FILIPINA SINGER ALISAH BONAOBRA RETURNS TO THE X FACTOR UK

Twenty-two-year-old Alisah Bonaobra won UK’s heart and made it back to the live shows on The X Factor UK. Viewers were asked to vote for an eliminated act from the Judges’ House round whom they want to come back and compete in the live shows.

On Sunday’s episode, it was a battle between the Boys and the Girls categories with the theme “Express Yourself.” The X Factor UK hopefuls performed a song of their choice related to the theme.

While introducing her wildcard winner, Sharon Osbourne was very thankful to the public for bringing Alisah back.

Alisah performed This is My Now by Jordin Sparks, which greatly impressed the judges and the audience. After her performance, the judges were on their feet and had nothing but compliments for her.

“That song is absolutely perfect for you because this is your now and you deserve to be back on the show. You always should have been on the show!” said Louis Walsh. “It’s almost like a winner’s song, and I love a power ballad with a key change from a great singer and you are a great singer! You’re a great performer. You got great soul and I love the way you fight back!” he added.

Nicole Scherzinger agreed with Louis and referred to Alisah as her little Disney warrior princess. “You just hiya-d and karate chopped all through that song! But you did it with grace. You did it with poise. You did it with strength. I freakin’ adore you!” she expressed. “I look at you and I’m like that’s my little ninja Filipina sister up there! You were meant to be up there, like [what Louis] said, this is your now, because that’s your stage, and you just took it tonight, honey!” she added.

“Everybody says in this contest that they really want this, and they really need to be here. I know your story. I know what you’ve gone through. And you know what? With a voice like yours, you’re gonna be here ‘til the end, Miss! I am so happy for you, so, so happy!” said judge and Girls category mentor Sharon Osbourne.

On the taped interview, Alisah called herself the “comeback queen.” She looked back at her journey where she was let go but asked to come back and fight for her spot at the Six Chair Challenge. Now she is back again as the wildcard winner.

When host Dermot O’Leary asked the judges who they thought won the night, the lady judges Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne both favored Alisah.

Alisah survived week 1 of the live shows and will continue with her journey on the competition.

Watch out for Alisah’s next performances on The X Factor UK on RTL CBS Entertainment. For more updates follow RTL CBS Entertainment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RTLCBSEntertainment, @RTLCBSEntertainment on Instagram and @RTLCBSEntertain on Twitter.

The X Factor UK airs first and exclusive on RTL CBS Entertainment same day as the UK on Sundays and Mondays at 10:30am with primetime encores Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00pm. 

RTL CBS Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37(SD) and 313(HD).

EYE CAN SUCCEED AT UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF)’s Eye Can Succeed campaign had another successful run at the Higher School ng University of Makati (HSU). During the event, EVF staff examined the eyesight of more than 6,000 HSU students in grades 11 and 12. Prescription glasses were also distributed to those in need. The event was also made possible with the help of volunteer optometrists and HSU students led by Dean Engr. Estrella Chan (third from left). The advocacy is set to visit other public high schools in Metro Manila and targets to provide free eye check up and prescription glasses to 10,000 Filipino senior high school students so they can pursue higher education and achieve success through better vision. Also in photo are (L-R) Essilor Philippines optometrists and lens consultants Dr. Donna Acibar, Dr. Jennifer Parmerola and Dr. Jane Radovan; marketing executive JV Velasco; and marketing specialist Renze Sevilla. For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www.essilor.com.ph/eyecansucceed, and follow @EssilorPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

DINA DELA PAZ-STALDER, AWARDED AS MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA IN THE WORLD

Another Filipina is awarded in the 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA IN THE WORLD.

Dina Dela Paz-Stalder, a skincare expert, was awarded with this prestigious recognition, specifically in the Founder and Pioneer Category (Global FWN100 Award) in Toronto, Canada on October 27, 2017, by Filipino Women’s Network. She was selected from an outstanding field of nominees from around the world.

From left to right: Hon Thelma Boac, Global FWN100 Awards Trustee; Susie Quesada, FWN President; Maria Nieves Santos-Greaves, FWN Board Secretary; President & CEO of Stalder Group of Companies Dina Dela Paz-Stalder, the FWN 100 Most Influential Filipina Awardee for Founder and Pioneer Category; Hon. Marilyn Mondejar, FWN Founder and CEO; Maria Beebe, Ph.D, FWN Board Chair

The Global FWN100 Award™ recognizes 100 Filipino women who are changing the face of leadership in the global workplace.  It distinguishes them for their outstanding work in their respective fields, and further recognizes them for their achievement and contributions to society.  Dina Dela Paz-Stalder’s award and global recognition is another evidence of Filipino pride as she proves that Filipinos are also global leaders in terms of skincare innovations and extraordinary leadership.

Started from just a small steel pot for skincare formulations,  she now owns and leads the Stalder Group of Companies which includes  Stalder Laboratories Incorporation (a cGMP-certified, Halal-certified and FDA-approved manufacturing plant located in San Pablo, Laguna),  the BCP Dermatological Corporation (the marketing arm),  and the Diana Stalder Face, Body, Skincare Center (formerly known as Dermaline Facial Center).

Aside from being an entrepreneur, Dela Paz-Stalder is a strong advocate for causes such as the environment and community development.

For community development, it would have been easier to build a factory in an industrial zone, but as a farmer’s daughter, the grit and determination that served her well in business is something she applies equally to her advocacies.  So she opted instead to empower her town mates, and give back to her hometown. As far as environment is concerned, at all levels of production, she is adamant about waste segregation and sludge/water recycling. Working with the Mother Earth foundation, the community has also produced malunggay tea, mushrooms, and green charcoal. With this, Dela Paz-Stalder was recognized with a blue ribbon award from the Laguna Lake Development Authority, an honor bestowed upon environmentally responsible businesses. 

"I feel overwhelmed with this recognition, as I did not expect to be given this prestigious award.. Being one of the Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World Award: Founder & Pioneer gives me the opportunity to show my capability as a Filipino and as a woman in inspiring business entrepreneurs. Now, I am more motivated to encourage more people with my story - from my humble beginnings to the dazzling height of success. May we all continue to work together, nurture and empower this unique group, FWN," said Dela Paz-Stalder.

Congratulations Ms. Dina!!!!

MR. AND MS. BPO TOP 40 FINALISTS REVEALED

After a careful deliberation, Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc., makers of Mr. and Ms. BPO, finally revealed its Top 20 male and Top 20 female finalists after the three closed-door screenings held at I'M Hotel in Makati last October 7, 8 and 14.

Prior to the final selection of the Top 40 candidates, these hopefuls presented themselves to the Mr. and Ms. BPO Screening Committee composed of officials from Royale Chimes Concerts and Events Inc., former beauty queens, top-notch fashion designers, ace fashion and lifestyle photographers and beauty pageant social media influencers. 

Here are the official 40 finalists of Mr. and Ms. BPO presented to the press last October 24, 2017 at Antidote Bar in I’M Hotel Makati:

Mr. BPO Top 20 Male Finalists:

#1 Derick Bocito, Teleperformance Philippines

#2 Magic Sa-onoy, Acquire BPO Shaw

#3 Lee Bueno, Teletech Pioneer

#4 Brent Selma, Opsify Cebu

#5 Job Aiax Simpas, NTC Voice Solutions Makati

#6 Arthur Bilog, Sykes Asia PH - BGC

#7 Iversen Vasquez, RingCentral EDSA Shaw

#8 Victor Relosa, Sitel Eton

#9 Ariel Noval, Accenture Eastwood City

#10 Simon Delos Reyes, Teletech Mall of Asia

#11 Al Calilung, Sutherland Global Services Clark Pampanga

#12 Yuichi Sekiguchi, IQOR Philippines SM Dasmarinas

#13 Daniel Sindo, Acquire BPO Eastwood City

#14 Jonel Roncales, Teletech Mall of Asia

#15 Rnel Mangahas, Transcom EDSA Shaw

#16 Josh Perez, Accenture Robinsons Pioneer

#17 Esthan Obusan, Acquire BPO Robinsons Cyberscape Beta Ortigas

#18 Giovanni Guillermo, Convergys Megamall

#19 Ronnie Cadag, TeleperformancePhilippines

#20 Shadid Sidri, Stellar BPO Eastwood City

Ms. BPO Top 20 Female Finalists:

#1 Nykhi Arines, Alorica Mezza

#2 Angelique Elizario, Microsourcing Inc. Ortigas

#3 Trish Cabilao, Teleperformance Philippines

#4 Christine Vigo, Conduit Global KGB Philippines Sta. Rosa, Laguna

#5 Glydel Espero, Concentrix Tera Tower QC

#6 Abigail Chua, Sun Life of Canada, Inc. BGC

#7 Jannies Alcantara, Teletech Sta. Rosa, Laguna

#8 Julia Mae Mendoza, VXI HPI Munoz

#9 Andee Infante, ADP Philippines Makati

#10 Shane Cortez, Startek PH

#11 Ja Maranan, VXI Makati

#12 Khristine Dignomo Corpus, RingCentral Manila

#13 Jen Bohol, TaskUs Cavite

#14 Jaztine Balagtas, VXI Panorama

#15 Airene Gogo, Teletech Mall of Asia

#16 Danna Leviste, Convergys Alabang 1

#17 Jam dela Luna, The Results Companies Lipa Batangas

#18 Bianca Abejero, Sykes PH Shaw 500

#19 Winzel Magbuo, WNS Global Services Eastwood

#20 Micca Rosal, Teletech Makati

Upcoming Mr. and Ms. BPO Pageant Activities

Mr. and Ms. BPO aims to empower the candidates with a Mentoring Workshop composed of mentors for fitness and well-being, communication skills, emotional intelligence and modeling that will help them gain confidence and boost their morale.

The mentors are Jonathan Yabut (first The Apprentice Asia winner), Jun Macasaet (Mr. Manhunt International 2012 winner), Jennifer Hammond (Binibining Pilipinas – Intercontinental 2016), Mauro Lumba (Century Tuna Superbods 2014 winner) and Ruby Manalac (Emotional intelligence expert).

The 40 aspirants will also headline a Pre-Pageant Night at I'M Hotel in Makati on November 11, 2017 as they highlight the talent, swimwear and brand wear competition.

Grand Coronation is on November 21, 2017, 8PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 Tickets are available at SM Tickets starting October 27 with the following ticket prices: VIP 4,500; Patron 3,500; Lower Box 2,500; Upper Box 1,500 and General Admission 750.

The Mr. and Ms. BPO pageant is for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Follow the candidates’ journey on Mr. and Ms. BPO social media accounts: facebook: /MrandMsBPOofficial, twitter: @MrandMsBPO and instagram: @MrandMsBPOofficial.

The Mr. and Ms. BPO pageant is sponsored by Centro Hair Salon, Discovery Primea, EDC Photography by Edward Dela Cuesta, iSkin Aesthethics Lifestyle, I’M Hotel, K-Pub TriNoma, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Profiles Asia Pacific / People Dynamics, Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines, Voyager Innovation and 360 Fitness Plus – Commonwealth.