Mary Jane Veloso reprieve!

• 8 other convicts executed

• Australia warns of consequences

MANILA, Philippines–The execution of the Filipino woman convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia has been deferred after her case was elevated to that country’s Supreme Court for further review on Wednesday, giving Philippine officials and the woman’s family momentary relief.

The world’s eyes are focused on Indonesia as Australian leaders scramble to stop the execution of two nationals among the nine drug convicts transported to Nusakambangan Island where they will face a 12-member firing squad.

Filipino Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, 30, was not with them.

President Aquino’s request spared Mary Jane Veloso’s life — Indonesian Attorney General

Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson, said that as of Thursday, Veloso was still in Yogyakarta to attend hearings of the case.

“There will be no execution until the judicial review has been completed,” Jose said in a news briefing at DFA headquarters in Manila on Thursday.

The Yogyakarta district court heard the case on March 3 and 4 after the Philippines appealed for a further review.

The Philippines has questioned the accuracy of the translation in Veloso’s trial since she was provided with a student interpreter instead of a qualified court translator.

“If the translator was not a qualified court translator, there might be an impact on the proceedings,” Jose said.

While the lawyers of Veloso had not pointed out any discrepancies in the court transcripts, Jose said the translation question was an argument that has been given merit by the local court.

“The court decided to endorse the case to the Supreme Court. We are now awaiting the schedule of the hearing,” he said.

Veloso, a mother of two from Bulacan, was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death in Indonesia in 2011 after she was caught with suitcases containing heroin at the airport.

Reporting: AP News

Disney’s The Glow by Sarah Geronimo

Sarah Geronimo. World-class vocal. A true Filipina artist.

Watch and Listen!

Filipina beauty queen, Jamie Herrell, bags Miss Earth 2014 crown

credit: (Dante Diosina Jr/NPPA IMAGES

“The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.

– Chanakya

Manila, Philippines– Miss Earth crowned Filipina beauty Jamie Herrell as its titleholder at the coronation held Saturday at the University of the Philippines Theater, Quezon City.

The 19-year-old beauty from Cebu succeeded last year’s winner, Alyz Sabimar Henrich Ocando from Venezuela. She bested 84 beauties from other countries and territories.

credit: rappler.com

Miss USA Andrea Neu took home the Miss Earth Air title; Miss Venezuela Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Miss Earth Water; while Miss Russia Anastasia Trysova, Miss Earth Fire.

Jamie’s victory cemented the Philippines’ standing as beauty powerhouse considering that the environment-centered pageant is dubbed as one of the world’s Big Four Beauty Pageants (along with Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International).

rappler.com

During the question-and-answer round, Miss Philippines was asked about her plans to help reverse the effects of global warming if she wins the crown.

“Global warming has been known to be a long, overdue issue. I will use my title to inspire others, help our environment. And we should start with the kids as they are the people of tomorrow,” she replied.

Here’s the complete list of finalists:

TOP 8
Brazil
Mongolia
Slovak Republic
Venezuela
USA
Philippines
Russia
Spain

TOP 16
Tahiti
Russia
Korea
Colombia
Scotland
Mongolia
Zambia
Brazil
Slovak Republic
Venezuela
Thailand
USA
Egypt
Philippines
Mexico
Spain

 

 

Reports from: @yahooph/  Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

“Blood Ransom” vampire flick is a MAJOR FLOP!

credit: http://www.traileraddict.com

Critics have spoken! And it seems like the camp of Philippine actress, Anne Curtis, wanted to make it as big as the “TWILIGHT” movie. HAHAHA!

From what i’ve heard and judging by the many forwarded emails containing screenshots of trending topics on Twitter (unfortunately, i don’t have a twitter account), wasted showbiz news on TV Patrol (which, frankly, Gretchen Fullido is NEWS herself because of her many fashion faux pas, re the skimpy outfits too ill-fitting to watch!) and the endless raconteur posting so many wasted articles on blogs dedicated or is PRO-Anne Curtis. Sadly, i lost counts and to this day and age, it was daunting and rather boring! Only Fashionpulis is deemed worthy of all the gossips!

I have no intention to demean the effort of Ms. Curtis in fulfilling her Hollywood dreams.

You be the judge, the critics have spoken. Let’s wait for the box-office numbers.

And by the way, is it even worthy of ROTTENTOMATOES rating? Heck, Indiewire didn’t even mention it, and God forbid, don’t let the movie get near Roger Ebert’s trash bin.

At least, some reviewers give it a shot. For now.

L.A TIMES Martin Tsai : ‘Blood Ransom’ vampire tale is a bit anemic”. Nuff’ said.

NYT Andrew Webster not so sure:  “Ms. Curtis, a Filipino-Australian actress making her American film debut, suffers nobly, with full lips and heavy eyelashes, parading in leather and occasionally acquiring fangs, a veiny complexion and flaring red eyes. She is not without charisma, but this is not her proper vehicle. It would be interesting to see her in a role of more down-to-earth dimensions.”

There’s the effort, girlfriend.

While Village Voice’s Rob Staeger bothered to say these words:  “Fewer cops and more full-tilt vampire batshittery might not have resulted in a more coherent movie, necessarily, but almost certainly would’ve made for a more captivating one.”

Anne Curtis in Blood Ransom

A fantard Anne Curtis-wannabe mate of mine rudely interrupted my week-long serving of HOT PINOY MEN browsing session on the web (because up to this day, happily living with partner and all, it doesn’t hurt having wet dreams checking out Sam Ajdani shirtless and oozing with sex appeal!), begging me to check out a youtube link of Blood Ransom trailer. It stars Filipina actress Anne Curtis and some hot hunks from the states.

credit: Chicka.com

Judging by the trailer, it doesnt really do her any good, in Holywood or anywhere else! At least in the Philippines, where mother network like ABS-CBN will do their monster’s best to crack down all PR firms and position the movie as blockbuster, rather than a BUSTER!

MY GAWD!!!!! THIS IS BETTER THAN BLOOD RANSOM! will definitely shed some blood! credit: vivinjacla.com

It is going straight to DVD, and in HOLLYWOOD, that means TRASH, like garbage-trash Snooki from Jersey Shore!

Indiewire, Entertainment Weekly, Variety or even fucking Perez Hilton haven’t mention or advertise the movie trailer on their sites! So maybe, Anne Curtis and her people will buy all the tickets, no?

Advanced Style and Vogue covers…

Just got a copy of US Vogue October 2014 issue, Reese Witherspoon on the cover, with some sort of “the REAL Reese” tagline. I didn’t read the article on her, with the same boring stuff about her privilege life trying to convince the world she is just like the rest of us! Normal and imperfect! Hookay!!!

Reese Witherspoon, VOGUE, October 2014 photo: US Vogue

Natasha Poly and daughter, Vogue Paris, October 2014 photo: VOGUE.FR

One of the most interesting part about it was the article on Mrs. George Clooney, the stunning British-born Lebanese lawyer, Amal Alamuddin. She got grace, she got style and she ain’t your ordinary girl-next-door buddy! Amal is a barrister for the London-based  Doughty Street Chambers, specialising in international law, criminal law, human rights, and extradition. Her career as a lawyer gained her notoriety because of some high-profile cases she handles for some of the worlds most notorious clients and organizations! Man, that’s a mouthful!

On some parts of the world where Vogue has its presence (mostly international editions from some of the world’s richest and emerging economies ) i am always excited to get a glimpse on Brits, French  and Italian editions. Unless the holy spirit descended from Heaven and gifted me with Language to utter I would love to devour each pages of different international editions. But hell no, i ain’t Jesus!

Karlie Kloss, Vogue Russia, October 2014 photo: Vigue Russia

On a lighter note, ADVANCED STYLE, a blog by street style photographer Ari Seth Cohen, which was turned into a best-selling book (2012), a documentary directed by Lina Plioplyte, will have its premiere at New York cinemas. The documentary sift through the stylish lives of seven eccentric, over-60 New York fashion mavens whose lives have become the symbol of age and flair, a true testament that age is just a number.

Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen photo: advancedstyle.blogspot.com

The women of ADVANCED STYLE!!!