MANILA, Philippines — A nursing graduate, who won the local franchise of “America’s Next Top Model,” has vowed to promote Philippine fashion when she competes in the 2012 Miss Asia Pacific World beauty pageant at the posh Song Do Convensia in South Korea on June 16.

Grendel Alvarado, 27, said that she will actively promote Philippine fashion abroad, apart from the popular destinations here. “I want to bring the Philippine fashion to the world. It’s so interesting and I want to share it to them.”

She said that she will be wearing creations of her designer-friends in the competition.

Asked if she is pressured, Alvarado said: “No, I don’t feel pressured at all. If I let the pressure get in the way, I will gain nothing but fear and other emotional drawbacks. For me, it’s just an idea to keep me from hitting the mark. It’s really a big honor for me to be chosen as the country’s official candidate because I have never joined any international beauty pageant.”

No beauty contest was staged to choose this year’s representative to the pageant. Instead, she was appointed by project coordinator Egay Cubelo to represent the country in the international beauty contest. “I went to the final screening and was interviewed by a panel of MAWP local organizers. After several weeks, I was told by my agent that I got the part.”

More than 80 candidates will take part in the pageant that focuses on beauty and talent. “Aside from searching for the most beautiful woman in the world, we give huge emphasis on girl’s innate talents in dancing and singing. The major titleholder, along with the Top Seven finalists, will be given an international career not only in modeling but in showbiz as well.”

Alvarado, who won “Philippines Next Top Model” in 2007, said that she will dance during the competition which will also be held in China and Japan. A certified vegan, the model uses only natural and organic products on the body as her beauty regimen. She sees to it that she removes her make-up before going to sleep and drink at least eight glasses of water a day. “I only put make up when needed to. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables.”

Article source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/359298/model-to-represent-philippines-in-miss-asia-pacific-world-pageant

Aux Philippines, Lady Gaga devra éviter la nudité, le blasphème et ne pas adopter “une conduite indécente” #ladygaga

New post: , Philippines: Christian Group Protests As Singer’s Tour Faces More …

Article source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/18/lady-gaga-philippines-christian-protests-tour_n_1526794.html

Woori, based in Seoul, claimed in a complaint filed today
in Manhattan federal court that Merrill defrauded it in a series
of transactions in 2005 and 2006, selling interests in seven
CDOs designed to move toxic mortgage assets off Merrill’s books.

Merrill used misleading credit ratings to hide the risks of
mortgages underlying its CDOs and residential mortgage-backed
securities, or RMBS, Woori said in the complaint.

“Defendants knew that the RMBS that they and other major
banks were packaging into CDOs included a significant percentage
of mortgages that violated basic underwriting standards and were
likely to default,” Woori said in its complaint.

Bill Halldin, a Merrill spokesman, declined to comment on
the suit. Merrill was acquired in 2009 by Charlotte, North
Carolina-based Bank of America.

Unjust Enrichment

In its complaint, Woori claimed Merrill is liable for
fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. The
Korean bank seeks damages of at least $143 million plus
unspecified punitive damages.

Earlier this week, Woori filed a similar complaint against
Citigroup Inc. (C) (C) over $95 million in CDO investments by the South
Korean bank.

James Griffiths, a Hong Kong-based spokesman for New York-
based Citigroup, called Woori’s allegations “totally without
merit” and said the bank will defend itself in court.

“The Merrill Lynch and Citi complaints show that Wall
Street bankers systematically disregarded their clients during
the lead-up to the 2008 credit crisis,” Christopher Lebsock, a
lawyer representing Woori, said in an e-mail today.

“The bankers clearly knew that the CDO machine they had
created was unsustainable, but their short-term interest in
profits and bonuses led them to pressure the ratings agencies,
and others, into creating a false public impression that CDOs
were a safe investment option,” Lebsock said.

Woori Bank is a unit of Woori Finance Holdings Co., South
Korea’s largest financial company by assets.

The Merrill case is Woori Bank v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner Smith Inc., 12-cv-3993, U.S. District Court, Southern
District of New York (Manhattan). The Citigroup case is Woori
Bank v. Citigroup Inc., 12-cv-3868, U.S. District Court,
Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

To contact the reporter on this story:
Bob Van Voris in federal court in Manhattan
at rvanvoris@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Hytha at mhytha@bloomberg.net

Article source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-18/merrill-sued-by-south-korea-s-woori-bank-over-cdo-losses

UP Mass Comm intern Caren Hope L. Tancinco

IT’S not every day that you get to meet a man full of passion for service. Meet Dr. Randolph Libres, the president of St. Paul College Foundation, Inc. (SPCFI), the owner of Care and Cure Hub, a dermatologist, and a fitness instructor.

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“I am a very dynamic person. I cannot sit in one place and then do nothing,” says Dr. Libres whose profile proves just how non-stop he can be when it comes to helping others.

From helping provide affordable quality education through SPCFI, to helping others get healthier through his laboratory clinic, to helping people get sexier through teaching fitness, he is truly dynamic and passionate in helping others.

But with all the responsibilities the man has, he sees to it that he still has time for himself. He admits to having simple joys, one who is contented with a simple dinner with friends or one who enjoys watching movies after a long day at work.

When he was a kid, his dream was to be a doctor. Now, that he’s older and wiser, he still dreams to be a doctor. Already a medical doctor, specializing in dermatology, he now dreams of finishing a post-graduate degree abroad, after having recently finished his masters’ degree.

He said that a lot has changed since he started running the school that his late mother, Dr.Lourdes Libres-Rosaroso has founded.

Back in the day, the genre of the books he used to read were fantasy, thriller, mystery and the like. He admits he read The Hunger Games trilogy. But now, he has shifted to reading management and administration books. As the president of SPCFI, he wants to not only develop himself through reading books but also to be able to run the school effectively and efficiently.

Dr. Libres took his education seriously, but he also had a social life. He had fun while he remained excellent in his studies. He was a consistent honor student and a Dean’s lister all throughout his college life. And he was also involved in theater while in college.

His passion for the arts eventually landed him theatrical jobs after he finished his studies and also landed him a TV stint. He bagged the lead role as the millionaire in a now defunct TV show in one of the local television stations in Cebu, Milyonaryong Mini (Fake Millionaire), where famous Cebuano bis-rocker – Budoy played the fake.

Aside from acting, he also has his hand in singing. Aside from singing the jingle of MLhuillier, he was also part of the first season of Philippine Idol. But even with a promising career in showbiz, he gave it all up. He believes that in life, it’s not always what you want. And it’s not every day that you get to follow your heart, that there should always be balance, that while you are happy with what you are doing, you must be sure to provide food on your family’s table.

He admits that the sudden death of his mother pushed him to take on the responsibility of running the school which she founded. And though it was all too swift, he sees the job of running the school as a blessing. He toughened himself up and took on the role and responsibility no matter how big and heavy it sounded at that time as he doesn’t want to disappoint his family.

Right now, he is obsessed in doing his best to make the school better while sticking to the vision of the late founder – make private education affordable to the masses by making sure that the tuition fee is affordable.

With that, he is setting up a scholarship grant that he will launch sometime August of this year to help more underprivileged but deserving students attain a high quality education. Dr. Libres is hoping that through this scholarship grant, more students can go to school, not only to improve themselves and the lives of their families but also for a better Cebu, and eventually, a better Philippines.

This scholarship grant is for deserving students and the children of single working mothers. They will also offer culture and arts scholarship grants to students who are talented in the arts, and also as a means to promote nationalism. Moreover, they will provide varsity scholarships to athletes who are gifted calisthenics wise.

With the grant, he is hoping to touch the hearts of the Cebuanos to help him in setting up a more accessible and more affordable quality education for all.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on May 19, 2012.

Article source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/feature/2012/05/18/passion-helping-222153

Sixteen years after he made his debut in show business, the 35-year-old Song remains as handsome as ever but with better acting ability.

As one of the pioneers of “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, his popularity continues to the rise, both in Korea and overseas.

Song began his career in 1995 as a model and then starred in dramas such as “Autumn in My Heart” (2000) and “Summer Scent” (2003). He tried taking on a tough image in the 2008 drama “East of Eden” then turned into the perfect man in the romantic comedy “My Princess” (2011).

Returning from a year hiatus, Song is ready to rock the small screen again by appearing in the MBC drama “Time Slip Dr. Jin,” which will begin airing on May 26. Based on the original comic by Japanese Murakami Motokai, it has been previously dramatized in Japan.

The actor plays Jin Hyeok, a smart and cold-hearted surgeon who takes a journey back through time to the late 19th century Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). This time warp will be portrayed in his costumes that will change from a modern doctor’s white gown to wearing “hanbok,” or Korean traditional costume. His passion for medicine will remain the same throughout time.

Song is excited about playing a new doctor character and appearing in an epic drama for the first time.

“I saw the Japanese version of ’Dr. Jin’ and am glad to be offered the role when it came to Korea,” Song said in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times. “I loved the fresh theme of a time slip, in which a present day doctor medically takes care of people in the past.”

In the new drama, Song’s character gradually changes to become a more humane doctor as he must rely on only basic medical instruments and his knowledge to treat the diseases that ran rampant during the Joseon era.

To play the role of a talented surgeon with cool-headedness, Song was busy memorizing long difficult lines. “Medical terms are unfamiliar to me and it is challenging to learn the lines,” he added.

The actor was also positive about the expansion of hallyu. He is no stranger to the popularity of Korean pop culture. He stood at its forefront where he made a name for himself with his drama “Autumn in My Heart” when it swept through Asia. In 2009, he and three other actors — Jang, LeeByung-hun and Won Bin — sold out the some 60,000 tickets at an event titled “Four of a Kind” that was held in Tokyo Dome, Tokyo.

“Hallyu began with the popularity of Korean dramas or movies in Asian countries, but now it has widened boundaries to include K-pop, which spread throughout Europe and the United States,” he said. “I feel really good about it, and in a way, proud that the interest is spreading to Korean language, Korean food and the culture in general.”

Though he does not have many chances to meet K-pop singers, he sometimes works with them in dramas and they become friends. “I listened to B2ST’s ’Fiction’ a lot when Ki-kwang starred in ’My Princess’ with me. I now work with Jae-joong of JYJ in ’Dr. Jin’ and my favorite JYJ song is ’In Heaven,’” Song said.

Song receives lots of letters and gifts from his fans abroad.

There is one that he distinguishes and particularly remembers. “The fan said she was moved by my drama and became interested in Korea and Korean culture and learned Korean. She told me that many people are impressed by my acting and take interest in Korea, so I should be proud of what I am doing,” the actor said. “More overseas fans greet me in Korean and write to me in Korean. I feel more responsibility in my work.”

Technological advances have brought Song closer to overseas fans. He actively uses social networking services (SNS) such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/OfficialSSH), Me2Day (www.me2day.net/storms09) and Sina Weibo (www.weibo.com/officialssh) and communicating with fans through SNS is a new hobby for him. His facebook site hit 57,621 likes as ofTuesday morning, and Me2 Day saw 159,371 friends.

“Development of communication technologies has made the world smaller. It would be best if I could visit all the countries to meet my fans in person, but that’s realistically impossible,” he said. “I share my daily life with my fans through SNS and see how they feel through replies. It is really fun.”

Song has been in a few international movie productions including “So Close” (2002) where he starred with Hong Kong actresses Karen Mok and Shu Qi. In 2010, he worked with Japanese actress Matsushima Nanko in “Ghost: In Your Arms Again.”

“I am always open to opportunities. I usually show enthusiasm in learning foreign languages when I visit foreign countries, but it is not easy as I thought. I always wish I could do better and be ready for any chances that might come by,” he said.

Song is not a prolific actor. He only does one or two dramas or films a year, carefully thinking about how to shape his image.

He picked Hae-young in “My Princess” as a turning point in his acting career. “Previously, I took on characters living a life full of ups and downs. For me, Hae-young was the first character that was so rich, bright and cheerful in the drama. I felt much lighter while acting the character,” he said.

During his free time, he watches movies a lot at home and loves to play golf. The actor, who is also known for having “vampire looks” (for not aging), said that he neither drinks nor smokes in order to maintain a healthy body and stay in the best possible condition.

Aside from acting, Song has had an amibition of running a hotel named after him. In one of the first steps toward that dream, he has opened up a branch of a franchise restaurant “Blacksmith” in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul named “Blacksmith.”

For more, visit enewsworld.com

Article source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/18/12/korean-heartthrob-song-returns-small-screen-dr-jin

Gong Li’s Singaporean husband confirms that the couple had divorced three years ago. (Getty Images)

After more than a decade of marriage, Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Seong confirmed on Wednesday that he and Chinese actress Gong Li had divorced three years ago, reported West China City Daily.

The couple had married in 1996, but had rarely been seen in public.

When probed on the cause of their marriage breakdown, Ooi maintained that they rarely quarreled in their 13 years of marriage, but ultimately decided to split because of the lack of time spent together.

“We decided to divorce because of the differences in our schedules. Since she’s an actress, she often has to travel overseas for shoots while I’m a businessman who needs to travel for work as well. Both of us are always almost in different countries,” he was quoted by the mainland China paper as saying.

Eventually, there was more friendship than romance in their relationship, he said, before adding that there were no disputes between them over asset division.

Ooi also stressed that they still remain close friends and keep in touch via phone calls.

According to the Chinese daily, Ooi remained cordial throughout the interview and never once spoke ill of his former wife. In fact, he even praised Gong’s character and acting skills and asked for the media to support her.

Gong dating French cameraman?

Ooi also shot down rumours of Gong co-living with a French cameraman — who is 13 years her junior — for six years.

“These online reports are inaccurate and are hurting Gong Li,” he told the paper. “We only formally split in 2009, which makes it three years since we separated — not six. And during that period, Gong has been taking care of the household.”

However, he admitted that he has never met Gong’s alleged French boyfriend, but said that he wished her all the best if the rumours are true.

Talk of the couple’s troubles went into overdrive when local Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao quoted the 46-year-old as saying that she preferred staying in hotels whenever she visits Singapore.

Besides her marriage troubles, the Asian actress also drew flak in 2008 when she decided to take up Singapore citizenship, sparking a mostly negative reaction in China — with many branding the actress a traitor for abandoning her Chinese citizenship.

But Ooi defended his former spouse. The paper quoted him as saying, “Gong really loves China and all her relatives are in China. So it doesn’t matter where she goes as that won’t change her ‘Chinese spirit’.”

Gong catapulted to fame with a series of critically acclaimed blockbusters directed by Zhang Yimou such as “Red Sorghum” and “To Live“. She was also voted in 2006 as China’s most beautiful woman.

Article source: http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/gong-li-split-porean-husband-3-years-ago-142621348.html

Local actress Felicia Chin gives two thumbs down for S’pore men (Yahoo! file photo)

Local actress Felicia Chin has given Singaporean men a major thumbs-down in a recent column with a local magazine.

The 27-year-old former MediaCorp artiste said, “Singapore men lack quality. Maybe they’ve been too well-taken care of, it’s as if they lack something. It’s hard to find mature and steady men of the olden days like my father.”

Her comments appeared in the April issue of local Chinese women’s magazine Nuyou.

Chin, who quit full-time acting in 2010, is currently studying for a business degree at the National University of Singapore. The student and part-time actress said in a subsequent interview with The New Paper published on Monday that she thinks that local men materialistic and shallow.

Referring to the majority of local men she’s met, the 2003 Star Search winner said, “Some of these men in their 20s are successful, but their focus is on wealth and what they have on the outside”.

Currently single, the former Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and Victoria Junior College student claimed to have had “very few” relationships in the past but that all her exes are Singaporeans. She also said she prefers mature men who’ve “seen it all” and does not rule out dating a foreigner.

She also added her comments were not meant to offend but to make readers of the column think.

“I’m not making a personal attack… Nuyou is an intimate magazine and if I don’t share what I really feel, it defeeats the purpose (of the column),” she told TNP, before adding that she welcomed feedback.

But are locally born-and-bred men all that bad? Fellow newsmakers Yahoo! Singapore spoke to didn’t agree with Chin.

Well-known etiquette consultant Teo Ser Lee felt that Chin’s comments were “a sweeping generalisation”.

The 44-year-old former beauty queen, who now runs her own company, Protocol Academy, said she has met many Singaporean men over the course of work who are “down-to-earth, humble, and work hard for every dollar”.

“I don’t know who are the people she (Chin) hangs out with,” Teo said.

“But since she’s now an undergraduate, she could have met male classmates who are pampered and already drive a car, and who may therefore come across as arrogant and not knowing the value of money”.

Still, Teo believed “there will always be an exception”.

She continued: “It’s unfair to label Singaporean men as that. There are also women who only know how to buy big handbags.”

Popular radio deejay Lin Pei Fen said the traits described by Chin are not specific to just Singaporean men.

“Male species of any kind need to be suitably arrogant in order to fight for survival, lead or attract mates,” the 30-year-old reasoned.

Besides, she said, arrogance, when portrayed correctly, can be a plus point. “I am attracted by men who can be arrogant when he needs to be.”

As for Chin’s charge that some local men in their 20s are too pre-occupied with “wealth and what they have on the outside”, Lin felt that this is necessary trait for “living in Singapore”.

Another local deejay, Dennis Chew, defended Chin, saying “women are by nature, more mature than men”. Chin is one of Chew’s godchildren.

On reports in Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao which quoted Chin describing local men as being “fond of gossip”, Chew, 38, reasoned, “It could be the men she’s met. There may be more such men in the entertainment circle, due to the nature of the industry. But there are also many male artistes who don’t gossip at all.”

Article source: http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/actress-felicia-chin-pore-men-shallow-arrogant-081313426.html

Known as the first Filipino to use gay lingo in his columns, Justo died at the Philippine General Hospital. His remains will lie in state at his residence in Pasay City.

Justo used to host a program titled “Etchos Lang.” A councilor of Pasay City in the 80s, he snatched the limelight when he convinced AIDS victim Sarah Jane Salazar to share her story to the public.

Justo also led the establishment of Home for the Golden Gays, a retirement home for homosexuals such as Walter Dempster Jr., whose life has been portrayed by King of Comedy Dolphy in the film “Markova.”

In his last interview with ABS-CBN News, Justo expressed his appreciation that he was given the chance to be part of show business. – Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

Article source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/18/12/showbiz-columnist-justo-justo-dies

Known as the first Filipino to use gay lingo in his columns, Justo died at the Philippine General Hospital. His remains will lie in state at his residence in Pasay City.

Justo used to host a program titled “Etchos Lang.” A councilor of Pasay City in the 80s, he snatched the limelight when he convinced AIDS victim Sarah Jane Salazar to share her story to the public.

Justo also led the establishment of Home for the Golden Gays, a retirement home for homosexuals such as Walter Dempster Jr., whose life has been portrayed by King of Comedy Dolphy in the film “Markova.”

In his last interview with ABS-CBN News, Justo expressed his appreciation that he was given the chance to be part of show business. – Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

Article source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/18/12/showbiz-columnist-justo-justo-dies

Aux Philippines, Lady Gaga devra éviter la nudité, le blasphème et ne pas adopter “une conduite indécente” #ladygaga

New post: , Philippines: Christian Group Protests As Singer’s Tour Faces More …

Article source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/18/lady-gaga-philippines-christian-protests-tour_n_1526794.html