Tag Archives: Philippines

Miss Philippines beatboxes like a champ

Although we’re stoked about Miss China winning the Miss World competition, I’m kind of disappointed that Miss Philippines didn’t place higher given the Southeast Asian’s unique talent.

Quenerich Rehman, 23, kept the audience in suspense when she was introduced by the judge as having “the first ever performance of this type in Miss World.” Her beatboxing talent was not mentioned and the audience was in for a surprise when she broke into beats after singing a slow ballad. She even beatboxed to Usher’s “Yeah” and Cali Swag’s ”Teach Me How to Dougie.”

Other hopeful pageant contestants need to up their game. I want to see more out-of-the-box performances — perhaps a rap or even a comedic act.


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Tim Tebow funding children’s hospital in Philippines

 

 

Did you know that Tim Tebow, superstar quarterback for the Denver Broncos, is technically a fob? Born in Makati City, Philippines, Tebow is giving back to his roots with his foundation by pairing up with CURE International to build a children’s hospital in Davao City. The facility will offer 30 beds, focusing primarily on orthopedics. It’s expected to cost $3 million and is estimated to be open in mid-2013.

“I was born in the Philippines and my parents have been missionaries to that area since 1985. The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart. I’m excited to be a part of this hospital that will bring healing to thousands of children who would not otherwise have access to care,” said Tebow.

I know there are some Tebow haters out there, but putting sports rivalries aside, you have to give him props for doing a good deed for his home country!

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Fobby hottie of the month: Charice Pempengco

We received some some pretty angry comments on our last Charice post, which was about her getting botox. The truth of the matter is, we love her over here. I mean, Charice Pempengco, 18, seems to be the only fob artist to actually crack the American entertainment industry — she’s the first one to make it to the top 10 of the billboard charts. Utada Hikaru, Boa and Coco Lee each tried their luck over here, but sadly didn’t amount to much.

I’ve been a big supporter of Charice ever since I spotted her YouTube videos a few years ago. From singing on stage with Celine Dion to being trained by David Foster (now her godfather), she sure has come a long way in her career. However, her early life wasn’t very smooth sailing. Her father was abusive and, at one point, Charice saw him aim a shotgun at her mom. Charice participated in singing competitions just to make enough to eat. Having gone through so much adversity at too young of an age, she certainly deserves her success.

Speaking of Charice, I’m uber excited for her upcoming role in Glee as the Filipina exchange student, Sunshine Corazon!

My fobby flashback: Filipino comfort food

For someone who LOVES eating, I’m pretty terrible at cooking.  So I wanted to share with you guys how proud of myself I am for making one of my childhood comfort foods: Filipino eggplant omelette!

Also known as tortang talong, this is one of those dishes that you can’t find at any restaurant. . . it’s just one of those rustic, homecooked foods.  In Singapore, I grew up with a filipina nanny who pretty much raised me and my brother, and I loved it when she cooked traditional Filipino food like chicken adobo and eggplant omelette.

I have to admit, I felt pretty fobby roasting eggplants village-style over the open flame of my stove.  But as soon as I smelled the smoky eggplant fragrance and took a bite of this humble yet unique omelette, it took me right back to my childhood.

I love how simple, home-cooked food has the power to evoke those deep feelings of nostalgia.

Omg, omg, omg! Four dudes freak out over Filipino Miss Universe

Last week, Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, was crowned Miss Universe 2010. Although Miss Philippines, Maria Venus Raj, made it to the top fifteen, I can only imagine the devastation these four guys faced when she didn’t win.  Watch their hysterical reaction to Miss Philippines’ making it into the top fifteen.  I think I saw one guy fly up into the air…

(Thanks, Quang!)

Maid inherits $4 million from late boss

Sometimes hard work really does pay off.  After more than 20 years of service, a Filipina maid in Singapore has inherited $4 million from her late employer.  Using the pseudonym “Christine,” the 47-year old  insisted on remaining unnamed for fear that her newfound wealth could attract the attention of kidnappers and other money-hungry evildoers.  The inheritance from her late employer, Dr. Quek Kai Miew, included cash and a swanky apartment near Singapore’s downtown shopping district.

“It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Dr. Quek than with my own mother,” “Christine” said. “I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money.”

In the US, having a maid is a sign of wealth and luxury.  But in Asia — particularly in cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong where it’s common for both parents to work — it’s typical for families to have live-in maids who take care of the kids.  Since I moved to the US, I often shy away from telling people that I grew up with a maid because I don’t want people to think I grew up as some kind of rich, spoiled brat.  But for me, growing up with a maid was like having a nanny whom I was super close with.  And even though she doesn’t work for us anymore, our maid who raised me since I was a little kid remains a big part of my childhood — I still stay in touch with her now.  Maybe it seems kind of crazy to most people, but I totally understand why “Christine” ended up with with four million bucks!

Jackson’s former choreographer and dancers visit Filipino prisoners

It has been awhile since I’ve seen these Filipino inmates release a new dance routine.  Well, I guess they were busy getting professional dance lessons from none other than Michael Jackson’s former choreographer, Travis Payne, and his dancers, Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid.  Amazing performance, but is this even a prison anymore??

Manny Pacquiao now a Philippines congressman

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Manny Pacquiao Congressman PoliticianIn addition to his World Champion boxing title, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 31, has just added “Congressman” to his resume.  He was sworn in yesterday in the capital of his impoverished province, Sarangani, where Manny told a crowd of 3,000, “I will be more effective in politics than in boxing.”  He has promised to work on improving infrastructure, medical services and security.

Considered a national hero in the Philippines, Manny also made it on Forbes‘ “most powerful” list.  His term in parliament will last three years, and he intends to keep boxing while serving as a legislator.

Go Manny, go Manny!  Check out his cool video tribute to him.  Man, I feel sorry for the guys who enter the ring with him.  Ouch!

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Next Philippines president refuses to quit smoking

Senator Benigno Aquino, 50, the Philippines president-elect, smokes a pack of cigs a day and he’s not ready to quit anytime soon. Aquino, who will succeed Gloria Arroyo on June 30, insists that he should be free to smoke and wishes to preserve one of the the “few remaining freedoms” he has left. This comes after health activists started campaigning for Aquino to quit his smoking habit in order to set a good example for the rest of the country.

Aquino says:

“I will be coming under a lot of pressure. Should I add another unnecessary pressure? Maybe that might even affect my decisions on what I should do.”

The man is under stress people!

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Philippine president appoints her manicurist to major government position

gloria arroyo corruption manicureDo you have mad skillz when it comes to doing a mani pedi?  If so, turns out you’re qualified to be a key player in the Philippines government.  This week, Philippine president Gloria Arroyo appointed her manicurist, Anita Carpon, to a major government post.  Carpon is now on the board of the government agency responsible for lending tens of millions of dollars for the housing needs of government employees.  The president’s decision has seen a flurry of criticism, but her spokesman responded saying, “Having a relationship of trust with the president should not count against someone.”

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