While Jenna Talackova may have lost a crown, she has won, for thousands of hopeful transsexuals, the nod from Miss Universe owner Donald Trump that transsexuals may compete in Miss Universe as long as their respective nations recognize them legally as women.

Jenna Talackova also scored BIG for the fast-growing male-to-woman transsexual community whose members are desperately seeking equal acceptance as women in society.

Meantime, those who are against transsexuals joining beauty pageants that are traditionally for natural-born women are heaving a big sigh of relief. But only for now. Who knows when another brave trans-soul tries to follow on the high heels of Jenna Talackova? Many countries in Europe now legally recognize man-to-woman Transexuals as women. Spain and Argentina have followed suit and many countries have pending bills seeking similar rights. Korea has a famous (m2w)transsexual pop-star and even Iran, a Muslim nation, reportedly recognizes the rights of Transsexual Women.

So, how do you feel about Jenna Talackova’s unsuccessful bid to make it into the Miss Universe beauty pageant? Was it really a failure or did she come out winning major major points for transexuals all over the world?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. But reminding commenters to always be gracious in leaving comments. While strong opinions are welcome rude language is not…

MWP is searching the nation for beauties with a cause to try out for this year’s Miss World Philippines beauty pageant.

Last year’s winner, Gwendoline Ruais, will be passing on her crown to a successor and that could just be YOU!

But you have to try out to find out.. Scroll down to see the schedule of try-outs sent to ABQ by MWP Directress Cory Quirino. (Please verify with the MWP OFFICE tel: 5270011 loc 1248, 09102382461 in case of schedule changes.)

Requirements: Registration for all dates is 1pm. Program starts at 2pm. Applicants must bring casual and long gown attire.

The Schedule of Miss World Philippines 2012 Try-Outs:

May 12 at The Block, SM North Edsa

May 18 at SM CDO

May 19 at SM Cebu

May 27 at SM Naga

June 1 at SM MOA

June 3 at SM San Fernando, Pampangga

General Screening is on June 4 at F1 Hotel at The Fort, BGC

Final Screening is on June 5 also at F1 Hotel

Have questions? Contact the MWP OFFICE in Manila Hotel at tel: 5270011 loc 1248 or text/call 09102382461.

Of course, it is an unfair comparison because Bitter Melon Tea is not really a tea. Its an Infusion or a Tisane and does not have caffeine. Real tea on the other hand comes from the Tea Plant and contains caffeine.

But out of all the Tisanes I have tried, this particular Bitter Melon one does not taste like its name suggests. I find its flavor soft, woody and clean, minus any aftertaste.

If you look closely, you’ll see Chinese characters and designs on the packet, the reason being, Mae Salong has a big Chinese Thai community much like the Chinoy community we have in Manila. And there is a long history that tie Northern Thailand and China to each other.

Now going back to the Bitter Melon ‘Tea’ – this 100g packet cost only 100 Baht and is cheaper than the Teas they sell here. The packet goes a long way – one pinch is good enough to Infuse a big mug of hot water!

Aside from the flavor, the one other thing I love about this Bitter Melon ‘Tea’ is it looks like I’ve got funky golden brown asterisks floating around in my Cup!

Wow, I found this local Mae Salong Wine in one of the Chinese Tea Shops here. Its actually made of Cherries and its alcohol volume is 12.5% just like any grape wine you’d find in a winery! It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling just after a few sips. Soon enough, I was blushing like a Cherry myself, lolz!

Review: Mae Salong’s local Cherry Wine makes me think of Sangria but its not as sweet and is more macho-tasting – it has a raw aftertaste which more refined drinkers might find offensive. I enjoyed it myself since I don’t mind that occasional rough drink. I had the Cherry Wine with Mixed Nuts, Preserved Cherries, some Cheddar and Seaweed strips – all went well with the wine.

Considering:
1) the reasonable cost of the wine (180 Baht),
2) its exotic fruity flavor,
3) the Bloody Mary look when in a glass,
4) the nice kick you get after the first half-glass,
5) and its compatibility with a variety of snacks, Mae Salong’s Cherry Wine is an amazing find! I give it 3.5 tiaras before and 4 tiaras after a couple glasses!

Just make sure to have a corkscrew with you!

I’m a Coffee Addict and I think I will be forever. While I frequent Starbucks in Manila everyday and often buy Barako Coffee for the house, when I’m in Thailand, Black Canyon Coffee is my choice!

Black Canyon Coffee is like THE Starbucks of Thailand with nearly 200 branches nationwide. Its a Thai franchise that began in the early 90s and has experienced tremendous growth with expansion in other Southeast Asian nations.

But what makes Black Canyon Coffee different from Starbucks and similar coffee experiences is that they serve a full menu, not just designer Coffee and cakes.
You can get Salads, Sandwiches, Rice Meals, Noodles, Ice Cream etc!

If you’re a Coffee freak like me visiting Thailand, you have to give Black Canyon Coffee a try – they have a branch at the Suvarnabhumi Airport and in every key city in Thailand.

I got a 1hour session combining hand and shoulder (they actually include head and back) for 380 Baht. All sessions come with a free tiny bottle of water. The communal massage area can get chilly so you are provided a fresh, warm blanket.

This little foot massage place is on the 2nd level of Suvarnabhumi outside immigration past the baggage carriages. If you’re facing the exit doors, the Day Spa is on you left at the end of the hall.

Although they have no beds, they do have Wicker Daybeds which are very comfortable. The place can get very busy; we had to wait 15 mins for a masseuse. They tend to give hard massages and if you can take the pressure, it can do wonders for stiff shoulders. I felt light as a Bamboo Stick after my session.

This is an excellent find, thanks to Pastor Chuck Quinley and his wife Sherry for the recommendation! I normally can’t sleep during massages but this time I was able to doze off a few times! An excellent find!

L-R : 4RU Daynalyn deal Vega, 2RU Krisel Las Pinas, Mutya ng Taguig 2012 Winner Charmaine Hernandez, 1RU Zhedlee Esteban, 3RU Honey Kaye Dollano

Congratulations to the new Mutya ng Taguig Charmaine Hernandez – she was my favorite from the moment I saw her! Charmaine Hernandez dominated the night winning Miss Photogenic and couple other special awards.

The rest of her beauteous court include: 4th Runner-up Daynalyn dela Vega, 3rd Runner-up Honey Kaye Dollano (who looks like a doll and won Best in Gown), 2nd Runner-up Krisel Las Pinas and 1st Runner-up Zhedlee Esteban!!!

Thanks to John deal Vega for the invite!

Winners of Slimmers' World Miss Bikini Philippines - L-R - 2nd RU Vangie Martel, winner Abbygale Monderin and 1st RU Leann Ricafort

Congratulations to Abbygale Monderin for winning Slimmers’ World Miss Bikini Philippines 2012! She will represent the Philippines in the coming Miss Bikini International Beauty Pageant in China.

Her 1st Runner-up is Leann Ricafort and her 2nd Runner-up, my personal favorite, Vangie Martel.

Winner Abbygale Monderin also won 2 key awards at the Slimmers’ World Bikini Philippines 2012 – Miss Photogenic and Best in Long Gown.

Congratulations to Abbygale Monderin, Leann Ricafort and Vangie Martel and to Slimmers’ World, thanks for an exciting production, I totally loved the Ati-Atihan-themed stage!

Stage of Miss Bikini Philippines 2012 - Colorful, bright and warm Ati-Atihan Theme!

His excuse – there was a bag on his dashboard that blocked his view. The wait for cops was long and so temptation to let it go started to seep in but then I suddenly remembered Bb Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach and how her family and pageant fans were stripped of her beauty after she died in a violent accident with a bus. And I thought of the cousin of my dear friend Ave Jaerel Parungao who was sideswiped and killed by a bus on Edsa. Then there’s that eye doctor from a family of famous Pinoy optometrists who’s car got hit on Edsa by a bus.

As I think of them and the numerous people who have perished because of bus drivers rushing to meet their boundaries or quotas, I decide to stay and put my foot down. This is just a small act on my part to hopefully teach the driver lesson. Maybe my obstinacy will prevent future accidents by this driver. I don’t know.

Whatever the case, these two hours spent filing the case with the cops is dedicated to the memories of Melody Gersbach and to all of you who’ve lost loved ones to wayward buses…