It’s ironic how, while surfing Youtube earlier, I came across a video of South Korean celebrities who committed suicide from 2007-2010. I marveled in awe when I learned there were a lot of stars we admired on Korean dramas have taken their lives out of depression. There was even a set of siblings who committed suicide a year apart from each other. Imagine that! Reasons for committing suicide varied from career problems to money woes and their desire to be debt free.While watching the video, it then crossed to my mind how we, perhaps have less celebrities who have fallen prey to their suicidal tendencies within the same timeline. The most prominent perhaps is when Cesar Montano’s son took his life with a gun a year back. I was already thinking that perhaps, we have the strong family ties we have generally as a people to thank for. Then, just a few minutes ago, a friend posted on Facebook how a young, good-looking actor was recently found dead in an apparent act of suicide.

Tyrone Perez, an alumnus of GMA 7′s Starstruck was apparently found dead in an abandoned car in Valenzuela City just three days shy of New Year’s Day.

You know, I’m not very fond of our local celebrities but when I hear of news about suicide cases, I can’t help but weep for them and the families they left behind.

To Tyrone, rest in peace.

Since I first scrubbed in for a plastic surgery case and saw for myself how horrendous and gory it looks like, I vowed never to get one for myself at all cost. Yesterday, I went on duty at a clinic in Ayala Alabang and met my co-duty doctor who just finished his two-year training in cosmetic surgery. Over lunch, there was a lot of talk about local celebrities who allegedly had their time under the knife such as K.C., A.L., C.R., H.E. and C.B. After going on and on blurting out their names and what they had done one by one, my initial “oohhhs” and “aaaahhs” became “what?!” and “no way! you’re kidding!”. It suddenly dawned on me how these beautiful faces and bodies I once adored and yes, envied so much are all apparently in our local term “retokadas”. Someone just bursted my bubble. Boo!

The old adage goes this way: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. These days, however, this saying no longer holds true because beauty is now apparently in the eyes of the cosmetic surgeon – and more importantly, in the pocket of the beholder.

Now, excuse me while I check out besteyelashenhancer.net.

Angel Locsin is one of those rumored to have gone breast augmentation surgery. Seen here is a photo of darling Angel as featured in Chizmosa Lounge in an article in 2009.

I finally watched the brightest show on Earth yesterday. Last week, I headed to the Mall of Asia with a friend but we were not able to catch the show because we arrived at the Pyromusical late. Yesterday, Bee and I almost did not make it on time. We arrived at the Diosdado Macapagal Ave. at 6:30 pm – the show was slated to start at 7 pm! We thought parking at MOA would be difficult so we parked our car at Blue Wave – Macapagal. And (brisk)WALKED to MOA. Yep. We walked that great length! Thanks to my flats my feet didn’t hurt – but oh – my leg muscles are crying out loud now. I probably need a muscle supplement.

Good thing there was no queue for the tickets so we were able to head straight to two empty seats at the VIP area. Last year, Bee and I were able to witness the 1st Pyromusical Champion, United Kingdom’s set. This year, we watched as China and France lit up the sky. Both used traditional/classical scores in their fireworks display and both were very spectacular. Oh, I so love fireworks! I hope we can go back next week!

Congratulations to the following ladies for winning their respective titles in the recently concluded Miss Earth 2009:

Miss Earth 2009
Larissa Ramos (Brazil)

Miss Air 2009
Sandra Seifert (Philippines)

Miss Water 2009
Jessica Barboza (Venezuela)

Miss Fire 2009
Alejandra Echevarria (Spain)

Aside for Ms. Philippines, I was also rooting for Miss Spain because of her stunningly gorgeous face (see above photo). I think though that Miss Brazil is rather charming. I like the way her face lit up in the photo of hers above. Brazil, Spain and Venezuela. Looks like the Latinas “conquered” the “Earth”. Would have wanted to see a “colored beauty” upstage wearing one of the crowns though. I thought Miss Martinique had it but well, I ain’t a judge.  Congratulations girls!

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In a surprising and rare moment of a double upset, both UP Fighting Maroons and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe failed to bring home the Cheerdance Crown for 2009. I wasn’t able to watch the whole competition and I failed to record the tv coverage on video but judging from the sneak preview of the routines, I believe UP did a fine job. It was fine but not great enough to appease the judges. As one friend shouted out on facebook, at the end of the day, competitions are based on pleasing the judges. This year, FEU Chickens — errr — Tamaraws won their hearts over to grant them a score difference of more than 3 points from the 1st placer, ADMU.

I still couldn’t believe the crown no longer belongs to UP and much more in disbelief that ADMU won over us by 0.3 friggin’ points, but with all honesty, this is a lot better than if the crown went to someone else. Hehe. Oh yes. The cheerdance rivalry is deeply much rooted in me. =P

Congrats to my beloved alma mater. This wasn’t your year, but you’ll always be number one in our hearts. The Sarimanok/Jollibee Chicken Joy beat you to the crown. Let’s give it up to them. A round of applause please! =)

All those moves and stunts you at cheerdance make dancing essentially the best weight loss supplement.=P

When Bugoy Drilon didn’t finish on top at PDA Season II, it was a very gloomy night at home. I even remarked how it seemed anti-climactic since we weren’t really all that psyched to see the winner go up on stage and sing the finale. Last Sunday though, it was a different atmosphere when this cute little boy here was announced the winner:

His name is Philip Nadela aka Philip Nolasco, the nine-year old boy who bested hundreds of other kids in the “mini” version of Pinoy Dream Academy. We were afraid that Amy would win over him, thankfully he was well-supported by televiewers who were responsible for his win. I don’t have anything against kids belting their lungs out when they sing. But really, there’s something more to singing than screaming (under bathroom lighting? hehe) which, I am afraid a lot of kids do when they sing.

I envy these kids. Back when I was their age, I was really shy and in no way could you make me perform on stage. Good thing I went out of my shell. =)