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

Infographic: Different taxis worldwide (and the cost to ride in it)

The following infographic by The Taxi Centre unpacks all you need to know about all the different taxis around the globe, so getting a cab is the least stressful part of your holiday.

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.”

Inside the the world’s largest passenger airliner… AIRBUS A380!

There is so much fanfare surrounding the new mega plane from AIRBUS when it landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport- Terminal 3 (NAIA- Terminal 1, recently named “the world’s worst airport”, a perennial worst-lister among backpackers and unfair reviewers!).  The airports at which it operates have upgraded facilities to accommodate it, but the Philippine airport showed the world it is absolutely fine to welcome the gigantic A380.

Heck, even the President of the Philippines was part of the welcoming committee, aside from the red-carpet and flowers handed. Of course!

Qatar Airways is just one of the many airline companies which ordered the A380. Primary users of the A380 includes Emirates, Singapore Airlines (my all-time favorite!), Qantas, Lufthansa to name a few.

As of 31 August 2014, Airbus has received 318 firm orders and delivered 143 aircraft; Emirates has the most A380s on firm order with 140.

If you are one of those who eat caviar for a living, worship Giorgio Armani and wake up with a $4,000 stucked in your mouth, then Qatar Airways A380 eight suite first-class cabin will do the trick.

Take a peek! Economy class not included, but be positive because it certainly is chic.

credit: Qatar Airways

Justice for Jennifer Laude (Jeffrey Laude)! Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton tagged in pinoy transgender’s death.

MANILA, Philippines – The suspect in the death of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City allegedly admitted to authorities that he had done “something wrong” upon initial investigation, a local authorities said on Tuesday, October 14.

“He said, ‘I did something wrong,’”

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino stated in an interview on DZBB, while fielding questions on the US marine suspected of murdering 26-year-old JeffreyLaude, also known as Jennifer, in a lodging house in the city on October 11.

Paulino stated two used condoms were recovered from the room in Celzone Lodge where Laude was found dead, and that Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are still confirming if these belonged to Laude and the suspect.

He revealed Laude died from drowning, based on the presence of water found in the lungs of the victim whose face, the authorities added, was swolen.

Olongapo mayor confirmed that Laude did not have gender reassignment surgery, but had breast implants.

According to media report, authorities have identified the suspect as PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton.

“The suspected Marine is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He is being held onboard USS Peleliu while a joint Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Philippine National Police investigation is conducted,” the embassy said.

It also expressed condolences to the family and friends of Laude.

“The United States will continue to fully cooperate with Philippine law enforcement authorities in every aspect of the investigation.”

Reporting from:

• The Digital Spy

Valerie Weigmann is Miss World Philippines 2014!

If boxing is our unofficial national sports, beauty pageant is our favorite past time. Last night was one of the most glamorous nights in Philippine television, as 37 of the countries most beautiful women competed for the title of Miss World Philippines 2014.

Valerie Weigmann. tv host, model, and entrepreneur, was crowned Miss World Philippines at a glittering ceremony Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena—taking over the reins on Megan Young, last year’s winner and the reigning Miss World.

When asked “why you should be Miss World?’… she confidently quipped, “”I believe in the importance of empathy and compassion because I see, if all of us can all come together, we can all be advocates of change. And I want to inspire and encourage everyone to take up personal advocacy.”

Here is the list of winners as announced:

MISS WORLD Philippines 2014: Valerie Weigmann
1ST PRINCESS: Lorraine Kendrickson
2ND PRINCESS: Nelda Ibe
3RD PRINCESS: Nicole Donesa
4TH PRINCESS: Rachel Louise Peters

The Philippines new set of beauty queens received the following cash prizes: Miss World Philippines 2014: P1 million; 1st Princess: P250,000; 2nd Princess: P200,000; 3rd Princess: P150,000; and 4th Princess: P100,000.

credit: YAHOO PHILIPPINES

Celebrities and their FAKE bags.

FASHIONPULIS (the Philippines answer to TMZ and sister to PEREZ HILTON), gives us a daily dose of award-winning gossips, life-threatening blind items, front-page worthy INSTAGRAM snaps (to be fair!), and a whole load of the not-so chic lifestyle of the crass and the guilty.

This is fashion-fucking-roadkill!!!

    

courtesy: FASHIONPULIS

Alexander Wang X H&M

Blame it on Rihanna! She, of the coolest android celebrity, brings shivers to our vines as she hits the street of New York, sporting the yet to be released capsule collections of Alexander Wang (creative director of Balenciaga) for high-street giant H&M.

As reported by style.com, Wang is bringing a sporty vibe to the collections which H&M says are “reflective of the Alexander Wang lifestyle, infused with a sense of humor and irony.”

The collection will be available in over 250 H&M stores worldwide on November 6 and we can’t wait to get our paws on it . (H&M PHILIPPINES located at Mega Fashion Hall, the newest addition to SM Megamall, will open on October 27, 2014)

What do you think?

Credit: style.com and dailymail.com