The day after they were presented to the media last week (at the Garden Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel), the 36 candidates to this year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant motored to Aurora Province for the various activities scheduled for them there.

Aurora is the host province of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009. During the press presentation, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the other officials of the province were there to spearhead the occasion. With Gov. Castillo were Mayor Arthur Angara, Rep. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsie.

It was actually a three-in-one event, as Roberto de Venecia, president of Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc. described the occasion. The first part was the opening of an art exhibit featuring the artworks of Jonahmar Salvosa which were inspired by the allure of some scenic locales and unique natural attractions of the province like the 600-year-old Balete Tree in Baler. (Baler, by the way, was where the multi-award-winning movie “Baler” was filmed. The movie, co-produced by Viva Films and Bida Foundation, won as Best Picture in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. The movie also gave Anne Curtis her very first Best Actress trophy.)

About the artist: A graduate of Fine Arts from UP, Jonah’s concern for Mother Nature started in 1988 when the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sponsored his painting exhibit entitled “Psalm of Nature.” Jonah is the president of Agos Kulay Maynila (Watercolor Society of Manila). In 1978, his painting of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, won the grand prize in the 1st Filipino Saint Art Competition sponsored by the Art Association of the Philippines. The painting is now part of the artworks at the Vatican Museum. Salvosa has won 25 awards in different local and international competitions.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the art exhibit was led by Gov. Castillo, Rep. Angara and De Venecia.

In inviting everyone to Aurora Province, Gov. Castillo enthused, understandably in glowing terms and with great pride, about the beauty of Aurora Province, named after Doña Aurora Quezon, wife of the first Commonwealth Pres. Manuel L. Quezon.

Another part of the press presentation was the sabutan-inspired costume competition participated in by the members of the Filipino Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP). The judges in the competition were Caloocan First Lady Puri Echiverri, Lindy Castillo, Marina Benipayo, Oskar Peralta, Jay-Ar Valentin, Natalie Ong, Tootsie Angara, Dr. Claudine Roura and this writer.

The gowns were all so beautiful, elegant and innovative that we found it difficult to single out one design to be the winner. It’s so amazing how a native material (in this case sabutan, usually used to make banig in Aurora) could be used as accent to a formal gown. But as Gov. Castillo raved, “it has taken the ingenuity and creativity of our designers to come up with this beautiful designs.”

The last part of the event was the presentation at the poolside of the hotel of the candidates in their Renee Salud swimsuits. Renee, by the way, is the managing director and chairman of the search committee of the annual Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant.The photographers’ choice for the Best in Swimsuit was Rene McHugh who represents the Filipino community in the East Coast, USA.

Today, the candidates will be busy with their swimsuit shoot and rehearsals for the coronation night as well as the talent and swimsuit competitions at the Sports Complex. Rehearsals will continue everyday till Aug. 8. Pre-judging will be in the morning of Aug. 9, while the final rehearsal will be from 2-5 p.m.

The Mutya '09 candidates are: Athena Mae D. Imperial, Therese Anne Francesca Meelheib, Dominique Lagrimas, Disayrey Sayat, Ma. Katrina Lopez, Mary Grace Morala, Melissa Paula Tavora, Jennielyn Natividad, Jelyssa Madrid, Ana Baladad, Lovett Keziah Avenido, Mae Lanie Chan, Jo Ann Peria, Agnes Santiago, Roselynne Solis, Lenny Gamboa, Abigaile Fausto, Sheryl Rose Guerrero, May Ann Buenaventura, Christina McGarry, Karen Nacario, Rene McHugh, Dianne de Vera, Samanthya East, Consolacion Timbol, Jacqueline Schubert, Jenn-roe Gubat, Jane Banares, Nadine Karla de Roxas, Zsaharah Nor Mantawil, Marie Loraine de Guzman, Darlene Dina, Pearlyn Hortelano and Nadine Halvorsen.

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‘Worst Week’ and ‘Harper’s Island’ premiere on Studio 23

Two shows premiere tonight and tomorrow on Studio 23. They are “Worst Week,” a new hilarious comedy show, and “Harper’s Island,” a mind-boggling suspense series. It will also be on Studio 23 that Miss Universe 2009 and the 61st Emmy Awards will be shown exclusively on primetime.

The hit CBS comedy series “Worst Week,” which airs tonight at 9, stars Kyle Bornheimer as Sam Briggs, a nice guy who seems to make a mess of himself 24/7. But despite his misfortunes, his pregnant girlfiend Melanie (played by Erinn Hayes) still loves him and is willing to keep up with his unlucky streak.

In “Harper’s Island,” Henry (Christopher Gorham) and Trish’s (Katie Cassidy) family and friends are off to a secluded island in the coast of Seattle for their wedding. The supposed wedding week of fun and celebration suddenly turns into a terrifying struggle for survival as an unknown murderer claims victims one by one. With everyone a target and everyone a suspect, who will be able to survive and leave the island alive? “Harper’s Island” premieres on Aug. 5 at 9 p.m.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 4, go to Gov. Emily R. Lopez, Anna Kathrina H. Cruz, Melton Alingod, Lilia de Lima, Oscar Reyes, Gus Villanueva, Baby Strachan, Inki Azarcon, Lyndon Moses S. Gatdula, Tet Defensor, Minda Imperial, Ruben O. Fruto, Irene Diaz, Frances Dianne D., Venus Maregmen, and Scarlett Parlan daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Parlan of Rhode Island, USA…Happy wedding anniversary to Rudy and Betty Valdez…