Mutya beauties in showbiz

Beauty connoisseurs will have their eyes full today, ogling at all sorts of beauties of all shapes and sizes from the four corners of the globe -- and from the length and breadth of the Philippine Archipelago -- on national television.

Starting at 9 o'clock this morning, RPN 9 will telecast "live" (oh, well, "delayed" as usual, I'm sure) the 2000 Miss Universe Pageant from Cyprus where the Philippine bet, Nina Ricci Alagao, has been reported to be one of the front-runners.

And then tonight starting at 9 o'clock, also on RPN 9 (the "beauty-conscious" station -- how about that for a blurb?), the 2000 Mutya ng Pilipinas grand finals will also be shown, with 27 hopefuls from all over the country competing for the lone title of Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia (the winner will represent the country in the Asia-Pacific Quest to be held on home ground sometime in December).

There are, as usual, showbiz potentials among the candidates. Funfare will let "beauty experts" Joey Ceseare and Felix Manuel point them out.

* Kristen Maua -- Statuesque at 5'10", this 18-year-old is this year's representative from the USA. This Dawn Zulueta and Gretchen Barretto lookalike measures 36-25-36 and enjoys reading and eating.

* Macbeth Maybituin Abuzo -- This lovely 18-year-old charmer, 33-25-36 and stands 5'5" tall, was crowned Ms. Perpetual Help College of Rizal in 1997. She devotes her free time teaching Grade 1 students in her province (Laguna).

* Christie Anne de Jesus -- A native of Pampanga, she stands 5'9" and measures 34-25-36, a student who enjoys music and art.

* Josephine Canonizado -- This 22-year-old commercial model, standing 5'6" and measuring 34-24-35, enjoys singing and scuba diving.

* Jennie Manuel -- This 18-year-old student and part-time model stands 5'5" and measures 32-25-37. She enjoys reading novels by Sidney Sheldon.

* Ma. Esperanza Corazon Manzano -- Recently proclaimed Miss Quezon City, she stands 5'7" and measures 34-26-36, and enjoys watching movies.

* Joy Anne Morales -- London-bred Joy is 19 and stands 5'8", measures 35-25-36. She is a student and enjoys reading and yoga.

* Ma. Criselda Osorio -- UST coed Criselda is 21 and is 5'6" tall, measuring 35-24-35. She enjoys swimming and dancing. She was crowned Miss Architecture and Fine Arts at UST a few years ago.

The show, to be held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, will be hosted by Miss Asia Pacific 1993 Michelle Aldana and Calvin Millado. Boy Abunda will be a special guest celebrity interviewer during the "question and answer portion."

Joey and Felix also made a list of Mutya winners who have joined showbiz, to wit:

* 1968 -- Fortune Aleta (Mutya ng Luzon), she is now the Philippine Consul to Monaco. Grace Iñigo (Mutya ng Mindanao) later became the wife of Charlie Davao. She's the sister of Cecile "Dabiana" Iñigo. Tessie Concepcion (finalist) joined the boldwagon of the '60s, using the screen name Scarlett Revilla.

* 1970 -- Alice T. Crisostomo (Mutya Asia and Miss Asia first runner-up), once married to Tony Ferrer and mother of Mutya Laxa (who also won the Mutya ng Pilipinas 1991). Minerva "Minnie" Cagatao, later became Miss Republic of the Philippines 1971 and was the Philippines' representative in the Miss World pageant. Ema Rigonan (a.k.a. Ema Esmeralda), starlet. Jean Altavas (Mutya ng Luzon), a popular TV promo girl at Channel 2 in the '70s and the younger sister of the late actress Juvy Cachiola. Estrella Fabian (a.k.a. Rizza) who starred in Nympha.

* 1971 -- Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo (Mutya ng Mindanao) who became 1972 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and semi-finalist in the 1972 Miss Universe Pageant.

* 1973 -- Olive Alvarez (Mutya Miss Talent) became a singer and later married another singer, Romeo Miranda.

* 1974 -- Susan Valdez (Mutya ng Visayas) appeared in the movies Itim and Aguila. Pag-ibig "Love" Admana, starlet. Maria Lourdes Reyes (a.k.a. Ma. Cristina Reyes), daughter of Efren Reyes, Sr. and Virginia Montes.

* 1975 -- Azenith Briones (Mutya Tourism, second runner-up and Miss Photogenic)

* 1976 -- Maria Luisa "Baby" Corazon Delgado (Mutya Asia and Miss Asia third runner-up)

* 1977 -- Maria Rosario "Rio" Aspillera Diaz (Mutya Asia and Miss Asia fourth runner-up), sister of the Philippines' first Miss Universe (1969, Gloria Aspillera Diaz) and now Mrs. Charlie Cojuangco. Emma Yuhico (Mutya Tourism), who starred in the soap opera Flor de Luna. Diane Benisano (finalist), model. Malou dela Fuente (finalist), mainstay of Chicks to Chicks

* 1978 -- Yehlen Catral (Mutya Tourism), now a lawyer residing in the US.

* 1979 -- Lorraine E. Shuck (Mutya Asia and Miss Asia first runner-up) who was in the soap opera Anna Luna. Visitacion "Tetchie" Agbayani (Mutya Tourism and Miss Photogenic), known for being a Playboy playmate (German edition) and became an international star in the movie Emerald Forest and a few others. Lynn Yuchausti (finalist), now married to Tirso Cruz III

* 1980 -- Rosa Maria de Vera (Mutya Asia and Miss Asia first runner-up) became a singer and now residing in the US. Miriam Pantig (Mutya Talent) became a singer. Jennifer Ramirez, Regal Baby. Eileen Macapagal (Mutya ng Visayas), now wife of Joey de Leon

* 1981 -- Marilou Bendigo (Mutya-Asia)

* 1983 -- Marilou Sadiua (Mutya-World) and Gloria "Bong" Dimayacyac (Mutya-Asia and Miss Asia-Pacific who starred in the TV show Chicks to Chicks)

* 1984 -- Aurora Sevilla (Mutya-Asia)

* 1985 -- Millicent Bautista (Mutya-Asia)

* 1989 -- Estrella "Star" Querubin (Mutya- World, who later became a Manila Councilor)

* 1990 -- Mutya Laxa (Mutya-Asia)

* 1993 -- Michelle Aldana (Mutya-Asia and Miss Asia-Pacific)

* 1994 -- Angelica Jasmin Reyes (Mutya-Asia)

* 1995 -- Daisy Reyes (Mutya Expo-International, later Bb. Pilipinas-World) and Maricel Morales (Mutya-Asia)

Speaking for the Bellagio Hotel, the venue of Martin Nievera, father Bert Nievera and Ara Mina's concert last Easter Sunday in Las Vegas, Rita Bostwani ("Ritava") faxed a letter of clarification to Funfare regarding the item about Martin having been paid in small (dollars) bills and dimes as talent fee.

Ritava said that no such manner of payment happened.

"Bellagio contacted the artists through Pacific Star Entertainment, headed by Vital Arrieta," wrote Ritava, "and each of them was paid 50 percent upon signing the contract. Martin received his 50 percent down payment a month before through a wire transfer to his account in the US and the 50 percent balance (also in check) was given to him before the show, encashed later by his assistant, Edith Montelibano. The payment was made in $100 bills. No dimes."

Even if Funfare stands by its story, it also recognizes the fact that Martin and company's show was a big hit, as Rivata herself reported. "Our customers loved the artists and enjoyed the performance," she added.

Martin wondered how Funfare got the story (about the payment in small dollar bills and dimes, that is) but so sorry, Funfare wouldn't reveal its sources. Suffice it to say that, according to Martin in a phone chat, "I didn't have any complaints, I was treated very well by Bellagio, I enjoyed performing with my father and I was very happy with the reception and response we got in Las Vegas."

So, then, shall we expect an encore for Martin, still at the Bellagio?