WILL JANINE TUGONON WIN THE THIRD MISS UNIVERSE TITLE?

JUST LIKE her predecessors Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup, the Philippines' bet to the 2012 Miss Universe pageant, pharmacist Janine Tugonon, is considered as one of the favorites to win the prestigious beauty title. Pageant sites including www.globalbeauties.com identified her as the strongest Asian contender so far and her stunning performance in the preliminary rounds has even made everyone believe that she is indeed the girl to beat for the Miss Universe crown.

But before we celebrate and claim our victory in the pageant, let me share to you some of my thoughts on Janine.

POSITIVE POINTS
Stage Presence-- With Venus and Shamcey's mentoring, Janine was able to improve her stage presence from being an average girl to a "scene stealer" level. She exudes confidence and her catwalk skills is simply perfect.

Facial Features-- Good makeup, weight loss, and probably eye-control training has placed Janine's facial features to its best. Her exotic look is reminiscent of the great Miriam Quiambao. Not a bad improvement for someone I initially thought was on the league of Violeta Naluz, Carla Gay Balingit, Jennifer Barrientos, and Maria Isabel Lopez.

Determination-- Determination is a secret formula to success and Janine is packed with so much of that. I won't be surprised if her will power leads her to the Miss Universe crown.

Not Exactly The Best Batch of Contestants-- This is probably one of the most average looking batch of Miss Universe contestants. Unlike the past two years when almost everyone is competitive. It's actually easy for Janine to standout given the level of her competition. Lucky girl!

Sash Factor-- Donald Trump has business interests in the Philippines. Have you heard of the Trump Tower?

NEGATIVE POINTS
Body Proportion-- Janine's body proportion has improved dramatically from the time she won the local pageant. I am not sure how she lost those thunder thighs, but it was all for good. However, no matter how skinny her legs now are, she still looks visually short, specially in her silver long gown. Her published height is 5'9 but she seems 5'5 to 5'6 in her videos and photos. It's probably the length of her legs. (And mind you, the first round of elimination after the Top 16 is announced is the swimsuit segment.)

Too Polished-- I am worried that Janine's "too trained, too polished" demeanor may not impress the judges. The Miss Universe pageant is looking for model-type of women who are confident about themselves but are "fun" to be with. Janine is border lining to "over confident" and is too pageant patty. I hope she brings out her natural charisma on stage.

FEARLESS FORECAST
Best Placement: Top 16 only, may be eliminated after the Swimsuit Competition
Who Will Win The Miss Universe Title? A European girl or Miss USA

OPM BOYBAND 1:43 HANDPICKED TO OPEN AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 10 MALL TOURS IN MANILA!

OPM Pop heartthrobs Gold, Yuki, Anjo and Kim will be opening the American Idol mall shows in Trinoma
on Sunday, September 18, and in Market! Market! on Monday, September 19. Both shows start at 3pm.

POP HEARTTHROBS 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”) was handpicked by international label MCA Music as guest performers in the much-anticipated American Idol Season 10 mall tours in Trinoma and Market! Market! on Sunday and Monday, respectively.  

The mall tour features the Top 11 finalists of American Idol Season 10 including Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone, Fil-American Thia Megia and winner Scotty McCreery. This is the very first time for these idols to perform in Asia.

“It’s such an honor to perform in the American Idol malls shows. We are a big fan of the reality TV show for so long now that’s why I still can’t believe until now that we’ll have an opportunity to share the stage with its top 11 finalists,” says 1:43 lead vocals Yuki Sakamoto.

A fusion of Asian looks and genuine Original Pilipino Music (OPM) pop music, the boyband is composed of Sakamoto, an HRM student from Centro Escolar University (CEU), Anjo Resurreccion, a University of Santo Tomas (UST) Psychology graduate and a member of a university theater group; Gold Aquino, a Business Administration student from CEU and a campus heartthrob; and Kim Nicolas a Nursing student from Trinity University of Asia and a Candy Magazine model.

1:43’s debut slambook inspired album titled “Time for Love” is recognized by record bars Astroplus and Odyssey as one of today’s bestselling album.  It contains 10 tracks of original OPM pop music including its hit single “Pag-Ibig Na Kaya?” or “PiNK” and the controversial “Merry Christmas Na” which was released as a digital single in 2010.

American Idol is one of the most popular reality-based series on American television and has gained a worldwide fan base. The show seeks to discover new recording artists through a series of televised auditions and competitions.

Finalists and winners must get the approval of the three judges and votes of viewers. Viewers cast their vote by calling one toll-free telephone number assigned for each finalist.

American Idol holds the record of being the number one TV show for seven consecutive seasons. The tenth season’s panel of judges include Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.

“We are excited to meet the AI finalists in person, especially my crush Thia. I find her extremely talented and beautiful and I am proud that she’s also Filipino,” relates Gold.

Fans of 1:43 are encouraged to support the boy band as they perform with some of the biggest stars of Hollywood for an unforgettable day of great music and world-class live performances, covering the genres of country music, jazz, pop and rock.  

OPM POP HEARTTHROBS 1:43 RELEASE DEBUT SLAMBOOK-ALBUM

Boy band 1:43 will finally release its debut album titled "Time for Love"

FANS and supporters of all-Filipino boy band 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”) will soon have a delicious treat as the pop heartthrobs release their debut slambook-album or “slambum” titled “Time for Love” under MCA Music.

The slambum features interesting and exciting trivia about 1:43 and their collection of 100% Original Pilipino Music—so fans can get to know the boys better while enjoying their feel-good songs.

Composed of four talented, charming, and stylish lads namely Anjo Resurreccion, a University of Santo Tomas Psychology graduate and a member of a university theater group; Gold Aquino, a Business Administration student from the Centro Escolar University (CEU) and a campus heartthrob; Kim Nicolas a Nursing student from Trinity University of Asia and a Candy Magazine model; and Yuki Sakamoto, an Hotel and Restaurant Management student from CEU-Makati and the main vocalist of the group.

Kim Nicolas

Yuki Sakamoto

“Time for Love” is a mini-album that contains a refreshing mix of five original and distinctly Filipino pop songs and their respective minus one versions. A product of the collaboration between critically acclaimed producer and arranger Jonathan Ong of SonicState Studio and brilliant singer-composer and vocal arranger Myrus, the slambum aspires to define the sound of today’s OPM pop genre.      

The opening track and 1:43’s latest hit single, “PiNK” (Pag-Ibig Na Kaya?), is a collaboration track with Myrus. Penned by Eric Cabahug, “PiNK” is a catchy song about falling in love. Top music blogger www.justinbreathes.com describes the song as "an example of how good Filipino pop can be."

“Para Kang” is a song composed by multi-awarded composer Jojo Panaligan. It is a witty metaphorical expression of the miracle that is love. Fun, playful and lively, the lyrics and melody are reminiscent of the sound of the 90s pop rock.

Fans would definitely fall in love with “Sa Puso Ko’y Ikaw”, a song that declares a deep, sincere and honest love. The first recorded song composed by Myrus, listening to this track is like getting hit by Cupid's arrow. Its potentially a big hit with its catchy, radio-friendly, easy-listening melody and commercial appeal.

“Time For Love”, the title track, is the only English song in the album. It is an upbeat song that gives tribute to 1:43’s cult following and official fans club who call themselves as Time for Love or T4L. This song is a collaboration between Cabahug, who wrote the lyrics, and Myrus, who did the melody.

Gold Aquino

Anjo Resurreccion

“Merry Christmas Na” is another Cabahug composition. Released as a promotional single in December 2010, this is the controversial song that made the boys of 1:43 instant Youtube celebrities. The song became number one for a few weeks in the P-Pop Music Chart, and has garnered over 85,000 views in Youtube.

“Time For Love” by 1:43 will be available in all major record bars beginning April 27, 2011. It is presented by Glitz and Dreamgirl Cosmetics by 4U2 and is supported by Avida Towers, and the Mendez Medical Group.

INDIE POP GROUP 1:43: LOVE THEM, HATE THEM BUT YOU CAN NEVER IGNORE THEM!

The release of the digital debut single "Merry Christmas Na" of independent pop group 1:43 (pronounced as "one forty-three") has been the talk of the wired world in the past two weeks. While thousands of teenage girls and pop music lovers started going gaga over the four Oriental-looking boys namely Anjo, Gold, Kim, and Yuki, some shared their strongest opinion against the group.

The song "Merry Christmas Na" was written by composer and respected advertising agency creative director Eric Cabahug and was arranged by Jonathan Ong, the music genius behind multi-awarded international and local albums including Gloc-9's critically acclaimed past two albums, Kamikaze's "Darna," and Orange & Lemon's "Pinoy Ako."

Meanwhile, the music video was produced by SineGang Entertainment, a group of talent young filmmakers from prestigious Big Foot Film School in Cebu City.

The polarized public opinion on 1:43, fueled by bloggers, fans, and even haters, has resulted to an overnight success and instant public awareness. The music video has received over 41,000 hits in YouTube in just two weeks and was shared in Facebook for about 11,000 times to date. The boy band's shows are always jam-packed with screaming fans.

The exponential growth of 1:43's fan base particularly among its youth market causes fear from their detractors who think that the group might be the future of OPM. Blog site www.mgaepal.com said it best: "May nakakatakot akong kutob na sisikat ang mga p**tang in**g ito!"

And yes, by all indications their fears are coming true.

To watch their controversial video, please click the link below:
MERRY CHRISTMAS NA by 1:43 (Official HD Music Video)

MBI QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE CUTEST MEMBER OF THE NEW BOY BAND 1:43? TELL US WHY

HOW TO JOIN

Just FOLLOW my blog and leave your answer and email address. Being the first to give the right answer doesn't automatically make you the winner. I will personally pick the daily winner. Again, only those who are in my list of followers are eligible to win.

REMINDER

Winners are responsible in picking up the prizes at Mr Blind Item's office. I will not be sending prizes via courier.

NEW BOY BAND 1:43 IS A FUSION OF KOREAN LOOKS AND OPM

1:43 members Anjo, Gold, Kim, and Yuki will surely win your heart

Anjo is a great dancer. He has a well-toned sexy body.

Gold, they say, is the most Korean-looking in the group but he is in fact just
half-Filipino and half-Chinese

Kim is most adored by the Tween market. He is a regular in Candy Magazine events.

1:43 main vocals Yuki has a distinctly pleasant voice. He is half-Japanese.

Oriental-looking boy band 1:43 (pronounced as "one forty-three," just like how you read time) is set to dominate the local pop scene.

Composed of four adorably goodlooking boys namely Anjo, Gold, Kim, and Yuki, 1:43 will be introduced through a digital promotional single titled "Merry Christmas Na." They will be promoted through a series of mall, campus, and TV guest appearances as well as a music video.

While K-Pop and P-Pop fans would appreciate the highly Korean-inspired look of 1:43-- their music is distinctly OPM. 

Interested parties may like their Facebook Fan Page by clicking the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/143-Fan-Page/131146186936822?ref=ts

PHOTO CREDITS
Photography by Rxandy Capinpin
Styling by Ryuji Shiomitsu
Hair by Jay Wee
Makeup by Anton Padtu and Hannah Pechon