Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?

It seems like the controversial Binibining Pilipinas World 2008 Janina San Miguel will never hear the end of it. Janina Miller San Miguel, a broadcast communication student at the University of the East, has received countless criticisms because of her answer in the semi-finals interview portion (click here to read full transcript of Janina’s answer and here for the transcript of the answers of the other finalists). She has been called names and even branded as the next Melanie Marquez – the country’s reigning queen of malapropisms. And based on interviews with her after the pageant, it seems like she will not budge. Janina seems like a strong woman and she probably is hell-bent on proving her detractors wrong and prove to the world that she is tough. After all, she is one of the tough ten!

Binibining Pilipinas World 2008 Janina San Miguel
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Many Filipinos from all over the world were dismayed with the decision and are blaming the judges and the Binibining Pilipinas Charities for allowing contestants with poor communication skills to enter the contest. Some also blame (though only partly) the country’s educational system for producing students that are very poor in English. Others argue that she is a Filipina and there’s nothing wrong with speaking English with incorrect grammar. Some also suggest that we send an interpreter with her to the Miss World competiton (after all, other countries send interpreters too!).

Over at the Binibining Pilipinas official website, a Press Release automatically pops-up upon entrance, and it says:

Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. would like to congratulate the newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2008, Patricia Fernandez; Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2008, Jennifer Barrientos; and Binibining Pilipinas World 2008, Janina San Miguel. These three new queens that will represent the country in the respective global competitions are all worthy title holders.

 

The unanimous and final decision of the 11 distinguished International Board of judges chose them as the winners, during the Grand Coronation Night held at the Araneta Coliseum last March 8. San Miguel won Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown categories.

It seems that the BPCI is upholding the decision of the judges. Call me crazy but I sense a washing of hands is apparent. But that’s just me.

And again, Read the rest of this entry »

“Now that you have traveled around the Philippines, how will you relate the current socio-political and economic situation of the country to Heath Ledger’s Death?…” was the first half of the question that I wrote down on those pink happy slips of paper that the organizers, the great Yehey! team, placed on top of the tables at the Happy Slip Meet and Greet session at Mag:Net Cafe at Bonifacio High Street.

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Video courtesy of Vlogger Extra-ordinaire Coy Caballes

My question was the first one to be read out to Christine “Happy Slip” Gambito during the Q&A portion of the event. I was smoking at the patio/terrace of the cafe so I barely heard Christine’s answer to that half of the question. I think she said something funny [she imitated Miss Teen South Carolina], judging from the minor hysterics and smirks emanating from the audience’s faces through the glass that separated me from the rest of the event. The host then continued, “No, I’m kidding, he [referring to me the question-er] actually wrote that here,” and continued reading: “no, I’m kidding. My real question is now that you have traveled the country, what’s the one thing that’s only available here in the Philippines that you would love to be readily available to you in New York.”

When I went on stage, as you can see in the video, Read the rest of this entry »

After I featured Charice Pempengco in my Hot Filipinas video, an entry to the Filipina Writing Project, I sent her a message on her Myspace account telling her about it. She was nice enough to send replies to my messages and was very thankful.  I think by now she know that she deserves to be given honors more than just that video. This kid is just so wonderful!

And after seeing her on Ellen Read the rest of this entry »

How HOT are Filipinas?

I’m gay but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the beauty of women. My sexuality also does not prevent me from being proud of other Filipinas. You see, I look at myself as part-Filipino, part-Filipina.

Taray!

Many of our countrymen have made it big in the international scene. And I’d like to tip my hat off to them. This country may be in shambles right now, thanks to our so-called political leaders and their cohorts. However, However, these hot Filipinas are making up for it by making us all proud of their achievements making us allproud of being Filipinos and Filipinas!

So today, we are honoring the hottest Filipinas making it big in different fields in the international scene today.

Watch the video and be proud of Filipinas making it big internationally:

Read the rest of this entry »