Wellness guru and tri-media personality Cory Quirino has been awarded the exclusive license agreement for Ms. World Philippines during appropriate ceremonies held recently at the Makati Shangri-La Manila.

In town for the awarding were Ms. Julia Morley, chairman and CEO of Miss World Limited, who was accompanied by the reigning Miss World Alexandria Mills from USA, and the first runner-up Emma Wareus from Botswana. Ms. Morley called the awarding of the license to Ms. Quirino a momentous occasion for Miss World organizers.

It was the first time that Ms. Morley was in Manila (she was never invited to come over, it was said). Also at the awarding rites and press conference were two Filipina runners-up to the Miss World International competition in past years, Ruffa Gutierrez and Evangeline Pascual.

Miss World Limited is currently celebrating its 60th year of “Beauty With a Purpose,” and the organization has raised more than $400 million in support of children’s charities across the globe since its inception. During their two-day stay in the Philippines, Ms. Morley’s entourage which included Ms. World Ltd. Events Director Stephen Douglas and Consultant to Miss World-Asia Paul Lee, visited the Philippine General Hospital’s Pedriatic Ward, the Tuloy Street Children Foundation’s facilities in Alabang, and the Ospital ng Makati.

Ms. Quirino said, “We are entering into a new paradigm of pageants, in keeping with our mission and values. As chair of World for All Foundation, Ms. Quirino counts the PGH Medical Foundation and Tuloy Street Children Foundation as major beneficiaries, both of which were represented by their respective chairmen, Dr. Greg Alvior and Fr. Rocky Evangelista at the signing of the licensee agreement. At the luncheon ceremony, Ms. Morley recalled the pageant’s history. Founded by her husband Eric Morley in 1951, the first Miss World pageant was welcomed by an audience greater than those at other international events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games. At its peak, the show claimed an audience of 27.5 million in Britain alone. Sixty years onward, the pageant still manages to pull in crowds with the world’s most beautiful woman assembled in one place.

The enduring popularity of Miss World has been further enhanced with the global beauty pageant being localized and its exclusive license awarded to Ms. Quirino.

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Backroom artists in Valentine shows

As always, it would be another exciting love month, especially with the Backroom artists.

Comedy Concert Queen Ms. Ai Ai de las Alas celebrates Valentine’s Day with a special Valentine show titled “Live in Concert: Ai Ai de las Alas” on Feb. 12 at Verdant Pavilion, Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa in Bohol. She will be Boholanos funny Valentine as she tickles their funny bones this Valentine’s Day.

On the other hand, who will be the Prince of Pop Erik Santos’ Valentine date? Although he keeps silent about matters of the heart, it is now confirmed that Erik will celebrate the love month with people close to his heart. The young balladeer will serenade audiences with romantic songs on Feb, 12 (as special guest in Ai Ai de las Alas’ concert in Bohol) and Feb. 14 (with K Brosas, Mark Bautista and Golden Divas at the Manila Hotel. The special show is directed by GB Sampedro). He will fly to Europe with Pooh and Christian Bautista for a series of shows titled “Champions of the Heart Tour.”

Meanwhile, Bossa Nova Queen Sitti’s gentle voice will captivate the romantic at heart in her shows: Today, Feb. 2 (“Handog sa mga Guro ng Tubod” in Tubod, Ozamiz); Feb. 5 (special show with the Sessionistas titled “ASAP Sessionistas 20.11” at the Araneta Coliseum); Feb. 14 (special guest of Piolo Pascual in his concert titled “Piolo Meets the Maestro, Ryan Cayabyab” at the Plenary Hall, PICC, CCP Complex); and Feb. 19 (26th International Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas City).

Funnyman Pooh can melt anyone’s cold heart this Valentine’s Day with his riotous performance on Feb. 5 together with K Brosas and Kim Idol at Bacolod de la Salle University in Bacolod City.

Fall in love with K Brosas’ humor as she delivers her side-splitting punches during her shows – Feb. 5 at Bacolod de la Salle University in Bacolod City and on Feb.14 at the Manila Hotel.

For inquiries, e-mail at backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Feb. 2 go to Ms. Aida Posadas, Lloyd Samartino, JC Bonnin, US-based beautician Puring Nugiud, Nello Nayo, Monette Ejercito, Cornelio de Guzman, Dante Nagtalon, Robert Espinosa, Serafin Buan, Michelle Bello, Ruther Batuigas, Maning Salac, Charito Ong, Engr. Emerson G. Visaya, New York-based lawyer Carol Tanjutco, Dr. Candy Capellan of UDMC, Jay Aquitania and my UK-based sister Susan M. Almontero… Happy wedding anniversary to Angel and Jules Lopez… You can follow me through twitter@crispina belen...