Lance undergoes final surgery on broken face

The picture of Lance Raymundo on this page was taken in the morning of April 7 during a commercial break of the live telecast of ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda. 

“It’s my very first solo picture since the accident on March 19 that disfigured my face and my reconstructive surgery by Dr. John Michael Porquez on March 25,” Lance told Funfare.

Has Lance’s pretty boy face been completely restored? Not quite. Last Tuesday morning, April 29, Lance underwent still another (the final) surgery to complete his facial reconstruction.

“The titanium implants have successfully merged with the bones of his skull,” Lance’s mom Nina Zaldua-Raymundo said, “and the exterior parts of his face have healed enough for the final surgery.”

Nina added that during the four-hour procedure, the doctor(s) harvested a cartilage from Lance’s ear and transplanted it into his nose to give it permanent support and restore its original shape which was badly damaged by the freak accident that happened at the gym where Lance was working out.

“It’s a minor operation compared to the first one,” said Nina who texted Funfare yesterday that the surgery was successful. “Prayer helped a lot, too, in enabling Reggie (Lance’s nickname) regain his original look.”

As good as new, that is.

Juicy items from the beauty front

The Aces & Queens recently hosted a victory party at Wangfu Greenhills for the group’s two bets who won at the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas pageant, Yvethe Santiago (Supranational) and Marianne Guidotti (International), plus Laura Lehmann (first runner-up).

According to Gerry Diaz, the BDO executive who’s a bona fide member of A&Q, also present at the party were 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup and her husband Lloyd Lee, and Pia Wurtzbach (who won public sympathy when she finished only a semi-finalist in this year’s search, with judge Sen. Sonny Angara “blamed” for it because he opted to ask Pia a question in Tagalog during the crucial Q&A portion).

The search for the 2014 Mr. World Philippines  was launched recently by CQ Global Quest, Inc., chaired by Cory Quirino and new partner Ayala Malls. Fifteen to 20 official candidates will compete for the title at the grand finals on May 21. The winner, to succeed 2012 Mr. World Philippines Andrew Wolff (who finished first runner-up in that year’s Mr. World contest), will represent the country in the 20134 Mr. World contest in Torbay, England, on June 15.

“Mr. World is all about brains, brawn and personality,” said Cory.

— Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

Albay which is fast becoming known as the Beauty Capital of the Philippines, crowned another queen last April 26 at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City. Jacqueline Bernarte of Bacacay, Albay, was crowned Daragang Magayon 2014 by outgoing queen Louvelle Bitara. Runner-ups were: Miki Santiago (Legazpi City, first), Vanessa Mae Buitre (Legazpi City, second), Daragang Magayon Almasor Lourdes Aurora Cu (Polangui) and Daragang Magayon Tourism Marvi Ann de Lima (Libon).

The finals night hosted Mikael Daez was star studded. Among the celebrities invited by Gov. Salceda were 1992 Bb Pilipinas World Marina Benipayo, Lorna Tolentino, Ian Veneracion, 2013 Mr. World Philippines and Mr World 1st runner-up Andrew Wolff and Jon Hall. Also among the judges was lawyer Carol Sabio (resident judge of Daragang Magayon and Chief of Staff of the Albay Embassy.

— Reported by Gerry Diaz

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