6 Bb. hopefuls from showbiz

Fifty were picked from the more than a hundred that applied for the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant slated for April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, covered live by ABS-CBN. Six of them are from showbiz. Here they are, gathered from reports by Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib, and Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas:

•  Pia Wurtzbach (a.k.a. Pia Romero) of Cagayan de Oro, 23, 5’8”, Culinary Arts graduate and member of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle 11 who has appeared in several TV shows.
• Cindy Miranda of Nueva Ecija, 23, 5’9”, UST B.S. Tourism cum laude graduate, former Miss Teen Philippines Region I, Miss Philippines Earth Baguio 2008, Miss Tourism Ambassadress Baguio 2008, Miss Camp 2010, Miss Ideal Thomasian Personalities 2010 first runner-up (to Janine Tugonon), one of the Sexy 3Gs Unofficial Housemates of PBB Unlimited (2011) and co-host of Wil Time Bigtime (now Wowowillie).
• Theresa Marie Fenger (a.k.a. Lana Roi) of Quezon City, 25, 5’9”, with a degree in Music, former member of the all-girl band Eurasia, former Miss Global Teen Canada, Miss Mayan World 2004, Miss Vancouver Universe Canada in 2006, Century Tuna Superbods winner (2009) and one of the Top 50 in the American Idol Canada.
•  Rhea Nakpil, 23, a Starstruck Batch 3 avenger who has appeared in GMA shows.
•  Mariel de Leon, 19, 5’8”, daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong.
•  Imelda Schweighart, Miss Silka Philippines 2010, co-host of Wil Time Bigtime and a member of the cast of TV5’s Bagets.

Three titles are at stake: Miss Philippines Universe, Bb. Pilipinas-International and Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism. Reigning queen is Janine Tugonon, 2012 Miss Universe first runner-up.

Christian’s popularity in Indonesia growing

The irony of it all is that Christian Bautista seems to be more popular in Indonesia (and Malaysia) than he is at home and his popularity is growing in those countries.

Last Feb. 14, Christian performed at the Hotel Mulia, a luxury hotel in Senavan, Jakarta, as the personal choice to topbill the sold-out Valentine concert.

“We are delighted with the concert’s success,” said Mulia’s executive assistant manager.

Christian then flew to Palu, the capital of Sulawesi, southeast of Indonesia, where he performed at the Space Bar.

“I was surprised when I saw my face on billboards, print ads and even in mobile ads on cars,” said Christian.

Kris does an Oprah

Remember when Oprah Winfrey surprised her studio audience by giving all of them cars?

Kris Aquino will do an Oprah, although not in that magnitude but a first by local standard, on Monday, Feb. 25, when her ABS-CBN show Kris TV goes live.

“Bongga!,” Kris texted Funfare. “It’s patterned after Oprah’s Favorite Things and it’s our most ambitious episode ever.”

The take-home goodies include: All variants of Pantene, Safeguard, Olay, Downy and Ariel with new Union washing machine for each; (Kris’) Bench fragrances, all Special by Lucky Me variants, all Fiesta Noodles, all San Marino, Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines, one case of Coke & Wilkins, one pair of F&H Jeans, KOR drinking bottle, Face Shop makeup, Maggi products etc., Petron ELoad and Globe load worth P500.

Eighteen of the audience will get fabulous prizes like vacation getaway in Misibis Bay, Discovery Shores Boracay and Crimson Mactan; summer wardrobes from Kamiseta, Bayo, Plains & Prints, formal wear from Avel Bacudio (sponsored by Boardwalk), his & hers Philip Stein watches, all brands of shoes from Ben Chan’s empire, his & hers for an entire shoe wardrobe, iPad mini from Globe, LV bag and Sexy Solutions from Dr. Vicki Belo.

The bookworms (“Like us,” said Kris) will get 51 James Patterson titles from National Bookstores; while two people will get shopping sprees in S&R and two for Toy Kingdom.

“O,” boasted Kris, “di ba bongga!?”

What’s up?

•  Official statement from Bong Osorio, head of Integrated Corporate Communications Division of ABS-CBN Corporation: Aiza Seguerra is a valued member of the top-rating Kapamilya daytime series Be Careful With My Heart family and her character, Kute, is integral to the narrative of the show. It is not true that she has resigned from the show.
•  Condolence to immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles and her family on the death of her mother, Sabrina Agraviador, last Feb. 14 in California. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting sympathizers to donate to the Marilou Popera Memorial Foundation. Jemela may be reached at (213)234-9591 or e-mail [email protected]; or you may contact Revena Acosta at (562)219-6695 or James Saspa at (818)744-4420.
•  Trumpets is holding auditions for The Bluebird: A Magical Musical, a brand-new original Filipino musical based on the play The Bluebird by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck. Open auditions will be held tomorrow, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Talent School of Academics & Arts at 1157 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. For more info, call Trumpets office at 901-4364.

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