Year 2020 is only one month old so it’s not too late to take a misty-eyed look at more achievers on the international scene, is it?
Here they are
• Alden Richards — Asian Star Prize, 14th Seoul International Drama Awards, South Korea, Aug. 28.
• Bea Alonzo — Asian Stars Up Next Award, 4th International Film Festival & Awards, Macao, Dec. 10.
• Bayanihan — First prize, 1st Federation of International Dance Festivals, 15th International Folklore Festival, Brazil, Sept. 15.
• UPLB Choral Ensemble — First prize, 16th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf, Germany, June 11; champion, Asia Choral Grand Prix, Cultural Center of the Philippines, July 21; and second place, Cantarode International Choral Festival, Netherlands, June 2.
• Aleron — Grand champion, 2nd Limburger Male Choir Festival, Germany, May 19. Also recipient of special prize of the Hessian Prime Minister. Conductor Christopher Arceo received the Special Choirmaster Prize.
• VPeepz — Winner, Junior Team Division, 2019 NBC World Dance Season 3, April 28; fourth place, 2019 NBC World of Dance Season 3 Finals, USA, May 5; and fourth place, 2019 Superbowl of the Dance Community in the 2019 Body Rock Dance Competition, USA, July 30.
• La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company (DLSU Dasmariñas) — First place, Adult Category, International Dance Organization World Folklore Festival, South Korea, Oct. 6.
• Cavite Institute Marilag Folkdance Troupe — First place, Junior Category, International Dance Organization World Folklore Festival, South Korea, Oct. 6.
• Nilo Alcala — The American Prize (Professional Choral Division-Major Choral Works Category) for his Manga Pakalagian (Ceremonies), USA, July 15.
• Teenage — Grand champion, 2019 K-Pop Dance Cover Festival, South Korea, Sept. 28.
• Ligao National High School Voice Chorale (Albay, Bicol) — Grand prize, 65th Torrevieja International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition, Spain, July 27. It won first prize for both Habaneras Ricardo Lafuente and Polyphony Juan Aparicio categories.
• PAREF Woodrose School Chorale (Muntinlupa City) — Grand Prix, Folklore Category, 14th International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music, Slovakia, Dec. 8.
• Jovan Aquino — Grand winner, The One (singing reality show), United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1.
• Katrina Casia — Winner (Below 21), The One (singing reality show), United Arab Emirates, Jan. 1.
• Marlon Macabaya — Winner, 2019 Stars of Albion Grand Prix, United Kingdom, March 3.
• Kristelle Moira Layugan — Grand champion, 2019 Dior European Children’s Wear New Appreciation Show & Global Shining Child Model Competition, China, Dec. 22.
• Kenyo Street Fam, Reinvent and Academy of God — Gold, silver and bronze, respectively, in the Open Division of the 2019 World Supremacy Battlegrounds held in Australia, Oct. 6.
—With a report from Celso de Guzman Caparas
MUPO slates 1st pageant for May 3
The new Miss Universe Philippines Org. (MUPO) announced the date and venue of its maiden search at a press conference at the Empire Studios, BGC, The Fort, Taguig City on Jan. 29.
The pageant will be held on May 3 at the Mall Of Asia (MOA). The TV partner has yet to be announced.
Those behind the search were also formally introduced, namely Mario Garcia (Business Development and Marketing head), Albert Andrada (Design Council head), Lia Ramos (Women Empowerment and Charity head), Shamcey Supsup-Lee (national director), lawyer Nad Bronce (Legal Affairs head), Jonas Antonio Gaffud (creative director), Raymond Francisco (Frontrow Philippines president) and Sam Verzosa (Frontrow Philippines CEO).
“The new Miss Universe Philippines is more than a brand. It is an organization that encourages women to become empowered individuals, who also embody the mission of being agents of meaningful change wherever they are,” according to part of Supsup-Lee’s announcement.
Also discussed was the Accredited Partners Program. Bronce said, “With the purpose of selecting the proud bearer of the Miss Universe Philippines title, a Filipina who best represents the country on the universal stage, MUPO aims to forge the gold standard of national pageants around the world…”
Added Ramos, “As Miss Universe Philippines, she will have a great platform to be able to make a difference in the lives of many Filipinos not just in the Philippines but also around the world. She’ll be at the forefront of working for many different causes that may include sending kids to school, helping Overseas Filipino Workers, giving livelihood to women and raising funds for victims of calamities. In fact, last December, the MUPO turned over cash donations, US$16,500 each to Smile Train and Hope for Change.”
Gaffud revealed what prizes are in store for the winner and runners-up: “The four runners-up will get major cash prizes and guaranteed income. She will have her own apartment, car, driver, personal assistant and personal stylist. She will also receive the biggest cash prize in the history of Philippine pageantry. Simply put, it is going to be a life fit for a queen.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)