MJ upbeat, in good company
Late last Sunday morning, Jan. 4, I got a surprise call from Tim Evans, who is with the US Immigration, from his post at the L.A. airport. “Guess who is with me,” said Tim and, before I could ask who, passed his celfone to…yes, Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa who has just arrived from Manila and waiting for her connecting flight to Miami, Florida, to join more than 88 contestants from around the world for the Miss Universe grand finals on Jan. 25 (Jan. 26 Manila Time), telecast live by ABS-CBN. Tim kept her company during the five-hour layover.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” an upbeat MJ told Funfare. “I’m hoping for the best.”
As usual, as far as Filipino beauty enthusiasts are concerned, hope springs eternal. For sure, there’s a pressure on MJ if not to bring home the country’s third Miss U crown (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973), to at least make it to the finals, following the record of Venus Raj (fourth runner-up, 2010), Shamcey Supsup (third runner-up, 2011), Janine Tugonon (first runner-up, 2012) and Ariella Arida (third runner-up, 2013). Tough acts to follow, indeed!
Top: MJ with make-up artist Fame Tabares with (above, rightmost) Funfare’s US-based correspondent Felix Manuel (leftmost) and Gino Fernando with Fame’s co-candidates at the 2010 Mutya ng Amerika pageant ? “Filipinos are well represented at the 63rd Annual Miss Universe Pageant in the City of Doral, Miami, Florida,” reported Funfare’s US-based correspondent Felix Manuel. “MJ has been getting a lot of attention after her fabulous official pictures were released yesterday. Avid pageant aficionados are convinced that she will bring home our third Miss Universe crown.” Harinawa!
Aside from the hundreds of Filipinos (Felix included) who will troop to the FIU Arena for the finals, there are Filipinos involved in the pageant. Ariella will be the web anchor of the pageant (just like Shamcey and Janine a year after they competed). It hasn’t been confirmed if Manny Pacquiao (MJ’s kababayan from GenSan) will be sitting as a judge.
Manny Pacquiao: Will he really sit as a Miss U judge? ? “Another Pinay stunner is also making waves behind the scenes,” said Felix. “She’s none other than Fame Tabares, a make-up artist for the pageant, who is getting a lot of followers in social media. Fame’s pictures with the candidates suddenly made her a celebrity among pageant fans. I worked with Fame during the 2010 Mutya Ng Amerika Pageant organized by former model and Mrs. International Philippines 2010 Maan Mendoza Herrera and fashion designer Gino Fernando.”
In an interview with Felix, Fame admitted, “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to share my talent and skill, and at the same time meet these beautiful ladies from all over the world. It is only my third day in Miami and I haven’t seen everyone yet. I am sure all of us here will learn a lot from the different cultures that we will meet!”
In his own report, Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas noted that judging from the photos of her shoot during the registration and fitting last Monday, Jan. 5, MJ was effortless and looked “fresh as a cucumber” despite the 20-hour flight from Manila to L.A. to Miami.
“The successor of Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler will wear a crown created by Diamonds International Corporation based in Czech Republic,” said Celso. “It is a symbol of elegance, poise and beauty of the titleholder. The three-hour live telecast will be hosted by Today’s Nathalie Morales and MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts.”
MJ during the Miss U web interview and (right) with Tim Evans of the US Immigration at the L.A. airport during the five-hour layover for her flight to Miami, Florida ? According to Celso, aside from tours, sponsors’ visits and rehearsals, MJ and her co-delegates will be introduced in the Welcome Event on Jan. 9 (tomorrow, US Time), 7 p.m. at Doral Downtown Park; spend the evening dancing during the Salsa Night on Jan. 10, 8 p.m. at Solare Garden; meet the public in the Celebration of Nations Parade and Festival on Jan. 11, 1 p.m.; showcase their ramp skills and sexy figures in the Yamamay Swimsuit Runway Show at the Pool in the morning of Jan. 14; attend the silent bid of their donated items in the National Gift Auction on Jan. 14, 7 p.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel; attend the personal-interview session on Jan. 19 and 20, and the preliminary competition and national costume show on Jan. 21.
Elvis Presley: ‘Unchained Melody’
There’s a sad and rarely seen live show of the dying Elvis Presley (photo), an account of which was sent by election lawyer Romy Macalintal. Here it is:
When Elvis Presley hit the road in June 1977, he was an absolute mess. He was only 42, but years of prescription drug abuse and horrifying dietary habits had left him bloated, depressed and near death. He had an enlarged heart, an enlarged intestine, hypertension and incredibly painful bowel problems. He was barely sleeping and should have probably been in the hospital, but he was still a huge draw on the concert circuit and the money was too good to turn down. Despite Elvis’ horrid shape, Parker arranged for a camera crew to film the June 19th show in Omaha for a planned TV special and live album. It eventually aired on CBS two months after Elvis died, and has yet to resurface in any official capacity. This isn’t the Elvis that his estate wants the fans to remember. Two days later, the cameras were still rolling when the tour hit Rapid City, South Dakota. It was another weak and sad night until Elvis sat down at the piano near the end to deliver a spellbinding rendition of Unchained Melody.
As guitarist Charlie Hodge held a microphone, Elvis dug deep and poured his heart into the song. His body was falling apart, but his voice remained almost as powerful as ever. Without any doubt, it’s the last great moment of his career. The tour limped along through five more shows, wrapping up June 26th at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. The show ended with Can’t Help Falling in Love. He died less than two months later.
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