FAREWELL – Mel Caparas, Highspeed contributor and certified Noranian, relays with deep sorrow the death last week of Boy Palma, Nora Aunor’s manager. Condolences to the Superstar and the family of dear Boy, who has shown this columnist nothing but kindness the few times we met.
Mel also remembers other showbiz people who passed away this year so far:
Kuya Germs Moreno (Jan. 8), Cielito del Mundo (Jan. 9), Uro de la Cruz (Feb. 4), Wenn Deramas (Feb. 29), Francis Xavier Pasion (March 6), Eddie Villamayor (June 27), Deo Fajardo (Aug. 6), Lilia Cuntapay (Aug. 20), Joy Viado (Sept. 10), Dick Israel (Oct. 11), Dinah Dominguez (Oct. 14).
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WELCOME – But then Highspeed welcomes the coming of Seve (parents are Paul Soriano and Toni Gonzaga), Zia (Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera), Scarlet Snow (Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo), Nash Archibald (Niño Lim and Krista Ranillo), Harper Madison Evans (Matt and Katrina Evans), Athena Mori (Alwyn Uytingco and Jennica Garcia).
New parents are Drew Arellano and Iya Villania.
Expectant mothers include Georgina Wilson and Krista Miller.
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‘BEAUTY WITH…’ – Jay P. Delgado reports:
MISS World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna from Spain and Mr. World 2015 Rohit Khandelwal from India, together with Miss World Organization (MWO) Executive Director Steve Douglas, were in Manila from Oct. 9 to 11 for the Asian leg of their “Beauty with a Purpose” tour that included visits to China, Hong Kong, and Korea.
Together with Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray, Mireia and Rohit visited the Philippine General Hospital’s “Beauty with a Purpose” ward, the newly-operating hematology and oncology pediatric isolation area last Oct. 11.
Also present during the visit were: Miss World National Director Cory Quirino, PGH Medical Foundation Chairman Dr. Greg Alvior as well as other members of the board.
Ms. Alice Eduardo, CEO of Sta. Elena Construction & Development Corporation, donated the P10-million ward for terminally-ill cancer-stricken children. It was inaugurated last year by Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss from South Africa, MWO Chairman Julia Morley, and Ms. Quirino.
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FLAGSHIP – The new “Beauty with a Purpose” ward is now fully operational to attend to 30 immuno-compromised children.
According to Dr. Alvior, the mortality rate of the patients has been reduced dramatically.
Ms. Quirino said that they have permanently adopted flagship projects through PGH Medical Foundation and the Tuloy Streechildren Village Foundation led by Fr. Rocky Evangelista.
Lalaguna and Khandelwal expressed their sincerest thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome they received from Filipinos during their 3-day stay in Manila. In unfaltering Tagalog, Lalaguna, a graduating Pharmacy student from Barcelona, surprised everyone and said: “Magandang umaga sa inyo. Masaya ako dito. Salamat sa inyo.” Khandelwal, who is from Hyderabad and his country’s first Mr. World, noted that Filipinos are the happiest people on earth. “I am always amazed at the warmth and friendliness of Filipinos everywhere I go during my global tour as Mr. World.”
Meanwhile, Catriona Gray will attempt to win the country’s second Miss World crown at the 66th edition of the tilt to be held in Washington, DC on Dec. 19.
