing in the Outrigger Hotel, in Honolulu for 32 years. These guys are terrific. I was so proud to see our kababayan performing so impressively in a showroom in the entertainment (mecca) capital of the world. These guys are world class.