Janine Mari Tugonon (first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2012)

Janine Tugonon was raised in the Bataan Province, where she grew up with her mother, sister and grandparents. She spent her childhood going to the farm with her mother and the markets with her grandmother. An adventurous spirit, Janine enjoys hiking and climbing mountains. She also loves to travel and cook classic Filipino dishes. Janine is an avid trader, and one day hopes to work as a social entrepreneur .

Tugonon finished her Pharmacy degree with Latin honors (Cum Laude) at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila and became a Licensed Pharmacist in June 2010. Tugonon also attended the Ballet School of Manila as a ballet protégé while attending university. In 2010, Tugonon was titled Miss Pharmacy and Miss Thomasian Personality 2010 at the University of Santo Tomas.

Binibining Pilipinas

In 2011, Tugonon was first runner-up candidate in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. Following this defeat, Tugonon competed again in 2012 and won the title Miss Universe-Philippines, enabling her to compete and represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant.

After winning the Miss Universe-Philippines title, Tugonon admitted that her family had mixed views on her decision to join the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for a second time. Hours after the pageant, Tugonon attributed her victory to God. “My Savior fought and won the battle for me,” she said on Twitter. The beauty queen also turned to the microblogging site to thank her friends and supporters.

Miss Universe 2012

On 19 December 2012, Tugonon finished first runner-up to Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island, USA, at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.[1]

She was asked this question via Twitter and read by judge Nigel Barker: "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe? Why or why not?"

She replied: "For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It's being able to influence and inspire other people. So whatever language you have, as long your heart is to serve and you have a strong mind to show people then you can be Miss Universe."

Morena beauty

With her caramel-brown skin, onyx-black locks and delicate Malay facial features, Janine is a bonafide morena bombshell.

This has led to many comparisons to that other morena beauty queen, Miriam Quiambao.

The so-called distinctly Filipina look is said to be widely appreciated by the pageant’s judges, according to Miriam Quiambao in a quote taken by Inquirer.net.

Photo credit:

http://www.missuniverse.com/members/profile/652683

apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda)

Allen Pineda Lindo, (b. 28 November 1974) is better known as Apl.de.ap. He was born in the impoverished district of Sapang Bato in Angeles City in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. He is of Afro-Filipino descent.                

Apl.de.ap is part of a famous hip hop group, the Black Eyed Peas. During his rough childhood days, Apl.de.ap grew up in Barrio Sapang Bato. At the age of 14, he was adopted by the Hudgens, an American family, and moved to Los Angeles, California, leaving behind his birth family and country. However, he has stayed very loyal to both his biological family and to the Philippines, identifying himself as a Filipino American. He explains his life story in a song called "The Apl Song" found on the Black Eyed Peas 2003 album Elephunk (Track 11). This song has a full chorus in Tagalog (Filipino) taken from the Asian song "Balita".

As a member of the popular rap group Black Eyed Peas, Apl.de.Ap has overcome tremendous odds by achieving success despite his humble beginnings. In an interview on VH1, he recalls In the Philippines, you've got to dig up the ground to do a number two, and then you've got to cover it up. You got to pump the water out of the ground to wash your clothes and your hands. That's my ghetto! Apl.de.Ap left Pampanga at age 14 to join his adoptive family in Southern California. There, he and childhood friend Will (a.k.a. Will.I.Am) formed a break dancing crew called "Tribal Nation", which would later evolve into Black Eyed Peas when the duo added mike skills and rapper Jaime "Taboo" Gomez to the mix. Their first album, Behind the Front was released in 1998 to critical acclaim, and was followed by Bridging the Gap in 2000 featuring a guest appearance by Macy Gray as well as members of Jurassic 5 and De La Soul.

Unlike some Filipinos who have shied away from acknowledging their Pinoy roots, Apl.de.Ap embraces his heritage, even in his work. His landmark "The Apl Song," from 2003's Elephunk, features a chorus sung completely in Tagalog and speaks of his experience as a Filipino American. Its accompanying video, which reached number one in the Philippines, with its cameo appearances by fellow Fil-Ams, Dante Basco and Chad Hugo, is a touching tribute to the Filipinos who fought for the U.S. in World War II. Also "Bebot" is an all-Tagalog song on Monkey Business.

 

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apl.de.ap

Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up (Shamcey Gurrea Supsup)

 Shamcey Gurrea Supsup (born on May 16, 1986) is a Filipino beauty titleholder who represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant, in which she was declared third runner-up. She also topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July 2011 in the Philippines. Supsup graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines.


Pageants:
Supsup joined Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title during the coronation night held at the Araneta Coliseum on April 10, 2011. This victory entitled her to represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant held in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on September 12, 2011. In the pageant Supsup placed as third runner-up.

Philippine Madrigal Singers

The Philippine Madrigal Singers was organized in 1963 by National Artist Professor Andrea O. Veneracion.  The choir is one of the world’s most awarded, having consistently won all the top prizes in most of the world’s prestigious choral competitions.

    Now with the direction of Mark Anthony Carpio, the ensemble continues to perform a wide repertoire of various styles and forms: Renaissance music, Classical music, Filipino and International folksongs, contemporary and Avant-garde music, Opera and even popular music. Their specialization and focus on the madrigal idiom has inspired their unique set-up of singing while seated in a semi-circle, without a conductor.

Miss Universe 2010 (Fourth Runner-Up)

     Maria Venus Bayonito Raj (born July 7, 1988) is a Filipina beauty queen. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines)-Universe on March 6, 2010 during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She represented the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and placed fourth runner-up to Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

Early life:

      Maria Venus Raj was born to an Indian father and a Filipina mother. Raj was taken by her mother to Bato, Camarines Sur in Bicol Region, Philippines as an infant and was registered by an aunt as a Philippine-born child to Roman Catholic parents. Raj grew up with her mother, a former tenant farmer and dressmaker. A former Roman Catholic, she is now a Born Again Christian

Raj lived in a nipa hut made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves with no electricity in the middle of a sprawling rice field in the rural town of Bato for more than twenty years. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training where  she eventually developed her distinct catwalk.

The youngest of five children, Maria Venus Raj started out by joining local beauty pageants. She also joined oratorical contests at San Vicente High School where her English teacher served as her coach. With her victories in major contests, Venus Raj had bought land on an installment basis for her mother as a means of improving their livelihood. Raj obtained her Diploma in Communications Arts, major in Journalism, at Bicol University in Albay, with Latin honors (Cum Laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation. She worked as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V. In addition to this, she also worked as a part-time fashion model in her native Bicol and Manila.

Pageantry:

Miss Philippines-Earth 2008

Following her victory as Miss Bicolandia, Raj represented Legazpi City and competed in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2008, and was named as Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism 2008, and fourth runner-up to eventual Miss Earth 2008 winner Karla Henry on May 11, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria, Manila.

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe

After joining Miss Philippines-Earth in 2008, Raj took a break from beauty contests and worked as an Information Assistant at the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[citation needed] On March 6, 2010, she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She won the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. She also won the special awards Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and was a co-winner for Miss Friendship - a rare feat for a major title winner.

Dethronement

A few weeks after her coronation, Raj was dethroned by Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. citing alleged inconsistencies between her birth certificate and the personal account of her birth. Raj was briefly replaced by second runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson since first runner-up Diane Elaine S. Necio, also from Bicol was only 17 years old and did not meet the age requirement policies of Miss Universe.

Raj had planned to take legal action to combat BPCI's decision in court, but she also weighed in on her decision because of its potential impact to her future career.A Lawyer Francis Padua Papica, who sponsored Raj’s college education, and another counsel volunteered to defend her for free. led supporters in sending an appeal regarding Raj's case to the Miss Universe Organization

In a local television appearance, Raj stated that a representative for the Miss universe 2010 spoke with her and looked into her case. In the same interview, she said, “My fight is now more than just chasing a dream. It is about clearing my soiled reputation. It is about standing up for people who are poor and born out of wedlock. It is a fight for acceptance.”

Reinstatement

On April 10, 2010, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. allowed Raj to reclaim her title due to humanitarian reasons. An additional requirement that Raj should legally obtain a valid Philippine passport as proof of her true citizenship was also requested by the pageant organizers. On May 19, 2010, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs issued Raj a Philippine passport thereby attesting to her Filipino citizenship. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Raj is a Philippine citizen by virtue of the jus sanguinis principle (“right of blood”), a basic right provided by the Philippine Constitution which bestows upon a person the citizenship of his father or mother regardless of where the person was born, thus declaring her of Filipino citizenship.[citation needed]

Upon the issuance of her Philippine passport, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. announced that they are reinstating Raj. Currently, Raj holds the record as the first-ever dethroned Binibining Pilipinas to have successfully attempted for a reinstatement of a Binibining Pilipinas crown.

Miss Universe 2010

In August 2010, Raj flew to the United States and took part in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. As part of the six delegates which were handpicked for a media tour, Raj along with Jesinta Campbell of Australia, Natalia Navarro of Colombia, Sarodj Bertin of Haiti, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico, Mariana Vicente of Puerto Rico and Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez were scheduled for several television appearances prior to the actual pageant in Las Vegas. During the Miss Universe question and answer portion, Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin about the biggest mistake that she made in her life and what she did to make it right, to which she simply replied that she had never made any big mistakes in her life. Raj received the highest rating in the Miss Universe website, with 3.54 points, the highest-ever for a Filipina delegate. In an event held in Diablos Cantina at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Raj won in a Chicken Wing Eating Contest, increasing her popularity even more during the run of the pageant. While competing at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Raj was emotionally distressed to hear about the death of Filipina-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach and make-up artist Alden Orense in a car accident. Gersbach, a fellow Bicolana who previously competed and secured a place in the Top15 finalists at Miss International 2009 in China, was one of Raj's coaches in her preparation for the Miss Universe pageant.

Facts about Miami's Pinoy coach Erik Spoelstra

Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra has just won back-to-back NBA championships with the Miami Heat after beating the San Antonio Spurs, 95-88, on Thursday (Friday in Philippines). 
Here are quick facts about Coach Spo:

• 42 years old Filipino-American NBA coach
• Born on Nov. 1, 1970 Evanston Illinois
• Father : Jon Spoelstra an NBA executive for the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo Braves and New Jersey Nets
• Mother : Elisa Celino a native of San Pablo, Laguna
• First pinoy and Asian to coach NBA and to win an NBA Championship title
• Started his coaching career in 2001, as an assistant coach of Miami and he become a Head Coach in 2008 up to present
• Before his coaching career he played as starting point guard for University of Portland Pilots and was named as West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year
• Won two champion titles for Miami as Head Coach: 

1. 2012 : against OKC
2. 2013 : against San Antonio Spurs

Clarisse Obia crowned Miss Teen Universe 2012 1st runner-up

Clarisse Marie Obia, 19, was crowned first runner-up during the coronation night at the Hall of the Ruben Dario National Theater on April 30, besting hopefuls from Costa Rica, Canada, Margarita Island, and Brazil, who were also among the top six finalists.

Emerging as the 2012 Teen Universe titlist is Panama's Sasha Nikyta Kam.

Obia, who is a student from Lyceum of the Philippines University, was chosen by the Bb. Unibersidad organization to represent the country after earning a top ten spot in its inaugural pageant last year.

Born in Biñan, Laguna, Obia wore a national costume by designer Kim Gan in the international contest in Nicaragua.

During the send-off gathering for Obia in April, the the 5-foot-6 beauty said she plans to represent the Philippines by highlighting Filipino hospitality.

“I’ll just show how much I love my country, and I’ll prove to them that it really is more fun in the Philippines. I’ll show them how hospitable Filipinos are, and that there are many great things about the Philippines, the places, the food, and us Filipinos ourselves,” she said at the time.

“I’m pressured and I’ve gone into extensive training, so hopefully, with the support of my family and my Bb. Unibersidad family, I can bring home a crown,” she added.

The Bb. Unibersidad organization hopes to follow up Obia’s success as it gears up to crown her successor.

The 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will see 35 university hopefuls vying to represent the Philippines in the next international Teen Universe competition.

The coronation night for the 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will be held on May 18 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

credit to: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/05/01/12/pinay-crowned-miss-teen-universe-1st-runner