Maniolas

By Dan E. Nino Pangasinan beauties after the coronation. From left: Charisse Lim Maravilla (Miss Dagupan City/Miss Charity), Brittany Paula Khoo (Miss Bayambang/Miss Peace), crowned Miss Pangasinan-USA Alyssa Veloria Soto (Miss Mangatarem), Ilen Mandapat Estrada (Miss San Carlos City/Miss Unity) and Melissa Marie Caringal (Miss Urdaneta City/Miss Hope). Photo by Mike Mandapat Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto, representing Assn. of Mangatarem Overseas Residents (AMOR) of Southern California was crowned as Miss Pangasinan-USA in a scintillating Beauty Pageant that coincided with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA’s 35th Anniversary Foundation Gala Night at the Embassy Suites Anaheim-South near Disneyland. Miss Soto, 20, a junior Pre-Med student at California State University-San Marcos also won the Miss Photogenic category and Evening Gown competition. What most likely earned the judges’ nod was her straightforward and articulate response to a judge’s question: “With the standard of beauty being portrayed as fair or light skin in a Beauty Pageant like Miss Pangasinan-USA, what message would you convey to girls who don’t fit this standard?” Miss Soto’s instant reply was: “Throughout my childhood, I was constantly being bullied because I was either too short, my hair was too long and thick or too curly, my skin wasn’t clear, and yes I was either too dark or too light skinned. My message to girls that face this problem and to anyone for that matter is you should not be judged by the color of your skin. True beauty comes from within. What makes you beautiful is your ability to portray yourself in a positive light, the way you carry yourself as Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Broadcasting Company has released the list of Filipino choirs that qualified from the nationwide auditions held for “Sing N Joy Manila 2013,” the international choral competition that will be held at the Aliw Theater complex in December. TIP Choral Society,  Kinaadman Chorale, Enharmonica Singers, Coro Amadeo,  UP Manila Chorale, Pasig Catholic College, Vox Angeli, Himig Bulilit of St. Paul College Parañaque, the University of San Agustin Troubadours, St. Mary’s University Choral Society, Regina Coeli, Tabor Hill College OAD Choir, Coro San Nicoleno, Calasiao Children’s Chorus, the Ateneo Boys Choir, University of Manila Singers, Vox Amigos, Juan Luna Elementary School, the Davao Girls Choir, Lyceum of Alabang, Tining-Ang Koro ng Letran Calamba, Coro Obcento, Agoo Children’s Choir, Isabela State University Chamber Choir, Cebu Central School Children’s Choir, and the Central Luzon State University Maestro Singers made it to the list of choirs whose participation will be subsidized by the broadcast network. Former MBC National Choral Competition champions Coro de Manila, Hiyas ng Pilipinas, St. Louis University Glee Club, and the Laoag City Children’s Choir are also included. Initial registration forms submitted by the different groups show them signing up for the different categories including mixed choruses and youth choirs, with the folkloric, pop, and sacred music genres as popular choices. Choirs from other countries in the Asia Pacific region are expected to see action when the international competition unfolds in December under the aegis of Interkultur Germany and the Philippine Choral Directors Association, through the generous support Read More …