Philippines Pride

Jessica Sanchez survives the cut in the American Idol

2012-05-17T19:10:00.002-07:00

Jessica Sanchez survives the cut in the American Idol. Joshua Ledet was eliminated on Thursday, sending Phillip Phillips and the once-eliminated, but saved by the judges, Jessica Sanchez to the finals.Joshua Ledet was eliminated on Thursday, sending Phillip Phillips and the once-eliminated, but saved by the judges, Jessica Sanchez to the finals.

Congratulations!

one more steps to the top. Aim for it Jessica. We are behind you.

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PH driver Marlon Stockinger places 2nd in opening GP3 Series race

2012-05-15T04:36:00.001-07:00

Filipino driver Marlon Stockinger has put the Philippine flag back on the global motorsports map by finishing second in the opening race of the 2012 GP3 Series this weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The two 16-lap GP3 races on Saturday and Sunday served as support events to the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Stockinger, driving Car No. 14 for Status Grand Prix, qualified fifth for the first race. He made the most of the opportunity by finishing just 2.6 seconds behind winner Mitch Evans (New Zealand) of MW Arden. Stockinger scored 18 points for the effort, seven points off Evans.

For the second race the following day, however, Stockinger failed to score a single point as he wound up in 19th place. The GP3 Series has a different format compared to Formula 1 in that the second race of every two-race round follows a reverse grid order for the top eight finishers of the first race. Which meant Stockinger had to start the second race in seventh. US driver Conor Daly, who finished sixth in the first race, won the second race after starting third on the grid. First-race winner Evans likewise failed to score a point in the second race.

"Coming from Asia, it's a lot more diffirent than coming from Europe to settle into everything," Stockinger said during the press conference. "I think I am with a better team now, and I think when all these cards come into play, the results improve. I think winter testing went well and we were very consistent."

Stockinger is now sixth in the overall championship standings, with the second round scheduled for May 25-26 in Monaco.

The 21-year-old Marlon Stockinger placed 28th overall in the GP3 Series last year. In 2010, he finished eighth overall in Formula Renault UK, improving upon his 25th-position showing in the same series the previous year. In 2008, he was also eighth overall in Formula BMW Pacific while also racing in Formula BMW Europe.

Do you think this signals the start of another wave of world-class Filipino racing drivers?

INFO CREDIT TO : http://www.topgear.com.ph/news//ph-driver-marlon-stockinger-places-2nd-in-opening-gp3-series-race

Early life
Stöckinger was born in Manila, Philippines. He is the son of a Swiss businessman and racing enthusiast, Tom Stöckinger, and a Filipina woman, Egin San Pedro; he grew up in the Philippines until he was 17, and then went to Europe to pursue a racing career.
Racing career

Early career
Prior to joining the Formula Renault series, Stöckinger won titles and honors from international derbies such as the Formula BMW Pacific 2008 Championships, the Senior Rotax Max World Finals 2007, the Asian Karting Championship 2006, the Junior Rotax Max-World Finals 2005 and the Philippine Shell Super Karting Series 2002. He participated at the 2008 Formula BMW Europe season - the championship's maiden season after the merger of the British and German series - as a guest driver, racing at the Hungaroring (21st and 23rd place), Valencia Street Circuit (15th and 23rd place) and at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (20th and 21st).
Formula Renault (2009–2010)
Stöckinger made his debut at the UK championship in 2009 at 18 years of age, joining other newcomers including Harry Tincknell, Matias Laine and Will Stevens. He arrived 20th on his debut at Brands Hatch and eventually finished 25th in the championship with 56 points. His best result was an eleventh place at round eight at Oulton Park.
The following season began at Thruxton on April 3, 2010 and will end on October 10 at Brands Hatch, after twenty rounds held in England, and for the first time since 2006, Scotland. After arriving 10th in his first race of the year, the Filipino-Swiss driver was able to finish third at Rockingham Motor Speedway, his best result ever in two seasons. At the Croft Circuit (round 8) he started from pole and finished the race first, becoming the first Filipino to have won a formula race in Europe. The performance was then followed by a second place in the same circuit, behind Lewis Williamson.
GP3 Series (2011–present)
The following year, Stöckinger moved to the GP3 series, where he suited up for Atech GP in the 2011 GP3 Series season.
Going into his second year in the GP3 Series, the Filipino was assessed by Status Grand Prix during their autumn tests. Stöckinger was regularly featured in the Top 5 of the time sheets at Barcelona, Valencia and Jerez tests, and impressed the team with his performances. In February 2012, Stöckinger left Atech GP and signed to join Status Grand Prix for the 2012 GP3 Series season.

INFO CREDIT TO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlon_St%C3%B6ckinger

Viloria beats Romero to retain WBO title

2012-05-13T07:41:00.001-07:00

WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria gained revenge over Mexico's Omar Nino Romero on Sunday, winning by a technical knockout to retain his title in a hard-fought bout.
Romero's corner threw in the towel in the ninth round of the World Boxing Organization fight in Manila after Filipino Viloria, 31, unleashed a salvo of unanswered punches against the 36-year-old Mexican, who was stuck on the ropes.
The victory gives Viloria, popularly known as the "Hawaiian Punch", a record of 31 victories and three defeats.
It was also vindication for Viloria, who lost his World Boxing Council light flyweight title to Romero in 2006.
Later that same year they clashed again but the fight was declared a no contest after the Mexican failed a post-fight drug test.
Speaking after Sunday's bout, Viloria said he had become stronger since the two previous encounters.
"He didn't feel my power in the first two fights," he said.
Viloria, of Filipino descent and based in Hawaii, almost knocked Romero down in the fourth round with the Mexican visibly dazed by his opponent's punches.
Romero, known as the "Giant Killer", falls to 31 wins, five losses and two draws.

'American Idol' Top 3 announced and Jessica Sanchez is In

2012-05-11T03:16:00.001-07:00

Filipina-American-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez has been named as one of the American Idol Season 11 Top 3

It’s pretty insane so see Jessica Sanchez to finally be part of American Idol Top 3. After her amazing performance last night, Jessica proved one more time that she belong in the competition and shes really in it to win it according to Jackson.Who won’t like this girl? She just slayed “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday.

Grammy award-winning actress/singer Jennifer Holliday, who called Sanchez her 'little soul angel', was glad that Sanchez was safe from elimination.

"THANK YOU,OH MERCIFUL GOD 4 MAKING SWEET JESSICA"SAFE"!.ONLY U LORD, TOOK JAY from The"BOTTOM3" 2The "TOP3"!.SING"SOUL ANGEL"!" she said on her Twitter account.

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Jessica Sanchez top4 performance (American idol 11)

2012-05-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

JESSICA SANCHEZ

For her first song, Jessica went back to very old-school Cali, doing Etta James's "Steal Away." It got a little growly in parts (growling is a habit Jessica picked up at age 7, according to home movie footage that aired this evening), but she nailed the sophisticated song and once again proved she's an old torch-singer soul trapped in a tiny teen girl's body. "When I think about all the great female singers out there who'd be your contemporaries, you're just one of the best," said Jennifer. "I love that. You just nailed that. That showed the other side of your voice," said Steven. "Your vocals are ridiculous. That girl right there can sing the phone book!" howled Randy. Probably true--but I'd rather hear Jessica sing Etta, thanks.

For her final song in the pimp spot, Jessica took on the Dreamgirls behemoth "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going," a crazy-difficult song that makes "Bohemian Rhapsody" seem, well, like singing the phone book. (Randy said it's one of the hardest songs in the world to sing.) It's also a song that in recent years has become closely associated in people's minds with one of the greatest "Idol" divas, Jennifer Hudson. But Jessica NAILED this. Inspired by the Judges' Save night when she almost went home a few weeks ago, she made it clear that she has no intention of ever coming that close to being sent home again--unless it means she's one of the top three enjoying a ticker-taped homecoming celebration next week, that is. This was a grand statement song, and it even topped her "I Will Always Love You" performance, which until this night had been the Jessica Sanchez performance by which all other Jessica Sanchez performances must be judged. "I think you're in it to REALLY win it," said Randy. "Another winning performance, just over-the-top," said Steven. "Your vocal ability is just not something you see every day. It was a real moment--we've had a lot tonight, but that was amazing," said J.Lo.

So now, it is prediction time. I think I've already made it abundantly clear who I think will go home this week--anyone other than Hollie will be a MAJOR upset--but who will join her in the bottom two? Possibly Phillip, because he sang first, and because Jessica and Joshua were so stunning...but it's a moot point, really, because it's Hollie's time to go. She had a good run, but it seems like she won't be able to make America love her this week.

Philippine Madrigal Singers

2012-05-08T03:33:00.001-07:00

The Philippine Madrigal Singers was organized in 1963 by National Artist Professor Andrea O. Veneracion. The choir is one of the world’s most awarded, having consistently won all the top prizes in most of the world’s prestigious choral competitions.

Now with the direction of Mark Anthony Carpio, the ensemble continues to perform a wide repertoire of various styles and forms: Renaissance music, Classical music, Filipino and International folksongs, contemporary and Avant-garde music, Opera and even popular music. Their specialization and focus on the madrigal idiom has inspired their unique set-up of singing while seated in a semi-circle, without a conductor.

Congratulations B-Meg Llamados 2012 Commissioners Cup Champions

2012-05-06T06:33:00.001-07:00

Congratulations B-Meg Llamados 2012 Commissioners Cup Champions

AND also

Congratulations for Mr. James Yap new MVP

Jessica Sanchez makes it to 'American Idol 2012' top 4

2012-05-04T04:42:00.002-07:00

Filipina-American-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez has been named as one of the American Idol Season 11 Top 4

Congratulations!
A few more steps to the top. Aim for it Jessica. We are behind you.

KEEP ON VOTING FOR JESSICA !

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Clarisse Obia crowned Miss Teen Universe 2012 1st runner-up

2012-05-02T01:47:00.000-07:00

Clarisse Marie Obia crowned 1st Runner Up in Miss Teen Universe 2012

Clarisse Marie Obia, 19, was crowned first runner-up during the coronation night at the Hall of the Ruben Dario National Theater on April 30, besting hopefuls from Costa Rica, Canada, Margarita Island, and Brazil, who were also among the top six finalists.

Emerging as the 2012 Teen Universe titlist is Panama's Sasha Nikyta Kam.

Obia, who is a student from Lyceum of the Philippines University, was chosen by the Bb. Unibersidad organization to represent the country after earning a top ten spot in its inaugural pageant last year.

Born in Biñan, Laguna, Obia wore a national costume by designer Kim Gan in the international contest in Nicaragua.

During the send-off gathering for Obia in April, the the 5-foot-6 beauty said she plans to represent the Philippines by highlighting Filipino hospitality.

“I’ll just show how much I love my country, and I’ll prove to them that it really is more fun in the Philippines. I’ll show them how hospitable Filipinos are, and that there are many great things about the Philippines, the places, the food, and us Filipinos ourselves,” she said at the time.

“I’m pressured and I’ve gone into extensive training, so hopefully, with the support of my family and my Bb. Unibersidad family, I can bring home a crown,” she added.

The Bb. Unibersidad organization hopes to follow up Obia’s success as it gears up to crown her successor.

The 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will see 35 university hopefuls vying to represent the Philippines in the next international Teen Universe competition.

The coronation night for the 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will be held on May 18 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

credit to: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/05/01/12/pinay-crowned-miss-teen-universe-1st-runner

Philippines national football team

2012-05-01T04:35:00.001-07:00

Philippine Azkals

The Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the governing body of football in the Philippines.

Despite being one of the oldest national teams in Asia, the Philippines has yet to qualify for the Asian Cup or the World Cup. However, they enjoyed some success in its early years between 1913 and 1934 in the Far Eastern Championship Games.

Philippine Azkals Is the Philippine team which has enter in the SEMI FINAL of AFC Cup For The First Time in the Philippines History!!

Why Azkals?

The Azkals is short for “asong kalye,” Tagalog for street dog, that resilient mongrel found in most Filipino homes. (Yes, a street dog with a home. An askal without a home either ends up in the pound or the cauldron.)

Jessica Sanchez makes it to 'American Idol 2012' top 5

2012-04-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

Jessica Sanchez makes it to 'American Idol 2012' top 5

Now, just five singers remain in the competition - Phillip Phillips, Joshua Ledet, Jessica Sanchez, Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh. The Bottom 3 on Thursday included Elise, Hollie and Skylar. Hollie and Elise made up the Bottom 2.

Early life:

Jessica Sanchez, the eldest of three siblings, was born on August 4, 1995, in Chula Vista, California to Gilbert and Edita Sanchez. Her father, a Mexican American originally from Texas, is a U.S. Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War. Her mother is Filipina and originally hailed from Bataan province in the Philippines. Her maternal grandfather, Eddie Bugay, is a retired U.S. Navy sailor. She is a former student of Eastlake Middle School in Chula Vista. Back in her eighth grade, her favorite subjects were science, physical education, and choir. Her teacher remembers Sanchez as a humble girl, for when word spread at school that she sang the national anthem at a San Diego Chargers home game, she did not brag and preferred to stay in the background. She was selected for full scholarship training at the Theater of Arts in Hollywood and is currently a homeschooled high school student in 11th grade. She started singing at the age of 2 and aspires to be a mainstream singer that can "belt but sing upbeat songs". Eminem and Beyonce are her favorite male and female artists, while Jennifer Hudson is her favorite American Idol contestant. Other musical influences include Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, and Michael Jackson.

Disney Legend from the Philippines (Lea Salonga)

2012-04-24T03:11:00.002-07:00

Lea Salonga

Maria Lea Carmen Salonga is a world-class Filipina(pinoy pride) singer-actress well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the West End musical Miss Saigon. She was a recipient of many awards including a Tony for that role. She has also done many Broadway musicals and was the first Asian to play Eponine in Les Misérables and many years later as Fantine. She was also tapped by Disney to be the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. She started her career in entertainment in a very early age and had her professional debut through the musical The King and I when she was seven. She then became the lead star of Annie. She had her first album "Small Voice" at the age of ten and received her first gold record award.
Lea later appeared in various TV shows as well as on films. She also became the face of Avon and Bayo. Moreover,she has sold millions of album copies as well as performed before thousands in her concerts in the Philippines and abroad and before dignitaries including US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Diana.She received the Presidential Award of Merit from the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino and the Order of Lakandula Award from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She recently performed in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella for Broadway Asia Enterntainment's international tour. Lea of course played the lead role.

Miss Universe 2011 (Shamcey Gurrea Supsup)

2012-04-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

Shamcey Gurrea Supsup

Shamcey Gurrea Supsup (born on May 16, 1986) is a Filipino beauty titleholder who represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant, in which she was declared third runner-up. She also topped the Architecture Licensure Examination in July 2011 in the Philippines. Supsup graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines.

Pageants:

Supsup joined Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe title during the coronation night held at the Araneta Coliseum on April 10, 2011. This victory entitled her to represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant held in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on September 12, 2011. In the pageant Supsup placed as third runner-up.

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Miss Universe 2010 (Fourth Runner-Up)

2012-04-22T05:50:00.001-07:00

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj (born July 7, 1988) is a Filipina beauty queen. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines)-Universe on March 6, 2010 during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She represented the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and placed fourth runner-up to Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

Early life:

Maria Venus Raj was born to an Indian father and a Filipina mother. Raj was taken by her mother to Bato, Camarines Sur in Bicol Region, Philippines as an infant and was registered by an aunt as a Philippine-born child to Roman Catholic parents. Raj grew up with her mother, a former tenant farmer and dressmaker. A former Roman Catholic, she is now a Born Again Christian

Raj lived in a nipa hut made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves with no electricity in the middle of a sprawling rice field in the rural town of Bato for more than twenty years. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training where she eventually developed her distinct catwalk.
The youngest of five children, Maria Venus Raj started out by joining local beauty pageants. She also joined oratorical contests at San Vicente High School where her English teacher served as her coach. With her victories in major contests, Venus Raj had bought land on an installment basis for her mother as a means of improving their livelihood. Raj obtained her Diploma in Communications Arts, major in Journalism, at Bicol University in Albay, with Latin honors (Cum Laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation. She worked as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V. In addition to this, she also worked as a part-time fashion model in her native Bicol and Manila.

Pageantry:

Miss Philippines-Earth 2008
Following her victory as Miss Bicolandia, Raj represented Legazpi City and competed in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2008, and was named as Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism 2008, and fourth runner-up to eventual Miss Earth 2008 winner Karla Henry on May 11, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria, Manila.

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe
After joining Miss Philippines-Earth in 2008, Raj took a break from beauty contests and worked as an Information Assistant at the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[citation needed] On March 6, 2010, she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She won the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. She also won the special awards Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and was a co-winner for Miss Friendship - a rare feat for a major title winner.

Dethronement

A few weeks after her coronation, Raj was dethroned by Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. citing alleged inconsistencies between her birth certificate and the personal account of her birth. Raj was briefly replaced by second runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson since first runner-up Diane Elaine S. Necio, also from Bicol was only 17 years old and did not meet the age requirement policies of Miss Universe.

Raj had planned to take legal action to combat BPCI's decision in court, but she also weighed in on her decision because of its potential impact to her future career.A Lawyer Francis Padua Papica, who sponsored Raj’s college education, and another counsel volunteered to defend her for free. led supporters in sending an appeal regarding Raj's case to the Miss Universe Organization
In a local television appearance, Raj stated that a representative for the Miss universe 2010 spoke with her and looked into her case. In the same interview, she said, “My fight is now more than just chasing a dream. It is about clearing my soiled reputation. It is about standing up for people who are poor and born out of wedlock. It is a fight for acceptance.”
Reinstatement
On April 10, 2010, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. allowed Raj to reclaim her title due to humanitarian reasons. An additional requirement that Raj should legally obtain a valid Philippine passport as proof of her true citizenship was also requested by the pageant organizers. On May 19, 2010, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs issued Raj a Philippine passport thereby attesting to her Filipino citizenship. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Raj is a Philippine citizen by virtue of the jus sanguinis principle (“right of blood”), a basic right provided by the Philippine Constitution which bestows upon a person the citizenship of his father or mother regardless of where the person was born, thus declaring her of Filipino citizenship.[citation needed]
Upon the issuance of her Philippine passport, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. announced that they are reinstating Raj. Currently, Raj holds the record as the first-ever dethroned Binibining Pilipinas to have successfully attempted for a reinstatement of a Binibining Pilipinas crown.

Miss Universe 2010
In August 2010, Raj flew to the United States and took part in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. As part of the six delegates which were handpicked for a media tour, Raj along with Jesinta Campbell of Australia, Natalia Navarro of Colombia, Sarodj Bertin of Haiti, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico, Mariana Vicente of Puerto Rico and Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez were scheduled for several television appearances prior to the actual pageant in Las Vegas. During the Miss Universe question and answer portion, Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin about the biggest mistake that she made in her life and what she did to make it right, to which she simply replied that she had never made any big mistakes in her life. Raj received the highest rating in the Miss Universe website, with 3.54 points, the highest-ever for a Filipina delegate. In an event held in Diablos Cantina at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Raj won in a Chicken Wing Eating Contest, increasing her popularity even more during the run of the pageant. While competing at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Raj was emotionally distressed to hear about the death of Filipina-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach and make-up artist Alden Orense in a car accident. Gersbach, a fellow Bicolana who previously competed and secured a place in the Top15 finalists at Miss International 2009 in China, was one of Raj's coaches in her preparation for the Miss Universe pageant.

Manny Pacquiao

2012-04-02T01:34:00.000-07:00

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao ( born December 17, 1978), also known as Manny Pacquiao, is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is an eight-division world champion, the first boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000's by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time The Ring "Fighter of the Year", winning the award in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Currently, Pacquiao is the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion and WBO Welterweight World Champion (Super Champion). He is also currently rated as the "number one" pound-for-pound best boxer in the world by several sporting news and boxing websites, including The Ring, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NBC Sports, Yahoo! Sports, Sporting Life and About.com.

Aside from boxing, Pacquiao has participated in acting, music recording, and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani. He is the only active boxer to become a congressman in the Philippines

Pacquiao is also a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army. When younger he had considered becoming a soldier, and was enlisted in the military reserve force as an Army Private.

Education

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