Howie D coming for Sarah CD launch

Yes, Howie D of Backstreet Boys (BSB) will arrive on Sept. 23 to help Sarah Geronimo promote her latest album Just Me. Howie recorded a duet with the local Pop Princess for the CD a few months ago in the US (reported as a “scoop” by Funfare). Titled I’ll Be There, the new original song is the carrier single of the album which was produced by Christian de Walden.

“I feel honored,” Sarah told Funfare. “Sikat na sikat kasi siya. I used to just listen to the Backstreet Boys and watch them but now, ay, ka-duet ko na si Howie D. Exciting!,” added Sarah who will soon shoot the music video of I’ll Be There.

Howie D will join Sarah in a special appearance on A.S.A.P. ‘08 on ABS-CBN, followed by a special performance at the Music Hall of Mall of Asia where they will also greet fans and sign autographs. Howie will also appear in MYX with Sarah as Celebrity VJ’s for October.

Howie D reached worldwide fame as a member of the BSB along with AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter. He is best known for his falsetto singing which is easily recognizable in hits like I Want It That Way, Drowning, The Answer to Our Life, The Perfect Fan and Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely. He is the lead singer in the songs Spanish Eyes, What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful and How Did I Fall in Love with You.

Meanwhile, the release of Just Me is another feather in the already much-decorated cap of Sarah’s. The CD comes on the heels of the success of A Very Special Love, Sarah’s Star Cinema movie with John Lloyd Cruz, which is one of the year’s biggest box-office hits.

Miss World 2008 back in South Africa

The 2008 Miss World contest will be held this year in South Africa where Ruffa Gutierrez bagged the Second Princess (Third Place) honors in 1993. Our country’s candidate this year is 2008 Bb. Pilipinas-World Janina San Miguel.

According to a Funfare contributor, the contestants are expected to arrive in Johannesburg on Nov. 16, in preparation for the grand coronation night at the Sandton Convention Center, also in Johannesburg, on Dec. 13, according to the Miss World Organization (MWO). 

Originally, the pageant was scheduled for Oct. 14 in Kiev, Ukraine, but had to be moved somewhere else due to the ongoing crisis between Georgia and Russia. The reigning Miss World, Zhang Zilin of China will crown her successor.

Several countries were reported to have made bids but it was the one from South Africa’s that got MWO head Julia Morley’s nod.

This included details of hotel arrangements, a suitable venue for the grand finals and the backing of all the parties necessary to stage a successful world-class event. Morley was quoted as saying that Lindiwe Mahlunga of the Johannesburg Tourism Company not only fulfilled all the requirements but was also backed by a young dynamic team.

As of Sept. 4, some 108 delegates were reported to be competing.

The returning countries include Seychelles (which last competed in 1999); Honduras (last competed in 2004); Chinese Taipei and Switzerland (last competed in 2005); and Barbados, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Portugal, St. Lucia and Zambia (last competed in 2006).

Kosovo is sending its first ever delegate.

More juicy ‘beauty’ bits

? From Funfare’s now New York-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel:

Kristine Angela Villegas was crowned the 43rd Miss Philippines-USA last Aug. 24 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel in New Jersey. A Chemistry major at the Brown University in Rhode Island, 18-year-old Kristine hails from Rockland, New York. She topped the pageant after performing a classical piano piece for the talent competition. The candidates competed in evening gown, swimsuit, talent and question and answer categories.

It is interesting to note that Kristine tumbled before reaching her spot for the talent portion, but she immediately stood up as if nothing happened. (The incident was reminiscent of Miriam Quiambao’s “famous” fall during the 1999 Miss Universe pageant in Trinidad & Tobago!) The audience cheered Kristine right on!

Kristine’s runners-up were: Alexis Rae Mision Alison (New Milford, New Jersey), first; Lara MagaliHirshenson (Parsipanny, New Jersey), second; Christina Pablo Juan (Portchester, New York), third; Lecille Marchan Desamparado (New Milford, New Jersey), fourth; and Ashley Agraviador Lavilla (Woodside, Queens), fifth.

The pageant was organized by the Philippine-American Communities Executive Council (PACEC), one of the oldest organizations in the East Coast, headed by newly-elected president Wilson Verzosa. The organization sponsors several charitable projects in the US and the Philippines. The event was choreographed, directed and hosted by the East Coast’s beauty queen-maker Erno John Hormillosa; while “beauty architects” Joel Adriano and Oscar Duenas did the girls’ hair and makeup.

? Vacationing Fil-Am soldier Ryan Roberts, 24, won the 2008 Mister International Philippines title, beating 13 other aspirants. He will represent the Philippines in the 2008 Mister International pageant slated on Nov. 23 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The six-footer Ryan is a US Army soldier who served in Iraq for four years. He was born in the Philippines to a Filipino mother and an American serviceman who was assigned at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and grew up in Florida, USA.

His runners-up were Math teacher Jeff Surio of Malolos, Bulacan, first; and BS Information Technology student JB Espiritu of Marikina City, second.

The judges at the grand finals held recently at A Venue Mall in Makati City were designers Paul Cabral, Barge Ramos and Renee Salud; Champion USA Sportswear’s Ricky Abad; Aficionado Germany Perfume CEO Joel Cruz; SAGA Events managing director Robby Carmona; dermatologist Dr. Jonathan Dizon; former ramp model Chris Jalandoni; entrepreneur and philanthropist Caloy Valera; UNO Pizzaria president and CEO Alvin Ong; A Venue Mall director Nancy Coo; L’Oreal creative director Jeof Simpson; entertainment editors Cris Belen and Ricky Gallardo; society columnist Donnie Ramirez; and Bohol socialite Lani Schoof, owner of The Peacock Garden Luxury Resort and Spa, chairman of the board.

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