Showbiz Roundup: Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein, JP Laxamana, John Wayne Sace
(From left) Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein, JP Laxamana, and John Wayne Sace. Images: FILE PHOTOS
The end of the Miss Grand International 2024 tilt was marred with drama, as Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein returned her second runner-up crown after her controversial breakdown at the end of its coronation night. This also led to the Thai-based pageant to impose a “lifetime ban” against its national director, Htoo Ant Lwin.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Jason Paul “JP” Laxamana caught the ire of netizens after pointing out that reporting about typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) only causes “confusion and panic” among the public.
John Wayne Sace, on the other hand, was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a 43-year-old victim in Pasig City.
Read back our explosive entertainment headlines on the final week of the Halloween month from October 25 to 31.
Thae Su Nyein returns second runner-up crown
Thae Su Nyein of Myanmar. Images: Instagram/@yo_korawathairstylist, Facebook/Thae Su Nyein
Days after her outburst at the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation, Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein announced in a Facebook Live on October 27 that she relinquished her second runner-up crown while reiterating that it’s a decision she made on her own.
Article continues after this advertisement“I am not controlled by anyone. I just make my own decision. I give back my second runner-up crown just because of we don’t get what we deserve [sic], I mean like our National Costume prize, our Country Power of the Year, not the winner crown,” she said.
Article continues after this advertisementThae was referring to Miss Grand International’s National Costume and Country Power of the Year special awards. She was among the Top 10 candidates for the National Costume award, while she was up against Thailand for the Country Power of the Year plum.
“I am not blame my sisters [sic]. I love India, I love Philippines, they’re my best sisters of all the time [sic]. I don’t blame them. I’m just saying our National Costume prize and our Country Power figure, not the winner crown. I’m not taking on it,” she continued.
India’s Rachel Gupta was crowned as the reigning Miss Grand International 2024 while the Philippines’ own CJ Opiaza was named first runner-up.
Brazil’s Talita Hartmann, Ecuador’s Maria Jose Vera, and Honduras’ Yariela Garcia eventually bagged the National Costume Awards. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Malin Chara-anan was named the Country Power of the Year winner.
Thae stated that her Miss Grand International 2024 stint was meant to represent Myanmar and that she did her best. She also claimed that the National Costume and Country Power of the Year awards were the results of her countrymen “putting effort” into them.
Thae then explained that her controversial outburst was because of her feeling sorry for her countrymen. “A lot of Myanmar flags over there, I can see from the stage. A lot of my Burmese people are crying.”
“How can I stay happy with that crown? So I started crying because I feel sorry for them,” she continued. “I feel sad for them, not because I didn’t get the winner crown. I’m not fighting for the winner crown. I’m fighting for my country.”
Shortly after her statement, the social media platforms of Miss Grand International announced the revocation of Thae’s second runner-up title on October 28, citing “inappropriate behavior.”
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Myanmar national director receives ‘lifetime ban’
Miss Grand International Pres. Nawat Itsaragrisil (center) is embroiled in yet another controversy between Myanmar National Director Htoo Ant Lwin (left) and Miss Grand Myanmar Than Su Nyein./FACEBOOK PHOTOS, HTOO ANT LWIN, NAWAT ITSARAGRISIL, THAN SU NYEIN
The Miss Grand International pageant’s drama with Myanmar continues, with the pageant imposing a “lifetime ban” on national director Htoo Ant Lwin for “lack of sportsmanship and business credibility.”
Htoo was seen removing Than’s tiara from her head and also took away her sash as second runner-up after the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation night last October 26.
Htoo had earlier accused Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil of offering the crown for a prize worth $25,000, and that the Thai pageant official had accepted money from Indonesian pageant officers.
Itsaragrisil vehemently denied the allegation, and dismissed Htoo’s pronouncements as “ridiculous.” Pageant fans from Myanmar have been aggressively parroting Htoo’s accusations online while saying that the Thai-based pageant is a “cooking show.”
At a press conference held at Movenpick Sukhimvit 23 in Bangkok, Itsaragrisil asked, “What makes [Thae] so delusional?”
He added: “If she wants first place and must have it, I suggest she create her own pageant so she can win every title. Someone like you shouldn’t participate in anything competitive or challenging others. You should stay in your own imaginary, fantasy, virtual world.”
CJ Opiaza is Miss Grand International 2024 1st runner-up
Miss Grand International 2024 first runner-up Christine Juliane Opiaza from the Philippines / SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE, GRAND TV
The Philippines’ quest for the Miss Grand International pageant’s elusive “golden crown” continues as Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza settles for the first runner-up spot in the recently-concluded staging of the global tilt in Thailand last October 25.
Rachel Gupta scored India’s first victory and clinched the crown by besting 67 other aspirants in ceremonies staged at the MGI Hall in Bangkok to inherit the title from Peruvian queen Luciana Fuster who won last year.
Completing the final five were second runner-up Thae Su Nyeim from Myanmar, third runner-up Safietou Kabengele from France, and fourth runner-up Talita Hartmann from Brazil.
The five remaining delegates in the Top 10 who did not advance to the final round were all proclaimed as fifth runners-up. They were Maria Felix from the Dominican Republic, Nova Liana from Indonesia, Arlette Rujel from Peru, Susana Medina from Spain, and Amy Viranya Berry from the United Kingdom.
In her final walk at the final round, Opiaza, who was wearing a slinky silver cutout column gown, tripped slightly which caused her to pause for a bit. But the beauty queen recovered her composure immediately and continued with her signature pasarela, or pageant walk.
To this date, the Philippines still has not scored the Miss Grand International title. Notable contenders include Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo, who finished as first runner-up in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Roberta Tamondong bagged fifth runners-up in 2022.
JP Laxamana on reporting typhoons entering PAR
Jason Paul Laxamana. Image: Instagram/@jplaxamana
Jason Paul “JP” Laxamana drew mixed reactions after he voiced his opinion on how news reports about typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) only cause “confusion and panic to regular people.”
“Hot take: a typhoon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility shouldn’t be announced as news, [because] it causes confusion/panic to regular people who assume that PAR = landfall. Pang-meteorologist lang dapat ang info na iyon,” Laxamana argued on his Facebook page last October 26.
Laxamana issued his post on the heels of the devastating effects of tropical storm Kristine in the Bicol region and other parts of the country, and as Leon developed into a super typhoon.
In the comments section, several netizens pointed out the need to inform the public about the oncoming typhoon to ensure their safety before landfall. Laxamana responded that there is no need to use technical terms in typhoon reports.
Further discussions on his take can be seen in the comments section of his posts, with some agreeing with the filmmaker and others underscoring that instead of limiting weather reports — as what he suggested — education should be promoted for the “confusion” to be addressed.
Laxamana later asserted that he is standing by his statement, saying that the “weather news that is relevant to the common tao [people] is landfall, typhoon strength, rains, and floods.”
“It entering the Philippine area of responsibility — an imaginary zone covered by Philippine meteorologists — doesn’t mean anything yet. It only means binabantayan na ng weathermen,” he said. “God bless sa inyo. Mag-sad react lang kayo nang mag-sad react every time may balita na ‘nakapasok na ng PAR.”
John Wayne Sace arrested for alleged shooting in Pasig
John Wayne Sace. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz
John Wayne Sace was arrested and detained after he allegedly shot and killed a 43-year-old victim in Pasig City.
According to the initial report of Pasig City Police, Sace shot the victim —. who was supposedly his friend — multiple times which led to the latter’s death.
The incident reportedly happened on October 28, at 7:30 p.m., hours before the former actor shared a cryptic post on his Facebook page on Tuesday midnight.
“Nagtutulak kayo ng droga ng palihim Diba? Yun mga Buhay na sinira nyo? May kalaban-laban ba? Yung mga ninakawan nyo? Meron? Wag kayo pavictim.. ilang beses nyo na ko pinagplanuhan katulad kagabi??? Ha Diba? Pag umalis ako papatayin nyo pamilya ko.. hayop kayo,” his post read.
Sace was a Star Magic artist who appeared in several TV shows including “Home along da Riles,” “Spirits,” “May Bukas Pa,” “Guns and Roses” and “Ang Probinsyano.” He was also part of the 2002 film “Dekada ’70.”
In 2016, Sace was a victim in a shooting incident in Pasig. The former actor was hospitalized after sustaining a gunshot wound, while his companion was shot dead.
According to the police report at the time, Sace and the other victim were included in the barangay’s drug watch list and were suspected drug users and pushers.
Was CJ Opiaza’s Miss Grand Int’l gown ‘wrong?’
CJ Opiaza advances to Miss Grand International 2024’s Top 5
Filipino fashion designer Leo Almodal gave his two cents on Miss Grand International 2024 first runner-up CJ Opiaza’s evening gown, pointing out how the dress supposedly did not accentuate the beauty queen’s physique.
Opiaza donned an embellished silver cutout dress with hints of rose gold beads, designed by Filipino fashion designer Mak Tumang.
“Whoever designed CJ’s gown… First of all, I am very forgiving and easily pleased with other designer’s work but her dress is wrong in so many aspects,” Almodal said in a now-deleted post on his Facebook page. “Una, nagmukhang flat ang dibdib. Anong nangyari? Pwede naman maglagay ng seamless pads.”
Almodal also noted that the “torso looked long and straight. “Nawala curves ni CJ dahil mali ang patterns ng lines. Nagmukhang tuod. The design should emphasize and enhance the curves, and not the other way around.”
Almodal further pointed out that the gown was not long enough which, he guessed, might be the reason why Opiaza opted for short heels.
“Para hindi bitin tingnan? [Nagmukha] siyang pandak itabi sa ibang candidates,” he said, also stating that the gown’s rose gold belt “came out of nowhere” and was “out of place.”
Tumang, Opiaza, or even the Miss Grand Philippines organization have yet to comment on Almodal’s remarks as of this writing.
Ramon Tulfo mourns grandson’s death
Image: Facebook/Ramon Tulfo
Ramon Tulfo expressed grief as he disclosed that his eldest grandson Ramon Enrique, who suffered from depression, was found dead at a hotel.
“Had Ramon Enrique (Ramonito), my eldest grandson, talked to me he wouldn’t have done the unspeakable. I could have talked him out of it because I probably know what he felt inside,” Ramon said on his Facebook page on October 26.
Ramon admitted that he also “contemplated doing” what Ramonito did, lamenting how the latter was not as “strong-willed” as he and his grandson’s dad, radio host Patrick Tulfo.
Ramon noted that “everything was going for Ramonito,” describing him as an intelligent man who had a stable job and a pleasing appearance.
“Ramonito took his own life early today, a victim of depression,” Ramon stated. “His body was found in a hotel. He left a note saying he was not strong.”
“Oh my grandson! Had you talked to me I would have made you strong!” he wailed. “I would have told you that life has full of challenges. That life is unfair. But crises or problems make life so exciting. That if you just plodded on the issues you faced would have disappeared.”
While Patrick has yet to speak up on his son’s death, he shared a post on his Facebook page where he expressed agony over not being able to help himself.
Rita Daniela files complaint vs Archie Alemania
Rita Daniela and Archie Alemania | Image: Instagram/@missritadaniela, @archiealemania
Rita Daniela filed an act of lasciviousness complaint against her fellow Kapuso actor Archie Alemania before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Bacoor City on October 30.
In her complaint affidavit, Daniela alleged that Alemania sexually violated her by kissing and touching her without consent after a work gathering on September 8.
Lascivious conduct is defined as “the intentional touching, either directly or through clothing of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks.” Under Article 336, a person found guilty of acts of lasciviousness shall be punished by imprisonment that can range from six months and one day to six years.
The singer-actress detailed in her complaint that Alemania had made inappropriate remarks against her, alluding to wanting to have sex with her at the beginning of the gathering.
After the event, Daniela intended to go home but Alemania insisted and offered her a ride home, which she eventually acquiesced to, as she thought that he had already sobered up.
During their ride, Daniela alleged that Alemania forced himself on her by giving her a “torrid kiss.” Despite her attempt to break free, the actor groped her by the breast and told her, “Pa-booking naman,” pertaining that he wants to have sex with her.
Daniela said she was able to get out of the vehicle after giving her all strength. The actress’ complaint included a screenshot of her text message to Alemania after the incident, where she told him that she felt “disrespected and violated.”
The actor responded by apologizing and saying that he was drunk.
Grace Lee marries non-showbiz fiancé in South Korea
Grace Lee and her non-showbiz husband Alex Tiu. Image: Instagram/@christinebbabao, @marieltpadilla
Grace Lee tied the knot with her non-showbiz fiancé Alex Tiu at a church ceremony in Seoul, South Korea last October 25, which was witnessed by their loved ones and celebrity friends.
She confirmed this by sharing via her Instagram Stories the posts from their guests including Mariel Padilla, Rufa Mae Quinto, and couple Julius Babao and Christine Bersola.
“Congratulations Grace and Alex! Wishing you both all the best!” Padilla greeted. “So happy to witness your love and promise to forever!” Quinto, meanwhile, looked back on her friendship with Lee and regarded the latter’s wedding as their reunion.
For their part, Babao and Bersola extended their well-wishes to the newlyweds whom they described as a “match made in heaven.”
Lee, a Korean who moved to the Philippines as a child and became a permanent resident, formerly worked as a newscaster in GMA and TV5. She also worked as a disc jockey with radio personalities Mo Twister and MojoJojo.
