Category Archives: Travel

MANILA’S MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT) WINS PRESTIGIOUS ‘MOST POPULAR’ SYSTEM AWARD

April 11, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Manila, Philippines – The embattled general manager of Manila’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) may have the last laugh despite calls for his resignation for the problems that have been plaguing the light railway system in the populous metropolis.

Activist groups have demanded that Alan Vitangcol III step down from his post for mismanagement of the transport system that millions of residents depend on for their daily commute to and from their work places. Vitangcol is also accused of allegedly extorting $30 million from a Czech train car builder in exchange for being awarded an MRT expansion project contract.

Today, the International Association of Light Railway Systems (IALRS) announced that Manila’s MRT has been unanimously chosen to receive the prestigious 2014 Most Popular Transport System Award. The annual award is given to the railway system that has the largest patronage.

The international body said Manila’s MRT won the judges’ nod hands down, after they saw photos of the long lines of commuters waiting to board the commuter trains. “We haven’t seen such massive popularity among MRT systems anywhere in the world,” one of the judges commented.

This prestigious award adds to the long long list of international recognitions recently awarded to the Philippines. Last month, the Philippine cities of Makati and Pasig were named the selfie capital of the world.

Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Language, The Media, Travel

MISS PHILIPPINES FINALIST CRIES FOUL OVER Q&A

March 31, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Pia Wurtzbach (Photo: Francis Malasig/European Press Photo Agency)

Quezon City, Philippines – In most beauty pageants, the answer to the final question can often make or break even the most beautiful of contestants. The 2014 Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) pageant held last weekend in Quezon City was no exception.

One finalist, in responding to a judge’s question: “Name one thing that you would sacrifice for a (Binibini) crown,” confidently answered: “I think one thing that I would sacrifice for Binibini crown is my shoes. You know it’s very hard for me to find shoes because I have this very big shoe size. But for Binibini I will sacrifice this precious thing that I have just to have the crown. Thank you.” The rest, of course, is history for this aspiring beauty queen.

But the big controversy of the evening came from a complaint from one of the 15 finalists — Contestant No. 8, Pia Wurtzbach. She happened to pick a senator, Juan Edgardo Angara, to ask the question which he did in Tagalog. The other 14 finalists were asked their respective questions (and responded) in English.

Wurtzbach who was born in Stuttgart, Germany, didn’t win any of the crowns at stake for the night, and she attributed it to the fact that the senator had asked the question in the national language. “I’m glad that despite my German-sounding name, I proved to all that I am a true Filipina and that I can speak Tagalog quite fluently.” “However,” she added,” it was not fair that all the other finalists were asked their questions in English. I’m sure I could have done much better than all the other girls had I been asked the question, and responded, in English.”

Wurtzbach said she has engaged the services of an attorney to see if she could file a lawsuit against Senator Angara for discrimination.

Here is a transcript of the Q&A portion of the pageant.

Film and TV, Human Interest, International, Politics, The Media, Travel

BEAUTY PAGEANT BAN FOR PHILIPPINES IS PERMANENTLY LIFTED

March 30, 2014 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

Quezon City, Philippines – Last November, The Adobo Chronicles reported that the Philippines has been banned from participating in international beauty pageants for the next two years. The decision to disqualify Filipina candidates from pageants like Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World and Miss Supranational was made by the Association of Beauty Pageant Franchise Holders (ABPFH) because of the enormous advantage of Filipina beauties who have won the crown in all major beauty contests.

Just in time for the crowning of the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) title holders, the ABPFH announced that it has permanently lifted the ban on Filipina beauties, thanks to the advocacy efforts of reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler of Venezuela. Isler was one of the judges in the 2014 Miss Philippines pageant held last night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

Isler reportedly convinced the ABPFH that the ban was unfair and that she commiserates with the Philippines for having been banned from international beauty pageants. Like the Philippines, Venezuela has also won the crown for all major beauty pageants, along with Brazil.

Reigning international beauty pageant title holders automatically become voting members of ABPFH. Isler asked for a vote to permanently lift the ban on the Philippines, and majority voted in favor of Isler’s proposal. Also voting in favor of lifting the ban were reigning Miss World Megan Young, Miss International Bea Rose Santiago, Miss Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul and Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez — Filipinas all.