By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon
BEAUTY and brains are “two Bs” that’ll always be attached to the name of Catherine Untalan.
Beauty: This 21-year-old came close to winning a world beauty title. Cathy, her nickname, finished second runner-up in the Miss Earth pageant in November last year, which makes her the highest-placing Filipino candidate in this prestigious global search, to date.
Brains: She graduated cum laude with a degree in psychology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman; she’s now pursuing further studies in environment and natural resource management at UP’s Open University.
Add another B for basketball!
No, this six footer’s not an inclusion in this year’s lineup of the UP Lady Maroons, but she’s a delightful addition to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ new breed of courtside reporters along with Tracy Abad (University of the East), Rizza Diaz (National University), Vanna Lim (Ateneo de Manila University), Andi Manzano (Far Eastern University), Diane Querer (University of Santo Tomas), Sharon Yu (De La Salle University) and Aaron Atayde (Adamson University).
Cathy gives details on just about everything that happens on court—that sports commentators don’t get to see—like when one of the Fighting Maroons slashes his way to the basket or posts defenses!
The beginning
“It’s my fondness of basketball that motivated me to give courtside reporting a try. [I said to myself that maybe] it’d be interesting to see a courtside reporter that’s as tall as the basketball players,” she begins. “I auditioned during my last year in college [May of 2005, when ABS-CBN Sports advertised that they’d be having a screening].”
Cathy got a call from ABS-CBN after a year. “When they called me, they were unaware that I was already a beauty queen (she smiles).” As the cliché goes, the rest is history. She became a courtside reporter for the San Beda Red Lions team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association last year.
When asked if her NCAA stint helped her express ideas impeccably during her interviews at the Miss Earth pageant, Cathy says she thinks so. Months after she relinquished her crown as Miss Philippines-Earth of 2006, she again received a call from ABS-CBN Sports, inviting her to be a courtside reporter in this year’s season of UAAP, but this time for the UP Fighting Maroons. “I just hope that I’d be given another chance next year… it’s our [UP’s] 100th year!” she enthuses.
Her role models include sports anchors Dyan Castillejo and Luigi Trillo.
Must-haves
“You must be a college student, you have to look good in front of the camera, you have a working knowledge of the game [especially the terms commonly used], and you must be able to handle the pressure on court… because you will write your own spiels. We [courtside reporters] are also required to attend the practices of our respective teams. But overall, it’s fun!”
And speaking of fun, Cathy reveals some of her bloopers: “I read wrong names [of players] or swap the names of sports anchors. [While reporting for the Red Lions], I walked towards the camera while talking. The crew then asked me, Cathy, bakit ka naglalakad? I also used to say ‘thank you’ [after every report]. So they would tell me na kung mag-report daw ako pang-beauty pageant (she giggles).
“[But] what I like most about this job is that I get to show another side of my personality—the active [sporty] and cowboy side, especially when I tag along with the players. Frustration na rin, because I never had the chance to pursue any sport.” Cathy’s recruited to become part of the UP women’s basketball team. “…But I just tell them courtside reporter na lang ako (she smiles).”
The challenging part
“[There are times that] I tend to lose myself… nadadala ako ng game, but I still have to report. Coming from a champion team in NCAA last year, it’s [like it’s] hard to accept that my [present] team lost,” she sighs.
Should a courtside reporter come from the school that he or she is giving an account of? “There are two advantages: First is the school spirit, mas feel mo kasi and you’ll fight for your school through thick and thin. Second is the accessibility, since you know some people in your school, mas madali ang access to attend meetings or practices ng team. [On the contrary] you still have to deliver your reports well [than just having these advantages].”
And if you want to be a courtside reporter, Cathy says: “Do it not because of a vested interest [that you have a crush on a certain player, which is actually a running joke]. Do it for your school and do it for yourself. Practice a lot.”
Before we parted ways, Cathy gave this writer a sample of her favorite spiel: “I may be too optimistic in saying this, but I believe that even though it’s already the last quarter, the UP Fighting Maroons are still ‘gonna try and give all their best ‘til the very end of this game!”
Source: Manila Standard Today
Friday, September 28, 2007
Overseas judge for 2007 Miss Cayman Pageant
Broadway star, beauty pageant veteran and actress, Lisa Mandel, has offered her services in the judging of the 2007 Miss Cayman Islands Pageant, on Saturday, 29 September at the Lions Centre.
From America’s Junior Miss to Miss Arizona, Ms Mandel also has an extensive background in theatre and film. She has starred in shows such as “The Will Rogers Follies”, “Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, and the global smash hit, “Mamma Mia!”
Ms Mandel made her Broadway debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, understudied the role of Ulla in The Producers, and portrayed the evil nurse, Hilda Schmitt, on As the World Turns.
“We’re pleased that Ms Mandel is here to be a part of our pageant,” Miss Cayman Committee’s Chairperson Jacqui Terry said.
“With her impressive experiences and background, our contestants will have a great opportunity to learn about international pageants.”
Source: Cayman Net News
From America’s Junior Miss to Miss Arizona, Ms Mandel also has an extensive background in theatre and film. She has starred in shows such as “The Will Rogers Follies”, “Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, and the global smash hit, “Mamma Mia!”
Ms Mandel made her Broadway debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, understudied the role of Ulla in The Producers, and portrayed the evil nurse, Hilda Schmitt, on As the World Turns.
“We’re pleased that Ms Mandel is here to be a part of our pageant,” Miss Cayman Committee’s Chairperson Jacqui Terry said.
“With her impressive experiences and background, our contestants will have a great opportunity to learn about international pageants.”
Source: Cayman Net News
Nikita Anand did not want to join films
By Agencies
Nikita Anand is the latest in the line of beauty queens to enter the film scene from the world of ramp.
On the face of it, former Miss India Nikita, who makes her debut in Hindi films with Manish Tiwari's Dil Dosti Etc (not counting Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee which featured her in a small role) releasing across the country today, may seem just another beauty pageant winner entering films by cashing in on the limelight coming her way.
For Nikita, however, the foray in films is a well thought out move that comes after a lot of deliberation.
''For me, after winning the Miss India crown, doing films was not a natural choice. In fact, initially, I did not want to join films as I did not have any preparation or background. I like to be confident of what I am doing before venturing into it, '' Nikita said on the eve of the release of 'Dil Dosti etc', which also marks veteran filmmaker Prakash Jha 's debut as a producer.
Said Nikita, who features in the film alongside Shreyas Talpade (of Iqbal fame), newcomers Imaad Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah ) and Ishita Sharma and Smriti Mishra , ''you know, I cannot get into films just because others are doing so. In fact, earlier I just did not want to do films. However, a brief stint with theatre whetted my appetite for a career in films. Still, before coming in films, I wanted to do some ground work for a career in tinsel town.''
''There may be a lot of people who have not undergone a formal training in acting and yet made a successful foray in films. But, then, everyone has his or her own way of approaching things. I am basically a person who wants to be well prepared before trying my hand at something. So, I have taken my time entering films, undergoing in the meantime training in Kathak besides doing many workshops in acting,'' said Nikita.
Asked whether she felt the pressure of expectations upon her with several beauty pageant winners like Sushmita Sen , Aishwarya Rai , Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra establishing a niche for themselves in the tinsel town, Nikita said, ''expectations are always there from every actress who joins films. This trend of beauty pageant winners joining films started in 1994 when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai joined the industry. They were followed by Lara and Priyanka and all have been successful so obviously there will be more expectations from me too. However, I am prepared for it.''
Talking about 'Dil Dosti etc', Nikita said, ''actually, 'Dil Dosti is the first film that I signed after I decided to enter films. 'Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie' was a film I signed much later and has me just in a small role.''
About her role in the film, she said, ''I play a character called Prerna belonging to a very well to do family. She has a lot of dreams and aspirations and wants to make it big in life and become a model. She joins this college and meets Shiv and falls in love with him even though he is the total opposite of her in terms of background. But like her, Shiv is also highly ambitious in his own way.''
Incidentally, the film also features her in a kissing scene with her co-star Shreyas (who plays the role of her boyfriend Shiv). Media reports have it that Shreyas got very nervous during the kissing scene.
Source: Apun Ka Choice
Nikita Anand is the latest in the line of beauty queens to enter the film scene from the world of ramp.On the face of it, former Miss India Nikita, who makes her debut in Hindi films with Manish Tiwari's Dil Dosti Etc (not counting Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee which featured her in a small role) releasing across the country today, may seem just another beauty pageant winner entering films by cashing in on the limelight coming her way.
For Nikita, however, the foray in films is a well thought out move that comes after a lot of deliberation.
''For me, after winning the Miss India crown, doing films was not a natural choice. In fact, initially, I did not want to join films as I did not have any preparation or background. I like to be confident of what I am doing before venturing into it, '' Nikita said on the eve of the release of 'Dil Dosti etc', which also marks veteran filmmaker Prakash Jha 's debut as a producer.
Said Nikita, who features in the film alongside Shreyas Talpade (of Iqbal fame), newcomers Imaad Shah (son of Naseeruddin Shah ) and Ishita Sharma and Smriti Mishra , ''you know, I cannot get into films just because others are doing so. In fact, earlier I just did not want to do films. However, a brief stint with theatre whetted my appetite for a career in films. Still, before coming in films, I wanted to do some ground work for a career in tinsel town.''
''There may be a lot of people who have not undergone a formal training in acting and yet made a successful foray in films. But, then, everyone has his or her own way of approaching things. I am basically a person who wants to be well prepared before trying my hand at something. So, I have taken my time entering films, undergoing in the meantime training in Kathak besides doing many workshops in acting,'' said Nikita.
Asked whether she felt the pressure of expectations upon her with several beauty pageant winners like Sushmita Sen , Aishwarya Rai , Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra establishing a niche for themselves in the tinsel town, Nikita said, ''expectations are always there from every actress who joins films. This trend of beauty pageant winners joining films started in 1994 when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai joined the industry. They were followed by Lara and Priyanka and all have been successful so obviously there will be more expectations from me too. However, I am prepared for it.''
Talking about 'Dil Dosti etc', Nikita said, ''actually, 'Dil Dosti is the first film that I signed after I decided to enter films. 'Life Mein Kabhi Kabhie' was a film I signed much later and has me just in a small role.''
About her role in the film, she said, ''I play a character called Prerna belonging to a very well to do family. She has a lot of dreams and aspirations and wants to make it big in life and become a model. She joins this college and meets Shiv and falls in love with him even though he is the total opposite of her in terms of background. But like her, Shiv is also highly ambitious in his own way.''
Incidentally, the film also features her in a kissing scene with her co-star Shreyas (who plays the role of her boyfriend Shiv). Media reports have it that Shreyas got very nervous during the kissing scene.
Source: Apun Ka Choice
Miss Universe 2008 pageant glides into Viet Nam
The Vietnamese Government on Wednesday approved the organisation of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in the southern coastal province of Khanh Hoa.
Doan Kim Hong, chairwoman of the Advertising and Trade Fair Joint Stock CO, has the difficult job of co-ordinating the contest. To that end, the Hoan Vu Joint Stock Co has been established and has partnered with Nha Trang’s Hoan Cau Ltd Co and the Viet CEO Co.
They have raised the US$7 million necessary to sign the contract with the organising board.
"My two partners and I will travel to New York early next month to meet with and discuss financial and organisational issues with the pageants organising board," Hong said.
A lawyer and an expert in administrative processes will also accompany them.
Paula Mary Shugart, chairwoman of the Miss Universe Organising Board explained the eligibility conditions Viet Nam must satisfy.
These include: official government endorsement; financing of $15 million ($7 million for the pageant’s royalty, and the rest covering manpower and infrastructure expenses); an in-doors air-conditioned stage and audience hall with the capacity of 7,500 seats, 5,000 standard hotel rooms; as well as vehicles and bodyguards for the contestants.
Khanh Hoa People’s Committee plans to build a new pageant hall in Diamond Bay. Construction should start early next month and finish by mid-April.
Set decoration, backdrops and the sound and lighting systems will be contracted out to a foreign company.
Month-long tests will be conducted before the hall hosts the final round of the contest.
Hotel Sofitel Vinpearl will be the temporary home of the pageant’s VIPs, organisers, contestants and official guests, said Le Khac Hiep, chairman of the managing board of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company.
The local authorities also plan to upgrade Cam Ranh into an international airport by 2008. — VNS
Source: Vietnam News
Doan Kim Hong, chairwoman of the Advertising and Trade Fair Joint Stock CO, has the difficult job of co-ordinating the contest. To that end, the Hoan Vu Joint Stock Co has been established and has partnered with Nha Trang’s Hoan Cau Ltd Co and the Viet CEO Co.
They have raised the US$7 million necessary to sign the contract with the organising board.
"My two partners and I will travel to New York early next month to meet with and discuss financial and organisational issues with the pageants organising board," Hong said.
A lawyer and an expert in administrative processes will also accompany them.
Paula Mary Shugart, chairwoman of the Miss Universe Organising Board explained the eligibility conditions Viet Nam must satisfy.
These include: official government endorsement; financing of $15 million ($7 million for the pageant’s royalty, and the rest covering manpower and infrastructure expenses); an in-doors air-conditioned stage and audience hall with the capacity of 7,500 seats, 5,000 standard hotel rooms; as well as vehicles and bodyguards for the contestants.
Khanh Hoa People’s Committee plans to build a new pageant hall in Diamond Bay. Construction should start early next month and finish by mid-April.
Set decoration, backdrops and the sound and lighting systems will be contracted out to a foreign company.
Month-long tests will be conducted before the hall hosts the final round of the contest.
Hotel Sofitel Vinpearl will be the temporary home of the pageant’s VIPs, organisers, contestants and official guests, said Le Khac Hiep, chairman of the managing board of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company.
The local authorities also plan to upgrade Cam Ranh into an international airport by 2008. — VNS
Source: Vietnam News
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