Perhaps no other country in the world holds as many beauty contests as the Philippines. Indeed, beauty pageants have become a significant part of Filipino culture. A fiesta will not be complete without one. It is a stepping stone for ambitious young women from different social backgrounds to fame, modeling opportunities, and even a showbiz career. Anywhere she goes, a beauty queen will be treated like royalty.
The communities that will take part in the Aliwan Fiesta, scheduled on April 14-16 have presented a bevy of beauties as their festival muses.
Who among them will de declared fairest of all?
Angelica Gabriel of Pasay City will represent the Dayang-Dayang festival, while Andrea Fe Gomez of Baguio is this year’s Panagbenga festival muse. Coralin Resurreccion of Sariaya carries the colors of Quezon Province’s Niyugyugan festival. Rechelyn Dionco represents the Boling-Boling festival of Catanauan, while Airish Mae Yamamoto, the Laguna’s Anilag festival.
From the Queen City of the South is Cynthia Thomalla of Cebu, this year’s Sinulog festival queen. Likewise turning on the Visayan charm is Dumaguete’s Renelyn Deguit for the Buglasan festival of Negros Oriental. Lou Dominique Piczon, in turn, is the Manaragat festival muse from Catbalogan, Jhoanne Tañada of Iloilo represents the Dinagyang Festival, with fellow Ilongga Christel Marie Layson representing the Paraw Regatta.
Mindanao’s delegates were the early-bird entries to this year’s Aliwan Fiesta roster. They are Reasel Ann Halagna for the Zamboanga Hermosa festival and Jeanebeth Sedavia of Midsayap, North Cotabato for the Kalivungan festival.
The pageant night will be held at the outdoor stage in front of the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex on April 15. All the candidates for festival queen, together with last year’s winner Stephanie Abellanida of North Cotabato, will ride fabulous floats during the grand culminating parade on April 16, which will kick off at the Quirno Grandstand, and move toward an outdoor stage in front of the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex, where the awarding ceremonies will be held.
This year’s Festival Queen winner will receive P100,000 cash and a trophy, plus the chance to be a goodwill ambassador for domestic tourism. Previous winners have gone on to participate in nationwide beauty contests and have likewise tracked careers in professional modelling.
Aliwan Fiesta is presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Cities of Manila and Pasay, with support from Globe Telecom, Tanduay, Alaska, Coca Cola, Pride Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, Shield Bath Soap, Columbia Candies, Cherry Mobile, Fukuda, AICS, GES Led Lights, Bayview Park Hotel, Robinsons Place Ermita, and Hotel Jen.
For details about this year’s Aliwan Fiesta line-up of activities, call 832.6125 / 555.3477 or check out Aliwan Fiesta’s official Facebook page and website www.aliwanfiesta.com.ph
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‘The Odd Couple Season 2’ on RTL CBS Entertainment HD
The Odd Couple stars Matthew Perry as endearing slob Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as uptight neat freak Felix Unger, two former college buddies who become unlikely roommates after the demise of their marriages.
It’s not long after Oscar lets Felix move in that Oscar fears he’s made a monumental mistake. Oscar’s jack-of-all-trades assistant, Dani, and his long-time agent, Teddy, have their hands full trying to keep Oscar’s career as a sports radio host on track as he deals with his new living situation. Fortunately, their quirky next door neighbour Emily helps Felix adapt to his new life as a bachelor and rein in his copious eccentricities. Despite how exasperated Oscar and Felix make each other, in the end, these mismatched friends agree they can help each other move on from their divorces and somehow make this crazy living arrangement work.
Actress Teri Hatcher guest stars in a multiple-episode arc in season 2. She will play Charlotte, a smart, successful single mother who lives in Oscar Madison’s (Matthew Perry) building. They meet when Oscar starts dating her nanny, but he soon realizes he’s really interested in Charlotte.
The Odd Couple Season 2 premieres on RTL CBS Entertainment HD 9:55 p.m. on April 15.
