I've got Naomi Macapagal's number

And I gave it to the Vice-president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Rosemer Enverga.

Actually, I probably gave her 6 phone numbers of my honeyshot girls. But it was only Naomi who joined the pageant.

Asked why she joined the pageant, naomi said "I wanted to be able to help PIDC and convince people to help Gawad Kalinga build houses for the poor in the Philippines." In December, she is going to the Philippines to see the projects that PIDC and Gawad Kalinga are doing. The other reason she joined the pageant is curiosity. Her mom has been telling her about life in the pageant in the past. So, Naomi the daughter decided to join to live the life in a fishbowl.

Congratulations to Naomi Macapagal.

Ms. Philippines PIDC 2010 Naomi Macapagal is all smiles as she wins the title.

Ms. Philippines PIDC 2009 Natalie Rafael says goodbye to her reign.

Where's Inah Canlapan?

I arrived late at the Miss Manila pageant and caught the dance number by the contestants and immediately noticed contestant number 11 dancing all over the place.

I watched the proceedings. I never paid attention to the names until it was time to announce the winners. All I did was take the pictures. And when candidate number 2, the winner of Miss Manila 2010 was announced, I never heard the name. All I knew is that I took a picture of this young lady who was a picture of excitement and happiness at hearing her name announced.

Then, I remembered that singer Inah Canlapan was a contestant. I scanned the faces of al the contestants and I cannot recognize her. I asked photographer Raymond Santos, "Where is Inah?" He laughed and said, "the winner." OH.

Inah Canlapan has come full circle in the Filipino community. She has been an accomplished singer, performing as front act for visiting singers from the Philippines. Now, she is also a beauty queen, a Miss Manila 2010 winner, one of the two biggest beauty titles that exist in the Filipino community in Toronto, the other being the Miss Philippines PIDC title.

Congratulations to Inah Canlapan.

Inah is deluged by friends, family, wel-wishers and supporters.

Inah Canlapan with her family.

Naku Ha, June issue - Katrina Halili's presscon in Toronto

KATRINA HALILI’S PRESSCON

I would like to confirm that the date and location of Katrina Halili’s press conference has been finalized. It will be at my house, 2nd floor, my bedroom. The house will accommodate 50 people but the bedroom will only accommodate 5 according to the fire marshall’s office. Therefore, RSVP is required. One person has already confirmed - me. The second person is Katrina Halili. Three are my cameramen. Therefore, maximum capacity has already been reached. All others will have to stay outside my bedroom while I interview Katrina Halili. No use complaining. Minda Neri, Rosemer and Jun Enverga of PIDC have agreed to the arrangement. They happen to be the cameramen. Liveview will be provided by a 3” monitor mounted above the door where people outside can view the proceedings. I promise, it won’t last longer than 5 minutes. Well, I won’t. I don’t know about Katrina. I am referring to the “interview.” Later, the video will be uploaded to vimeo.com and youtube. I am really sorry but my bedroom is not big. In fact, my my room is so small my three cameramen will be in the closet.

GERMAN MORENO’S PRESSCON

You have got to be out of your mind if you think I know. I don’t have time to find out. I’ve got my hands (AMONG OTHER PARTS) full with this Katrina Halili’s “interview.” All I know is that it is the same time as the Katrina Halili presscon.

OPEN HOUSE

However, I have been informed that nobody has RSVP’d yet for the German Moreno presscon. Please rsvp early or you might get locked out. To those that cannot be accommodated in my bedroom, you are welcome to go to the German Moreno presscon which is DEFINITELY not being held in my house; and definitely not in my bedroom with Katrina Halili.

A DECENT EXPOSURE

GMA7 OR Kapuso is the network sponsor of PIDC’s Mabuhay festival this year. (SEE AD) They decided to add a new star in the making - John Nite. Who, you say. John Nite is currently the co host of Kuya Germs in Walang Tulugan. He is a recording artist, actor and an accomplished TV host. John is very much in demand to do Corporate shows, product launchings, beauty pageants, conventions. I ahve no idea wherre his presscon also.

IN DECENT ENCLOSURE

I called my friend Oswald Tugadi of Albee Enterprises and asked him where is the ad for the Philippine chamber of Commerce Toronto for the Mabuhay festival. It’s coming but there are some changes. The hall has been changed and graphic artist Louie Pagdagdagan is still looking for a picture of actress Katrina Halili wearing something more than an earring. Incidentally, in all her internet pictures, she is either wearing only an earring or less. I did not know that. Of course, I am exaggerating. But what I am wondering in heavens name is why is Louie trying too hard to find a picture of her with clothes on? Naked KH will sell more tickets than her on Maria Clara clothes. If they have her on the poster with Maria Clara clothes on, it was probably photoshopped. Apparently, I have been informed that most of the ticket sellers are members of couples for Christ. What better way to make a husband feel like “coupling” than a naked picture of Katrina Halili? Unless it’s not his wife he wants to “couple.” Ehe, sus maryosep...ano ba itong nasabi ko?

Christelle Guerina's Happy 7th Birthday

Christelle Guerina Happy 7th Birthday from Jose Baking on Vimeo.

Christelle Guerina celebrates her 7th birthday.

Kids have fun with the smoke from the fog machine.

Christelle's brothers performs for her on her birthday.

Mom Zor hugs Christelle before her ballet number.

Christelle performs a ballet.

Sing For Your Heart 2010

Michael Masangkay is known as a host and singer in the Filipino community that one would assume he started as a contestant in one of the singing competitions that come up from time to time.

“No, I have never competed before,” he said.

Yet, there he was, as probably the oldest - at 30 years old - among the contestants at the Sing for your Heart 2010, the Young Asian canadian Singing contest open to young people from 14 to 30 years old. He was the first to sing among all the contestants with a rendition of Hotel California. It is a bit unusual seeing him compete because he used to host this contest in the past years.

“But not this year,” he says, because he is one of the contestants. “Maybe next year.”

As expected of any contestant, he was nervous at the start. Asked afterwards how he feels, “relieved...and sweating.”

Well, as he said, "I won't have a chance to compete again. I am 30. I want to know the feeling."

Michael Masangkay looks very pensive before his turn.

We miss you Minda Neri

We were wondering why PIDC President Minda Neri was not at the PIDC's Mrs. Philippines pageant. She was also not at the president's Gala of FCT. FCT's Aida Orazio also told me that Minda told her she will drop by at the President's Gala at Royal York hotel after the Mrs. Philippines pageant. Both events were held on the same night. Minda Neri replied to us, addressed to me, Jose Baking and Ariel Ramos, the photographer.

Joey and Ariel, I was not at the Mrs Phil. PIDC nor anywhere else but at several church services because my brother just died in Cagayan de Oro City. He is my oldest brother who requested to be brought him while he was still allowed to travel. He had a stroke last yr, half paralyzed, on hemodialysis 3x per week, cannot really speak, is on diapers, on liquid diet and on wheelchair. His oldest son Gus, his daughter in law and I brought him home last January and settled him there in Damilag Bukidnon with all tx in Cagayan de Oro. It is not a secret but also did not consider me or it as newsworthy. You know me, simpli lang is the way I like it. See you at the next event. Thanks minda Minda Neri, President, PIDC T:416 621-4985 E: pres@pidctoronto.com Our condolences to you and your whole family Minda. As for you being newsworthy, oh yes you are. We hope to see you soon. Joey Baking