Philippines made a big leap in theFIBA world, moving up 11 spots in world rankings

The Philippines made a big jump in the FIBA world rankings, moving up 11 rungs higher to the 34th spot with an accumulated 22.8 points.

August 11, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena Gilas Pilipinas at the awarding

ceremonies of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship

The Nationals, as hosts, finished fighting runners-up to powerhouse Iran in the Manila cage joust and that proved enough to earn the points to leapfrog the likes of continental rivals Japan (35th with 22.6 points), Qatar (42nd with 17.3) and Chinese Taipei (44th with 15.9).

Collectively known as Gilas Pilipinas, the Nationals also emerged as one of the most improved squads in the world rankings and is now ranked sixth-best overall in Asia behind China (12th with 188.9 points), Iran (20th with 94.2), Lebanon (29th with 35.4), Jordan (30th with 33.8), and South Korea (31st with 30.6).

More than elation, national team coach Chot Reyes admitted Friday that the Nationals’ latest feat also serve as an added motivation as they gear up for future international tournaments, including next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

The United States, the reigning Olympic champion, kept its firm hold on the top spot with 940 points followed by European titan Spain with 885. Argentina was a distant third with 490 while Lithuania and Greece traded places in fourth and fifth spots with 432 and 376 points, respectively.

The rankings are based on the performance of each country in three major tournaments that includes the Olympics, the FIBA World Cup (then known as the FIBA World Championship) and the continental championships. FIBA then makes calculations from those tourneys inside two Olympic cycles.

De La Salle Green Archers books first trip to finals after five long years

After five years De La Salle Green Archers is back in UAAP men's basketball finals after beating the FEU Tamaraws, 71-68, in their Final Four match to advance to the UAAP Season 76 Finals.

The Green Archers banked on a big second half explosion to overcome fast-starting Far Eastern U Tamaraws Wednesday night with a thrilling 71-68 victory that enabled them to advance to the finals of the Season 76 men’s tournament at the MOA Arena.

Three players–LA Revilla, Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres–tallied at least 15 points while taking turns in the team’s big wind-up as the second-seed La Salle gained a fitting follow-up to an impressive 74-69 victory last Saturday and booked its trip to the finals for the first time since 2008.

It was also the ninth straight win for La Salle, which will now have to wait for the winner of the other semis duel between top-seed National U and fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas.

Carl Cruz tallied a game-high 16 points but top guards Terrence Romeo, the season MVP, RR Garcia and Mike Tolomia only combined for 27 markers on 10-of-35 shooting from the field, as the Tamaraws' campaign ended in disappointment after a hot 7-0 start.
The Main Man: For the nth time this season, Jeron Teng pulled off another heroic act for La Salle.

The 6-foot-2 Teng churned in a double-double outing of 15 points and 10 rebounds on top of six assists while clustering four clutch points that enabled the Archers to gain control for good, 69-66, inside the final two minutes.

Honorable Mentions: Fresh from a 20-point explosion, LA Revilla waxed hot anew with 15 points, 10 coming in the second half while hauling down eight big rebounds.

Also giving the Archers a big lift was power forward Norbert Torres, who also had 15 points on top of seven rebounds. More importantly, the 6-foot-6 slotman also imposed his will in the paint and pounded the relatively smaller Tams in the crunch.

Game Turning Point: Falling behind by as many as 11, the last at 38-49 in the third canto, the Archers willed their way back and went ahead at 65-63 off a Norbert Torres floater.

A triple by Roger Pogoy gave the lead back to FEU with less than four minutes to play but Teng came up big anew, hitting four key freebies that put La Salle in control anew.

After several misses, Terrence Romeo kept FEU’s hopes alive with a lay-up before Jason Perkins, fouled by Mac Belo, restored La Salle’s lead to three with 4.4 ticks left.

With no more timeouts, Romeo tried his best but his potentially game-tying trey went wide as time expired.

They Said It:
La Salle coach Juno Sauler: “Hats off to the players. They played their hearts out that’s why we were able to pull this one. Both teams are tough. We just have to prepare whoever we will be facing in the finals. Ayoko munang i-describe ‘yung season, hindi pa kami tapos.

La Salle LA Revilla: “Our team adjusted. I also have to give credit to my teammates because we are trusting each other. It’s a matter of putting my mind to the game. I know how important this game is and I don’t want to take it for granted,”

Fanny Serrano transforms Kiray Celis into a 'diyosa'

Hairstylist and makeup artist Fanny Serrano felt for young actress Kiray Celis when many netizens criticized her look at the recently concluded Star Magic Ball.

In a post in his Facebook account on Sunday, Serrano said this made him decide to contact the former child star and make her his new muse.

When I saw her fotos at the Star Magic Ball at nabasa ang mga panglalait sa image nya on that event as one of the worst dressed stars, i got hurt, kahit hindi kami magkakilala ng personal and i told myself that sobra namang mamintas ang mga tao…personalan na talaga”AA

“So what i did the next day, i called my kumareng Gina Marissa Tagasa to ask contact numbers of Kiray Celis at dumating naman sa akin ang kanyang personal #. And i texted her kung pwede ko syang tawagan. Nagkausap kami and i felt her unbelievable voice at sobrang excitement when i told that i needed her for a glamorous fashion shoot in one full day”

THE ICONIC PHOTOSHOOT OF THE LADY KIRAY

Below are some of netizens’ comments:

Cecille Sandoval-Rementilla: Such an amazing transformation! I can't believed that with your talent and expertise, you can actually change someone's outlook in life! I'm sure this really helps Kiray to overcome those bullying on her!

Jeannie R. Javier-Malinao: This is what make-up is all about!!! To make one look beautiful if not better, not make one look like a clown. Hats off to Fanny Serrano! So what does the bashers of Kiray have to say now? Ganda!

Gina Marissa Tagasa: She looks like the young Paula Abdul ! Promise!

Fe Carol Sarmiento: Wow! It's so amazing what make-up can do & of course with Fanny's Magic touch, God bless your kind heart!

Jon Mosuela: bravo... truly the work of a gifted artist... kudos to you and to mj for an excellent job...


Jennifer Cortes: What a touching story Fanny! Way to use your gift to uplift someone. Great job to you and your team. Another amazing work!!! God bless you all more.

Megan Young earned a spot in Top Model Top 10 Finalist

Our very own Megan Young earned a spot in Miss World Top Model Top 10 Finalist. Young is the only Asian among the finalist.

The Miss World 2013 Top Model winner will be announced during the finals of the pageant on September 28.

Here is the complete list of the finalist.

Philippines – Megan Young

Cyprus – Kristy Marie Agapioy

Brazil – Sancler Frantz

Cameroon – Denise Valerie Ayena

South Sudan – Modong Mannela Mogga

England – Kirsty Heslewood

France – Marine Corphelin

Italy – Sarah Baderna

United State – Olivia Jordan

Ukraine – Anna Zaiachkivska

Megan Young's entry to Miss World “Beauty with a Purpose”

Megan Young is hoping to bag the “Beauty with a Purpose” special award, which will secure her spot in the semifinals of this year’s Miss World pageant scheduled on September 28. The Beauty with a Purpose challenge awards one Miss World contestant who is shown to have made a big difference in her homeland through charitable work. Entries showing the pageant candidates in outreach programs have been uploaded by organizers of Miss World on YouTube. A clip posted on the video-sharing website on Monday shows Young helping flood victims in Hagonoy, Bulacan. She was accompanied by Cory Quirino, licensee of Miss World Philippines.

“My coronation night last August 18 was probably one of the best moments in my life… Now I want to share that glory with the (flood victims). I want to see that smile I had on my face on their faces as well,” Young said in the two-minute video.

Showing what she referred to as a “bag of hope,” which contained rice, noodles and other relief goods, Young said: “As a Filipina, I want to see them (flood victims) with hope in their eyes. And I want to see them strive and look at tomorrow as a brighter day.”

“This is what is going to touch their hearts, what’s going to put that twinkle in their eye and make them think that tomorrow is going to be a better day,” she added.

Young recently added another feather to her cap as she was chosen as one of the few contestants who will perform a dance from their respective countries at the Miss world coronation night.

The television host and actress is also one of the 11 finalists in the pageant’s Beach Fashion competition.

Filipino YouTube sensation Aldrich Lloyd Talonding, appear on U.S. talk show ‘Ellen’

Ellen DeGeneres

Aldrich Lloyd Talonding is another pinoy online sensation appeared on the “The Ellen Degeneres Show”  months after they caught the talk show host’s attention via his Youtube video “Dance with my Father.” with cousin James Walter. The video of Talonding singing the R&B hit, with Bucong accompanying him on guitar, was uploaded last April, has garnered over three million views on the video sharing website.

Aldrich, together with cousin James Walter Bucong were invited by Ellen to appear on her show during its May 1 episode. 

Talonding said. “When the video went viral, people started recognizing us along the streets or in the malls. They even recognized us in the restrooms,” “That’s weird,”

“Honestly, many people do recognize me, especially girls,” Bucong said. “So it feels awkward when they say that they love me.”

“We’re honored to watch you sing this,” Ellen said, before the two performed “Dance with my Father” on her show.

“That was so beautiful. I am so glad we found you,” the talk show host-comedienne said after Talonding and Bucong’s performance.

Ellen also gave the two Filipinos a guitar, a keyboard, and a check for $10,000.

Talonding and Bucong’s appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” follows a number of other Pinoys performing for the hit U.S. talk show. Recently, another Youtube sensation, Zendee Rose Tenerefe, also appeared on “Ellen.”

Video uploaded by NoypiStuffVideos

Lumabas ang magpinsan sa September 12 episode ng 'Ellen' show at inaasahang mapapanood ito sa Pilipinas sa Biyerner, Sept 13. 

BRUNO MARS TO PERFORM DURING PEPSI SUPER BOWL XLVIII HALFTIME SHOW

Grammy-award winner BRUNO MARS will perform at the PEPSI SUPER BOWL XLVIII HALFTIME SHOW on FOX in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday, February 2, 2014, it was announced today. 

Bruno Mars is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and musician. The 14-time Grammy Award nominee and Grammy winner has sold over 115 million singles worldwide. His current album Unorthodox Jukebox and his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans have a combined certification total of 60x platinum worldwide. According to Billboard, Mars scored his first five “Hot 100” No. 1s faster than any male since Elvis Presley. As a singer, songwriter and producer, Mars has an impressive catalog of 22 “Hot 100” hits. Currently, Bruno Mars and his eight-piece band The Hooligans are on a sold-out, 91-city world arena tour.

Bruno Mars joined FOX NFL SUNDAY co-hosts Curt Menefee and Terry Bradshaw, along with analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson, Michael Strahan and Jay Glazer in New York City’s Times Square to make the live nationally-televised announcement just before kickoff of the Sunday afternoon games.  Bradshaw (4), Long (1), Johnson (2) and Strahan (1) have a combined eight Super Bowl championships as a player or coach.

This unprecedented announcement is just the beginning. Fans are encouraged to tune into FOX Sports throughout the season to see what surprises Bruno Mars has in store for this historic Halftime Show.

The Pepsi Super Bowl halftime show is the most-watched musical event of the year. More than 110.5 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s show.  The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide. 

Bruno Mars joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes Beyoncé, Madonna, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2. Read more >>

(c) http://www.brunomars.com/news/pepsi-super-bowl-xlviii-halftime-show-announcement-3012991