Philippine Asian News Today Vol 21 No 6 | Page 32

32 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY March 16 - 31, 2019 ‘Idol Philippines’ to air in April A new teaser for the upcoming “Idol Philippines” has been released. It features judges Regine Velasquez, Moira dela Torre, James Reid and Vice Ganda talking about the characteristics of an “idol.” While no exact date was given yet, the teaser revealed that “Idol Philippines” will debut in April. Aside from being a judge, Velasquez previously told ABS- CBN News that she really wants to mentor aspiring singers. “I wanna be honest because I want them to improve,” she said, adding that she is certain to have a hard time playing her role. “Mahirap kasi when you say ‘no’ to a contestant, it’s like you ruining their dreams,” she explained. Dela Torre, on the other hand, said she is more than excited for the show to start because she is also a product of a singing contest. As for Reid and Vice Ganda, both feel honored to be part of a panel that will be instrumental in fulfilling one’s dream. “Idol Philippines” is the local version of the Simon Fuller’s “Idol” franchise. Cory Quirino, Ogie Alcasid join forces for new Mutya ng Pilipinas became the country’s representative to the 2018 Miss Universe contest held in Thailand in December. She won and became the Philippines fourth Miss Universe titleholder. Quirino has moved on from the heart- breaking loss of Gray and is now focused on Mutya ng Pilipinas. She said: “Mutya ng Pilipinas deserves nothing less than the continuance of its national tradition but with brighter dreams for aspiring candidates.” The granddaughter of Philippine president Elpidio Quirino said that Radio and TV personality and wellness advocate Cory Quirino (center) assumes the she has been wooed to presidency of Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty contest during a press conference held in Makati join Mutya ng Pilipinas City last Wednesday. Also in photo are OPM artist Ogie Alcasid (left), ‘Mutya’ Board of since December 2018. Director; and Fred Yuson, chairman, Mutya ng Pilipinas. “It was Ogie (Alcasid) (MANILA BULLETIN) who recommended me She’s back! Pilipinas to the next level,” she to Fred (Yuson). And so we went Two years after she quit as added. to the house of Fred (Yuson) after national director of another pageant, Quirino, also current president Christmas. There they asked me radio and television personality and of Volunteers Against Crime and to join Mutya ng Pilipinas,” Quirino wellness advocate Cory Quirino Corruption (VACC), was the former said. The rest is history. assumed the presidency of Mutya national director of the Miss World Quirino said that Mutya ng ng Pilipinas beauty pageant, one Philippines contest from 2011 to PIlipinas “will now pursue its of the longest-running beauty 2016. original platform by embarking contests in the country, during a During the press conference, on grassroots campaign with the press conference held at a hotel in she finally revealed to the press Liga Ng Mga Barangay and under Makati City last Wednesday. why she left Miss World Philippines the auspices of the Department of “Why I have returned to pageant. She said she was totally Interior and Local Government.” pageantry is for one reason alone. heartbroken when Filipino- Mutya ng Pilipinas signed a What I long intended to accomplish Australian Catriona Gray lost in the memorandum of understanding in 2011 was left unfinished – that of Miss World 2016 beauty pageant with Liga Ng Mga Barangay led by discovering the Hometown Girl,” held in the US. Kapitana Eden Pineda under the said Quirino, during a jam-packed Pageant fans believe Quirino’s auspices of DILG Undersecretary press conference. resignation as national director of for Barangay Affairs Martin Dino. “With the full support of our Miss World Philippines was a sign Yuson also revealed the strategic dynamic Chairman Fred Yuson of protest to the results of the Miss move of Mutya ng Pilipinas as “one and the artistic expertise of Ogie World 2016 contest. which will positively secure the Alcasid, I am confident that, Gray then joined rival national future of the organization.” together, we will take Mutya ng pageant Bb. Pilipinas 2018 and Quirino said that talks are WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM underway with ABS-CBN to open its doors to talented Mutya candidates who could possibly join the ranks of ABS-CBN Star Magic artists. “We will discover talented candidates who will be given the chance to become a movie star, model or career woman,” she said. Now on its 51st year, Mutya ng Pilipinas will continue its international search with its existing partners abroad. Alcasid joins the Mutya ng Pilipinas team as a member of the Board of Director. Known for his award-winning OPM masterpieces, the popular musician said that he will also be involved in the pageant’s production through his A Team company. He said that his wife Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez is excited about his production’s partnership with Mutya ng Pilipinas. This is not the first time Alcasid embraced a beauty pageant. During the staging of the 1994 Miss Universe beauty contest in the Philippines, Alcasid toured with the candidates of the prestigious beauty pageant. There Alcasid met and fell in love with former Miss Australia Michelle Van Eimeren, who was ranked No. 11 in the 1994 Miss Universe contest. They got married but got separated. Alcasid and Eimeren remain good friends through the years despite having their own families. Alcasid and Velasquez later tied the knot. They have a son. The grand finals of the 51st Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant will be held in August.(R. Requintina, mb.com)