ROBERT Douglas Walcher IV, the 16-year-old son of actress-beauty queen Patricia Javier and American chiropractor Dr. Rob Walcher, was crowned as Mister Teen International 2023 in an international competition held in Bangkok, Thailand last June 1.

A home school Grade 10 student who aspires to be a chiropractor like his dad, Robert, who stands 5’10”, also took home several special awards, namely: Mister Charming, Best Teen Smile, Mister Sash Factor and Best National Costume (second prize).

The last award is for the elaborate ensemble called Golden Eagle Warrior that combines Power and Strength, inspired by the Philippine Eagle and Lapu-lapu and created by Don Cristobal who also did Walcher’s formal wear and sportswear.

“I’m so happy and to have won the competition. It was my way of giving back to God for having blessed me with a loving and supportive family.”

Right after arriving from Bangkok, Robert   joined his mom in an outreach program of the Camillian Sisters Antipolo.

As Mister Teen International, Robert will also be traveling in Thailand and Vietnam for activities related to his reign.

Walcher’s victory is especially meaningful for Patricia who calls herself as Robert’s “mommyger,” after she herself awarded her son’s crown and sash together with her mom Jean Canlapan as per the Bangkok’s event format requiring the parent or guardian to be the presenter of the award themselves.

“I am so happy and so proud my son won not only for himself but for the Philippines!” said Patricia, who was crowned as the first ever Noble Queen of the Universe in 2019.

Last Wednesday, Robert was feted with a victory luncheon party at Windmills and Rainforest in Quezon City by his parents.

Also present to congratulate Robert were Ameer Gamama and Norman Tinio, president and communications director of Mister International Philippines, respectively. The organization is the license holder for Mister Teen International and sent Robert to the pageant in Bangkok.

Robert’s fellow winners from Team Philippines in Bangkok – Prince Teen Asia Pacific 2023 Normandy Montaño II and Miss Teen International Ambassador 2023 Eunice Dacumos – who are both from Silang, Cavite, also graced the event.

Fast rising teen-aged singer-composer Kaye Sicatt and her mom Ritchell also attended, with Kaye singing two songs including her original “I’d Tell You I Love You” from the music video that co-starred Robert, produced by Vehnee Saturno Music and directed by no less than Patricia Javier.

Doc Rob, meanwhile, thanked members of the press who supported his son in his pageant journey and raffled off products from The Doc Rob Store.

“Being a chiropractor for over 20 years, firstly I wanted to help you sleep properly aligned and secondly give you a pillow so comfortable (their flagship product Doc Rob Wellness Pillow) you would continue to use it,” said the 6’3 chiropractor who was also a former model and actor who competed and won medals and became a finalist at WCOPA in Long Beach, California back in 2009.

IT was a twin celebration as Mutya ng Pilipinas (MNP) shared their victory as well as their hope for another crown at a press conference at CWC Interiors, BGC last Wednesday.

Two Mutya queens shared the spotlight – newly crowned Miss Chinese World 2023 Anie Uson Chen and Mumbai-bound Miss Environment International Philippines 2023 Shannon Mababangloob Robinson.

Anie Uson, the first Filipina to win the coveted Miss Chinese World title at the recently concluded competition in Kuala Lumpur, shared  that “up to this moment, I’m still in Cloud 9!”

Born in Labrador, Pangasinan, Anie studied at the Bayanihan Institute in Tarlac and St. Louis University in Baguio. She is a licensed architect who models part time.

Anie’s Chinese dad is originally from Guangzhou and Fujian, China.

Anie thanked her Mutya ng Pilipinas family, headed by its president Cory Quirino and chairman Fred Yuson, who celebrated her victory with a sumptuous buffet with guests including fellow Mutya queens: Iona Gibbs, Celyn Bautista, Justine Teng and Robinson.

The Miss Chinese World pageant, only on its fifth edition since its initial staging in 2005, is focused on promoting Chinese culture and traditions among countries whose women are of Chinese descent.

Meanwhile, a highly-motivated Shannon Robinson, who was Miss Luzon in the recently- concluded 52nd edition of MNP, will represent the Philippines in Miss Environment International in Mumbai, India.

This 28-year-old, 5-foot-10 daughter of DJ legend John Robinson (of the fab disco scene in the ‘80s) and former Mutya ng Pilipinas runner-up Raquel Mababangloob, is set to leave for India tomorrow.

Two months ago, Rushikesh Miradjkar, owner of the Mumbai-based pageant, flew in to Manila to witness Shannon’s proclamation as Mutya ng Pilipinas Environment International.

“I am loving my journey and has been training seriously in all aspects of the competition. I am also carrying this opportunity for my mom,” said Shannon.

Shannon’s mom, Rax Robinson, was 1989 Mutya ng Pilipinas first runner-up.

The Miss Environment International grand coronation will be on June 15 in Mumbai, India.

Shannon was chosen as the country’s representative because of her passionate advocacy against pollution of the oceans and marine life due to oil spills and other major issues.

In addition to the twin events, Chairman Fred Yuson’s weeklong birthday bash was also celebrated with DJ Robinson and Peppermint Band as performers.

ANIE Uson, a 26-year-old architect representing Manila, Philippines, was crowned as Miss Chinese World 2023 in glittering ceremonies held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Saturday.

Uson was crowned by Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, the international pageant’s Chinese-Malaysian founder and organizer who also stages the annual Miss Tourism International tilt.

Runners-up to Uson were Joan Angelina from Tangerang, Indonesia, first; and Yoong Jia Yi from Melaka, Malaysia, second.

The 5’7” Uson was sent to the international pageant by Mutya ng Pilipinas organization headed by Cory Quirino. She was a top 12 finalist at the 50th edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2018 and also joined the Miss Chinatown Philippines in 2020 where she finished as second runner-up.

Reigning Miss Chinatown Philippines Berjayneth Chee from Cagayan de Oro was also sent to the Malaysia tilt representing Misamis Oriental. National licensees are allowed to send a maximum of five delegates representing their respective localities.

Anie bested the field of 17 international beauties.

In addition to winning as Miss Chinese World, Anie clinched the ONE DOC Miss Charm subsidiary award.

Chee, meanwhile, was awarded the Miss KEMM Ambassador title from one of the pageant’s sponsors.

During the final q&a where the top 5 finalists talked about traditional Chinese festivals that were flashed on the LED on stage, Anie expounded on the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and said it was her “favorite Chinese festival because, aside from receiving many ampao (red envelope containing monetary token), it is a chance to celebrate with my family from whom I draw strength and inspiration in order to be able to inspire others as well, with love, compassion and understanding.”

A licensed architect who graduated from St. Louis University in Baguio City, Anie is the daughter of a Filipina and a Chinese was originally from Quangzhou, Fujian, China.

Besides English and Filipino, Anie also grew up with Chinese Mandarin and Hokkien dialect.

“I learn Chinese from my family, since I have relatives residing in China. And I was able to practice it more during my high school days since I attended a Chinese school,” added Anie who is also a freelance model.

“I’m so happy and excited,” Anie said in an interview with the Malaysian press. “I feel so grateful and blessed on winning my first international crown. Of course, I did not win this alone, I have the whole Philippines with me.”

As a licensed architect, Anie designs mostly residential houses.

“I believe that I won’t just be creating buildings and infrastructures, but I love designing residential houses more. Because for me, it is the home of the people, reflecting their hopes, dreams and happiness.

“My dream is to open my own architecture firm one day,” she said in an interview with Yamcha Times.

Miss Chinese World 2023 is only the fifth edition of the pageant founded in 2005 to celebrate Chinese culture, values and traditions and to promote friendship, peace and understanding among the participating cities and countries.

FOR beauty queen, court side reporter and artist Gianna Margarita Llanes, Binibining Pilipinas 2023, where she is currently candidate no. 5, will be her valedictory in her long pageant journey.

The 27-year-old, 5’5″ Communications graduate of Ateneo de Manila University and currently pursuing her masters at Harvard University, was crowned as Miss Philippines Water 2020 at the advocacy-driven pageant’s first of two virtual finales.

Before that, she also joined Miss World Philippines 2018 and Miss Mandaluyong 2019 where she placed first runner-up.

Last year, she was appointed to represent the Philippines at the supposed inaugural Miss Glamour International, but the contest ended in a fiasco that forced Gianna to go to Los Angeles and subsequently, to Canada, where she grew up.

Born in San Juan, Metro Manila to business executive Jovy Llanes and psychologist Ria Macapagal Salgado, Gianna was six years old when she and her family moved to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. After a few years, the family moved back to the Philippines.

After graduating from Faith Academy in Cainta, Rizal, Gianna entered Ateneo de Manila University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications.

In 2014, she won the MYX VJ Search and served as a courtside reporter for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77, the 2014-2015 UAAP athletic year.

Gianna may well be in her comfort zone joining pageants and performing in front of the camera. Perhaps unknown to most fans, Gianna’s great grandmother

was Purita dela Rosa Macapagal, President Diosdado Macapagal’s first wife and sister of the famous De La Rosa brothers Jaime and Rogelio. A great beauty during her time, Purita also acted in zarzuelas and later in movies along with her brothers. She was also the Reina Elena of her hometown, Lubao, Pampanga.

Purita’s daughter and Gianna’s grandmother Cielo Macapagal Salgado was crowned as Teenage Queen of the Philippines in 1958.

Gianna took on her sporty side from her grandfather Gene Salgado, who was once a Letran cager and an alternate in the national team.

Gianna describes her pageant journey (since 2018) as “a rollercoaster ride of experiences and emotions, filled with challenges and victories as well.”

“On my final national pageant which is Binibining Pilipinas, I hope to be able to muster all the experiences where I have learned and where I had the opportunities to grow, not only as a beauty queen but as a person. I hope to be able to display that and all that I am now on coronation night.”

The 59th Binibining Pilipinas will hold its finals at the Araneta Coliseum on May 28.

IT’S SHOWTIME” “Sexy Babe” grand winner Sam Coloso, looking sexy in her jaw-dropping gold see-through elevated cover-up with matching bandana and gloves, gold with zircon stone earrings, gold clutch, and transparent heels, slayed the recently-concluded 2023 Star Magic Hot Summer LaHot Sexy Bikini Ball held at The Island at The Palace in Taguig.

The event, advocating for body positivity via the tagline “Slay in any shape, any size, any age,” reminds of Sam’s version of sexiness at the time she was hailed the first “Sexy Babe” grand winner. During the q and a in “It’s Showtime’s,” judge Anabelle Rama asked her:  “Ano ang dapat matutunan ng henerasyon namin tungkol sa kaseskihan na sa palagay ninyo ay hindi pa namin alam?”

Sam’s reply was: “Siguro po ang dapat na matutunan ng inyong henerasyon sa ngayong ‘image of beauty’ is there is no standard anymore; we set our standards for ourselves. Noon, pina-follow natin ang mga dating beauty standards na kailangan nating magpaputi, na kailangan natin magpaliit ng waist, but this time, beauty is diverse and everyone is beautiful and accepted. Just be secured with yourself and that’s when you know na hindi mo kailangan tumingin sa kakulangan ng iba para maging secure ka sa sarili mo.”

Sam, whose real name is Samantha Elin Coloso, is a beauty queen, model, brand ambassadress, host, singer, dancer, artist and actress. Her being a pageant luminary is rooted from her junior year in Mapua University when she became Miss (Mapua) Cardinals 2018. While her early years in joining pageants were unsuccessful, she never stopped training and improving herself until she won Face of Beauty Philippines 2019 and became the Philippines’ representative in Face of Beauty International. She also joined Miss Fit Philippines, Miss Earth Philippines and Binibining Parañaque 2022. She has also appeared in various commercials, including Chowking and Red Ribbon.

With a to-die-for 36-23-36 toned figure, Sam is also most sought-after for modeling swimsuit brands. She is also a brand ambassador of invisible braces, a skin and body care clinic, health supplements and many more.

Sam is also a regular host of “It’s Showtime Online U,” and occasionally, she performs production numbers in “It’s Showtime” with the other hosts of the show. She has also hosted mall shows of the Korean group TFN and Global Pop Group Horizon.

A sports enthusiast, Sam is also a courtside reporter for Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and previously, Filbasket and V-League.  She loves to paint landscapes in her free time. She also filmed an international musical movie entitled “Money Money Money (Pera, Kwarta, Salapi)” which was shown in the UK and Scotland. She makes lifestyle vlogs in YouTube and other social media platforms.

Sam also supports causes such as Rehabilitation and Integration of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), Protection of Cultural Heritage: Conservation and Preservation of Architectural Heritage, Support of Indigenous Peoples, Marine Protection and Conservation and discrimination against color, race, origin, sexual orientation, political or religious preference and status in life.