Spain won back-to-back in Mister International, PH's bet finished second runner-up.

Spain's Francisco Zafra has won the Philippine Based Mister International pageant held in Cebu last November 10. He bested 25 other candidates to earn the first back-to-back victory at the Mister International pageant with reigning winner Jose Calle also coming from Spain. 

Placing as first runner up is Mister Peru, Estefano Balarin, who is also a favorite to win the competition. Finishing as second runner up is Philippines' very own Marvin Diamante.

Third runner up goes to Indonesia's Elias Silitonga, and wrapping up the top five is Zeng Xianyang of China. 

Jayden Fernandez: Live Selling Heartthrob

Need something online or you probably need something new in your closet, well our kind-hearted charmer for this month might give you a big hand to find the stuff you are looking for to add to your wardrobe, say a big hello to Jayden Fernandez our Live Selling Heartthrob.

Since the dawn of several online selling apps, our retail therapy went from the department store back at the comfort of our own homes, swiping up and adding to cart has been a way of shopping for most of us and from there rose the Online Live Selling scheme from the small business up to the big brands, they all ventured in bringing their products in every social media platform. 

Jayden began his career as a brand representative for the clothing brand 'Bench/' at the beginning of this year. From being a shy and timid guy, this 27-year-old introvert has become the face of online live selling, especially on the video streaming platform TikTok.

The once shy guy became a sensation online for his fearless and compelling way of selling apparels, which definitely helped him reach his livestream sales quota. This extra mileage and reach hasn’t only helped Jayden with his sales, but it also bolstered his career from being an online presenter, to walking down the runway for the brand’s fashion week and also for its upcoming Body of Work fashion show this coming Summer of 2025.

This charmer who is willing to do everything to provide for his family is definitely reaping the rewards of hard work.

Read our interview with Jayden Fernandez below:

1. Introduce yourself to us first, who is Jayden Fernandez before Mister Grand and the Bench Online Selling? 

Who is Jayden Fernandez before Mister Grand? I am just a shy type boy, nagwowork lang syempre as a normal person, nagwowork lang for family and for the dreams and goals in life. Yun that’s me before po ako makapasok as brand presenter and as aspiring candidate for Mister Grand.   

2. How did you get the Online Live Selling job? How was the experience so far?

I am really looking for a job that will give me a big salary of course and then someone reached (out) to me and kababayan ko din, they offered something for me that can possibly help me grow and give me the compensation that I need at that time. 

It was fun, exciting, and Siguro magiging roller coaster for sure and that's all I can say for now, exciting and fun, we will give you a show for sure. 

 

3. I must say you are currently the face of Bench, you elevated the online live selling game specially on Tiktok, how does it feel that you made Bench’s Tiktok Live on top and also how does it feel that when people see you they recognize you now as that guy from Bench. 

Nakakatuwa siya kasi nga syempre bukod sa dumadami yung viewers ko dumadami din yung benta so yun naman yung target ko. And ayun nakakatuwa that they are always supporting me kahit hindi lang brief to be honest also Bench apparels they are always supporting me to make the live not boring and parang hindi naman nakakabored yun, syempre exhausting din yun minsan, I need someone to talk to para mawala yung pagod ko and they are there for me always supporting me and I am really thankful po sa mga viewers natin. 

4. How do you motivate yourself during the live selling especially wala kang nakakausap face to face?  

I’m always thinking of my family in the province, on how they support me before way back when I was a child, so they have always been my motivation po for this career     

5. Was wearing the underwear that you sell your idea? 

That was the idea of my manager and me, but in the first place that was my suggestion then inapprove lang nya then we tried it and yun pumatok siya so yun tinuloy tuloy na namin. 

6. How did it feel when you first tried the underwear during the live selling? 

Nakakakaba sa una because Tiktok is sensitive and possibly ma ban yung account, so mawalan pa ng work and minsan nakakahiya din kasi nga di maiiwasan makita yung bulge as a guy and madaming basher na hindi macontrol yung sarili nila, so I received a lot of comments so I’ll just brush them up ganun.  

7. Any unforgettable or most memorable moment as a live seller.

Yung naban, nung na ban talaga kami yun ang pinaka unforgettable kasi nga maapektuhan din yung trabaho nung iba, yung co host kasi meron akong mga co hosts sa bench. 

 

8. What was the most outrageous comment you’ve read so far? 

Yung may ginagawa sila during the live na privately dahil sa live ko ganon, ganun kalala

9. As a live seller, what’s that one thing you’ve always liked to sell? And what’s the easiest and hardest thing to sell online? 

I do live selling as well for skin care, that’s the hardest kasi very technical niya and you need to be professional to present those products. The easiest for me would be the shoes, I’ve been a brand presenter of Adidas, for me that’s the easiest, pero challenging pa din siya technically. 

10. What’s your favorite Bench/Body Item? 

Syempre di mawawala diyan yung mga undergarments nila and apparels. 

11. You’ve walked at the Bench Fashion Week, how does it feel that from live selling you are now actually modeling for the brand. 

To be honest kinda overwhelming pa din sakin, feeling ko di ko parin alam yung ginagawa ko sa sobrang dami ng nangyayare, hindi ako sanay sa ganito. Overwhelming siya sakin but still grateful for everything. 

12. Live Selling or Walking the Runway for Bench? 

Ang hirap naman niyan, uhm ang hirap mag decide can I choose both? haha. For me, for now since my medium is live selling, so live selling for now and then madami tayong nakakausap and they opened a lot of opportunities for me.  

 

Australia is Miss Earth 2024, PH's Bet Settled in the Top 12.

 

The new warriors of Mother Earth have been crowned! Jessica Lane of Australia was crowned by Drita Ziri of Albania as Miss Earth 2024.

21-year-old Jessica is a model, environmentalist, and a journalism student back in Queensland, Australia. She bested 75 other candidates at the coronation night held in Okada Manila last November 10. This is the first time that Australia won the title of Miss Earth, the closest they got was back in 2022 when Sheridan Mortlock placed as Miss Air. 

Speaking of Miss Air, heavy favorite, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland was crowned as Miss Earth -Air, while Miss USA, Bea Millan-Windorski was crowned as Miss Earth-Water, and wrapping up the elemental queens is Peru's Niva Antezana. 

Miss Philippines' Irha Mel Alfeche was able to make it to the Top 12 of the competition. 

TECNO SPARK 30 Series Launches its TRANSFORMERS Edition for as low as P5,599

 Bringing Next-level Fluency and Durability in the Philippines

Innovative technology brand TECNO has announced the debut of its latest smartphone in the Philippines, the SPARK 30 Series, featuring a dynamic lineup of four models including an exciting SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition. The new series brings revolutionary durability and playability with 5-year guaranteed lag-free performance, more immersive audiovisuals, an incredible main camera and much more. 

The SPARK 30 Series features a special TRANSFORMERS Edition, under license by TRANSFORMERS brand from leading toy and game company Hasbro, made up of a SPARK 30 Pro Optimus Prime Edition and SPARK 30 Bumblebee Edition. In addition to their powerful performance, these special devices feature iconic TRANSFORMERS elements, delivering iconic design, entertainment, and interaction like never before.

“The SPARK 30 Series is poised to revolutionize the smartphone experience, offering a symphony of unparalleled features and a coveted exclusive TRANSFORMERS Edition,” said Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO. “With continuous enhancements to the SPARK Series, we are ensuring that vibrant, tech-savvy youth will embrace and revel in the power of our innovations to create new possibilities.”  

Creating Seamless Fluency and Durability Assured by a 5-year Lag-free Commitment

The SPARK 30 Series gives users long-lasting value for money. Certified by TÜV Rheinland, SPARK 30 Pro offers incredible 5-year lag-free operation, standing out in its class as a must-have device for a seamless experience. 

Making everyday use even smoother, the SPARK 30 Series is equipped with exceptional battery capacity, impressive storage and powerful performance, with battery health at 80%+ enduring after 1,000 charge cycles. The SPARK 30 Pro’s convenient 33W Fast Charge offers three intelligent charging modes and can charge the device from zero to 100% in approximately 70 minutes. The SPARK 30 Series offers up to 256GB+16GB (8GB Extended RAM) storage with a system slimming feature that frees up ROM space. The SPARK 30 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s Helio G100 processor, boasting an Antutu score over 420,000, adding to the fluid performance even more.

With super WIFI and ultra-fast 4.5G Lightning Network, consumers can enjoy enhanced online smoothness. The 4.5G Lightning Network delivers speeds up to 100% faster than 4G, with download speeds reaching up to 300Mbps, while super WiFi sets internet speeds apart in a crowd, improving ability to access networks by 616% compared to those without this feature. Leveraging its exceptional performance, the SPARK 30 Series demonstrates power and durability akin to that of the formidable TRANSFORMERS robots.

Inspiring with a Design Rebirth Full of the Transformers' Visual Splendor

Complementing its ultimate performance, the TECNO SPARK 30 Series features a trendy, sleek and tech-infused design. The SPARK family's signature large circular design is now enhanced and refined for a more streamlined appearance. With a 7.4mm ultra-thin body, the SPARK 30 Pro embraces the emerging minimalist technology trend, bringing an unprecedented grip experience in-hand. Not only eye-catching, the SPARK 30 series is also extremely durable, able to withstand the micro drop test up to 25,000 times. The SPARK 30 also features an IP64 level of dust and waterproof protection.

Taking inspiration from the unstoppable TRANSFORMERS robots, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, the SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition infuses technology with a Cybertronian-inspired design texture.  The integrated DECO design is crafted with a metallic sheen and precision color coordination, adding a vibrant look while paying homage to the resilience of the iconic characters. Additionally, the edition debuts a customized interface adorned with TRANSFORMERS motifs, bringing the iconic world to life and providing a dynamic platform for users of all ages to express their love for the franchise.

Captivating with an Exceptional Audiovisual Entertainment Experience

The SPARK 30 Series creates an immersive entertainment space for users through vibrant audiovisual experiences. The 120Hz AMOLED Eye-care Screen, recognized by TÜV Low Blue Light Eye certification, delivers vivid images while providing an eye-friendly experience. On the audio front, the SPARK 30 Series provides symmetrical stereo sound. With Volume Plus 2.0 algorithms and a Dual Speaker, the SPARK 30 Pro delivers up to 300% full-scene louder volume for an immersive and balanced sound. The addition of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res certified speakers significantly enhances entertainment quality. 

Furthermore, the SPARK 30 Series is also equipped with the Infrared Remote Control for 15 household devices, allowing intelligent control of home life, enabling a personalized space at will.

On the camera front, the SPARK 30 Pro boasts a 108MP main camera, complemented by 3x lossless zoom and 10x digital zoom, delivering finely tuned images no matter the distance. The SPARK 30's SONY IMX682 Main Camera with 64MP, offers larger pixels, greater detail, and increased cropping flexibility. Equipped with TECNO AI, the SPARK 30 Series offers an array of advanced AI-driven features, including AI voice assistant, AI wallpaper, and AIGC imaging, enhancing your productivity and creativity.

Led by the masterful SPARK 30 and SPARK 30 Pro, the new SPARK 30 Series also features the exceptional SPARK 30C, SPARK 30 5G. As well as a groundbreaking special edition device, the TRANSFORMERS collaboration adds a further layer of excitement for energetic youth, with exclusive branded merchandise and gift sets also available.

First Sale Excitement!

The official price of SPARK 30 is P6,999 with Bumblebee. Users can purchase the SPARK 30 during its first sale up to 40% discount price of P5,599 from 11.5 to 11.11 at TECNO Mobile PH  in TikTok Shop. 

The SPARK 30 Pro official price is P7,999. From 11.7 to 11.10, it will be on special at  TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Shopee and be sold for P6,299, discounted up to 37%. During the 11.11 sale, the special price will be P5,999. *the discount is compared with E-commerce underline price

After 11.11 sale, SPARK 30 and SPARK 30 Pro will be available on both platforms and TECNO Mobile PH Official Store in Lazada. By the end of November, SPARK 30 will also be available at  TECNO Partner Retail Stores nationwide.

Kirk Bondad is all set to conquer Mister World!

 

Finally! After more than two years of waiting, Kirk Bondad is all set to conquer the Mister World stage this November!

27-year-old Kirk is a professional model in the Philippines, he was appointed as Mister World Philippines back in June of 2022 and has been actively present in various events involving his mother org, the Miss World Philippines Organization. 

Kirk is set to fly to Vietnam today, November 5 and will be competing along with 68 other candidates in the Mister World pageant this coming November 23. 

Mister World was last held in the Philippines back in 2019 and has been inactive during the pandemic, the last winner of the pageant was Jack Heslewood from England.

Best of Luck Kirk! 

Do You Still Remember April Boy Regino?

DO YOU STILL REMEMBER IDOL APRIL BOY REGINO?

In a recent special screening of IDOL (The April Boy Regino Story), somebody asked: ""Who's the target audience of the biopic IDOL (April Boy Regino Story)?"

He cited that today's popular entertainers are the likes of SB19, BINI, Arthur Nery etc... Idol April Boy Regino and his songs are already things of the past.

Premiere WaterPlus Productions Executive Producer Marynette Gamboa replied: "Clearly, we've always had in mind the fans of Idol April Boy Regino-- or whatever remain of them. To be fair, these veteran adorers of ABR might not have heard of SB19, BINI, Arthur Nery... So, there's no contest. To each his own taste.... and era...

"The.fans of Idol April Boy have grown older and, maybe, richer, and probably have the  capacity to buy cinema tickets. 

"Wouldn't it be best if these young peeps get a chance to hear April Boy's iconic songs and watch his life and love story?

"There's a huge number of moviegoers in the demographics of different ages.... who knows we might be able to interest the younger set. 

"They may get curious, in the same manner that an ancient song KISS ME, KISS ME of then child actor-singer Efren Montes got revived by.Sarah Geronimo in a Korean film version of hers.

"Or this MAYBE THIS TIME which Sarah G's cover 'accidentally' made it viral, thanks to some crazy dance moves of a high school- uniformed teener...

"So it's also possible to revive the gold and platinum-awarded hit songs of Idol April Boy, once his biopic gets shown on November 27. 

"By reintroducing the iconic songs, moves, and singing style of ABR, it's likely that the younger fans will take to the iconic melodies and cheesy moves of IDOL...

"Strongest points of our film are its content -- the family drama, the good traits of April Boy as a son, husband and father --  kindness, and love for family, never get out of style, as proven by the Thai blockbuster HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES and Rebecca Chuaunsu's acclaimed HER LOCKET," Ms. Marynette detailed.

#idol

#aprilboyregino

#premierewaterplus

#marynettergamboa

“Masanting Ka Pampanga”: The Search for the first Mister Pampanga is On!

Masanting, a kapampangan word that translate to handsome or good looking men. Being referred to as Masanting carries a positive connotation that emphasizes not only the physical attributes, but also about one's character and personality. 

This 2024, the province of Pampanga is on the look for their very first Mister Pampanga, that will not only carry the name of the province in the national stage, but will also define what a true “Masanting ka Pampanga”. 

Introduced in their press conference held last November 3 at the Provincial Capitol in San Fernando City, 21 mangasanting men from different parts of Pampanga showcased their wit and knowledge in answering the questions from some of the members of the press. 

It was a mix of pageant veterans that will be vying for the title of the very first Mister Pampanga, some who stood out in the press present were Jaime Kjel Panlilio of San Luis, Kennet Cruz of Apalit, John Eriq Bonifacio of Macabebe, Jomarl Pabalan of Guagua, Jose Paras of San Simon, and Raven Lansangan of Mabalacat City. 

The Winner of the Mister Pampanga 2024 will win a cash prize worth ₱150,000 and will have the chance to represent the province in a national pageant. 

Meet the 21 Official Candidates of Mister Pampanga representing the 21 cities and municipalities in the province below; 

Angeles City, Krishna Yasser Rodriguez

Apalit, Justin Gomez

Arayat, Kennet Cruz

Bacolor, JM Mamangun 

Candaba, John Eric Hernandez

Floridablanca, Rafael Guevara

Guagua, Jomarl Pabalan

Lubao, Clark Bautista

Mabalacat City, Raven Renz Lansangan

Macabebe, John Eriq Bonifacio

Magalang, Christian John Capio

Masantol, Paul John Usi

Mexico, Emer John Bondoc

Minalin, Patrick Albert Lumba

Porac, Mohammed Emam

San Fernando City, Carlo Ballesteros

San Luis, Jaime Kjel Panlilio 

San Simon, Jose Carlos Paras

Santa Ana, Jexter Cantor

Santa Rita, Paul Arthur Rivera

Santo Tomas, Sheen Meirwin Castro. 

The coronation night of Mister Pampanga is happening on December 5, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City.