Freelance model and musical theater performer Misha Fabian, a senior student at Ateneo de Manila University, makes history as the first Filipino female athlete to participate in the Winter Universiade, the biggest multisport competition in the world next only to the Olympics.
She will compete in Figure Skating as the lone Philippine representative.
This year’s Winter Universiade is held in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk of the Russian Federation from March 1 to 12.
The Universiade is the largest sports competition among college and university students worldwide held under the aegis of the International University Sports Federation (FISU). Locally, the Universiade is represented by The Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP).
“It’s a tall order to win a figure skating medal especially when I’m competing against the world’s best university athletes where snow and ice are part of their nature. But I will give the Winter Universiade my best shot to promote my advocacy for girls to finish school while following their dreams” Fabian said.
Fabian played the female lead role in the highly successful run of Ateneo Blue Repertory’s staging of the musical Rent in 2018.
She takes a breather from the musical stage to pursue her other passions in sports and in the arts.
She prepared for her Siberian trip by training daily both on and office and took gym classes for physical conditioning and strengthening. On the side and in between tasks to finish her college thesis requirements, she takes on modeling assignments and plays an active participation in church youth groups.
After being the poster girl of a popular sports drink’s summer sports program in figures skating for an unprecedented three consecutive years and appearing in The Guardian-UK’s Photo of The Day, Fabian is making history again as the first Filipina in the Winter Universiade.
“I want to inspire young girls to value good education and strive to obtain a college degree while cultivating their passion in sports and the arts. It’s tough but girls can do it with beauty and grace.” Fabian said.
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Playlist’s many firsts
All those who watched Playlist: The Best of OPM Friday last week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was treated to many firsts that might not happen again in the near future.
Featured performers Joey Generoso, Jinky Vidal, Jay Durias, Juris Fernandez, Meds Marfil and Ice Seguerra were together on stage for a show for the very first time.
They ventured into the area of the new Pinoy pop music by performing songs like “Mundo” by IV of Spades, “Buwan” by JK Labajo, “Maybe The Night” by Ben&Ben and “Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw” by December Avenue.
Also in the program were medleys of songs popularized by their contemporaries like “Alapaap,” “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” “With A Smile,” “Ligaya,” and “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong” by the Eraserheads and “214,” “Hinahanap-hanap Kita,” “Himala,” “Liwanag Sa Dilim,” and “Ulan” by Rivermaya.
Fast-rising singer Janine Tenoso ventured into this territory of extraordinary music talent by presenting her own share of hits for the first time at the Big Dome, like “241,” “Jealous,” “Bulong,” and “Di Na Muli.”
Last but not least, This Band, the group behind the current big selling tunes “Kung Ayaw Mo Na” and “Hindi Na Nga” made a special appearance at the opening of the show.
Playlist: The Best of OPM was a Viva Live production directed by GB San Pedro.
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No harm intended
Saying that they just wanted to make the people smile during campaign rallies, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and senatorial aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said that there was no harm intended in the jokes both he and his close friend, actor Phillip “Ipe” Salvador, usually deliver in campaign sorties.
Bong Go also said that he and Philip Salvador wanted to make the people happy during such campaign sorties because they don’t like audiences to get tired of the promises the candidates say during rallies.
“Ma’am Kris Aquino, paumanhin po talaga,” the former SAP humbly apologized, as he faced hundreds of supporters in a campaign rally of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) political party in Manila on Wednesday.
After receiving word of Kris Aquino’s response towards the jokes, both Go and Salvador avoided mentioning the actress’ name in their introductory comedic skits.
“Gusto lang po namin kayong pasayahin. Ngayon, medyo mayroon po akong nasaktan, kaya eto po, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin po,” Go told the members of the audience in Manila recently, stressing that the banter is merely part of their comedic performance.
“Part ng script lang po ‘yung intro joke namin ni Ipe. Hindi na namin gagamitin ang joke na ‘yun,” he assured.
Go continued, “Ang importante po ay mapatawa namin kayo at mapangiti, hindi po ‘yung puro pulitika na lang po ang naririnig ninyo.”
Before letting Philip Salvador sing the song, “Nandito ako”, Go, a self-confessed movie fan, quipped, “Diyan ko po siya (Salvador) napanood noon kasama si Kris. Ngayon, ito po ang totoo.
“At oo, minahal niya po si Kris,” he stated.
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