Maribel Lopez beside her art work

MANILA, Philippines -- It’s interesting to note that five former beauty queens in our midst are also artists. They are Maribel Lopez, who is also the event organizer for The Film Artists Group which she founded; Melanie Marquez, Evangeline Pascual, Lani Lobangco and Nina Ricci Alagao. They will hold their first group art exhibit aptly called “Art & Beauty” on July 13 at Ricco-Renzo Galleries & Caffe at LRI Design Plaza, Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo) in Bel-Air 11, Makati City.

Maribel, a Fine Arts graduate of UP Diliman was Bb. Pilipinas-Universe in 1982 who turned out to be a multi-awarded actress. The figures in her nudes are elongated, perhaps a manifestation of the fashion designer in her. Maribel used to be fashion designer for Rustan’s and SM department stores.

She has joined several group exhibits in the past and her “Kinatay Series” was a tribute to the film “Kinatay,” which was shown at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and which won for Brillante Mendoza the Best Director award.

Evangeline, a former Miss World, is a beauty-queen-turned socialite, actress, social worker and radio broadcaster. She hosts “Echoes of the Heart” aired over DWIZ 882AM every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. and now on its 16th year.

Melanie, former Miss International, is a supermodel, movie star, film producer, talk show host and celebrity endorser. Also athletic, she’s into swimming, volleyball, basketball, and combat shooting.

Lani, a Bb. Pilipinas 1988 finalist (she won as Miss Photogenic), is also like Maribel a Fine Arts graduate (advertising major) from UST. She took up Interior Design at PSID and also became an actress.

Nina, who won Bb. Pilipinas-Universe in 2000, has always been interested in visual arts even when she was still a kid. She was a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Baños, Laguna. She took up Fine Arts (major in visual communications) at UP Diliman.

The proceeds from “Art & Beauty” will be donated to the Character Building Foundation, Inc.

Manny Pacquiao realizes another dream

Boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao did not only dream to be a winner on the ring – he also dreamed of helping his needy countrymen. He is now able to realize through his new TV show, “Manny Many Prizes,” which pilots July 16 on GMA 7. Pacman described the show to be “the pound-for-pound best game show in the Philippines.”

No, he is not competing with Willie Revillame’s “Wil Time Big Time,” he said, “I just want to help, gusto ko lang makapagbigay ng saya sa mga tao at matulungan sila sa pangarap nilang umasenso. Gusto ko makapagbigay ng pag-asa sa mga kababayan natin… I’ve long wanted to help at ito na ang chance ko na makatulong.”

During the recent press launch of “Manny Many Prizes” at the network’s Studio 6, Manny who is now fondly called “ninong” by his co-stars in the show (Paolo Contis, Gladys Guevarra, Rhian Ramos, Isabelle Daza and Olympic medalist-turned-comedian Onyok Velasco) Manny thanked GMA-7 execs in particular Ms. Wilma Galvante for giving him the chance to help the needy, and for making him realize his dream show.

“Matagal ko na talagang pangarap ang tumulong sa mga tao at ngayon lang natupad kaya masayang-masaya ako.” Manny said he is also co-producing the show.

He said he was the one who suggested to GMA-7 his co-hosts in “Manny Many Prizes” and it was approved to his delight. “Kasi they are my friends.” Rhian and Isabelle both expressed excitement for joining Manny in the show. Isabelle and Manny worked together in a Red Horse commercial. “I’m really happy to be working with him once more,” Isabelle said.

Saturday nights will never be same again as Manny is set to transform lives, while bringing entertainment to the whole family starting on July 16, after “24 Oras Weekend” on GMA Sabado Star Power. Watch out for it!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, July 12, go to Don Ado Escudero, Agnes Rustia-Ver, Trina Uijuico-Kalaw, Dr. Chari Ballecer, Susan Reyes-Grau, Amanda Cunanan, Anita V. Tagay, John Florence Abera, PJ Dacuycuy, Cathy Bermundo-Garcia, Carmen Macapulay, Vilma Selga and Chan Chan Torres...