December 18 is Graciano Lopez Jaena Day

Graciano Lopez Jaena (1856-1896), the Greatest Filipino Orator and Propagandist 

Today December 18, 2013 is the 157th birthday of Graciano Lopez Jaena Philippines' greatest orator and propagandist from Jaro, Iloilo. The founder and first editor of La Solidaridad, the Filipino propagandist organ newspaper. He is one of the triumvirate of Filipino propagandists along with Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar. May your legacy continue to inspire the entire nation and the whole world. 


Photo Source:

Vibal Foundation 

Amelia Vega Resemblance, Philippines' Bea Rose Santiago Wins Miss International 2013

Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines received warmth kisses from her runners up. From left, Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker, 1st runner up and New Zealand, Casey Radley (right).

Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines (center) is flanked by 1st runner-up Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker (left) and 2nd runner-up New Zealand, Casey Radley (right)

Tokyo, Japan - 23 year-old Bea Rose Santiago from Cataingan, Masbate province in the Philippines beats 66 other lovely contestants from around the world to win the 53rd Miss International in a glittering ceremony held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan Tuesday night, December 17. She was the 5th Filipina to be crowned Miss International and the last time Philippines won the crown was in 2005 with Precious Lara Quigaman. She was crowned by Miss International 2008 Alejandra Andreu of Spain because the reigning Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Japan's first Miss International was barred from attending the event due to her involvement in a scandal where a media executive Genichi Taniguchi allegedly harassed and intimidated Ms. Yoshimatsu for not signing on to a talent agency with ties to the Japanese Yakuza or underworld facing death threats from her alleged stalker. This was the first time that the reigning Miss International could not crown her successor due to immediate concerns. She was touted by many as having the resemblance of Amelia Vega from Dominican Republic, who ten years ago won Miss Universe 2003 in Panama. 1st runner up is Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker who also competed at the Miss Universe 2012 and 2nd runner up is New Zealand Casey Radley and also Miss Philippines room mate. Rounding up the Top 5 finalists were Colombia, Lorena Hermida and Hungary Brigitta Otvos. The rest of the semifinalists were Brazil, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Iceland, Lithuania, Russia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Thailand and USA. Miss Photogenic went to Lithuania, Elma Segzdaviciute, Best in National Costume went to Aruba, Erialda Croes, Miss Friendship was New Zealand, Casey Radley and Miss Internet went to Macau, Adela Ka-wai Sou. 

Philippines winning answer: "The whole world saw how my country, the Philippines suffered. The agony of my people was felt. But one by one, country to country came to help. I would like to thank all the nations that helped my country in our darkest hours. You have opened my eyes and my heart and how important it is if we all just support each other. If I become Miss International, I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit for sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. I believe that whatever calamities may come to us as long as we have each other, there will be hope. "


Photo Source: 
Miss International Inc. LP., LLP 
Rappler

Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW

Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW poster

Dinagyang Festival 2014 Official Poster

Iloilo: HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES

Some of the Dinagyang Festival 2014 Pamukaw photos 

Iloilo City, Philippines - The Dinagyang Festival 2014 teaser called "Pamukaw" was held last Friday, December 13, 2014 along the main streets of Iloilo City to jumpstart the start of the grandest street dancing in Iloilo. Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog who gave a warm greeting and welcome speech launch the teaser for Dinagyang Festival 2014. Iloilo City Vice-Mayor Joe Espinosa III and other Iloilo City officials also graced the event. Eleven (11) competing tribes showcased some of their moves and treated the audience of what to expect for next year's street dance competition. The theme for next year's festivities is "Dinagyang Festival 2014: Bringing MORE FUN to the world". Dinagyang Festival 2014 is slated from January 24 - 26, 2013 and the city expect hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors to flock the city and province for the said mardi-gras type of street dancing. Tourists and travelers who wish to visit Iloilo for the festivity are advised to book a reservation early in December because hotel and lodging accommodations are fully booked in January with no chance of vacancy.
          To see more photos and videos of the event and teaser performances of tribes, click on the following links below:


For Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW Videos: 

Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City, Philippines) Fan Page 


For Dinagyang Festival 2014 PAMUKAW Photos: 
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Official Facebook Page  
Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office Facebook Page  
Dinagyang Festival Official Facebook Page 



Photo Source:

Marcos Detourist
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog Official Facebook Page
Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City, Philippines) Facebook Fan Page
Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office Facebook Page

Western Visayas Region Achievements In 2013

Jonathan Yabut

Megan Young

Ilo ilo Film by Singaporean Director Anthony Chen

          Despite of the  violence, tragedies and calamities that befall the country in recent times, it is still a bitter sweet year for the Filipinos. The year 2013 proves to be an auspicious and productive year for the Philippines more specifically the Western Visayas region because each and every province in the region except Guimaras Island has produced and won achievements in the international arena something that every Filipino could be proud of. It is a banner year for the whole region because of its accomplishments so far this year. Here are the individuals or personalities and their accomplishments representing provinces in Western Visayas which brought fame, honor and recognition to the country, and won accolades by the Filipino people:


Aklan - JONATHAN YABUT, won The Apprentice Asia Season 1 in Malaysia. He will work closely with his boss, Malaysian magnate Tony Fernandes for a year.

Antique - MEGAN YOUNG, won Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia. She will travel to different countries as part of her job as Miss World.

Capiz - a CAPIZNON household service worker inherited six million dollars from her boss in New York, United States. Her reward was attributed to her great kindness, unwavering service and pleasant disposition which was greatly appreciated by her boss.

Iloilo - ILO ILO, a Singaporean true to life film by Anthony Chen about a Singaporean family who hires a Filipina maid during the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis. The film won the Palme D'or at prestigious Cannes International Film Festival and several other awards in different international film festival. It is Singapore's official entry to the 87th Academy Awards or Oscars 2014 Best Foreign Language Film. The film is based on true to life story of TERESITA "AUNTIE TERRY" SAJONIA of the town of San Miguel in Iloilo who spent several years working for a Singaporean family and took care of the child who grew up to be Anthony Chen

Negros Occidental - STEPHANIE RETUYA, Asia's Next Top Model Season 1  runner-up




Photo Source: 

Philstar.ph 
Rappler

Rest In Peace, Nelson Mandela

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela. God Bless You! 

          We are deeply saddened by the passing of an icon and a legend whose legacy for humanity still lives on and continued to be exemplified by selfless men and women. His long battle and suffering with lung complication has come to an end.The vanguard of humanity who changed the world and make a difference has finally rested peacefully with the lord. We are so blessed to have a man who stand up against discrimination, segregation and oppression not only for his beloved South Africa but also served as a great inspiration to all nations in the world. One of the best man that walked the earth showed kindness, unconditional love and selfless service whose only noble desire is equality, justice and fairness among all men with no regards to color or background. What really draws deep in my heart is that after being imprisoned for 27 harrowing and depressing years he showed no trace of bitterness and anger in his heart and even granted sincere forgiveness to those who wrong him - what a kind and gentle soul. May we continue to learn from him, from his legacy and serve him as an inspiration in today's world that in our own little ways we could make a difference in the world. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Madiba family, relatives and friends of Mr. Nelson Mandela and also to the entire nation, South Africa. Our prayers are with you. God bless you, Mr. Nelson Mandela. Rest in Peace.

Miss Earth 2013 Top Twenty Siren Beauties

          Miss Earth 2013 Pageant Finals will take place on Saturday, December 7 at Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa at eight o'clock in the evening. Eighty-eight (88) contestants from across the planet will compete for the prestigious Miss Earth crown. Hosted Live by couple Oli Pettigrew of Cash Cab Asia and Linda Black, the finals will be aired live by Star World in all of its subscribing countries, replayed the next day by ABS-CBN and on later dates on The Filipino Channel and other participating countries of the competition. This year's theme "Celebrating The Year of Water Cooperation," focuses on its emphasis of water conservation and preservation. After closely watching the pageant's progress, Watchful Eyes came up with its Top Twenty siren beauties. These are the contestants who caught the attention of the Watchful Silhouette Eyes:

 

Poland - Aleksandra Szczesna

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Vera Krneta

 

Serbia - Andjelka Tomasevic

 

Kosovo - Donika Emini

 

Romania - Ioana Mihalache

 

Martinique - Rani Charles

 

Philippines - Angelee De Los Reyes

 

Austria - Katia Wagner

 

Ukraine - Anatasia Sukh

 

Albania - Afroviti Goge

 

Netherlands - Wendy-Kristy Hoogerbrugge

 

Russia - Olesya Boslovyak

 

Zambia - Winnie-Fredah Kabwe

 

Turkey - Ezgi Avci

 

Sweden - Denice Andree

 

Guadeloupe - Marie Vaitilingon

 

Costa Rica - Mariela Aparicio

 

Crimea - Maria Makater

 

Spain - Cristina Martinez

 Thailand - Punika Kulsoontornrut

Sailing Through:

Bolivia
England
India
Mexico
Slovak Republic




Photo Source:

Miss Earth Foundation Inc, LP., LLP

Miss Earth 2013 Twenty Four Best In National Costume

           Last Monday, November 25 Moment for the Earth took place at the F1 Hotel Manila Ballroom in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Each of the eighty-eight (88) contestants from different countries showcased their national costumes and display a colorful background of their native lands. Each has their own uniqueness, creativity and innovation shown on their native dress. Some contestants even changes national costume to tell the story of their home country.

          After I saw all of the contestants national costumes, here are now Watchful Eyes' Twenty Four Best In National Costume

Philippines 

Thailand

 

Curacao

 

Mexico

 

Indonesia

 

Bolivia

 

Australia 

 

South Africa

 

Cote D'Ivoire

 

Venezuela

 

Ecuador

 

Haiti 

 

Turkey

 

Tahiti

 

Panama

 

Mongolia

 

Albania

 

Spain

 

Korea

 

Guam

 

Nigeria

 

Canada

 

Tanzania

 

Trinidad and Tobago 

Photo Source: 

F1 Hotel Manila 
Missosology 
Edmund Chua, Fab Philippines