The parade of beauties marches on - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

The much-awaited annual Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant will be staged this year on March 10 at the Araneta Coliseum. Presented by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization founded by its chairman, Stella Marquez de Araneta, the Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant 2001 boasts of 26 young and pretty ladies vying for the titles Bb. Pilipinas Universe, Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas World. Special awards for Miss Photogenic, Miss Talent, Miss Friendship, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown will also be given away.

The reigning Bb. Pilipinas Universe is Nina Ricci Alagao while the reigning Bb. Pilipinas International is Joanna Marie Penalosa. Katherine de Guzman is Bb. Pilipinas World.

Winners of the three main titles will each bring home a P150,000 talent management contract and P150,000 worth Bb. Pilipinas Boutique clothes plus travel and gift packages. The Bb. Pilipinas Universe winner will fly to Puerto Rico for the Miss Universe pageant while the Bb. Pilipinas International and Bb. Pilipinas winners will zoom to Tokyo and London, respectively.

First and second runners-up in the three categories will each receive talent management contracts and Bb. Pilipinas Boutique wardrobe and various gift packages from sponsors.

A spectacular two-hour extravaganza will be mounted, choreographed to the music of techno pop, pop rock and jazz. Pageant hosts are former Binibining Pilipinas World titlist Ruffa Gutierrez, David Bunevacz, China Cojuangco and Dingdong Dantes. Special performers are Janno Gibbs, a1 and the Hotlegs. Director is Ronnie Henares.

The Bb. Pilipinas Beauty Pageant 2001 is presented by Unilever Inc., AGFA/Red Bull, Avon, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Slimmers World, PAL, Dusit Hotel Nikko, Pizza Hut, Myra 300 E, David’s Salon, Araneta Center, Manila Bulletin, yehey.com, SGV & Co., GMA 7, Philtranco, Allied Bank, Binibining Pilipinas Boutique, Showbiz Magazine, Quest Broadcasting and Globe Telecom.

Ima at Oh! Bar

From beauty queens, we move on to another beauty, Ima Castro who is now receiving good reviews for her portrayal of Kim in the Manila production of Miss Saigon.

She will now take a break from her hectic theater schedule for a special show at Oh! Bar billed as Miss Ina happening on March 19 at 9:30 p.m. Joining her is singer-comedian Ate Gay.

Expect a power packed performance from Ima as she dishes out well-loved ballads and pop hits. Tickets to Miss Ina are priced at P350, and are now available at Oh! Bar. For ticket inquiries and reservations, call 564-1622 or 0917-5239145 and look for Gerri or Dennis.

The wonders of Exofat

Word about Exofat, the all healthy and all natural weight loss tablets manufactured by Germed Pharma Corporation is spreading like wildfire! In fact, a lot of people have tried calling the Exofat Advantage Hotlines (638-1691 to 93) and a severe clogging in the telecommunication system took place. Because of this, an upgrading of the hotline system is being done to accommodate more calls.

Germed Pharma Corporation Chairman Wolfgang Roehr flew all the way from Germany to personally apologize to affected clients. Wolfgang himself headed the Exofat Advantage Team which gave away information leaflets to appreciative consumers at the Ortigas Center. Wolfgang and his team of health experts also addressed inquiries about Exofat and dieting.

Exofat is now available in all leading drugstores nationwide. It is currently the safest and uses an all natural approach to effective weight loss. It consists of a double action formulation that consists of two main ingredients: Liphosan, a special marine fiber that instantly absorbs fat upon contact made possible through positive and negative charge reaction and Oligofructose, a special component that keeps the good bacteria alive promoting overall digestive health.

It has no harmful or embarrassing side effects. For maximum effect, a healthy diet, active lifestyle and consumption of at least eight glasses of water a day should complement Exofat intake.