Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza is Miss Universe 2008

Venezuela’s Dayana Mendoza was crowned as the Miss Universe 2008.

Top 5 Finalists
1st Runner-up: Taliana Vargas, COLOMBIA
2nd Runner-up: Marianne Cruz, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
3rd Runner-up: Vera Krasova, RUSSIA
4th Runner-up: Elisa Najera, MEXICO

Top 15:
Venezuela - Dayana Mendoza
Kosovo - Zana Krasniqi
Mexico - Elisa Najera
Vietnam - Lam Thuy Nguyen
South Africa - Tansey Coetzee
Australia - Laura Dundovic
Japan - Hiroko Mima
Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
Italy - Claudia Ferraris
Colombia - Taliana Vargas
Russia - Vera Krasova
Hungary - Jazmin Dammak
Czech Republic - Eliska Buckova
USA - Crystle Stewart
Spain - Claudia Moro

Special Awards
Miss Congeniality - Rebeca Moreno of El Salvador
Best in National Costume - Gavintra Photijak of Thailand

Binibining Pilipinas: Judges' Decision Is Final

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas Universe beauty pageant, is standing by the decision of its judges in the recently concluded competition.

The chosen winner in the Binibining Pilipinas-World category, Janina San Miguel, has drawn intense criticism from viewers and internet users, many of whom speculated that "politics" may have been involved in her choice.


San Miguel had displayed a poor command of the English language during the question and answer portion and as a result, was compared to the malapropism-prone Melanie Marquez, 1979 Miss International winner-turned-actress and book author.

Marquez, who unleashes her own unique brand of English with devil-may-care aplomb, had even compiled her most quotable quotes in the volume "Don't Judge Me, I'm Not a Book".

The criticism notwithstanding, the pageant's organizers are not overturning the judges' decision. In an official statement to the media they said:

"Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. would like to congratulate the newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2008, Patricia Fernandez; Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2008, Jennifer Barrientos; and Binibining Pilipinas World 2008, Janina San Miguel. These three new queens that will represent the country in the respective global competitions are all worthy title holders.

"The unanimous and final decision of the 11 distinguished International Board of judges chose them as the winners, during the Grand Coronation Night held at the Araneta Coliseum last March 8. San Miguel also won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown categories."

Who will win Binibining Pilipinas 2008 Crown?

Find out on March 8, 2008, Saturday 8 pm on Araneta Coliseum with host Raymond Gutierrez and 1994 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe winner Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach. This will be aired in GMA-7 (delayed telecast) Meanwhile here are candidates with their photos:

Here are the official candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2008
Eizza Rancesca Lim	Patricia Fernandez	Toni Alyessa Hipolito	Karla Paula Henry
Ma. Kristelle Lazaro	Evangeline Mae Castillo	Jennifer Barrientos	Danielle Castano
Kathleen Phyllis Guerrero	Arvin Gail Areola	Gianni Michelle Laudato	Jaysel Arrozal
Tabetha Jo Frick	Karen Golar	Janina San Miguel	Margarita Gutierrez
Lady Lou Garidan	Elizabeth Jacqueline Nacuspag	Patricia Fry Francisco	Roxanne Tadique
Karla Cristina Garcia	Ma. Anne Kathleen Labung	Agatha Fontanilla	Rizza Liz Catigan

who's your bet?


Credits: http://www.bbpilipinas.com/

Binibing Pilipinas 2008's Presentation of Candidates at Sofitel

The Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant officially kicked off with the press presentation of the 24 candidates who will vie for the three crowns at stake: Bb. Pilipinas-World, Bb. Pilipinas-International, and Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. The presentation was held Thursday, February 21, at the Sunset Pavilion of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.



Looking all gorgeous and sexy in their red-metallic swimsuits provided by Cumbia at the Gateway, the latest batch of


official candidates is as promising as ever—with law students, CPAs, medical professionals, teachers, and even an SK chairman in the roster.



This year's candidates are: 1—Eizza Rancesca Lim; 2—Patricia Fernandez; 3—Toni Alyessa Hipolito; 4—Karla Paula Henry; 5—Ma. Kristelle Lazaro; 6—Evangeline Mae Castillo; 7—Jenniffer Barrientos; 8—Danielle Castaño;



9—Kathleen Phyllis Guerrero; 10—Arvin Gail Ariola; 11—Gianni Michelle Laudato; 12—Jaysel Arrozal; 13—Tabetha Jo Frick; 14—Karen Golar; 15—Janina San Miguel; 16—Margarita Gutierrez;



17—Lady Lou Garidan; 18—Elizabeth Jacqueline Nacuspag; 19—Patricia Fry Francisco; 20—Roxanne Tadique; 21—Karla Kristina Garcia; 22—Ma. Anne Labung; 23—Agatha Fontanilla; and 24—Rizza Liza Catigan.



Dubbed as the most prestigious beauty pageant in the Philippines, the Bininibing Pilipinas beauty pageant—started in 1964 by former Miss Columbia and the very first Miss International Stella Marquez-Araneta—has produced two Miss Universe winners (Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Maria Margarita Moran in 1973) and three Miss International winners (Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005).



However, it has yet to claim a Miss World crown, coming only second in 1973 (with Evangeline Pascual) and third in 1993 (with Ruffa Gutierrez). In 2005, Carlene Aguilar was predicted to win because she was a heavy favorite among Internet users. However, she only made it to the semifinals.



The annual Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is the main source of funds of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., (BPCI) which helps indigent families, less fortunate members of Philippine society, and calamity-stricken victims. BPCI also contributed to the global effort of aiding tsunami victims when it made its donation during the MTV Asia Aid Event at the Araneta Center in 2005.


Paolo Bediones will host the coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas 2008 on March 8 at the Araneta Coliseum with Raymond Gutierrez and 1994 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe winner Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach. This will be aired in GMA-7.

http://www.pep.ph/news/16494/Binibing-Pilipinas-2008-kicks-off-with-presentation-of-24-candidates



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Charlene Gonzalez, Goodbye ABS-CBN Hello QTV-11

Isang bonggang presscon ang ibinigay ng QTV-11 para sa former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe na si Charlene Gonzalez. Si Charlene na kasi ang maghu-host ng Proudly Filipina starting


Friday, February 29, at 7 p.m. Si Daphne Oseña-Paez ang dating host ng show.



Sa Meeting Room 3 & 4 sa Mezzanine ng Dusit Hotel, kung saan ginanap ang presscon, malugod na nakipag-usap si Charlene sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at sa iba pang press people na naroon.



THE "ACCIDENTAL ARTISTA." Kuwento ni Charlene, 16 years na pala siya sa showbiz. Akala niya kasi noon, matapos manalo as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1994 at mag-compete that same year sa Miss Universe Pageant na ginanap din dito sa Pilipinas, one or two years lang siyang tatagal sa show business.



"Akala ko talaga accidental artista or celebrity lang ako," nakangiti niyang pagbabalik-alaala. "Pero until now, nandito pa rin ako, inspirado pa ring magtrabaho."



Hindi ba tumanggi ang husband niyang si Aga Muhlach na muli siyang mag-show?



"Nagulat nga ako na may VTR pala siya. Na sinabi pa niyang nagdasal siya na makapasok ako sa ganitong programa. He's really happy for me," sambit ni Charlene.



Pagmamalaki pa ni Aga sa VTR, makikilala raw ng mga manonood kung gaano kabait at kahusay si Charlene bilang isang wife, mother to their children, and daughter to her parents.



ATASHA AND ANDRES. Speaking of their children, Atasha and Andres, tanggap na raw ng mga ito ang trabaho nila ni Aga bilang mga artista. In fact, akala nga raw ng mga ito ay kasing-normal lang ng kahit na anong activity sa bahay ang mga trabahong ginagawa nilang mag-asawa.



"Noong mag-taping nga ako ng OBB [opening billboard] ng Proudly Filipina, gusto nilang sumama, kaya lang pinigilan ko," kuwento ni Charlene. "Sabi ko baka magulo sila, pero sa mga susunod na taping, isasama ko na sila."



Kuwento pa ni Charlene, normal na rin nga raw sa kambal yung pakaway-kaway sa fans. "Happy sila na lagi silang kumakaway at bumabati sa mga taong nakikita nila sa set o kahit saan kami pumunta. Feeling kasi nila, kilala sila ng lahat.



"Noon ngang pumunta kami sa States, they say ‘hi!' to everybody dahil akala nila, ganoon dapat. Hindi pa nila alam ang magnitude ng trabaho namin ni Aga. Akala nila naglalaro lang sila, like noong nagsu-shoot kami ng Jollibee commercial, akala nila we're playing with them," nangingiting lahad ni Charlene.



Tuluyan na ba nilang ipapasok ni Aga sa showbiz ang kambal after gumawa ng TV commercial?



"Ayaw na muna namin," sagot ni Charlene. "Sa commercial, very selective kami ni Aga, sa Jollibee lang talaga kami pumayag dahil ang laki ng nagawa ng Jolibee sa amin. Yung pag-aartista, siguro kapag nakatapos na sila ng college at gusto pa nila, hindi namin sila pipigilan. As of now, we have to protect and shelter them as much as possible. We want them to live a normal life."



May ipinapakita na bang talents ang kambal?



"Atasha plays the piano very well. Andres loves to dance. Nagko-choreo na nga siya ng sarili niya. Minsan nga, tinanong ko siya kung ano ang ginagawa niya dahil tahimik siya. Sabi niya, he's concentrating daw on his choreography. Nakakatuwa! Wala namang nagtuturo sa kanya. Biro nga sa akin, namana raw siguro ni Andres ang hilig ko sa pagsayaw,"pagmamalaki ni Charlene about their twins.



DOING DYESEBEL. Ire-remake ang Dyesebel ng GMA-7 na si Marian Rivera ang gaganap. Sabi-sabi ay may io-offer daw na role kay Charlene sa said soap. Ano ang reaksiyon dito ni Charlene?



"Wow! Si Marian, she's very beautiful," bulalas niya. "Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang Dyesebel. As of now, wala pa namang formality. Kung may offer man sila, if ever, why not? But I will be meeting pa with everyone. Ang commitment ko pa lang talaga, sa QTV-11 at sa Proudly Filipina. One at a time muna.



"Saka we're leaving kasi, kami ni Aga at ang kambal, for the States next month. Gusto naming manood ng fight ni Manny Pacquiao, kung makabibili pa kami ng tickets. Kaya sana, may mabili pa kami.



"Pero hindi magtatagal si Aga. Mauuna siyang bumalik dito, kasi tatapusin niya ang movie nila ni Anne Curtis, ang Waiting For You. Me and the twins will stay in the States. Matagal-tagal na rin kasi akong hindi nakakabisita sa relatives namin doon. Pero hindi rin naman kami gaanong magtatagal, kasi nga mag-a-advanced taping lang ako ng Proudly Filipina, enough hanggang sa makabalik kami ng kambal."



OF BERNARD BONNIN AND BURNING BRIDGES. Tinantiya muna namin si Charlene kung sasagot ng personal question hinggil sa daddy niya, si Bernard Bonnin, na meron daw personal request sa kanya. Ibinulong na lamang namin sa kanya ang tanong, at ang sagot niya:



"Basta, mahal ko silang lahat. Yes, why not? My dad, I love him very much. I'm happy na he's working again, napapanood ko siya sa Palos," saad ni Charlene.



Hiningan pa ng komento si Charlene kung ano ang masasabi niya na nasa iba na siyang network.



"Nagpaalam din naman ako sa ABS-CBN, dahil alam ko, maliit lang ang industry natin. Sooner or later, mami-meet mo pa rin yung mga una mong nakatrabaho, kaya I don't burn bridges. Like me, nag-start ako sa GMA-7, napunta ako sa ABC-5, ‘tapos sa ABS-CBN, at ngayon, nasa QTV-11 na ako. I can only say na, ‘ang isang magandang pamilya ay may malaking puso.'"



May sumingit ng tanong kung may gagawin na rin siya sa GMA-7.



Pagtawa lang muna naging sagot ng former beauty queen, na sinundutan pa uli ng tanong kung tuloy ang pagiging anchor niya sa Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant sa Araneta Coliseum on March 8.



"Yes, with Raymond Gutierrez and Paolo Bediones," kumpirma niya.



Napahalakhak na lang si Charlene nang i-remind siya ng kaharap na press na unwittingly ay nasagot na niya ang tanong kung may gagawin siya sa GMA-7.



Hindi ba't sa GMA-7 ipapalabas ang Binibining Pilipinas?

http://www.pep.ph/news/16466/Charlene-Gonzalez-leaves-ABS-CBN-for-GMA-7s-sister-station-QTV-11

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Binibining Pilipinas 2008 Official Candidates

On March 8, 2008 in Araneta Coliseum three winners will be chosen to represent Philippines in the upcoming Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss World pageants. Here are the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 Official List of Candidates:


1. Eizza Rancesca Lim

2. Patricia Fernandez

3. Toni Alyessa Hipolito

4. Karla Paula Henry

5. Ma. Kristelle Lazaro

6. Evangeline Mae Castillo

7. Jennifer Barrientos

8. Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castano

9. Kathleen Phyllis Guerrero

10. Arvingail Arriola

11. GeeAnn Laudato

12. Jaycelle Arrozal

13. Tabetha Jo Frick

14. Karen Golar

15. Janina San Miguel

16. Margarita Gutierrez

17. Ladylou Garidan

18. Elysanta Nacuspag

19. Patricia Francisco

20. Roxanne Adique

21. Carla Cristina Garcia

22. Ma. Anne Kathleen Labung

23. Agatha Fontanilla

24. Riza Liz Catigan