Bb. Pilipinas 2012

Meet the new set of winners who will represent our country during the international pageants.

Janine Tugonon (No. 18) was proclaimed as the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2012. She is a Pharmacy graduate of University Sto. Tomas and works as a clinical specialist. 

Her winning answer reflected her belief as a modern Filipina.

“I believe women have the right to choose between what they want. Just go for what God wants you to do. Between the two, whatever it is, you must do your purpose in this world. Just have faith and mature obedience, and everything will go smooth,” Janine said in the question and answer portion when asked about women foregoing a happy family life for a successful career.

Nicole Schmitz (No. 8) 23 years old won Bb. Pilipinas-International, a pride of Cebu City, was Binibining Pilipinas 2007 Top 13 semifinalist. She was a recipient also of two individual and special awards, namely Best in Swimsuit and Best in National Costume.

"I would rather be someone respected because that means you maintain your integrity, dignity and self-respect and that means that in turn you will be loved by whoever matters and everyone around you."

Katrina Jayne Dimaranan (No. 13) 18 years old won Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism. She also won the Best in Talent award.

Elaine Kay Moll was declared 1st runner-up while Annalie Forbes was 2nd runner-up.
 
The special awards winners are:
Bb. Photogenic: Karen Gallman (No. 1)
Bb. Friendship: Chloe Zanardi (No. 25)
Manila Bulletin's Reader's Choice Award: Roxanne Tadique (No. 20)
People's Binibini: Giselle Munoz (No. 21)
Ms. PAL: Mary Jean Lastimosa (9)
Best in Evening Gown: Angelee delos Reyes (No. 26)

The coronation night was hosted by Xian Lim, Iza Calzado, Venus Raj and Georgina Wilson.

Just a few comments during the pageant:

*Xian Lim needs more practice because I noticed that he had some grammar lapses and he doesn’t know how to ad lib and it is even very obvious that he’s reading the script (what I’m trying to say is, there are a lot of ways in order not to be very obvious that you’re reading a script when hosting).

*Georgina Wilson should speak naturally. She should avoid being too “maarte” in pronouncing words because I could hardly understand some of her words.

*Iza Calzado did a good job.  But she should have worn more glamorous gowns instead.

*Venus Raj had a fair performance.

Source: http://www.google.com.ph

Le Tour de Filipinas 2012

     Around eighty local and international cyclists kicked off Stage One of the 2012 Le Tour de Filipinas in the coastal town of Sta. Ana in Cagayan last Saturday, April 14, 2012.

     The first of four stages started in Sta. Ana to the finish line in front of the Tuguegarao City Hall still in the Province of Cagayan.

     The race began with Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile who fired the starting gun alongside cycling godfather Bert Lina and wife Sylvia, who represented Le Tour sponsor Air21, and race organizer Gary Cayton of Dynamic      Outsource Solutions, Inc.

     Stage Two started last Sunday, April 15, 2012 from Tuguegarao City to Cauayan City in Isabela. The third stage is 104 kms between Cauayan and Bayombong City in Nueva Vizcaya.

     The final stage will be an exhausting ride over the Cordilleras and will feature two KOM summits as the riders depart for the iconic summer capital Baguio City, the final destination of the Le Tour.

     The 2012 Le Tour consists of 11 foreign teams and five local ones as the riders duke it out for the top stage and overall prizes. Continental teams CCN Cycling Tean (Netherlands), OCBC Singapore, Aisan Racing Team from Japan, Uzbekistan Suren of Uzbekistan, Terengganu Cycling Team from Malaysia and Action Cycling Team from Chinese Taipei will take the stage beside club teams Plan B Racing Team from Australia, PureBlack Racing (New Zealand), Dutch Global Team (Netherlands) and Colossi Miche of Indonesia. The Indonesian National Team is also participating in the race under the Yogyakarta banner.

     The local teams are SMART-PhilCycling National Team, LPGMA-American Vinyl, Go21, Mail & More and KIA, which is represented by members of the Philippine Navy.