Tag Archives: Philippines

Arts, Business, International

NO ‘MISS UNIVERSE’ IN 2014; PHILIPPINES LOSES BID TO HOST POPULAR BEAUTY PAGEANT

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miss-universe-2013-34dMiami, Florida (The Adobo Chronicles) – Last week, The Adobo Chronicles reported that the reign of Megan Young, current title holder of the Miss World Beauty Pageant, has been extended for one full year. Impressed by the Filipina beauty’s talent, eloquence and popularity, The Miss World Organisation announced that the Filipina Beauty has been asked to keep her crown until December 15, 2015.

Now, the Miss Universe Organization has also confirmed that there will be no Miss Universe Pageant this year.  The last pageant was held in Moscow, Russia, in November of 2013.  This means that the reigning Miss Universe, Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler gets to keep her crown for an extra two months — 69 days to be exact.

There were reports that the Philippines had put in a bid to host the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant in Cebu or Palawan, but it looks like that is not going to happen. The next pageant will be held in the City of Doral in Florida on January 18, 2015.

Doral, incorporated on June 24, 2003, is one of thirty-four municipalities in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Conveniently located just one mile from Miami International Airport and twelve miles from Downtown Miami, the city is home to approximately 50,213 residents.

In deciding on the City of Doral for the next pageant venue, Miss Universe Organization owner and president Donald Trump said that “I can’t risk having the pageant in the Philippines,” citing problems like government corruption, transportation and traffic nightmares, floods and the eruption of Mayon volcano. “This is not to mention Manila’s international airport being named as the worst airport in the world. My sponsors will not support the pageant under these circumstances,” Trump added.

There were rumors that Trump, because of financial issues, was getting ready to give up the Miss Universe Organization. It therefore makes sense not to have the pageant in a place and environment that would cost him a huge loss in sponsorship and revenue.

The big question remains: will the 2015 Miss Universe have a one-year reign, or fourteen months like Isler?

Film and TV, Language, The Media

LEA SALONGA APOLOGIZES TO FANS FOR FACEBOOK TANTRUM

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Salonga as Kim in 'Miss Saigon,' 25 years ago
Salonga as Kim in ‘Miss Saigon,’ 25 years ago

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Yesterday, The Adobo Chronicles reported that Tony Award-winning Filipina actress Lea Salonga used her Facebook account to complain about people calling her ‘tita,’ a Tagalog word meaning ‘aunt’ or ‘auntie.’ She was apparently irate being called the term by peole who are not her “nephews, nieces, godchild or colleague.”

Salonga’s post was considered rude, elitist and diva-esque by many of her own fans who reacted with disgust on the comments section of her Facebook post. Many of the comments pointed out that calling someone ‘tita’ is a revered Filipino custom of showing respect, much like people in Hawaii showing respect by calling women ‘auntie.’

Today, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of ‘Miss Saigon,’ the musical that brought her worldwide prominence, Salonga apologized to her fans.

“If I hurt anyone with my words, please forgive me. But I’d still prefer not to be called ‘tita.’ It makes me feel old,” she said.

So, how then should she be addressed by fans?

“You can call me ‘Aling Lea.’ It sounds better with my name than ‘Tita Lea,’ ” she pointed out.

‘Aling’ is a a contraction of the Tagalog words ‘ale ng’ (miss or mrs. of) and shows respect for a woman who is not necessarily a relative or colleague. It is the male version of ‘Mang’ as in ‘Mang Tomas.’ As in ‘Mang Tomas Lechon.’

To Aling Lea, apology accepted. It does sound better. Aling Lea. Miss Lea. Miss Saigon.

Film and TV, Language

LEA SALONGA TAKES TO FACEBOOK ABOUT BEING CALLED ‘TITA,’ HAWAII FAN CLUB DISBANDS

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Honolulu, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tony Award-winning Filipina actress Lea Salonga who shot to prominence by originating the role of Kim in the musical ‘Miss Saigon,’ took to her Facebook page to complain about being called ‘tita.’

‘Tita’ is a tagalog word that means ‘aunt’ or ‘auntie.’ It is widely used not only by nephews and nieces but as a sign of respect for an older relative, friend or co-worker. It is also a term of endearment among and towards gay men. But the diva thinks otherwise. Here’s what she posted on Facebook.

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As Salonga’s post went viral and reached Filipinos living in Hawaii, her 10,000-strong fan club immediately disbanded in protest of her rude comment.

In Hawaii, it is very common to call someone ‘auntie’ whether or not the person is a relative.  It is, like ‘tita,’ a sign of respect and aloha.  Women in Hawaii, in fact, feel honored being called ‘auntie.’

Lea Salonga fan club president Jonathan Kealoha Pryce said, “We’re done with her. If she doesn’t want us calling her ‘tita’ or ‘auntie’ then we don’t want to have anything to do with her.  We wish her good luck in her aging career.”

Salonga has yet to respond to the news about the fan club disbanding in Hawaii.

Next time, divas, think twice before you post something on social media.