UST Tourism stude Look of the Year bet

Jea-Ann Finuliar, 19, a B.S. Tourism student from UST, is the Philippines’ bet at the 2011 Look of the Year Model Search in which candidates are competing. Grand finals will be held tomorrow, Oct. 1, in Italy.

A former Miss Urdaneta City, the 5’10” tall Jea-Ann was chosen from hundreds of aspirants during auditions held a month ago.

Like Danica Magpantay, who won the country’s Supermodel of the World title last year and is now based in New York, Jea-Ann is traveling abroad for the first time. She echoed what every Filipina competing in similar contests abroad usually said, “I will do my very best.” As we wish her good luck, let’s hope that her best is good enough.

The Look of the Year Search started in 1983, initially known as Elite Model Look of the Year. Among those who have competed in the local search were Ruffa Gutierrez (appointed by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) in 1992, Phoemela Barranda (runner-up in 1995), Francine Prieto (Ana Marie Falcon, semi-finalist also in 1995), Nina Ricci Alagao (1997) and Collete Centeno (1997). — Reported by Funfare’s ‘beauty experts’ Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Francis Calubaquib and Gery Yumping

Shamcey gets warm welcome in GenSan

Miss Universe-Philippines Shamcey Supsup waves to her kababayan in GenSan during a rousing welcome led by City Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio (above, center) and Shamcey’s parents Timoteo and Marsi and other relatives

A staffer of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) estimated that 400,000 of GenSan’s 600,000-plus residents poured into the streets to give their kababayan Shamcey Supsup a warm welcome when she went home last Sept. 20 after winning third runner-up (fourth place) in the Miss Universe Pageant.

The welcoming group was led by Rep. Jun Acharon and GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio who prepared a whole-day activity kicked off by a parade, followed by a presscon at the City Hall where Shamcey displayed her now-famous tsunami walk. The day was capped by a variety show where the GenSan Idols (one member is Shamcey’s cousin), theater groups and True Colors performed.

Between the activities, Shamcey was able to get a breather at the Sarangani Highlands.

What’s up?

• Omitted in yesterday’s Body Talk with Martin del Rosario (photo) was the name of the school where he’s studying — that is, UP (Business Administration major in Entrepreneurship). Martin finished grade school and high school at Lourdes School where he was a consistent honor student.

• Starting on Sunday, Oct. 2, Mar d’Guzman Cruz’s Showbiz Power with Kuya Mar will be heard from 4 to 6 p.m. instead of the usual 6 to 8 p.m. over DZXL (558 am). The show is packed full with juicy showbiz news. Tune in.

• To celebrate his 25th anniversary in showbiz, Jun Lalin is mounting a show at Zirkoh (Tomas Morato, Quezon City) tomorrow night, Oct. 1, starting at 10 p.m., featuring Ogie Alcasid, Solenn Heussaff, Carla Abellana, Faith Cuneta, Selina Sevilla, Darius Razon and child singer Jayson Lacson, plus Ate Gay.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on http://www.twitter/therealrickylo.)