Category Archives: International

Business, Economy, International, Law Enforcement, Politics

FOR PHILIPPINES’ PRESIDENT AQUINO, IT’S ‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles)  – While the bodies of 42 police officers slain in an encounter with lawless elements in the southern island of Mindanao arrived at Villamor Airbase  in Manila yesterday, President NoyNoy Aquino was toasting champagne with top business executives a few miles south of the capital.

Somber and solemn ceremonies were held to honor the police officers — members of the Special Action Force who were practically wiped out in a surprise encounter with the rebels.

Cabinet officials present during the arrival ceremonies included Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Transport Secretary Jun Abaya, and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

Other notable guests were former President Fidel V. Ramos, Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, and Sen. Nancy Binay.

Most of the guests, including VIPs and relatives of the slain cops, donned black ribbons on their left arm.

imageAquino, on the other hand, was hobnobbing  with executives of Mitsubishi at the inauguraton of the car manufacturer’s new plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

“I wouldn’t miss Dom Perignon for anything,” Aquino said, referring to the top brand champagne served at the elaborate event. The president was also very delighted to see a display of the latest Mitsibishi Lancer.

For Aquino, it’s business as usual — literally and figuratively.

 

International, Politics, Sports

MISS U.S.A. LOST THE MISS UNIVERSE CROWN TO MISS COLOMBIA IN THE Q & A

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Sanchez
Sanchez

MIAMI, Florida (The Adobo Chronicles) – In last Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant held in Doral, Florida, Miss Colombia Paulina Vega beat 87 other contestants to win the coveted crown. Miss U.S.A. was first runner-up.  It all boiled down to the Q&A portion during which members of the celebrity panel of judges asked a question of the final five finalists.

Miss U.S.A. Nia Sanchez picked Filipino world champion boxer, and here is the full transcript of that nerve-wracking moment:

Pacquiao: “If you were given 30 seconds to deliver a message to a global terrorist, what would you say?”

Miss U.S.A. : If I happen to meet a global terrorist, I would not say a thing. I would just punch him in the face and hopefully knock him down like you do with your opponents in the boxing ring!”

The rest is history. Miss U.S.A. lost the crown to Miss Colombia.

Arts, Fashion, International

STELLA MARQUEZ ARANETA STEPS DOWN AS HEAD OF BINIBINING PILIPINAS CHARITIES

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Miss Philippines' evening gown in the Miss Universe Preliminaries, left. The same gown during thr pageant finals, right.
Miss Philippines’ evening gown in the Miss Universe preliminaries, left. The same gown during the pageant finals, right.

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines’ contestant to last night’s Miss Universe Pageant held in Doral, Florida, failed to make it to the top 5 finalists, dashing the hopes of millions of Filipinos for a third crown. Miss Philippines made it through to the top 10.

Blame quickly turned to Lastimosa’s wardrobe, including her much-maligned ‘national costume’ designed by Colombian Alfredo Barraza. Many compared the gown to a giant wedding cake.

Reports from Florida also indicate that Lastimosa altered her white evening gown right after the preliminary competition to show her natural curves better. Many noticed a lower cleavage line and a better hugging waist line in the pageant finals (see photos).

Others were quick to accuse Barraza and the head of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities (BPC), Stella Marquez Araneta, a Colombian beauty queen who married a Filipino, of sabotage.

Responding to critics, Araneta said there are no Filipino designers good enough to design gowns worthy of an international pageant like Miss Universe. Filipino fashion designers and netizens took her to task for her comment.

But now, the “GownGate” seems to be over.Miss Philippines' National Costume

“I can’t take this any more, I have to let it go,” Araneta told reporters in Manila. “To be blamed for the failure of the Philippines to win the Miss Universe crown a third time is just not fair, just because I am Colombian and I chose a Colombian designer,” she added.

With those words, she formally stepped down from the top position she holds at the BPC.

Manny Pacquiao’s mom, Dionisia, is said to be wanting to replace Araneta. (Pacquiao was a judge in last night’s Miss Universe finals.)

Incidentally, the new Miss Universe is Paulina Vega. From Colombia.