A multi-awarded furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue

Kenneth Cobonpue is a multi-awarded  furniture designer and manufacturer from Cebu. He graduated in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York with highest honors and subsequently worked in Italy and Germany. Integrating locally sourced materials with innovative handmade production procceses, Cobonpue's brand is known around the world for its unique designs and roster of clientele that include Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt and members of royalty.

Awards to his credit include 5 Japan Good Design Awards, the grand prize at the Singapore International Design Competition, the Design for Asia Award of Hongkong, the American Society of Interior Design Top Pick selection and the French Coup de Coeur award.  Several of his designs were selected for several editions of the International Design Yearbook published in London and New York. Phaidon’s book entitled "& FORK" underscores Kenneth's position as a leader of a new movement incorporating new technologies with crafts. He has appeared on European television, countless international magazines and  newspapers around the world. Various Cobonpue designs have also appeared in full-length feature films and television such as Oceans 13 and CSI.

Kenneth reveals new work each year in design shows from Paris to New York. He also speaks regularly about Southeast Asian design all over the world. In 2007, TIME magazine called him "rattans first virtuoso".

It was not the childhood dream of Cobonpue to become a furniture designer. “I wanted to do something creative. I really didn’t think about furniture. When I was just starting out, I just wanted to be a designer. Nothing in particular,” he shared.

Born and based in Cebu, he said his family used to have a furniture factory at the back of their house. As a child, he would always go there, pick up pieces of wood and start building small structures. “I worked with my hands,” he added.

Cobonpue’s mother, Betty, was also a furniture designer, whom he considers his first inspiration. She was famous for creating new techniques in working with rattan. She experimented with different materials, such as rattan, metal, terra cotta, brass and copper. Despite all the local recognitions his mother received, she was never recognized for her designs abroad. It pains him as a son.

Cobonpue is more than proud of his country, which is why he has decided to stay. “I’ve gone to China and Malaysia to see if I could produce my things there. But it’s only here where my ideas can turn out the way I really want them to, and that is largely because of the skills of our people,” he said.

“When it comes to skills, we’re second to none in Asia. We make beautiful things that we can truly call our own. That is what I want to accomplish with my pieces. I always carry that Filipino spirit and have it resonate through my work.”

COLLECTIONS:

Jed Madela

John Edward Tajanlangit (born July 14, 1980), better known by his stage name, Jed Madela, is a Filipino recording artist and TV host. He became the first Filipino to win the WCOPA world grand champion title, and is known with a uniquely wide vocal range.

He is a co-host and performer of ASAP. He is a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.

He is currently managed by GM Proponents of Artists Inc.

Madela was born in Iloilo, Philippines, the son of JC Roy Tajanlangit, a church choirmaster, and Agnes Tajanlangit, an Administrative Assistant at Pepsi. He is the elder brother of Eric Tajanlangit and Joanne Christine Tajanlangit.

He was only five years old when he started singing and acknowledges his father as his first voice coach. He is the eldest among three siblings, and his younger brother and sister are also singers in their church choir.

Jed earned a Business Administration degree from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City at the age of 18. During his campus years, he was also a regular fixture in various singing competitions, which he usually ended up winning.

With his height, good looks, educational background and a training schedule waiting in the wings, Jed was initially set to become a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines. Plans did not materialize as he explored his artistic pursuits.

For a time, Jed also became the lead vocalist of Pose (the band performed at the now-defunct Fashion Cafe in Glorietta) and Divest (based in Iloilo City). This Cancer-born singer was also handled by Ronnie Henares of Primeline and the late Bella Tan. One thing led to another and, as fate and destiny would have it, the rest is (musical) history.

Queenierich Rehman, Philippines' Miss World 2012 Contestant

Queneerich Ajero Rehman (often misspelled as Queenierich) is a Pakistani-Filipino beauty queen, and the current Miss World Philippines 2012. Rehman represented the Philippines at the Miss World 2012 pageant, in Ordos, China. as Miss World Philippines 2012. Rehman drew worldwide attention for her beatboxing talent during her participation in the pageant. Rehman is of both Filipino and Pakistani descent.

Bb. Pilipinas 2011

Rehman became popular in the Philippine pageant arena when she first joined Binibining Pilipinas 2011 where she was awarded Best in Swimsuit and placed in the Top 15. She, however, ultimately lost to eventual Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup.

Miss World Philippines

After her attempt in Bb. Pilipinas, Rehman competed the following year in the Miss World Philippines tilt. During the live final on June 25, 2012, Rehman was awarded seven out of the seventeen special awards including Best in Swimsuit, Most Photogenic and Miss Talent and at the conclusion of the event, she was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines Gwendoline Ruais and was awarded the honor of representing the Philippines at Miss World 2012.

Miss World 2012

Rehman arrived in Ordos City in China on July 19, 2012 to begin vying for the Miss World crown together with 115 other delegates. Over the duration of the pageant, Rehman was tapped as one of clear frontrunners along with Australia's Jessica Kahawaty, South Sudan's Atong Demach and Mexico's Mariana Berumen. She also gained worldwide attention for her talent she showcased for the pageant which was beatboxing which landed her in the websites of the Huffington Post and Time.

Ultimately, she placed in the Top 15, placing 8th behind Miss World 2012 Yu Wenxia of China.

Benigno Aquino III (Pnoy) (Noynoy)

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III(/b?'n?gno? ?'ki?no?/; [b?'nigno a'kino]; born February 8, 1960), also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th President of the Philippines since June 2010.

His father was the Philippines’ most famous political martyr, his mother its most beloved President. 

Born in Manila, Aquino finished his Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1981 and joined his family in their exile in the United States shortly thereafter. He returned to the Philippines in 1983 shortly after the assassination of his father and held several positions working in the private sector. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Representatives as Representative of the 2nd district of Tarlac province. He was subsequently re-elected to the House in 2001 and 2004. In 2007, having been barred from running for re-election to the House due to term limits, he was elected to the Senate in the 14th Congress of the Philippines.

Following the death of his mother on August 1, 2009, many people began calling on Aquino to run for president. On September 9, 2009, Aquino officially announced he would be a candidate in the 2010 presidential election, held on May 10, 2010. On June 9, 2010, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 presidential election. On June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,  Aquino was sworn into office as the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines Conchita Carpio-Morales.

President Aquino quickly began making his own name. The sputtering economy stabilized and became hot. Aquino pushed through a reproductive-rights law that many said was impossible in the fervently Catholic nation. Most important, he became the face of the regional confrontation with Beijing over its claim to virtually all of the South China Sea. It is a brave stance, the long-term consequences still unknown.

In 2013, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Although the official residence of the President is the Malacañang Palace, Aquino actually resides in the Bahay Pangarap (House of Dreams), located within the Palace grounds.

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. He is the son of Rosalio Pacquiao and Dionesia Dapidran-Pacquiao. His parents separated when he was in sixth grade, after his mother discovered that his father was living with another woman. He is the fourth among six siblings: Liza Silvestre-Onding

and Domingo Silvestre (from first husband of his mother) and Isidra Pacquiao-Paglinawan, Alberto "Bobby" Pacquiao and Rogelio Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is married to Maria Geraldine "Jinkee" Jamora, and they have four children: Emmanuel Jr. "Jimuel", Michael, Princess, and Queen Elizabeth "Queenie." He resides in his hometown General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines. However, as a congressman of lone district of Sarangani, he is officially residing in Kiamba, Sarangani, the hometown of his wife.

Pacquiao was a devout Roman Catholic. Within the ring, he frequently makes the sign of the cross and every time he comes back from a successful fight abroad, he attends a thanksgiving Mass in Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila to kneel and pray. Following his defeat by Juan Manuel Márquez, his mother condemned him leaving the Catholic church. Pastor Jeric Sorino, Pacquiao's spiritual adviser, comes from the Alabang New Life Christian Center in Muntinlupa.

Pacquiao is also a military reservist with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army. Prior to being commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he first entered the Army's reserve force on April 27, 2006 as a Sergeant. Later, he rose to Technical Sergeant on December 1 of the same year. On October 7, 2007, he became a Master Sergeant, the highest rank in the enlisted personnel. On May 4, 2009, he was given the special rank of Senior Master Sergeant and was also designated as the Command Sergeant Major of the 15th Ready Reserve Division.

He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s (decade) by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO). He is also a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year," winning the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and the Best Fighter ESPY Award in 2009 and 2011.

He was long rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by some sporting news and boxing websites, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Sporting Life, Yahoo! Sports, About.com, BoxRec and The Ring. In April 2012, Pacquiao dropped to number two in the rankings, behind Floyd Mayweather, Jr. However on May 7, 2012, The Ring declared the top position vacant and jointly ranked Pacquiao and Mayweather in the number two spot.

Aside from boxing, Pacquiao has participated in acting, music recording and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani.

Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman

Profile:

Name :Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman-Alcaraz

B-dat        :   January 3, 1983 (age 30)

Other names  :    Selda

Height      :    5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

Weight       :   110 lb (50 kg)

Measurements :   33-25-35 in

Hair colo    :   Black

Eye colo     :  Dark Brown

Title(s)     :Binibining Pilipinas 2005

(Binibining Pilipinas-International 2005)

Miss International 2005

(Winner)

Precious Lara San Agustin Quigaman-Alcaraz, OLD, (January 3, 1983, Taguig, Philippines) is a model, host, freelance web page writer, and former beauty queen who won the 2005 Miss International beauty pageant held in Tokyo, Japan. She is the fourth Filipino to have won the crown, after Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, and Melanie Marquez in 1979. She was also the Binibining Pilipinas International title holder for 2005.

Based in Bristol, United Kingdom, Quigaman is the eldest of four children of Nelson Quigaman of Ligao City in the province of Albay and Princesita San Agustin, a registered nurse. She grew up in Biñan, Laguna, and eventually Bahrain, where her father worked. After five years, she returned to Biñan and finished high school at La Consolacion College. Before moving to Bahrain she studied for two years at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In England, she attended South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, where she studied Media Production and Communication. She also pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Youth Studies at Bristol University.

In 2008, Quigaman became Nestle Philippines' Laki sa Gatas advocate for Bear Brand Milk.[dead link]

Quigaman got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Marco Alcaraz in 2011 and got married in July 8, 2012, the wedding ceremony was held at the Hacienda Isabela in Tagaytay City.

She gave birth to a seven-pound baby boy on Nov. 10, 12:52 a.m. via cesarean section at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Stephany Dianne Damondamon Stefanowitz

Profile

Popular name : Stephany Stefanowitz

Birth name   : Stephany Dianne Damondamon Stefanowitz

Birth year   :    1989

Birth place  :     Quezon city, Philipines

Occupation   :   Model, Fashion designer, host and singer 

Height       :   1,78 m (5 ft 10 in)

Hair color   :      Brown

Eye color    :      Brown  

    Stephany Dianne Damondamon Stefanowitz (born 1989) is a model, fashion designer, host, singer, and beauty queen from Quezon City, Philippines. She competed in the twelfth edition of the national Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant where she emerged as the winner and was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2012. She is Miss Earth Air 2012.

Stefanowitz joined and represented Quezon City in the national Miss Philippines Earth 2012, the largest and most widely participated beauty pageant in the Philippines with 47 official candidates participated in 2012. As a beauty titleholder, she fulfills her duty as one of the spokespersons of the Miss Earth Foundation, an environmental-social-humanitarian outreach arm of Miss Earth beauty pageant.

In the final competition of the Miss Philippines Earth 2012, she competed and achieved one of the five highest scores in the swimsuit, and evening gown competitions for her stage chops and question and answer portion of the pageant. At the conclusion of the pageant, she won and was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2012. She was crowned by the outgoing Miss Philippines Earth 2011 titleholder, Athena Imperial on May 27, 2012. She also won the Best in Evening Gown award and one of the Best in Runway and Best in Styling.