2009 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe No. 14 in Internet 'judging'

Like other Binibinis, 2009 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo is being trained in “poise and grace” in Colombia before she competes with around 80 other delegates from the same number of countries in the 58th Miss Universe Pageant to be held in the Bahamas on Aug. 23 (Aug. 24 Philippine Time).

Bianca left last week determined like the Binibinis before her to bring home the country’s third Miss U crown (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973).

“It’s an awesome task,” said Bianca, 22, whose aunt, Nini Ramos, was 1968 Bb. Pilipinas-International, and sister, Kate Manalo, 2002 Bb. Pilipinas-World. “It makes me nervous because I feel that people are expecting me to surpass the records of Tita Nini and Ate Kate. All I can promise is I will do my very best. Yes, they are giving me pointers.”

Funfare’s “beauty expert” Felix Manuel (now working as a nurse in New York) said that Bianca is an “imposing presence on and off stage.” A former PAL flight attendant, she’s an Advertising graduate from Assumption College, statuesque and very regal at 5’10”.

“She’s fiercely independent and driven, with a keen sense of volunteerism,” added Felix. “She finds fulfillment in being involved in community-based projects.”

Said Bianca in an earlier interview, “I am very thankful that my family has always been blessed but I’m also concerned about the plight of the less fortunate families in our community and in our society as well.”

Felix noted that before Bianca joined the Bb. Pilipinas pageant, she volunteered for Gawad Kalinga in building houses for the poor, joined medical missions and helped in feeding programs.

Bianca stood out in cheerleading during her high school and college years. She dabbled in modeling when she was 14 and also tried her hand at TV hosting. During her safety training as a flight attendant, she graduated 1st Honorable Mention among 75 cabin crews. Her experience with PAL surely helped her clinch the Binibini title.

Aside from her training in Colombia, Bianca took up language courses, and reviewed Philippine history, geography, economics, and arts and culture. She also tried to learn as much as she could about the Bahamas.

Felix and fellow “beauty experts” Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib give Funfare readers an idea of how hectic the Miss U pageant schedule is:

• Wednesday, Aug. 5, visit to the Ardastra Gardens; tour of Fort Charlotte, Clifton Heritage Site and Sacred Space; and visit to Arawak Cay (Fish Fry);
• Thursday, Aug. 6, visit to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, courtesy call on the Governor General and Tea Party at Government House;
• Friday, Aug. 7, downtown casual shopping and photo-ops, and display of authentic Bahamian arts and crafts in Rawson Square;
• Monday, Aug. 10, motorcade through Nassau;
• Wednesday, Aug. 12, visit to Junkanoo Rush-out, West Bay Street on Cable Beach Strip (9:30 to 11p.m.); and
• Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 Miss Universe pageant at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

The “beauty experts” said that Bianca ranks No. 14 in the Internet Hot Picks of Missosology. Hmmmm, a good sign, isn’t it? A ‘Taga-Media Kami’ Senate slate, anyone?

An interesting and, I should say, unique idea for the 2010 elections was broached to Funfare by a retired professor in political science who said that a “showbiz senate” must end and outstanding media practitioners must take over to help bring back the glory of the “old Senate.”

Prof. Luis Consultacion sent Funfare a list of his nominees for a Senate slate quite unprecedented because it is composed of popular personalities in the media. He proposed to call it “Taga-Media Kami,” with former Sen. Eddie Ilarde on top of the list.

“Media practitioners are trained speakers and writers,” said Prof. Consultacion. “They have the educational attainment, a pre-requisite on their road to public acceptance, admiration and esteem.”

Here are his nominees:

• Former Sen. Eddie Ilarde
• Willie Revillame
• Mike Enriquez
• Kris Aquino
• Korina Sanchez
• Edu Manzano
• Daniel Razon
• Anthony Taberna
• Ramon Tulfo
• Mel Tiangco
• Rey Langit

Concluded Prof. Consultacion, “The above personalities should merit the people’s mandate for a place in a Senate crying for intelligence, integrity, and honesty in public service. This is history in the making, the first time in the annals of this country.”

• Philstar
• Pinoy Showbiz

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Tags: Pamela Bianca Manalo