Maria Isabel Lopez: The New Kabogera Queen in Emerald Green

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Cannes is known for its association with the rich and famous, luxury hotels and restaurants, and as a host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival.
It was big news to hear about Jaclyn Jose winning the Best Actress award at the 69th Cannes Film Festival held on May 18, 2016. This is the first time that a Filipina won this prestigious recognition, and the whole country should be very proud of this accomplishment. Thanks to award-winning director Brillante Mendoza's Ma' Rosa film, the Philippines has another significant achievement to boast to the world.

Bu it seems, there was another winning moment in France when our very own former beauty queen, Maria Isabel Lopez, stole the spotlight away from the movie's director and main stars. Even Andi Eigenmann would be envious of how the former beauty queen slayed the red carpet pictorials.

The former Pinay beauty queen still got it! Pageantry still runs in her blood. She’s still been making heads turn since she first won the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown in 1982, but Ma’ Rosa actress Maria Isabel Lopez proved she still has it when she struck a pose in her fabulous jaw-dropping emerald gown designed by internationally-acclaimed fashion designer Albert Andrada.

Maria Isabel Lopez did it again at the Lumina Event Fashion Show dubbed as Illuminate: Ignite the Light held at One Esplanade at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay city. World class Pinay beauty queens all gathered together in one event but Maribel's iconic green gown undoubtedly wowed the audience a lot more. She is truly a "kabogera" and I so love it!

Team SEA Gals Finishes Red Bull Can You Make It? Challenge

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines’ all-girls team, the SEA Gals, crossed the finish line in Paris, France together with 157 other successful teams out of the original 165 at this year’s Red Bull Can You Make It? after traveling a total of 2,424 kilometers as they passed through 5 countries in 7 days from April 12 to 19, 2016.

Throughout their week-long journey, the team only had their wits, skills, charm, and Red Bull cans to trade for food, accommodations, and transportation in European city after European city.

The three University of the Philippines Diliman architecture students – Nadine Balaccua, Alison Estabaya, and Nikki Palma – kicked off the competition in Florence, Italy and made their way northwards to Innsbruck, Austria; across Munich and Stuttgart, Germany down south to Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; and boarded their final train straight to Paris, France.

“Every country had its own merits, but Switzerland was our favorite! For one thing, the people there spoke good English, making trades and communication so much easier. Getting to Switzerland from Germany also proved to be really easy because we met someone who gave us tickets to Basel (the French-Swiss-German border)… Getting to the Lauterbrunnen checkpoint was just so unbelievably smooth that we couldn’t believe it. And the mountain holiday park – Camping Jungfrau – that the checkpoint was located in just sealed our initial impression of Switzerland,” the SEA Gals shared.

Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2016: The Amir Sali Collection

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Amir Sali collection during the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2016 had everyone gawking from start to finish at the sophisticated and classy masterpieces. It was a collection of elegant and exquisite dresses done in white and high-shine gold.

It is not everyday we get to see an impressive line-up that truly captivates the senses. They were exquisitely crafted by a true visionary of the fashion industry.

European-trained Filipino designer Amir Sali is top-notch in every aspect. The industry’s “Prince of Beads” proved his right to the title by showcasing a collection that had no shortage of luster. He played around with shimmer, tassels, and feathers. No two of his gowns are alike! Each is a masterpiece of embroidery, beadwork and other embellishment.

The internationally-acclaimed Filipino master couturier from Jolo, Sulu worked for 17 years in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia, where among his loyal Middle Eastern clientele were the royal families and other Arabian elites. This is probably why his works are so regal in nature. You wouldn't want anything less.

His collection truly wowed the crowd! From royals to runway, Amir Sali lavished the 20th Philippine Fashion Week at Discovery Primea over the weekend with his intricate beadwork on varying shades of white.