Above and beyond the call of beauty

CONTESTANTS of the Miss Teen Earth and Little Miss Earth pageant photo: nice print

It was such a delight to be one of the judges in the nationwide auditions for the Miss Teen Earth (MTE)/Little Miss Earth (LME) pageant. After months of searching, we have found 40 young “earth champions” with a passion for the conservation, preservation and protection of the environment.

Most of the teen qualifiers are dead ringers for celebs Alyanna Martinez, Janine Tugonon, Miriam Quiambao and Kristine Hermosa, to name a few. The kiddie hopefuls are too adorable for words. I wish I could adopt them all!

Spearheaded by Vas Bismark and his Captured Dream Entertainment Productions, MTE/LME is on its second year. The coronation night will be aired on GMA 7. It’s about promoting not just one’s beauty but also Mother Earth’s. It’s a pageant above and beyond the call of beauty!

Venus Raj hosted the MTE/LME press launch. The young earth ambassadors were thrilled to meet her up close and personal. She gamely posed for selfies with each of them as they all exclaimed, “OMG!”—Oh My Goddess!

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Venus:

How do you find the candidates?

“GIVE more importance to studies even though you want to join beauty pageants,” advises Venus Raj. AUGUST DE LA CRUZ

They are beautiful, cute, enthusiastic. I got to learn about them on a more personal level. It’s good to know that these kids and teens are aware of environmental issues at very young ages. They are already thinking of several ways to help Mother Earth.

What are your Top 5 tips to aspiring beauty queens?

Give more importance to studies even though you want to join beauty pageants. Grab the opportunity to become socially aware. Make friends with fellow candidates. Accept the decision of the judges. Win or lose, consider it a stepping stone to improvement. Enjoy the friendly competition!

What do you think of gay beauty pageants?

Cute and very entertaining!

What’s your unsolicited advice to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach?

Anak, I know you can do it. I know this is your dream and you are on your way to making that dream come true. Always take the Lord with you on your journey. I would love to see you conquer that stage. I am always here if you need an ate.

If you were a judge in the Miss Universe pageant, what question would you ask the contestants?

I would ask what the most important thing for them is, aside from winning the crown. That way, I will understand who they are. Whatever matters to a woman is a gauge of her personality.

Backstreet Boys back

Before One Direction, there was Backstreet Boys (BSB). The best-selling boy band is coming to Manila for a major concert (presented by Ovation Productions through Live Nation) on May 5 at Mall of Asia Arena. (Tickets: www.smtickets.com)

The group is loved for hits that include “I Want It That Way,” “Everybody (“Backstreet’s Back”)” and “As Long As You Love Me.”

To mark its 20th anniversary in the biz, BSB came out with a full-length documentary, “Backstreet Boys: Show ’Em What You’re Made Of.” The docu premiered as part of the “VH1 Rock Docs” franchise on VH1 on April 3.

The Backstreet Boys are so back!

Content for cable

At the Philippine Cable Television Association convention, ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio highlighted the importance of matching the right content with the right consumer in producing excellent and values-oriented shows that reflect the culture and aspirations of the Filipino cable TV audience.

“Our shows that did not have big stars have turned into big hits, like ‘Be Careful with My Heart,’ because we value the interest of our consumers,” she said.

March Ventosa, head of Narrowcast and OIC of Access Group, said understanding the Filipino audience is key in developing the best stories.

Dino Laurena, head of Integrated Sports, shared with delegates that content can evolve through innovative ways and that, in fact, the broadcast industry can connect more people with the goal of enriching sports content.

Team Kapamilya is ready, willing and cable!

Personal

Happy, happy birthday to my dearest “G.L friend,” China Cojuangco-Gonzalez!