Kristine is Miss Tourism International

Curtain-raiser:

• Condolence to the family of Ronel Victor, who died of pancreatic cancer yesterday in Chicago. He turned 32 last June 21. It’s not sure yet if he will be buried in Chicago or in the Philippines.

* * *

Groggy from that overdose of showbiz news about a TV host shedding copious tears on national television after having been "dumped" by her married boyfriend and a rebellious actress turning her back on her poor, tear-drenched mother and younger sister in favor of living-in with a widower politician twice her age?

Here’s refreshingly good news:

Kristine Alzar, officially the 2002 Bb. Pilipinas-International, bested more than two dozen other contestants to win the Miss Tourism International crown last June 28 in Ukraine, with Miss Russia finishing first runner-up and Miss Ukraine-East as second runner-up.

In that contest, dubbed as "Miss Tourism International Ukraine Black Sea Beauty Pageant 2002," the Philippines seems to be a suki, having won the title thrice since 1997 when it was first held in Macau where our very own Joanne Quintas emerged the winner, followed last year by Michelle Reyes, who won it in Turkey.

The pageant, staged at the beautiful Odessa Sea Trade Port, aims "to foster and strengthen friendly and cultural relations among nations," and is organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ukraine in cooperation with the Miss Ukraine South National Committee.

The activities included an international press conference, a city tour of Odessa, state reception with the Odessa mayor, a charity auction for children and a cultural program with visits to the different historical places of Ukraine. The candidates were billeted at the super-modern five-star Chabanka resort which features a spectacular aqua park.

Kristine Alzar, who hails from Lipa City (a La Salle Lipa graduate), trained in Colombia with Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Karen Loren Agustin who competed in the Miss U Pageant last month in Puerto Rico (the title went to Miss Russia) and Bb. Pilipinas-World Katherine Manalo, both of whom watched the Miss U Pageant as part of their "orientation."

According to Stella Marquez-Araneta, head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., Kristine’s win as Miss Tourism International doesn’t disqualify her from competing in the Miss International contest to be held on Oct. 4 in Hawaii.

Dingdong’s golf tourney in Guam

More positive showbiz news…

If Richard Gomez can, why can’t Dingdong Avanzado? That is, put up his own golf tournament.

That’s exactly what Dingdong, with the help of his wife Jessa Zaragoza, is doing.

From July 4 to 5, the Dingdong Avanzado Celebrity Golf Classic (DACGC) will be held in Guam which Dingdong considers as a second home because he had been "adopted" by the Filipino Community of Guam 17 years ago when he first performed there. The first Dingdong Golf Tournament was held here, at the Eastridge Golf and Country Club, in 1999.

"Since then," said Dingdong, "we’ve been looking for a venue of the next Celebrity Golf Classic. I couldn’t have done this second tournament without the help of my ninong, Emelio Uy (a prominent and popular Guam resident), Alfredo Antolin, Jr. who has been like a brother to me since I first had a show in Guam and the Filipino community of Guam. There’s also the Arabelo brothers Herbie and Henry."

By the time you’re reading this, Dingdong and Jessa should be on a Continental Airlines flight to Guam along with their invited celebrity players, including Ariel Rivera and wife Gelli de Belen, Nadia Montenegro, Subas Herrero, Bert Nievera, Raymart Santiago, Phillip Salvador, Alquinn Pastrano, Ding Bolaños, Richard Merck, Boboy Garovillo, Danny Javier, Raul Teehankee, Joed Serrano, Archie Castillo, Patrick Guzman, Jake Roxas, Gary Lising and Robin da Roza, and celebrity non-players Robby Taroza and Ara Mina.

The major sponsors of the Guam event are Jack Nicklaus (official outfitter), Amazing Crystals and the Riviera Golf and Country Club. Minor sponsors are Sari-Sari, Weighless Center & Spa, B.U.M. Equipment, Hawaiian Tropic and Citre Shine and Continental Airlines (official carrier).

HBO Sex and the City promo

Here now is the eighth set of questions in the joint Funfare-HBO promo for Sex and the City for the episode Sex and the Country airing tonight starting at 10 (with a replay on Saturday, July 6, same time):

• Steve realizes that he has cancer. What type of cancer is it?

• Where do Carrie and Aidan go to spend the weekend?

• Where do Charlotte and Trey go for the weekend?

• Who is Big’s new girlfriend?

• What is Big’s new girlfriend’s occupation?

(Note: Send your entries, complete with name, address and title of episode, to SATC-Funfare Promo, c/o Virtusio PR, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Or e-mail to [email protected]. Senders of the first seven set of correct answers will get SATC notebooks and posters.)