Our very own Pinay Supermodel Charo Ronquillo makes it to the Top 10 list of Ford’s Supermodel of the World as she ranked no. 4 in the list. Charo Ronquillo hails from Laguna and she’s been competing in the modelling world since 2005. Charo continues to make waves in the international fashion scene as she currently appears in a huge billboard advertisement for Target in downtown Los Angeles, as well as in Express Boutiques. She will soon be gracing the covers of Vogue India.

Our very own pool masters Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante bags the 2009 World Cup of Pool held last Sunday at the SM City North Annex in Quezon City. The two beat Germans Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann in a score of 11-9 to capture their second title that they got last 2006. The Pinoy Billiard champions took home the top $ 60,000 as their prize. Congratulations!

The Annual Gawad Geny Lopez, Bayaning Pilipino awards will grace once again on its 12th year of honoring our Filipino heroes for their unconditional sacrifices for our country and their contributions for the welfare of others. Its been 12 years since ABS-CBN Chairman Emeritus Eugenio Lopez launched the said award giving body with the help of the UGAT Foundation headed by Father Nilo Tanalega, SJ. This year, the event will be hosted by Mariel Rodriguez, Kim Atienza and Anthony Taberna, with performances from Kapamilya Stars and ABS-CBN’s Homegrown talents. The 12th Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2009 airs this Sunday, on Sunday’s Best, after TV Patrol Linggo.

Our very own Filipino-American boxer Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria has retained his IBF Junior Flyweight title via a unanimous decision against Jesus “El Azul” Iribe last Saturday ( Sunday, Manila Time ) at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Viloria eyes to avenge his loss to WBC junior flyweight champion against Edgar Sosa by putting up his IBF title in a unification fight. The exclusive coverage of the fight was aired live in GMA-7 yesterday through its media partner, Solar Sports.

New WBA Interim Junior Bantamweight Champion Nonito ” The Filipino Flash ” Donaire Jr., went back to the Philippines early morning today. He arrived at 3:55 a.m. at the NAIA terminal 2 via Philippine Airlines flight PR 107 from Los Angeles, California.Donaire was accompanied by Rachel Ann Donaire, his wife who is also a taekwondo expert. He defeated Panamanian Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion on Saturday in their “Pinoy Power 2” showdown at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our very own, Camilla Kim Galvez, Mrs. Philippines representative got 3 awardds in the recently concludedd Mrs. Universe Pageant held in Riga, Latvia last August 9. She’s been the 2ndd Runner-up, the Darling of the Press and the Best in Evening Gown. She competed among the 17 contestants from different countries. Galvez is also a former news reporter of ABS-CBN.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has already named 7 of the most prominent people in the country as the New National Artist for this year. The award was based on the category and their achievement as an artist and their contribution in preserving our Filipino culture and heritage. Here they are;

Lazaro Francisco – (Literature, Posthumous)

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz – (Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture, Mixed Media)

Francisco “Bobby” Mañoza – (Architecture)

Jose Pitoy Moreno – (Fashion Design)

Cecille Guidote Alvarez – National Commission on Culture and the Arts Executive Director (Theater)

Manuel Conde – (Film and Broadcast Arts, Posthumous)

Jose Carlos Caparas – (Visual Arts and Film)

Our very own Philippine Madrigal Singers was selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the newest Artist for Peace. They were chosen by UNESCO in recognition of their efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia and their contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and their dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization through their music. They will be UNESCO’s Ambassadors for two years as they will participate in series of projects, including Concerts for Peace, a Sing for Peace festival and various choral singing classes, workshops and other activities. The group has trained more than 200 singers and choral music specialists since they started in 1963. They also make us proud as Filipinos as they bring a lot of awards as they compete in different countries.

Kapamilya actress Cristine Reyes and her series, Eva Fonda was nominated to the prestigious Seoul International Drama Awards. The two nominations for Eva Fonda are the only program and actress from the Philippines recognized by the Korean award-giving body this year. It will also be competing with other series in different European and Asian countries. Eva Fonda was nominated for the Special Prize Category while Cristine will compete for the Best Actress nomination.

Former Little Big Star winner Rhap Salazar was the new champion in the recently concluded 13th WCOPA ( World Championships of Performing Arts ) 2009 as the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World. He captured 5 GOLD medals from five categories he competed with at this year. He topped Male Vocal Broadway, Male Vocal Gospel, Male Vocal Open, Male Vocal Pop and Male Vocal R&B/Soul/Jazz categories. Rhap is also with his fellow Filipino Contenders in the said competition. Congratulations!

Talentadong Pinoy, a reality talent show of TV5 has a new champion, now on his 4th week. The “Yoyo Tricker”, also known as Joshua Davis. This 13 year-old has an extraordinary tricks while performing his “Yoyo” stunts besting his contenders who’s doing acrobatic things and other amazing talents. Joshua was inspired to do this amazing tricks because of his brother, who died a year ago. Continue to watch Joshua as he battles for his crown as the current champion in Talentadong Pinoy, Saturdays after Who wants to be a Millionaire?

Aileen Jan Yap, a Fil-Am based in Texas, was crowned Ms. United Staes International 2009 last week. Aileen will represent the US in the 49th Miss International pageant to be held in Macau , China this coming November 7. Yap represented Texas as she also won the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown awards. She is now on her junior year at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas major in Biology. She also graduated as Summa Cum Laude at Willis High School. Another Filipino to be proud of.

Our very own Rubilen Amit was the winner of the 1st Women’s World 10-Ball championship 2009 held in Skydome Amphitheatre at SM North Edsa in Quezon City. Amit beat Taiwanese Shin Min Liu, 10-4 in the finals. She took home the top prize of $20,000 or a total of P1M in Philippine currency. Congratulations!

A tribute was given to Fr. Patrick Peyton,an Irish Priest who founded the Family Rosary Crusade, a global ministry to families and prayer and because of his crusade,he is now on his way to sainthood.Filipino painter and sculptor Joey Velasco was given a chance to do a 7-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Fr.Peyton.Velasco’s sculpture will be erected in Peyton’s birthplace in county Mayo in Attymass.