FOR the first time ever, Binibining Pilipinas, now on its 57th year, staged its talent competition at the New Frontier Theater last February 14 where 20 of the 40 contestants showcased their singing, dancing and other artistic skills in a show that also included a mini fashion show featuring JAG Jeans and World Balance.

Hosted by reigning Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao and Prince de Guzman, the show also featured the contestants wearing red cocktail dresses as they were serenaded by actor-singer Markki Stroem.

Despite a slip on the floor, Binibini No. 14 Hazel Joy Ortiz of Pasig was a standout as she danced the pasa doble with so much grace and fiery passion.

Binibining Pilipinas third-timers Vickie Rushton and Samantha Bernardo, meanwhile, were stunning during the red gala segment.

Part of the proceeds of the show went to the Philippine Red Cross.

The reigning queens were among the judges for talent, with the winner to be announced during the finals at the Big Dome on April 26.

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Mutia ti La Union 2020, arguably the grandest beauty pageant in northern Philippines, held its press presentation recently at the Provincial Capitol in San Fernando, La Union with no less than Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III and other provincial officials attending the event that is being staged as one of the highlights of the celebrations for the 170th year of La Union as a province of agri tourism, progress and economic development.

During the event, Victoria Tavas of Santo Tomas was voted as Darling of the Press from the bevy of 20 contestants.

The finals, to be hosted by Billy Crawford, Venus Raj and Robi Domingo, and with a celebrity panel of judges including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, actors Dimples Romana and Marco Gumabao and renowned designer Rocky Gathercole, will be held at Poro Point Baywalk in San Fernando on March 2.

Mutia ti La Union 2020 is presented by La Union Provincial Tourism Office headed by Adamor L. Dagang.

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Best of luck to the 36 delegates from all over the world vying for the 20th Manhunt International that will be staged at the New Frontier Theater tomorrow night.

The Philippines is hosting the international modeling tilt for men for the second time; it first hosted the long-running pageant at the PICC in 1999.

Among the touted frontrunners to take the title currently held by Spain’s Vicent Llorach are: Nikos Antonopolous, an archeologist from Greece; Matheus Giora, a physical therapist from Brazil; and our very own Daumier Corilla, an aspiring actor from Las Piñas, who is also gunning for our second Manhunt International title after June Macasaet, who won in 2012.

THE winners of the recently concluded Mrs. Philippines International Pageant, the country’s truly national beauty search for empowered married women staged by husband-and-wife tandem Aries Concepción and Maan Cueto Aris, met members of media at the Midas Tent last Tuesday to talk about their forthcoming international pageants as well as their advocacies.

Mrs. Philippines International Mary Grace Rabie-Avanzado, from Lumban, Laguna, is a 37-year-old mother of three who is also a baker, barber shop owner and manager of her husband’s electrical services company. She collaborates with different organizations involved in the prevention of women and child sexual abuse and violence.

Elite Mrs. Philippines International Michelle Vitug Encarnacion, 42, is from Bacacay, Albay.

Aside from being the owner and CEO of Belmere Skin Care Clinic, this mother of a teener is very passionate in helping children from poor communities obtain the proper education through her project “Lapis at Papel.”

Miss Philippines International Athens Español-Lucena, 30, from Parañaque, shared that she joined the pageant in order to lose weight and gain back her confidence. She’s only too happy to inspire other women to feel positive.

Avanzado, Encarnacion and Lucena will vie for the Mrs. International Pageant in Singapore in November under their respective categories.

Riza Oben Dormiendo,55, from Taguig is a ballroom dancer and avid mountain climber who bats for health and fitness. She also hopes to be able to enjoin other married women like her to embrace their own imperfections and face the challenges in life with passion and positivity. She will compete for Mrs. Face of Beauty International in New Zealand in August.

Maria Abigael Abalos Bayuga from Marikina is an executive assistant in an accounting firm who hopes to inspire other women to believe that nothing is impossible if you are focused to go for your dreams. She will vie for Mrs. National Universe in Thailand in September.

The other winners of the pageant and their respective international pageant assignments are: Rizzalie Joy Semira Ebreo from Batangas, Mrs. Heritage International in Nepal in April; Melanie Trani from Cebu, Queen of the World in Myanmar also in April, Lubesly Tellidua from Cebu, Mrs. Continental in India in August; and Cheryl Pelayo-Dacua, Mrs. Planet in Bulgaria.

REIGNING Mutya Pilipinas titlist and Top Model of the World Philippines Tyra Rae Florito Goldman, 18, will go for the coveted crown at the 26th Top Model of the World finals to be held at Vibe Bar, Meraki Resort in Hurghada, Egypt tonight (tomorrow morning PH time).

The 5-foot-9 Boston-born and Las Vegas-raised BS Biology student will vie alongside some 40 delegates worldwide and aim to be the first Filipina to win the title outright.

For the record, US-based Michelle de Leon represented the Philippines in the tilt in 2007 and finished as first runner-up to Brazil’s Natalia Guimaraes who eventually forfeited the title in order to join the Miss Universe Brazil that year. Michelle assumed the title vacated by Guimaraes who eventually won as Miss Brazil and finished as first runner-up at the Miss Universe Pageant that year.

Tyra was crowned as Mutya Pilipinas-Tourism International last year but did not compete for the international pageant in Malaysia due to a technicality. First runner-up Cyrille Payumo was sent Malaysia instead and won the crown, the fifth for the Philippines.

Mutya Pilipinas president Cory Quirino and Top Model of the World national director Roberto de Venecia are both optimistic that Tyra is the right choice for the modeling tilt in Egypt and will, hopefully, prove to be a blessing in disguise like Cyrille’s case.

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Binibining Pilipinas opens a new era with a bigger and better edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant in the country.

The search is on once again for a new batch of queens who will carry the name of the Philippines across the globe and cement its status as a powerhouse in international tilts.

Interested applicants have until January 31, 2020 to submit their application forms. They will then go through a rigorous screening process by the esteemed Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.(BPCI) executive committee that will culminate on February 6.

Download the application form at www.bbpilipinas.com or visit Bb. Pilipinas official Facebook page.

AFTER almost two years since it was established, I finally got to dine at Cafe Inggo 1587, the much talked about restaurant inside the Sto. Domingo Church grounds, thanks to the invitation of its owner Vic Alcuaz, an ex- Dominican seminarian and one of the most successful and awarded businessmen in the hotel and restaurant industry in the country.

And what a perfect time it was to visit the place – on Christmas Eve 2019 before the anticipated Misa de Aguinaldo at Sto Domingo Church.

The Filipino-Spanish restaurant, located at the west end of the Sto. Domingo Parish building at the corner of Biak-na-Bato St. and Quezon Avenue and so named in honor of St. Dominic and the year the Dominican friars arrived in the Philippines (1587), has both a classy and casual ambiance at the same time with an air-conditioned restaurant and al fresco area. Manager Brenda Estella (who I thought was a former beauty queen) and their very courteous staff made me feel at home like a regular habitue of the café.

Upon entering, a monochrome painting in acrylic entitled Cena Dominicana (Dominican Supper) caught my attention. It is an illustrated interpretation of a meal partakes by popular Dominican saints, and blessed together with St. Francis, Our Lady, and the Lord Jesus, done by Sto. Domingo’s resident liturgical artist Joseph Conrad Salenga.

This 8×3 ft painting was made for Cafe Inggo 1587 on the occasion of the 803rd anniversary of the founding of the Order of Preachers (December 22, 2019). A unique feature of the image depicts the resident pets of the cafe including 2 cats, 5 kittens and a dog. Featured saints are:

Bl. Fra Angelico, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady, Lord Jesus Christ, St. Dominic de Guzman, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Martin de Porres, St. Rose of Lima and newly proclaimed Filipina Venerables Ven. Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes (foundress of the Siena Sisters) and Ven. Rosario de la Visitacion (foundress of the Molo Sisters).

Aside from being pet-friendly, Cafe Inggo is also vegetarian- friendly.

The Christmas Eve dinner prepared by Chef Willy F. Domingo was heaven-sent, from the Cocktail Shrimps and Citrus Fruits, Lettuce with Fresh Orange Dressing, the hot and delicious Baked Caldo Gallego; to the Pastel Mariscos (seafood pastel which I devoured leaving a clean plate), the Pepper Steak with Seasoned Veggies and Aniseto Rice, and Chocolate Dessert topped with fresh strawberry.

As a namesake of Sto. Domingo de Guzman, it was easy for Willy Domingo to agree to design Café Inggo’s menu and eventually become its resident chef. After all, he has, tucked under his belt, a Dominican education (UST 1976) and a distinguished career as an international chef for hotel chains Hyatt International in the USA and Shangri La in the Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong, before putting up Fashion Café.

Must-try bestsellers at Café Inggo include: year-round comfort foods Halu-halo, Bibingka, Puto Bumbong, Lomi, Lumpiang Ubod ng Sarap, Pancakes for the Tiples, Biak-na-Bato Pasta, Tadyangins Dominicus, Gambas de Padre Napoleon, Chicken Pork Adobo and Blueberry Cheesecake, among a yet wider array of food and beverages in its menu.

Cafe Inggo is open daily and all Catholic holidays from 7:00 am – 10:00 pm and on public holidays from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Dining at Café Inggo is a peaceful, pleasant experience that will make you feel blessed and come back again and again.

DENNIS Garcia, the co-founder and bass guitarist of the iconic OPM band Hotdog that pioneered the popular Manila Sound, passed away last Saturday night.

The sad news was confirmed by his youngest daughter, Isa Garcia, on social media: “For those of you who knew my father, it grieves me to inform you all that he passed away tonight. Our grief at his sudden passing is infinite and now so is he. Thank you for being with us through this difficult time.”

Garcia died of renal failure; he was 69.

Rene, who was Hotdog’s vocalist and lead guitarist and who co-founded Hotdog with Dennis, died in 2018 due to cardiac arrest.

Dennis last made a public statement last December after Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte criticized the use of the Hotdog song “Manila” as the Philippine contingent was parading on stage during the 30th SEA Games opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena last November 30 last year. The feisty and outspoken daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte said that inclusivity should have been considered, referring to the song’s lyrics that only highlighted Manila and not the entire country.

Shortly thereafter, the musician shared his friend’s post about the song on his Facebook page: “Dennis and Rene wrote the song while they were OFWs. Dennis, on one of his engagements as a Creative Director somewhere around Asia, penned the lyrics to the melody and they recorded it together — probably in one incarnation of Dennis’ personal studios, when they were home together.

“The song resonated so much with generations of Filipinos some thirty plus years ago till now and it’s evolved into an anthem of sorts specially for those homebound on a PAL plane flying from Dubai, Heathrow, JFW or any other part of the world where they fly to and return. It is this setting that drew into the hearts and minds of the participants, the legendary athletes present in the parade, and mostly the audience that got them to their feet, singing and dancing while the song was playing over and over again, until the parade was over.”

Dennis clarified that he shared the Facebook post of his Cebuano friend Pancho Alvarez who wanted to trace back how he and his brother Rene came together to write about the song and not as a response to Mayor Duterte’s criticism.

Hotdog, also known as Hotdog Band, was formed by Rene and Dennis together with singer Ella de Rosario and two other original members Ramon Torralba (second lead guitarist), Tito del Rosario (third lead guitarist), Lorrie Ilustre (keyboards), and Jess Garcia and Roy Diaz (drummers).

The band is known for their hit songs “Beh, Buti Nga,” “Annie Batungbakal,” “Manila,” and “Bongga Ka Day!” which was made into a movie starring superstar Nora Aunor. They are credited for pioneering the “Manila Sound” in the 70s that eventually became what we know now as Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The wake of Dennis is at Chapel 6 at Heritage Park in Taguig City. The date of his interment has yet to be announced.