Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Specials: My Top 15 Second Hot Picks!

BBP Logo for Paddylast
BBP Logo Hot Picks 2nd Week

This week, I decided to make a complete Top 15 for my hotpicks since I’ve evaluated all of the 40 girls and I’ve laboriously yet gladly watched their web interviews, videos, and pictures over the week, and I’ve got to say that some of the girls really are stepping up their game! This could easily change once I get the chance to see them in person more, but for now, this is what I came up with.

Universe Santiago

HOT PICK 1: Yvethe Marie Santiago for Miss Universe Philippines

Yvethe has one mission in mind upon entering this competition, and that is to win it all. But her mission is not just to win one of the crowns; it is to win the top plum, which is Miss Universe Philippines. Yvethe could easily do this. She’s got the goods, and the only thing that’s getting in her way at this stage is whether she will be favored by the judges and the organization come finals night or if she chokes during the final question and answer, which seemed to be an all-important factor based on the recent queens wins!

SPOILER: Guidotti, De Leon, Lastimosa

Janson International

HOT PICK 2: Kris Tiffany Janson for Bb.Pilipinas-International

After making my initial hot picks, I felt that I did something wrong by not considering this Cebuana beauty for one of the crowns. I was so wrong for not considering the pageant that clearly has a predictable prototype, and that is Miss International! They want their winners to either be doll-like or someone who exudes sheer elegance. If they can’t get both, the winner must at least have one. Luckily for Kris, she’s got both going for her.

SPOILER: Wurtzback, Nichole Manalo

Lastimosa Supranational

HOT PICK 3: Mary Jean Lastimosa for Bb.Pilipinas – Supranational

Last year, the Miss Supranational organization crowned a “miniature” winner with the face of an angel, and that is our very own Mutya Datul. I can’t see any reason why they won’t do the same if we send a beauty of such high caliber. MJ’s last try may just be the lucky break she’s been waiting for. She’s got the face and sheer confidence that make a room go quiet upon entering it. That makes her much more superior than most of the girls.

SPOILER: Faeldonia, Mary Ainjely Manalo

Manalo Tourism

HOT PICK 4: Nichole Manalo for Bb.Pilipinas – Tourism

With China hosting the pageant annually, I figured that we don’t have a very big chance of winning a crown. But that’s not saying that we shouldn’t send a good candidate. Based on their most recent winners, they want them tall and “meztisa,” and I think Nichole Manalo might just fit the bill.

SPOILER: Laura Victoria Lehmann

BBP PIa

5. Pia Wurtzbach

BBP Bianca

6. Bianca Guidotti

BBP Angelique

7. Angelique De Leon

BBP Aiza

8. Aiza Faeldonia

BBP Ainjely

9. Ainjely Manalo

BBP Eds

10. Ednornance Agustin

BBP Parul

11. Parul Shah

BBP Diana

12. Diana Arevalo

BBP Kim

13. Kimverlyn Suiza

BBP Laura

14. Laura Lehmann

BBP Racquel

15. Racquel Kabigting

pictures via bbpilipinas official fb page and  OPMB Worldwide alterations are for entertainment and depiction purposes only. no copyright infringement intended.

America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21 Episode 3 Photoshoot – Vampire Shoot

Make sure to vote for your favorite model! To do so, log in to: http://www.cwtv.com/thecw/antmvoting  And please make sure to rate each models otherwise, your votes won’t be counted.  As per the voting terms: During one of the scheduled polling periods, login to the page using an existing social network login from Facebook, Twitter, Google, or any of the other ones listed. When viewing photos in the gallery, you are given the option to rate each model on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. Once all of the models have been rated, you may submit your vote by clicking the “VOTE NOW” button underneath the photo. You must vote on each model, or else your votes will not be submitted.

pictures via cwtv.com

 

My 2014 Oscar Final Predictions – My Winners And Spoilers!!

Oscar Trophy - Specials

With the awards season for the films of 2013 culminating on Sunday as the 86th Academy Awards present the Oscar to their respective winners, I’m also coming up (as per usual) with my final predictions for this year’s Oscars.

Best Picture

As much as I’m hoping that Gravity will win this category, I’m still leaning  towards a 12 Years A Slave win not only because it’s winning every precursor award giving bodies prior to the big night but because it’s a total Oscar bait like what I’ve always mentioned. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the film and I feel that it was a well made one but if I were to give it to THE best film of 2013 – Gravity should win this one hands down.

SPOILER: GRAVITY

Best Director

Alfonso Cuaron created a masterpiece with Gravity. Rarely that a director create something that is as powerful as this one. Steve McQueen can win the Best Picture but Cuaron has got this in the bag already.

SPOILER: STEVE MCQUEEN (NOT MUCH THOUGH)

BEST ACTORFrom my review, McConaughey’s rendition in Dallas Buyers Club as the homophobic Texan who became the unlikely hero of the gay community was flawless – it’s like the male Sophieluminescent, one of a kind and truly singular. He’s untouchable here as much as I’d love for Leo to finally get an Oscar.

SPOILER: LEONARDO DICAPRIO

BEST ACTRESSAfter winning a statuette for her supporting role in Aviator, Cate is ready to finally claim what’s rightfully her to begin with (hhmm,  paging Gwyneth.) Her performance in Blue Jasmine was said to be the best of her career and I have to believe that for she won almost all the major award giving bodies for her work in the film. Yay!

SPOILER: SANDRA BULLOCK FOR GRAVITY.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club 

Leto’s best work to date as Rayon is a groundbreaking performance that only deserves accolades like this one. In this film, Jared Leto proved that he’s special!

spoiler: Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave

I’ve only high praises for Jennifer Lawrence but I find Lupita’s performance more memorable and for that alone, I’m giving her this one. Plus, I don’t think the Academy’s ready to give her an Oscar with her winning just last year.

SPOILER: Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle.

Best Original Screenplay – Her

Best Adapted Screenplay – 12 Years A Slave

Best Animated Feature – Frozen

Best Foreign Language Film – The Great Beauty (Italy)

Best Documentary – 20 Feet from Stardom

Best Film Editing – Gravity

Best Original Score – Gravity

Best Original Song – Let It Go

Best Cinematography – Gravity

Best Visual Effects – Gravity

Best Sound Editing – Gravity

Best Sound Mixing – Gravity

Best Production Design – The Great Gatsby

Best Makeup and Hairstyling -American Hustle

Best Costume Design – The Great Gatsby by Catherine Martin

Best Documentary – Short Subject – Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

Best Live Action Short Film – Avant que de tout perdre (Just Before Losing Everything) – Xavier Legrand and Alexandre Gavras

Best Animated Short Film – Get a Horse!

*I submitted this prediction to the 4th Pinoyexchange Oscar Pool (my fourth year of joining! during the first year, I placed 8th, unplaced on the second year and came in at 10th place last year)

for 50 bonus points, after predicting the winners for all 24 categories, the participant has the option to pick ONE PEx Oscar Prediction (listed below) which s/he will think will happen.

PEx Oscar Predictions:

  1. Leonardo DiCaprio will finally win his first Oscar
  2. “Let it Go” will not win Best Original Song
  3. There will be a tie in at least one category
  4. The Best Film Editing winner will not win Best Picture
  5. The Best Director winner will come from the Best Picture winner

Review: The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Oscar Trophy - Specials

Based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir, The Wolf Of Wall Street adequately narrates Belfort’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) conquest in New York making it big in Wall Street at any cost. Adapted by Terence Winter who created  HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and have written in the award winning The Sopranos, Director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio partnered once again as they introduced as to Belfort’s world encompassing his rich and lavish lifestyle that includes drugs, sex and anything that money can buy.

When I “personally” pointed out that Jennifer Lawrence was seemingly the heir apparent to Meryl Streep, I immediately thought of his male counterpart and I easily thought of Leo. He’s perfection for the role and his subtle charm and overflowing charisma easily translates into the screen. Truly Leonardo DiCaprio is one of a kind. Some critics said that he’s sometimes too rehearsed or too exaggerated but I beg to disagree, dear Sir and Ma’am. I thought he’s acting style is singular because he knows how to commit into a character. Jonah Hill (who played Donnie, Belfort’s neighbor) was such a delight as he explode here with his comedic timing like no other actor could do. A one of a kind performance as well that nagged him several acclaims since its run. Margot Robbie whom I thought looked ravishing was equally amazing as Naomi Belfort – she’s just so fun to watch!

I’ve to say though, that what truly stands out in this film aside from the three actors that I mentioned above was the perfect use of scoring and cinematography. Both enamored me into feeling that this truly was the 90’s.  The 90’s was my growing up years and it felt fluid and too reminiscent all throughout the film. That is what I call good direction.

This is yet another Scorsese’s masterpiece depicting a charming Leo as a hero who scammed millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors – which is basically what the film’s all about. Their partnership was truly a force in the industry. Leo knows what Marty wanted him to do in this film and both delivered exceptionally well. Leo’s truly a gem in film.

Leonardo, you are simply magnificent. (mimicking Marion Cottilard during her Oscar presentation to Kate Winslet. LOL)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Job Favreau, Jean Dujardin, Joanna Lumley, Cristin Milioti, Christine Ebersole, Shea Whigham, Katarina Cas, P.J. Byrne, Kenneth Choi, Brian Sacca, Henry Zebrowski, Ethan Suplee, Barry Rothbart, Jake Hoffman, Mackenzie Meehan, Spike Jonze, Bo Dietl

Rating: 9.5/10

*The Wolf Of Wall Street received five Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

Review: Her (2013)

Her2013PosterHer without a doubt should be considered as a frontrunner for Best Original Screenplay for the Oscars. Its premise of falling inlove with a machine (an operating system) was a reminiscent and was very much like the obsession of Al Pacino’s character to SimoneThis film however took a direction very different from the latter. The year was 2025 and Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), someone who writes under a company named beautifulhandwrittenletters. Theodore was in the brink of divorce with his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) and was desperately in need of company until he met the OS which he named Samantha. Together, they talked about love and life with Theodore seeking love advise from Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) which eventually led to them falling in love with each other.

Now this seemed to be a bit out of order, yes? But you gotta remember that it’s the year 2025 and falling in love is yes – that simple. Funny thing is, since Sam’s a microchip the two cannot have sex – an indication that the relationship to work in the long run is impossible and there can’t be no physical human connection that could transpire.

I thought Joaquin Phoenix portrayal was very commendable for there was a feel of longing and sadness in his approach which so become him

The premise may not seemed original at all but it’s charming and has character. Director Spike Jonze delivered a passive yet arresting sequences of events that is both endearing and unique.

Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pratt, Matt Letscher, Sam Jaeger, Luka Jones, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Spike Jonze, Portia Doubleday, Soko, Brian Cox

Rating: 8/10

*Her  received five Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

Review: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Dallas_Buyers_Club_poster

The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, suffering from AIDS and tried a way to improve his health by taking unapproved pharmaceutical drugs and illegally smuggled them for his fellow AIDS patient. The Dallas Buyers Club was the buyer’s club that Woodroof established with the help of  unlikely partners which became highly successful amongst AIDS patients.

This film clad in the ever so colorful life of homosexuals and people affected by AIDS established a strong balance of fact and fiction during the years when the combat against the disease was still unrecognized and was ostracized by the society.

Prior to watching this, the buzz about McConaughey’s performance was already loud and clear that he’s set to head in this year’s Oscar with no other rivals to get in the way. After finally getting the chance to watch it, I have to believe it myself. McConaughey’s rendition here as the homophobic Texan who became the unlikely hero of the gay community was flawless – it’s like the male Sophieluminescent, one of a kind and truly singular.

Jare Leto who played the pre-op transgender Rayon was equally exceptional providing tenderness to McConaughey’s obnoxious yet effective approach to Woodroof.

Dallas Buyers Club is a biopic that lends its ears and opens its heart to the audience especially to the ones suffering from the disease for it supplemented a straightforward approach and presented what’s really happening back then and even now which keeps people fighting for their rights and fighting for their lives.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Dallas Roberts, Michael O’Neill, Denis O’Hare, Griffin Dunne, John Tabler, Jane McNeil, James DuMont, Bradford Cox, Kevin Rankin, Lawrence Turner, Matthew Thompson, Adam Dunn, Scott Takeda, Deneen Tyler, Donna Duplantier

Rating: 7.5/10

*Dallas Buyers Club  received six Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

Review: Captain Phillips (2013)

Captain Phillips chronicles the hijacking of the US container ship Maersk Alabama by a group of Somali Pirates. Led by Captain Richard Phillips, the film depicted his captivity and the instances that follows his release. Based on A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips himself, the film isn’t as simple as it seemed. There were moments in it that some scenes oddly seemed predictable but due to their intensity, it still gives you that staggering affect of thrill and terror.

Tom Hanks for one delivered a powerful portrayal of someone under the mercy of another man. His interaction with pirate leader Muse (Barkhad Abdi) provided the heart of the film. Scenes that feels human and stretch a keen observation of the difference between two cultures.

Newcomer Barkhad Abdi provided a beautiful acting performance here that deserves respect and accolades. There was a raw approach in it, perhaps because he’s new but whatever it was – he should always make use of it.

This was a well-made film for it adapted a real event with less dramatics but more focus. Tom Hanks yet again proved why he’s still here and Paul Greengrass should be proud of this one because it’s truly a gem to be cited by film reviewers and film makers in the future.

Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Catherine Keener, Faysal Ahmed, David Washofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, Yuz Vazquez, Max Martini, Omar Berdouni

Rating: 8/10

*Captain Phillips received six Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Specials: Sponsors Visit!

BBP Logo for PaddylastOver the week, the 40 lovely Binibining Pilipinas candidates went on to visit some of the pageant’s sponsors this year and they all looked their best as they posed for the camera – to smile, eat, and mingle with everyone under the scrutinizing eyes of the public and the sponsors!

The 40 candidates of the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant during their visit at the Philippine Daily Inquirer office. During the coronation night, one candidate will be awarded the Philippine Daily Inquirer Reader's Choice Award.

The 40 candidates of the 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Pageant during their visit at the Philippine Daily Inquirer office. During the coronation night, one candidate will be awarded the Philippine Daily Inquirer Reader’s Choice Award.

 Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Dairy Queen in  Ali Mall


Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Dairy Queen in Ali Mall

 Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Taco Bell Gateway Mall


Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Taco Bell Gateway Mall

Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Pizza Hut Gateway Mall

Bb. Pilipinas Candidates at Pizza Hut Gateway Mall

via bbpilipinas facebook page

Megan Young in Moscow for Miss Russia 2014!

Birthday girl and reigning Miss World Megan Young is currently enjoying her time in Russia as she is about to crown the new Miss Russia on March 1, Saturday during the pageant’s coronation night. Megan will be joined by reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler from Venezuela. Since 2007, the winner of Miss Russia represents her country in both Miss Universe and Miss World.

Megan with Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova  via missosology

Megan with Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova
via missosology

during a press conference, the reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler, Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova and Miss World 2013 Megan Young via missosology

during a press conference, the reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler, Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova and Miss World 2013 Megan Young
via missosology

Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler, Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova and Miss World 2013 Megan Young via missosology

Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler, Miss Russia 2013 Elmira Abdrazakova and Miss World 2013 Megan Young
via missosology

 

Throwback Thursday: The Girl Who Won The First Next Top Model

Curry posing for Tyra during Cycle 1's final three photoshoot. via realitytvgames
Curry posing for Tyra during Cycle 1’s final three photoshoot.
via realitytvgames

Best known as the first winner of America’s Next Top Model, Adrianne Curry’s career didn’t exactly go the top model way. After getting signed to Wilhelmina Models immediately after her win and booking some works, Curry chose a career path on television leading to another reality show with her husband The Brady Bunch star Christopher Knight and succeeding shows after that. The two eventually divorced in 2012. Was it really 10 years since her win? Yes, it is!