2013 New Year Celebrations Around The World Part III

Rome, Italy 

Sao Paulo, Brazil 

Taipei, Taiwan 

Tokyo, Japan 

Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong 

Vienna, Austria 

Vilnius, Lithuania 

Warsaw, Poland 

 

2013 New Year Celebrations Around The World Video 

Photos Courtesy of: 

Associated Press (AP)

AGBoi blog

China Fotopress

Getty Images

Reuters 

 

HAPPY 2013 EVERYONE!

Happy New Year Everyone! May 2013 be a good new beginnings for us, full of hope and full of energy. May the things of the past be an inspiration to move forward and do the best that we can to fulfill our dreams, be successful and thus, gives us happiness, abundance and more love. Be an inspiration to everyone and ALWAYS BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS! God Bless and Have Fun.... 

HAPPY AND MORE PROSPERITY TO COME THIS 2013!

2012 Biggest Stories

These are the biggest stories of 2012: 

1. US Presidential Election Where President Barack Obama, 44th US President won for his second term 
2. The 2012 London Olympic Games 
3. Typhoon Bopha which hit Southern Philippines killing a thousand lives and thousands of others missing, thousands of families left homeless and billions of dollars worth of damage property 
4. China's imperialistic domination of South China Sea which borders Southeast Asian countries. 
5. Colorado shootings
6. Sandy Hook school shooting one of the worst in America's history
7. West Bank and Gaza trip violence 
8. Hurricane Sandy battered most of the East Coast one of the worst natural calamities that struck the region in recent years
 

The Best and Worst Of 2012

As the year 2012 is about to end and as we approach 2013, it is good to look back to what had transpired throughout the year and learn and be inspired from them as we look forward to a new beginning in the new year. We will have a review through a list of the good times and bad times, the beautiful and not so beautiful things we shared throughout the year as Charles Dickens said in his Tale of Two Cities, "it was the best of times, the worst of times." Surely it is an interesting and unforgettable year full of surprises, controversy, losses, victories and so much more.

SLEEPING DRAGON OF THE SOUTH: Iloilo The Next Big Thing Series Part 4: Iloilo Convention Center

The Proposed Iloilo Convention Center and Its Unveiling

A GRAND DESTINATION CHANGING THE ILOILO LANDSCAPE

The Iloilo Convention Center is set to transform the Western Visayas Region into a world-class business tourism, convention and events destination. This grand new setting located at the Il oilo Business Park in Mandurriao affirms the vibrancy and vitality of Iloilo, the South’s new city of tomorrow.

CULTURAL INSPIRATIONS
Designed by Ilonggo Arch. Willy V. Coscolluela
With 15 exterior fins that evoke the beauty of Iloilo’s colorful Paraw Sail
Glass Walls feature abstract designs of the Dinagyang Festival 
Use of indigenous stones for the façade and interiors


EXCEPTIONAL FEATURES 
Can accommodate over 3,700 guests 
Main convention hall at the ground level 
8 function rooms at the second level 
State-of-the-art audio and video equipment 
Kitchen designed to international standards 
Museum / souvenir shop

STRATEGIC LOCATION 
Part of the 54-hectare Iloilo Business Park, and near the community’s hotels 
BPO offices and retail and leisure attractions 
Near the Iloilo international airport

SLEEPING DRAGON OF THE SOUTH Iloilo The Next Big Thing Series Part 3: Iloilo To Have A 5-Star Luxury Hotel In A Pristine Island In Iloilo

Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo

Quantum International Philippines Official Website Describing Their Major Projects In The Philippines 

Including A Luxury Resort in Iloilo 

Here is the report about the planned luxury resort to be put up in a pristine island in Northern Iloilo. Click the link below.  

Iloilo To Have A 5-Star Luxury Hotel In A Pristine Island Jewel Paradise In Iloilo

Miss Universe 2012 My Suggested TWITTER Questions

This is the first time in the history of the Miss Universe beauty pageant that fans from all over the world can post a final question for the Miss Universe 2012 via Twitter. One lucky fan question will be asked a Top 5 finalist which is broadcasted LIVE to worldwide audience. These are some of the questions I posted on Twitter: 

Can you imagine a world without Internet or phones? 
Can you imagine a world without a gun? 
In light of recent events, should there be a need to regulate and control the use of guns and other weapons? 

I want the new Miss Universe 2012 to answer this question:

If you can speak on behalf of United Nations, how can you convince China to surrender its claim over Spratly Islands?   

Miss USA Olivia Culpo Is Miss Universe 2012!

Miss Universe 2012 First Walk 

Miss Universe 2012 Top 5 

The Winner Is Announced! 

Miss Universe 2012 Is USA, Olivia Culpo! Miss Universe 2012 First Runner Up Philippines, Janine Tugonon hugging and congratulating the new Miss Universe! 

Olivia Culpo of USA is crowned Miss Universe 2012 by Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola. 

What a Coincidence! 

 

Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of USA!

Las Vegas, Nevada -  20 year old Olivia Culpo representing the United States won the Miss Universe 2012 at a glittering and holiday spirit filled and themed event held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas Wednesday, December 19.  She has a difficult time beating 88 other equally stunning but tough contestants from around the world to win the title. It was USA's eighth Miss Universe title last won in 1997 by Brook Mahealani Lee of Hawaii and the first one in 15 years - the longest drought of USA ever. 1st runner up is the equally beautiful and stunning Janine Tugonon of the Philippines who gave the best answer of the night, 2nd runner up is Irene Isser of Venezuela, 3rd runner up is Renae Ayris of Australia and 4th runner up is Gabriela Markus of Brazil. Miss Photogenic goes to Kosovo, Diana Avdiu, Best In National Costume goes to China, Diana XU Ji Dan and Miss Congeniality goes to Guatemala, Laura Godoy. The celebrity judges include  Pablo Sandoval,  Nigel Barker, Diego Boneta, Scott Disick, Brad Goreski, Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Ximena Navarette, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Lisa Vanderpump and Claudia Jordan.
          It is interesting to note that 39 years ago in 1973, it was also the Philippines and USA as the last two women standing with Philippines taking home the crown and USA as the first runner up but this time its the opposite. Their hairstyle are also opposite each other - Amanda Jones and Janine Tugonon have a ponytail and hair down while Margie Moran and Olivia Culpo had buns. Philippines won in ancient Herod Atticus Theater in Athens, Greece and first worldwide telecast of the beauty pageant and first to be hosted outside the continental America while USA today won in a modern and posh Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. My favorite contestant for the crown is Tamar Shedania of Georgia but she went unplaced so I like her to join and compete in Miss Earth!

Miss UNIVERSE 2012 – Olivia Culpo – USA

1st runner-up  - Janine Tugonon – Philippines

2nd runner-up  – Irene Isser – Venezuela

3rd runner-up  – Renae Ayris – Australia

4th runner-up  – Gabriela Markus – Brazil


Top 10 Semifinalist

France  - Marie Payet

Hungary - Agnes Konkoly

Mexico  - Karina González

Russia  - Elizaveta  Golovanova

South Africa - Melinda Bam



Top 16 Quarter-finalist

Croatia - Elizabeta Burg

India -  Shilpa Singh

Kosovo - Diana Avdiu

Peru - Nicole Faverón Vasquez

Poland - Marcelina Zawadzka

Turkey - Cagil Őzge Őzkul



Special Awards:

Congeniality – Laura Godoy, Guatemala

Photogenic – Diana Avdiu, Kosovo

National Costume - Diana XU Ji Dan



Judges:

Pablo Sandoval - Two-Time World Series Champion and MVP with the San Francisco  Giants 

Nigel Barker - Photographer for America's Next Top Model and Host of Oxygen’s new series The Face 
 
Diego Boneta - Singer and Actor best known for starring role in “Rock of Ages” film 

Scott Disick - TV Personality from the E! Network
 
Brad Goreski - Celebrity Stylist and Star of Bravo’s It’s a Brad, Brad World
 
Chef Masaharu Morimoto - Star of Iron Chef and Award-Winning Chef
 
Ximena Navarrete -  Miss Universe 2010 and Face of L’Oreal
 
Kerri Walsh Jennings - Three-time US Olympic Gold Medalist in Beach Volleyball
 
Lisa Vanderpump - Star on Bravo’s hit series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and new series, Vanderpump Rules

Claudia Jordan - Briefcase Holder NBC's Deal or No Deal, Miss Rhode Island USA

Host:

Andy Cohen – host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens: Live”

Giuliana Rancic – co-anchor of E! News


Color Commentators:

Jeannie Mai – Style Network’s  “How Do I Look?”

Web Events:

Shamcey Supsup - Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up


Performers:

Train

Tim-O-matic

Congratulations to Janine Tugonon for being named Vice - Miss Universe 2012! You made your country proud and also to the new Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of USA! 

Photos Courtesy of:

Associated Press (AP)
Miss Universe.com    

MISS UNIVERSE 2012: Watchful Eyes Best 20 Show Girls In Las Vegas Holiday!

          I think for the first time in the history of Miss Universe, it was held in December, the happiest and fun filled time of the year and what is the perfect event to make the holiday season merrier and festive than Miss Universe. This year the most prestigious beauty pageant of all goes back to Las Vegas more specifically Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino after it hosted the competition back in 2010. I know Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood will surely kindle the fire of the season's spirit - making the event an unforgettable experience. This is second time Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino accepted to host the event while it is the fourth time for Las Vegas where they graciously welcome 89 gorgeous women from around the world to compete for the much coveted Diamond Nexus Lab crown. Leila Lopes of Angola, Miss Universe 2011 will crown her successor on December 19.
          A lot of contestants has some stunning images posted online before they arrive in Las Vegas and even during the time they won their respective national titles, they look absolutely stunning and beautiful that some fans take note of them as early favorites and contender for the crown however upon their arrival in Las Vegas, there are some changes and differences that make this competition even more exciting and suspenseful. Some contestants exceed others expectation while some are on their radar to watch out for. They even look so prepared, warm and impressive as the competition heats up and after I watched the preliminary competition on Thursday, I came up with my list of favorites and who I think will have a chance of at least making the cut. I observe that there are only quite a few gowns which I think are fabulous and stand out enough to have my good impression because most of them are just an imitation of previous contestant's gowns lacking in originality, creativity and innovation. What the contestants lack of fabulous gown, they made it up with an elegant classy presentation oozing with sex appeal and spell binding charm. Their overwhelming beauty and regal bearing with this gown is enough to make an impressive presentation. The strongest asset of these women lies in the swimsuit competition where they can pride themselves with those curvaceous figures, flawless skin and long legs complimented with great catwalk skills, runway attitude and confidence which include good command of stage, flirtatious moves, seductive pose and facial gestures.   
          With these things on mind looking at these incredibly gorgeous women, I came up with this list of best 20 contestants for this year's holiday-filled Miss Universe 2012. Although I must admit, it is difficult to choose which one will make it into my elite list, here now are my final chosen lovely women for the crown with their scores. Hope you enjoy!

1. Georgia - Tamar Shedania

2. Croatia - Elizabeta Burg

 

3. Puerto Rico - Bodine Koehler 

4. South Africa - Melinda Bam 

5. Philippines - Janine Tugonon 

6. Venezuela - Irene Isser 

7. Poland - Marcelina Zawadzka 

 

8. Australia - Renae Ayris

9. Czech Republic - Tereza Chlebovska 

10. Chile - Ana Luisa Konig 

11. Guatemala - Laura Godoy Calle 

 

12. Bahamas - Celeste Marshall 

13. Mexico - Karina Gonzalez 

14. USA - Olivia Culpo 

15. Thailand - Nutpimon Farida Waller 

 

16. Ecuador - Carolina Aguirre 

17. Jamaica - Chantal Zaky 

18. Vietnam - Diem Huong Luu 

19. Brazil - Gabriela Markus 

20. Sri Lanka - Sabrina Herft 

Special Mentions: 
Ukraine
Montenegro
Colombia 
Japan
Nicaragua

Photo Courtesy Of: Miss Universe