Megan: Charity begins at home

Fresh as a daisy (as the cliché goes), Megan Young breezed back home the other day, more than a week after she bagged the country’s first Miss World crown in Bali, Indonesia, ending a 46-year drought (not 63 as earlier reported because the Philippines started competing in that pageant only in 1966 with Vivian Lee Austria as the maiden bet).

Megan hardly showed any signs of jetlag even after a long haul on Cathay Pacific from London (her home during her year-long reign) with a stopover in Hong Kong, in spite of her hectic schedule the past week and more activities slated for her in the next 12 months. She’s every inch Miss World — positive, cheerful, engaging, charming and truly a “beauty with a purpose,” indeed, in keeping with the pageant’s objective.

Much has been said about Megan’s winning ways and Miss World head Julia Morley has her own input.

“It’s her positive aura that won the hearts of the judges,” Julia revealed. “Her win was unanimous,” adding as she reenacted the way she announced the two runners-up (Miss France first and Miss Ghana second) and then the winner, so that the judges didn’t have to deliberate. “When I opened the envelope and I saw the word ‘Philippines’,’ I got very excited.”

According to Gerry Diaz, one of the 10 members of the Aces & Queens (the team that trains beauty queens before they compete abroad, being their latest victorious bet), Megan will fulfill her promise of being “the best Miss World” by doing charity work during her reign, starting with helping her kababayan in Olongapo which has been badly hit by floods. Yes, charity begins at home. “I would like to help the patients at the Children’s Ward of the Philippine General Hospital,” disclosed Megan during the arrival presscon at Resorts World & Casino the other day.

“Then,” added Gerry, quoting Miss World organizers, “as soon as she flies back to London on Wednesday (Oct. 16), she will prepare for trips to Kenya and Haiti for more charity projects. 

On a lighter note, Megan was asked about her love life. She’s being linked to STAR contributor and Kapuso Mikael Daez but those in the know swear that the two are only “the best of friends.” Well, you know…Asked for further comment, Mikael’s (ex?-)manager Jonas Gaffud, also an Aces & Queens member, said with reluctance, “Friends sila…pa lang!” Then he laughed.

Evading the question popped on her by Gerry, Megan broke into her now famous winsome smile, “My focus at this point is to do my job as Miss World, which is doing charity projects. About love, if it comes, it will come but not at the moment.”

Incidentally, Aces & Queens was formally launched as a “beauty-centered team” Thursday night at Opus Bar of Resorts World & Casino right after the presscon and the victory party for Megan. Unfortunately, Megan’s airtight schedule prevented her from gracing the launch but other titled beauties were there to celebrate with Aces who were all accounted for (except director Jeffrey Jeturian who was busy shooting the ABS-CBN soap Be Careful With My Heart).

MVP to Willie: Rest well

Also on Thursday night, TV5 big boss Manuel V. Pangilinan hosted a thanksgiving dinner at the Old Manila restaurant of the Manila Peninsula for Willie Revillame whose show Wowowillie is bidding goodbye today.

The dinner went well and ended with both parties, TV5 and Willie’s own Wil Productions, Inc., thanking each other for the three years of partnership that started with Willing-Willie on Oct. 23, 2010.

As Funfare reported a few issues ago, Willie will take a long well-deserved rest after entertaining the public for more than 11 years non-stop. Actually, it won’t be complete rest at all because he’s going around the country, in partnership with local governments and other institutions, for various charity programs (providing livelihood for the less fortunate, etc.).

For the first time, Willie has given Funfare the go-signal to print MVP’s answer to the letter he sent the Big Kapatid on May 17, 2013.

Here it is (dated May 21, 2013):

Dear Willie,

Thank you for your letter and your note that your Co-Production Agreement and Contract with TV5 will expire on the 15th of October 2013. We agree that the Agreement and Contract would be allowed to expire on its terms and on such date.

Let me reciprocate the kind and grateful sentiment you have expressed in your letter. Your entry into TV5 at its rebirth was a milestone event for our start-up Station (“present at the creation”) and we appreciate the risk you took in joining us in the early part of our young life. Despite the adversities you referred to, our gratitude remains genuine and true.

I agree that you do need a pause from two years and seven months of non-stop effort that has been my advice to you personally. I have always marveled at how you can sustain your energy day in and day out, six days a week out of seven.

All of us wish you well during your respite. May it afford you the time, discernment and inspiration to make the proper decision in respect of your career. Whatever that decision may be, I would be obliged if you could let us know.

Again, please accept our collective thanks and best wishes to you. Rest Well.

Kindest personal regards.

All the best,

M V PANGILINAN

(See related story on Page C-8.)

Miriam and fiancé on 700 Club

The 700 Club Asia co-host Miriam Quiambao and fiancé, author and Salt and Light Ventures co-founder Ardy Roberto, are gracing the set of The 700 Club Asia on Monday, Oct. 14, 11 p.m. on GMA News TV.

Want to know how their love story started? What were the qualities that Ardy liked about Miriam? What did Miriam like about Ardy? How did they find out that they were meant to be together?

Watch the first exclusive interview of the newly-engaged couple with The 700 Club Asia co-host Kata Inocencio and find out, as they share how they found love in each other and fell in love with each other.

Plus, get a chance to get Ardy’s latest book, Real Men Are POGI. Log on to Facebook fanpage www.facebook.com/The700ClubAsia for more information or visitwww.cbnasia.org/mediacenter.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)