THEY say that there is indeed strength in numbers. The buzz about Miss Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant is certainly strong this year, if we were to base it on the number of posts and links on Facebook, blogs and pageant-related web sites. We hope she does well in the finals tomorrow morning.
The five-member vocals group The CompanY is sharing the concert stage with the guys from Side A and this concert is touted as the one to watch this month.
The number of bikini-open contests has mushroomed over the past few years—some legit, some as sleazy as can be. Mossimo and Hataw are the two most recent contests that have garnered attention.
The fate of Miss Philippines
THE online voting for the Miss Universe 2011 pageant closes today and whoever tops the online voting automatically gets a seat in the semifinals of what remains as the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant.
Pageant aficionados from all over the world have started to cast their votes and Philippine representative Shamcey Supsup is getting a lot of attention based on blogs, pageant web sites and other popular forms of social media.
Miss Universe followers reckon that whether Miss Philippines tops the online voting, it looks like she’s guaranteed a seat in the semifinals alongside the candidates from Puerto Rico, Greece, France and Malaysia, touted as the dark horse in this year’s pageant.
Realistically though, it’s anybody’s game, since the semifinalists have already been determined after the preliminary competition a few days ago. The important thing is, if Miss Philippines makes it to the semis, then she has to really impress the judges and not clam up like former Philippine representatives Miriam Quiambao (1999) and Venus Raj (2010), both of whom were so close to winning the crown had they not fumbled during the final question-and-answer portion.
In the end, the numbers and the Internet hype do not count, because only the digits given by the judges matter. Incidentally, one of judges will be Philippine theater icon Lea Salonga. Brazil’s Sao Paulo City plays host to this year’s bevy of beautiful ladies from around the globe, each wishing to take home the crown.
Can’t miss this
TWO of the most enduring music groups in the country are joining forces on September 16 at the Resorts World Manila. The CompanY and Side A are sure to delight those who will troop to the Newport Performing Arts Theater with their wonderful collaborations.
From song selection to music arrangements by Side A’s Naldy Gonzales and The CompanY’s Moy Ortiz, the concert promises to be one for the books. We learned that the repertoire will cover three decades and most definitely, the timeless hits of the two groups will be rendered in dynamic production numbers.
Annie Quintos of The CompanY told us that their group is so excited about this show, which is being produced by Viva Entertainment. “We all know that Side A is in a league of its own, and these guys are not only well-loved but respected by those who follow local music. After our show with Jose Mari Chan recently, this one is definitely an amazing follow-up for our vocal group. This is definitely a dream come true.” Quintos is in the good company of Cecile Bautista, Jay Marquez, Sweet Plantado and Moy Ortiz.
On the other hand, Joey Generoso, front man of Side A, seemed to be lost for words when asked how he feels about this fusion of music styles: “It is simply so difficult to describe. Having Side A perform back to back with The CompanY is a musical challenge and we have to rise to their level of professionalism and musical excellence. We have agreed that the show has to be fun, first and foremost, and I’m sure it will not just be fun but fabulous!”
Stepping stone
Expect tickets to be sold out every time there is a bikini-open competition. It seems like people never get tired of watching sexy ladies and gorgeous men flaunt their bodies onstage.
We got hold of a photo of the winners of the recently concluded Hataw Bodies search. The winners, Jared Alvero and Cheska Lacson, look like they are inching closer to their dreams of becoming showbiz newcomers.
Alvero, who said he goes to the gym five times a week, was the unanimous choice of the judges. “I think that bikini-open contests serve as platforms for people who value fitness and health to showcase the fruits of their hard work at the gym.”
For her part, Lacson shared that most of the contestants want to have a comfortable life, and the bikini open is a way for them to get noticed—and maybe, just maybe, get discovered as future stars. “There’s nothing wrong in flaunting our bodies. We worked hard to achieve what we have. And if this is our way of being discovered for TV and the movies, then so be it.”
In Photo: MISS Universe Philippines representative Shamcey Supsup
