STAR Blogger by Celso De Guzman Caparas

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas Photos CTTO  Mrs. Philippines International 2021 candidate from the Province of Rizal , CHRISTHEL FRAULEIN GARDOCE BULABON , is a single doting mother to 5 teenage boys and a lovely 10-year old girl.   She's currently competing in an international pageant and was an international titleholder in 2020.  Mrs. Rizal is a certified PADI Scuba Diver, former competitive swimmer, Go-Cart race driver, a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club of the Philippines, businesswoman, a Bayani ng Antipolo recipient, Philippine National Police recipient for her humanitarian activities specially during the pandemic.  She was recently featured in Korina Sanchez-Roxas’ Rated Korina , that has been viewed by more than 15 million to date.  Christhel loves to inspire both young and old, especially those who are battling in silence.  She’s a woman with open arms for helpless, hopeless and a voice to the voiceless. Best of luck Chr...

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos courtesy of MAPI Org. The Department of Agriculture through Secretary William Dar welcomed newly-crowned Miss Aura International Alexandra Faith Garcia. Garcia will champion FAITH or Food Always in the Home campaign ot the Department of Agriculture. Prior to winning Miss Aura International, Garcia has been an ambassador and supporter of programs and campaigns promoting food security. Alexandra Faith Garcia's Homecoming Press Conference is scheduled this coming Saturday at the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City. After her press conference, she will grace a charity pageant promoting detainees welfare and development at the Quezon City Jail. #AlexandraFaithGarcia #MissAuraInternational2021

(Among the Pinoy winners, from left, Direk Mac Alejandre, Direk Arlyn Dela Cruz, Cherie Gil and Janice de Belen) Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos : CTTOs Pinoy filmmakers and artists were among the winners at the 8th International Film Festival Manhattan  for Autumn 2021 as officially announced in their social media account.   Jury President: Emmanuel dela Cruz, Jury Members: Tassos Rigopoulos, Jameelah Rose Lineses, Brian Pollock, Jek Jumawan and Luis Pedron. The pre-recorded, edited Virtual Awards Ceremony will be broadcasted via PHLV Radio from New York City, USA on October 31.  Here's the complete list of nominees and winners : LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS : 1) Junior Lifetime Achievement Award Organization: Talent & Skills (Gherald Alaman) (USA) 2) Junior Lifetime Achievement Award Organization/Event: The Outstanding Filipinos in America (Elton Lugay)  (USA) 3) Junior Lifetime Achievement Award Indie Actor: Leon Miguel (Philippines) 4) Li...

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos courtesy of Jack Titus Jack is a graduating medical student in University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a volunteer at the Center for The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. This 6"1, Thai-American decided to join and compete for Mr. Gay World USA 2021 to echo and promote his advocacy “We Are One” which aims to speak about gender equality and anti-bullying.   Furthermore, by joining Mr. Gay World USA, he wishes to have a bigger voice by using this platform to promote positive change in LGBTQ community be it with fighting for equal rights, empowerment, fostering unity, spreading social awareness and most of all sharing his life experiences that turned his scars into victory.  And here are his impressive preparations for the competition.  So far, he enlisted some big names in the world of pageantry.  His Q&A coach is no less Fahsai Paweesuda Drouin, Miss Universe Thailand 2019 and Miss Universe 201...

44th Gawad Urian honors Nora Aunor her third Gawad Dekada para sa Natatanging Aktres Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas   Photo by Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino MANILA —  Nora Aunor made another history in the pages of Philippine film industry when she received her third Gawad Dekada para sa Natatanging Aktres (2010-2019) from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the only Filipino actress to achieve such feat.  Aunor was hailed the same for two past decades (1980 - 1989) and (1990 - 1999).  In 2015, Aunor was the recipient of the highly coveted Natatanging Gawad Urian or the Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award.  It is " conferred upon a film artisan who has given exceptional contributions to the development of the Philippine film industry ." The winners were revealed on Thursday, Oct. 20, during the awarding ceremony live streamed via TVUP YouTube channel and Manunuri's official Facebook page.  Here's the list of winners and nominees :...

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos by Joel Maniquis Monique Cantalejo-Rivera and Christine Escalante International pageants oftentimes can be looked at through lenses as very positive because the women involved are definitely empowered, independent and passion-driven women but others think that pageants can be deemed as very anti-feminist and sexist from one angle.  The Mrs. Universe 2021 Pageant is for empowered women who have a vision of making themselves better and stronger, married women and single mothers come together as one, united together to empower other women all over the world to do the same.  This year, Ms. Christine Escalante and Ms. Monique Cantalejo-Rivera will represent the Philippines and will travel to the Land Down Under "Australia" for the Mrs. Universe Australia 2021 competition.  They said that international pageants like Mrs. Universe, unlike any other pageants are not about changing yourself, this pageant for married, single moms ...

Senator JoelVillanueva and Judy Ann Santos Judy Ann Santos ’ meteoric rise from being a child star to becoming one of the country’s top dramatic has all the plot elements that would fit into a heartwarming and inspiring movie.  Her dreams were pure and simple - enjoy work as much as she could, and save up money for school. Yet it seemed like the road to stardom had already been paved for her – thanks to the support of her family and the folks she met on the set. Missing her father whom she rarely had time to spend time with, and her mother, who was in Canada, Judy Ann found good company in the co-stars she worked with and the supportive staff and crew who made her feel at home all the time. “ I was never close with my dad. I never had the chance to see him growing up. So, I look forward to the day na may taping kasi yung mga cameramen, crew lahat ng staff and engineers, sobrang close ako. Sa kanila ako nakakakuha ng kalinga at saka may mga bata rin akong kasama sa set ,” said Judy ...

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos courtesy of Miss Universe Philippines Org.  Beauty, brains and honor. Those adjectives hold true to recently-crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021 BEATRICE LUIGI G. GOMEZ.  Gomez, a Philippine Navy reservist, was promoted to the  rank of Sergeant during her courtesy call with Rear Admiral PN Cdr. Dorvin Legaspi and Flag Officer In Command (FOIC), Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado at the HQ Naval Reserve Command, Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The Philippine Navy said, " A Plaque of Recognition was also given to Sergeant Gomez following the simple donning of rank ceremony for her invaluable contributions and accomplishments as a member of the PN Reserve Force.  She was lauded whose recent feat also brought honor and pride to the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Navy as a whole. The FOIC also conveyed full support to her as she will represent the country in the upcoming Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Is...

Reported by Celso De Guzman Caparas  Photos courtesy of Aliwan Fiesta October 10, 2021 : The finals of Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2021 was held virtually on Saturday evening, October 9.  MBC's Ms. Susan Isorena-Arcega said in her Facebook post, " Another chapter in the annals of Aliwan Fiesta's search for beauteous Filipinas attuned to their communities closed, while a new one  began as a worthy successor to Jannarie Zarzoso was crowned last night in the person of Shanyl Kayle Hofer of Minglanilla, Cebu, whose simplicity, innate grace, poise, and eloquence won the nod of our judges.  With her winnings, Shan is dedicated to helping the vendors of the Carbon market in her social responsibility initiatives.  Wishing her all the best this coming year, along with her runners-up Vjie Matias of San Manuel, Isabela and Chynna Kaye Verosil of Bugallon, Pangasinan.  Congratulations to the rest of our special awardees, and much thanks to all the wonderful ladies who ...