Miss Asia Pacific International Returns

Forty-two beautiful women from different nationalities are vying for the much coveted crown in the search for the Miss Asia Pacific International 2017.  Hailed as the oldest beauty pageant in Asia, Miss Asia Pacific International began in as early as the 1960's. The good news is that it is now under a new ownership and management so we can all be assured there will be changes as well as more rooms for improvement. 

Purple Plum Fairy recently came to Edsa Shangrila Hotel to cover the press presentation of the Miss Asia Pacific 2017 candidates. The Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 is looking for women who would want to be the voice of beauty and harmony in diversity. They aim to empower women and to embrace and exercise their individuality, as well as encourage them to respect and appreciate themselves with confidence. This is not just another beauty pageant – this is a program that hopes to create ambassadors that ignite positive change in the global community.

Event's host Sam YG with Miss Asia pacific International 2016 winner Tessa Helena Le Conge from the Netherlands

Miss Asia Pacific International was in hiatus for a decade and was re-launched last year with the 22-year old Tessa Helena Le Conge from the Netherlands who emerged as the winner. The event took place at the renowned Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Now she is back in the country to turn-over the title and the spearheading of the organization’s advocacy to the next MAPI queen.

Miss Asia pacific International 2016 winner Tessa Helena Le Conge from the Netherlands 

HIV/AIDS amongst the Youth: An Alarming Reality and What We Can Do About It?

Purple Plum Fairy recently attended a round-table discussion on HIV and AIDS held at the Manila Medical Center(ManilaMed) Hospital with no less than Dr. Rontegene Solante, Infectious Disease Specialist. This initiative from ManilaMed is with regards to the 2016 National Study on the State of HIV Epidemic. 

Dr. Solante with the members of the media and Purple Plum Fairy herself.

As one of the country’s leading hospitals, ManilaMed is taking the lead on the issue of urban health, seeing that there is a need to address it in the midst of rapid urbanization and gentrification. I was surprised to find out that HIV had not only become prevalent amongst adults but more so with the youngsters. Yes, you’re reading these facts correctly. The youth aged 15-24 accounted for all new HIV diagnoses according to Dr. Solante based on a recent study by the Department of Health. 

Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Manila Medical Hospital (ManilaMed)

According to Dr. Solante, most of those new diagnoses amongst the youth (roughly about 81%) occurred among gay and bisexual males. Most likely out of any age group will be linked to care and have a suppressed viral load (that is, having a very low level of the virus in the body, which helps the person stay healthy and greatly reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others). Addressing HIV in youth requires that we give young people the information and tools they need to reduce their risk, make healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if needed.

Mama Sita Foundation and Ateneo Celebrate Ilocano Cuisine and Crafts

Sweet Potato is the highlight of the night

Who would've thought that the mere Sweet Potato or locally known root crop Camote would be the highlight of the night when the Ateneo de Manila's students of SA 157: Introduction to Cultural Heritage under Fernando N. Zialcita, recently organized a special dinner featuring Ilocano cuisine? Camote was served in different ways that night. I never even thought there were a lot of other ways we could serve our good 'ol camote aside from having it boiled as it is or as camote cue.

Ilocanos are vegetable lovers

Ilocanos are known for their love for vegetables and root crops. They're vegetable-loving people and they would only include meats during special occasions where they serve some of the most popular Ilocano meat dishes such as igado, bagnet, dinardaraan, among many others. But then, these dishes are reserved for fiestas but aren't served during ordinary days. 

Ilocano Recipes for a Warmer Planet

Rediscovering Old Manila with the United Architects of the Philippines Makati for World Architecture Day

Finally. I was able to sit down and write so now I'd like to share with you my recent experience on rediscovering old Manila through the United Architects of the Philippines Makati Chapter in partnership with Walk With Chan and Philippine Post Office. 

My apologies it had taken me quite sometime before i was able to come up with this blog post. Anyway, this Crossover Manila Walking tour was organized in celebration of the World Architecture Day last month. Through the kindness and invitation of my good friend, Rence Chan who has partnered with UAP-Makati for this Old Manila tour, we immediately said yes and were excited to revisit Intramuros, The Philippine Post Office, Escolta, and Binondo. 

The facade of the Philippine Post office as captured by the camera.

After years of merely passing by the facade of this glorious Philippine Post Office building, (I used to watch it from the safe distance in Plaza Lawton way back in college), the opportunity was finally ripe for us to explore its inner workings. Decades after decades of being overlooked, the iconic Philippine Post Office never really lost its grandeur. It somehow got the retrofitting it deserves. It was such a great experience to see that during out visit one of the gargoyles on the top of the building's columns were spouting water because there was a typhoon during our visit and it was raining. Too bad though, I only had with me my mobile camera, so i wasn't able to take a good shot of it. (You actually need a good DSLR camera for you to be able to capture its beauty). Nevertheless, the old Manila Post Office despite some of its paint peeling off and a few flooded areas, continue to stand amidst the rise of technology. 

Manila Central Post office from afar

Even if the said building fades from its former architectural glory, it was a delight to know that contrary to what some people believe, it's not entirely an urban decay. People still do send tangible letters to their loved ones. In fact, the Philpost has also opened new services sch as Bayadcenter. Yes, you can now pay your bills by going to the Philpost. We were so lucky to be given a tour of the Philippine Post Office building. But since we had a very limited time due to the many itineraries that day, we had to do it really fast. One thing I had learned, Philpost is a story of Hope: as it embarks on a lot of restoration. It also captures the imagination of the younger generation, particularly the so-called millenials, most of them were not even born yet during its heyday. 

We were also introduced to its rich history as well as its legacy. Ms. Arlene Labao, project officer for the Philately Collection and Museum Division was the one in-charge to tour us around. She also taught the milennials on how to write on postcards while Mr. Renaldo Ong, Philippine Philatelic Federation President also brought with him and showed us his rich stamp collections, some of them are really rare ones. He was also game enough to answer all the queries on stamp collecting. 

With the said Walk with Chan tour, my nephew Kyle, with his infectious optimism said having seen the insides of the Philpost, he confessed that he has fallen in love with the structure. As for its stories, the two hours of touring it isn't enough to share with you both the eerie and the good parts of it. 

The Philippines to Host Miss Asia Pacific International 2017

After a decade of hiatus, the mother of all beauty pageants in Southeast Asia is back. Last year, the official re-launching of the pageant took place in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, specifically at the renowned Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa. 22-year old stunner, Tessa Helena Le Conge from the Netherlands is the current titleholder. She bested the other international contenders with her overwhelming charm, wit and positivity. “I think nowadays it’s sad to see so much negativity in the world, because you see people don’t really respect each other. I would like to show people what you can do with a good light in your heart,” she quipped with her dazzling smile.   She was joined by Chawanya Thanomwong of Thailand (1^st runner up), RP’s Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan (2^nd runner-up), Felicia George of Cook Islands (3^rd runner up), Soyeon Kim of South Korea (4^th runner-up)

This year, with over fifty stunning and empowered women from all over the world, the organization has decided to bring the coronation night to the nation’s capital, Manila. With its advocacy to foster love and appreciation of cultural, physical, and spiritual diversities, Miss Asia Pacific International is set to inspire the everyone to be comfortable in their own skin and to believe that their unique and distinct traits is one of the key qualities that make them beautiful.